In a decision that wasn't unexpected, the Diamondbacks announced Wednesday night that Addison Reed will be the team's closer.
Manager Kirk Gibson made the announcement via the D-backs' official Twitter account.
Reed threw seven innings in Cactus League play this spring, giving up just one run while striking out eight and walking one.
With Reed taking over as closer, the Diamondbacks will be shifting J.J. Putz -- who closed for most of the last three years when healthy -- to a setup role. Putz struggled early last season, posting five blown saves in his first 10 chances, before spending time on the disabled list with elbow trouble. He returned late in the year and finished strong, not allowing a run in 24 of his last 26 appearances to finish with a 2.36 ERA. Most of those outings were in setup situations, though, and Putz's velocity has diminished to the 90 mph range.
#Dbacks manager @23KGibby announces that @Areed43 is the team's closer. pic.twitter.com/DDqE9fI2x9
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) March 20, 2014
The Diamondbacks also have hard-throwing former closer-in-waiting David Hernandez, who is coming off a rough year in which he spent time in the minors but recovered late to finish with a 4.48 ERA, and side-armer Brad Ziegler, who spent time at closer in 2013 but is preferred in a situational role due to his ability to induce grounders. The team has not clarified how the late-inning relievers other than Reed will be used.
