Closer Monkey

Category: hierarchy change

  • Aroldis Chapman in danger of losing his job

    August 16, 2017 New York Yankees – Aroldis Chapman said he felt tightness in his hamstring when he came off the mound after Tuesday night’s save. While Chapman said it’s “nothing to worry about,” Joe Girardi was a bit more concerned, and not just about Chapman’s hamstring. Chapman is in real danger of being demoted from…

  • Mark Melancon about to return for the Giants, but will his elbow hold up?

    August 12, 2017 San Francisco Giants – Mark Melancon should be activated from the DL on Saturday, but Bruce Bochy doesn’t sound terribly confident in his abilities yet, calling him merely “pitchable.” Although Bochy stresses that Melancon will close again soon, for now the $62 million man will start in lower-leverage roles. We want to be sure…

  • Bud Norris out as Angels closer

    August 11, 2017 Los Angeles Angels — Manager Mike Scioscia said it’s time to “take a step back” from Bud Norris, who after allowing three runs Thursday has now allowed 13 earned runs over his last 4.2 IP. He later walked it back a bit by saying he’d “take a half step back and exhale.” Soft landing,…

  • Matt Belisle with another scoreless ninth; watch for the return of Glen Perkins

    August 10, 2017 Minnesota Twins — Yeah, Matt Belisle struck out the side for his third scoreless ninth in four days, and his sixteenth straight appearance without an earned run. Sure looks like the closer to us. Glen Perkins should be back next week, but probably won’t challenge for the job right away. Updated hierarchy:…

  • Yes, Bud Norris is still the Angels’ closer

    August 9, 2017 Los Angeles Angels — Keynan Middleton overcame a solo home run to pick up his first career save. Bud Norris hadn’t pitched since Sunday, but after Tuesday’s win Mike Scioscia said that he wanted to give Norris and Blake Parker a night off because they’ve pitched so much. Norris has struggled lately,…