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

Texas Rangers

Closer: Neftali Feliz

Understudy: Frank Francisco

Last night Francisco allowed a walkoff hit in the ninth inning versus the Boston Red Sox. He recorded the last out in the eighth but in the following inning allowed the game-winning tally on two hits and two walks (one intentional) with a side of wild pitch. Though his heat improved before Tuesday, his average velocity has dropped, and his stuff is extremely hittable right now.

You have no choice but to think long-term with Francisco. Popular belief has Feliz holding the job all year, but he'll be just 22 soon and already showed some signs of fatigue late in his brief '09 MLB stint.

Texas waited Francisco out and returned him to the role last year when he righted the ship; manager Ron Washington recently said he was comfortable giving him save chances when Feliz rests. In the right situation, deep league managers should consider buying low on Francisco for save possibilities, but Frank Squared shouldn't be in your lineup right now.

Feliz owners happy for now

Job security score: 3

Health score: 4

Mound meetings

• A notice: As expected, Brian Fuentes was activated from the 15-day DL Wednesday. You can throw him in your daily lineups.
• Dinged Cleveland Indians closer Kerry Wood (back) faced live hitters in a simulation session before Tuesday's game versus the Minnesota Twins. Wood tossed about 35 pitches and reported no negative results. The Tribe anticipates Wood receiving some minor league rehab work before returning from the DL.
• Remember everyone hating on Kevin Gregg last year? The Toronto Blue Jays' closer, who closed the door Tuesday for the first time since officially inheriting the job, has been a hot fantasy commodity in this young season. You can thank his cut and split-fingered fastballs, which are prominent early on in keeping his walk total down and balls in the park.

Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat: AL | NL

Fantasy baseball closer depth charts: AL | NL