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

Andrés Giménez's quad strain is healed, and he looks to put aside a rough start to 2025. Plus updates on PT situations given news on Carter, Burnes, Vientos, Nick Gonzales, and more.
Jun 4 2025 8:44am
An AL-heavy news day: Devin Williams should resume closing in NY, Parker Meadows to make his season debut, Colton Cowser is back, a couple of predictable injuries in Anaheim, and more...
Jun 3 2025 8:18am
Daulton Varsho's injury solidifies PT for Nathan Lukes and Myles Straw; some injury-related shakeups in Houston; youngsters Rocker and Abel return to the mound this week.
Jun 2 2025 9:10am
With Ryan Mountcastle's hamstring strain, there will be some infield shifting in Baltimore. Plus Wallner and Bryce Miller return, and Toglia and Jordan Walker exit the active roster.
Jun 1 2025 8:22am
Jazz Chisholm Jr. is set to return very soon as the primary 3B for the Yankees. Plus a ton of PT updates including Trout, Buxton, Santander, Estrada, Fraley and more.
May 31 2025 9:02am

Tools