The Inside Pitch Closer Watch Blog |
Sunday, July 1, 2007 Colorado Rockies Jorge Julio to Closer in place of Brian Fuentes Manny Corpas to 1st in line in place of Jorge Julio Brian Fuentes to 2nd in line in place of Manny Corpas Manager Clint Hurdle announced yesterday that Brian Fuentes would be temporarily removed from the closers' role due to his recent struggles. Fuentes has blown saves in each of his past 3 outings and has 5 on the season. The 31-year-old left hander has solid overall numbers with a 1.12 WHIP and 3.79 ERA in 35+ IP with 28 K. However, he has dropped off in June with a 1.68 WHIP and 5.91 ERA in 10+ IP with 10 K. Julio may be the lead for save opportunities during Fuentes' demotion. The failed Marlins' closer has allowed just 3 runs in 18 appearances since coming over to Colorado with a 1.11 WHIP in 15+ IP with 12 K and 3 holds. Corpas may also be an option for saves as he's been a solid setup man this year with a 1.25 WHIP in 40 IP with 29 K and 16 holds. The 24-year-old has decent future closer value with his plus velocity and has been scored on in just 1 of his past 12 outings with a 1.80 WHIP in that timeframe with 3 holds. Baltimore Orioles Chris Ray still Closer Paul Shuey to 1st in line in place of Danys Baez DL Scott Williamson still 2nd in line Shuey got the final 4 outs in a 6-3 game yesterday for his first save in 5 years; 1 1/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. Ray was rested after an 18 pitch loss effort the night before. The 36-year-old Shuey retired 2 years ago due to a hip problem and last pitched in the majors 4 years ago. Shuey has a 1.50 WHIP in 6 IP this year with 4 K. Baez is on the DL with a forearm injury and experienced discomfort while playing catch earlier this week. Atlanta Braves Bob Wickman still Closer Rafael Soriano still 1st in line Tyler Yates still 2nd in line Wickman struggled with a 4 run ninth inning lead last night allowing 3 runs while recording just 1 out. Yates came on to get the final 2 outs, 1 via strikeout, to record his first save of the season. The 29-year-old Yates is having a solid season with a 1.08 WHIP in 35+ IP with 35 K and 8 holds. New York Mets Billy Wagner still Closer Aaron Heilman still 1st in line Guillermo Mota still 2nd in line Pedro Feliciano pitched a scoreless 8th in a 6-3 game yesterday, then stayed on to pitch a scoreless 9th, with the lead pushed to 5, for his first career save; 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. Feliciano has a 1.04 WHIP on the season in 30+ IP with 26 K and 7 holds. The 30-year-old left hander is murder on left hand hitters with a .417 OPS against with a .626 mark against right hand hitters. Los Angeles Dodgers Takashi Saito still Closer Jonathan Broxton still 1st in line Chin-Hui Tsao to 2nd in line in place of Brett Tomko Tsao has returned from the DL and a shoulder injury with scoreless outings each of the past two games; 2 IP, 0 R, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K. The 26-year-old has a 0.95 WHIP in 20 IP on the season with 15 K and 3 holds. Tomko has carried his inconsistencies as a starting pitcher over to the bullpen. The 34-year-old struck out 6 hitters while allowing 0 runs in his first 3 relief outings, but has allowed 10 runs in 16 IP since. Saturday, June 30, 2007 Kansas City Royals Octavio Dotel still Closer Joakim Soria still 1st in line Zack Greinke still 2nd in line Greinke pitched out of a 7th inning jam in a 3-1 game yesterday, then pitched a scoreless 8th and 9th to record his first career save in a 8-1 final; 2 2/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. The former top starting pitching prospect has pitched well with a move to the bullpen earlier this year. The 23-year-old Greinke has a 1.09 WHIP in 31+ relief innings with 34 K and 6 holds. Detroit Tigers Todd Jones still Closer Chad Durbin to 1st in line in place of Fernando Rodney Fernando Rodney DL to 2nd in line in place of Tim Byrdak DL Byrdak has been placed on the DL with and elbow injury joining Rodney and Joel Zumaya as injured Tigers' setup men. Durbin, recently moved from the starting rotation, could be moved to a setup role in this depleted bullpen. The 29-year-old recorded a 3 inning save earlier this week in his first relief appearance of the year. On the season Durbin has a 1.39 WHIP in 83+ IP with 45 K, while starting in 14 of his 16 games. Oakland A's Alan Embree still Closer Santiago Casilla still 1st in line Justin Duchscherer DL to 2nd in line in place of Huston Street DL Manager Bob Geren talked earlier this week about Duchscherer assuming the A's closer role if returns "up to his norm", when he comes off the DL. Duchscherer hasn't pitched since May 14 with a hip injury, but could go out for a minor league rehab next week. Street, on the DL with an elbow injury, started to play pain free catch this week and hopes to return after the all-star break barring any setbacks. Thursday, June 28, 2007 Chicago Cubs Bob Howry still Closer Carlos Marmol still 1st in line Ryan Dempster DL still 2nd in line Marmol pitched a perfect, 2 strikeout 9th in a 6-4 game yesterday for his first career save. Howry was rested for a second day after appearing in 3 straight and 4 of 5 games. The hard throwing Marmol has decent future closer value and could get additional save opportunities if Howry struggles in the role while Dempster is out. The 24-year-old Marmol has a 1.05 WHIP in 21 IP with 29 K and 2 holds on the season. Wednesday, June 27, 2007 Chicago Cubs Bob Howry to Closer in place of Ryan Dempster Carlos Marmol to 1st in line in place of Bob Howry Ryan Dempster DL to 2nd in line in place of Carlos Marmol The left handed Will Ohman came on to retire the left hand hitting Todd Helton to record his first career save in a 8-5 game yesterday. Howry was unavailable after appearing on 3 straight days. Dempster has been placed on the DL with a strained oblique and could return after the all-star break, barring any setbacks. The 29-year-old Ohman has a 1.46 WHIP in 22+ IP with 27 K and 7 holds. Ohman dominates left hand hitters with a .554 opposition OPS, with a not so impressive .850 mark against right hand hitters. St. Louis Cardinals Jason Isringhausen still Closer Troy Percival to 1st in line in place of Ryan Franklin Ryan Franklin to 2nd in line in place of Troy Percival The left handed Randy Flores came on in the 11th to retire the left handed Shawn Green and the switch hitting Jose Valentin for his first save of the year in 5-3 game last night. Isringhausen blew a 1 run 9th inning save earlier in the game. The 31-year-old Flores has a 1.59 WHIP in 28+ IP with 24 K and 8 holds. Flores surprisingly has a better opposition OPS versus right hand hitters, .767, than left hand hitters, .851. Percival has been called up from AAA as his surprise comeback moves to the majors. The 37-year-old veteran closer last pitched in the majors in 2005 when he had 8 saves in 26 games for Detroit. Percival allowed 1 run in 6 AAA appearances with 1.35 WHIP and 9 K in 6+ IP.. Monday, June 25, 2007 Houston Astros Dan Wheeler still Closer Chad Qualls to 1st in line in place of Brad Lidge Brad Lidge DL to 2nd in line in place of Chad Qualls Qualls pitched a scoreless 10th inning in a 12-9 game for his 2nd save of the season last night; 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K. Wheeler failed to pitch out of an 8th inning jam giving up 2 inherited runners and 2 of his own picking up the blown save. Wheeler then came out for the 9th with the Astros again leading and proceeded to give up 2 solo HR's to send the game in to extra innings. Wheeler is having a horrible June with 17 runs allowed in 10+ IP and has his season ERA up to 6.55. It's possible Qualls could get the next save opportunity with Lidge on the DL. The 28-year-old Qualls has a 1.42 WHIP on the season in 38 IP with 39 K and 9 holds. Lidge is on the DL with a strained oblique muscle and could return in mid July barring any setbacks. Chicago Cubs Ryan Dempster still Closer Bob Howry still 1st in line Carlos Marmol still 2nd in line Howry pitched a scoreless ninth in a 3-0 game yesterday for his second save of the weekend; 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K. Dempster remains day to day with a strained oblique. The 33-year-old Howry has allowed just 1 run over his past 12 outings; 14 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 14 K with 3 holds and 2 saves. The Cubs' next in line closer has a 1.28 WHIP on the season in 36+ IP with 28 K and 9 holds. Cincinnati Reds David Weathers still Closer Eddie Guardado DL to 1st in line in place of Marcus McBeth Marcus McBeth to 2nd in line in place of Eddie Guardado Guardado is expected to be activated from the DL later this week returning from "Tommy John" elbow surgery. Manager Jerry Narron talked on Sunday about Every day Eddie moving in to the closers' role as early as his second outing back. Weathers has done an effective job closing for the Reds this year, (14 for 16 in save chances with a 1.00 season WHIP), but he doesn't have the closer resume that Guardado has. The 36-year-old Guardado had a 36 save season two years ago for the Mariners and was 8 for 10 in save chances with the Reds last year, after a July trade before blowing out his elbow. Kansas City Royals Octavio Dotel still Closer Joakim Soria still 1st in line Zack Greinke still 2nd in line Jimmy Gobble pitched a perfect, 1 strikeout 11th inning yesterday for his first save of the season. Dotel blew a 9th inning save on a solo HR to Corey Hart and Greinke and Soria appeared earlier in the game. The left handed Gobble has a .797 opposition OPS verus left hand hitters and a bad .936 mark against right handers. The 25-year-old former starting pitcher has a 1.67 WHIP on the season in 26+ IP with 20 K and 6 holds. Closer Watch Blog Archive: Week 12 2007 Week 11 2007 Week 10 2007 Week 9 2007 Week 8 2007 Week 7 2007 Week 6 2007 Week 5 2007 Week 4 2007 Week 3 2007 Week 2 2007 Week 1 2007 Spring Training 2007 Vol II Spring Training 2007 Vol I December 2006 October 2006 2006 Season |
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