Jenks Finished For the Season

Chicago White Sox closer Bobby Jenks is done for the season with a calf injury.

Lefty Matt Thornton could assume the teams' closer role for the remainder of the season, though the Sox also have Tony Pena and Octavio Dotel as possibilities, so a committee is also possible.

Thornton has a 1.07 WHIP in 67 IP with 80 K and 24 holds on the season.

Sin City Scout

Updated Closer Status Reports

American League Staus report National League Status report

Scott Goes Down, Frasor Takes Over

Toronto Blue Jays' closer, Scott Downs, will be placed on the 15-day DL with a sprained ankle.

Jason Frasor will take over as the closer. Frasor is 4-0 with a 1.90 ERA and 1 save.

The Jays have not been winning much lately so Frasor is not a must have, but it isn't out of the question that Frasor keeps the job.

B.J. Ryan seems to be out of the equation, but if Fasor fails, keep an eye on him as well.

Sin City Scout

Astros' Sampson Gets 2nd Save

Former starting pitching prospect, Chris Sampson, has picked up his 2nd save of the season in the Houston Astros 6-4 win over the Brewers.

Sampson is now 2-0 with 2 saves and a 2.13 ERA.

With Jose Valverde on the DL and LaTroy Hawkins (hip) banged up, Sampson got the call.

He is worth a look, as all possible closers are, but his low k-ratio combined with his temporary closer status (about two weeks) makes Sampson a pick up only if you are carrying dead weight.

His value is a bit more if you get points for holds plus he qualifies as a RP and SP.

Sin City Scout

Nationals' Wells Picks Up Second Save

Washington Nationals reliever, Kip Wells, picked up his 2nd save of the season in the Nationals 6-3 win over the Giants. He gave up 1 run in his 1.2 inning of relief.

Wells is a former starter who has worked his way back into becoming a solid reliever and with the Nationals current opening at closer, he seems poised to seize the job.

For how long? That is the question. It could be just temporary before he too implodes, but he could end up keeping the job and being a decent closer if you are lucky.

Wells has a lifetime 4.67 ERA and a 6.6 lifetime K-ratio. Neither stat is great, nor is either stat awful. So there is some hope his move to the closer role might work.

He is worth a look if you need saves...and who doesn't?

Sin City Scout

Ray and Johnson to Get Save Chances

Relief pitcher and former closer Chris Ray will be part of a closer-by-committee with current closer Baltimore Orioles' closer George Sherril. Jim Johnson could see some save chances while it is now reported that former closer Danys Baez will not get chances. The former closer Chris Ray could be the best bet at this point because it was his job before he was injured, but Jim Johnson is playing the best right now. Both are worth looks if you need saves Sin City Scout

Ryan Heads To DL

Toronto Blue Jay closer B. J. Ryan was put on the DL with soreness between his shoulder and back. This comes a day after he blew his second save chance of the season.

Ryan is 1-0 with an 11.12 ERA and two saves in six games. He had a lousy Spring and his job has been in limbo from day one. He could just need some time off, but this is a bad sign for Ryan owners.

Hopefully you already have Scott Downs. If not, the time is now to grab him. Jason Frasor might get a save chance here and there as well if you missed your chance on Downs.

Sin City Scout

Ryan Struggles In Spring

Toronto Blue Jays' closer, B.J. Ryan, has had a rough Spring Training posting an ERA around 9.00 and not looking like a closer. It is being said that his velocity is down in the mid-eighties and that doesn't work for a closer. Some of the same comments were made last year and he turned it up a notch in the regular season and played well.

It is clear that this news is a blow to Ryan's value and Ryan owners need to cover themselves by picking up Scott Downs (5 saves 1.78 ERA in '08), who was mentioned by Cito Gaston as a possible closer. Downs was great last year, but he is a lefty and though that does not mean he can't close, it just means it is rare. Jeremy Accardo got 30 saves with a 2.12 ERA in 2007, but he had a poor 2008 and is a long shot.

In the end, Ryan will be given every chance to close and if he fails, likely a second chance down the line. Stay away if you have not drafted, but don't cut him if you have him. Naturally, if you can, pick up Scott Downs ASAP.

Sin City Scout

Gregg Beats Out Marmol

Chicago Cubs named Kevin Gregg to be the team’s closer over thought-to-be closer Carlos Marmol. They both where battling to replace All-Star closer Kerry Wood, who signed with Cleveland during the offseason. Gregg had 32 saves in 2007 and has 62 for his career, so he has the experience edge. Marmol, who also pitched for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic and went 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in spring training. Marmol still has value as a setup man and ace back-up closer, but this is a huge disappointment for Marmol owners. Sin City Scout

Brandon Morrow To Move To Bullpen

Manager Don Wakamatsu announced that Morrow will head back to the bullpen for the start of the season. Apparently this is not a temporary move to build arm strength, but a permanent one. "I think that I'd be more useful as a bullpen pitcher than a starting pitcher." - Morrow.

It has not been announced that he will be the teams closer, but it is his likely future home. He may start as a setup reliever or in the minors for the first few weeks. David Aardma has a good chance to pick up the majority of the saves until Morrow is 100%. Sin City Scout

Cardinals Closer Role Undecided

The fight continues in St. Louis for who will be named opening day closer. If the winner holds the job and has a good season he could have very nice fantasy value at a bargain price. Jason Motte, Josh Kinney, Chris Perez and Ryan Franklin are all in the battle. Perez was the early favorite, but has dropped back due to a shoulder injury while Jason Motte, on the other hand, is having an excellent Spring Training: 8+ IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 13 K with 4 saves. At 26 Motte may need some more experience, but he has been dominant….in Spring Training. Perez will be out for a few days to undergo tests on his right shoulder. Long shot Josh Kinney has been very solid: 7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 9 K with 2 saves, but the 29-year-old is returning from Tommy John surgery and closing may be a year away. Ryan Franklin is the fall-back guy and is a better set-up pitcher, though he does have value in a league that gives points for hold. Jason Motte’s value now surpasses that of Perez, but Perez may still has better long-term value as Motte is unproven. Sin City Scout