Closer Monkey

Category: Chicago Cubs

  • Rowan Wick returns for the Cubs

    August 11, 2021 Chicago Cubs — The Cubs activated Rowan Wick from the IL prior to the second game of Tuesday’s doubleheader. Wick pitched a perfect seventh inning in that contest with the Cubs trailing, 6-2. It was his first MLB appearance since Sept. 16, 2020. We’ll move Wick right to the top of this…

  • Young Manuel Rodriguez could be Chicago’s closer of the future

    August 5, 2021 Chicago Cubs — 24-year-old rookie Manuel Rodriguez overcame the walk-off homer he gave up in his last appearance to convert his first career save in a 3-2 win on Wednesday. That’s the sort of thing that will get a guy into the hierarchy right away, and we’ll keep monitoring this situation to…

  • Craig Kimbrel traded across town, will split save opportunities with Liam Hendriks

    July 30, 2021 Chicago Cubs — Score another one for the Vulture Trade Watch, although it didn’t take a genius to predict Craig Kimbrel was headed out the door at Wrigley. In his absence, we expect some combination of Rex Brothers and Dan Winkler to handle the ninth until Rowan Wick can come back and…

  • Closers Diego Castillo and Brad Hand traded; hours left before trade deadline

    July 30, 2021 Seattle Mariners — Days after trading closer Kendall Graveman to the Astros, the Mariners acquired Diego Castillo and will presumably plug him into the ninth-inning role right away. GM Jerry Dipoto said as much, though he acknowledged others could also factor in based on matchups. Paul Sewald, who has been amazing this…

  • Taylor Rogers leaves game early; Andrew Chafin dealt to Oakland

    July 27, 2021 Minnesota Twins – Taylor Rogers threw five pitches in Monday night’s game, then exited with a finger injury. In a weird twist, this might actually raise his fantasy value over the season’s final months — assuming the injury makes him an unattractive trade target, but is mild enough that he can return…