MLB Bullpen Report: 07/08/12

This article was originally posted on Rotoinfo.com, the place to get all your fantasy news all the time.

By Matthew Beck

American League

Baltimore Orioles
(CL) Jim Johnson (R)–Recorded his 26th save of the season on Friday night after pitching a 1-2-3 ninth inning. He forced two ground ball outs and one fly ball out on nine pitches to get the job done. (07/07/12)
(SU) Pedro Strop (R)–Pitched 0.1 innings of relief on Saturday night retiring the only batter that he faced on one pitch. He forced a fly ball to get out of the seventh inning and will be available out of the bullpen on Sunday as well. (07/08/12)
(MR) Darren O’Day (R)–Picked up his fourth hold of the season on Friday night despite giving up one run on two hits and one walk while striking out one batter in the eighth inning. The run came via a Mike Trout solo-home run to bring the Angels within one run, but O’Day was able to get the job done before giving up the lead. (07/07/12)

 Boston Red Sox
(CL) Alfredo Aceves (R)–Pitched a scoreless ninth inning on Saturday night giving up one run on one hit while striking out one batter. This was Aceves’ first appearance since Tuesday, so he will be available to pitch in the final game of the first half of the season on Sunday. (07/08/12)
(SU) Vicente Padilla (R)–Picked up his 19th hold of the season on Saturday after pitching 0.2 innings of relief. He needed only three pitches to get through the eighth inning forcing two fly ball outs. (07/08/12)
(MR) Mark Melancon (R)–Pitched two innings of relief on Friday giving up one hit while striking out two batters. Melancon has now pitched two innings in each of his last two appearances and is starting to cement his role in the Red Sox bullpen. (07/07/12)
Injured–Andrew Bailey (60-Day DL), Bobby Jenks (60-Day DL)

Chicago White Sox
(CL) Addison Reed (R)–Recorded his 13th save of the season on Friday night despite giving up one run on one hit and one walk in the ninth inning. It wasn’t the cleanest of outings, but Reed was able to settle down to earn the save. (07/07/12)
(SU) Matt Thornton (L)– Recorded his second save of the season on Saturday night after pitching 1.1 innings of relief giving up one hit while striking out two batters. He was only used because Addison Reed was unavailable after pitching back-to-back days, so don’t look too much into this save opportunity. (07/08/12)
(MR) Hector Santiago (L)–Picked up the win on Thursday after pitching one inning of relief giving up one run on one hit while striking out two batters. It wasn’t the best of outings from Santiago, but it was nice to see him keep it together and pick up the win. (06/29/12)

Cleveland Indians
(CL) Chris Perez (R)–Recorded his 24th save of the season on Thursday after pitching a scoreless ninth inning giving up one hit in the outing. He needed only 11 pitches to get through the appearance forcing one ground ball out and two fly ball outs. (07/06/12)
(SU) Vinnie Pestano (R)–Picked up his 22nd hold of the season on Saturday after pitching a scoreless eighth inning giving up one walk while striking out one batter. With this appearance Pestano lowered his earned-run average to 1.80 on the season. (07/08/12) (MR) Tony Sipp (L)–Picked up his ninth hold of the season on Saturday after pitching a 1-2-3 seventh inning. He struck out one batter in the appearance while forcing two fly ball outs on 13 pitches thrown. (07/08/12)

Detroit Tigers
(CL) Jose Valverde (R)–Pitched one inning of relief on Saturday night giving up three runs on two hits and two walks while striking out one batter. Luckily for Valverde the Tigers had a huge lead leading up to the ninth inning, so despite giving up three runs, the Tigers escaped with the win. (07/08/12)
(SU) Joaquin Benoit (R)–Pitched a scoreless eighth inning on Saturday retiring all three batters he faced in order. He struck out two batters in the appearance while forcing one ground ball out on 15 pitches thrown. (07/08/12)
(MR) Phil Coke (L)–Picked up his 15th hold of the season on Saturday night after retiring the final batter of the seventh inning. He struck out the batter on four pitches while lowering his earned-run average to 3.25 on the season. (07/08/12)

Kansas City Royals
(CL) Jonathan Broxton (R)–Recorded his 21st save of the season on Thursday after pitching a scoreless ninth inning giving up one hit in the outing. With this appearance Broxton lowered his earned-run average to 1.99 on the season. (07/06/12)
(SU) Greg Holland (R)–Picked up his eighth hold of the season after pitching 0.2 innings of relief retiring both batters he faced in order. Holland has now struck out five batters in his last 3.1 innings of work. (07/06/12)
(MR) Aaron Crow (R)–Pitched 0.2 innings of relief on Thursday after giving up three runs on two hits and one walk. This was another rough outing for Crow, who has now given u six runs in his last two appearances combined. (07/06/12)
Injured–Joakim Soria (out for season)

Los Angeles Angels
(CL) Ernesto Frieri (R)– Recorded his 11th save of the season on Thursday night after pitching a scoreless ninth inning giving up one walk while striking out one batter. Frieri has been great for the Angels since being dealt to them earlier in the season and he has yet to give up an earned-run this year. (07/06/12)
(CL) Scott Downs (L)–Recorded his eighth save of the season on Saturday night after pitching a scoreless ninth inning striking out one batter. Downs has been getting a save chance here-and-there as of late, so he is worth owning in just about all fantasy formats. (07/08/12)
(MR) Jordan Walden (R)–Pitched a scoreless ninth inning on Friday night in a non-save situation giving up one hit while striking out two batters. With this appearance Walden lowered his earned-run average to 4.00 on the season. (07/07/12)

Minnesota Twins
(CL) Glen Perkins (L)–Pitched a scoreless ninth inning on Friday night in a non-save situation giving up one hit while striking out one batter. He needed only 11 pitches to end the game forcing two fly ball outs to go along with his strikeout. (07/07/12)
(CL) Jared Burton (R)–Pitched one inning of relief on Saturday night retiring all three batters he faced in order. He struck out two batters in the appearance and has now recorded five strikeouts in his last 3.1 innings of relief. (07/08/12)
(MR)–Alex Burnett (R)–Pitched 1.1 innings of relief on Saturday giving up two walks while striking out one batter. He needed 28 pitches to get through the appearance with 15 pitches going over for strikes. (07/08/12)
Injured–Matt Capps (15-Day DL)

New York Yankees
(CL) Rafael Soriano (R)–Recorded his 20th save of the season on Friday night after retiring the final four batters of the game. He struck out two batters in the appearance while forcing one ground ball out and one fly ball out on 22 pitches thrown. (07/07/12)
(SU) David Robertson (R)–Picked up his ninth hold of the season on Friday after pitching a scoreless inning of relief giving up one hit and one walk while striking out two batters. With this appearance Robertson lowered his earned-run average to 2.31 on the season. (07/07/12)
(MR) Boone Logan (R)–Pitched 0.2 innings of relief in Game 2 of Saturday’s doubleheader giving up one run on one hit and two walks while striking out one batter. Logan has now pitched back-to-back days and will likely get the day off on Sunday. (07/08/12)
Injured–Mariano Rivera (out for the season)

Oakland Athletics
(CL) Ryan Cook(R)–Pitched a scoreless ninth inning on Friday night in a non-save situation giving up one hit while striking out one batter in the outing. With this appearance Cook lowered his earned-run average to 1.46 on the season. (07/07/12)
(SU) Grant Balfour (R)–Pitched a scoreless 10th inning on Friday retiring all three batters he faced in order. He struck out one batter in the appearance with forcing one ground ball out and one fly ball out to get the job done. (07/07/12)
(MR) Jordan Norberto (L)–Picked up his first win of the season on Friday night after pitching a 1-2-3 11th inning. He struck out the side on 17 pitches while lowering his earned-run average to 3.13 on the season. (07/07/12)
Injured–Joey Devine (15-Day DL)

Seattle Mariners
(CL) Tom Wilhelmsen (R)–Was charged with his second blown-save of the season on Friday night after giving up one hit and two walks in 1.1 innings of relief. With this appearance Wilhelmsen lowered his earned-run average to 2.44 on the season. (07/07/12)
(SU) Brandon League (R)–Pitched one inning of relief on Friday giving up just one walk in the outing. He needed only nine pitches to get through the inning forcing one ground ball out and one fly ball out. (07/07/12)
(MR) Lucas Luetge (L)–Pitched 0.2 innings of relief on Wednesday giving up one walk while striking out one batter. With this appearance Luetge lowered his earned-run average to 1.66 on the season. (07/05/12)
Injured–George Sherrill (15-Day DL), Stephen Pryor  (15-Day DL)

Tampa Bay Rays
(CL) Fernando Rodney (R)–Recorded his 24th save of the season on Tuesday night after pitching a 1-2-3 ninth inning. He struck out two batters in the inning and has now pitched back-to-back days and may get the day off on Wednesday. (07/04/12)
(SU) Kyle Farnsworth (R)–Pitched a scoreless seventh inning on Friday giving up one hit in the outing. This was a much better showing from Farnsworth than his previous appearance on Wednesday as he needed only 11 pitches to get the job done. (07/07/12) (MR) Joel Peralta (R)–Picked up his 18th hold of the season on Tuesday night after retiring the final two batters of the eighth inning. He needed only six pitches to get through the appearance forcing two fly ball outs. (07/04/12)

Texas Rangers
(CL) Joe Nathan (R)–Picked up the in on Saturday after pitching two innings of relief giving up two hits while striking out two batters. He threw 36 pitches in the outing, but will likely still be available on Sunday with the All-Star break starting Monday. (07/08/12)
(SU) Mike Adams (R)–Took the loss on Wednesday after surrendering one run on one hit and one walk while striking out two batters in the ninth inning. With this outing Adams falls to 1-3 on the season with a 3.18 earned-run average. (07/05/12)
(MR) Robbie Ross (L)–Pitched 1.1 innings of relief on Saturday night giving up two walks while striking out one batter. With this appearance Ross lowered his earned-run average to 0.96 on the season with four holds. (07/08/12)
Injured–Koji Uehara (15-Day DL)

Toronto Blue Jays
(CL) Casey Janssen (R)–Recorded his 11th save of the season on Wednesday after pitching a 1-2-3 ninth inning. Janssen has now pitched back-to-back days and will likely be off on Thursday. (07/05/12)
(SU) Jason Frasor (R)– Pitched a scoreless seventh inning on Saturday night retiring all three batters he faced in order on 14 pitches. He struck out one batter in the appearance while forcing one ground ball out and one fly ball out on 14 pitches thrown. (07/08/12) (MR) Francisco Cordero (R)–Pitched 0.2 innings of relief o Thursday surrendering three runs on five hits while striking out one batter. With this appearance Cordero’s earned-run average ballooned to 6.00 on the season. (07/06/12) 
Injured–Sergio Santos (15-Day DL)

National League

Arizona Diamondbacks
(CL) J.J. Putz (R)–Recorded his 16th save of the season on Saturday night after pitching a scoreless ninth inning giving up one hit and one walk while striking out one batter. Once again Putz allowed a few base runners, but was able to work out fo the jam by forcing two ground ball outs. (07/08/12)
(SU) David Hernandez (R)–Picked up his 12th hold of the season on Saturday after pitching a scoreless eighth inning giving up one walk while striking out two batters. Hernandez has now recorded a hold each of the last two nights while striking out two batters in each of the two appearances. (07/08/12)
(MR) Bryan Shaw (R)–Failed to record an out in his appearance on Friday night giving up one run on three hits and one walk in the seventh inning. Shaw has been relatively effective for the majority of the season so don’t look too much into this outing. (07/07/12)
Injured–Takashi Saito (15-Day DL)

Atlanta Braves
(CL) Craig Kimbrel (R)–Recorded his 24th hold of the season on Saturday night after pitching a 1-2-3 ninth inning. He struck out two batters in the appearance while forcing one fly ball out on 14 pitches thrown. (07/08/12)
(SU) Eric O’Flaherty (L)–Picked up his 15th hold of the season on Saturday after pitching a scoreless eighth inning. With Jonny Venters on the disabled-list expect O’Flaherty to be used in the setup role on a regular basis. (07/08/12)
(MR) Kris Medlen (R)–Pitched 0.2 innings of relief on Thursday giving up one hit in the outing. With Jonny Venters on the disabled list expect Medlen to be used in more hold situations which will increase his fantasy value. (07/06/12)
Injured–Jonny Venters (15-Day DL)

Chicago Cubs
(CL) Carlos Marmol (R)–Pitched one inning of relief on Friday night surrendering three runs on two hits and three walks while striking out one batter. He almost blew the game for the Cubs, but luckily for them he was able to force a fly out to end the game. (07/07/12)
(SU) James Russell (L)–Pitched one inning of relief on Friday giving up one run on two hits while striking out one batter. With this appearance Russell raised his earned-run average to 2.43 on the season. (07/07/12)
(MR) Shawn Camp (R)–Pitched a scoreless seventh inning on Friday night needing only four pitches to get through the appearance. With this appearance Camp lowered his earned-run average to 2.86 on the season. (07/07/12)

Cincinnati Reds
(CL) Aroldis Chapman (L)–Recorded his 10th save of the season on Saturday night after striking out the side in the ninth inning. With three strikeouts on Saturday Chapman now has 69 strikeouts on the season. (07/08/12)
(SU) Sean Marshall (L)–Picked up his ninth hold of the season on Saturday despite giving up one run on three hits and one walk while striking out two batters. He recorded the first two outs of the eighth inning and was later relieved by Logan Ondrusek. (07/08/12) (MR) Jose Arredondo (R)–Picked up his fifth hold of the season on Saturday night after recording the final out of the seventh inning. He gave up one hit while striking out one batter in the appearance. (07/08/12)
Injured–Ryan Madson (out for season), Nick Masset (15-Day DL)

Colorado Rockies
(CL) Rafael Betancourt (R)–Recorded his 14th save of the season on Friday night after pitching a 1-2-3 ninth inning. He struck out one batter in the appearance while forcing two fly ball outs on eight pitches thrown. (07/07/12)
(SU) Matt Belisle (R)–Pitched 1.1 innings of relief on Friday giving up one hit while striking out two batters on 17 pitches thrown. With this appearance Belisle lowered his earned-run average to 1.77 on the season. (07/07/12)
(MR) Matt Reynolds (L)–Pitched a scoreless seventh inning on Thursday giving up one hit while striking out one batter. Reynolds has now pitched back-to-back days and will likely get the day off on Friday. (07/06/12)

Houston Astros
(CL)Brett Myers (R)–Recorded his 18th save of the season on Saturday night after pitching a 1-2-3 ninth inning. He needed 13 pitches to get through the appearance forcing three fly ball outs to get the job done. (07/08/12)
(SU) Brandon Lyon (R)–Pitched one inning of relief on Saturday giving up one run on two hits while striking out one batter. With this appearance Lyon increased his earned-run average to 3.31 on the season. (07/08/12)
(MR) David Carpenter (R)–Pitched 0.1 innings of relief on Wednesday surrendering two runs on two hits in the outing. With this appearance Carpenter raised his earned-run average to 6.07 on the season, which is nothing to brag about. (07/05/12)
Injured–Wilton Lopez (15-Day DL)

Los Angeles Dodgers
(CL) Kenley Jansen (R)–Recorded his 15th save of the season after pitching a scoreless ninth inning striking out the side on 11 pitches. Jansen has now pitched three straight days and will likely get the day off on Friday. (07/06/12)
(SU) Scott Elbert (L)–Picked up his eighth hold of the season on Thursday after pitching a scoreless seventh inning striking out one batter. He retired all three batters he faced in order on 10 pitches. (07/06/12)
(MR) Josh Lindblom (R)–Pitched two innings of relief on Saturday night giving up one run on one hit and one walk while striking out one batter. The run came via a Jason Kubel home run with two outs in the eighth inning, which raised his earned-run average to 3.07 on the season. (07/08/12) Injured–Matt Guerrier (15-Day DL)

Miami Marlins
(CL) Heath Bell (R)–Recorded his 19th save of the season on Friday night despite giving up one run on two hits in the ninth inning. Bell has been used heavily this week, but it appears the Marlins are going to let him pitch as much as possible leading up to the All-Star break. (07/07/12)
(SU) Steve Cishek (R)–Picked up his 11th hold of the season on Friday after pitching 1.2 innings of relief retiring all five batters he faced in order. Cishek was sharp in this appearance forcing three ground ball outs and one fly ball out to go along with one strikeout on 23 pitches thrown. (07/07/12)
(MR) Mike Dunn (L)–Picked up his sixth hold of the season on Friday night after pitching 0.1 innings of relief giving up one hit in the outing. He threw nine pitches to get through the appearance with seven pitches going over for strikes. (07/07/12)
Injured– Edward Mujica (15-Day DL)

Milwaukee Brewers
(CL) John Axford (R)–Was charged with his fifth blown-save of the season on Wednesday after surrendering one run on one  hit in the ninth inning. Axford has now pitched three straight days and will likely be unavailable on Thursday. (07/05/12)
(SU) Francisco Rodriguez (R)–Picked up his 17th hold of the season on Wednesday after pitching a scoreless eighth inning giving up one walk while striking out one batter. Rodriguez has now pitched three straight days and will likely be unavailable on Thursday. (07/05/12)
(MR) Kameron Loe (R)–Pitched a scoreless eighth inning on Saturday giving up one hit while striking out one batter. He needed only nine pitches to get through the appearance with eight pitches going over for strikes. (07/08/12)

New York Mets
(CL) Bobby Parnell (R)–Recorded his second save of the season on Saturday after pitching a scoreless ninth inning giving up one hit while striking out one batter. He needed 26 pitches to get through the inning, which is a very high amount, but expect him to be available Sunday if the Mets need him for a save situation. (07/08/12)
(SU) Jon Rauch (R)–Pitched 0.1 innings of relief on Thursday giving up one hit in the outing. He was used to get the first out of the eighth inning and was then relieved by Tim Byrdak because a left-handed hitter was coming up to the plate. (07/06/12)
(MR) Miguel Batista (R)–Pitched two innings of relief on Friday night giving up one run on four hits and one walk while striking out two batters. He needed 32 pitches to get through the appearance with 21 pitches going over for strikes. (07/07/12)
Injured– Frank Francisco (15-Day DL)

Philadelphia Phillies
(CL) Jonathan Papelbon (R)–Took the loss and was charged with his second blown-save of the season after giving up two runs on three hits and one walk in the ninth inning. This was a rough outing for Papelbon, who needed 28 pitches to get just two outs in the ninth inning. (07/06/12)
(SU) Antonio Bastardo (L)–Took the loss on Friday night after surrendering five runs on two hits and three walks in the eighth inning. He retired just two batters in the appearance, which raised his earned-run average to 5.34 on the season. (07/07/12)
(MR) Jeremy Horst (L)–Pitched a scoreless ninth inning on Saturday night in a non-save situation giving up one hit while striking out two batters. Horst has now pitched back-to-back days, so don’t expect to see him take the mound on Sunday. (07/08/12)
Injured–David Herndon (15-Day DL)

Pittsburgh Pirates
(CL) Joel Hanrahan (R)–Recorded his 23rd save of the season on Saturday night after pitching a scoreless ninth inning giving up one hit in the outing. With this outing Hanrahan lowered his earned-run average to 2.38 on the season. (07/08/12)
(SU) Jason Grilli (R)–Picked up his 21st hold of the season on Saturday after striking out the side in the eighth inning. Grilli has become one of the best setup men in all of baseball and is currently sitting on a 1.87 earned-run average with 54 strikeouts. (07/08/12)
(MR) Juan Cruz (R)–Pitched one inning of relief on Friday night giving up one run on two hits in the outing. With this appearance Cruz raised his earned-run average to 2.76 on the season, which is very respectable for a mid-reliever. (07/07/12)
Injured–Chris Leroux (60-Day DL)

San Diego Padres
(CL) Huston Street (R)–Picked up the win on Thursday after pitching a scoreless ninth inning giving up one hit while striking out two batters in the outing. Street has now pitched back-to-back days and will likely be given the day off on Friday. (07/06/12)
(SU) Dale Thayer (R)–Pitched a scoreless seventh inning on Saturday night giving up one hit and one walk. With this appearance Thayer lowered his earned-run average to 4.62 on the season. (07/08/12)
(MR) Luke Gregerson (R)–Pitched a scoreless ninth inning on Saturday in a non-save situation retiring all three batters he faced in order. He needed only 17 pitched to get through the appearance forcing one ground ball out and two fly ball outs to get the job done. (07/08/12)

San Francisco Giants
(CL) Santiago Casilla (R)–Casilla was unavailable to pitch on Friday due to a finger injury and in his absence Sergio ROmo converted a 1-2-3 ninth inning to earn his fifth save. Although Casilla’s job is safe for now, be sure to keep your eye on Romo’s production especially if Casilla continues to struggle. (07/07/12)
(SU) Sergio Romo (R)–Recorded his fifth save of the season on Friday after pitching a 1-2-3 ninth inning. The Giants announced before the game that Santiago Casilla would be out with an injury, so Romo did not take over the closer role although Casilla has been struggling. (07/07/12)
(MR) Javier Lopez (L)–Failed to record an out in his appearance on Friday night after giving up a home run on the eighth inning. He threw just five pitches in the outing with four going over for strikes. (07/07/12)
Injured–Brian Wilson (out for season) 

St. Louis Cardinals
(CL) Jason Motte (R)–Recorded his 20th save of the season on Saturday after pitching a scoreless ninth inning giving up two hits while striking out one batter. This was Motte’s first appearance since Thursday, so he will be available out of the bullpen on Sunday. (07/08/12)
(SU) Mitchell Boggs (R)–Picked up his 13th hold of the season on Saturday after pitching a scoreless eighth inning giving up one hit while striking out one batter. With this appearance Boggs lowered his earned-run average to 1.93 on the season. (07/08/12) (MR) Eduardo Sanchez (R)–Pitched one inning of relief on Friday night giving up two runs on three hits in the sixth inning. This was a bad outing for Sanchez, but he entered after Adam Wainwright gave up seven runs through five innings, so the game was already out of reach. (06/30/12)

Washington Nationals
(CL) Tyler Clippard (R)–Picked up the win on Thursday after pitching a scoreless ninth inning in a non-save situation. He struck out two batters in the appearance and improved his record to 2-2 on the season. (07/06/12)
(SU) Sean Burnett (L)–Picked up his 16th hold of the season on Wednesday after pitching a scoreless eighth inning giving up one hit while striking out one batter. With this appearance Burnett lowered his earned-run average to 1.47 on the season. (07/05/12) (MR) Michael Gonzalez (L)–Pitched a scoreless ninth inning on Wednesday giving up one hit in the outing. Gonzalez has now pitched back-to-back days and will likely be unavailable on Thursday. (07/05/12)
Injured– Drew Storen (15-Day DL)

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Matthew Beck is a Fantasy Sports Columnist for Rotoinfo.com. If you have any questions or comments feel free to e-mail him at matthewbeck@rotoinfo.com.  Also follow him on Twitter @MatthewRBeck for up-to-date Q&A and fantasy information.