Closer Monkey

Category: Tampa Bay Rays

  • Jake McGee on the road to recovery

    April 17, 2015 Tampa Bay Rays — Injured closer Jake McGee, working his way back after arthroscopic elbow surgery in December, tossed an inning in an extended spring training game on Thursday. The Rays will decide the next step in McGee’s recovery process on Friday; he may return to the big club within two weeks. Hierarchy remains:…

  • Fernando Rodney struggles; Kevin Jepsen earns vulture save

    April 15, 2015 Colorado Rockies — Prior to Tuesday’s game, Walt Weiss told Adam Ottavino that he would be the closer going forward; Ottavino responded by striking out the side to pick up his first save. Updated hierarchy: Ottavino | Betancourt | Logan. Seattle Mariners – Fernando Rodney continued his poor pitching on Tuesday and this time it…

  • Koji Uehara activated; Chris Hatcher has another bad outing

    April 13, 2015 Pittsburgh Pirates – After a ridiculous spring that included a 21:1(!) K:BB ratio, Arquimedes Caminero has brought his 101-mph fastball to the 7th inning in Pittsburgh. On Sunday, he picked up his 2nd hold of the season, and he’s now totaled 2.2 scoreless to start the year. Updated hierarchy: Melancon | Watson…

  • Brad Boxberger tightens his hold in Tampa; Andrew Miller on the rise for the Yankees

    April 11, 2015 Tampa Bay Rays — Grant Balfour entered in the fifth inning of Friday’s game with the Rays down seven, a solid indication that he’s not the first choice for high-leverage setup work in Tampa. Kevin Cash has also shown no indication that he’s using a closer committee, with Brad Boxberger getting enough endgame opportunities to shed his asterisk. Boxberger should…

  • Boxberger and Mujica expected to see save chances to start season

    March 30, 2015 Tampa Bay Rays — The Rays have several options to close while Jake McGee is out.  Grant Balfour should be ready for the start of the season after missing a couple weeks due to the passing away of his father.  However, it looks like Brad Boxberger will see the most save chances.  Boxberger had over 100 strikeouts last…