Rafael Betancourt out with a tight groin; Brothers and Lopez await

May 22, 2013

Colorado Rockies — Rafael Betancourt left Tuesday night’s game with what the team immediately described as a “tight right groin” — no real surprise given its recent workload. Betancourt was initially listed as day-to-day, but if Wednesday’s MRI leads to a DL stint, it’s likely that Rex Brothers will take over the closer role. Wilton Lopez is another option if Walt Weiss wants to play matchups or reduce the injury’s impact on the eighth inning. Hierarchy change: Rafael Betancourt injured, Rex Brothers to Closer, Wilton Lopez to Set-up.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
COLRex BrothersWilton LopezMatt BelisleRafael Betancourt5/22/13
Rafael Betancourt (INJ)    

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Chicago Cubs — If Dale Sveum insists on using his best reliever, James Russell, in the sixth or seventh inning, and then trusting Carlos Marmol in the eighth, then yes, we will update the Cubs’ hierarchy accordingly. Just don’t expect us to be happy about it. Hierarchy change: Carlos Marmol to 2nd in line, replacing James Russell.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CHCKevin GreggKyuji FujikawaCarlos MarmolKyuji Fujikawa5/22/13

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San Francisco Giants — Santiago Casilla returned to the disabled list with continued right knee trouble; he will see a specialist on Wednesday, and may even need surgery. Hierarchy change: Santiago Casilla to DL, Jeremy Affeldt to Set-up, Jean Machi to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SFSergio RomoJeremy AffeldtJean MachiSergio Romo5/22/13
Santiago Casilla (DL)

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Miami Marlins – Marlins skipper Mike Redmond is prepared to use a bullpen-by-committee approach, naming Mike Dunn and Chad Qualls as potential ninth-inning options to complement the embattled Steve Cishek. Hierarchy change: Chad Qualls to 2nd in line, replacing A.J. Ramos.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MIASteve CishekMike DunnChad QuallsSteve Cishek5/22/13

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Pittsburgh Pirates — With a win and two holds in the last week, Justin Wilson has moved ahead of Tony Watson in the Pirates’ pen. Hierarchy change: Justin Wilson to 2nd in line, replacing Tony Watson.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PITJason GrilliMark MelanconJustin WilsonJason Grilli5/22/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Rex Brothers/Wilton Lopez, Colorado Rockies — As noted above, Rafael Betancourt is out with a tight groin.
2. Mark Melancon/Justin Wilson, Pittsburgh Pirates — Jason Grilli has pitched in three of the last four games, including a grueling 35-pitch outing last night. Mark Melancon is slightly better rested, while Justin Wilson is rather fresh.
3. Josh Lueke/Kyle Farnsworth, Tampa Bay Rays — The Rays’ top three relievers have gotten a lot of work lately, including a 1.2-inning save for Fernando Rodney last night. Off a subpar 22-pitch outing of his own, Joel Peralta might be able to go tomorrow, but if you’re in the mood for an extremely speculative bullpen play, Josh Lueke and Kyle Farnsworth are the deep sleeper options.
4. Cory Gearrin, Atlanta Braves — Craig Kimbrel picked up the win last night; it was his fourth appearance in five games.

Atchison giving the Mets some quality innings

April 17, 2013

New York Mets – Josh Edgin was bombed in the fifth inning of yesterday’s nightcap, while Scott Atchison was quite effective in the seventh and eighth, and has allowed only one run in 7 1/3 innings this year. Hierarchy change: Scott Atchison to 2nd in line, replacing Josh Edgin.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Parnell |Lyon |Atchison |Parnell |4/17/13 |Francis(INJ)|

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Rex Brothers/Wilton Lopez, Colorado Rockies — Rafael Betancourt pitched in both ends of yesterday’s doubleheader, and Brothers and Lopez had easier workloads.
2. Ryan Cook, Oakland A’s — Grant Balfour has pitched in two straight games.

Wilton Lopez’s struggles continue; Joaquin Benoit’s usage worth watching

April 13, 2013

Toronto Blue Jays – Aaron Loup picked up a three-inning save on Friday.  Loup has pitched well to start the season, but doesn’t factor in to the Blue Jays late inning hierarchy just yet.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedTOR |Janssen |Santos |Oliver |Santos |4/13/13

 
Colorado Rockies – Former Astros closer Wilton Lopez continued his awful start to the season, allowing two more runs in the 7th inning to push his ERA to 12.46.  Rex Brothers got the win after throwing a clean 8th and has been pitching alongside Matt Belisle in high-leverage spots for the Rockies thus far.  Hierarchy change: Rex Brothers to 2nd in line, replacing Wilton Lopez.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCOL |Betancourt |Belisle |Brothers |Betancourt |4/13/13

 
Detroit Tigers – Jim Leyland said earlier this week that Joaquin Benoit would be his 9th inning man in most situations, though added a few caveats, namely that Benoit needed to stay fresh to be effective, so would only sometimes pitch on back-to-back days and definitely could never go three in a row.  Like with all things related to Leyland and the Detroit closer situation, we figured we’d believe it when we saw it.  However, last night in an extra inning game on the road, Benoit was warming for a potential save opportunity late in the game, and is now worth stashing, especially if you have Phil Coke and want to monopolize Tigers saves.  If Benoit gets the next save opp, he’ll likely pass Coke as the Detroit reliever you most want to own, if you only have room for one.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedDET |Coke |Benoit |Alburquerque|Rondon |4/13/13

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Santiago Casilla, San Francisco Giants – Sergio Romo has pitched in two straight and four of the last five.
2. Luke Gregerson, San Diego Padres – Huston Street has pitched in back to back games and thrown 40 pitches, including a blown save last night.

Wilton Lopez finally to close for Houston; Brandon League traded to Dodgers

July 31, 2012

Los Angeles Angels – Jerome Williams pitched the last 4 innings of a blowout on Monday, earning his first save.  Williams’s outing was pretty hideous (8 hits, 5 ERs), and he doesn’t factor in the the Angels usual late-inning plans.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Downs |Jepsen |Walden |7/31/12

 
Seattle Mariners – The Mariners traded set-up man Brandon League to the Dodgers early Tuesday morning.  Lucas Luetge and Josh Kinney will now share 8th inning duties.  With Tom Wilhelmsen getting a night off last night (his wife was expecting a child), Kinney and Luetge combined to get through the 9th inning, with Luetge picking up the one-out save.  Hierarchy change: Lucas Luetge to Set-up, Josh Kinney to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSEA |Wilhelmsen |Luetge |Kinney |Wilhelmsen |7/31/12 |Furbush(DL) |

 
New York Mets – In a game with lots of bullpen ineptitude on both sides, Manny Acosta picked up a shaky save for the Mets in the 10th inning.  Acosta does not fit in to the Mets usual late-inning plans; they’d already used all their top arms when they summoned him last night.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Parnell |Rauch |Edgin |Francisco |7/31/12 |Francisc(DL)|

 
Houston Astros – Some speculated that Francisco Cordero’s decent outing on Sunday may have saved his job, but tonight, he was the first man out of the bullpen for the Astros.  Coming on in the 7th inning, Cordero allowed an inherited runner to score, then gave up the tying run.  He also pitched to one batter in the 8th, allowing a leadoff double, before being lifted and eventually taking the loss.  Based on Cordero’s usage tonight, and his general awfulness in his return to the National League thus far, Wilton Lopez looks like he will finally get his shot to finish games.  Hierarchy change: Wilton Lopez to Closer, Wesley Wright to Set-up, Francisco Cordero to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedHOU |Lopez |Wright |Cordero |Lopez |7/30/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Lucas Luetge/Josh Kinney, Seattle Mariners – Tom Wilhelmsen’s wife just gave birth, so the Seattle closer may still be unavailable today.
2. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever the Twins are facing a righty-heavy lineup.

Francisco Cordero pitches 7th inning, is likely done as Astros closer

July 30, 2012

Houston Astros – Some speculated that Francisco Cordero’s decent outing on Sunday may have saved his job, but tonight, he was the first man out of the bullpen for the Astros.  Coming on in the 7th inning, Cordero allowed an inherited runner to score, then gave up the tying run.  He also pitched to one batter in the 8th, allowing a leadoff double, before being lifted.  Based on his usage tonight, and his general awfulness in his return to the National League thus far, Wilton Lopez looks like he will finally get his shot to finish games.  Hierarchy change: Wilton Lopez to Closer, Wesley Wright to Set-up, Francisco Cordero to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedHOU |Lopez |Wright |Cordero |Lopez |7/30/12