Wade Davis replaces Greg Holland as closer

Today, Ned Yost told reporters that Wade Davis is the new closer for the Kansas City Royals, effective immediately. He will remain so for the rest of the season and through the playoffs.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Now Yost says Davis will close the rest of the way and playoffs. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Royals?src=hash">#Royals</a></p>&mdash; Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/FlannyMLB/status/646435867150667777">September 22, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The reason for this is a combination of Greg Holland's declining health and performance. According to Yost, Holland's elbow is specifically the reason for cranky arm.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ned says Holland has been dealing with elbow since all-star break. Doesn&#39;t have defined role for him, but Davis will close going forward</p>&mdash; Joel Goldberg (@goldbergkc) <a href="https://twitter.com/goldbergkc/status/646436811405791233">September 22, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Holland had been one of the game's best closers for the previous two seasons, racking up 93 saves in 98 chances. This year, his effectiveness has been diminished. Decreased fastball velocity and control served as the root causes for his full-season career high 3.83 ERA and five blown saves, equaling his total from 2013-2014 in a third of the opportunities.

Holland moves into his final year of arbitration in 2016, and this turn of events brings intrigue into how Kansas City will deal with the closer situation long-term. The Royals own team options for Davis for the 2016 and 2017 seasons.