Brandon Lyon’s Back… But Where Does He Fit In? And WHY?

Astros reliever Brandon Lyon found himself placed on the disabled list well over a month ago, a move that was made in response to a string of disastrously poor performances from Lyon as Houston’s closer (including blowing Brett Myers’ Opening Day gem in Philadelphia and ultimately his horrific afternoon collapse in Cincinnati). It was indicated by the team that something was structurally wrong with Lyon’s pitching arm as they immediately placed their closer on the disabled list to further evaluate what was causing the consistently ineffective outings. Now mid-June, Lyon has been re-inserted into the active roster, apparently fully healed from his alleged bicep tendinitis and a partial rotator cuff tear and whatever else was ailing him to begin 2011. In Lyon’s absence, young Mark Melancon has stepped up and admirably filled the role of closer for the Astros. I wrote a piece a few weeks ago in which I pleaded for Melancon to remain the 9th-inning stopper, even ...