Jeanmar Gomez might not be the Philadelphia Phillies' closer in 2017 after struggling in the final weeks of the 2016 season.
Gomez, 28, has put up decent numbers this season: a 4.03 ERA, 37 saves in 42 opportunities and 45 strikeouts in 67 innings. But he's had some issues with command recently and was pulled from Tuesday's game against the Chicago White Sox after giving up three runs in the ninth inning. The Phillies eventually won 7-6.
Phillies manager Pete Mackanin told philly.com that Gomez could be "running out of gas."
"I still see velocity and I still see stuff, but he is missing location," Mackanin said. "He's up in the zone more, which may indicate that he is getting tired."
Philly.com notes that opponents' batting average on balls in play against Gomez has increased to .412 in his last 16 games. Mackanin told philly.com that the harder contact is a result of Gomez not keeping his pitches low in the zone.
Philly.com writes that Mackanin is reluctant to use a different closer with 10 games left in the season, but said he isn't sure Gomez would take the mound in a ninth inning in a save situation. If Mackanin does make a change, Hector Neris, Michael Mariot and rookie Edubray Ramos could all be options. All three will likely be in the conversation to be the closer next spring.
--Alex Tekip
