March 20, 2013
Los Angeles Angels – Ryan Madson, who the Angels hoped would be ready for the start of the season, suffered a setback in his rehabilitation last Thursday. Ernesto Frieri will close games until Madson gets healthy, at which point the Angels will have to decide with reliever is better suited for the 9th. No hierarchy change.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Jepsen |Downs |Frieri |3/20/13 |Madson(INJ) |
Cincinnati Reds – All spring, it seemed that Aroldis Chapman would become a starting pitcher, but recently Chapman has been saying that he’d prefer to close, and he has Dusty Baker in his corner. The Reds front office has been pushing for Chapman to move to the rotation, so his status remains up in the air as the Cincinnati decision-makers argue amongst themselves. Jonathan Broxton remains the only option to close if Chapman’s destination is the rotation. No hierarchy change.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Broxton |Marshall |Arredondo |Broxton |3/20/13
Detroit Tigers – The Tigers have still not declared a closer, though Bruce Rondon remains the favorite. Others who could have an opportunity to close include Joaquin Benoit, Phil Coke, or Al Alburquerque, but each carries a question mark. Jim Leyland said earlier this spring that he wasn’t sure that Benoit had the ability to bounce back in the way the position requires. Coke, who picked up a handful of saves late last season, remains a possibility, but is the only lefty in the back end of the bullpen and may be better suited as a match-up guy. Alburquerque has had trouble staying healthy. Rondon, meanwhile, has pitched better as of late, and probably has a 50/50 shot of being named the full-time closer at this point. No hierarchy change.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedDET |Rondon |Benoit |Coke |Rondon |3/20/13
Toronto Blue Jays – With Casey Janssen’s rehab going slower than expected, Sergio Santos will most likely start the season as the closer in Toronto. Santos was signed before last season with the expectation that he would close for the Blue Jays, so if he pitches well in the early going, he could hold on to the job for good. Hierarchy change: Sergio Santos to Closer, Casey Janssen to Set-up.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedTOR |Santos |Janssen |Oliver |Santos |3/20/13