Phoenix – Craig Counsell confirmed Wednesday he will not name a bullpen closer before the start of the regular season.
"There's no such position as opening day closer," said the Milwaukee Brewers manager. "That's not a baseball position."
Actually, it sort of is. Nearly all teams will break camp with an acknowledged closer designated to protect leads in the ninth inning. But, with Francisco Rodriguez no longer around to handle that duty without question for the Brewers, Counsell sees no reason to announce one pitcher as his closer.
Instead, as he has suggested from the very beginning of camp, Counsell said he plans to use left-hander Will Smith and right-hander Jeremy Jeffress to close games, depending on hitter-pitcher matchups at the end of games.