Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Rex Brothers picked up his first save of the season on Friday versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. Brother relieved Ryan Tepera and inherited a runner on first base with two outs. Brothers would allow a single and hit by pitch, but then got Bryan Reynold fly out. Closer Craig Kimbrel was seemed to be unavailable after pitching the Cubs last two games and that led manager David Ross to go with a combination of Tepera and Brothers. Both can be left on the waiver wire for now, but if closer Craig Kimbrel is dealt at the deadline, they would be candidates to close with lefty Andrew Chafin also being a candidate.
Rex Brothers Dealt Loss After Replacing Jim Johnson
Braves' manager Brian Snitker shifted closer Jim Johnson to a set-up role after his eighth blown save of the season last night. Brothers relieved Johnson in the eighth inning and continued into the ninth where he surrendered a lead-off double to Andrew Knapp. Though Akeel Morris was the arm that allowed Freddy Galvis to bring hope Knapp, Brothers was tagged with his second loss of the year. It remains unclear who Atlanta will turn to down the stretch, but this is one of the first signs that Jim Johnson may be demoted to a lesser role.
Rex Brothers
• RP
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Cubs
