Cubs manager Mike Quade said Carlos Marmol will officially regain his closer role beginning Saturday. Quade was originally ready to re-insert Marmol into the role beginning Friday, but he changed his mind at the last moment and decided to use Sean Marshall in the role. ''I talked to [pitching coach Mark Riggins] right before the game and thought, 'Let's see if we can set up with him and see his stuff,' which is as good as I've seen it,'' Quade said. ''He's a closer, and he's ready to go [Saturday].'' Marmol has posted a 3.65 ERA and 1.44 WHIP for the season while blowing seven of 26 save chances.

Expected to resume closing Friday, Carlos Marmol instead set up Sean Marshall by striking out the only two Astros he faced. Manager Mike Quade indicated that he was ready to restore Marmol to the closer's role, but he used Marmol in the eighth and Sean Marshall in the ninth today. Marshall pitched a perfect inning for his third save in a 4-2 game. Marmol's success in the eighth could get him a save chance within the next couple of days.

Carlos Marmol tossed a scoreless inning Monday. Marmol walked two Phillies hitters along the way, but he made it through the non-save situation unscathed. The Cubs are hoping the right-hander will be ready to resume handling save opportunities within the next couple of days. "I would like him to get the most out of his downtime and he has so far," manager Mike Quade said Monday. "If they feel good about it, we'll be good to go."

Cubs manager Mike Quade indicated that Carlos Marmol could make an appearance Monday against the Phillies. Marmol was given two days off to work on his mechanics. Quade hasn't ruled out using him in a save situation, but we think he'll be eased back into the ninth inning. Sean Marshall is the best bet for saves at the moment.

Carlos Marmol was working on his mechanics with pitching coach Mark Riggins before Saturday's game. Riggins said the fix they're working on is a minor one. Marmol has been temporarily removed from the closer's role while he gets straightened out, as he had a huge blowup Thursday and then had to be pulled from Friday's save chance. Sean Marshall and Kerry Wood will be used in the ninth inning for the time being.

Cubs manager Mike Quade confirmed that he will give Carlos Marmol a chance to work on his mechanics for a couple days. Marmol melted down in epic fashion Thursday night and was well on his way to a repeat performance Friday before getting pulled. Quade said he'll use either Kerry Wood or Sean Marshall in the ninth inning for now. It's worth noting that Marshall saved the day Friday, so he's probably the best bet for those desperate for saves.

Carlos Marmol was pulled out of the save opportunity after giving up a run in the ninth Friday against the Marlins. It's hard to tell what Marmol was doing out there in the first place after his horrible outing Thursday. He walked the leadoff man and gave up a pair of singles before coming out of this one. What saved him was Marlon Byrd throwing out Hanley Ramirez trying to stretch the second of those singles into a double. With two outs and the tying run on first, Sean Marshall relieved Marmol and struck out Mike Stanton to end the game. Marmol is still the Cubs' closer, but he's due at least one day off now, which could mean another save for Marshall or maybe Kerry Wood on Saturday.

Cubs manager Mike Quade said he wasn't sure if he would use Carlos Marmol as his closer Friday. Quade was adamant after Marmol's meltdown Thursday that the righty was still his closer, so Friday would likely just be an opportunity to allow Marmol to catch his breath. Sean Marshall or Kerry Wood would be next in line if Marmol is avoided Friday.

Cubs manager Mike Quade assured reporters Thursday that Carlos Marmol is safe at closer. Marmol lost control of his entire arsenal of pitches in a horribly blown save Thursday night against the Marlins. "That was pretty bad," Quade said. "That was as bad as I've seen him. Still, you feel he has a chance to pull it together but not tonight." Marmol's leash remains long.

Carlos Marmol recorded his 18th save in Thursday's win over the Nationals. He didn't strike anyone out and walked one but also didn't give up a hit in a scoreless ninth. After his historic meltdown against the Astros on the last day of May, Marmol has allowed just one run since, and that came back on June 5. He holds a 2.21 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 11.5 K/BB ratio while converting 18 of 23 save chances this season.