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

Philadelphia Phillies

Closer: Brad Lidge

Disabled list : Ryan Madson (toe)

Lidge was activated from the DL Friday before Madson was placed on the DL. Though the Phils haven't made any official plans, it looks like Lidge will jump back into closing immediately.

Lidge must be added in all fantasy leagues. You can still tuck Madson on a DL spot as speculation.

Meek of the Week: Bucs' RP is worthy

Job security score: 4

Health score: 3

Pittsburgh Pirates

Closer: Octavio Dotel

Understudy: Evan Meek

Lurkers: Joel Hanrahan

Meek inherited the save opp Thursday as Dotel received a day off. The latter has scuffled lately and pitched two innings Wednesday. The former has been a handy LIMA reliever all season and is worth a pickup on NLs and deep mixed on that alone.

Note: Hanrahan pitched on each of the previous three days and might have been unavailable, so he might have been considered for a chance, too, if he were fresh. Meek was informed during the game that he'd be closing if needed, so it was probably based on bullpen availability.

Manager John Russell refuted any reports of a closer controversy, citing Dotel's heavy workload. Dotel blames a lack of regular save chances.

Both Meek and Hanrahan have been effective, and both will probably be considered for opportunities if Dotel were to be booted. Meek has the better skills, and since they've used him already in a situation he'd probably be the better speculative target, but Hanrahan should not be discounted.

Job security score: 4

Health score: 4

Mound meetings

• Milwaukee Brewers manager Ken Macha didn't need a closer in Thursday's blowout loss, but he confirmed it probably would be LaTroy Hawkins if he felt Trevor Hoffman shouldn't pitch in a game.
  "That's why we got [Hawkins]," Macha said. "In case Trevor had saved a bunch of games in a row or we needed to give him a day off." Todd Coffey probably would follow Hawkins.
• If the San Diego Padres need a closer Friday, they'll probably go with Edward Mujica. Closer Heath Bell, Luke Gregerson and Mike M. Adams are all unlikely to be available.
• Francisco Cordero recorded a Thursday save and has pitched on three consecutive days for the Cincinnati Reds. Despite throwing just 41 pitches in that time, he might not be available Friday, in which case it'd probably be eighth-inning man Nick Masset or a situational wrap-up.

Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat: AL | NL

Fantasy baseball closer depth charts: AL | NL