Bullpen Report: June 13, 2018

Gabe Kapler has cast a wide net for the Phillies’ closer committee, using four different relievers to start off a final inning in a save situation since removing Hector Neris as the full-time closer. Neris, who has been a part of that mix, flubbed the one high-leverage situation he has had over the last three weeks. Luis Garcia has been entrusted with several high-stakes situations lately, but it may be hard for Kapler to trust him as a setup reliever, much less as a closer, going forward. Garcia has allowed six runs over his last three innings, and in each of the Phillies’ last two games, he has bequeathed a save opportunity onto a teammate after making a mess in the ninth inning.

On Sunday, Garcia gave way to Tommy Hunter after allowing a single and a double against the Brewers, but he got into more serious trouble in Tuesday’s series opener against the Rockies. Garcia started off the ninth inning with a comfortable 5-1 lead, but he allowed four consecutive singles before handing a bases-loaded, no-out save situation over to Seranthony Dominguez. The Rockies continued to go station-to-station against Dominguez, as Chris Iannetta singled in Gerardo Parra to cut the lead to 5-3. DJ LeMahieu’s sacrifice fly shaved off another run, but Dominguez retired Charlie Blackmon and Nolan Arenado for his third save.

Dominguez may appear to be the last reliever standing in the Phillies’ committee, but he has come back to earth lately, allowing three runs in 5.1 June innings. We should not count Edubray Ramos out for future saves, as he has been consistent since opening day and has not allowed an earned run or extra base hit over his last nine innings, dating back to May 13.

With the resurgence of Joakim Soria, the White Sox’s closer committee looked to be a thing of the past. However, when Rick Renteria opted to use Nate Jones to start off the ninth inning with a four-run lead against the Indians on Tuesday night, it was a bit surprising and possibly alarming for Soria’s fantasy owners. While the inning did not begin as a save situation, it still could have been a signal that Soria did not have the closer’s role all to himself.

As the inning progressed, the outlook got better for Soria. Jones allowed a leadoff double to Jose Ramirez. Then, after Ramirez moved up to third base on an Edwin Encarnacion ground out, Jones walked Yonder Alonso on four pitches. At that point, Jones was removed for lefty Xavier Cedeno, who struck out Jason Kipnis. With right-handed Yan Gomes due up, Soria was summoned for the final out, and three pitches later, he recorded his ninth save of the season.

On Tuesday night, A.J. Hinch showed that his save-sharing situation was still intact. Entering the series opener at Oakland, Hector Rondon was the owner of the Astros’ last three saves and was presumably rested after the team’s day off on Monday. With a three-run lead, Hinch turned to Ken Giles in the bottom of the ninth, and for his part, he continued his mastery of save situations. In allowing only a Dustin Fowler single, Giles improved to 11 for 11 in saves this season. He has not allowed a run over 10 innings pitched in save situations, but Giles has given up 12 runs in the 12.2 innings he has pitched in non-save situations.

Dellin Betances has taken control of the primary setup role for the Yankees. In each of Aroldis Chapman’s last three save opportunities, Betances has pitched the eighth inning for a hold, including in Tuesday night’s 3-0 win over the Nationals. Betances is the proud owner of some other streaks as well. He has made five straight appearances without a walk, eight without a run, and has gone 12 straight outings covering 13 innings without an extra-base hit.

Addison Reed has been demoted from the “First Up” column in the Twins’ portion of the closer grid, and he has a tenuous hold on the “Second Up” spot. For the second game in a row, Paul Molitor did not use Reed in an eighth-inning situation with a relatively slim lead. On Sunday against the Angels, Reed pitched the seventh inning with a four-run lead and relinquished the ball to Zach Duke in the eighth inning, even though two of the three batters due up were right-handed. On Tuesday night, Reed did not appear at all in the Twins’ 6-4 victory over the Tigers. Trevor Hildenberger got the final two outs in the seventh inning and returned for a perfect eighth inning. For now, Hildenberger holds down the “First Up” spot, but Duke could easily find himself back in the grid at any time.

Quick hits: After opening the season with 24.2 walkless innings, Kelvin Herrera walked two batters in the Royals’ 5-1 loss to the Reds. In giving up a leadoff homer to Tucker Barnhart in the ninth inning, Herrera blew his second save in 16 tries this season. Even after allowing the solo blast, Herrera’s ERA is a slim 1.05…Sergio Romo became the first Rays reliever to get a second save opportunity since Alex Colome was traded to the Mariners on May 25. Romo has converted both of his post-Colome save opportunities…Daniel Corcino was credited with his first career save, as he pitched the final three innings of the Dodgers’ 12-5 win over the Rangers…The Royals activated Justin Grimm (back) from the 10-day disabled list…The Twins signed Matt Belisle to a major-league deal on Tuesday. He had allowed six runs in 1o.2 innings with the Indians earlier this season, and last year, he recorded nine saves with Twins.