Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat - AL

by Bryce McRae on May 4, 2010 @ 16:00:00 PDT

Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat: AL | NL

Fantasy baseball closer depth charts: AL | NL

In fantasy baseball, the closer position remains volatile. Rarely does every closer hang on to the job for an entire season - injuries, poor performance and managerial decisions can cloud a team's bullpen picture.

Should you be concerned about a struggling stopper? Which relievers are climbing the depth chart? Are any injuries popping up? KFFL.com's Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat keeps you informed when you're looking for saves.

Key

Job security (JS) score	1 (unstable) to 5 (untouchable)
Health (H) score	1 (injury-prone) to 5 (durable)

Texas Rangers

Closer: Neftali Feliz

Understudy: Frank Francisco

Francisco cleaned up Darren O'Day's mess in the eighth last night. He was sent out again for the ninth and promptly gave up a single, homer and walk. Enter Feliz. He struck out two en route to his sixth save.

Feliz fends off Frankie again

Of note, Feliz worked on consecutive days, an important step. He has worked on three of the last four days. He'll probably receive a day off Tuesday.

Francisco doesn't appear nearer to regaining the closer's job. Maybe having to sit affected him, but that performance didn't help, and Feliz has now shown he can pitch well on consecutive days. Yes, Francisco has been better lately, but his appearances have hardly been perfect. He'll require patience.

Job security score: 2

Health score: 4

Mound meetings

Cleveland Indians closer Kerry Wood (back) gave up six runs on four hits and two walks in just two-thirds of an inning Monday for Double-A Akron. Wood wasn't exactly concerned about it, though; he was just trying to locate his fastball and come out healthy.
He'll likely make a jump elsewhere after one more Akron appearance, provided he has no setbacks. Wood needs to show he can throw all his pitches at his next stop and do it more than once before rejoining the bigs.
Mariano Rivera and the New York Yankees don't sound too concerned about the vet's left side injury. He could have pitched Monday if it was crucial. He's listed as day-to-day. He'll throw Tuesday, and if it goes well, he could be available. Joba Chamberlain earned his second career save Monday in lieu of Mo.

Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat: AL | NL

Fantasy baseball closer depth charts: AL | NL

About Bryce McRae

Bryce McRae is a Managing Editor with KFFL and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1999. He joined KFFL as a volunteer writer in March 2005 before becoming a Hot off the Wire Analyst in March 2006. He began working in his current capacity in September 2008. His work has appeared on fantasy sports sites such as Yahoo! and CBS Sportsline as well as in print. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2008 with a B.A. in History and U.S. Studies.