Closer Monkey

Category: Washington Nationals

  • Bobby Parnell returns; Jonathan Papelbon trade rumors heat up

    June 12, 2015 Tampa Bay Rays — It was a bad seventh inning for the Rays bullpen Thursday night. Up 2-1, manager Kevin Cash went with Kevin Jepsen, who allowed the tying run before getting yanked. Brad Boxberger came into the game with men on first and third with one out and the 1-2-3 hitters…

  • Shawn Tolleson pulls away from Rangers committee

    May 25, 2015 Washington Nationals – After he pitched a scoreless inning in his Nats debut Saturday, Casey Janssen was given a high-leverage opportunity, getting the last two outs of the 8th inning on Sunday ahead of Drew Storen. If he continues to pitch well, then Janssen would likely be someone that Matt Williams would…

  • Ross Ohlendorf is on the trolley!

    May 23, 2015 Texas Rangers — We expected that Shawn Tolleson and Keone Kela would get Friday off after some heavy usage. What we didn’t figure was that Jeff Bannister would call on Ross Ohlendorf and his Jazz Age delivery to pick up the save. Ohlendorf, who was in the minors all last year and got called up…

  • Brad Ziegler at the head of a crowded Arizona committee picture

    May 16, 2015 Arizona Diamondbacks — We warned you in Thursday night’s Hot Seat column that Addison Reed was in grave danger of losing his job; not 15 hours later, he was relegated to the fabled “low-pressure role,” to deal with his (mechanical) issues and get more “regular work.” Skipper Chip Hale mentioned Brad Ziegler by name as a potential…

  • Jake McGee in line to return to Rays this weekend

    May 7, 2015 Tampa Bay Rays — Jake McGee may be ready to rejoin the team as early as this weekend, but manager Kevin Cash indicated that when McGee returns he “won’t just make him the ninth-inning guy.” This isn’t the news that anyone who stashed McGee on the DL was hoping to hear, but…