Speculation about Brandon Lyons’ replacement as Houston’s closer didn’t last long. From Astros Senior Director of Social Media Alyson Footer:
“We’re going to give the ninth inning to Melancon and go from there.” Mills.
Well, at least the manager is keeping his options open.
Seriously, isn’t this how Brad Mills got into trouble in the first place? Just handing the most important job in the bullpen to a single pitcher who maybe could use a little help from time to time? Is managing really so difficult that you have to designate your ninth-inning guy less than 24 hours after firing the last one?
Anyway, Mark Melancon is 26 and has saved exactly zero games as a major leaguer while pitching 53 innings, which isn’t to suggest he can’t do the job. And considering how poorly most of the Astros’ other relievers have performed this season, Melancon looks like the only real candidate.