Closer Report for Week 7

I made more changes to my closer rankings this week. The top eight, from Kenley Jansen to Trevor Rosenthal did not change, but from 9 to 24 there were plenty of changes. I moved Marlins closer A.J. Ramos down after moving him into my top 10. He is just too wild to remain a top 10 closer, and Don Mattingly is not shy when it comes to changing his closer. I also moved Mariners closer Steve Cishek down after his weekend blowups. Cishek has blown two saves in a row and could be removed if the Mariners had a legitimate replacement with Joaquin Benoit and Tony Zych on the disabled list. Could they deal for Braves back up closer Jason Grilli?

Brewers

Will Smith, who is currently rehabbing a knee injury,  has thrown off a mound and could begin a rehab assignment in the coming days or week. Here is more from Todd Rosiak from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Milwaukee Brewers reliever Will Smith took the next big step Friday in his attempt to come back from a torn ligament in his right knee, throwing a 25-pitch bullpen session off a mound.

"I thought it was a big deal," he said with a smile. "I was throwing off a mound. It was exciting."

Smith, who suffered the injury while taking off one of his shoes in late March in spring training, has been ramping up his rehab slowly as he attempts to return without needing surgery.

Smith had been throwing on flat ground for a few weeks before the bullpen session.

"It went well," Smith said. "Started off maybe 60-70% to begin with and then once I got a sweat going we kind of opened it up. Everything was there. Command was just a little off, which I assumed would happen.

"But I'd say my last 4-5 were really good. I feel like my last 4-5 pitches could have been thrown in a major-league baseball game. But the hitters will let me know that when I get back out there."

If Smith's knee responds well Saturday, he could throw another 25-pitch bullpen session as early as Sunday. At some point after that, Smith would be sent out on a minor-league rehab assignment as the final step toward returning to the active 25-man roster.

It will be interesting to see if Smith sees any save opportunities upon his return from the disabled list. There have been rumors that Brewers GM David Stearns will listen to offers for closer Jeremy Jeffress at the trade deadline, opening up a spot for Smith.

Rockies

Recently called up reliever Carlos Estevez is now the Rockies set up guy for closer Jake McGee, and Miguel Castro is getting closer to returning from his shoulder issue. Estevez has been wild since his call up, but has set up for McGee in each of his last two save chances, whiffing four of the seven batters he has faced. Should the Rockies decide to deal McGee at the trade deadline, and I expect them to, Castro or Estevez could be the next in line to close out games in Colorado.

Rays

The Rays have used a variety of relievers to close out games this season with Brad Boxberger on the disabled list with an abdomen injury, but Boxberger began a rehab assignment on Sunday and should be back with the big league club in the coming weeks. Manager Kevin Cash has already announced that Boxberger will be his closer once he returns, but there is an argument that Alex Colome is the better reliever, as he has pitched to a 2.02 FIP, striking out more than 11 batters per nine innings, walking less than two batters per nine and keeping the ball on the ground at a 51% rate.

Other Notes

How long will Phillies closer Jeanmar Gomez keep closing games like this? I have to admit I did not expect him to keep the job this long, but he is currently leading major league baseball in saves with 14. Who knew he could close? I moved him up my rankings until he blows a few save chances.

Another closer who has surprised this season is Padres closer Fernando Rodney. Rodney now has 10 saves on the season and has yet to give up a run, so he has moved up in my rankings this week. The Padres probably won't battle for a wild card this season, so Rodney should become trade bait come July, so Brandon Maurer is the next in line should Rodney be dealt. Maurer gives up the free pass to freely, but is striking out more than 12 batters per nine innings, so he has the stuff to close.

Week 7 Closer Rankings

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