Dempster Closing in Chicago - Marte Again?

Everyone is reporting that, despite the Cubs' injuries in their rotation, Ryan Dempster will finally make the long-rumored move the the bullpen, where he'll serve as the Cubs' closer until Joe Borowski returns, which should be about one more week.

Cubs' GM Jim Hendry has long advocated using Dempster in the closer role, and this move, coupled with the recent announcement that Jason DuBois will finally get a much-deserved shot in LF, indicates that Hendry is taking some control of day-to-day decisions away from manager Dusty Baker, who had previously ignored the GM's suggestions that DuBois and Dempster move into those roles. Dusty, it seems, may be on the hot seat.

On the other side of town, the White Sox closer carousel continues on, unabated. Damaso Marte picked up his second save last night, picking up the final two outs after Dustin Hermanson pitched a scoreless 8th and recorded the first out of the 9th inning. Marte walked a man and allowed a hit, but closed out the Blue Jays. Whatever Ozzie Guillen is doing is working very, very well. Just assume that Takatsu (8 for 9 in saves) and Hermanson (5 for 5) will get most save opportunities, with Marte picking up the odd chance when several left-handers are due up.

In other news, interim (?) Royals closer Ambiorix Burgos went 2 2/3 scoreless in picking up a win Sunday. The entire Royals team has recorded two saves on the season, so it's safe to say that whoever winds up with their closer role won't be helping anyone out THAT much, but Burgos is clearly making his case to keep the job even after Affeldt returns. In 6.2 innings of work this season, he's put up a 1.35 ERA and struck out 7 men. He's allowed 3 hits and only one run.