Vizcaino becomes Snitker’s go-to guy as closer

Arodys Vizcaino is informally the Braves’ closer again.

Vizcaino came in Saturday to finish off the Marlins for his third save since Wednesday. He retook the ninth-inning role from Jim Johnson, who has blown a majors-high eight saves.

After Johnson failed in his third save situation in seven opportunities in Philadelphia on July 30, Braves manager Brian Snitker removed Johnson from the role.

Vizcaino wasn’t officially named the closer, but he’s become the go-to guy at the end of games.

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity,” Vizcaino said through a translator. “And obviously I’m grateful to the manager, too, for his confidence in me. This entire time I’ve worked really hard to kind of get to where I’m at, to get the numbers I have, and more than anything else gain the confidence from the manager to put me in that position. It’s a nice feeling.”

It’s a return to form for Vizcaino. He posted a 3.00 ERA with 10 saves in 39 appearances last year before being sidelined by an oblique strain.

“I’m trying to stick with the same approach I had the previous year and this year whenever I got those opportunities,” he said. “I’m just going to try to focus on the simple things, you know? Just throw strikes, get in the zone, try to get guys out.”

Working primarily as a setup man this season, Vizcaino had a 2.38 ERA over 37 games before hitting the disabled list with a strained right index finger July 5.

“He’s throwing really good,” Snitker said. “When he’s healthy, he has weapons to pitch that (ninth) inning.”

Moving from the eighth inning to the ninth, Vizcaino makes a slight mental adjustment.

“There’s a little bit of a difference in the sense that I think in the ninth inning, you have a little bit more responsibility,” he said. “You’re coming in to fin- ish the game and all that. But in both roles, you have to go in and execute. You just have to go out and do your job and be successful.”