Major League Baseball

Balfour out as Rays' closer

Published Jun. 9, 2014 12:28 p.m. ET

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) Grant Balfour is out as the Tampa Bay Rays' closer.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said before Monday's game against Seattle the team will use a closer by committee instead of the struggling Balfour, who gave up five runs in the ninth inning of Sunday's 5-0 loss to the Mariners. It was the second time the right-hander has had a five-run inning this season.

Balfour entered Monday 0-2 with a 6.46 ERA in 24 games, and had nine saves in 11 opportunities. He has walked 20 in 23 2-3 innings.

''It just hasn't worked out,'' Maddon said

Jake McGee and Juan Carlos Oviedo could get regular time in the closer role. Maddon expects Balfour to rebound and close games later in the season.

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