Bell likely to replace Putz, while Tazawa is confirmed in Boston; Marmol back up, Axford back down

May 8, 2013

Arizona Diamondbacks — J.J. Putz gave up a four-pitch walk to start the ninth Tuesday night, then immediately exited with elbow stiffness. Although Heath Bell is allowing 1.5 baserunners per inning, he has significant experience as a closer and has probably outpitched David Hernandez so far this year. Kirk Gibson might give lip service to a closer-by-committee system, but we see him moving Bell into the ninth, while Hernandez keeps his set-up role. Hierarchy change: Heath Bell to Closer, Brad Ziegler to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedARI |Bell |Hernandez |Ziegler |Putz |5/8/13 |Putz(INJ) |

 
Boston Red Sox — Joel Hanrahan was officially placed on the DL with a forearm strain, and it will indeed be Junichi Tazawa closing in his stead — at least for now. In a rare piece of good news, Andrew Bailey’s MRI was clean, and he will be eligible again on May 13. Craig Breslow had a rough night on Tuesday, but John Farrell has spoken highly of him, and frankly, there aren’t a ton of other options right now. No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Tazawa |Uehara |Breslow |Bailey |5/8/13 |Bailey(DL) |Hanrahan(DL)|

 
Chicago Cubs — Though Chicago fans greeted him with anticipatory boos, Carlos Marmol regained some confidence by holding a one-run lead for 1 1/3 innings, setting up Kevin Gregg for his fifth save in five chances. Dale Sveum clearly intends to ride or die with his $9.8 million man. Kyuji Fujikawa will throw another rehab appearance on Wednesday, then join the Cubs this weekend, likely sliding back into the set-up role behind Gregg. Hierarchy change: Carlos Marmol to 2nd in line, replacing Shawn Camp.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Gregg |Russell |Marmol |Fujikawa |5/8/13 |Fujikawa(DL)|

 
Milwaukee Brewers — Although John Axford was jettisoned as Milwaukee’s set-up man last week, the ever-mercurial Ron Roenicke left his options open by saying that he would play the matchups. Now that Axford was bypassed in Tuesday’s 8th in favor of mediocre Brandon Kintzler, it seems this demotion might actually stick. Hierarchy change: Tom Gorzellany to Set-up, Burke Badenhop to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Henderson |Gorzelanny |Badenhop |Henderson |5/8/13

 
Toronto Blue Jays — Steve Delabar has been pitching more effectively than Aaron Loup lately, and in more important spots. Sergio Santos, meanwhile, expects to be out for about two more weeks. Hierarchy change: Steve Delabar to 2nd in line, replacing Aaron Loup.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedTOR |Janssen |Oliver |Delabar |Santos |5/8/13 |Santos(DL) |

 
Baltimore Orioles — Pedro Strop continues to slide down the Baltimore bullpen hierarchy, while Tommy Hunter was summoned again in a late/close situation and picked up his second vulture win in four days.  Hierarchy change: Tommy Hunter to 2nd in line, replacing Pedro Strop.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedBAL |Johnson |O'Day |Hunter |Johnson |5/8/13

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jordan Walden, Atlanta Braves — Although Craig Kimbrel’s job is not in any danger, he has blown three of his last five save attempts, and might get tomorrow afternoon off after two straight nights of work. Set-up man Eric O’Flaherty has pitched in three straight games himself.

Aroldis Chapman is Reds new closer; Jose Valverde expected back Tuesday

Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde is still day-to-day with a sore back and Joaquin Benoit recorded a shaky save in his place on Sunday.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedDET |Valverde |Benoit |Coke |Valverde |5/21/12

 
Seattle Mariners – The Mariners summoned Charlie Furbush in the 7th inning on Sunday, whereupon he pitched a clean inning with 2 Ks.  The lefty, a former starting pitcher, has shown the ability to pitch out of the bullpen to both lefties and righties.  Hierarchy change: Charlie Furbush to 2nd in line, replacing Steve Delabar.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSEA |League |Wilhelmsen |Furbush |League |5/21/12

 
Cincinnati Reds – Dusty Baker said before Sunday’s game that Aroldis Chapman was his new closer, then sent him out for the 9th inning against the Yankees where the hard-throwing lefty recorded his first save.  Logan Ondrusek and Sean Marshall will share eighth-inning duties.  Hierarchy change: Aroldis Chapman to Closer, Sean Marshall to Set-up. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Marshall |Ondrusek |Madson |5/21/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Logan Ondrusek/Sean Marshall, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in two straight games and four of the last five, throwing 76 pitches over that span.  Dusty Baker said he will play matchups in the event that Chapman is unavailable, with Logan Ondrusek facing righties and Sean Marshall facing lefties.
2. Vicente Padilla, Boston Red Sox – Alfredo Aceves has pitched in two straight and three of the last four, throwing 54 pitches over that span.

Pedro Strop gets a save, Matt Guerrier to DL

April 25, 2012

Baltimore Orioles – Pedro Strop got the save last night as Jim Johnson spent Monday night in a hospital with flulike symptoms and was unavailable.   No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBAL |Johnson |Strop |Lindstrom |Johnson |4/25/12

  
Seattle Mariners – Steve Delabar pitched the 7th with a 2 run lead last night and has been used more often than Lucas Luetge.  Hierarchy change: Steve Delabar to 2nd in line, replacing Lucas Luetge.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSEA |League |Wilhelmsen |Delabar |League |4/25/12

  
Los Angeles Dodgers – Matt Guerrier was placed on the DL Tuesday with elbow tendinitis.  Scott Elbert pitched the 7th in a tie game and will likely move back into that role.   Hierarchy change: Scott Elbert to 2nd in line, replacing Matt Guerrier. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAD |Guerra |Jansen |Elbert |Guerra |4/25/12

  
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Pedro Strop Baltimore Orioles – Jim Johnson was unavailable on Monday due to flulike symptoms and if he is still under the weather tonight, Pedro Strop would likely get another save opportunity.
2. Brad Lidge,  Washington Nationals – Henry Rodriguez got the save on Tuesday so Brad Lidge could be in line for the next save opportunity.