ARLINGTON, Texas (AP)—Frank Francisco(notes) is not ready to return to the closer’s role for the Texas Rangers, and he could be put on the disabled list.
Francisco hasn’t pitched since May 6 because of right biceps tendinitis. He threw a 15-minute bullpen session Saturday and said he didn’t feel any pain, but also didn’t feel sharp.
The right-hander doesn’t expect to pitch this weekend against the Los Angeles Angels, instead throwing another bullpen session on Monday.
If Texas put Francisco on the disabled list by Sunday, the move could be retroactive.
Francisco has made 25 consecutive scoreless appearances, 14 this season.
Oakland is one of those teams right now where 1 of a few players could take the closer role and run. My guess is either Baily,Ziegler or Weurtz will nail it down.
auclairkeithbc wrote:I'd be surprised if they made the switch from Gregg to Marmol tomorrow. We'll see. Naturally they wouldn't let a closer finish that inning, whether it was Mariano Rivera or anyone else. That aspect has no bearing on the situation. The fact that he stunk up the joint before he was taken out, certainly matters. I think he leash is long, though maybe it shouldn't be.
You're right, in that situation (2 hrs consecutively), they might pull Rivera. When I posted, I had only seen that he had given up 2 runs, then been pulled for Heilman, who gave up the single. Usually, a closer is going to get the chance to work through his jams (until he actually blows the lead). But looking at the pbp, he was probably awful enough to make an exception.
auclairkeithbc wrote:I'd be surprised if they made the switch from Gregg to Marmol tomorrow. We'll see. Naturally they wouldn't let a closer finish that inning, whether it was Mariano Rivera or anyone else. That aspect has no bearing on the situation. The fact that he stunk up the joint before he was taken out, certainly matters. I think he leash is long, though maybe it shouldn't be.
You're right, in that situation (2 hrs consecutively), they might pull Rivera.
Rivera was pulled when he allowed back-to-back HRs. Any closer would be pulled unless the manager is just clueless.
auclairkeithbc wrote:I'd be surprised if they made the switch from Gregg to Marmol tomorrow. We'll see. Naturally they wouldn't let a closer finish that inning, whether it was Mariano Rivera or anyone else. That aspect has no bearing on the situation. The fact that he stunk up the joint before he was taken out, certainly matters. I think he leash is long, though maybe it shouldn't be.
You're right, in that situation (2 hrs consecutively), they might pull Rivera.
Rivera was pulled when he allowed back-to-back HRs. Any closer would be pulled unless the manager is just clueless.
Eh, sort of. He did get one batter after the hrs, and it was a different situation (came in with the game tied). I'm not saying it's right or wrong, but closers are seen as having the job: Protect The Lead. If he had come in with a 3-run lead and given up two solo shots, I'm not so sure he'd have been pulled. Even Gregg was left in for 3 hitters after the homers.
All I was saying is that it's surprising to see a closer pulled with a 2-run lead. Usually, they get the chance to work out of their own jams. They don't usually give way to the Heilmans of the world. But sure, there are exceptions to everything, and from the pbp (I wasn't watching the game) it looks like Gregg was indeed exceptionally awful.
dssguy99 wrote:No Percy in the 9th in a save situation?????
No and so it's very apparent he is no longer the closer in Tampa. Grab Wheeler quickly if he's available in your league. I personally think he's the guy now but wasn't used today as he's gone 3 of the past 4 days.
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by StarsNPinstripes » Sat May 16, 2009 5:20 pm 
