Closer Monkey | 2026

  • Adbert Alzolay placed on IL

    September 11, 2023 Chicago Cubs – Adbert Alzolay has been placed on the IL with a forearm strain. Look for Mark Leiter Jr. and Julian Merryweather to get the bulk of the chances in his absence. Updated hierarchy: *Leiter Jr. | Merryweather | Boxberger.* = closer-by-committee

  • Andres Munoz dealing with nagging injury

    September 11, 2023 Chicago Cubs – As expected, Adbert Alzolay got the day off after pitching in two straight, and the Cubs used Jose Cuas, Mark Leiter Jr., Hayden Wesneski, and Julian Merryweather (in that order) to get the game’s final 10 outs. It was Merryweather’s first save of the season, and he’ll likely share…

  • Ryan Helsley records first save since returning from injury

    September 10, 2023 St. Louis Cardinals – Ryan Helsley pitched a scoreless inning for his first save since returning from the IL while Giovanny Gallegos got the 8th inning.  Helsey has four scoreless appearances since coming back and should be the best option for saves on any given night. Hierarchy remains: *Helsley | Gallegos |…

  • Are the A’s for real?

    September 9, 2023Chicago Cubs — The Cubs got a little bit of bullpen help for the stretch run when Brad Boxberger was activated from the 60 day IL yesterday. He didn’t pitch yesterday, but did string together 4 scoreless appearances in his rehab outing before getting called back up. Boxberger was a key part of…

  • Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase notches league-leading 10th blown save

    September 8, 2023 Cleveland Guardians – Emmanuel Clase had a rough outing Thursday, suffering his eighth loss and tenth blown save by allowing two runs on a double, three singles and an intentional walk. It’s been a bit of an up-and down year for Clase. Before Thursday, he was last scored upon Aug. 29 and…

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