Lou: Marmol replaces Gregg as Cubs' closer

Cubs manager Lou Piniella has made his decision: Carlos Marmol is the new closer, replacing Kevin Gregg.

Gregg gave up a game-winning home run Monday night to the Padres' Kyle Blanks.

It was the 12th home run surrendered this year by Gregg, and it was enough to get Gregg removed, along with his .793 save percentage, 14th in the National League. He entered Tuesday with 23 saves in 29 chances.

Piniella said on his WGN radio pregame show that he and pitching coach Larry Rothschild talked to Gregg about the decision.

For now, Marmol will close, with lefty John Grabow and right-hander Angel Guzman seeing primary setup roles, with Gregg presumably in the middle somewhere.

Marmol has had his own troubles as a setup man this year with walks and hit batters, but he had given up only 31 hits in 561/3 innings pitched.

"This seems like a chance to, first of all, hopefully win some more baseball games a little more consistently," Piniella told WGN. "At the same time, see how this young man responds in this role because if he handles it really, really well, you've got a closer in place here for a long time."

Marmol and Gregg seemed to handle it well. Gregg, whom the Cubs traded for last winter, beat out Marmol for the closer's job in spring training.

"I told you they believe in me," Marmol told the media in San Diego. "I believe in myself. I think that's the reason he made the decision."

"If you look at it for what it is, out of 10 games, I've had 3 bad ones," Gregg told the media of his rough August. "To me, I'm getting beat now with the home run-I've pitched pretty good all year and had 3 bad games in August here."

Theriot returns: Shortstop Ryan Theriot rejoined the team Tuesday and was in the starting lineup. He missed two games with a bad stomach virus.