Jordan Walden (R)–Took the loss and blown-save on Thursday after giving up two runs on two hits in the ninth inning without recording an out. He gave up a walk-off home run to Brandon Allen after allowing the first batter to reach base, which gave the Rays the win. (4/27/12)

American League

Baltimore Orioles
(CL) Jim Johnson (R)– Recorded his seventh save of the season on Sunday after pitching a scoreless ninth inning giving up one hit while striking out one batter. He has still yet to give up an earned run this season and has been the biggest surprise in the ninth inning thus far in 2012. (4/23/12)
(SU) Matt Lindstrom (R)–Picked up his second hold of the season on Wednesday after pitching a 1-2-3 eighth inning. He struck out two batters in his efforts and has yet to give up a run this season through 8.1 innings. (4/26/12)
(MR) Pedro Strop (R)–Picked up his second save in as many days on Wednesday filling in for Jim Johnson. Strop pitched a scoreless ninth inning, but did allow two base runners so luckily for his fantasy owners he was able to work in and out of a jam. (4/26/12)

Boston Red Sox
(CL) Alfredo Aceves (R)–Recorded his fourth save of the season on Wednesday after getting in and out of a jam in the ninth inning. The bases were loaded with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and luckily for his fantasy owners he found a way to get out of the jam, but his hold on the closer role continues to slip. (4/26/12)
(SU) Daniel Bard (R)– Picked up the win on Monday after 0.2 innings of relief allowing just one walk in the outing. This was his first appearance out of the bullpen this season, but if Alfredo Aceves continues to slip, Bard may get the closer role sooner than later. (4/24/12)
(MR) Franklin Morales (L)–Picked up his fourth hold of the season on Wednesday after pitching a scoreless eighth inning striking out one batter in his efforts. He forced a ground ball out and a fly ball out to go along with his one strikeout in this appearance. (4/26/12)
Injured–Andrew Bailey (60-Day DL)

Chicago White Sox
(CL) Hector Santiago (L)–Santiago was charged with the loss and blown-save on Wednesday after giving up three runs on five hits in the 14th inning. The outing raised his earned-run average to 8.53 on the season and if he keeps this up his job may be in jeopardy. (4/26/12)
(SU) Matt Thornton (L)– Thornton struck out the side in the 10th inning on Wednesday afternoon on 15 pitches thrown. He has been great this season out of the bullpen and with Hector Santiago blowing another save, Thornton may be in line for some save chances if he continues to falter. (4/26/12)
(MR) Addison Reed (R)–Pitched a scoreless ninth inning on Wednesday in a non-save situation giving up one walk while striking out two batters. Reed has been one of the better middle relief pitchers this season and has yet to give up a run in nine appearances so far. (4/26/12)

Cleveland Indians
(CL) Chris Perez (R)–Recorded his seventh save of the season on Tuesday night despite giving up one run on two hits in the ninth inning. This wasn’t his best outing of the season, but at least he still walked away with a save for his fantasy owners. (4/25/12)
(SU) Vinnie Pestano (R)–Picked up his fourth hold of the season on Tuesday despite giving up one run on two hits and one walk in one inning of work. The run he gave up was just the third run he has allowed this season, and he has yet to give up more than one run in an appearance. (4/25/12)
(MR) Tony Sipp (L)–Pitched 1.1 innings of relief on Thursday giving up one hit while striking out one batter. Sipp has at least one strikeout in his each of his last four appearances dating back to last Friday. (4/27/12)

Detroit Tigers
(CL) Jose Valverde (R)– Pitched a scoreless 10th inning on Sunday in a non-save situation giving up one walk and no hits in the outing. In his last two appearances Valverde has given up three walks total, which could lead to trouble down the road if he continues to have trouble with his command. (4/23/12)
(SU) Joaquin Benoit (R)– Pitched a scoreless ninth inning on Thursday in a non-save situation giving up one walk while striking out three batters. Benoit has been a strikeout machine in his last three appearances, striking out four batters in 2.1 innings of relief. (4/27/12)
(MR) Octavio Dotel (R)–Pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning on Thursday needing 14 pitches to force two ground ball outs and one fly ball out. Dotel extended his scoreless innings streak to seven innings to start the season. (4/27/12)

Kansas City Royals
(CL) Jonathan Broxton (R)–Recorded his second save of the season on Thursday after pitching a scoreless ninth inning giving up one hit and one walk in the appearance. This was his first save since April 8, and just his fifth appearance since then. (4/27/12)
(SU) Aaron Crow (R)–Picked up his fourth hold of the season on Thursday after pitching a scoreless eighth inning giving up two walks while striking out one batter. Crow has now pitched in back-to-back games and may be unavailable out of the bullpen on Friday. (4/27/12)
(MR) Tim Collins (L)–Picked up his second hold of the season on Thursday after pitching two innings of relief. He gave up just one hit while striking out two batters in the appearance. (4/27/12)
Injured–Joakim Soria (out for season), Greg Holland (15-Day DL)

Los Angeles Angels
(CL) Jordan Walden (R)–Took the loss and blown-save on Thursday after giving up two runs on two hits in the ninth inning without recording an out. He gave up a walk-off home run to Brandon Allen after allowing the first batter to reach base, which gave the Rays the win. (4/27/12)
(SU) Scott Downs (L)– Picked up his fourth hold of the season on Thursday after pitching 1.1 innings of relief giving up just one walk in the outing. Downs extended his scoreless innings streak to seven innings to start the season. (4/27/12)
(MR) LaTroy Hawkins (R)–Took the loss on Sunday after giving up one run on one hit and one walk in the 10th inning. This was his first bad outing of the season, so expect him to rebound from this one. (4/23/12)

Minnesota Twins
(CL) Matt Capps (R)– Capps took the loss on Monday night after allowing a home run in the ninth inning, which sealed the deal for the win for the Red Sox. He hasn’t looked all that great so far in 2012, but neither has the rest of the Twins bullpen, so his job is safe for the foreseeable future. (4/24/12)
(SU) Glen Perkins (L)–Pitched one inning of relief on Wednesday striking out the side on 17 pitches thrown. Although Perkins has just one hold on the season, he still has fantasy value in holds leagues due to his ability to force swing and misses. (4/26/12)
(MR) Brian Duensing (L)–Pitched 0.2 innings of relief on Monday in the eighth inning recording one strikeout and forcing one fly ball out. Duensing has been a bright spot for the Twins coming out of the bullpen thus far in 2012, but he will have little impact in terms of fantasy as long the Twins continue to falter. (4/24/12)

New York Yankees
(CL) Mariano Rivera (R)–Recorded his fourth save of the season on Monday after pitching a 1-2-3 ninth inning. He needed just 13 pitches to get through the outing and has now lowered his earned-run average to 2.84 on the season. (4/24/12)
(SU) David Robertson (R)–Pitched a scoreless eighth inning on Friday afternoon giving up one hit while striking out two batters. Robertson has been lights out to start the season and is one of the better setup men to own, even in non-holds leagues. (4/21/12)
(MR) Rafael Soriano (R)–Pitched a scoreless eighth inning on Wednesday night giving up one hit on 18 pitches thrown. This was Soriano’s first appearance since last Saturday, so he should be available every game for this upcoming weekend’s series. (4/26/12)

Oakland Athletics
(CL) Grant Balfour (R)–Balfour was charged with his first blown-save of the season on Wednesday after giving up a game-tying home run in the ninth inning to Paul Konerko. The home run was the only hit he gave up in the inning, so this could have been worse. (4/26/12)
(SU) Brian Fuentes (L)– Pitched a scoreless 10th inning on Wednesday giving up one hit on just 10 pitches thrown in the appearance. This was a much better showing from Fuentes than his last outing, lowering his earned-run average to 4.70 on the season. (4/26/12)
(MR) Ryan Cook(R)–Picked up his fifth hold of the season on Wednesday after pitching 1.2 innings of relief giving up one walk while striking out two batters.  Cook has yet to give up a run in nine innings of relief this season. (4/26/12)
Injured–Joey Devine (15-Day DL)

Seattle Mariners
(CL) Brandon League (R)–Recorded his seventh save of the season on Thursday after pitching a scoreless ninth inning. He allowed two hits, but was able to work around them and get himself out of the jam. (4/27/12)
(SU) Tom Wilhelmsen (R)– Picked up his fifth hold of the season on Thursday after a 1-2-3 eighth inning. He struck out one batter in the inning and forced the two others to fly out. (4/27/12)
(MR) Lucas Luetge (L)–Picked up his second hold of the season on Thursday after pitching 0.2 innings of relief. He allowed one walk while forcing the other two batters into ground ball outs. (4/27/12)
Injured–George Sherrill (15-Day DL)

Tampa Bay Rays
(CL) Fernando Rodney (R)–Recorded his sixth save of the season on Wednesday night after pitching one inning of relief. He gave up one hit and one run, which wasn’t earned, needing 18 pitched to get through the appearance. (4/22/12)
(SU) Joel Peralta (R)–Peralta was used in the eighth inning to face just one batter and struck the batter out. He needed six pitches to get the job done and now has three straight scoreless appearances. (4/27/12)
(MR) J.P. Howell (L)–Picked up his first hold of the season on Thursday night after pitching 1.1 innings of relief giving up one hit while striking out two batters. He needed 23 pitches to get through the appearance and has now pitched three consecutive days so he will likely be unavailable to pitch on Friday. (4/20/12)
Injured–Kyle Farnsworth (15-Day DL)

Texas Rangers
(CL) Joe Nathan (R)–Pitched a scoreless ninth inning on Wednesday night in a non-save situation giving up one hit while striking out one batter. Any doubts about Nathan closing this season have been put aside now that he has settled down, so expect him to stay in the role for the rest of the season. (4/26/12)
(SU) Mike Adams (R)– Pitched a scoreless eighth inning on Wednesday night retiring all three batter he faced in order. Adams hasn’t recorded a hold since April 15, but no need to worry since the Rangers are winning just about every game they play. (4/26/12)
(MR) Alexi Ogando (R)–Pitched a scoreless seventh inning on Sunday in a non-save situation striking out two batters in the outing. Ogando is sitting on a 1.00 earned-run average through the first three weeks of the season and has been a pleasant surprise for those in holds leagues. (4/23/12)
Injured–Yoshinori Tateyama (15-Day DL)

Toronto Blue Jays
(CL) Francisco Cordero (R)–Recorded his second save of the season on Monday night after pitching a scoreless ninth inning giving up one hit in the outing. This was his second save in as many chances and as long as Sergio Santos is out, Cordero Is going to get the save opportunities so ride him while it lasts. (4/24/12)
(SU) Casey Janssen (R)– Took the loss on Thursday after giving up one run on two hits while striking out two batters in the seventh inning. The outing raised Janssen’s earned-run average to 6.75 on the season. (4/27/12)
(MR) Darren Oliver (L)–Pitched one inning of relief on Thursday giving up one run on two hits while striking out two batters. This was his first appearance since last Saturday so he should be available for this weekend’s series. (4/27/12)
Injured–Sergio Santos (15-Day DL)

National League

Arizona Diamondbacks
(CL) J.J. Putz (R)– Recorded his fifth save of the season on Sunday despite giving up one run on one hit in the ninth inning. The hit came via a home run off the bat of Juan Francisco, but it wasn’t enough to take the lead. (4/23/12)
(SU) David Hernandez (R)–Pitched a scoreless eighth inning on Wednesday giving up one hit while striking out two batters. Hernandez now has six strikeouts in his last three innings of work, which is a great ratio. (4/26/12)
(MR) Brad Ziegler (R)–Pitched a scoreless seventh inning on Wednesday giving up one hit while striking out two batters. He needed 19 pitches to get through the outing and forced one ground ball out to go along with the strikeouts. (4/26/12)
Injured–Takashi Saito (15-Day DL)

Atlanta Braves
(CL) Craig Kimbrel (R)–Recorded his seventh save of the season on Wednesday after pitching a 1-2-3 ninth inning. He struck out two batters in the appearance bringing his total to 14 on the season. (4/26/12)
(SU) Jonny Venters (L)– Picked up the win on Wednesday night after pitching a perfect eighth inning. He struck out the side on 11 pitches and now has 15 strikeouts in 7.2 innings of relief. (4/26/12)
(MR) Eric O’Flaherty (L)–O’Flaherty struck out the only batter he faced in the seventh inning on four pitches. He hasn’t recorded a hold his April 11, but that is nothing to worry about since the Braves are going to be in a lot of games this season. (4/26/12)

Chicago Cubs
(CL) Carlos Marmol (R)–Marmol was used in a non-save situation on Wednesday afternoon giving up one hit in one inning of relief. This was his second appearance in as many days, but with a day off on Thursday he will be reado to go for this weekend’s series against the Phillies.
(SU) James Russell (L)–Picked up the win on Tuesday night after pitching a 1-2-3 10th inning striking out two batters in the outing. While the rest of the Cubs bullpen has been shaky, Russell has yet to give up a run this season. (4/25/12)
(MR)–Rafael Dolis (R)–Picked up his second hold of the season on Tuesday despite giving up one run on one walk in 0.2 innings of relief. His command has been an issue thus far in 2012, but he does have the stuff to be a solid reliever in the majors. (4/25/12)
Injured–Kerry Wood (15-Day DL)

Cincinnati Reds
(CL) Sean Marshall (L)–Took the loss and was charged with a blown-save on Thursday after giving up three runs on three hits and one walk in the ninth inning. Marshall has now pitched in back-to-back games and may be unavailable out of the bullpen on Friday. (4/27/12)
(SU) Aroldis Chapman (L)–Picked up his third hold of the season on Wednesday after pitching a scoreless eighth inning giving up one hit while striking out two batters. Through 11.1 innings of work this season, Chapman has 20 strikeouts to just two walks. (4/26/12)
(MR) Jose Arrenondo (R)–Picked up the win on Wednesday after pitching a scoreless seventh inning retiring all three batters he faced in order. He struck out two batters in his efforts while lowering his earned-run average to 3.00 for the season. (4/26/12)
Injured–Ryan Madson (out for season), Nick Masset (15-Day DL)

Colorado Rockies
(CL) Rafael Betancourt (R)– Recorded his sixth save of the season in Game one of Wednesday’s doubleheader retiring all three batters in order. He needed just eight pitches to get through the appearance striking out one batter. (4/26/12)
(SU) Matt Belisle (R)–Took the loss on Tuesday night after giving up two runs, one earned, on two hits and one walk. This was the first bad outing of the season for Belisle, so hopefully he will be able to look past this outing. (4/25/12)
(MR) Rex Brothers (L)–Pitched a scoreless eighth inning on Wednesday afternoon giving up one hit while striking out two batters. He needed just 13 pitches to get through the appearance, but threw just one first-pitch strike to the four batters he faced. (4/26/12)

Houston Astros
(CL))Brett Myers (R)– Recorded his third save of the season on Wednesday after pitching a scoreless ninth inning. He allowed just one hit while forcing three ground ball outs. (4/26/12)
(SU) Brandon Lyon (R)–Pitched one inning of relief on Monday giving up one run on two this and one walk. After a few solid outings Lyon reverted back to his old ways, allowing three base runners, which was bound to not end well. (4/24/12)
(MR)Wilton Lopez (R)–Picked up the win on Wednesday after pitching a scoreless sixth inning retiring all three batters he faced in order. Through 12.2 innings of relief, Lopez has given up just two runs and is currently posting a 1.54 earned-run average. (4/26/12)

Los Angeles Dodgers
(CL) Javy Guerra (R)–Took the loss and picked up his second blown-save of the season on Wednesday night after recording just one out in the ninth inning. He allowed three runs on five hits in the outing, and now has a record of 1-3 on the season. If outing like this continue, expect a change in the closer role sooner than later. (4/26/12)
(SU) Kenley Jansen (R)–Picked up his fifth hold of the season on Wednesday night after pitching a scoreless eighth inning giving up one hit while striking out one batter. With Javy Guerra blowing another game, you may start to hear rumblings about Jansen in the ninth inning role. (4/26/12)
(MR) Josh Lindblom (R)–Lindblom was used in relief of closer Javy Guerra after he failed to close out the ninth inning on Wednesday night. He pitched 0.2 innings and needed just three pitches to get out of the jam. (4/26/12)
Injured–Todd Coffey (15-Day DL), Matt Guerrier (15-Day DL)

Miami Marlins
(CL) Heath Bell (R)– Took the loss and blew his third save of the season on Thursday after giving up two runs on one hit and four walks while failing to make it out of the ninth inning. Bell is off to a horrible start to the 2012 season, but with the size of his contract I have a hard time believing they will remove him from the closer role. (4/27/12)
(SU) Edward Mujica (R)– Took the loss on Tuesday after giving up one run on three hits in the eighth inning. This was his second straight appearance in which he was charged with the loss, and after a good start to the season, is starting to go in the opposite direction. (4/25/12)
(MR) Steve Cishek (R)–Cishek walked the only batter he faced in the seventh inning on four straight pitches and was quickly replaced by Mike Dunn. This outing should not get looked into too much, since he faced just one batter, but it would’ve been nice to see him be able to get his team out of the jam. (4/25/12)

Milwaukee Brewers
(CL) John Axford (R)–Recorded his fourth save of the season on Tuesday night after pitching a scoreless ninth inning. This was his second save in as many days and has appeared to settle down, lowering his earned-run average to 5.40 on the season. (4/25/12)
(SU) Francisco Rodriguez (R)–Picked up his third hold of the season on Tuesday after recording just one out in the eighth inning. He needed five pitches to get the only batter he faced to fly out, and now has two holds in the last two days. (4/25/12)
(MR) Kameron Loe (R)– Loe had a terrible outing on Tuesday night giving up four runs, two earned, on four hits and one walk in 1.1 innings of relief. This outing raised his earned-run average to 3. 52 on the year. (4/25/12)

New York Mets
(CL) Frank Francisco (R)–Recorded his fourth save of the season on Tuesday night after pitching a scoreless ninth inning. He did allow a base runner via a walk, but he was able to forcing three fly ball outs to close out the game. (4/25/12)
(SU) Jon Rauch (R)–Picked up his third hold of the season on Wednesday night after pitching 0.2 innings of relief. Through 10 innings of relief this season, Rauch has yet to give up an earned run. (4/26/12)
(MR) Ramon Ramirez (R)–Picked up the win on Thursday after giving two innings of relief giving up two hits while striking out two batters. Ramirez has settled down after a terrible start to the season and is now becoming a target in holds leagues. (4/27/12)

Philadelphia Phillies
(CL) Jonathan Papelbon (R)–Recorded his sixth save of the season on Tuesday night after a 1-2-3 ninth inning. He needed just eight pitches to sit down all three batters he faced in order, lowering his earned-run average to 1.13 on the season. (4/25/12)
(SU) Chad Qualls (R)–Pitched one inning of relief on Tuesday giving up one run on one hit while striking out three batters. He gave up a home run to Jason Kubel in the eighth inning, which was just his first run allowed this season. (4/25/12)
(MR) Antonio Bastardo (L)–Picked up his first hold of the season on Tuesday after recording just one out in the seventh inning. This was just his second appearance since April 8 and has just 1.2 innings of relief his last three appearances combined. (4/25/12)

Pittsburgh Pirates
(CL) Joel Hanrahan (R)–Recorded his third save of the season on Tuesday night after pitching a 1-2-3 ninth inning. He forced two fly ball outs and one strikeout in the game and appears to be fully over his injury that held him out of the ninth inning role for a brief period of time last week. (4/25/12)
(SU) Chris Resop (R)–Took the loss in Game one of Wednesday’s doubleheader after giving up one run on one hit in the eighth inning. He recorded just one out in the appearance and has just one hold thus far in 2012. (4/26/12)
(MR) Evan Meek (R)–Pitched one inning of relief on Sunday giving up two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out one batter. Meek is off to a bad start in 2012, but with any luck he will be able to turn things around. (4/23/12)
Injured–Chris Leroux (60-Day DL)

San Diego Padres
(CL) Huston Street (R)–Recorded his second save of the season on Thursday after pitching a scoreless ninth inning. The save chances are few and far between, but at least he is converting all of them. (4/27/12)
(SU) Andrew Cashner (R)–Picked up the win on Thursday after pitching a 1-2-3 eighth inning. He needed just eight pitches to get through the appearance and is now 1-1 on the season. (4/27/12)
(MR) Luke Gregerson (R)–Gregerson gave up his first earned runs of the season on Wednesday, giving up two runs on two hits in 0.1 innings of relief. This was his worst outing of the season, but even after Wednesday his earned-run average only went up to 2.16 on the year. (4/26/12)

San Francisco Giants
(CL) Santiago Casilla (R)–Recorded his second save of the season on Thursday after striking out the side in a scoreless ninth inning. This was Casilla’s best appearance since taking over the closer role and will get plenty more chances to close out games. (4/27/12)
(SU) Sergio Romo (R)– Pitched a scoreless eighth inning on Wednesday giving up one hit and one walk while striking out two batters. Romo did not give up a run in this appearance and increased his scoreless inning streak to five innings. (4/26/12)
(MR) Jeremy Affeldt (L)–Affeldt faced just two batters on Wednesday giving up one hit while forcing the other hitter to ground out. He needed just seven pitches to get through the appearance. (4/26/12)
Injured–Brian Wilson (out for season)

St. Louis Cardinals
(CL) Jason Motte (R)–Motta was tagged with the loss and his first blown-save of the season on Monday after giving up two run on one hit and two walks in the ninth inning. He recorded just two outs before allowing the Cubs to come back and win the game. (4/24/12)
(SU) Kyle McClellan (R)–Pitched a scoreless ninth inning on Wednesday in a non-save situation retiring all three batters he faced in order. After a shaky start to the season, McClellan looks to have found his control and is on his way to a solid season. (4/26/12)
(MR) Fernando Salas (R)– Salas took the loss on Tuesday night after giving up one run on two hits and one walk in 0.2 innings of relief. This was just Salas’ first loss of the season, but he has now allowed two runs in his last three innings of work. (4/25/12)

Washington Nationals
(CL) Henry Rodriguez (R)–Recorded his fifth save of the season on Tuesday night after pitching a 1-2-3 ninth inning striking out one batter. Although it hasn’t been made official, it appears that Rodriguez has beat out Brad Lidge for the closer role for the foreseeable future. (4/25/12)
(CL) Brad Lidge (R)–Blew his second save of the season on Saturday after giving up two run on one hit and three walks in the ninth inning. Although there was no official word yet, Lidge’s save opportunities may start to be numbered as Henry Rodriguez continues to impress. (4/22/12)
(SU) Tyler Clippard (R)–Clippard was tagged with the loss on Thursday after giving up two runs on two hits and two walks in one inning of relief. He did strikeout two batters in the appearance, but also raised his earned-run average to 6.00 on the season. (4/27/12)
Injured– Drew Storen (15-Day DL)

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Tags: Bullpen

This entry was posted on Friday, April 27th, 2012 at 8:39 am and is filed under Bullpen. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.