Closer Monkey

Closer Monkey | 2026

  • Mark Melancon is back; Brandon Maurer is bad

    May 18, 2017 San Francisco Giants — Mark Melancon was activated from the disabled list a few days earlier than expected, and will immediately return to the closer role for the Giants. Updated hierarchy: Melancon | Law | Strickland. San Diego Padres — There’s still no word on when Carter Capps will return from extended spring training,…

  • Steve Cishek struggles after Edwin Diaz is demoted

    May 17, 2017 Seattle Mariners — Edwin Diaz was demoted from the closer role Tuesday, replaced by a committee that will include Nick Vincent, Tony Zych, newly returned Steve Cishek, and Mark Rzepczynski. Two of those guys – Vincent and Zych – were unavailable for Tuesday night’s game, having pitched both three straight. That left…

  • Edwin Diaz out in Seattle; Mariners to use committee approach

    May 16, 2017 Seattle Mariners — And, just like that, Edwin Diaz was demoted from the closer role, replaced by a committee that will include Nick Vincent, Tony Zych, newly returned Steve Cishek, and Mark Rzepczynski. For tonight’s purposes, note that Vincent and Zych have gone in three straight. Updated hierarchy: *Vincent | Zych |…

  • Edwin Diaz scuffling in Seattle

    May 16, 2017 Seattle Mariners – Edwin Diaz entered the game with a three-run lead, retired the first man he faced, then walked the next four hitters he faced. Diaz’s control wasn’t there, but it didn’t completely elude him, as he reached a full count with all four hitters that he eventually walked, but he still…

  • Nationals bullpen still in disarray; Dellin Betances to close with Chapman out

    May 15, 2017 Miami Marlins – After a bad start to the season that saw his ERA climb to 8.10 on April 21, David Phelps has righted the ship. Last night, he pitched his 9th consecutive scoreless inning, a stretch in which he has only allowed 1 hit. His K/BB ratio is 8/5 in that span,…

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