Closer Watch Report 03 30 08

Sunday, March 30, 2008

SEATTLE MARINERS
J.J. Putz still Closer
Mark Lowe to 1st in line in place of Brandon Morrow
Sean Green to 2nd in line in place of Mark Lowe

Morrow has been sent to the minors after struggling this Spring Training, walking 9 hitters in 5 IP, after coming back from a shoulder injury.

Lowe has pitched well this Spring, 1.25 WHIP in 8 IP, after missing most of last year coming back from elbow surgery. The 24-year-old right hander has 8 holds in 19 career appearances.

Green had a 1.63 WHIP in 68 IP last year with 53 K and 13 holds. The 28-year-old has continued to allow a lot of baserunners this Spring, with a 1.64 WHIP in 11 IP.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Joakim Soria still Closer
Yasuhiko Yabuta still 1st in line
Ramon Ramirez to 2nd in line in place of Joel Peralta

Peralta has been sent to the minors after an inconsistent Spring, 1.71 WHIP in 9+ innings.

Yabuta is expected to the Royals' top setup man this year, after coming over from Japan, despite allowing 22 hits in 11+ IP this Spring.

Ramirez was acquired from the Rockies last week as Colorado didn't have a place for him on their 25 man roster. The 26-year-old right hander struggled last year after a strong rookie season of '06 with a 1.26 WHIP in 67+ IP with 61 K and 10 holds.

COLORADO ROCKIES
Manny Corpas still Closer
Brian Fuentes still 1st in line
Taylor Buchholz to 2nd in line in place of Luis Vizcaino

Vizcaino has struggled this Spring after initially dealing with an elbow injury, 13 hits in 5+ IP.

Buchholz may step in to a setup role this year after filling a swing role his first 2 years in the majors. The 26-year-old right hander has had an impressive Spring with a 0.90 WHIP in 13+ IP with 15 K.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Matt Capps still Closer
Damaso Marte still 1st in line
Franquelis Osoria to 2nd in line in place of Romulo Sanchez

Sanchez was optioned to the minors earlier in the Spring. The Pirates top candidates for right hand setup duty are Osoria and Tyler Yates.

The 26-year-old Osoria had a 1.45 WHIP in 28+ IP last year with 13 K and 4 holds. The Dominican has had a solid Spring excluding one shaky outing.

The 30-year-old Yates was acquired from Atlanta last week, as the Braves' didn't have room for him on their 25 man roster. The right hander has had an inconsistent career and had a 1.44 WHIP in 66 IP last year with 69 K and 13 holds.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

TEXAS RANGERS
C.J. Wilson still Closer
Eddie Guardado still 1st in line
Kazuo Fukumori still 2nd in line

Manager Ron Washington has officially named Wilson the teams' closer. The left hander missed time earlier this Spring Training with a bicep injury.

The 27-year-old had a 1.21 WHIP in 68+ IP last year with 63 K, 12 saves and 15 holds. Wilson could emerge as a solid closer this year, if he can stay healthy.

OAKLAND A'S
Huston Street still Closer
Alan Embree still 1st in line
Keith Foulke to 2nd in line in place of Santiago Casilla

Foulke picked up holds in both of the games played in Japan, pitching scoreless 8th innings each time. The 35-year-old came out of retirement after overcoming an elbow injury.

Foulke had a 1.19 WHIP in 49+ IP with 36 K and 14 holds setting up Jonathan Papelbon 2 years ago. The veteran right hander last closed in 2005 when he lost the job by mid season due to ineffecfiveness.

Casilla is still a solid setup man with decent long term closer value. The 27-year-old right hander picked up a hold yesterday and posted a 1.30 WHIP in 50+ IP last year with 52 K and 12 holds.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

CHICAGO CUBS
Kerry Wood still Closer
Carlos Marmol still 1st in line
Bob Howry still 2nd in line

The Cubs officially named Wood the teams' closer yesterday. The veteran right hander is having a solid Spring with a 0.90 WHIP in 10 IP with 10 K. Wood's velocity has been in the mid 90's and will have a chance to emerge as an above average closer this year, if he can stay away from the DL.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Brad Lidge DL still Closer
Tom Gordon still 1st in line
Ryan Madson still 2nd in line

Lidge was placed on the DL yesterday, but is eligible to return April 5 and only miss 5 games. The veteran right hander is working his way back from minor knee surgery and should come right off the DL after the 15 days barring a setback from the injury.

Gordon will serve as the Phillies' closer the first week of the season. The 40-year-old veteran had a 1.33 WHIP last year in 40 IP with 32 K.

Closer Watch Report Archive:
Mar 21, 2008
Mar 11, 2008
Feb 25, 2008
Feb 11, 2008
Jan 28, 2008
Jan 14, 2008
Dec 17, 2007
Dec 10, 2007
Dec 3, 2007
Nov 26, 2007
Nov 12, 2007
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