Brad Lidge is back closing so, if you spent a high pick on him, you can relax for a bit.  However, if you spent picks on some of these other guys, there might be no way for you to relax all season.  All stats are through Tuesday, May 23rd.   

Atlanta Braves

Chris Reitsma has struggled a bit lately blowing a save Saturday and being removed from a save chance Sunday before finally converting an opportunity on Monday.  Reitsma remains the Braves closer but manager Bobby Cox will make a switch if he has to.  Oscar Villarreal, who has already picked up six relief wins this season, looks like he would be first in line but he’s struggled the last couple of weeks leaving the door open for other relievers in the Atlanta pen.

Ken Ray has a solid ERA and is a right-hander, so he could get an opportunity should the Braves make a switch, but his lack of command will ultimately hurt him.  An interesting option for the Braves might be Macay McBride, who missed the first month of the season with a strained forearm.  I didn’t think much of his chances this spring when Joey Devine was pitching well but with Devine out of the picture the left-handed McBride could earn an opportunity.  In a committee situation he could pick up a handful of saves.

Seattle Mariners

Eddie Guardado picked up a save on Monday because J.J. Putz had worked in previous three games.  Manager Mike Hargrove said earlier this month that Guardado could earn back his closing role if he started pitching better.  He hasn’t allowed a run in his past seven appearances and he’s posted a 5/1 K/BB over that time.  Putz remains the closer for now despite blowing a save on Tuesday but if he hits a rough patch Guardado could capitalize and seize his old job.  Pick Guardado up if someone dropped him in your league.

Florida Marlins

Manger Joe Girardi told the Miami Herald Monday that Joe Borowski hasn't lost his closer's job but he plans to use one of the team's young relievers in that role from time to time this season.  ''Obviously you'd rather go with one closer,'' Girardi said. “Joe's saved five out of six, and I'm not going to take that away from him. But we also have a situation where there are opportunities to push young players where they've never been before to see how they're going to react.''

Logan Kensing received the first opportunity, but blew the save Saturday when Russell Branyan connected for a two-out, game-ending home run.  Randy Messenger, Todd Wellemeyer or Carlos Martinez (when he returns from the DL) could all see saves chances in the future if Girardi follows through with his plan but none are worth grabbing at this point unless you are in a deep league NL-only league and have bench spots to waste.   

Injuries

Mike MacDougal, KC (strained upper right arm) – MacDougal will throw off a mound on Saturday and might be able to return by July 1st according to the Kansas City Star.  Manager Buddy Bell stated on the Royals’ team site on MLB.com that MacDougal will get his closing job back when he returns from the disabled list.  Elmer Dessens has taken over the temporary closing duties from Ambiorix Burgos.

Eric Gagne, LAD (right elbow) – Gagne, rehabbing from elbow surgery, will make the first of two or three rehab assignments this Friday for Triple-A Las Vegas.  The Dodgers hope to activate him June 1st.  Manager Grady Little said he would ease Gagne back into the closer's role by not using him on successive days at first.  That means Danys Baez and Takashi Saito could still pick up a save or two in the short-term.   

Pen Names is your guide to bullpen situations around the majors.  Questions for inclusion in future columns can be emailed to Pelowski@CREATiVESPORTS.com.