Hunter Strickland

Hunter Strickland named Giants' closer to fill in for Mark Melancon (forearm)

San Francisco Giants reliever Hunter Strickland will take over closing duties while Mark Melancon (forearm) is out, manager Bruce Bochy announced.

What It Means:

Bochy previously said Sam Dyson would also be in the mix but he plainly stated on Thursday that Strickland will handle save chances for the Giants while Melancon is out for what is expected to be "a couple weeks." The 29-year-old right-hander turned in a 0.00 ERA this spring.

numberFire's models project Strickland to record a 3.34 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 20.9 strikeout percentage this season.