With Toronto closer BJ Ryan going on the DL to take a Spring Break roadtrip to Birmingham, AL, Jason Frasor was named the closer. Because he threw 30 pitches on Saturday, the Jays used Shaun Marcum to close. With a scoreless inning and a K, he is one to watch. His 8 IP and 12 Ks say he is the best option.
Al Reyes saved three games for the Devil Rays this past week and is locked into the role. Brian Stokes is next in-line for those willing to take the chance.
Joakim Soria was named the closer (sort of) in Kansas City and has yet to get a save opportunity. With the discouraging news about Octavio Dotel, Soria could have locked down the job with a couple of successful post-naming saves. Instead, there has been time to let Buddy Bell re-examine the decision.
White Sox close Bobby Jenks is seeing a psychiatrist to help discover the lost 5-10 MPH on his fastball? That seems odd, doesn't it?
Due to inclement weather, we are no closer to knowing whether Mariners closer JJ Putz is past his spring elbow issues. All we have are four one-inning appearances - the first two were scoreless and K-less, the second two were one-run, two-K efforts.
The Marlins bullpen remains uncertain. Jorge Julio pitched in the sixth inning and walked four batters. His next scoreless appearance as a Marlins will be his first. I'd guess Henry Owens. Or Taylor Tankersley. or Randy messenger. Or... However, fireballer Matt Lindstrom struck out the side in his last appearance. That seems to be all the edge one needs in Florida, doesn't it?
Pittsburgh Pirate Salomon Torres blew a save and got a loss in a tie game last week. 2nd-year reliever Matt Capps has yet to be scored upon. Add them together, and you have the roto-punditry warning of an impending closer change. It is the sex scandal of fantasy baseball!
The Astros have "settled" on Dan Wheeler to close. The quotation marks say it all.
Dodgers closer Takashi Saito's numbers look like he picked-up right where he left off last season. He could be the best NL closer of 2007 when all is said and done. A good pitching staff combined with a weak offense equals lots of close games.