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http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-chicago-cubs--fujikawa-marmol-20130407,0,4889825.story
ATLANTA -- Japanese reliever Kyuji Fujikawa was expected to replace Carlos Marmol as the Chicago Cubs closer in 2014 after Marmol's three-year contract ended. Instead, Fujikawa moved into the closer's role six games into the 2013 season.
Manager Dale Sveum made the announcement Sunday morning at Turner Field, hours after Marmol blew a save by serving up ninth inning home runs to B.J. Upton and Justin Upton.
"We talked to them both, so we're all done with that," Sveum said.
Marmol lost the closer's job early in 2012, but won it back after Rafael Dolis failed in his opportunity. Can Marmol return this year?
"Yeah, there's a chance," Sveum said. "Hopefully Fujikawa takes it and runs with it and does a great job so we don't have to even deal with that. Obviously Marmol is going to pitch in less stressful situations and get his confidence back."
After Saturday's loss, Sveum mentioned Shawn Camp and James Russell as his options. Fujikawa gave up three runs in the eighth to put the Braves back into the game.
"I said those were our options," Sveum said Sunday. "But that's one reason why we signed (Fujikawa), in case something like this happened. In Japan, he's always done it many many times and is comfortable getting the last three outs, so it was kind of the logical thing to do."
ATLANTA -- Japanese reliever Kyuji Fujikawa was expected to replace Carlos Marmol as the Chicago Cubs closer in 2014 after Marmol's three-year contract ended. Instead, Fujikawa moved into the closer's role six games into the 2013 season.
Manager Dale Sveum made the announcement Sunday morning at Turner Field, hours after Marmol blew a save by serving up ninth inning home runs to B.J. Upton and Justin Upton.
"We talked to them both, so we're all done with that," Sveum said.
Marmol lost the closer's job early in 2012, but won it back after Rafael Dolis failed in his opportunity. Can Marmol return this year?
"Yeah, there's a chance," Sveum said. "Hopefully Fujikawa takes it and runs with it and does a great job so we don't have to even deal with that. Obviously Marmol is going to pitch in less stressful situations and get his confidence back."
After Saturday's loss, Sveum mentioned Shawn Camp and James Russell as his options. Fujikawa gave up three runs in the eighth to put the Braves back into the game.
"I said those were our options," Sveum said Sunday. "But that's one reason why we signed (Fujikawa), in case something like this happened. In Japan, he's always done it many many times and is comfortable getting the last three outs, so it was kind of the logical thing to do."
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