Eric Gagne Out as Closer in Milwaukee: FANTASY IMPACT

They finally took Old Yeller out back and shot him. Eric Gagne has been removed from his role as closer for the Milwaukee Brewers. Manager Ned Yost said the team will use a closer by committee until they feel Gagne can be used again in pressure situations. Yost added that this will be more of a "mental break" for Gagne so he can clear his head and get himself to where he was in the past.

Gagne is tied for the major league lead, with the also recently removed from the closer's role, Jason Isringhausen, with 5 blown saves on the season.

FANTASY IMPACT

There are too many names that could wind up seeing saves, but some to keep an eye on will be Dave Riske, Guillermo Mota, and Salomon Torres. Of course, on Sunday lefty specialist Brian Shouse wound up getting credited with the save when he came in to get the final batter of the game out so it is clear that Yost will mix and match as he sees fit to get outs.

If you are hard up for saves grab one of the three. Going into the season I was pushing hard for owners to draft Riske as a replacement for when Gagne got hurt this season. It looks like that might have changed a bit with the success Mota and Torres have had and the inconsistency that Riske has seen this season. Mota and Torres both have closing experience and one of them could end up getting the majority of chances.

I would actually be surprised if we see Gagne back in the closer's role this season. He struggled in the second half of last season with the Red Sox and has looked just as ineffective this season.