Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat
By Bryce McRae
Edited by Tim Heaney
Also see: Fantasy baseball closer depth charts
In fantasy baseball, the closer position remains volatile. Rarely does every closer hang on to the job for the entire season - injuries, poor performance and managerial decisions can cloud a team's bullpen picture.
Should you be concerned about a struggling stopper? Which setup men are climbing the depth chart? Any lingering injuries popping up? KFFL.com's Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat series keeps you informed when you're looking for saves.
Mound meetings
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Lindstrom returning soon? |
The Florida Marlins' Matt Lindstrom (elbow) threw all of his pitches Sunday and is ready to start facing live hitters. He'll throw a simulated game Wednesday, likely followed by a couple of minor league games. He'd then see if he could pitch consecutive days before returning. No timetable has been set, but a best-case scenario likely would be early August. From Lindstrom: "It's good that there's no real hesitation in my throwing, and I can get my slider and get out front, get over my front leg. So it's important. You have to have that signature pitch. It's coming."
- Nagging sore toe? Sure didn't look like it as the weekend closed. After taking the All-Star Game off, Los Angeles Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton (toe) earned his 21st and 22nd saves Saturday and Sunday nights. The former appearance didn't go smoothly as J-Brox loaded the bases before striking out the final batter and the side. No one reached Sunday, though, as he struck out two. Manager Joe Torre will continue monitoring the bulky closer and his irritated toe. There could be a save chance or two here for the reliever mentioned next.
- The Dodgers bullpen could receive a boost Monday. Reliever Hong-Chih Kuo (elbow) threw a scoreless inning Saturday for Class A Inland Empire and could be activated as early as today. Ronald Belisario (elbow) is throwing pain-free, too, but likely won't return until next month. The return of either would lighten the load for an already overworked bullpen, though Belisario himself has had a busy schedule.
- It looks like Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel obliged closer Brad Lidge, who admitted feeling rusty Friday because of a lack of work. In Friday's outing, Lidge walked two batters, went to a 3-0 count on another and allowed a run to score on a wild pitch. It was his first time out in one week. His next outing: Lidge recorded the final out Sunday night, throwing three pitches in a 5-0 win. His velocity still has room to improve (91-92 mph last Thursday), and he is healthy. More work should help him find that elusive rhythm.
- Sticking in the City of Angels, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim's Jose Arredondo has lowered his ERA to 1.59 at Triple-A Salt Lake. Per manager Mike Scioscia, Arredondo flashed some of his best stuff last Thursday; he was hitting 94 mph and had a good slider and a good splitter working. The Halos aren't expected to recall him for their three-game series against the Kansas City Royals that starts today, but he might return when LA returns home later this week. If he does, he'd likely be given a shot to reclaim his role as Brian Fuentes' setup man, but Scioscia still hasn't ruled out going outside the organization for bullpen help.
- It could be another lengthy injury stint for Detroit Tigers fireballer Joel Zumaya (shoulder). Tigers trainer Kevin Rand said Zumaya re-aggravated the stress fracture in his right shoulder, and arthroscopic surgery is a possibility. Zumaya said he felt something pop in his shoulder Friday night. After leaving, Zumaya was unable to lift his arm, and it was throbbing "real bad."
- For now, Tigers manager Jim Leyland will call on Brandon Lyon as the primary setup man for closer Fernando Rodney. Southpaw Bobby Seay will be called on to face any tough lefties late in games, too. Recently called-up Ryan Perry will be used mainly in middle relief. Excluding Perry, Leyland said he'd already been considering these changes because of Zumaya's poor recent outings.
- Did the alarms sound too loud for the Atlanta Braves' Mike Gonzalez (forearm) last week? Well, given his injury history, probably not, but he was still able to return to throw one perfect inning last night, taking the baton in the eighth.
- The latest clubs to join the George Sherrill rumor bandwagon: the Milwaukee Brewers and the Chicago Cubs. Where this one stops? Nobody knows.
Also see: Fantasy baseball closer depth charts
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