Soriano/Gonzalez

Rafael Soriano of the Braves is expected to return to the bullpen June 21 if there are no more setbacks from having inflammation in his right elbow. But in his return he might have to share closing duties with the return of Mike Gonzalez from the DL. Gonzalez earned the save in last nights game against the Rangers.

Both Gonzalez should be owned immediately.

Since both pitchers are returning from the DL, coach Cox will use them lightly, which will see them share the closing duties.

Soriano and Gonzalez

Rafael Soriano of the Braves seems to still be suffering from tendinitis in his pitching elbow which kept him from pitching in the 9th inning of last nights game. This seems like a roller-coaster ride with Soriano because of the good/bad news. First he is the closer, then he goes on the DL, then Smoltz is the closer, then Smoltz is out for the season so Soriano is back as the closer, now Soriano seems to be injured again. This is tough news for Soriano owners. But you have to keep him on your roster because of his potential for saves.

If you have a spot, try and pick up Mike Gonzalez of the Braves. He is coming back from Tommy John Surgery and should be activated from the DL some time next week. Bobby Cox, manager of the Braves, has stated Mike will get chances at the closing duties when he returns.

Smoltz and the Braves

Well, he's back, he's gone, he's back, and now he's gone again. John Smoltz of the Braves is going under the knife to try to and repair his ailing shoulder and this time it will cost him the rest of the season. Smoltz, after coming back from the DL and blowing his first save, woke up the next morning and felt discomfort in his shoulder and was unavailable to close the next game. This is terrible news for Smoltz owners because of his ability to dominate and give you great accounting numbers that are needed to win a fantasy championship.

As I mentioned in a previous post, CLICK HERE, I suggested owners to sell high on this pitcher because of his age and he was absolutely lights out at the start of the season. Owners need to really understand the concept of selling high and getting a huge return for someone who most likely won't keep up their current pace.

Now, looking at the bullpen situation for the Braves, you can easily see the value for R. Soriano has, again, gone sky high. The ones who dropped Soriano should kick themselves in their ass because he will get the majority of the save opportunities in the 9th for the Braves. M. Acosta will see the set-up duties but also see the occasional save opportunity.

Too bad for Smoltz owners and the season ending surgery.

Smoltz

After returning from the DL to work out of the bullpen, John Smoltz of the Braves blew his save chance in his first game back. With news coming out that Smoltz will throw from a different arm angle just to reduce any pain while throwing should concern owners. Even though Smoltz has been known to change his wind up and his arm angle from time to time to adjust to injuries which have seemed to hit his aging body.

For owners of Rafael Soriano make sure to keep him your daily lineup because Bobby Cox has come out and told everyone will be closing by committee so expect Soriano to receive some save opportunities until one of them takes the job.

Injuries

Ian Kennedy of the Yankees was placed on the 15-Day DL and should be let go in mixed leagues but should be kept in deeper fantasy keeper leagues.

Daisuke Matsuzaka of the Red Sox might be heading for the DL, like I mentioned in a previous post, so owners should just relax and wait for his MRI results.

Troy Percival of the Rays left his last game with tightness in his left hamstring. He will be re-evaluated on Thursday. Go out and pick up Dan Wheeler for back-up, just in case.

Rafael Soriano of the Braves was activated from the DL and will see the closing duties immediately. Just watch out because Smoltz may return as the closer.

Smoltz

John Smoltz of the Braves threw 12 pitches in a rehab start, 8 for strikes, and felt no discomfort in his shoulder. The Braves will decide to re-activate or send him to another rehab start on Monday. For owners who have R. Soriano, this is some news that will keep you on the edge of your seat. If Smoltz returns and goes to the bullpen the closing duties will immediately fall into the lap of Smoltz.

If you have Soriano wait for the Smoltz news because if he returns and goes to the bullpen, Soriano is droppable. There is no point in hanging on to Soriano due to the effectiveness of Smoltz as a closer.

Smoltz to Bullpen

John Smoltz of the Braves will most likely go to the bullpen after recovering from his current injury to his shoulder. According to coach Bobby Cox, Smoltz will most likely return to the bullpen and I would assume the closer role immediately after his return. The bullpen is a mess at the moment with R. Soriano on the DL and Boyer and Acosta trying to hold things down.

This is great news for owners who need a closer and already have Smoltz on their team. For owners who have a strangle hold on saves in their league, this just gives them a great chance to obtain help in other categories by putting Smoltz or another closer on the trade market. Owners, keep Smoltz on your team until he comes back.

Owners who do not have Smoltz on their teams should try and trade for him. The ability to close out games with high strikeout totals is an addition that all teams need.

Closers

H. Street of the A's had a 4 out save with 1K. Owners, just hope he has turned the corner from a poor start to the season. Street has value and should be kept in your line up.

Brad Lidge of the Phillies recorded save and finished a nicely pitched game from teammate B. Myers. Remember when Lidge was on the DL and how crap Gordon was pitching? Well, no more Gordon and hopefully more of Lidge. Owners...Lidge is a good closer but seems to have periods of inconsistency. Keep him in your lineup though.

B. Wagner of the Mets recorded his first save of the season by pitching a perfect 9th. Owners should be happy with Wagner and there isn't much to say about him except he is one of the elite closers in the bigs.

Moylan of the Braves recorded the save and might be the newly crowned closer after Soriano was placed on the DL. As I said in a previous post, make sure to pick up Moylan and Boyer top hedge your risk.

DL Stints

R. Soriano, the closer for the Braves, has found himself a spot on the DL and this is not a good sign especially with his history of injuries. Owners need to go out and grab some alternatives from the Braves, look to Boyer and Moylan.

M. Lowell of the Red Sox had a great 2007 season but after signing a nice contract with the Red Sox is finding a spot in the trainers table with a thumb injury. This won't help his cause at the plate. Owners who drafted him should be hurting and also expect Lowell to come down to earth after batting .324, which was the only year in his career he has ever hit over .300.