Leyland may cut Todd Jones' workload

Leyland may cut Todd Jones' workload

While emphasizing that Todd Jones remains the closer, Tigers manager Jim Leyland said before Friday night's game that he might slightly reduce Jones' workload. He said Jones might get less work in day games after he has pitched the previous night.

Leyland said this after Jones' outings in the previous two games. Jones got the win Wednesday night, then returned Thursday afternoon and gave up hits to the first two hitters in Minnesota's ninth-inning rally.

"Jones is the closer, but I'm going to watch it, and if I need to use somebody else for a day, I'm going to do it," Leyland said.

NO!

07/11/2008 7:21 PM ET
Leyland to keep eye on Jones
Manager wants to ensure closer doesn't become overworked
By Jason Beck / MLB.com

DETROIT -- Todd Jones remains the Tigers' closer. That hasn't changed. The change, manager Jim Leyland said, is that he wants to ensure Jones isn't overtaxed.

"I'm going to back him off a little bit," Leyland said. "I'm going to watch him a little closer."

That doesn't mean backing Jones off the role, but instead watching out for signs of fatigue and trying to prevent them from popping up in the first place.

Thursday's loss to the Twins was one sign for Leyland. Jones started the ninth inning with a two-run lead to protect, and he was unable to finish it -- leaving with two outs after three singles and a Matt Joyce error tied the game and put the potential go-ahead run on base. One of the two runs allowed was unearned. Bobby Seay entered once Justin Morneau stepped to the plate with a runner on first before Freddy Dolsi finished the inning.

It marked just the second blown save in 18 opportunities for Jones this season, but it was the third time in Jones' past six outings that he didn't finish the inning he started. However, it was also the second outing in less than 24 hours for Jones, who pitched the ninth inning to earn the victory Wednesday against the Indians.

"He didn't have as much yesterday," Leyland said. "And it would be a third day for him."

That was Leyland's concern as he discussed Jones on Friday. He also said he had a discussion with Jones.

"I'm just going to watch closely," Leyland said. "If I need to use somebody else for a day, I'm going to do it."

Leyland didn't have a particular pitcher in mind for Friday, but he figured that if others were needed it would be either Fernando Rodney or Joel Zumaya. Both were available on Friday.

Leyland has tried to set guidelines for using Jones over the past 2 1/2 seasons. He does not like to bring him into a save situation in the eighth inning, and he won't use him for more than three consecutive games. Leyland hasn't used Jones for more than one inning since July 7, 2007, though he has left open the possibility of doing so in extra-inning contests if the veteran righty has a quick first inning.

With 70 games left to play, Jones has pitched 35 1/3 innings. That puts him on pace for just over 62 innings, nearly the same total as each of his previous two years as a Tiger.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

My ulcer thanks you, Jim!

what! not as many rollercoaster rides?

I dont mind this to be totally honest.
I can understnd why he would do it.
And it means there will most likely not be as many blown saves!

We can't rely on just one closer!

And Dolsi could use some work...

Jones is the greatest Relief Pitcher in Tigers History.


Jones should be the closer all the time!



Dolsi or Zumaya can do it after Jones retires in a couple more years

Overwork Jones and you get blown saves! He will get plenty of work.

Jones has one of the best save/blown save ratios in MLB

And we want it to stay that way