Grant Balfour out as closer; Rays to use committee

Grant Balfour has been removed from his position as closer for the Tampa Bay Rays in order to find some swagger.

Balfour is no longer the closer... for now the #Rays are going to match up the final outs of a game. Closer by committee.

— Dave Wills (@davewills34) June 9, 2014

After an incredible pitching duel on Sunday, with was Balfour who blinked in the ninth, serving the Rays their 40th loss on the season. Now manager Joe Maddon has announced via Rays Radio that the team will share the duties among the 'pen.

Maddon wants Balfour to get his confidence back. "Just hasn't been working yet, but it will."

— Adam Berry (@adamdberry) June 9, 2014

Grant Balfour lost his closing duties in Oakland yet returned to form over the last two years. This season, the A's traded for the Baltimore closer Jim Johnson, allowing Balfour to depart in free agency. As of this morning, both relievers have allowed 17 earned runs over 23.2 IP (h/t A's writer John Hickey).