MIAMI --managerLou Piniella insisted after sunday's los he's not contemplating a change in the closer's role.
"why should I?"he said.
Kevin Gregg suffered his second blown save in less than 24 hours on Sunday,after recording 10 straight save.while Gregg has been reliable in save situations the last two months.he has a relatively high earned -run everage of 4.17 and has serve up 10 homes run,the most by any NL reliever.
" unfortunately"it's part of the game,"Gregg said.you're going to mess up every now and then ,but I think I had(10) straight prior to this.so two on the wrong side and now let's get back on the right side."
Piniella 's only other viable option as closer would beCarlos Marmol,who has had his own problem trying to throw strike . Angel Guzman has been the Cubs' most consisten reliever but has no experience as a closer.
The cubs do have one former closer in the farm system but veteran left hander B.J. Ryan was signed to be a middle reliever.
Now's it's anyone 's gues as to weather Ryan will be called up at all.Asked after the game if the cubs have considered it,piniella gave a look of disbelief.
" we've got to lefties now ," he sad
'we've had one all year,and now we going to have three,?"
So that's a "no?"
" I don't make that decision," he replied.I haven't seen Ryan pitch or throw.whoever is watching can make those determionation."
Ryan has made three scoreless appearences at Tripple -AIowa, averaging 86 to 88 m.p.h. with his fastball ,it appeared as though he would eventually join Sean Marshall in the bullpen ,but the edition of Jhon Grabow lessens the need for a third lefty.
The Cub's must decided by aug 10 weather call up Ryan.Otherwise he can opt out of his contract and sign elsewhere .Ryan could also continue to pitch of iowa and wait until rosters are expanded in September.
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