WASHINGTON — We’re not sure how truly serious he is about this, but Jerry Manuel said today he is considering making one of three starters — John Maine (pictured), Oliver Perez or Mike Pelfrey — the closer until Billy Wagner comes back Monday, then shifting the former starter to an eighth-inning set up role after that. Such a move would be drastic and border on desperate, but Manuel is the interim manager and admitted he is in a win-now mode. He also is at his wit’s end with the current bullpen roster after watching them blow a late 5-1 lead Monday against the Pirates in an eventual 7-5 loss.
Maine will proceed with his scheduled start here in Washington on Wednesday against the Nationals, but Manuel said Maine could be shifted to the bullpen after that.
Maine, Perez and Pelfrey all told reporters today they would be OK with a move to the bullpen, but it might not come to that if rookie Eddie Kunz performs well in what appears to be his new role as Wagner’s fill-in. Manuel said Kunz would likely get the first crack starting tonight at filling in for Wagner.
More on this to come …