Jonathan Broxton finally admits to elbow pain, is shut down -- and there's no closer in waiting [Updated]
On the morning after, he finally ’fessed up.
So now what?
Confirming what many suspected after his odd, labored performance Tuesday night, closer Jonathan Broxton finally admitted to the Dodgers on Wednesday morning that he was hurting.
The Dodgers immediately shut him down and quickly scheduled an MRI for his sore right elbow. The disabled list remains a real possibility, pending the results of the MRI.
How long the elbow has been bothering him was unclear, but Broxton's performance has varied wildly this season. He has converted on seven of eight save opportunities, but seldom in dominating fashion.
He clearly looked like he was hurting Tuesday night against the Cubs, walking two on eight consecutive balls. Manager Don Mattingly removed him at that point, and both runners scored to break up a 1-1 tie and lead Chicago to a 4-1 victory.
After the game, Broxton continued to say he was fine physically.
Shelving Broxton leaves the Dodgers without a true closer and in some serious trouble.
Which everyone knew was a possibility back in the offseason, after Broxton struggled so badly in the second half (2-6, 7.13 ERA) that he lost his closer role to Hong-Chih Kuo.
Kuo and Kenley Jansen were considered the next relievers in line to close, but both have struggled mightily this season and can’t be counted on. Jansen was even optioned back to triple-A Albuquerque, though Mattingly said he was likely to be called back up if Broxton goes on the disabled list.
Kuo just came off the disabled list with a sore back, and has 15.00 ERA and 2.67 WHIP in five games. There is concern he's having another bout of the yips.
Vicente Padilla is probably next up, though he just came off the DL himself following forearm surgery and he has never been a closer. They can't be using him back-to-back right away.
Based on performance and history, Mike MacDougal (0.96 ERA) would be the next best candidate. He has been a closer in the past and has 70 career saves.
Middle reliever Matt Guerrier (3.86 ERA, 1.35 WHIP) has five career saves.
[Updated at 3:55 p.m.: The Dodgers said after the game they would not know the results of the MRI until it is examined Thursday by Dr. Neal ElAttrache when the team arrives in New York.
Broxton said he doesn't feel the elbow pain while pitching, but later in the night as it tightens up.
"It doesn’t hurt when I’m throwing, it’s just afterward it stiffens up a little bit,'' Broxton said.
Broxton didn't believe it was impacting the way he threw, though left open the possibility.
"I don’t say that it isn’t,'' he said. "I mean, I could be trying to protect, but I don’t feel anything out there throwing."]
-- Steve Dilbeck
Photo: Jonathan Broxton. Credit: Kelvin Kuo / US Presswire
Last week we heard Ned Colletti, general manager of the Dodgers, complain about Broxton on the radio, after one of his many blown saves that Mattingly responded with the fact that he still has faith in him. My question is, since it was obvious to him, as it has been for many of the fans since last year to get rid of Broxton, why speak out then? A general manager's job is to go out and find some deal to bring a new closer to L.A. Where is Colletti now? I hope he's on the phone talking to teams willing to deal for pitcher with a calm cool curve ball and a whipping fastball. Or was Colletti just trying to raise his voice above the fray (in the only way he can), knowing full well there's nothing that is going to happen until this whole owner crisis blows over. Was he trying to get Mark Cuban to hear him? Is that it?
Posted by: Joe Chorneau | 05/04/2011 at 12:40 PM
The scheduled MRI will show no damage to the right elbow.
The "damage" will be determined to be between the ears and around the waist.
Posted by: Nedisfrankspuppet | 05/04/2011 at 12:43 PM
No closer is preferable to this chump. Broxton should just be released.
Posted by: FormerLifelongDodgerFan | 05/04/2011 at 12:45 PM
Brox finally admits that something is wrong. Good. I hope someone convinces him to watch film of his performances. It would also shed some light on how ineffective he is when he doesn't have something wrong. He refuses to watch film of himself saying "thats in the past". Sometimes the past can yield a treasure on information that can be used in the future.
Posted by: roddyc | 05/04/2011 at 12:49 PM
its more than pain at work here
Posted by: Dodgers R Irrelevant | 05/04/2011 at 01:05 PM
Finally!!! Although I can't for the life of me figure out how the Dodgers would just let Brox continue to go just because he says he's fine. They should have checked him out last year and even the other week when he said he couldn't go because of a "balky elbow." All the signs were there. As an employer, how can you just let a guy continue to hurt the organization just because he says he's fine. As Don said, it not only hurts himself, it hurts everyone else. Look at Hawksworth last night...I'm pretty sure he wasn't fully warmed up before he got in the game. What if he hurt himself last night? As for alternatives, I don't have the same opinion you have regarding Jansen. He had two bad outings. Other than that, he's been pretty much lights out. After the Atlanta game where he was pretty much left out there to save the rest of the bullpen, he had not been scored upon in his last four outings. While that might not be something to write home about, at the time only Jansen and Guerrier had accomplished that feat. MacDougal and Hawksworth did it just last week. And I think TrueBlueLA noted that no one was striking more batters per inning pitched than Jansen. To me, and I know I don't count, but Jansen closed last year with Kuo and did a great job. I'd give him the ball again, maybe in tandem with Padilla.
Posted by: HI Dodger Fan | 05/04/2011 at 01:05 PM
This would be an issue if the Dodgers were a ligitamite contending team.
With the lineup that is out there today, there is no way we can be considered a Major League team.
It is so very sad what his become of this franchise.
Whether Broxton was any good or not, it doesnt matter when we have to field, Aaron Miles, Jamey Carrol, James Loney and his solid .200 batting average, Rod Barajas and his .196 average.
This team is pathetic, not fault of their own though, thatns to Mcbankrupts empty pocket book we're not able to get any real players to play for us.
Posted by: I'm so full of it | 05/04/2011 at 01:35 PM
I wonder if the Dodgers will start playing better once their paychecks have Bud Selig's signature on them?
Posted by: Duke Sims | 05/04/2011 at 01:57 PM
Committee of Padilla, MacDougal, Kuo, Jansen, use the match-ups and rest schedule (Kuo and Padilla can't go back to back). The way Lilly is going however he may need a mysterious elbow ailment to put him on the DL and right his ship with Padilla taking over his pitching spot.
Kuo may need more time to rest, he's down on his velocity.
DeJesus should be getting all AB's at 2b right now, he should get the same sort of opportunities Sands is getting.
Posted by: aaron d. | 05/04/2011 at 02:04 PM
@I'm so full of it...I agree with you on this mess. If the Dodgers were a legitimate contender, I'd be really concerned. But what the hay, they're doing well just to tread water, so losing Brox isn't gonna make that much difference.
The sooner MLB takes over this organization, the better.
Posted by: K | 05/04/2011 at 02:05 PM
Broxton is a god. Go Dodgers
Posted by: blake | 05/04/2011 at 02:11 PM
Hey people this team wasn't gonna do anything this year anyway. Not with the final McCheap roster we will ever have to put up with. "Oh the poor franchise, what a disintegration, permanent suckiness", blablabla. It's just right now. Relief is a roster transformation away. Relief is just an infusion of new cash and the removal of McCourt. SOON.
So MacDougal, Jansen and Kuo can rotate as closer. No big deal. That's the way they used to do it before "the closer" became unfortunately institutionalized, and given so much money no matter how bad he was at times, they HAD to use him because of the money they spent on him. Which is NOT how the smart managers do it if the closer is sucking.
Mattingly and Colletti should both understand their positions: When the new owner comes in, Colletti's gone. He will want to put his brand on the team with his own GM, just like McCourt did and look at it. Mattingly's situation is different. If he goes out on limbs, burns the Torre book on managing, does more creative managing, runs the guys more who have speed, creates a sense of urgency with these guys to do better, he can save his job and possibly even Colletti's. So Frisco Ned ought to stay away from him, shut his flapping mouth, and let Mattingly try to make Colletti look good despite this toy soldier outfit Colletti collected, and pull Broxton as he should have done 15 appearances ago, talk him into going to Albuquerque, force him to pitch at a faster pace, make him listen to a tape of Phil Jackson on zen, sharpen him up even if his arm strength never hits 100 again, and then trade him for someone the new owner will like and can use. Schieffer will approve it, especially since his job is to get this franchise back up to snuff.
I don't think, tho, Mattingly has the gumption and Colletti has the brains. The new owner will give Mattingly a chance with a roster not named Punch n Judy, but Colletti will be adios, and good riddance.
Posted by: Native Angeleno | 05/04/2011 at 02:35 PM
Can't say I agree with bringing Jansen back up from Chattanooga.
If he needs to be there to get some stuff right, to pitch on a "calculated" basis rather than up with the big club on a "need" basis, then keep him down until he's ready. Doesn't figure to be the whole season, and hopefully we're talking days and weeks, rather than months. In the minors, you can know you're pitching certain days because starters don't do complete games.
And, he doesn't figure to be the closer if he's return to LA. I'd suggest a multiple inning reliever from either Albuquerque or Chattanooga, and go with current roster guys for the last two innings - probably Guerrier in the 8th, MacDougal in the 9th. When healthy and according to their "don't get hurt again" schedules, mix in Padilla and Kuo. That's your 8th-9th inning platoon crew, which sometimes will help with the 7th inning.
And maybe God will have mercy on us late in games. We could use it.
Posted by: alanw19 | 05/04/2011 at 02:45 PM
There...the truth comes out. I had a feeling something was wrong with the guy because he wasn't throwing those 96 and 97 mph fastballs. It doesn't make any difference, because as I've already said, this club isn't going to make the playoffs. As for who'll fill the closer role, I say MacDougal because he has the experience. It surely won't be Kuo because he can't work more than two consecutive days...if that much, and I don't trust Padilla.
Posted by: bob cuomo | 05/04/2011 at 02:49 PM
If the Dodgers actually had a competent owner and general manager, Broxton would have been traded two years ago, when he still had some value on the market. At least after the Rollins game-winner against him in the playoffs, and actually before then, it was fairly obvious that Broxton simply was not the closer a championship team needed. But, since the owner had no intention of spending the money necessary for a top closer--or anything else, really--and since the general manager is essentially incapable of judging talent, nothing was done. Just like nothing was done about Russell Martin, and he kept getting put out there and doing worse and worse until he had no value.
Putting aside (as if one could) all the deceits and thefts of the McCourt era, the saddest thing of all is that an organization which once had the smartest of baseball men--Bavasi, Campanis, Thompson--now is run by utter basetball incompetents. Keep this guys in charge, and it will only get worse, until the Dodgers are the complete laughingstock of organized sports.
Posted by: William L | 05/04/2011 at 03:01 PM
Phoney DL. Only option.
Posted by: Hollywood Dodger Mark | 05/04/2011 at 03:48 PM
Steve - Regarding who's next in line to be the closer, you're making a HUGE assumption that this amalgamated mess of a ballclub will actually have a lead to be closed. That projects out to be so few and very far between now that it renders the title of closer a moot point.
Posted by: Labeldude | 05/04/2011 at 03:59 PM
Most fans have had it in for Colletti for a while now. I've been in the 50/50 camp. This spring has pushed me over the limit. Ned's aquiring of marginal veterans was a good move if only for bench depth. Thames is a great late inn. PH off the bench and a solid start against LHP. Carrol is all world utility and is good to start in stretches when needed. Miles is a good fill in choice and a scrappy late inn PH defensive sub. Miles should never be allowed to start for weeks at a time. Thames is now hurt. Carrol is no spring chicken and his hustling value will continue to decline the more he plays. Kudos to Donnie for rolling the dice with Sands and i hope he still gets to start at least half the time now that the 2nd worst move of the year for Ned, Gibbons, has been activated. Yet why is Dejesus riding so much pine? Sands may have a bigger upside but he's an OF so he should hit for more power. If DeJesus were given the same ABs st 2nd and SS i thinks his numbers would be about the same as Sands and he might hit a homer. It would be hard not to do better than what Miles has done! I put this squarely on Ned; forcing Donnie to play the guys he pays. It's a sin not to play what little talented youth we have in a season that will have more valley than peaks.
Posted by: N.P.Krohn | 05/04/2011 at 04:08 PM
Sorry, I'm not done yet. This post was about Broxton and the pen and I've been cathing up all day on the minor leagues because of it. Broxton is all but done. I hope for his sake that this is a major injury that requires time away from the team and extended rehab that he can use to get in better shape and reinvent himself. The old model is obsolete. You can't make it long in this game with 2 pitches and he had a better ride than most. Which brings me to Jansen. Same window same story. His stuff is just as good now as it was last year. Saw both of his bad outings and he threw quality pitches that were called balls which led to walks, forcing him to throw down the pipe in obvious fastball counts and was punished by good ML hitters. It happens. The umpire has alot to say about how good an outing will be. He has been just as dominant in other outings but unless he picks up another pitch he won't be dominant for many years. He shouldn't be wasting time in the minors.
Posted by: N.P.Krohn | 05/04/2011 at 04:18 PM
It is amazing to me that a 100 million dollar team would have the brain of a 12 year old when considering a possible injury to a player. Are they trying to save money not having a physical and MRI long ago? Everyone with any brains at all could see his fastball drop from 98 to 95 to 89 mph!!
Posted by: animal | 05/04/2011 at 04:20 PM
...Bringing me back to Ned. The worst thing he did this year was nothing. No LHP for the bullpen. Donnie tried to get his back, which worries me, by saying before the season started that they don't need a lefty in the pen. Just look at the Halos. And what have they won lately, even with the best manager in baseball? Even if Kuo were healthy he would not be able to fullfill the need for get 1 or 2 big 7th-8th inning outs that are needed nearly every night. It cost us in Denver earlier this year against Cargo. I was there. Haven't seen every game this year but i'm sure it has happened more than once in close games got out of hand because of a key LH hit. It will happen many times with no help on the way. Speaking of which...
Posted by: N.P.Krohn | 05/04/2011 at 04:27 PM
There is not much help coming in AAA. Elbert is doing just what he's been doing when healthy the last 5yrs in the minors and majors. Walking to many guys to win games and striking out just enough to make his numbers respectful. Evaland has done much to show he can succeed at the ML level and has had more time to do it than anyone else. One good year in the canyon that is the Oakland Coliseum does not a career make. Wilkin DeLarosa is at least interesting but he seem to like handing out free passes more than Elbert. Keisler's a joke. There are two options in Chatanooga. On one hand the powerful young fearless arm of Cole St. Claire(any relation to Randy?) and on the other the gritty control of Antonini. Antonini is less of a risk. We picked him up in the Hu deal and he has toiled to the point of abscurity in the Mets system for years as a starter. While a change in scenery has breathed new life into his performance, he will not crack our rotation in this life time. He looked really good the couple of times this Spring facing ML starters and with his track record of not walking guys he seems tailor made for long relief and getting one big out against an over aggressive LH power bat late in the game.
Posted by: N.P.Krohn | 05/04/2011 at 04:40 PM
You know if you look at the stats on MLB.com you can see what is wrong with Broxton. Since mid point last year he changed his release point from full over hand to 3/4 overhand. Same time his Fastball slowed from 98 to 94 mph but more importantly it flattened out. Instead of 10 inch upward movement and 5 inches side movement it is almost flat. I think he has been hiding a shoulder injury for over a year now. But why does the coaching staff at so incompetent?
Posted by: animal | 05/04/2011 at 04:49 PM
Chubby couldn't save a penny from falling down a drain.
Posted by: John | 05/04/2011 at 05:08 PM
And finally... This DodgerPen Sucks!!! Hawksworth needs time in the minors. MacDougal's propensity for pitching hard and high will get him shelled all year long on the road. Kuo needs time so does Padilla. I like Guerrier alot but he doesn't have the stuff to over power anyone with bases loaded 2 outs and the game on the line. Broxton should get surgery whether he needs it or not.
Last Hope Dodger Pen:
Long Relief/ Mop-Up: Antonini
6th-7th: Macdougal, St. Claire
7th-8th: Guerrier, Jansen, Kuo(sparingly)
Save Setup: Guerrier/ Kuo
Closer: Padilla
The pen has been terrible. These guys could do better falling out of bed.
Posted by: N.P.Krohn | 05/04/2011 at 05:09 PM
Umm -- he was hurt last year. That was obvious. At least to most of us. But when the season ended Don said he was still his closer. Nice that Don was trying to give Brox confidence. It's a shame that Conte can't diagnose or seems to be clueless to injuries. How many injuries have we had the last few years? Didn't Schmidt get a thumbs up from good ole Stan after he gave him his physical. I mean we always hear with free agents that they are signed "pending a physical". So think about how many guys we've signed that I guess passed those physicals. Schmidt & Jones alone should of gotten this guy fired. Doesn't it seem like every year we have more injuries than any other teams?
I also think in addition to that why is Brox always so large. That can't be good for his health. Doesn't he want to improve? He just seems sort of lazy or dumb. Dumb if he thinks that he doesn't need to watch video or add a pitch or do anything to improve & just say the past is the past. Or lazy if he just doesn't want to. Look at Sandoval of the Giants -- he knew he needed to improve and his weight was part of the problem so he hired a trainer and WORKED hard at getting in shape in the off season.
By the way I felt that NP & Dude made some great points.
Posted by: Collie | 05/05/2011 at 12:08 AM
Broxton's last game was just sad. He looked like a deer in the headlights, just completely lost. I will be shocked if the MRI shows any damage to his arm. If it doesn't, Dodgers need to make him lose weight just like SF did with Panda. He should probably also sit down with a therapist.
Posted by: fbmvp1 | 05/05/2011 at 12:44 PM