This will be the last column of the season.  I’m going to be out of town for the first half of next week on vacation.  If you are still reading this week you must be in the running for a money spot.  Congratulations! 

Chicago Cubs

Despite using Bobby Howry in a save situation last Thursday, manager Dusty Baker claims that Ryan Dempster is still his closer.  Dempster has been very inconsistent this season and you have to think the Cubs will consider moving him back into the rotation and using someone else to close next year.  It could be Howry or it could be Kerry Wood if he resigns with the Cubs on an incentive laden one-year deal.  Either option would be better than Dempster who has never really shown the control necessary to be a dominant reliever or starter for that matter.

Injuries

Armando Benitez, SF (knees) – The Giants placed Benitez on the 60-day disabled list last week after finding out that he will need to miss the rest of the season because of inflammation in his knee.  Mike Stanton will continue to close for the Giants.  The Giants should be looking for a reliever this winter that can close games.  Benitez is under contract for another year but he’s struggled with injuries over the past two seasons and he’s been marginally effective when he has been able to pitch.  The team needs to have a fall-back option if they plan to open next season with Benitez as their closer.

Mike Gonzalez, PIT (elbow) – Gonzalez has yet to throw off a mound and with only a week and a half of the season left it’s looking less and less likely that he will return this season.  The Pirates have nothing to play for so it is good to see they are not trying to rush Gonzalez back.  Salomon Torres will continue to close games for the Pirates, likely for the rest of the season.

Jason Isringhausen, STL (hip) – Isringhausen is done for the season after a cortisone shot failed to significantly reduce the pain in his hip.  "We've done everything we've been able to do up to this point to get him to pitch with an acceptable level of discomfort, and in a way that is not affecting his ability to pitch," Cardinals head team physician Dr. George Paletta told the Cardinals’ team site on MLB.com. "There are no more tricks. There are no more options. There are no more choices."   Adam Wainwright and Braden Looper are both candidates for saves. 

Jonathan Papelbon, BOS (shoulder) – Papelbon said last Friday that he won’t pitch again this season because of his injured shoulder.  Mike Timlin has converted his last four save chances and is the favorite for saves in Boston over the rest of the season.  Papelbon believes he will be used as a starter next season according to his comments in the Boston Globe last week.  “They know I can start, I know myself I can start, I've done it before," said Papelbon.  “(GM) Theo (Epstein) knows. He's thinking about me going into the rotation. So is Tito (manager Terry Francona). [But] right now it's a thought." 

If the Sox do indeed move Papelbon into their rotation the top internal candidates to close next season are Timlin and Keith Foulke.  The team could also look to free agency or a trade to fill their closing spot this winter.

Mariano Rivera, NYY (sore elbow) – Rivera threw off a mound on Saturday and reported no pain afterward.  Rivera was scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Tuesday (no update on the results at the time this article was published) and could return to action this weekend if there are no setbacks.  Kyle Farnsworth will continue to fill in as the Yankees’ closer until Rivera returns.  

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