We’re back with another look at some closing situations around the league.  All stats are through Monday, July 3rd.   

Chicago Cubs

Manager Dusty Baker said he was considering other options to close out games for the Cubs early last week after closer Ryan Dempster blew a save but Baker then changed his mind saying he’d stick with the current setup.  "Part of it is inactivity," Baker said of Dempster's struggles. "He's had a number of days in between games. You just can't break up the whole bullpen the way it's been formulated. It's been pretty good until recently. We just have to get it back together."

Since that statement Dempster has notched a save and blown another.  On Sunday, Baker reiterated that Dempster will remain his closer saying, "Right now, Demp's the closer. Guys go through tough times. A year ago, everybody was crying for Demp. Now they're crying for somebody else. It's not that easy to find somebody else. You try to fix what you have."  Should Dempster continue to struggle Baker will have to consider at least temporarily demoting him from the closing role.  If that happens Bobby Howry would be the favorite for saves with Scott Eyre a potential option when the situation required a left-handed reliever. 

San Francisco Giants

Armando Benitez returned to action on Saturday and picked up a save and he converted another opportunity on Monday.  His elbow problems could continue to pop up during the second half of the season so NL only leaguers should be holding on to Jeremy Accardo.

Injuries

Eric Gagne, LA (elbow) – Gagne says he’s “100% sure” he’ll pitch again this season but manager Grady Little remains more cautious.  "We can't schedule our plans accordingly, if you know what I mean," Little said. "We can't sit here and wait and wait and wait, especially when there's no news of him even being able to play catch just yet. That's not very encouraging." Gagne has been visiting a physical therapist but doesn’t feel ready to start throwing.  "My arm's not 100% yet," Gagne said after calling off a scheduled throwing session last Friday. "I still feel a little discomfort in there when I do weights…. Until I can go up to pretty much full speed, I've got to wait."  Takashi Saito has assumed closing duties in LA and should keep the job until (if) Gagne returns.

Mike MacDougal, KC (strained upper right arm) – MacDougal worked a 10-pitch scoreless inning Saturday and picked up a save on Monday in his most recent rehab appearances at Triple-A Omaha.  The Royals probably want him to pitch on back-to-back days before activating him off the disabled list.  That shouldn’t be far off.  MacDougal is expected to resume closing upon his return to the majors.

Chris Reitsma, ATL (arm) – Reitsma was activated from the disabled list last week, made one appearance and is right back on the DL.  He’s still bothered by the ulnar neuritis in his right arm and appears headed for season ending surgery.  He’s safe to drop if you’ve been hanging on to him in a NL only league.

Tyler Walker, TB (elbow) – Walker suffered a setback in rehabilitation last week and will visit Rays medical director and orthopedic surgeon James Andrews on Wednesday.  Walker admitted he might have been too aggressive in his rehab.  "That's the way I am, so maybe that was the case," Walker said. "I had some shoulder inflammation last year and I came back in 15 days. I was hoping to do the same thing, but maybe my body needs more time than that."  Brian Meadows will continue to close in Tampa.

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