Daily Notes | Santiago Casilla Closing

When Brian Wilson went down everyone's first assumption was that the saves would then go to Sergio Romo, but as our own Josh Shepardson reported initially, not so fast. Casilla's 6 saves last year compared to Romo's three career saves proves that he has more "closing experience" and thus the decision to throw him in in the 9th yesterday and any day now. 

It did not look like saves would be Casilla's right away though. On April 14, when Wilson's season was already over, Casilla came into a tie game in the 8th inning rather than the 9th. Javy Lopez eventually got the win in the 9th. Something has caused Bruce Bochey to change his mind over the last 72 hours though and Casilla was used exclusively as the 9th inning guy yesterday. 

Although the way he went about was horrible for me personally (I never anticipated Casilla would get the job because of how he was used on April 14), I like the decision. Casilla gave up only 1 home run to the 211 hitters he faced last year and just 2 to 225 hitters he saw in 2010. He should be a stable source as far as saves go for this season - which of course means nothing because nobody has been steady this season. The Giants are the 8th team in the last month to change closers. Here's some more odds and ends:

• Justin Upton still hasn't driven in a run this season and was not in the lineup yesterday as his thumb has been bothering him. He went to see a hand specialist and Kurt Gibson said a DL trip might be necessary.
• With one Upton potentially leaving another is coming back. B.J. Upton should be set to come off the DL on Friday.
• Mark Trumbo was not in the lineup last night for the Angels, but continues to work on his defense at third base before games. He has made 3 errors in only 12 chances this season.  
• Josh Reddick has hit third in 8 games for the A's this season. He had three hits last night, has raised his line drive rate by 10% (I know it's still very early), and is owned in 4% of Yahoo mixed leagues. 
• Johan Santana lasted just 1.1 innings last night. It was the shortest outing of his career, but he claims he felt fine afterwards. 
• Jason Heyward has perfect attendance through the Braves first 11 games and stole his 4th base last night. Last year he stole only 9, so obviously Heyward is feeling great. This could be the breakout season that everyone has been anticipating. 
• The Cardinals admitted that it was a mistake to push Allen Craig to make the Opening Day roster. Matt Carpenter would have said otherwise. Craig's absense likely contributed to Carpenter making the team. Carpenter drove home the winning run in the Cardinals game yesterday. 
• Holds leagues should know Kerry Wood was sent back to Chicago and got a cortisone shot in his shoulder. I think I've heard this story before.
• Speaking of holds, Steve Cishek has already made 8 appearances for the Marlins this season. He hasn't been scored upon in any of them.
• Scott Baker had Tommy John surgery on Tuesday. That came from left field. 
• Despite the fact that the Padres might be on the hook for $7.25 million, the team might release Orlando Hudson who has sat the last couple of days in favor of Andy Parrino.
• Since the start of last season, Jordan Zimmermann has had 13 quality starts that have either gone for a no decision or a loss including both of his starts so far this year. 
• Padres prospect Casey Kelly got good news when it was revealed that his elbow has no structural damage. He will be shut down for a couple weeks. Hopefully this doesn't throw off Kelly's game. He was starting to look like the prospect the Padres traded Adrian Gonzalez for as he had 14 strikeouts to 0 walks in his first two starts this year.