Closer Monkey | 2026

  • Kevin Ginkel grabs a save

    July 19, 2023 Arizona Diamondbacks — With Andrew Chafin on the paternity list and Miguel Castro having faced the 9-1-2 hitters in the eighth, Kevin Ginkel got the ball in the ninth with the Diamondbacks leading Atlanta, 16-13. Ginkel struck out the side to earn his first save of the season. The struggling Scott McGough got…

  • High-leverage Ryan Brasier returns

    July 18, 2023 Los Angeles Dodgers – Plucked off the scrap heap after an unceremonious end to his tenure in Boston, Ryan Brasier has pitched surprisingly well (12.1 IP, 2 ER) for the Dodgers since being called up from AAA in June. Yesterday, with Evan Phillips getting a breather, Brasier picked up his first save…

  • Kyle Finnegan set to take over the ninth for Washington

    July 17, 2023 Washington Nationals — As we alerted you Sunday night, Hunter Harvey has a sore right triceps and is very likely to be placed on the IL today. This opens up the door for Kyle Finnegan to resume the closer role, and probably eliminates any chance that the oft-injured Harvey is traded this…

  • Harvey almost certainly headed to IL

    July 16, 2023 Washington Nationals – Hunter Harvey appears to be headed to the IL with a sore arm, as Davey Martinez said he’d prefer to be cautious with him. Kyle Finnegan returns to the closer’s role and expect Mason Thompson and Jordan Weems to be the top choices for holds.  Updated hierarchy: Finnegan |…

  • Aroldis Chapman records first save as a Ranger and could the Rays be moving towards the unthinkable?

    July 16, 2023 Texas Rangers – Aroldis Chapman struck out a pair in a scoreless 9th inning and recorded his first save as a Ranger.  Manager Bruce Bochy said that Chapman is not the Rangers’ closer but that he and Will Smith will share the duties.  We will see if either one can establish himself…

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