Closer Monkey

Closer Monkey | 2026

  • Phillies’ Jose Alvarado placed on injured list

    May 10, 2023 Philadelphia Phillies – Jose Alvarado hit the injured list on Wednesday with left elbow inflammation. We’ll slide Craig Kimbrel to the lead spot and slap on a committee tag. Serathony Dominguez and Gregory Soto could be in the mix, too, but it’s worth noting Matt Strahm has the most-recent save after beginning…

  • Kendall Graveman grabs a save

    May 10, 2023 Chicago White Sox — Kendall Graveman earned his first save of the season on Tuesday with a perfect ninth inning. That followed a 1-2-3 eighth inning from Reynaldo Lopez. Hierarchy remains: *Graveman | Lopez | Middleton.* = closer-by-committee Los Angeles Dodgers – With the tying run on deck in a 6-2 game,…

  • The “Dead Fish” is back in the bigs

    May 9, 2023 Los Angeles Angels – An evening bereft of significant bullpen news allows us to use this space to highlight one of our favorite relievers in recent years. Cesar Valdez, the 38-year-old creator of the “Dead Fish” change-up — which he throws about 80% of the time, albeit with different grips and arm…

  • Michael King, Mark Leiter Jr. take the lead in their respective committees

    May 8, 2023 Philadelphia Phillies – Matt Strahm came on for the 8th inning to protect a 3-run lead, then stayed on for the 9th after the Phillies stretched their lead further, earning his first career save. But in what is potentially more relevant news, Jose Alvarado was used in the 7th against the heart…

  • Ian Hamilton, Adbert Alzolay, and Zach Jackson record saves

    May 7, 2023 New York Yankees – Clay Holmes pitched a scoreless 8th inning with the Yankees down 2-0.  After the Yankees rallied for three runs in the top of the 9th, Ian Hamilton pitched a scoreless bottom of the 9th to pick up his first career save.  Hamilton and Michael King have both pitched…

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