Closer Report for Week 11

News and Notes From Around the Bullpen

• Just as quickly as the Royals removed Soria from the closer's role, they put him right back into it. He has recorded 7 straight scoreless innings through Saturday's games, and should slowly start to inch his way back up the rankings as he continues to pitch better.
• The Toronto closer situation just continues to be a closer-by-committee, as Jon Rauch and Casey Janssen both got saves this week. They appear to be easing Francisco back into the role, but when he takes it over full time is anybody's guess.
• Jonny Venters recorded a save after Kimbrel had pitched two days in a row, and could very well see more save chances throughout the year. If this continues, I may have to keep moving Kimbrel down in the rankings.
• Jesse Crain got the save for the White Sox after Santos blew a save the night before. Santos had thrown 38 pitches, so it seems unlikely that he would have been available anyway. Crain looks like the second option in the bullpen now, and could see more chances if Santos does not pitch well in his next opportunity.
• Andrew Bailey recorded his first save since returning from the disabled list, and will hopefully keep pitching well. It's been hard for the A's to come by save chances in a while, but Bailey seems like he will get nearly all of them going forward.
• Brandon Lyon returned from the disabled list this week, and pitched poorly in his second outing (4 earned, 0 outs). He still seems like he will be put back into the closer's role, but it may take longer. I would not drop Melancon until Lyon gets 2 saves in a row.
• Joel Hanrahan continues to pitch well (4 K in 3 IP, 0 baserunners allowed, 2 saves), and I could see him as a candidate to be traded. The Pirates could get quite a bit for him from a contender, with the model being last year's trade of Octavio Dotel.
• At some point, Jonathan Papelbon is likely to have to serve at least some part of that suspension he received for bumping an umpire last week. Daniel Bard would be the most likely to get saves, and could be a nice pickup if he is available in your leagues.
• David Hernandez recorded a save this week as J.J. Putz was unavailable. This could continue, as Putz hasn't been a model of health in the past few years.

1. Jonny Venters (Braves)
2. Mike Adams (Padres)
3. David Hernandez (Diamondbacks)
4. Jason Isringhausen (Mets)
5.