Closer Rating System: Elite–Players with the strongest hold on their role in bullpen;Solid–Players that could lose their job/team’s with solid backup in place; Shaky–Players that could lose their job at any moment; Committee–Players that are sharing the role with one or more teammates.American LeagueBaltimore Orioles(CL) Solid Jim Johnson (R)--Recorded his first save of the season on Tuesday afternoon after pitching a scoreless ninth inning. Johnson was back to his old ways, forcing ground ball outs, and should be considered a Tier 2 closer to start the 2013 season. (4/2/13) (SU) Pedro Strop (R)--Was charged with a blown-save on Wednesday after surrendering three runs on four hits in the seventh inning. Strop looked terrible in his season debut, but he should be given some leeway, considering how well he pitched one season ago. (4/3/13) (MR) Luis Ayala (R)--Was charged with a blown-save on Wednesday after giving up two runs on two hits in 0.1 innings of relief. Well, at least he was only asked to get one out, or else this could have been worse, but this is definitely not the way the team wanted him to start the season. (4/3/13) Boston Red Sox (CL) Solid Joel Hanrahan (R)--Recorded his first save of the season on Wednesday after pitching a scoreless ninth inning. His pitch count was high, 21 pitches, but he managed to throw four first-pitch strikes in the outing, which resulted in an other scoreless frame for this Boston newcomer. (4/3/13) (SU) Andrew Bailey (R)--Was used in the eighth inning on Wednesday, allowing one run to score while pitching just 0.1 innings of relief. He threw only seven pitches in the outing, forcing a fly ball out to get the first out of the eighth inning. (4/3/13) (MR) Koji Uehara (R)--Earned his first hold of the season on Monday afternoon after pitched a 1-2-3 sixth inning. Uehara looked great, needing only five pitches, all strikes, to get through his first appearance as a member of the Red Sox. (4/1/13)Chicago White Sox(CL) Solid Addison Reed (R)--Recorded his second save of the season on Wednesday after pitching a 1-2-3 ninth inning. Reed had it going this afternoon, needing only 10 pitches to get through the appearance and has looked sharp early on this season. (4/3/13) (SU) Matt Thornton (L)--Picked up his second hold of the season on Wednesday after retiring both batters he faced in order. He forced one ground ball out and one fly ball out on 11 pitches thrown and now has as many holds as he has appearances. (4/3/13) (MR) Jesse Crain (R)--Picked up his first hold of the season on Wednesday after pitching 0.1 innings of relief giving up one hit while striking out one batter. He needed 14 pitches to get through the appearance with 10 pitches going over for strikes. (4/3/13) Cleveland Indians (CL) Solid Chris Perez (R)--Was charged with his first blown-save of the season on Wednesday after giving up a home run in the ninth inning to Jose Bautista. The home run forced the game to move into extra innings, ultimately leading to an Indians victory. (4/3/13) (SU) Vinnie Pestano (R)--Picked up his second hold of the season on Wednesday after retiring all three batters he faced in order in the eighth inning. Pestano has looked sharp through his first two appearances in 2013 and has a legitimate shot at taking over the closer role if Perez suffers an injury or endures a stretch of bad games. (4/3/13) (MR) Bryan Shaw (R)--Pitched a scoreless seventh inning on Wednesday in his Indians debut, giving up one hit on 17 pitches thrown. Shaw forced three fly ball outs, which will likely turn bad if this trend continues, but at least he was able to walk away unharmed this time. (4/3/13)Detroit Tigers(CL) Committee Joaquin Benoit (R)--Picked up his second hold of the season on Wednesday despite giving up one run on two walks in the eighth inning. It wasn't the cleanest of appearances, needing 23 pitches, but Benoit was able to keep it together and make it through the inning without giving up the lead. (4/3/13) (CL) Committee Phil Coke (L)--Was charged with the loss and his first blown-save of the season on Wednesday after giving up one run on two hits in the ninth inning. He recorded just one out before giving up a game-winning double to Eduardo Escobar, which resulted in two runners crossing home plate. (4/3/13) (CL) Committee Octavio Dotel (R) Houston Astros (CL) Shaky Jose Veras (R)--Allowed two runs on two hits and one walk in his Astros debut on Tuesday night in a non-save situation. On the plus side, he struck out three batters after he was able to shake off the early season jitters. (4/2/13) (SU) Josh Fields (R)--Retired the only batter he faced in the seventh inning on Wednesday on four pitches forcing a fly ball out. Through two appearances this season, Fields has looked sharp and has yet to give up an earned run. (4/3/13) (MR) Rhiner Cruz (R)--Pitched a scoreless ninth inning on Wednesday retiring all three batters he faced in order. Cruz forced three ground ball outs needing only 14 pitches to limit the damage done to the Astros pitching staff. (4/3/13) Kansas City Royals (CL) Solid Greg Holland (R) (SU) Aaron Crow (R)--Pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning on Monday needing 16 pitches to get through the appearance. Crow enters the season as the team's primary setup man and has sold value in holds leagues. (4/1/13) (MR) Kelvin Herrera (R)--Made his 2013 debut on Monday pitching a scoreless eighth inning. He allowed one walk while striking out two batters continuing to impress the Royals in the early stage of his career. (4/1/13)Los Angeles Angels(CL) Shaky Ernesto Frieri (R)--Recorded his first save of the season on Monday after pitching a scoreless 13th inning, striking out two batters. He needed 18 pitches through the appearance, but did throw a first-pitch strike to each opponent faced, which is what you want to see from a closer. (4/1/13) (SU) Sean Burnett (L)--Recorded just one out in his appearance on Wednesday allowing two walks while on his way to striking out one batter. It wasn't the cleanest of outing, but Burnett escaped unharmed thanks to Kevin Jepsen, who cleaned up his mess to end the seventh inning. (4/3/13) (MR) Scott Downs (L)--Took the loss on Wednesday after giving up one run on one hit in the ninth inning. The blow came off the bat of Joey Votto, who singled home the game-winning run with just one out in the final frame. (4/3/13) Injured:  Ryan Madson (Elbow)Minnesota Twins(CL) Solid Glen Perkins (L)--Picked up the win on Wednesday after Phil Coke was unable to hold onto the lead for the Tigers in the ninth inning. Perkins pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning in the top half of the inning, forcing two fly ball outs and one strike out on just 10 pitches thrown. (4/3/13) (SU) Jared Burton (R)--Pitched a scoreless eighth inning on Wednesday retiring all three batters he faced in order on 12 pitches thrown. Burton is in line to receive plenty of hold opportunities moving forward, especially with how close the Twins scores will be over the course of the season. (4/3/13) (MR) Casey Fien (R)--Pitched a scoreless seventh inning on Opening Day, striking out the side on 17 pitches thrown. He through 13 of those pitches over for strikes, which means he isn't shy about attacking batters, unlike most young relief pitchers. (4/1/13)New York Yankees(CL) Elite Mariano Rivera (R) (SU) David Robertson (R) (MR) Boone Logan (R)--Pitched 0.2 innings of relief on Opening Day giving up one hit on 15 pitches thrown. Logan was used to help get David Phelps out of a jam in the seventh inning, and faced just three batters in the appearance. (4/1/13)Oakland Athletics(CL) Shaky Grant Balfour (R)--Pitched one inning of relief on Tuesday night in a non-save situation giving up one run on two hits on 17 pitches thrown. The run came off the bat of Michael Morse, who crushed a 446 ft home run, but outside of one mistake he looked good for his first outing of the year. (4/2/13) (SU) Ryan Cook(R)--Allowed one run on three walks in his season debut on Tuesday night needing 29 pitches to force one ground ball out and one fly ball out. Cook had no command of his pitches and appears to need some fine-tuning before owners can trust him in holds leagues. (4/2/13) (MR) Sean Doolittle (L)--Pitched a scoreless eighth inning on Wednesday in his season debut giving up one hit while striking out one batter. Doolittle ended last season on a high note, and the Athletics are hoping that can carry over as the team's top left-handed reliever. (4/3/13)Seattle Mariners(CL) Solid Tom Wilhelmsen (R--Recorded his first save of the season on Opening Day after pitching a a scoreless ninth inning. It wasn't the smoothest of outing for Wilhemsen, who needed 18 pitches to get through the appearance, but the lack of experience in the Mariners bullpen should give him some leeway in terms of rough outings. (4/1/13) (SU) Stephen Pryor (R)--Picked up his first hold of the season on Opening Day after retiring the only batter he faced, in the eighth inning, on four pitches. After Charlie Furbush made it interesting, Pryor cleaned up his mess and continues to impress in his new role. (4/1/13) (MR) Charlie Furbush (L)--Pitched a scoreless eighth inning on Wednesday retiring all three batters he faced in order. Furbush has looked sharp through his first two appearances this season, and if the Mariners continue to stay close in games, he could become a cheap find for holds. (4/3/13)Tampa Bay Rays(CL) Elite Fernando Rodney (R)--Despite being charged with his first blown-save of the season Wednesday, Rodney escaped with the win. He gave up one run on one hit and one walk, which tied the game at seven, but Matt Joyce's game-winning home run gave Rodney owners something to smile about in the bottom half of the inning. (4/3/13) (SU) Jake McGee (L)--Took the loss and was charged with his first blown-save of the season Tuesday after surrendering five runs on four hits and one walk in 0.2 innings of work. It was a season debut to forget for McGee, who is slated as the team's primary setup man, so hopefully he will be able to put this one behind him. (4/2/13) (MR) Joel Peralta (R)--Picked up his first hold of the season on Wednesday despite giving up one run on two hits in the eighth inning. He needed 20 pitches to get through his season debut with 13 of those pitches going over for strikes . (4/3/13)Texas Rangers(CL) Elite Joe Nathan (R)--The Rangers used Nathan in a non-save situation on Wednesday to get some work in, striking out the side on 12 pitches thrown. Nathan looked dominate, but then again it was against the Astros, so is may have just been the level of competition. (4/3/12) (SU) Jason Frasor (R)--Pitched a scoreless seventh inning needing just nine pitched to retire the side in order. Frasor pitched well for the Blue Jays last season, but has little to no fantasy value outside of holds leagues in 2013. (03/31/13) (MR) Tanner Scheppers (R)--Picked up his first hold of the season on Wednesday after pitching 0.2 innings of relief. This was Scheppers first relief appearance this season and is expected to be a major part of the Rangers bullpen for the remainder of the season. (4/3/13) Injured– Joakim Soria (Elbow)Toronto Blue Jays(CL) Shaky Casey Janssen (R)--Was used in a non-save situation in his first appearance of the season Wednesday giving up one hit on 15 pitches thrown. He needed 15 pitches to make it through the 10th inning, forcing one strikeout and two ground ball outs. (4/3/13) (SU) Sergio Santos (R)--Took the loss on Wednesday after serving up a game-winning home run to Mark Reynolds in the 11th inning. Outside of the game-winnings hit, Santos did look good, throwing first-pitch strikes to all four batters he faced, too bad he let one pitch slip away. (4/3/13) (MR) Steve Delabar (R)--Pitched a scoreless seventh inning on Wednesday in his season debut, giving up one hit and one walk while striking out one batter. It was likely the early-season jitters that got to Delabar early in this one, but at least he was able to work out of the jam and escaped unharmed. (4/3/13)National LeagueArizona Diamondbacks(CL) Solid J.J. Putz (R)--Pitched a scoreless ninth inning on Wednesday in a non-save situation giving up one walk while striking out two batters. Putz looked good in his season debut and should get plenty of save opportunities as the Diamondbacks closer. (4/3/13) (SU) David Hernandez (R)--Pitched a scoreless eighth inning on Wednesday retiring all three batters he faced in order. Hernandez has looked great through his first two appearances continuing what he started last season when he emerged as a top-end setup man in the National League. (4/3/13) (MR) Heath Bell (R)--Bell's struggles continued in his first appearance as a member of the Diamondbacks on Tuesday night allowing three runs on four hits and one walk in the seventh inning. He allowed two long balls, and appears to have little confidence in his pitches right now. (4/2/13)Atlanta Braves(CL) Elite Craig Kimbrel (R)--Recorded his first save of the season on Opening day after pitching a 1-2-3 ninth inning. Kimbrel struck out one batter on 16 pitched thrown in the appearance and picked up right where he left of last season. (4/1/13) (SU) Jordan Walden (R)--Picked up his first hold of the season on Monday despite giving up one run on two hits in the eighth inning. He was able to work out of the jam, but it clearly isn't a performance you want to see in a team debut. (4/1/13) (MR) Eric O’Flaherty (R)--Picked up his first hold of the season on Opening Day despite allowing one run on one hit in the seventh inning. He needed 10 pitches to make it through the seventh inning, and will need to improve on his appearance if he wants to hold onto the seventh inning role. (4/1/13) Injured– Jonny Venters (Elbow)Chicago Cubs(CL) Shaky Carlos Marmol (R)--Picked up his first hold of the season on Monday despite failing to convert his first save chance of the season. After Marmol failed to get the job done, both James Russell and Kyuji Fujikawa were used to salvage the win for the Cubs, with Fujikawa recoding his first major league save. (4/1/13) (SU) Kyuji Fujikawa (R)--Recorded his first save of the season on Opening Day after forcing the only batter he face in the ninth inning to fly out. With the struggles of Carlos Marmol carrying over from Spring Training, there is a chance the closer job will be Fujikawa's before the end of the month. (4/1/13) (MR) James Russell (L)--Picked up his first hold of the season on Monday after forcing the only batter he faced to fly out. In deep hold leagues Russell is a solid addition, but unless Marmol gets traded, he can't be relied upon for consistent hold opportunities. (4/1/13)Cincinnati Reds(CL) Elite Aroldis Chapman (L)--Picked up a win on Wednesday after pitching a scoreless ninth inning in his second outing of the season. He allowed one walk while striking out one batter and forcing two fly ball outs on 15 pitches thrown, in what was a smoother outing than his previous appearance. (4/3/13) (SU) Jonathan Broxton (R)--After giving up one run in the eighth inning, Broxton was charged with his first blown-save of the season despite the run not being earned.  With that said, at least he did't affect his owners earned-run average's, and only missed out on a possible hold situation. (4/3/13) (MR) Sean Marshall (L)Colorado Rockies(CL) Solid Rafael Betancourt (R)--Pitched a scoreless ninth inning on Wednesday in a non-save situation retiring all three batters he faced in order. Betancourt needed only eight pitches to get through the appearance, forcing one ground ball out and two fly ball outs to seal the deal for the Rockies. (4/3/13) (SU) Rex Brothers (L)--Picked up his first hold of the season on Wednesday after pitching a 1-2-3 eighth inning. Brothers struck out two batters while forcing one fly ball out on 19 pitches thrown to get through the appearance. (4/3/13) (MR) Wilton Lopez (R)--Threw just four pitches on Tuesday night in the ninth inning giving up one hit while forcing one fly ball out. Lopez has now been used in back-to-back games and may be given the day off on Wednesday. (4/2/13)Los Angeles Dodgers(CL) Shaky Brandon League (R)--Made his season debut on Wednesday night in a non-save situation and was impressive at the very least. League forced all three batters he faced to ground out and needed only seven pitches, five for strikes, to get the job done. (4/3/13) (SU) Kenley Jansen (R)--Pitched a scoreless eighth inning on Tuesday night allowing one walk while inducing two ground ball outs to get the job done. Jansen was drafted ahead of Brandon League, who is the team's closer, in many leagues this season, but League will have to falter before Jansen moves up the depth chart. (4/2/13) (MR) Ronald Belisario (R)--Pitched 0.2 innings of relief on Tuesday forcing both batters he faced to ground out on 21 pitches thrown. Despite the high pitch count (21 pitches), we can expect Belisario to be available if needed on Wednesday. (4/2/13)Miami Marlins(CL) Solid Steve Cishek (R) (SU) Jon Rauch (R) (MR) Mike Dunn (L)--Pitched a scoreless eighth inning on Opening Day giving up one hit on just nine pitches thrown. Although it appears Dunn pitched well, all three outs were via fly ball outs, which if trend continues, it will only mean trouble down the road. (4/1/13)Milwaukee Brewers(CL) Solid John Axford (R)--Axford's struggled continued over into Wednesday's appearnce, surrendering three runs on five hits in the ninth inning. He allowed two home runs, which brings his total to three home runs allowed this season, so something has to change or else the Brewers will have to make a change. (4/3/13) (SU) Jim Henderson (R)--Pitched a scoreless eighth inning on Wednesday giving up two hits on 11 pitches thrown. He struck out one batter in the appearance while forcing one ground ball out to get the job done. (4/3/13) (MR) Michael Gonzalez (L)--Pitched just 0.1 innings of relief on Wednesday giving up one hit in the appearance. He forced a ground ball out to end the seventh inning, throwing only seven pitches. (4/3/13)New York Mets(CL) Shaky Bobby Parnell (R)--Made his season debut on Wednesday forcing the only batter he faced in the ninth inning to ground out on three pitches thrown. The Mets were not planning on using Parnell in this games, but LaTroy Hawkins gave up three runs early in the inning, so he was needed to secure the team's second win of the season. (4/3/13) (SU) Brandon Lyon (R)--Forced the only batter he faced to ground out in his Mets debut on Monday throwing just two pitches. Lyon is in line to be the team's primary setup man and will have fantasy value in deeper holds leagues. (4/1/13) (MR) Josh Edgin (L) Injured– Frank Francisco (Elbow)Philadelphia Phillies(CL) Elite Jonathan Papelbon (R)--Gave up two runs on two hits in this season debut Wednesday needing 22 pitches to work through the eighth inning. It was a non-save situation, but fantasy owners can't be pleased with what they saw out of Papelbon in this one, especially considering he gave up a long ball. (4/3/13) (SU) Mike Adams (R)--Pitched a scoreless seventh inning on Wednesday retiring all three batters he faced in order. Adams looked sharp in his season debut needing only nine pitches to mow down his opponents, forcing one fly ball out and striking out two batters. (4/3/13) (MR) Antonio Bastardo (L)--Pitched a scoreless sixth inning on Wednesday giving up one walk while striking out one batter on 18 pitches thrown. Bastardo is known for having high pitch counts when he is used for more than a single-batter matchup, so those in holds leagues shouldn't be alarmed that he needed 18 pitches to work through this appearance. (4/3/13)Pittsburgh Pirates(CL) Shaky Jason Grilli (R)--Grilli was lights out in his season debut on Wednesday retiring all three batters he faced in order, striking out two batters while forcing one ground ball out. He threw only nine pitches in the outing, so there is no question he will be available to work out of the Pirates bullpen on Thursday. (SU) Mark Melancon (R)--Looked sharp in his Pirates debut, needing only nine pitches to get through the appearance, striking out two batters. Considering his experience, he should get the first crack at the closer's role if Jason Grilli was to falter. (4/1/13) (MR) Jared Hughes (R)--Pitched a 1-2-3 eight inning on Opening Day striking out one batter while forcing two ground ball outs. Hughes has a more significant role in the Pirates bullpen this season than last year, but his inexperience will likely keep him out of hold situations early on. in the season. (4/1/13)San Diego Padres(CL) Solid Huston Street (R) (SU) Luke Gregerson (R)--Gregerson made his season debut on Wednesday pitching a scoreless eighth inning, needing only nine pitches to get the job done. He retired all three batters he faced in order, striking out one while forcing two ground ball outs and looks to be in mid-season form already. (4/3/13) (MR) Dale Thayer (R)--Pitched one inning of relief on Monday giving up one walk while striking out two batters. He needed 23 pitches to get through the appearance, but should be ready to get the call if needed on Wednesday. (4/1/13)San Francisco Giants(CL) Solid Sergio Romo (R)--Recorded his second save of the season on Wednesday after pitching a 1-2-3 ninth inning. Romo has carried over his great finish from last season to 2013 and with a few more outings like this, could be considered an "elite" closer. (4/3/13) (SU) Javier Lopez (L)--Picked up his first hold of the season on Wednesday after striking out the final batter of the sixth inning. Lopez notched a pile of one-out holds in 2012, and the same should happen this year considering he is a nightmare for left-handed hitters. (4/3/13) (MR) Santiago Casilla (R)--Failed to record an out in his 2013 debut after giving up one run on one walk in the eighth inning. The fact that Manager Bruce Bochey pulled his quickly in the outing indicates the team doesn't want an encore of Casilla's poor second half of last season, so his usage may be limited. (4/1/13)St. Louis Cardinals(CL) Solid Mitchell Boggs (R)--Was charged with his first blown-save of the season on Wednesday after giving up one run on one hit and one walk in two innings of relief. Boggs is only a short-term fill-in while Jason Motte is out, so more blown-saves could mean a demotion sooner than later. (4/3/13) (SU) Edward Mujica (R)--Picked up his second hold of the season on Wednesday after pitching a scoreless seventh inning giving up one walk while striking out one batter. He needed 24 pitches to get through the appearance forcing two fly ball outs to get the job done. (4/3/13) (MR) Fernando Salas (R)--Took the loss on Wednesday night after pitching 2.1 innings of relief after giving up one run on two hits and one walk. Salas threw 44 pitches in the outing, so expect a few days rest to recover from an extra innings battle. (4/3/13) Injured– Jason Motte (Elbow)Washington Nationals(CL) Elite Rafael Soriano (R)--Recorded his second save of the season on Wednesday, despite allowing two base runners, in a scoreless ninth inning. This sure wasn't as clean of an outing as in his Nationals debut, but at least he was able to work out of the jam to lock down the save resulting in another Nationals victory. (4/3/13) (SU) Drew Storen (R)--Was called upon in the eighth inning to make his season debut, retiring all three batters he faced in order. He needed 14 pitches to get through the appearance striking out one batter while forcing two fly ball outs to get the job done. (4/3/13) (SU) Tyler Clippard (R)--Picked up his first hold of the season on Monday after pitching a scoreless eighth inning. He needed 23 pitches to get through the appearance allowing one walk while striking out one batter. (4/1/13) Get all your latest up-to-date daily bullpen news by following @mlbdailybullpen.Matthew Beck is a Fantasy Sports Columnist for Rotoinfo.com. If you have any questions or comments feel free to e-mail him at matthewbeck@rotoinfo.com. Also follow him on Twitter @MatthewRBeck for up-to-date Q&A and fantasy information. And, to make setting your Fantasy Bassetball lineup easy, be sure to And, to utilize RotoInfo.com’s new MLB Lineup Grids.