Closer Monkey

Closer Monkey | 2026

  • Tony Barnette should get the next save chance in Texas

    April 13, 2017 Texas Rangers — Before Texas blew its game open — gifting a save to young Jose Leclerc — the first save chance in the post-Sam Dyson era was slated for Tony Barnette, a 33-year-old with no prior major league saves. In 2015, though, Barnette led the Japan Central League with 41 of them, tied with some guy…

  • Committee to replace Sam Dyson as closer in Texas

    April 12, 2017 Texas Rangers – Jeff Banister made some wishy-washy comments on MLB Network Radio this morning about the closer role, but what seems relatively certain is that Sam Dyson won’t be used in the 9th for a little while. Banister mentioned Matt Bush, Jeremy Jeffress, and Tony Barnette as committee members, saying the Rangers will…

  • Sam Dyson on thin ice in Texas

    April 12, 2017 Texas Rangers — Sam Dyson’s struggles continued on Tuesday, as he allowed three runs in the ninth to send the game to extra innings, with the Rangers eventually losing in the 10th. That’s now 11 earned runs in four appearances for Dyson, three of which have been bad. After the game, Jeff Banister said…

  • Trevor Rosenthal activated; Oakland’s closer committee looking sturdy

    April 11, 2017 Oakland A’s – The closer-by-committee arrangement in Oakland is proving durable to start the season, as Bob Melvin continues to rotate through his best arms in tight games. Last night it was Smash Mouth superfan Sean Doolittle picking up his first save of the season in a two-run win at Kansas City.…

  • Joaquin Benoit will close in Philly

    April 10, 2017 Philadelphia Phillies —  After Pete Mackanin was able to talk to Jeanmar Gomez, he announced a change in the Phillies’ closer role. As some writers predicted, Mackanin has settled on the more experienced Joaquin Benoit, electing to leave Hector Neris in his current eighth-inning role. Updated hierarchy: Benoit | Neris | Ramos.

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