Broxton out as closer

KABC Radio’s Joe Block is reporting via Twitter that Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti has told him that Jonathan Broxton has been removed as the team’s closer.

For now, it looks like it will be the always-adventurous closer-by-committee, with Colletti hinting that the leading candidates are right-hander Vicente Padilla and left-hander Hong-Chih Kuo, who has been on the disabled list with a back strain since April 16. Kuo is eligible to come off the DL on Friday.

Broxton’s decreased velocity has been an issue this season, as is his 1.85 WHIP in 10 1/3 innings. The big right-hander suffered his first blown save of the season last night, allowing a two-out walk and single before an infield error and misjudged fly ball turned a 4-3 Dodgers lead into a 5-4 loss.