PHOENIX -- It looks like the Arizona Diamondbacks are ready
to make a change at closer.
After allowing five ninth-inning home runs this season and blowing three save opportunities, Matt Mantei likely will be replaced by Jose Valverde.
Diamondbacks manager Bob Brenly might make the move official
before Tuesday night's series opener in Chicago against the Cubs,
according to The Arizona Republic.
Mantei has an 11.88 ERA in nine games this season.
He gave up a game-tying two-run homer to Pat Burrell with two
outs in the ninth Sunday in Philadelphia and the Phillies went on
to beat Arizona 6-5 in 14 innings.
Valverde, in his last 12 appearances, has limited opposing teams
to a .130 batting average and allowed only three earned runs over
that span.