steve delabar – Page 5 – Closer Monkey

Melancon could remain Pirates closer even after Grilli’s return

September 3, 2013

Pittsburgh Pirates — Mark Melancon’s outstanding performance as the Bucs’ interim closer could give Clint Hurdle the luxury of easing Jason Grilli back into high-leverage use. Grilli struck out the side in his Monday rehab appearance with the Altoona Curve; he’s expected to make one last rehab appearance on Wednesday for AAA playoff team Indianapolis, unless the big club calls him up first. Hierarchy change: Jason Grilli to Set-up (DL).

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
PIT		Mark Melancon		Tony Watson		Justin Wilson		Jason Grilli		9/3/13
				Jason Grilli (DL)

Toronto Blue Jays — Steve Delabar returned from the disabled list after almost a month and jumped right back into the eighth inning, earning a hold on Monday. Toronto has been leaning on Sergio Santos more than Brett Cecil over the past two weeks, so Santos keeps his slot at #3 for the Jays. Hierarchy change: Steve Delabar to Set-up, replacing Brett Cecil.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
TOR		Casey Janssen		Steve Delabar		Sergio Santos		Sergio Santos		9/3/13

Houston Astros — If you’re still chasing saves right now, you’re probably in your fantasy playoffs — and if you’re in your fantasy playoffs, you’ve probably stayed far away from the hellscape of the post-Veras Houston bullpen. The events of Labor Day won’t inspire you to change that sound plan: after a solid sixth and seventh from putative closer Josh Fields, Kevin Chapman let an inherited runner score to tie the game. Chia-Jen Lo came out for the ninth, which might have been enough to edge him past Fields in our hierarchy. If, that is, Lo hadn’t loaded the bases in time for a Chris Colabello grand slam. On the bright side, Houston’s minor league teams have the best combined record in baseball. No hierarchy change.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
HOU		Josh Fields		Chia-Jen Lo		Kevin Chapman		Josh Fields		9/3/13

Detroit Tigers — As predicted in Monday morning’s Vulture Save Watch, it was Jose Veras who earned the save by finishing off a shutout of Boston. Bet he’s glad he got out of Houston. No hierarchy change.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
DET		Joaquin Benoit		Jose Veras		Drew Smyly		Jose Veras		9/3/13

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Paco Rodriguez, Los Angeles Dodgers — Kenley Jansen has three saves in the last three days.
2. Sean Doolittle, Oakland A’s — Grant Balfour has pitched on four of the last five days, and Ryan Cook has pitched in three of four himself. Doolittle had Labor Day off.
3. Sergio Santos/Steve Delabar, Toronto Blue Jays — Casey Janssen has pitched in three of the last four games, and it may be too early for John Gibbons to use Steve Delabar on back-to-back days.

Steve Delabar hits DL; Kintzler, Smith seeing bigger innings

August 5, 2013

Milwaukee Brewers – Just a week ago, John Axford was being mentioned by Ron Roenicke as a possible part-time closer, but after a dominant stretch, the beleaguered righty has now given up 6 runs in his last 3.1 innings. He’s been dropped back to middle inning duty, while Brandon Kintzler and Mike Gonzalez have gotten all the big 7th- and 8th-inning work ahead of re-established closer Jim Henderson. Hierarchy change: Brandon Kintzler to Set-up, John Axford to 2nd in line.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
MIL		Jim Henderson		Brandon Kintzler		John Axford		Jim Henderson		8/5/13

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Cleveland Indians – Joe Smith pitched the 8th ahead of Chris Perez in both games this weekend, and has temporarily reclaimed his job as primary set-up man in Cleveland. Cody Allen has struggled lately, having allowed 3 runs and 7 hits over his last 3.1 innings of work. Hierarchy change: Joe Smith to Set-up, Cody Allen to 2nd in line.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
CLE		Chris Perez		Joe Smith		Cody Allen		Chris Perez		8/5/13

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Toronto Blue Jays – The Blue Jays placed All Star set-up man Steve Delabar on the DL yesterday with shoulder inflammation. The move is retroactive to August 3. Brett Cecil will take over 8th inning duties in his absence. Hierarchy change: Brett Cecil to Set-up, Sergio Santos to 2nd in line, Steve Delabar to DL.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
TOR		Casey Janssen		Brett Cecil		Sergio Santos		Sergio Santos		8/2/13
				Steve Delabar (DL)

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Los Angeles Angels – The Angels’ closer-by-committee was a wreck on Sunday, with Ernesto Frieri and Dane de la Rosa combining with several other relievers to blow the game. Frieri was summoned with 2 outs in the 8th inning, and retired the first hitter he faced, but in the 9th, he only recorded one out while allowing a hit and hitting a player with a pitch. De la Rosa then entered and allowed both of the inherited runners to score, saddling Frieri with the loss. This whole bullpen is still on the Hot Seat, though Kevin Jepsen was nowhere to be found during this mess, having pitched in back to back games prior to Sunday. Maybe he’ll get the call next time. No hierarchy change.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
LAA		Ernesto Frieri		Dane de la Rosa		Kevin Jepsen		Ernesto Frieri		8/5/13
				Ryan Madson (DL)

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San Diego Padres – Colt Hynes, a 28-year-old rookie who has been in the bigs for about 3 weeks, got his first career hold on Sunday, facing the heart of the Yankees order in the 8th inning and escaping unscathed. In the minors this year, Hynes had a strikeout-to-walk ratio that would make even Cliff Lee jealous, as the lefty racked up 58 strikeouts while walking only 2 hitters (yes, 2, as in two, dos, deux, due; that’s not a typo) in 47.1 innings. While Hynes hasn’t broken on to our hierarchy yet, based on that ratio alone, he’s become a reliever to watch in the second half. No hierarchy change.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
SD		Huston Street		Luke Gregerson		Dale Thayer		Huston Street		8/5/13

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Seattle Mariners – Danny Farquhar pitched a 1-2-3 inning on Sunday for his second straight save and looks to be the new closer for the Mariners. Hierarchy change: Danny Farquhar to Closer, Oliver Perez to Set-up.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
SEA		Danny Farquhar		Oliver Perez		Yoervis Medina		Tom Wilhelmsen		8/4/13
				Stephen Pryor (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Casey Fien/Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – Glen Perkins has pitched in three straight.
2. Jordan Walden, Atlanta Braves – Craig Kimbrel has pitched in three straight.
3. Ronald Belisario/Paco Rodriguez, Los Angeles Dodgers – Kenley Jansen has pitched in back to back games and three of four, and the Dodgers could play matchups in the 9th tonight.
4. Kevin Jepsen, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri and Dane de La Rosa both contributed to the blown save last night, and the latter has pitched in three straight.

Ernesto Frieri is getting worse; a parting gift from Kevin Gregg

July 31, 2013

Los Angeles Angels — In a wild game characterized by awful relief by both teams, Ernesto Frieri blew another save. Frieri has retired only 6 of the last 20 batters he’s faced, and although Dane de la Rosa and Kevin Jepsen were even worse last night, Frieri’s seat is getting hot enough for Mike Scioscia to discuss the possibility of playing matchups in the ninth going forward. No hierarchy change.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
LAA		Ernesto Frieri		Dane de la Rosa		Kevin Jepsen		Ernesto Frieri		7/31/13
				Ryan Madson (DL)

Houston Astros — Bo Porter, who is 2 1/2 years younger than Mariano Rivera, is telling us that any of his seven relievers could be used at any point after the sixth inning. We remain convinced that Travis Blackley and Jose Cisnero have the inside track. No hierarchy change.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
HOU		Jose Cisnero		Travis Blackley		Josh Zeid		Jose Cisnero		7/31/13

Chicago Cubs – Kevin Gregg’s final showcase appearance before the trade deadline ended in disaster; he loaded the bases and gave up a two-run single to blow what could be his final save opportunity as a Cub. Frog, meet scorpion. No hierarchy change.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
CHC		Kevin Gregg		Pedro Strop		Blake Parker		Pedro Strop		7/31/13

Milwaukee Brewers — John Axford entered Tuesday afternoon’s game in the fifth inning after Yovani Gallardo left with hamstring tightness; just another reason to doubt that this is really a platoon situation. Axford has allowed four runs and eight hits in his last three appearances (1.2 IP). No hierarchy change.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
MIL		Jim Henderson		John Axford		Brandon Kintzler		Jim Henderson		7/31/13

Los Angeles Dodgers — Bearded weirdo Brian Wilson was signed to a minor-league contract, reportedly worth a cool $1 million, plus performance bonuses. After a few weeks in the minors, he’ll get a shot at the big club, where he’s expected to take on a set-up role, hopelessly confuse many older Beach Boys fans, and ultimately become the first active major league player to marry Lady Gaga during a regulation game (in a non-strike season). No hierarchy change.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
LAD		Kenley Jansen		Paco Rodriguez		Ronald Belisario		Kenley Jansen		7/31/13

Toronto Blue Jays — The impressive Steve Delabar struck out the side in the eighth inning on nine pitches, a feat accomplished only 50 times before in baseball history. No hierarchy change.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
TOR		Casey Janssen		Steve Delabar		Brett Cecil		Sergio Santos		7/31/13
				Sergio Santos (DL)

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs — Kevin Gregg has pitched in four of five games, he threw 34 pitches on Tuesday, and he’ll probably be on another team by tomorrow night anyway.
2. John Axford/Burke Badenhop, Milwaukee Brewers — Jim Henderson got two saves on Tuesday (42 total pitches), and the Milwaukee bullpen has been overtaxed lately. If Ron Roenicke still trusts Axford, he’ll use him in a Wednesday save opportunity. If not, he might be forced to use Henderson or Badenhop.
3. LaTroy Hawkins, New York Mets — Bobby Parnell has pitched in three straight.
4. Chad Qualls, Miami Marlins — Steve Cishek pitched two innings and picked up the loss on Tuesday, and he needed 39 pitches to do it.
5. Cody Allen, Cleveland Indians — Chris Perez has pitched on four of the last five days, although he’s thrown only 41 pitches over that time.
6. Paco Rodriguez, Los Angeles Dodgers — Kenley Jansen has also thrown in four of five games.

Kirk Gibson pondering closer change; Steve Delabar picks up first save

July 11, 2013

Arizona Diamondbacks – Heath Bell blew his second straight save on Wednesday, prompting Kirk Gibson to say about the back end of his bullpen “I’m sure I’ll be up early thinking about it.” Bell, who is already on the Hot Seat, has been pretty terrible lately, but the upside for the Diamondbacks is that J.J. Putz is looking healthy and was finally given the keys to the 8th inning last night. He only needed 10 pitches to retire the side in order, and now has logged six appearances (five of them scoreless) since coming off the DL. Putz could be re-named closer as early as today. Hierarchy change: J.J. Putz to Set-up, David Hernandez to 2nd in line.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
ARI		Heath Bell		J.J. Putz		David Hernandez		J.J. Putz		7/11/13

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Toronto Blue Jays – Steve Delabar picked up a one-out save last night, replacing Casey Janssen, who was struggling to get through the 9th. Though it was a little odd to see Janssen get yanked in the middle of a save opp, he’s only got one blown save all year. Maybe the Blue Jays are boosting Delabar’s profile for the ridiculous, all-reliever AL final All Star vote. No hierarchy change.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
TOR		Casey Janssen		Steve Delabar		Brett Cecil		Sergio Santos		7/11/13
				Sergio Santos (DL)

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St. Louis Cardinals – Kevin Siegrist continues to flat-out dominate, as he’s now amassed 17 Ks in 12.1 scoreless innings since being called up. But it’s Seth Maness who has been getting the call ahead of Trevor Rosenthal and Edward Mujica lately. After pitching the 7th a few days ago, Maness got the call for the 6th and 7th last night, earning the win. Hierarchy change: Seth Maness to 2nd in line, replacing Kevin Siegrist.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
STL		Edward Mujica		Trevor Rosenthal		Seth Maness		Jason Motte		7/11/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays – Fernando Rodney has pitched in three straight.
2. Trevor Rosenthal, St. Louis Cardinals – Edward Mujica has pitched in back-to-back games and six of the last seven.

Steve Delabar could be closing soon for the Blue Jays

May 29, 2013

Toronto Blue Jays — With Darren Oliver on the disabled list with a strained shoulder, Steve Delabar has ascended to the setup role in the threadbare Jays bullpen. Right behind him is an equally overworked Brett Cecil, who has struck out eight of the last fourteen batters he’s faced. As Casey Janssen was held out of Tuesday’s game with a “tender” shoulder, Delabar may see ninth-inning action very soon. Hierarchy change: Steve Delabar to Set-up, Brett Cecil to 2nd in line, Darren Oliver to DL.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
TOR		Casey Janssen		Steve Delabar		Brett Cecil		Sergio Santos		5/29/13
				Sergio Santos (DL)		Darren Oliver (DL)

Miami Marlins – Mike Dunn entered in the eighth with a one-run lead and gave up three singles to tie the game; sent back out for the bottom of the ninth, he allowed two more singles and took the loss after Chad Qualls surrendered a game-ending hit. Those looking for clarity from this bullpen should prepare to wait two more weeks for the next save situation. No hierarchy change.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
MIA		Steve Cishek		Mike Dunn		Chad Qualls		Steve Cishek		5/29/13

New York Yankees — Joba Chamberlain was reactivated from the disabled list before Tuesday’s game. Although the Yankees’ pen has grown somewhat crowded in his absence, he should get a chance to regain his seventh-inning role. Hierarchy change: Joba Chamberlain to 2nd in line, replacing Boone Logan.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
NYY		Mariano Rivera		David Robertson		Joba Chamberlain		David Robertson		5/29/13

Cleveland Indians — Chris Perez had an MRI on Tuesday, which revealed tendinitis in his right rotator cuff. The injury is not expected to be serious, and Perez should return from the disabled list on or around June 11. No hierarchy change.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
CLE		Vinnie Pestano		Joe Smith		Cody Allen		Chris Perez		5/29/13
		Chris Perez (DL)

Minnesota Twins — Brian Duensing got his first save of the season on Tuesday by pitching a scoreless fourteenth inning. No hierarchy change.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
MIN		Glen Perkins		Jared Burton		Casey Fien		Glen Perkins		5/29/13

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Trevor Rosenthal, St. Louis Cardinals — Edward Mujica has pitched in three straight.
2. Jake McGee, Tampa Bay Rays — Fernando Rodney and Joel Peralta have each had two straight lengthy outings.
3. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins — Glen Perkins blew a save last night in a 29-pitch outing, and Burton is slightly better rested.
4. Sean Doolittle/Ryan Cook, Oakland A’s — Grant Balfour has had two somewhat strenuous outings back-to-back.
5. Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers — Jansen has at least a putative shot at a save every night under the current Dodgers bullpen setup.

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