The Inside Pitch Closer Watch Blog |
Thursday, April 5, 2007 Kansas City Royals David Riske to Closer in place of Octavio Dotel DL Joel Peralta to 1st in line in place of David Riske Octavio Dotel DL to 2nd in line in place of Joel Peralta Dotel has been placed on the DL with an oblique injury. The 33-year-old closer is expected to be ready in 2 weeks. Manager Buddy Bell is on record that Riske will be his primary closer while Dotel is on the DL. The 30-year-old spent time as the Indians' closer for a couple of brief periods in 2004/2005 with 13 saves. Riske was effective in 2006 against right hand hitters with a .680 opposition OPS, but not as good against left hand hitters with an .818 mark. On the season Riske had a 1.30 WHIP in 44 IP with 28 K and 2 holds. Monday, April 2, 2007 Cincinnati Reds David Weathers Closer-by-Committee Mike Stanton Closer-by-Committee Todd Coffey Closer-by-Committee The Reds released closer candidate Dustin Hermanson on Sunday after his Spring ERA reached 7.36 over 7+ IP as he struggled with velocity. The Reds enter 2007 with their customary closer committee led once again by David Weathers. The 37-year-old veteran had a 1.29 WHIP in 73+ IP last year with 12 saves. Weathers has received the majority of the save opportunities when the Reds' have used the closer committee over the previous 2 seasons. Stanton finished the 2006 season as the Giants' closer with 13 second half saves. The 39-year-old left hander had a 1.43 WHIP in 67+ IP on the season split in SF and Washington. Coffey was considered the Reds' future closer heading in to the 2006 season, but he failed in a brief trial as the Reds' closer in the middle of the year. The 26-year-old hard thrower had a 1.44 WHIP in 78 IP last year. Eddie Guardado is expected back during June, barring any set backs from his recovery from reconstructive elbow surgery. Tampa Bay Devil Rays Al Reyes Closer-by-Committee Brian Stokes Closer-by-Committee Juan Salas Closer-by-Committee The Devil Rays enter the season with a closer committee following Seth McClung's demotion to AAA off of his bad Spring Training. Reyes missed all of 2006 to reconstructive elbow surgery. The 36-year-old veteran had a strong year in the Cardinals' bullpen in 2005 with a 0.93 WHIP in 62+ IP with 67 K. Stokes converted from a starting pitcher this Spring Training. The 27-year-old had a 1.67 WHIP in 24 rookie IP last year, after posting a 1.37 WHIP in 133+ AAA innings. Salas had a 1.60 WHIP in 10 rookie IP last year. The 28-year-old hard thrower had a 0.83 WHIP in 63+ AAA/AA IP in 2006 with 85 K and 17 saves. Closer Watch Blog Archive: Spring Training 2007 Vol II Spring Training 2007 Vol I December 2006 October 2006 2006 Season |
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