Bullpen Report: September 8, 2014

• No save situation for the Tigers today but Joe Nathan, who has been struggling with elbow tenderness of late, threw a scoreless ninth inning.  Joakim Soria threw a simulated game today and when he returns, he might be used as the 7th-inning option. Joba Chamberlain pitched the eighth allowing an earned run in the process but looks secure as the main setup option behind Nathan, even when Soria is back.

• The addition of Huston Street and Joe Smith’s performance this season has kept Jason Grilli away from saves in LA, but he’s quietly been pretty impressive of late. After a scoreless appearance today, Grilli has a 2.20 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 28.2 innings pitched for the Angels this year. Grilli has put some of his early season issues in Pittsburgh behind him and although he won’t see the ninth, he’s become a useful ratio and stirkeout helper for those in deep leagues, and a source of holds for the Angels and fantasy owners

Drew Storen struck out the side for his third save of the season in relief of the recently demoted Rafael Soriano. It’s been a small sample, but Drew Storen has looked good in the role and could stay there for a little while. Soriano threw a bullpen today and is expected to be available for the Nationals soon. However, there’s no guarantee that he gains his familiar role upon his return and I would actually pick Storen’s save totals from here on out over Soriano’s output.

• Quick hits: LaTroy Hawkins earned his third loss and blown save this season after Curtis Granderson tripled in the tying run before winning the game on a sacrifice fly. Hawkins has held on to the job thus far, and in spite of today’s outing, he should continue receiving save opportunities for the remainder of the year. Mark Melancon threw a perfect ninth for save number 27 as his ERA (2.03)  inches closer to falling under 2.00 for the second year in a row.

Closer Grid:

Closer First Second DL/Minors
Arizona Addison Reed Brad Ziegler Oliver Perez
Atlanta Craig Kimbrel Jordan Walden David Carpenter Shae Simmons
Baltimore Zach Britton Tommy Hunter Andrew Miller
Boston Edward Mujica Junichi Tazawa Koji Uehara
CHI (NL) Hector Rondon Neil Ramirez Kyuji Fujikawa
CHI (AL) Jacob Petricka Zach Putnam Matt Lindstom
Cincy Aroldis Chapman Sam LeCure Manny Parra Sean Marshall
Cleveland Cody Allen Bryan Shaw Scott Atchison
Colorado LaTroy Hawkins Adam Ottavino Rex Brothers
Detroit Joe Nathan Joba Chamberlain Al Alburquerque Joakim Soria
Houston Chad Qualls Tony Sipp Josh Fields
KC Greg Holland Wade Davis Jason Frasor
LAA Huston Street Joe Smith Jason Grilli
LAD Kenley Jansen Brian Wilson Brandon League
Miami Steve Cishek Bryan Morris A.J. Ramos
Milwaukee Francisco Rodriguez Jonathan Broxton Brandon Kintzler Jim Henderson
Minnesota Glen Perkins Jared Burton Casey Fien
NY (NL) Jenrry Mejia Jeurys Familia Vic Black Bobby Parnell
NY (AL) David Robertson Dellin Betances Adam Warren
Oakland Eric O’Flaherty Luke Gregerson Ryan Cook Sean Doolittle
Philly Jonathan Papelbon Ken Giles Jake Diekman Mike Adams
Pittsburgh Mark Melancon Tony Watson Jared Hughes
St. Louis Trevor Rosenthal Pat Neshek Seth Maness Jason Motte
SD Kevin Quackenbush Dale Thayer Nick Vincent Joaquin Benoit
SF Santiago Casilla Sergio Romo Jeremy Affeldt
Seattle Fernando Rodney Danny Farquhar Dominic Leone
TB Jake McGee Brad Boxberger Grant Balfour
Texas Neftali Feliz Neal Cotts Shawn Tolleson
Toronto Casey Janssen Aaron Sanchez Brett Cecil
Wash. Drew Storen Tyler Clippard Rafael Soriano

[Green light, yellow light, red light: the colors represent the volatility of the bullpen order.]





When he's not focusing on every team's bullpen situation, Ben can be found blogging at Ben's Baseball Bias and on Twitter @BensBias

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John Geordino
9 years ago

Brad Zeigler out for the season.