I’m back after a week off.  The injuries have been piling up so I’ll use up most of my space looking at those situations.  All stats are through Monday, August 28th.   

Cleveland Indians

Thomas Mastny has converted four of four save chances since taking over the closing role in Cleveland.  The 25-year-old, who the Indians acquired from Toronto in December 2004 for infielder John McDonald, has posted a 12/3 K/BB ratio 10.1 innings this year since joining the Tribe.  Mastny also pitched very well in the minors this season, going 2-2 with a 2.01 ERA and a 76/24 K/BB ratio in 62.2 innings between Double and Triple-A.  He’ll continue to see the majority of the save chances in Cleveland until he falters.  If he continues to pitch well it’s possible the Indians will be willing to open 2007 with him as their closer.  

Injuries

Mike Gonzalez, PIT (elbow) – Gonzalez was placed on the disabled list Monday with left elbow tendonitis.  Manager Jim Tracy indicated on Monday he would go with a closing committee.  "Whatever makes sense," Tracy told the Associated Press. "You've got (Damaso) Marte, you've got (Matt) Capps, you've got (Salomon) Torres, you've got (John) Grabow. If we have to piece something together or if we have a matchup that makes sense to use a specific guy, it boils down to getting an out to try and win the game."  Capps has pitched the best of the group and should see more opportunities than the others.  He’d be a solid pickup.

Tom Gordon, PHI (shoulder) – Manger Charlie Manuel says that Gordon should be ready to return from the disabled list when the Phillies start a series with the Braves this Friday.  "He definitely will be back for the Atlanta series," Manuel told the Delaware News Journal on Sunday. "I'm probably safe in saying that."   Arthur Rhodes remains the top option for saves in Philly while Gordon is out with Ryan Madson second in line.

Eddie Guardado, CIN (arm) - Guardado experienced some soreness when he tested his arm Saturday in a bullpen session.  The Reds plan to have him throw either Wednesday or Friday this week and will decide their next move from there.  "We're dealing with a pretty severe case of tendonitis that he's had for quite a significant period of time," Reds trainer Mark  Mann told the Cincinnati Post. "It's just going to be touch-and-go with the achiness that he has and we're trying to work through that. When you have severe tendonitis, rest is really the best thing for it. Eddie obviously wants to pitch and wants to help the team, but at the same time he wants to be effective when he's out there." 

Manager Jerry Narron has said he will use his relievers where they best match up with hitters in the ninth inning while Guardado is out.  David Weathers, Scott Schoeneweis and Bill Bray could all see save chances.

Huston Street, OAK (groin) – Street played catch last Saturday and threw from a mound without incident on Monday putting him on schedule to return to the A’s on Sunday, the first day he is eligible to be activated off the disabled list.  "I would think, barring anything unusual, as soon as he's eligible, he'll be out there chucking," manager Ken Macha told the San Francisco Chronicle.  Justin Duchscherer is the favorite for saves while Street is out.

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