AL Closer Report: May 21

Strong Performers

Joakim Soria | Kansas City Royals
The Comments: Soria is tied for third in the league in saves and has one of the best strikeout rates amongst closers in the AL. His numbers have been skewed by his problems with the long ball. He was successful in both his save opportunities this week.

Rafael Soriano | Tampa Bay Rays
The Comments: Soriano continues to be a strong contributor to a powerful team. The closer is a perfect 11-for-11 in saves on the year and he made four appearances this past week and was 2-for-2 in saves.

Jose Valverde | Detroit Tigers
The Comments: Valverde has actually allowed more walks (nine) than hits (seven) on the season and is 11-for-12 in saves. His low strikeout rate (6.27 K/9) diminishes his value a bit. He converted his only save opportunity this past week.

Neftali Feliz | Texas Rangers
The Comments: Manager Ron Washington is certainly not worried about wearing Feliz out. The young closer has appeared in more games and pitched more innings than any other AL closer. He appeared in three games this past week and saved two games against Los Angeles. Feliz recorded three strikeouts and did not walk or allow a hit to a batter.

Jon Rauch | Minnesota Twins
The Comments: Rauch continues to chug along with 10 saves in 11 tries, as well as just two walks in 16.0 innings. He recorded just one save this past week but held his own against both the Yankees and Red Sox lineups.

Steady Performers

Andrew Bailey | Oakland Athletics
The Comments: His ERA continues to be impressive at 1.15 and Bailey has yet to allow a homer, but the strikeouts and save opportunities continue to elude the sophomore closer. He blew his only save opportunity this week.

Mariano Rivera | New York Yankees
The Comments: It’s been a rough week for Rivera. He blew a start against Minnesota and gave up four runs in 2.1 innings on the week.

Jonathan Papelbon | Boston Red Sox
The Comments: It’s been a rough week for Papelbon, too. The right-hander gave up five runs in 4.0 innings with all the damage coming against the Yankees.

Kevin Gregg | Toronto Blue Jays
The Comments: Gregg continues to lead the AL in saves but his command has slipped lately. He still has a good strikeout rate at 10.24 K/9 but he’s looked shaky in many of his recent appearances. He blew his last save opportunity and took the loss against Seattle by allowing three runs in the ninth inning.

David Aardsma | Seattle Mariners
The Comments: Aardsma appeared in just two games this past week and picked up the save in his only opportunity. The right-hander also recorded strikeouts on four of the six outs he recorded.

Alfredo Simon | Baltimore Orioles
The Comments: Despite questionable control (6.30 BB/9), Simon has saved five games on the year. The converted starter blew his first save of the year – and took the loss – this past week against Cleveland. He also gave up his first earned runs on the year with four in one game against the Indians.

Fernando Rodney and Brian Fuentes | Los Angeles Angels
The Comments: Fuentes saved two games this past week but recorded just one strikeout in three appearances. Rodney did not receive a save opportunity and he appeared in just two games for a total of two-thirds of an inning.

Bobby Jenks | Chicago White Sox
The Comments: Embattled closer Jenks continues to have an impressive strikeout rate at 12.21 K/9 but his ERA sits at 5.79 and he’s given up 21 hits in 14.0 innings. He has a 2.88 xFIP. Hard-throwing Matt Thornton converted a save against Kansas City on May 15, so be wary of that.

Fallen on Hard Times

Kerry Wood | Cleveland Indians
The Comments: Wood has not looked good in his return from the DL. He has five walks and seven hits allowed in 3.1 innings. Wood has blown his only save opportunity since returning and he allowed five earned runs against KC on May 19. Trusted with a save opportunity on May 17, former fill-in closer Chris Perez blew the opportunity.