By next week, major league rosters will expand and we’ll see a flood of prospects and non-prospects alike crowding benches and bullpens throughout major league baseball. There aren’t likely to be any players who will affect the closer’s role in those recalls. However, we may see some young guns put into higher leverage relief roles throwing leagues that use holds into a bit of flux.

We haven’t seen much change in the closer’s spots this week so we’ll do a little rapid fire notes column around the league.

Close Calls

J.J. Putz hit the DL this week with a finger injury, but is expected to return when he’s first eligible. Putz remains the handcuff to closer Brad Ziegler and the most likely closer in 2014 for the D’backs.

Jim Johnson continues to look like the closer in Baltimore, but Tommy Hunter is a clear number two (and he’ll likely get his share of chances to close out games down the stretch as well). Johnson looked refreshed in his outing on Friday night. Manager Buck Showalter has been non-committal about the role saying that Johnson is one of a many options he can use. Perhaps most interesting is the usage pattern of Francisco Rodriguez who has been used in low leverage situations recently. He can be dropped in almost all league formats as he’s not providing any useful stats. As the O’s push for the playoffs, Showalter will go with the hot hand between Johnson and Hunter.

Matt Thornton may return for the Red Sox on Sunday.

Kevin Gregg is still the closer for the Cubs. Just your weekly update.

Rafael Betancourt hit the DL for the Rockies with an elbow injury. There hasn’t been a clear diagnosis, but there is concern that it is significant. Rex Brothers is the closer for this season and beyond for the Rockies.

Chia-Jen Lo picked up the last save for the Astros and is probably a bit ahead of Josh Fields in the two- horse race for saves in Houston. Again, only desperate players need to roster Lo or Fields.

Ernesto Frieri is back as closer with a win and save in his last three appearances. He entered in a tie game or save situation in each and has seven strikeouts over his last four innings. He’s always going to struggle with wildness, but when he’s on he’s dominant.

LaTroy Hawkins has the look of the closer in New York and Bobby Parnell hasn’t started throwing yet. The Mets aren’t going anywhere this year so they could give Gonzalzez Germen a look, but I imagine manager Terry Collins wants to win as many games as he can down stretch so we should see Hawkins in that role for the rest of the season. I don’t expect Parnell to be a factor this year.

Jason Grilli is throwing again and could displace Mark Melancon before the season is over. If Grilli was dropped in your league it’s a good time to grab and stash him.

Edward Mujica has been dealing with a sore shoulder or a knot in his shoulder or something in his shoulder. It’s not 100% clear what the injury is at this point. He’s had to miss some time, but hasn’t hit the DL.  Trevor Rosenthal is the most likely candidate to fill the closer’s role should Mujica need to miss extended time and should be added in those shallow leagues where he isn’t owned.

Danny Farquhar has been lights out this month save for one appearance. His numbers in August are outstanding with 15 strikeouts over 9 1/3 innings in August. He’s got a .465 OPS against even while suffering from a .316 BABIP. I think we’ll see Farquhar in the role for the rest of the year. He’s got a shot to close next year for the Mariners as well. The Mariners should give him the opportunity to sink or swim for the rest of the year. They aren’t contending for anything. September should be used to evaluate the players they have for 2014.

Definitions

2013 Closer – The current closer
Handcuff Option – This is the guy who I believe will step into the closer role if the current closer loses his job.
Other Option – Another arm in the pen who could close if the manager chooses to go a different route.
Dark Horse Option – If all hell breaks loose in the pen, this guy could get a shot this year.
2014 Closer – This guy should be in the closer’s role on Opening Day 2014.