Closer Monkey

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  • Bell likely to replace Putz, while Tazawa is confirmed in Boston; Marmol back up, Axford back down

    May 8, 2013 Arizona Diamondbacks — J.J. Putz gave up a four-pitch walk to start the ninth Tuesday night, then immediately exited with elbow stiffness. Although Heath Bell is allowing 1.5 baserunners per inning, he has significant experience as a closer and has probably outpitched David Hernandez so far this year. Kirk Gibson might give lip service to a closer-by-committee system,…

  • A new closer every day in Boston

    May 7, 2013 Boston Red Sox — Joel Hanrahan’s ignoble return to the Boston bullpen lasted for precisely four batters, one of whom tapped him for a game-tying home run. To add injury to insult (and injury), Hanrahan left shortly thereafter with “right forearm tightness.” We believe Junichi Tazawa has a slight edge over Koji Uehara, but either…

  • JJ Hoover snags another vulture save; Andrew Bailey to undergo MRI

    May 6, 2013 Cincinnati Reds – After pitching in back to back games, both Aroldis Chapman and Jonathan Broxton got the day off on Sunday, and the Reds played matchups in the late innings to protect a three-run lead, with Sean Marshall in the 8th and J.J. Hoover in the 9th.  This was Hoover’s 2nd…

  • Andrew Bailey dealing with bicep soreness

    May 3, 2013 Boston Red Sox — Joel Hanrahan came on for the save instead of Andrew Bailey yesterday. After the game, John Farrell said that Bailey was dealing with “biceps soreness” and said he hoped the injury would not keep him out for long. Hanrahan has pitched horribly to start the year, so it is unlikely he…

  • Rays bullpen continues letting them down

    May 2, 2013 Tampa Bay Rays – An ugly April for the Rays bullpen has spilled into May, as 7th inning man Jake McGee gave up 5 runs on Wednesday against the Royals.  McGee’s ERA jumped from 6.48 to 11.00 after the shellacking, and with hard-throwing righty Kyle Farnsworth struggling, the Rays may have to…