LOS ANGELES — Manuel Corpas has regained his closer’s job, and the role of deposed closer Huston Street has been significantly altered.
Manager Clint Hurdle announced the move this evening before the Rockies took on the Dodgers.
Hurdle said Street will not necessarily become the set-up man now. Instead, the manager said he will determine who to pitch in the eighth based on “who’s the best fit at the time.”
That means Jason Grilli, Allen Embree, Glendon Rusch or Street could work the seventh or the eighth.
Impressed with Corpas’ aggressive demeanor and ability to attack the strike zone, and concerned by the way opponents were battering Street in the early going, Hurdle made the change only eight games into the season.
“I’m trying to incorporate into my decision making what’s best for the team at all times,” Hurdle said.
Street, who was acquired from Oakland as part of the Matt Holliday trade, won the closer’s job in spring training. But he’s had a rocky start to the season. Wednesday in Chicago, he allowed a home run, a walk and a single to the three batters he faced in the ninth inning.”
Corpas, who seems to be attacking hitters more than last season, is looking more like the pitcher who took over as closer for Brian Fuentes in 2007.
“Other than one ball that was hit out of the ballpark (in a 7-5 loss to Philadelphia) he’s looked good,” Hurdle said. “We have seen the velocity we need when he has good sink and good tilt to his breaking ball. Sometimes this is the thing that can light the fuse for him and it can rekindle and refocus things for Huston.”
After reviewing videos of his last outing, Street said he doesn’t think he’s been that far off the mark. But he also said he’d be the good soldier.
“Of course I want to be the ninth-inning guy, but I’m going to do what’s ever best for the team,” Street said.
Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com
