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John Axford | Relief Pitcher

Team: Milwaukee Brewers
Age / DOB:  (30) / 4/1/1983
Ht / Wt:  6'5' / 199
Bats / Throws: Right / Right
Contract: view contract details
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Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said he does not have a set eight-inning man at the moment.
John Axford had been setting up and looked to be on his way to getting his closer job back, but that went out the window after he was knocked around on Wednesday. "Right now, [Jim] Henderson will be the closer," Roenicke said, "but the other guys, we'll look at the lineups. What worked really well is when we figured out what lineup for Ax, what lineup fit the left-handers [Michael] Gonzalez and [Tom] Gorzelanny, and do it that way." May 2 - 10:13 PM
Source: Brewers.mlb.com

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Player News

Date:
John Axford - R - Brewers

John Axford surrendered four runs -- three earned -- in two-thirds of an inning to take a blown save and a loss in the eighth inning Wednesday against the Pirates.

Axford didn't get any breaks today. Starling Marte's game-tying two-run homer came on a 95-mph fastball just above his ankles, and Brandon Inge's go-ahead single was a soft liner that was placed perfectly in between first and second base (and then kicked into foul territory by Rickie Weeks). Axford has certainly been more bad than good this year, but he wasn't nearly as bad today as the line suggests. Still, it's certainly a big setback as far as his hopes of regaining the closer's role.
May 1 - 4:37 PM
John Axford - R - Brewers

John Axford experienced a little setback Saturday, giving up a solo homer to Andre Ethier in the eighth inning against the Dodgers.

Fortunately, he had a three-run lead at the time. Jim Henderson followed with a hitless ninth for the save. Axford's stumble tonight could well delay any plans to return him to the closer's role in the near future.
Apr 28 - 1:04 AM
John Axford - R - Brewers

When asked Wednesday what it would take for John Axford to get his closer job back, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke replied, "probably not much."

Axford has allowed two hits, walked none and struck out six in 5 1/3 scoreless innings over his last six appearances. Interim closer Jim Henderson has also pitched well, and Roenicke isn't ready to make a move just yet, but he could soon if Axford's turnaround continues. "I think right now, we're not going to flip 'Ax' back in the closer's role," said Roenicke. "I think Henderson is doing a nice job. But 'Ax,' the way he threw (Tuesday), he could win every ball game he went in if he throws that way. I was really impressed with him."
Related: Jim Henderson
Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Apr 24 - 9:11 PM
John Axford - R - Brewers

John Axford worked a hitless eighth inning Tuesday for his fourth hold in his last five appearances.

Since taking his second loss on April 9, Axford has allowed two hits, walked none and struck out six in 5 1/3 scoreless innings. The Brewers probably won't return him to the closer's role right away, but it's unlikely that they've given up on him as a ninth-inning guy.
Apr 24 - 1:37 AM
John Axford - R - Brewers

Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel expects John Axford to be removed as the Brewers' closer.

There still isn't anything official, but manager Ron Roenicke was noncommittal when asked if Axford would be used in a save situation against the Cubs. Axford has been an unmitigated disaster this season and can no longer be trusted in the closer role. Jim Henderson is the leading candidate to replace Axford and should be added in fantasy leagues where he’s still available.
Related: Jim Henderson
Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Apr 8 - 1:46 PM
John Axford - R - Brewers

John Axford gave up a game winning two-run homer in the 11th inning in Sunday's loss to the Diamondbacks.

It wasn't a save situation, but Axford continues to be an absolute disaster this season and has now given up four home runs in just three appearances. He allowed a leadoff double to Cliff Pennington before serving up a massive two-run shot to Eric Hinske to earn the loss. The Brewers don't plan to make any changes in the closer role yet, but it's looking like only a matter of time before they turn to the job over to Jim Henderson.
Related: Jim Henderson
Apr 7 - 6:31 PM
John Axford - R - Brewers

John Axford said Friday that he feels healthy, but can't explain why his velocity has dropped.

Axford was throwing his fastball in the 91-92 mph range on Wednesday night as opposed to his usual 96-97 mph and the Rockies had no problems squaring him up. Axford conceded that the velocity drop "is definitely a big difference," but he's hopeful that it will increase as the season moves along. "I feel great," said Axford. "Sometimes it takes your arm to get used to the season." The Brewers don't plan to make any changes in the closer role yet, but Jim Henderson could be worth a stash in fantasy leagues if you need saves.
Related: Jim Henderson
Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Apr 5 - 5:24 PM
John Axford - R - Brewers

John Axford has a 21.60 ERA and 3.60 WHIP through his first 1 2/3 innings this season.

Axford entered Wednesday's game in the top of the ninth inning tasked with keeping the Brewers within a run, and he immediately proceeded to let the visitors break the game open. Axford allowed home runs to Michael Cuddyer and Dexter Fowler before being pulled, giving him three bombs allowed in two games. Home runs also plagued Axford in his down 2012, as he allowed 1.3 every nine innings. The Brewers don't have many obvious options to replace their 30-year-old closer, but the first crack will probably go to Jim Henderson. Pick up Henderson and keep a close eye on the situation in the coming days.
Related: Jim Henderson
Apr 3 - 11:51 PM
John Axford - R - Brewers

John Axford blew his first save chance of the season Monday after giving up a solo home run to Dexter Fowler.

It was a tough one to take, as Axford sat down Chris Nelson and Eric Young, Jr. swinging before Fowler tied it up with two outs. "The Ax Man" led the majors with nine blown saves last season, so this isn't what fantasy owners want to see, but the Brewers figure to stick with him for a while since they don't have a quality alternative in-house.
Apr 1 - 5:48 PM
John Axford - R - Brewers

Brewers avoided arbitration with RHP John Axford by agreeing to a one-year, $5 million contract.

He can earn more through incentives. Axford qualified for Super 2 status after serving as the Brewers' closer for the last two and a half years. Though he struggled with a 4.67 ERA in 2012, he'll be the ninth inning man again in 2013 and has a pretty good shot at a bounce-back season.
Jan 18 - 1:01 PM
John Axford - R - Brewers

John Axford took his ninth blown save and eighth loss after giving up two runs in the ninth Thursday against the Reds.

This is probably the final nail in the coffin for the Brewers, but since Axford had converted 15 straight save chances, go easy on him after this one. He hadn't taken a loss or a blown save since Aug. 10.
Thu, Sep 27, 2012 03:54:00 PM
John Axford - R - Brewers

John Axford rebounded nicely from Friday's disaster, retiring all three hitters he faced, including a pair of strikeouts, to earn his 21st save of the season.

Axford still owns a frightening 5.26 ERA and 1.53 WHIP on the season, so there's no guarantee that he'll settle back into the job over the remainder of the season. He'll likely be kept on a short leash with Kameron Loe and Jim Henderson still lurking in case of a potential blow-up.
Tue, Aug 28, 2012 11:07:00 PM
John Axford - R - Brewers

John Axford struggled again in a save chance on Friday, allowing two runs on two hits and a pair of walks before being lifted in favor of Kameron Loe.

Axford entered in the ninth with a 6-3 lead, and promptly walked the first two hitters he faced before allowing an RBI single to Neil Walker. He battled back to strike out Pedro Alvarez and Jeff Clement before surrendering another run-scoring single to Michael McKenry. It was at that point, that manager Ron Roenicke had seen enough and replaced him with Kameron Loe. Loe needed just five pitches to strike out Gaby Sanchez and preserve the victory. While the Brewers clearly want Axford to regain the closer's job, he just isn't their best option at this point.
Related: Kameron Loe
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 10:45:00 PM
John Axford - R - Brewers

John Axford struck out the side in the ninth Wednesday for his 20th save against the Cubs.

It was a tougher assignment than Tuesday, when he got one out in a 5-2 game for his 19th save. Axford did allow a single today, but he managed to protect a one-run lead. He's due to get most of Milwaukee's save chances going forward.
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 05:10:00 PM

Depth Charts

Batters
PosRoleName
C1Jonathan Lucroy
2Martin Maldonado
1B1Corey Hart
2Yuniesky Betancourt
3Mat Gamel
2B1Rickie Weeks
2Jeff Bianchi
SS1Jean Segura
3B1Aramis Ramirez
2Alex Gonzalez
3Taylor Green
LF1Ryan Braun
CF1Carlos Gomez
2Logan Schafer
RF1Norichika Aoki
Starting Pitcher
PosRoleName
S1Yovani Gallardo
2Kyle Lohse
3Marco Estrada
4Wily Peralta
5Hiram Burgos
6Chris Narveson
Relief Pitcher
PosRoleName
R1Jim Henderson
2John Axford
3Francisco Rodriguez
4Burke Badenhop
5Mike Gonzalez
6Brandon Kintzler
7Tom Gorzelanny
8Mark Rogers
9Alfredo Figaro