Miami Marlins: Jose Urena Could Return As Closer
By Matthew C
The Miami Marlins are making a big change to their bullpen – reportedly naming former starting pitcher Jose Urena the new closer.
Miami Marlins right-hander Jose Urena, who has been out of baseball action since June 7th with a lower back strain, could return to the team in a new role. Before the Marlins’ game against the Phillies, Marlins manager Don Mattingly said Jose Urena could return in September as the Marlins’ new closer, per Craig Wish of the FNTSY Radio.
The move to move Jose Urena to the bullpen could be surprising to some. Miami doesn’t have a set closer. The closer committee for the Marlins is Jarlin Garcia, Ryne Stanek, and Jose Quijada.
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It’s not surprising the Miami Marlins don’t have a set closer – considering they’re having yet another bad year. The Marlins are currently in last place in the National League East, a place where they’ve been most of the season.
Before being placed on the 60-day injured list, Urena has posted a 4.70 ERA in thirteen games. In 74.2 innings pitched, he ranked up fifty-one strikeouts and walked twenty-three.
His only career save comes from 2016 – just his second season in the major league. He hasn’t seen any experience being a closer in his 5-year career – a career in which he spent all five years with the Miami Marlins.
The 27-year-old righty he ranked 10th in the NL with his .667 Win-Loss percentage in 2017 and ranked 12th last year in the NL losses.
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This should be an experience for Jose Urena when he returns from the 60-day Injured List as the closer as the Marlins are continuing to have a bad season under new ownership group formed by former Yankee superstar Derek Jeter.