PLAYING TIME: Yet more closer news: Balfour, Francisco

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Fuentes replaces Balfour as OAK closer

After Brian Fuentes (LHP, OAK) notched his second save of the season May 12, manager Bob Melvin confirmed that Fuentes had bypassed Grant Balfour (RHP, OAK) as the team's primary ninth-inning option. While Balfour had blown only two saves on the season, he had also been scored on in three of his last five outings and four of his last seven. Perhaps the largest contributor to that lack of success has been Balfour's Dom, which, after slowly declining the last few seasons has taken a more dramatic dip so far this season down to 6.1, which is less than ideal for a stopper. Balfour had been yielding fewer fly balls, but just as many were ending up as line drives than as grounders,...

Almost!

You’re just a few clicks away from accessing this feature and hundreds more throughout the year that have a singular goal in mind: Winning your league. Subscribe to BaseballHQ.com here!

Already a subscriber? Sign in here

More From PT Today

Reynaldo López is back to start Saturday, Nelson gives Snakes another bullpen option, and more.
Sep 28 2024 9:39am
Steven Kwan returns for the Guardians, Y. Alvarez out through the weekend, Alcántara debuts, and more.
Sep 26 2024 8:30am
Ryan Mountcastle adds some depth to BAL lineup; Josh Jung still hurting; Tellez and Taylor DFA'd, and more.
Sep 25 2024 7:27am
Yordan Alvarez will miss the midweek series with SEA; Jobe to debut, and more.
Sep 24 2024 8:46am

Tools