In what is most likely music to many fantasy owners' ears, Jose Valverde is back from the disabled list and ready to close out games for the Astros. He's thrown in two games since his return and has struck out three batters and hasn't allowed a hit in 1.1 innings of work. It's likely that he'll re-assume the role of closer for the Astros upon their next save opportunity.Manny Ramirez still gets all of the press in Los Angeles, even when he's not on the field. That's a shame because Jonathan Broxton has become a dominant force on the mound, and one of the games top closers. He's closed out his last eight save opportunities and leads all closers in strikeouts with 53. He also frustrates hitters more than other closers as hitters only have been able to muster a .103 batting average against Broxton.
While we all wait for Drew Storen, the tenth overall pick in this year's First Year Player Draft, to make his way up the organizational depth chart and land in D.C., the Nationals have handed the closer's job to Mike MacDougal. He hasn't pitched in a save opportunity yet, but it won't be long until he's blowing saves just like every other Nationals option in the 9th inning.
Who is the only National League team to have two relievers on staff with five or more saves? Why, it's the Atlanta Braves. Nobody seems to know who the closer is in Atlanta. It may be that both Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano are handling the duties. While this isn't the optimal fantasy situation, the Braves don't seem to mind since both pitchers are throwing magnificently right now. Soriano got the most recent save on June 9th, but Gonzalez closed out the June 7th game. Keep your eyes on this situation in case one of these two falls from grace.
Jason Isringhausen and Frank Francisco have both landed back on the disabled list, but the severity of their injuries are completely different. Isringhausen's season is done after tearing a ligament in his elbow. Francisco, on the other hand, is eligible to come off of the DL on Friday. He was placed on the DL (retroactive to June 4th) with shoulder stiffness and hasn't pitched since June 3rd. Francisco will make a rehab assignment on Thursday to see if he's ready for action on the weekend.
