Bullpen defined: Boxberger named D-backs closer, Bradley keeps setup role

PHOENIX — It’s said that the last three outs of a game are the toughest to get in baseball.

When that situation presents itself to the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2018, the person tasked to secure the victory will be right-hander Brad Boxberger

Manager Torey Lovullo made it official on Tuesday, naming Boxberger as his closer. It was the last big question to be answered ahead of Thursday’s Opening Day.

“There’s nothing like getting those three outs in the game,” Boxberger said ahead of the D-backs’ exhibition finale against the Cleveland Indians. “I’m excited. I’m excited for the opportunity. Definitely honored to have the opportunity to be able close here.”

With Boxberger handling the ninth inning, that leaves Archie Bradley and Yoshi Hirano — the other two competing to be the closer — in setup roles.

Bradley excelled in that role a year ago, helping get the ball to then-closer Fernando Rodney.

“Let’s do it,” said Bradley, who sees his role developing into something similar to the Indians’ Andrew Miller.

Like Miller, Bradley will continue to be called upon in key moments and high pressure situations.

“I think, with the talks we had with Torey between Box and I and Yoshi and everything, it’s just the best way to go,” Bradley continued. “Box has the experience. He’s led the league in saves before and I was pretty comfortable with what I did so why not see if we can get that rolling like we did last year with Rodney, between Box and I? I really do — I just want to win, so if this is the formula, if this is the way to do it, let’s get it going and let’s see what we can do.”

Lovullo added that the D-backs would be careful with Bradley’s workload, choosing the right spots when to put him on the mound.

“I think teams are trending to understanding where the hotspots are in a lineup and being able to attack them with specific guys. And in our case, it’s a tremendous luxury. Archie works hard, and nothing is automatic, but I feel real good when Archie is coming in the game against the most potent part of the opposition’s lineup,” Lovullo said. “He’s going to go out there and attack and not beat himself. It’s a really, really good feeling to have in the dugout.

“I structure things a couple of different ways: Look at the ninth and who’s got the ninth and build it backwards, but I also look at Archie and say, ‘He’s going to handle this part of the lineup. How can I attack this other third of the lineup?’ and it’s a tremendous luxury that I have.”

Of the three relievers, Boxberger was the only one with extensive experience as a Major League Baseball closer. He’s saved 44 games, 41 of which came in 2015 when he led the American League playing with Tampa Bay.

By comparison, Bradley has one career save — last season against San Diego on Sept. 10. Hirano, while he’s done it, has not done it in the U.S. All his closing experience has come during his past 11 seasons in Japan.

“Hirano will find himself in the thickness of the backend of our bullpen,” Lovullo said.

When the D-backs acquired Boxberger from the Rays, they pointed to his track record as a closer. They also acknowledged his injuries, which limited him to 57 appearances over his last two seasons with Tampa Bay.

And because of that, the D-backs proceeded with caution with Boxberger this spring.

“He was on the up elevator when it came to health,” said Lovullo, who during his time in Boston was on the other side of many Boxberger saves. “He came with an incredible reputation and I’ve said it many times, I saw that firsthand. He closed games easily in the AL East.”

With Boxberger, Bradley and Hirano, the D-backs believe they have three solid relievers to help finish out games.

“Three solid guys in the backend of the ‘pen to shut games down,” Boxberger said. “We have the solid starting staff to get us late into games. To be able to hand the ball to any of us in the backend there, it’s definitely — you’re going to see a lot of good things back there.”

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