Earlier this evening I relayed that Seattle closer J.J. Putz had been placed on the 15-day disabled list with rib cartilage inflammation and that Seattle would be going with the "closer by committee" approach, rather than appointing Mark Lowe, Sean Green or someone else as the replacement closer.
The bullpen was stretched tonight after most of the pitchers worked in the first two ballgames, so Mariner fifth starter Miguel Batista got the call. Today was his "throw day" anyway, so bringing him into the ballgame will have little effect on his scheduled start in Baltimore three days from now. Seattle did a similar thing with Batista last season with positive results.
Batista has some closing experience, saving 31 games for Toronto in 2005. I wouldn't be surprised if we see Batista become Seattle's primary closer on these "throw days" in order to spell the bullpen until Putz returns. Not a bad idea in my mind, and tonight he closed out the game successfully.
On other days we'll probably see Mark Lowe, Sean Green and Eric O'Flaherty take turns getting the save. As I've said before, I think Mark Lowe is best suited for the job, but I think Seattle will get by just fine with whoever we throw out there until J.J. is back.
Other posts from today:
Other posts from today:
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