Boxberger removed as Arizona closer
When the Arizona Diamondbacks next have a lead in the ninth inning, the ball will not automatically be given to Brad Boxberger, as Manager Torey Lovullo said Monday he’ll instead let matchups determine who pitches, according to mlb.com and the Arizona Republic.
“It’s going to be done by matchup and trying to get through the situation the best that we can based on the hitters that are coming up and based on who’s available in the bullpen,” Lovullo said. “We’ve got to get there first, and once we get there you’re probably going to see a variety of guys finishing the game for us.”
Boxberger has saved 32 games for the Diamondbacks this year, but in four appearances this month, he is 0-3 and has allowed six runs in just two innings of work.
On Sunday, Boxberger came on in the ninth with Arizona leading the Braves 5-4, and after a pair of singles to start the inning, he gave up a three-run homer to Ender Inciarte.
“It’s definitely frustrating,” Boxberger said. “Nothing is kind of going my way. Balls are being hit just out of the reach of our defenders and the ball is kind of bouncing the opposite direction of where I want it to go.”
The bullpen blew a pair of late leads at Dodger Stadium two weeks ago, and the Diamondbacks watched games get away from them three times in four days during the justcompleted series against the Braves. BASEBALL REMEMBERS >> Major League Baseball will hold a moment of silence today before all games to honor the victims and first responders of 9/11. Players, coaches and umpires will wear caps with a “We Shall Not Forget” ribbon patch.
MOLINA OUT OF LINEUP AGAIN >> Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina was out of the starting lineup for the fourth straight game because of a hamstring problem. The nine-time AllStar felt tightness in his left hamstring while running the bases Wednesday in Washington.
St. Louis manager Mike Shildt said he is hoping Molina can return sometime during the current seven-game homestand. INDIANS GET MILLER BACK >> The AL Centralleading Indians got star reliever Andrew Miller back Monday and plan to put former AL MVP third baseman Josh Donaldson in the starting lineup today.
Miller has been out since late August with a left shoulder injury, the latest setback in a rough season for the two-time All-Star. Miller has a 3.38 ERA in 24 innings, though he pitched better in August before his shoulder flared up.
Donaldson hasn’t played in the majors since May 28 because of a left calf strain.
JUDGE TAKES ON-FIELD BP >> Yankees slugger Aaron Judge took on-field batting practice for the first time since breaking his right wrist July 26. The five-round session in Minneapolis included home runs to all fields by the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year.
“It went really well. Another big step for him to get out on the field,” said Manager Aaron Boone, who called the performance “putting on a show.”
TWO GAMES RAINED OUT >> The game between the Nationals and Phillies was postponed because rain created poor field conditions in Philadelphia. It was rescheduled as part of a traditional doubleheader today at 12:05 p.m. Nationals star Bryce Harper joined a grounds crew that used blow torches trying to get the field dry. The Nationals have been rained out on consecutive days.
Earlier, the game between the Marlins and Mets in New York was called off because of rain. The teams will play a single-admission doubleheader Wednesday at 1:10 p.m.
There have been 51 weather-related postponements in the majors this season after there were 39 all of last year.
BOSTON’S SALE EASES IN >> Red Sox ace Chris Sale is ready to come off the disabled list and start against Toronto at Fenway Park. Boston manager Alex Cora said the left-hander will be eased back into action, going about two innings and throwing a maximum of 40 pitches for the AL East leaders.