Closer Monkey

Tag: Evan Phillips

  • Evan Phillips, Pierce Johnson get saves and might be on verge of full-time closer gigs

    April 7, 2023 Los Angeles Dodgers – In two of the past three days, Evan Phillips has picked up two clean saves and is another consecutive one away from kicking the asterisk, though it should be noted Brusdar Graterol was not available Thursday due to back tightness. With Graterol ailing and Daniel Hudson slow to…

  • 2023 Tiered Closer Rankings

    The closer position seems especially volatile in 2023 after a significant injury to Edwin Diaz and Liam Hendriks was diagnosed with lymphoma. Diaz is likely to miss the entire season, while Hendriks is expected to miss at least a chunk of it, though it’s unknown how long he will be out. Best wishes to both…

  • Jhoan Duran’s dominance continues

    September 19, 2022 Tampa Bay Rays – With four of the last five saves, including Sunday’s, Pete Fairbanks is the closest thing that the Rays have had to a full-time closer this session. The righty started his after returning from injury in July, whereupon he gave up three runs across his first two outings, but…

  • Nick Martinez, Jimmy Herget move to the top of their committees

    August 30, 2022 San Diego Padres – Before Monday’s game, Bob Melvin said that Nick Martinez was his preferred closer for the time being, and then went to Martinez in the 9th inning, whereupon the righty picked up his 7th save of the year. Melvin also said he wants to give Josh Hader (who after…

  • Jonathan Hernandez, Luis Garcia could emerge from their committees

    August 1, 2022 Texas Rangers – Jonathan Hernandez would have gotten the 9th on Saturday had the Rangers held the lead; instead, he got his first save chance on Sunday, which he converted. Hernandez, who was activated in mid-July, was one of the Rangers’ best arms in 2020 before Tommy John surgery cost him over…