Dodger Manager Don Mattingly and Head Trainer Stan Conte made it official today, Jonathan Broxton is done for the 2011 season. According to Tony Jackson of ESPNLA, "Broxton threw off a mound on Monday for the first time since being placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 6 with what was termed a bone bruise in his right elbow."
However, due to the 2011 season being done on September 28th, there isn't enough time for Broxton to get ready to pitch this season. This will likely mean the end of Broxton's career as a Dodger. His final stats for 2011 are - 12.2 innings pitched, 15 hits, 10 runs, 8 earned runs, 9 walks, 10 strikeouts, 1 win, 2 losses, 7 saves, 1 blown save and an era of 5.68.
While his saves to blown saves ratio wasn't too bad, we all know Broxton has never been the same since giving up a home run to Matt Stairs of the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 4 of the 2008 NLCS. Whether it was confidence or injuries, Broxton was never his dominate self again.
Early this season when Broxton was struggling, I would always ask, what better options did the Dodgers have? At the time, Kenley Jansen was struggling, Hong-Chih Kuo had the yips and Javy "The Bullfighter" Guerra wasn't on anyone's radar yet. Fast forward to the present day. Guerra has a 2-0 record this season with 18 saves, 1 blown save and a decent 1.99 era. Jansen, after early season struggles and dealing with an irregular heartbeat has been stellar in his last 20+ appearances. For a closer look at Jansen's dominance, take a look at Evan's post at opinionofkingmansperformance.
Broxton will be a free agent when the season ends and will likely not be resigned with the club. Big John will finish his Dodger career with a 25-20 record, 503 strikeouts, 84 saves and two All-Star appearances in 2009 & 2010. If we have in fact seen the last of Jonathan Broxton in a Dodger uniform, I wish him well. He frustrated us but also gave us some excitement. It may just be time to move on.
True to the Blue!
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