Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat

Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat: Bobby Parnell's first save, more

August 25, 2011 @ 01:19:03

By Ryan Dodson
Edited by Nicholas Minnix

Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat | AL depth charts | NL depth charts

What are the odds that you still own the relief pitchers you rostered in your fantasy baseball draft? KFFL.com's Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat series gives you no-nonsense ratings of performances, injuries and managerial decisions in MLB bullpens. Get your arm loose: Let's find fantasy baseball players in your rotisserie or head-to-head baseball league who'll get saves.

Mound meetings:

Florida Marlins closer Leo Nunez was given the day off Wednesday, and his stunt double Edward Mujica came on for the save situation in the first game of a double dip. He promptly gave up a double, a two-run homer and a walk, while retiring only one batter. Side-armer Steve Cishek came on to shut the door and preserve the 3-2 win.
Cishek is unscored upon in his last seven outings, spanning 8 2/3 innings. Nunez is still the Marlins' closer, but Cishek is inching his way up the food chain.
Gonzalez is fanning all comers

New York Mets flamethrower Bobby Parnell nailed down his first major-league save last night. He walked two batters but also fanned two in the scoreless inning. He should still split chances with Jason Isringhausen, but working out of adversity for the save was a positive sign.
Colorado Rockies stopper Huston Street (triceps) threw his second consecutive scoreless frame at Triple-A Colorado Springs last night and should be ready to be activated from the DL Friday. Rafael Betancourt has nailed down all three save chances in Street's absence and has struck out 12 in nine scoreless innings this month.
The Rocks could opt to ease Street back in to the closer role with a couple of outings, which is commonly done. Betancourt should have a few more days of use before Street takes over - until his next stay on the DL, that is.
Toronto Blue Jays reliever Frank Francisco came on last night for a scoreless one-frame save after missing a week with shoulder soreness. He hasn't allowed a run in a season-high 11 innings. It seems like he has finally harnessed his control. With Jon Rauch (appendicitis) out at least another two weeks, Francisco should hold on to the job for the rest of the season if he can remain healthy.
Baltimore Orioles lefty Mike Gonzalez came on and struck out the side last night. In fact, he struck out the seven batters he faced in the Minnesota Twins series. If you aren't careful, he may call your mother and strike her out as well. He hasn't been scored upon in his last 12 outings, 17 of his last 18 and 22 of his last 24.
Manager Buck Showalter continues to have faith in closer Kevin Gregg, who has walked 31 batters in 48 innings. He has a woeful 1.60 WHIP and 4.50 ERA on the season. One has to wonder what kind of juicy photos Gregg has of Showalter.
Santiago Casilla came on for the save last night and struck out two in a perfect inning. The artist formerly known as Jairo Garcia has been nasty this season with only 24 hits allowed in 37 2/3 innings and a 1.43 ERA to boot.
Setup man Sergio Romo (elbow) is slated to throw a rehab inning tomorrow, but is still at least a couple of days away from a return. He could take the job when he returns for the stretch run. Closer Brian Wilson (elbow) may start playing light catch today, so it appears that Casilla and crew soon won't be needed in the ninth - assuming that all goes well.
Arizona Diamondbacks 20-year-old diaper dandy Trevor Bauer has fanned 16 batters in 10 innings in his two starts at Double-A Mobile. Mitch Williams said on MLB Tonight last night that he thinks Bauer could come up and be a factor in the stretch run. There's a chance this could be true. No one is saying J.J. Putz and David Hernandez are in trouble, but just to keep that name in mind Sept. 1.