Closer Watch Report 04 06 08

Sunday, April 6, 2008

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Jason Isringhausen still Closer
Ryan Franklin still 1st in line
Kyle McClellan to 2nd in line in place of Russ Springer

Randy Flores got the final out in a 5-4 game yesterday for the lefthanders' fourth career save. Isringhausen was rested after picking up saves each of the 2 previous days.

Anthony Reyes was given the initial save opportunity yesterday in a 3 run game, but was pulled after allowing a double and HR. The righthander showed some late inning promise earlier in the week, striking out the side while picking up a hold.

Springer has been placed on the DL with an elbow injury. McClellan was a surprise to make the team out of Spring Training and the rookie has picked up holds in all 3 of his appearances this year. The 23-year-old righthander has a 1.00 WHIP in 4 IP with 4 K on the season.

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

Lidge was activated from the DL yesterday. The Phillies did not have a save opportunity in the 4 games the veteran closer missed. However, Gordon may have shown his age in the opening week allowing 8 baserunners in 2 IP, putting to question his ability to fill in at closer if Lidge has further injury problems this year.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Bobby Jenks still Closer
Scott Linebrink to 1st in line in place of Octavio Dotel
Octavio Dotel to 2nd in line in place of Scott Linebrink

Linebrink pitched a scoreless 8th yesterday for his 3rd hold in as many appearances this year. The 31-year-old righthander has 3 scoreless outings on the season with a 0.33 WHIP in 3 IP with 3 K.

Dotel has 1 hold on the season with a 2.57 WHIP in 2+ IP after taking the loss on opening day on a 3 run HR.

Saturday, April 5, 2008

WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Jon Rauch to Closer in place of Chad Cordero
Chad Cordero to 1st in line in place of Jon Rauch
Saul Rivera still 2nd in line

Cordero has been placed on the DL with the shoulder injury. The veteran closer didn't have a setback, but will be given more time to return and could do so next weekend.

Rauch will continue as the Nats' closer in the interim. The 29-year-old righthander as a 0.50 WHIP in 2 IP on the young season with 1 save. Until Cordero comes back and proves he's healthy, there's a possibility Rauch could get an extended chance to close this season.

SEATTLE MARINERS
Mark Lowe to Closer in place of Miguel Batista
Sean Green to 1st in line in place of Mark Lowe
Miguel Batista to 2nd in line in place of Sean Green

Batista will make his scheduled start today leaving Lowe as the remaining closer option with Putz on the DL.

The 24-year-old Lowe has 2 short outings on the season allowing no runs in just a third of an inning both times. The hard throwing righthander missed most of last season with elbow surgery. Lowe only has 22 career IP, with 18+ coming in 2006 when he showed his potential with a 1.13 WHIP with 20 K and 6 holds.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

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

Putz has been placed on the DL with a rib inflammation injury, which could keep him out until at least the middle of May; (no official timetable was given for his return).

Manager John McLaren announced he would be going with a closer committee.

Batista came on with no outs and 1 on in the 9th of a 4-1 game last night, and retired all 3 batters he faced for his first save in 3 years. The 37-year-old Batista is expected to be the Mariners' 5th starter, but wasn't needed in the rotation with early season days off. The veteran right hander could potentially be kept in the bullpen now with Putz on the DL. Batista saved 31 games for the Blue Jays back in 2005.

Lowe was unavailable last night having pitched each of the 2 previous days. The hard throwing right hander has future closer value, but could initially be used with caution this year as he's coming back from elbow surgery.

Green recorded a hold last night pitching a scoreless 8th, but was relieved in the 9th after walking the lead off hitter. The 28-year-old doesn't profile as a closer with his 1.58 career WHIP.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Chad Cordero still Closer
Jon Rauch still 1st in line
Saul Rivera still 2nd in line

Rauch pitched a perfect 9th in a 1-0 game yesterday for his first save of the season.
Cordero felt better yesterday after a cortisone shot in his shoulder on Monday, but won't test how it feels until playing catch today. If the veteran right hander has a setback, he could end up on the DL with Rauch getting an extended opportunity as the Nats' closer.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Eric Gagne still Closer
David Riske to 1st in line in place of Derrick Turnbow
Guillermo Mota to 2nd in line in place of David Riske

Gagne blew a 3 run ninth inning lead on a 3 run HR to Kosuke Fukudome yesterday. Riske then pitched a perfect 10th inning for the save in a 4-3 final.

The veteran Gagne entered the season as a shaky closer after his second half swoon in Boston last year. Gagne's contract warrants his closer security, but if he continues to struggle Ned Yost does have other options.

The 31-year-old Riske had a 1.26 WHIP in 69+ IP with 52 K and 16 holds with the Royals last year.

Turnbow had 33 holds last year, but was passed over for the second chance save opportunity yesterday as he continues to struggle with control, walking 5 in 9 Spring innings.

Mota has been an inconsistent pitcher over the past few seasons, but is coming off an impressive Spring Training and pitched a perfect 2 strikeout 8th yesterday in a tie game.

Monday, March 31, 2008

WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Chad Cordero still Closer
Jon Rauch still 1st in line
Saul Rivera still 2nd in line

Cordero was held out of a save opportunity last night and is day to day with a shoulder injury. The veteran closer said he felt "sharp pain" playing catch before the game.

This has the potential to be a more significant injury giving Rauch the chance to close in Washington. The tall right hander has been the firm next in line closer for the Nats' for the past year, but GM Jim Bowden never fulfilled the Cordero trade rumors.

Rauch blew the save last night, but it came on a Paul LoDuca passed ball. The 29-year-old had a 1.10 WHIP in 87+ IP last season with 71 K and 33 holds.

Closer Watch Report Archive:
Mar 30, 2008
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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