Astros name Luke Gregerson closer ahead of Ken Giles

In a surprise move, the Houston Astros named Luke Gregerson their closer ahead of newly-acquired Ken Giles.

Gregerson will at least begin the season as the team’s “primary closer.”

Hinch said he let Gregerson know he's the "primary closer."

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) April 4, 2016

Giles struggled during spring training, so that may have been a factor in the decision. Gregerson was Houston’s closer in 2015 and did a good enough job, collecting 31 saves to go with a 3.10 ERA, though he was involved in Houston’s playoff meltdown against Kansas City.

The Astros gave up some premium players for Giles, so it looked likely that he’d end up in the closer role, though Gregerson admitted that he felt he didn’t deserve to lose the job. For now, at least, he hasn’t.