Closer Monkey

Tag: Brad Ziegler

  • Joe Nathan to Hot Seat; Ryan Cook returns

    June 4, 2014 Detroit Tigers — Hometown hero RoboCop threw out Tuesday’s first pitch; even his bounced eephus looked good up against the offerings of closer Joe Nathan, who yielded four runs in one-third of an inning to raise his ERA to 6.86. Nathan’s reduced velocity and deteriorating command has put Brad Ausmus in a difficult position: stick with his $10 million man, who reports feeling “damn good,” or give…

  • J.J. Putz hits the DL; Aroldis Chapman not cut out for Triple-A

    May 7, 2014 Arizona Diamondbacks – J.J. Putz has been moved to the disabled list due to the dreaded forearm tightness. Oliver Perez and Joe Thatcher should see their roles expand in his absence. Hierarchy change: Reed | Ziegler | Perez. Los Angeles Angels — Ernesto Frieri enraged the insane Twitter user contingent of the Angel fan base by giving up his sixth home run in 14 1/3 innings to lose…

  • 2014 NL West bullpen preview

    March 7, 2014 Arizona Diamondbacks – The Diamondbacks picked up Addison Reed in the offseason, but in a somewhat surprising move, have not handed him the closer gig.  GM Kevin Towers said in February that the closer role will be a competition between Reed and J.J. Putz, a statement backed up by Kirk Gibson yesterday.…

  • Kevin Chapman and JJ Putz record saves, Frieri pitching better

    August 19, 2013 Houston Astros — Kevin Chapman got the last two outs on Sunday to pick up the save for the Astros.  Chapman is a left- hander who has only pitched a full inning once in his seven appearances since getting called up.  He is not a threat to take the job full time but…

  • Pedro Strop and Mitchell Boggs are relevant again

    July 22, 2013 Chicago Cubs – For a “good time on the mound,” Dale Sveum plans to call on Pedro Strop to be the Cubs’ new closer if Kevin Gregg heads elsewhere this month, as expected. Hierarchy change: Pedro Strop to Set-up, Blake Parker to 2nd in line. . Closer . Set-Up . 2nd in line . 2014 Closer…