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September 2, 2017
Kansas City Royals — For the second time in 10 days, Kelvin Herrera was pulled from a game in a save situation with forearm tightness. Both times it’s been Scott Alexander converting the unorthodox save, giving him two more than Herrera in that time period. Alexander has been solid this year and has now gone 11 straight appearances without a run, but he hasn’t seen consistent high-leverage use, and Mike Minor and Brandon Maurer had already pitched last night. We’ll keep an eye on Herrera’s “day-to-day” status — the last time he was pulled, he was held out for five days. We expect Brandon Maurer to be first in line for any save chances in the meantime.
Hierarchy remains: Herrera | Maurer | Minor.
Washington Nationals — Ryan Madson has been activated from the DL and figures to return to a late-inning role immediately. Dusty Baker is excited, and with good reason: Madson hasn’t given up a run in a Nationals uniform. Madson should fight for the eighth-inning role, but he’ll have to prove he’s ready first. Dusty Baker is also known for letting his players chase milestones, so he may try to get Brandon Kintzler two more saves to reach 30 on the year.
Updated hierarchy: Doolittle | Kintzler | Madson.
Cleveland Indians — In the first game of a doubleheader, Cody Allen came on to bail out Bryan Shaw in the eighth inning. He escaped with the lead, but when he loaded the bases in the ninth with two outs, Terry Francona went to Joe Smith to pitch to Miguel Cabrera. Cabrera lined out to earn Smith his first save of the season. Smith is an important part of the Cleveland bullpen, and will continue to see high-leverage work, but there is no reason to think this was anything but a matchup play after Allen had thrown 28 pitches.
Hierarchy remains: Allen | Smith | Shaw.
Seattle Mariners — David Phelps is headed right back to the disabled list with the same right elbow impingement. Marc Rzepczynski returns to second in line.
Updated hierarchy: Diaz | Vincent | Rzepczynski.
Boston Red Sox — Matt Barnes was activated from the DL after spending the minimum amount of time there. He joins a crowded Boston bullpen, with Craig Kimbrel and Addison Reed locks in the last two innings. Expect Barnes to challenge for the seventh immediately, as Joe Kelly has struggled a bit after returning from the DL himself.
Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Reed | Kelly.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Anthony Swarzak — It’s been three in a row for Corey Knebel.
2. Brandon Maurer — We told you about Herrera’s issues above.
3. Mychal Givens/Darren O’Day — Both Zach Britton and Brad Brach went two innings yesterday and have pitched in two out of three.
4. Tony Barnette — Alex Claudio got five outs Friday in his second straight day of work.
5. Archie Bradley/David Hernandez — Fernando Rodney has pitched in three of four (57 pitches). So has Bradley, but he threw only seven last night.
Sunday:
1. Joe Smith — Cody Allen has gone in two of three (48 pitches).
2. Alex Wilson — Shane Greene has too (32 pitches).
3. Tommy Hunter — And Alex Colome.
4. Kyle Barraclough/Drew Steckenrider — Both Brad Ziegler and Barraclough have gone in two in a row.
5. Luis Garcia — And so has Hector Neris.
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