Closer Monkey

Tag: heath bell

  • Fujikawa back, Hernandez picks up save

    May 11, 2013 Chicago Cubs – Kyuji Fujikawa returned from the DL last night and threw a scoreless inning.  He will take over as the primary 8th inning guy and could return to the closer’s role once Kevin Gregg remembers that he is Kevin Gregg.   Hierarchy change: Kyuji Fujikawa to Set-up, James Russell to…

  • Bell likely to replace Putz, while Tazawa is confirmed in Boston; Marmol back up, Axford back down

    May 8, 2013 Arizona Diamondbacks — J.J. Putz gave up a four-pitch walk to start the ninth Tuesday night, then immediately exited with elbow stiffness. Although Heath Bell is allowing 1.5 baserunners per inning, he has significant experience as a closer and has probably outpitched David Hernandez so far this year. Kirk Gibson might give lip service to a closer-by-committee system,…

  • Joel Hanrahan returns from the DL, but Andrew Bailey keeps his job

    May 1, 2013 Boston Red Sox — Joel Hanrahan’s return from the DL today came with a clear statement of boundaries from manager John Ferrell: Andrew Bailey will remain the team’s closer for the foreseeable future. Although Hanrahan might pitch some lower-leverage innings to begin with, he will be certainly be the choice in the 9th if the…

  • John Axford looming in Milwaukee; JJ Putz hasn’t lost his job… yet

    April 25, 2013 Arizona Diamondbacks – Matt Reynolds got his 2nd extra-inning save in as many nights on Wednesday, but JJ Putz hasn’t lost the closer job yet despite a bad start to the season; last night, he was just unavailable due to being overworked.  Also of note in Arizona is the resurgence of Heath…

  • Greg Holland, Steve Cishek struggling

    April 8, 2013 Miami Marlins – After getting knocked around in a non-save situation on Friday, Steve Cishek blew a save on Sunday, allowing 2 runs and taking the loss against the Mets.  Cishek doesn’t have a ton of competition in the Miami bullpen.  Mike Dunn got a couple saves last year, but is mostly…