Closer Monkey

Year: 2016

  • Gavin Floyd is rising in the Toronto bullpen

    May 12, 2016 Toronto Blue Jays — The Blue Jays emptied their bullpen in a 13-inning game last night, and among the pitchers used was Gavin Floyd. Floyd is a converted starter who has been seeing some high-leverage use for the Blue Jays this past week. His ERA sits at a tidy 1.65, and we think his recent performance has moved him slightly…

  • Jim Johnson hits the DL

    May 11, 2016 Atlanta Braves – Jim Johnson and his 7.90 ERA hit the DL on Tuesday. Ian Krol was recalled from Triple-A, but another lefty, Hunter Cervenka, has been terrific for the Braves since his debut on April 12, throwing 14 straight scoreless innings. Holds are rare from the Braves bullpen, but Cervenka may be…

  • Two saves in a row for Tony Cingrani

    May 10, 2016 Detroit Tigers – Tigers skipper Brad Ausmus has refused to deploy his bullpen arms with any consistency, preferring to mix and match based on usage and match-ups. That said, right-hander Mark Lowe has struggled regardless of what inning he has pitched in lately, culminating in a loss last night which sent his…

  • Aroldis Chapman is back and ready to fire away

    May 9, 2016 New York Yankees – Aroldis Chapman was reinstated from his 30-game suspension this morning and will close immediately for the Yankees. Andrew Miller has done a stellar job in his place and becomes perhaps one of the best middle relievers in the game — he’s worth holding on to, especially if the…

  • Shawn Kelley keeps throwing up zeroes

    May 8, 2016 Washington Nationals — For the second night in a row, Blake Treinen came on in the sixth inning. Shawn Kelley has a 0.00 ERA and has been pitching later in games than Treinen. Kelley was signed this off-season to be the primary set-up man for Jonathan Papelbon, and it looks like he is finally…