Closer Monkey

Category: Kansas City Royals

  • New closers abound as trade deadline looms

    August 1, 2016 Milwaukee Brewers – For the second straight night, Will Smith got the 8th inning ahead of Jeremy Jeffress. Smith and Tyler Thornburg have been flipping back and forth depending on matchups, so if Jeffress is dealt today, a committee is the most likely outcome. If the Brewers want to pick just one man…

  • Wade Davis hits the DL; Kelvin Herrera to close

    July 31, 2016 Kansas City Royals – Following an MRI on his elbow, Wade Davis is headed to the DL. Kelvin Herrera will close in his place. There’s no word yet on how much time Davis will miss, but the team’s Twitter said he had a flexor strain, which sounds less ominous than what could…

  • Jonathan Papelbon’s days as Nationals closer nearing end

    July 29, 2016 Washington Nationals — While the East Coast was sleeping, there was some late-innings drama in San Francisco when beleaguered closer Jonathan Papelbon entered the ninth inning with a 4-1 lead. He recorded one out, but allowed a single and a walk before he was pulled from the game, which had social media speculating…

  • Edwin Diaz emerging in Seattle

    July 17, 2016 Seattle Mariners — Edwin Diaz pitched the eighth inning in Saturday’s 1-0 win, striking out two and allowing just one hit. After the game, Scott Servais said that Diaz has “earned his trust,” but that Diaz hasn’t formally supplanted Joaquin Benoit in the eighth inning. Servais’ major concern is overusing Diaz, who is not…

  • Wade Davis and Kevin Siegrist return; Arodys Vizcaino down with injury

    July 16, 2016 Atlanta Braves — In an attempt to shake off nine days of rust, Brian Snitker called on Arodys Vizcaino in the ninth with the Braves down five. The move backfired terribly when Vizcaino exited after three pitches with what appeared to be a right oblique injury. After the game, Snitker announced that Vizcaino…