04-17-2007, 10:27 AM
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#1 (permalink)
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Greenville, N.C.
Posts: 176
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Notes: Gonzalez not sure who will close
Quote:
HOUSTON -- Even Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez couldn't say who he would be phoning in the Florida bullpen should the need for a closer arise on Monday night at Minute Maid Park.
"We'll play it by ear," Gonzalez said before the Marlins' game against the Houston Astros. "I know you want me to just name a guy, but I'm not going to do that."
All anyone knows for sure is it won't be Jorge Julio, after the right-handed reliever was relieved of his closer duties Friday.
Gonzalez will consider the game situation first before determining which reliever will get the call.
"If left-handers [were] coming up, [there's the] option to use [lefties Taylor] Tankersley or [Renyel] Pinto," Gonzalez said. "With right-handers coming up, obviously some of the other guys [would be options]."
Some of those options, including right-hander Randy Messenger and rookie right-handers Henry Owens and Matt Lindstrom, have never faced the Astros, which may or not work in their favor. Kevin Gregg has the most experience among the closing candidates with the exception of Julio, but he hasn't closed either.
In any event, the young Marlins relievers don't have much in the way of matchup histories against the Astros, so that method won't provide much data for Gonzalez to use in his closer evaluations.
All of the candidates are available, since Saturday's rainout left the bullpen well rested.
The question is, which one?
"Like I said, it will depend on the situation," Gonzalez said.
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The Official Site of the Florida Marlins: Florida Marlins' News
For now, Marlins' manager will use closer by committee
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Notes: Gonzalez not sure who will close
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