The Closer Report – Week 8

Here is a look at the closer report for week 8. It contains all of the most recent closer news, plus the current closers and the current handcuffs.

It is a guessing game in Baltimore who will get the next save opportunity with Alfredo Simon day-to-day with a hamstring injury and Koji Uehara likely headed to the disabled list. Cla Meredith with one save this season and a 5.79 ERA and 1.43 WHIP or situational lefty Will Ohman (14 2/3 scoreless innings, 1.23 WHIP) are the leaders for save chances this week.

Charlie Manuel has shown he is not afraid to let multiple guys close in Philadelphia as both Jose Contreras and lefty J.C. Romero picked up saves last week based on matchups. Injured closer Brad Lidge is still at least two weeks away from returning so Contreras and Romero are still good plays until then.

John Axford picked up a save for Milwaukee on Sunday with interim closer Carlos Villanueva unavailable. Former closer Trevor Hoffman worked the eighth and did not allow a run. Villanueva is the guy to own for now with Hoffman eventually working his way back into that role if he has a few more clean outings.

If you are looking for a possible save candidate at the end of the season, keep an eye on Sergio Santos of the Chicago White Sox. If the team continues to play sub .500 baseball and trades away Jenks and or Thornton, Santos could see some saves late in the season. The former position player turned pitcher  has been tough to hit this season, holding hitters to a .163 average and currently boasts a 0.55 ERA and a .98 WHIP.

Team Closer Handcuff
BAL Alfredo Simon Cla Meredith, Mike Gonzalez (DL)
BOS Jonathan Papelbon Daniel Bard
CHW Bobby Jenks Matt Thornton, J.J. Putz
CLE Kerry Wood Chris Perez
DET Jose Valverde Ryan Perry
KC Joakim Soria Josh Rupe
LAA Brian Fuentes Fernando Rodney
MIN Jon Rauch Matt Guerrier
NYY Mariano Rivera Joba Chamberlain
OAK Andrew Bailey Brad Ziegler
SEA David Aardsma Brandon League
TB Rafael Soriano Grant Balfour
TEX Neftali Feliz Frank Francisco
TOR Kevin Gregg Jason Frasor
AZ Chad Qualls Juan Gutierrez
ATL Billy Wagner Takashi Saito
CHI Carlos Marmol John Grabow
CIN Francisco Cordero Arthur Rhodes
COL Manny Corpas Rafael Betancourt, Huston Street (DL)
FLA Leo Nunez Burke Badenhop
HOU Matt Lindstrom Brandon Lyon
LAD Jonathan Broxton Ramon Tronosco
MIL Carlos Villanueva Trevor Hoffman, John Axford
NYM Francisco Rodriguez Pedro Feliciano
PHI Jose Contreras J.C. Romero, (Brad Lidge DL)
PIT Octavio Dotel Evan Meek
STL Ryan Franklin Jason Motte
SD Heath Bell Luke Gregerson
SF Brian Wilson Sergio Romo
WAS Matt Capps Tyler Clippard, Drew Storen
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