Closer Monkey

Category: closer change

  • Brad Hand, Edwin Diaz taking over in the ninth

    May 26, 2017 San Diego Padres — For the second straight night, Padres manager Andy Green gave a save opportunity to Brad Hand Thursday, electing to use the lefty in the ninth and previously established closer Brandon Maurer in the eighth. Both pitchers allowed one run, but Maurer was able to preserve the lead and Hand was able…

  • Mark Melancon is back; Brandon Maurer is bad

    May 18, 2017 San Francisco Giants — Mark Melancon was activated from the disabled list a few days earlier than expected, and will immediately return to the closer role for the Giants. Updated hierarchy: Melancon | Law | Strickland. San Diego Padres — There’s still no word on when Carter Capps will return from extended spring training,…

  • Steve Cishek struggles after Edwin Diaz is demoted

    May 17, 2017 Seattle Mariners — Edwin Diaz was demoted from the closer role Tuesday, replaced by a committee that will include Nick Vincent, Tony Zych, newly returned Steve Cishek, and Mark Rzepczynski. Two of those guys – Vincent and Zych – were unavailable for Tuesday night’s game, having pitched both three straight. That left…

  • Edwin Diaz out in Seattle; Mariners to use committee approach

    May 16, 2017 Seattle Mariners — And, just like that, Edwin Diaz was demoted from the closer role, replaced by a committee that will include Nick Vincent, Tony Zych, newly returned Steve Cishek, and Mark Rzepczynski. For tonight’s purposes, note that Vincent and Zych have gone in three straight. Updated hierarchy: *Vincent | Zych |…

  • Corey Knebel to close for Brewers while Neftali Feliz gets “a break”

    May 12, 2017 Milwaukee Brewers — Craig Counsell just announced that Neftali Feliz would get “a break” from closing in favor of Corey Knebel. The “break” language makes it sound like Counsell would like to return to Feliz, so we’ll leave him at #2 for now. Updated hierarchy: Knebel | Feliz | Barnes.