April 5, 2019
Atlanta Braves — Believed by many to be the team’s best reliever, AJ Minter has been activated from the injured list and was quickly thrust into a medium-leverage situation Thursday. With the Braves leading 9-0 in the ninth, Chad Sobotka allowed back-to-back dingers to make it 9-3. He then allowed another hit before he was yanked. Minter allowed that inherited runner to score after he walked two and yielded a fielder’s choice, but otherwise was able nail down the final two outs to finish things. Brian Snitker said before the game that Minter would pitch the ninth if the Braves were leading, and we expect both Minter and Arodys Vizcaino to get save chances in the immediate future.
Updated hierarchy: *Vizcaino | Minter | Sobotka.
* = closer-by-committee
Chicago Cubs – The Cubs are off to a 1-5 start and their bullpen has not pitched well at all. This includes CJ Edwards, who allowed two more runs Thursday to inflate his ERA to 45.00. He entered with a 1-0 deficit and two runners on in the fifth inning, but by the time he was out of the game, it was 4-0 Braves. Edwards has allowed more runs (5) than recorded outs (3) this season. Brandon Kintzler has pitched pretty well out of the gate (2.2 IP, 0 ER, 4 Ks, 1 hold) and should be ahead of Edwards at this point. Injured closer Brandon Morrow is progressing as expected, and he sure is needed. As manager Joe Maddon put it after Thursday’s game, “We just have to get our bullpen in order.“
Updated hierarchy: *Strop | Cishek | Kintzler.
* = closer-by-committee
Baltimore Orioles – Pitching for the first time since Sunday, Mychal Givens was sort of used like a relief ace in Thursday’s contest after he entered the 8th inning and helped get the O’s out of a jam to keep a one-run deficit intact. However, Givens put two men on in ninth and Miguel Castro allowed a home run to Yankees DH Luke Voit, forcing in both of Givens’ runners. The O’s bullpen remains very much in committee mode with how Givens has been used to start the year.
Hierarchy remains: *Givens | Bleier | Fry.
* = closer-by-committee
Pittsburgh Pirates – Felipe Vazquez had a bit of an adventure in recording his first save of the year on Thursday. After inducing a leadoff groundout, Matt Kemp struck out on a wild pitch and eventually advanced to third base after the next batter doubled. Vazquez rebounded by striking out the next two hitters to lock down the save. Richard Rodriguez, who struggled on Opening Day, pitched well in the eighth inning ahead of Vazquez. Keone Kela was unavailable on Thursday, as was another pitcher, who we’re presuming was Kyle Crick based on Rodriguez’s appearance.
Hierarchy remains: Vazquez | Kela | Crick.
Detroit Tigers — Before the season, much of the talk was that it was only a matter of when, not if, Joe Jimenez would ascend to the closer’s role. It appears Shane Greene was hearing the chatter, too, as the righty now has an MLB-leading five saves after Thursday’s clean outing. He has yet to allow a run and has only given up two hits and zero walks (0.40 WHIP). Jimenez may grab hold of the closer gig at some point, but that would require the Tigers trading Greene or placing him on the IL. If Detroit is out of contention at the deadline, the former is likely.
Hierarchy remains: Greene | Jimenez | Farmer.
Cleveland Indians – Brad Hand needed to get the final four outs of Thursday’s game to complete a combined no-hitter, but he allowed a leadoff single in the ninth to end the bid. Hand gave up two more hits, including an RBI double, but struck out the final two batters he faced to earn his third save of the year. Hand sports a 2.45 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP to go with his six strikeouts this season.
Hierarchy remains: Hand | Cimber | Edwards.
Kansas City Royals — Brad Boxberger pitched well Thursday as he looks to eventually be relevant to the ninth-inning plans. He tossed a scoreless ninth inning and had two strikeouts with the Royals trailing 5-4. Yes, that performance lowers his ERA to 10.80, but it’s a start.
Hierarchy remains: *Kennedy | Peralta | Diekman.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Chris Martin — Jose Leclerc got Thursday off, but he still has pitched in four of six.
Tomorrow:
1. Joe Jimenez — The Tigers are off today, but they could still choose to rest Shane Greene for Saturday’s contest. Even with Friday off, he will have pitched in four of the previous six days.
2. Zack Britton/Adam Ottavino —The Yankees are also off on Friday, but their bullpen has been busy lately. By Saturday, Aroldis Chapman and Britton will have pitched in three of five.