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: Manny Acosta
Next in Line: Will Ohman
Other Possibilities: Jeff Bennett, Blaine Boyer
Disabled List: Rafael Soriano (elbow), John Smoltz (shoulder), Mike Gonzalez (elbow), Peter Moylan (elbow)

Acosta picked up a loss after allowing two earned runs and five walks in two innings against the Nationals on April 30. However, it is also worth noting the loss to the Nats was only the second time he gave up a run in 14 outings this year. He gave up two hits in his last outing Tuesday and had to settle for a hold while Bennett picked up his first career save. The Braves don't have many options at this point, and it appears they're happy with Acosta at this time. Soriano's scheduled to undergo an MRI on Wednesday to determine the cause of his lingering soreness. He had to halt his bullpen session Tuesday, because he was becoming sore. He also was scheduled to come off the disabled list April 22, but has felt lingering soreness in various bullpen sessions. It appears, however, neither Acosta nor Soriano could be a factor when Smoltz returns from the DL. The veteran told reporters he plans to return as the team's closer, and given the fact he has 154 career saves, it would be hard for the Braves to avoid using him in that role. However, there's no timetable for his return, and the Braves haven't confirmed he would assume that role. Gonzalez could be a factor here, too, when he's scheduled to return in late May if the team doesn't want to push Smoltz. Either way, Acosta's future value already looks to be declining despite posting solid outings.

Durability grade: 9
Job security grade: 8 (without Soriano)

Cleveland Indians

Closer: Rafael Betancourt
Next in Line: Masahide KobayashiOther Possibilities: Jensen Lewis, Rafael Perez, Jorge Julio
Disabled List: Joe Borowski (triceps)

After struggling in his three previous appearances (1 2/3 innings), Betancourt recorded a perfect save against the Yankees on Tuesday. He had allowed three earned runs in one-third of an inning on April 29. In his next two appearances, he allowed an earned run and blew his first save of the season against the Mariners on Thursday. He followed that up by allowing a solo shot in a non-save situation. Manager Eric Wedge hasn't expressed much concern over his recent issues. He has only four save attempts, and Wedge has found it hard to define his performance in that role. Kobayashi's been solid in late innings and is 2-0 with a 1.72 ERA. He seems to be settled in an effective setup role. Betancourt appears to be entrenched in the closer role, despite Kobayashi closing out 227 games in eight seasons while playing with Chiba Lotte in the Japanese Pacific League. Borowski's scheduled to throw off a mound sometime this week and is slated to take over the closer role when he returns, so Betancourt will at least temporarily cede his fantasy value when that happens.

Durability grade: 9
Job security grade: 8 (without Borowski)

Toronto Blue Jays

Closer: B.J. Ryan
Next in Line: Jeremy Accardo
Other Possibilities: Scott Downs, Jesse Carlson

The team officially cleared Ryan to pitch in back-to-back games after consulting with Dr. Timothy Kremchek, the man who performed the Tommy John surgery on Ryan's left elbow. This is great news for fantasy owners who have been losing out on save chances due to his limitations. Manager John Gibbons also announced that Ryan won't pitch more than one inning in any game. Since May 1, he's 3-for-3 in save opportunities despite giving up as many walks as strikeouts earned (four) during that time. Accardo, who picked up 30 saves in Ryan's absence last season, is expected to remain in a closer-by-committee format with Downs and Carlson when Ryan isn't available. However, he hasn't registered a save since April 20. Carlson picked up a save April 27, while Downs closed things out May 2 and May 4. However, Ryan's regained the majority share of the save opportunities, so temper your expectations from the other three options for the time being. All three can still be considered decent setup men for AL-only leagues.

Durability grade: 7
Job security grade: 9

Washington Nationals

Closer: Jon Rauch
Next in Line: Luis Ayala
Other Possibilities: Saul Rivera, Jesus Colome
Disabled List: Chad Cordero (shoulder)

Cordero was officially placed on the disabled list May 2 and is expected to miss four to six weeks with a tear in his right lat muscle. He appeared in six games this season and allowed one earned run in 4 1/3 innings. The most disturbing statistics for him were his inability to pickup a save during that time and his frighteningly low velocity. Rauch has been solid while replacing him. In 15 1/3 innings, he has seven saves while posting a 3.52 ERA. He hasn't blown a save since April 17 for five consecutive conversions, and he's expected to continue to have Rivera and Ayala set the table for him. However, Rivera came into the game Tuesday and was credited with a blown save after walking two, allowing one earned run in an inning. Ayala didn't fare much better in the same game, being credited with his first blown save of the year after he gave up two earned runs in an inning. Rauch's position as the Nats closer doesn't appear to be in any doubt.

Durability grade: 8
Job security grade: 9

Hot Seat: Lackluster Performance

Chicago Cubs

Closer: Kerry Wood
Next in Line: Carlos Marmol
Other Possibilities: Bob Howry, Sean Gallagher

Wood blew his third save of the season May 1 after he allowed three earned runs in one inning of work; the right-hander's ERA rose from 3.46 to 5.14. However, he's appeared in three games since that rough outing, picking up a save Tuesday and holding opponents scoreless in three innings of work. During his recent run of success, he has three strikeouts and has allowed just one base runner. In 16 games this season, Marmol's been the more dominant relief pitcher with a 1.29 ERA, a 0.67 WHIP, two saves and 28 Ks in 21 innings. Fantasy owners have to be chomping at the bit for manager Lou Piniella to make the change, but he continues to support Wood in the media and doesn't appear to be in any hurry to hand the reins over to Marmol.

Durability grade: 7
Job security grade: 8

Colorado Rockies

Closer: Brian Fuentes
Next in Line: Taylor Buchholz
Other Possibilities: Manny Corpas

Fuentes had his first shaky outing Monday since taking over the closer role April 24. He picked up the loss after allowing one earned run in an inning in a non-save situation. His role as the closer isn't likely to change anytime soon after he took over for the struggling Corpas. Manager Clint Hurdle has noted, however, that Buchholz likely will see more work in the ninth inning when Fuentes isn't available. Buchholz picked up his first save of the season on Sunday while striking out one in 1 1/3 innings, but he allowed a run the very next night. He has a 1.93 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 16 appearances this season. Corpas has continued to struggle since his demotion. In his last two outings, he's allowed five earned runs in 2 1/3 innings to send his ERA up to 8.15. Hurdle hasn't ruled out Corpas being sent down to the minors, but it likely won't happen anytime soon.

Durability grade: 8
Job security grade: 8

Milwaukee Brewers

Closer: Eric Gagne
Next in Line: Salomon Torres
Other Possibilities: Guillermo Mota, David Riske

Gagne picked up his league-leading fifth blown save of the season after giving up two earned runs against the Astros on Sunday. The Canadian-born right-hander hasn't blown his chance to remain the team's closer, despite a 6.14 ERA and 1.70 WHIP in 14 2/3 innings. Manager Ned Yost continues to back his closer, reasoning that he's had past success in the role and should be allowed to work through it. Despite the blown saves, Gagne remains tied for fourth in the National League with nine of them overall. Mota, Torres or Riske don't appear to be in line to pick up saves anytime soon, but it may not be a bad idea to target these players (if you haven't already done so) if Gagne continues to struggle. Torres, 36, has the most experience as a closer with 30 saves in his career; the 27-year-old Riske has 21 saves and the 34-year-old Mota has managed seven. Fantasy owners shouldn't drop Gagne yet, though, because the team keeps tossing him out there in the ninth.

Durability grade: 6
Job security grade: 8

Oakland Athletics

Closer: Huston Street
Next in Line: Santiago Casilla
Other Possibilities: Alan Embree

Street had been automatic since blowing a save in the season opener March 25 against the Red Sox in Tokyo. He rolled off nine consecutive saves before letting one get away Monday against the Orioles. His job isn't in jeopardy, and his nine saves are good enough to have him fifth in the American League. Casilla's been dominant in setup relief this season and appears to be next in line for possible save opportunities. He picked up his first save of the season Tuesday, because Street had pitched two consecutive days. He's been lights out this season with 21 Ks in 17 1/3 innings without allowing a run. Embree hasn't picked up a save this season after he had 17 a year ago while filling in for the injured and sometimes ineffective Street. He has 14 strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings and a 2.87 ERA. Casilla should be owned in all deep formats, because of his productive ratios and penchant for strikeouts.

Durability grade: 8
Job security grade: 9

St. Louis Cardinals

Closer: Jason Isringhausen
Next in Line: Ryan Franklin
Other Possibilities: Russ Springer, Ron Flores, Kyle McClellan

Isringhausen has continued to keep fantasy owners on the edge of their seats by mixing in a blown save with his NL-leading 11. His last blown chance came May 2 against the Cubs after he allowed two earned runs in two-thirds of an inning. He continues to be a roller coaster ride when he's on the mound, but despite his 6.14 ERA, he's still closed the door on 79 percent of his opportunities. Franklin continues to be solid with a 2.12 ERA and 11 holds. He picked up his first save of the season Tuesday despite allowing one earned run in two-thirds of an inning. McClellan continues to be solid, holding down a 2.08 ERA with nine holds and 15 strikeouts in 17 1/3 innings. Despite the bumpy ride, though, Isringhausen's job doesn't appear to be in jeopardy.

Durability grade: 8
Job security grade: 9