The AL Closer Report

We took a look at the National League closers earlier today. Now it’s time to see how the American League firemen look for Week 1 of the 2010 MLB season.

The Top Tier

Mariano Rivera | New York Yankees
The Health Report: Healthy
The Comments: The club opened the season against Boston last night and will then head to Tampa Bay to finish the week. You can expect Mariano to help close out a game or two (or three) this week despite the stiff competition.

Jonathan Papelbon | Boston Red Sox
The Health Report: Healthy
The Comments: After what will no doubt be a grueling series against New York, things will get a little easier for the club as it heads to Kansas City.

The Middle Tier

Joakim Soria | Kansas City Royals
The Health Report: Healthy
The Comments: Although it will have the home field advantage all week, the club could be in tough against both the re-tooled Detroit Tigers and the Boston Red Sox. This may not be a great week to start Soria as your No. 1 closer.

Andrew Bailey | Oakland Athletics
The Health Report: Knee soreness
The Comments: The A’s club will be busy this week with seven games in as many days, so Bailey could see a few save opportunities. The team will be at home with Seattle for four games before heading out to Los Angeles.

The Third Tier

Rafael Soriano | Tampa Bay Rays
The Health Report: Healthy
The Comments: It’s an AL East week with the club hosting the Orioles and then the New York Yankees. Soriano could have a save opportunity or two against Baltimore but things will definitely get tougher against New York.

Jose Valverde | Detroit Tigers
The Health Report: Healthy
The Comments: Valverde could be a busy man this week as the Tigers club is set to face the Kansas City Royals and the Cleveland Indians. You can’t ask for a more favorable start to the season. If you have Valverde, get him in your fantasy lineup.

Bobby Jenks | Chicago White Sox
The Health Report: Returning from calf injury
The Comments: Jenks may not be at 100% but he’ll be able to ease into things against the Cleveland Indians. The club will then face a stiffer challenge when it hosts the Twins.

David Aardsma | Seattle Mariners
The Health Report: Healthy
The Comments: The club does not project to score a lot of runs this season so if it can keep the Oakland and Texas hitters off the score sheet then Aardsma could have some save opportunities this week.

Brian Fuentes | Los Angeles Angels
The Health Report: Healthy
The Comments: The Angels will open the year by hosting the Twins and the A’s. It should be two exciting series, which could result in some close games.

Frank Francisco | Texas Rangers
The Health Report: Healthy
The Comments: The Rangers will open the year by hosting the Toronto Blue Jays and the Seattle Mariners. Texas certainly has the firepower to beat up on Toronto’s unproven pitching. Seattle’s pitching staff has a lot of question marks, too.

Mike Gonzalez | Baltimore Orioles
The Health Report: Recovering from back injury
The Comments: The club will have to scratch and claw for wins against the talent, young Rays team. Things get easier when Toronto comes to town for the weekend, although both clubs are basically in rebuilding mode.

Jason Frasor | Toronto Blue Jays
The Health Report: Healthy
The Comments: Toronto will open the year in Texas and then head to Baltimore. The first series could be tough if Texas’ hitters are on their game. Things get a little easier with the relocation to Baltimore, but there are some talented, young players on that club.

The Fill-Ins

Jon Rauch | Minnesota Twins
The Health Report: Healthy
The Comments: The club will face a tough opening week on the road against Los Angeles and then Chicago. Rauch will be in tough against two promising teams; he’ll also be looking to prove that the club does not need to go out and trade for Heath Bell.

Chris Perez | Cleveland Indians
The Health Report: Healthy
The Comments: The Indians club does not project as one of the top teams in the AL Central this season and the club could be in tough to begin the year. Perez will be in tough against both the White Sox and the Tigers if his team can get a lead to him for the ninth inning.