Leyland to limit Jones in 2nd half: It isn't that manager Jim Leyland is losing faith in his closer, right-hander Todd Jones. It would appear to be more of a case of Leyland looking at the reality -- Jones is 40 years old. Leyland has had to take Jones out of three of the last six innings he's pitched, before they were over, and Friday he said he's going to "back him off a little bit" in terms of how much Jones gets used, reports The Sports Xchange. Leyland has traditionally tried to limit Jones to three games in a row. Now he might cut that to two, unless one of them was really easy on his arm or it was a night game following a day contest. It will also give him an opportunity to see if Joel Zumaya is up to snuff in terms of closing. And right-handers Freddy Dolsi and Fernando Rodney, too. (Updated 07/12/2008).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 7/24/08).
Fantasy Analysis
Jones has only blown two saves this season and he's been his typical hold-your-breath self. But his fastball seems to be more in the high 80s than the low 90s it has been in the past. "I'm going to watch him a little closer," Leyland said. "I'm just going to watch closely. If I need to use somebody else for a day, I'm going to do it." Zumaya, Dolsi and Rodney are all just middle-relief options in Fantasy for now, but if one of them catches Leyland's eye, that could change. (Updated 07/12/2008).
Rodney had his hat size drop from 7 3-4 to 7 3-8 after getting a haircut from teammate Freddy Dolsi. It was Rodney's first haircut since Sept. 2005. (Updated 07/19/2008)
Advice
Rodney was impressive on the mound with the new 'do, as he pitched 1 1-3 hitless innings and struck out three on Saturday, trimming his ERA to 6.55.
Leyland to limit Jones in 2nd half: It isn't that manager Jim Leyland is losing faith in his closer, right-hander Todd Jones. It would appear to be more of a case of Leyland looking at the reality -- Jones is 40 years old. Leyland has had to take Jones out of three of the last six innings he's pitched, before they were over, and Friday he said he's going to "back him off a little bit" in terms of how much Jones gets used, reports The Sports Xchange. Leyland has traditionally tried to limit Jones to three games in a row. Now he might cut that to two, unless one of them was really easy on his arm or it was a night game following a day contest. It will also give him an opportunity to see if Joel Zumaya is up to snuff in terms of closing. And right-handers Freddy Dolsi and Fernando Rodney, too. (Updated 07/12/2008).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 7/24/08).
Fantasy Analysis
Jones has only blown two saves this season and he's been his typical hold-your-breath self. But his fastball seems to be more in the high 80s than the low 90s it has been in the past. "I'm going to watch him a little closer," Leyland said. "I'm just going to watch closely. If I need to use somebody else for a day, I'm going to do it." Zumaya, Dolsi and Rodney are all just middle-relief options in Fantasy for now, but if one of them catches Leyland's eye, that could change. (Updated 07/12/2008).
= probable start
