In 2019, the closer role was a bit of a roller coaster that actually ended up doing quite well. Beginning the year, Jordan Hicks resumed his 9th inning role for the St. Louis Cardinals but was placed on the IL at the end of June after he tore his UCL. The timing of this injury was about as bad as possible because not only did Hicks miss the last half of the season, but he will be out until after the All-Star break most likely this season.
The bullpen did a pretty good job of absorbing this injury as Carlos Martinez stepped into the closer’s role without much of a hitch.