Sean Marshall suffered his first blown save of the season in Thursday's loss to the Giants.

Marshall was a perfect 4-for-4 in save opportunties with a 2.84 ERA heading into Thursday's matinee. And now he's 4-for-5 with a 6.14 ERA. The 29-year-old left-hander remains one of the best relievers in baseball and should have little trouble bouncing back.

Reds manager Dusty Baker announced Monday that Sean Marshall will open the season as the team's closer.

"It's Marshall right now," said Baker, who previously indicated that he was open to a closer-by-committee. It's the right move, as the 29-year-old left-hander has a fantastic 2.45 ERA over the past two seasons, averaging 10.1 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9. Marshall was already an obvious pick-up after we learned that Ryan Madson needs season-ending Tommy John surgery, but he's officially a must-add wherever available. Aroldis Chapman is expected to pitch in a set-up capacity.

Reds manager Dusty Baker indicated Monday that he's open to using a closer-by-committee.

Most assumed that Sean Marshall would step into the closer role now that Ryan Madson needs season-ending Tommy John surgery, but Baker would like to stay away from using him three days in a row. "It might have to be by committee, which I hate," said Baker. "Hopefully, somebody will emerge and then you hate to have to go through it until somebody fails and you have to go to somebody else. That's the thing you don't want to get into." We think Marshall could be an elite closer if given the opportunity, but Aroldis Chapman, Bill Bray and Nick Masset could also figure in. There's also a chance that they could look outside the organization.

Sean Marshall is expected to serve as the Reds' closer this season.

The Reds signed Ryan Madson to a one-year, $8.5 million contract this winter and were hoping to feature him in the ninth inning. But Madson suffered a torn UCL this week and will require Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery. Marshall is one of the most reliable relievers in the major leagues and should hold considerable fantasy value.

Reds signed LHP Sean Marshall to a three-year, $16.5 million contract extension.

The deal runs through the 2015 season. Marshall, who is set to earn $3.1 million in 2012 as part of a previous deal signed with the Cubs, was acquired via trade this winter and will serve as a setup man this season in Cincinnati. The 29-year-old lefty has a spectacular 2.45 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 169/42 K/BB ratio in his past 150 1/3 innings of work, and can safely be considered one of the game's best relievers. The Reds might even try him as a starter down the road.

Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com reports that the Reds and Sean Marshall are making progress on a multi-year extension and a deal could be announced early this week.

Details of the contract aren't available at this point. Marshall is currently slated to earn $3.1 million in 2012 before hitting free agency over the winter. The left-hander has emerged as one of the better left-handed setup men in the league, boasting an impressive 2.45 ERA since the start of the 2010 season. He'll set up for Ryan Madson this season.

Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said Friday that Sean Marshall is a "possibility" at closer.

However, Jocketty said it would only happen if the club doesn't add someone in free agency. Marshall only has seven career saves, but owns an impressive 2.45 ERA as a reliever since the start of the 2010 season. The Reds remain in talks with free agent Francisco Cordero, who has served as their closer for the past four seasons.

Reds acquired LHP Sean Marshall from the Cubs in exchange for LHP Travis Wood, OF Dave Sappelt and INF Ronald Torreyes.

The Reds might have given up a little too much in the deal, but Marshall should fit in nicely as a setup man in Cincy. He has posted a 2.45 ERA as a reliever since the start of the 2010 season and is tough on right-handed batters, as well as lefties. The Reds are still in the market for a closer, as they'd like to use Marshall in the eighth inning.

John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the Reds do not intend to use Sean Marshall as their closer in 2012.

As expected. Marshall has been one of the best relievers in the game the last two seasons and is more than a lefty specialist, having held right-handed batters to an OPS of .585 in 2010 and .599 in 2011. He would probably be just fine in the ninth inning, but the Reds prefer to use him in a setup role. They're trying to bring back Francisco Cordero, and Aroldis Chapman could be an option, as well. Fay also notes that, unlike Mat Latos, Marshall came to Cincinnati for a physical, so it's possible he could sign an extension. He's currently slated to be a free agent after next season.

According to ESPN Chicago's Bruce Levine, the Cubs and Reds have agreed, in principal, to a trade that will send Sean Marshall to Cincinnati in exchange for left-hander Travis Wood and two minor leaguers.

Ken Rosenthal first reported word of the deal on Tuesday night, and it should be made final by Thursday morning. Marshall, 29, has posted a 2.45 ERA as a reliever since the start of the 2010 season. He's also capable of starting, but the Reds are said to be viewing him as a setup man. Wood had a 4.84 ERA and 76/40 K/BB ratio over 106 innings in 2011. The 24-year-old southpaw will be part of the Cubs' new rebuilding strategy.

Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com reports that the Cubs and Reds are "close" to a deal involving Sean Marshall and Travis Wood.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com was the first to report that the clubs were discussing a deal. However, Levine hears that the Cubs would receive two minor leaguers along with Wood. Marshall has a 2.45 ERA out of the bullpen since the start of the 2010 season, but he's basically a luxury for a team that is in rebuilding mode. The 29-year-old left-hander will hit free agency next offseason.

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, the Reds are talking to the Cubs about a trade for left-hander Sean Marshall.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Cubs are drawing heavy trade interest in left-hander Sean Marshall.

Marshall has emerged as one of the better relievers in the game over the past two seasons, posting a 2.45 ERA and 169/42 K/BB ratio over 150 1/3 innings. The 29-year-old southpaw is due $3.1 million in 2012 and is scheduled to hit free agency next offseason, so the Cubs might cash him in for prospects if the right offer comes along.

Sean Marshall earned his fourth save of the season in Sunday's win over the Pirates.

Carlos Marmol blew a save on Saturday, giving up a two-out grand slam to Derrek Lee to lose the game. We don't think there is a changing of the guard here as Marmol had tossed five straight clean innings coming into last night. It's merely a situation worth monitoring.

SI.com's Jon Heyman reports that the Cubs "continue to tell all interested parties" that Sean Marshall isn't going to be traded.

That's what we've heard all along. Marshall is having another excellent year and would draw a bunch of interest if he was on the market, but the Cubs have him under control for another season and aren't interested in parting with him.

Cubs manager Mike Quade indicated Friday that Sean Marshall could see some save chances if the situation dictates it.

Quade said after Marmol's blowup Thursday that the right-hander was still his closer, but he's wavered a bit since then. When Marmol is on, he's just as filthy against left-hander hitters as he is righties, but we don't blame Quade for giving him a possible mental break. Marshall is worth owning in deeper mixed leagues.

Buster Olney of ESPN.com hears that the Cubs are telling teams that they have no interest in trading left-hander Sean Marshall.

Marshall has emerged as one of the best left-handed set-up men in the game over the past two seasons, but there's little sense of urgency to deal him since the Cubs have already locked him up through 2013 at a reasonable rate. The 28-year-old southpaw has a 2.40 ERA and 43/9 K/BB ratio over 41 1/3 innings this season. While slightly more dominant against left-handed batters, he is also very effective against righties.

Sean Marshall pitched two scoreless innings in relief on Thursday, earning the victory over Philadelphia.

Marshall gave up a hit and two walks, but also struck out four. The former starter has never looked more comfortable in the bullpen, and is now 3-0 with a 0.95 ERA.

With Carlos Marmol and Kerry Wood unavailable, Sean Marshall got a save chance Tuesday and converted it after allowing one run in the ninth against the Diamondbacks.

Marshall got into trouble in a two-run game, but he was able to strike out Willie Bloomquist with the tying run on second to end it. It was his third career save.

Sean Marshall will pitch in relief this season.

Marshall has done well when asked to start, but the Cubs are loaded with rotation options this spring and apparently prefer having the left-hander in a setup role. He turned in a 2.65 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over 74-plus innings last season, holding left-handed hitters to a .196/.255/.284 slash line.