Bravesworld.com | Atlanta Braves News, braves Scores, Game Recaps & Commentary - <div>It's surprisingly calm sailing this week on the normally tumultuous waters of the Closer Sea.</div>A few situations have become considerably less muddled over the past week, while a changing of the ninth-inning guard could be in the offing for a team or two. With chaos comes opportunity, and the vigilant fantasy owner could stand to reap the benefits of being one step ahead of the competition.If it's knowledge you seek, there's no better place to start than the fountain of information and intrigue we call the Closer Hot Seat.<h3>KEY</h3>Durability grade: 1 (very injury-prone) to 10 (extremely durable) Job security grade: 1 (very shaky) to 10 (firm grasp)<h3>Hot Seat: Injury concerns</h3><h4>Atlanta Braves</h4>Closer: Jeff Bennett, Mike Gonzalez (elbow) Next in line: Blaine Boyer, Manny Acosta Other possibilities: Will Ohman Disabled list: Rafael Soriano (elbow), John Smoltz (shoulder), Peter Moylan (elbow)Soriano hit the DL again Saturday, June 14, and things were looking increasingly grim for the former closer as he tries to battle through yet another bout with elbow tendonitis. The Braves had been employing a true closer-by-committee, and that was hardly surprising given Acosta's 0-3 record and 12.00 ERA through his first seven appearances in June. However, Gonzalez is expected to return from the disabled list Wednesday, June 18, and figures to eventually step into the closer's role. He might be sent out to regain his form in situations with less pressure before officially taking the job. The lefty, who's attempting to come back from Tommy John surgery, posted a 0.82 ERA in 11 innings during his minor league rehab assignment and logged 24 saves with a 2.17 ERA for the Pirates in 2006. Bennett picked up his second save of the season Friday, June 13, but his 4.58 career ERA doesn't inspire a lot of confidence. Gonzalez looks to be a nice pickup if he's on your league's waiver wire. However, Soriano might be ready to come off the DL when eligible Saturday, June 18, so the two might end up splitting chances. For now, expect the committee to continue until Gonzalez and Soriano are ready.Durability grade: 6 Job security grade: 3<h4>Milwaukee Brewers</h4>Closer: Salomon Torres Next in line: Guillermo Mota Other possibilities: Brian Shouse Disabled list: Eric Gagne (shoulder), David Riske (elbow)Gagne tossed about 25 pitches off a mound Sunday, June 15, and threw a bullpen session Tuesday, June 17. He could head off to a rehab assignment early next week if all goes according to plan. Once he returns, though, it's far from certain that he'll supplant Torres, who had converted seven straight save opportunities through June 15. Gagne had a 6.98 ERA and five blown saves when he was placed on the disabled list May 21, so the Brewers may not be in a hurry to run him back out there with the game on the line. Shouse and Mota have settled in as set-up men, and neither should be a factor so long as Torres is healthy and effective. Torres should remain in your fantasy lineup as long as he's the closer in Milwaukee, and he should remain in the role for at least the next week - possibly longer.Durability grade: 8 Job security grade: 8 <h4>Seattle Mariners</h4>Closer: Brandon Morrow Next in line: Mark Lowe Other possibilities: Sean Green, Ryan Rowland-Smith Disabled list: J.J. Putz (elbow)Putz (elbow) was placed on the disabled list June 12 due to a hyperextended right elbow. The M's closer suffered the injury Wednesday, June 11, during the ninth inning of a game against the Blue Jays, and he left the field in obvious pain. The Mariners stated that the injury produced triceps tendon inflammation and an irritated ulnar nerve, but they denied that there was any structural damage. Morrow takes the closer's reins in Putz's stead, and the 23-year-old right-hander is a must-add in any fantasy format. Morrow notched the save the night Putz was injured, then chalked up his second save Tuesday, June 17. Morrow's stellar 0.90 ERA and 0.95 WHIP through his first 24 appearances should tell you all you need to know about his potential as a closer. Lowe, Green and Rowland-Smith have amassed only three saves between them this season, and none of them figure to enter into the equation as long as Morrow remains effective.Durability grade: 7 Job security grade: 8<h4>St. Louis Cardinals</h4>Closer: Ryan Franklin Next in line: Jason Isringhausen, Chris Perez Other possibilities: Kyle McClellan, Russ Springer, Randy FloresFranklin has done a solid job as the Cardinals closer, recording nine saves in 10 opportunities. However, his ERA has been creeping steadily upward of late, and his lack of dominant stuff could mean his days as the ninth-inning man are numbered. How high that number is depends upon the health and confidence of former closer Isringhausen, whom the Cards activated from the DL on June 14. Izzy has been lit up to the tune of six blown saves and a 7.58 ERA this season, and his DL stint was as much to allow him to gain confidence as it was to let his lacerated hand heal. Isringhausen claims that the break allowed him to get his head together, and he pitched a perfect ninth inning in the Cards' 2-1 loss June 17. If Izzy is truly back to form, he should be back in the closer's role before long. Durability grade: 8 Job security grade: 6 (last week: 8)<h4>Tampa Bay Rays</h4>Closer: Troy Percival Next in line: Dan Wheeler Other possibilities: Grant Balfour, J.P. Howell, Trever Miller Disabled list: Al Reyes (shoulder)The Rays activated Percival (hamstring) from the DL on Friday, June 13, and the 38-year-old wasted no time in reestablishing his place at the back of the Rays pen. Percy tossed a scoreless ninth inning that night, racked up his 15th save of the season with another scoreless frame the following evening, then recorded his 16th save June 17. Wheeler did a nice job in Percy's stead, chalking up a win and two saves, while allowing just one earned run in eight appearances. Wheels will return to his set-up role and should remain there unless Percival succumbs to another injury. This situation bears watching for the short term - primarily due to Percival's injury history - but once Percy shows his injury woes are behind him he'll be off the hot seat. Hot seat or no, Percival should definitely be back in your lineup.Durability grade: 6 Job security grade: 9 <h3>Hot Seat: Lackluster performance</h3><h4>New York Mets</h4>Closer: Billy Wagner Next in line: Duaner Sanchez Other possibilities: Aaron Heilman, Pedro Feliciano, Scott SchoeneweisWagner earns a place in our Rogues' Gallery due to his back-to-back-to-back blown saves June 8-12, but he's not likely to stay here very long. Wagner's ERA was a meager 0.36 before he pulled his hat trick. The lefty pitched a perfect ninth inning Sunday, June 15, and a scoreless frame the following night to record his 14th and 15th saves of the season. Wagner's brief bout of ineffectiveness was a cause for minor concern, but he appears to have righted his ship. Move along - nothing to see here.Durability grade: 8 Job security grade: 9<h4>Pittsburgh Pirates</h4>Closer: Matt Capps Next in line: John Grabow Other possibilities: Damaso Marte, Tyler YatesCapps was off to a great start in '08 while recording 15 straight saves, but the right-hander hit a major bump in the road between June 10 and June 15. He blew three saves during that period, allowing six runs (four earned) in four appearances. We're not worried about Capps at this point - his ERA was 2.12 before his recent meltdown - and the fact that the Pirates don't have any other viable closer options bolsters that confidence. Keep your faith in Capps and leave him in your fantasy lineup.Durability grade: 9 Job security grade: 9

It's surprisingly calm sailing this week on the normally tumultuous waters of the Closer Sea.

A few situations have become considerably less muddled over the past week, while a changing of the ninth-inning guard could be in the offing for a team or two. With chaos comes opportunity, and the vigilant fantasy owner could stand to reap the benefits of being one step ahead of the competition.

If it's knowledge you seek, there's no better place to start than the fountain of information and intrigue we call the Closer Hot Seat.

KEY

Durability grade: 1 (very injury-prone) to 10 (extremely durable)
Job security grade: 1 (very shaky) to 10 (firm grasp)

Hot Seat: Injury concerns

Atlanta Braves

Closer: Jeff Bennett, Mike Gonzalez (elbow)
Next in line: Blaine Boyer, Manny Acosta
Other possibilities: Will Ohman
Disabled list: Rafael Soriano (elbow), John Smoltz (shoulder), Peter Moylan (elbow)

Soriano hit the DL again Saturday, June 14, and things were looking increasingly grim for the former closer as he tries to battle through yet another bout with elbow tendonitis. The Braves had been employing a true closer-by-committee, and that was hardly surprising given Acosta's 0-3 record and 12.00 ERA through his first seven appearances in June. However, Gonzalez is expected to return from the disabled list Wednesday, June 18, and figures to eventually step into the closer's role. He might be sent out to regain his form in situations with less pressure before officially taking the job. The lefty, who's attempting to come back from Tommy John surgery, posted a 0.82 ERA in 11 innings during his minor league rehab assignment and logged 24 saves with a 2.17 ERA for the Pirates in 2006. Bennett picked up his second save of the season Friday, June 13, but his 4.58 career ERA doesn't inspire a lot of confidence. Gonzalez looks to be a nice pickup if he's on your league's waiver wire. However, Soriano might be ready to come off the DL when eligible Saturday, June 18, so the two might end up splitting chances. For now, expect the committee to continue until Gonzalez and Soriano are ready.

Durability grade: 6
Job security grade: 3

Milwaukee Brewers

Closer: Salomon Torres
Next in line: Guillermo Mota
Other possibilities: Brian Shouse
Disabled list: Eric Gagne (shoulder), David Riske (elbow)

Gagne tossed about 25 pitches off a mound Sunday, June 15, and threw a bullpen session Tuesday, June 17. He could head off to a rehab assignment early next week if all goes according to plan. Once he returns, though, it's far from certain that he'll supplant Torres, who had converted seven straight save opportunities through June 15. Gagne had a 6.98 ERA and five blown saves when he was placed on the disabled list May 21, so the Brewers may not be in a hurry to run him back out there with the game on the line. Shouse and Mota have settled in as set-up men, and neither should be a factor so long as Torres is healthy and effective. Torres should remain in your fantasy lineup as long as he's the closer in Milwaukee, and he should remain in the role for at least the next week - possibly longer.

Durability grade: 8
Job security grade: 8

Seattle Mariners

Closer: Brandon Morrow
Next in line: Mark Lowe
Other possibilities: Sean Green, Ryan Rowland-Smith
Disabled list: J.J. Putz (elbow)

Putz (elbow) was placed on the disabled list June 12 due to a hyperextended right elbow. The M's closer suffered the injury Wednesday, June 11, during the ninth inning of a game against the Blue Jays, and he left the field in obvious pain. The Mariners stated that the injury produced triceps tendon inflammation and an irritated ulnar nerve, but they denied that there was any structural damage. Morrow takes the closer's reins in Putz's stead, and the 23-year-old right-hander is a must-add in any fantasy format. Morrow notched the save the night Putz was injured, then chalked up his second save Tuesday, June 17. Morrow's stellar 0.90 ERA and 0.95 WHIP through his first 24 appearances should tell you all you need to know about his potential as a closer. Lowe, Green and Rowland-Smith have amassed only three saves between them this season, and none of them figure to enter into the equation as long as Morrow remains effective.

Durability grade: 7
Job security grade: 8

St. Louis Cardinals

Closer: Ryan Franklin
Next in line: Jason Isringhausen, Chris Perez
Other possibilities: Kyle McClellan, Russ Springer, Randy Flores

Franklin has done a solid job as the Cardinals closer, recording nine saves in 10 opportunities. However, his ERA has been creeping steadily upward of late, and his lack of dominant stuff could mean his days as the ninth-inning man are numbered. How high that number is depends upon the health and confidence of former closer Isringhausen, whom the Cards activated from the DL on June 14. Izzy has been lit up to the tune of six blown saves and a 7.58 ERA this season, and his DL stint was as much to allow him to gain confidence as it was to let his lacerated hand heal. Isringhausen claims that the break allowed him to get his head together, and he pitched a perfect ninth inning in the Cards' 2-1 loss June 17. If Izzy is truly back to form, he should be back in the closer's role before long.

Durability grade: 8
Job security grade: 6 (last week: 8)

Tampa Bay Rays

Closer: Troy Percival
Next in line: Dan Wheeler
Other possibilities: Grant Balfour, J.P. Howell, Trever Miller
Disabled list: Al Reyes (shoulder)

The Rays activated Percival (hamstring) from the DL on Friday, June 13, and the 38-year-old wasted no time in reestablishing his place at the back of the Rays pen. Percy tossed a scoreless ninth inning that night, racked up his 15th save of the season with another scoreless frame the following evening, then recorded his 16th save June 17. Wheeler did a nice job in Percy's stead, chalking up a win and two saves, while allowing just one earned run in eight appearances. Wheels will return to his set-up role and should remain there unless Percival succumbs to another injury. This situation bears watching for the short term - primarily due to Percival's injury history - but once Percy shows his injury woes are behind him he'll be off the hot seat. Hot seat or no, Percival should definitely be back in your lineup.

Durability grade: 6
Job security grade: 9

Hot Seat: Lackluster performance

New York Mets

Closer: Billy Wagner
Next in line: Duaner Sanchez
Other possibilities: Aaron Heilman, Pedro Feliciano, Scott Schoeneweis

Wagner earns a place in our Rogues' Gallery due to his back-to-back-to-back blown saves June 8-12, but he's not likely to stay here very long. Wagner's ERA was a meager 0.36 before he pulled his hat trick. The lefty pitched a perfect ninth inning Sunday, June 15, and a scoreless frame the following night to record his 14th and 15th saves of the season. Wagner's brief bout of ineffectiveness was a cause for minor concern, but he appears to have righted his ship. Move along - nothing to see here.

Durability grade: 8
Job security grade: 9

Pittsburgh Pirates

Closer: Matt Capps
Next in line: John Grabow
Other possibilities: Damaso Marte, Tyler Yates

Capps was off to a great start in '08 while recording 15 straight saves, but the right-hander hit a major bump in the road between June 10 and June 15. He blew three saves during that period, allowing six runs (four earned) in four appearances. We're not worried about Capps at this point - his ERA was 2.12 before his recent meltdown - and the fact that the Pirates don't have any other viable closer options bolsters that confidence. Keep your faith in Capps and leave him in your fantasy lineup.

Durability grade: 9
Job security grade: 9