Jonny Venters, closer? It only sounds like a setup, and it’s FAABin’ early

Venters: stuck in the eighth?

On opening day, Fredi Gonzalez sent Jonny Venters to the roto waiver wire in a league or two. I'm sure of it.

The Atlanta Braves' skipper called on his left-handed "co-closer" (so we thought, right?) in the eighth stanza of his club's victory against the Washington Nationals. Due up were Ian Desmond, Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman - all right-handed hitters. That set up right-handed Craig Kimbrel, the club's other "co-closer," to face ... Adam LaRoche (lefty), Mike Morse (righty) and Rick Ankiel (lefty).

Say what?

Need to vent about Venters?

Is Bobby Cox's heir unfamiliar with how alphabetical order works? Did Venters have a plane to catch at Dulles? Did Kimbrel have to hit the head in the top of the eighth? (All part of his master plan, I'm sure.) If these two are sharing the load, shouldn't Gonzalez have summoned Kimbrel to face all the righty wood wielders, then let Venters dispatch the southpaw sticks?

Maybe. I'll try to avoid the generic "Don't overreact to what happens on opening day" heed. We've known all along that Kimbrel is the guy the Bravos want shutting the door in the long run. He unquestionably has the stuff to do it.

Perhaps this game was a little symbolic. Even if not, Atlanta had things set up perfectly for the manner in which they want to use their bullpen. Venters, as he's wont doing, induced three straight ground-outs. Kimbrel fanned the final two he retired. It could be a sign that Gonzalez, despite his lack of desire to name a closer, has in fact already chosen one. Or ... it ... could ... be ... exactly ... what ... he ... had ... planned. Ahead of time, no matter the names that popped up on the screen under "Due up:."

Worth two in the Boesch, for sure

Venters is a fantastic reliever in his own right. He proved that last year. He'll get some save opportunities. He won't get the majority of them, but you didn't think that he would, did you? In the meantime, he's going to help you - quite a bit - in the strikeout department, and his effects on your ERA, WHIP or whatever other ratio your league uses will be pretty nice, too.

Maybe you can take a little solace in the fact that Braves beat writer David O'Brien, who has covered the organization for nearly a decade, didn't seem to bat an eyelash. He still referred to the pair as "co-closers." Take the titles for what they're worth, and be happy with rock-solid contributions.

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If the Baltimore Orioles trade Nolan Reimold (or a couple of players on that roster go belly up), I'm going to FAAB his brains out.

If the Detroit Tigers let Brennan Boesch play regularly (because he can smash southpaws just fine), FAABin' right, I'll take him.

If the Cincinnati Reds take a discerning look at their outfield situation, Jonny Gomes will take a seat and Chris Heisey will be a regular in left field. And I'll take a FAABin' flier on him, for sure.

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- Why does MLB's new seven-day DL apply only to players with concussions? Joe Maddon is right on point.

- How are the Tigers going to cover the innings that Brad Penny inevitably won't? Or just in case Phil Coke, starting pitcher, doesn't work out or needs an inning cap?

First, take a look at Andrew Oliver [stats], who's 23 and poised to take a big step forward in 2011. Don't forget that 19-year-old Jacob Turner [stats] will be hot on the lefty's heels. Yes, 19 - but don't worry, he'll be 20 by the time he gets to Motown.

- This year, in your AL league, Robinson Tejeda will be a very nice middle relief commodity. Seriously.

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