2013 Fantasy Baseball Closers

(5/16): While Frieri opens the season as the closer for the Angels, he does so without much in the way of stability. The Angels signed Madson to a two-year contract in the offseason, and the implication early in spring was that team management preferred him in the ninth inning rather than Frieri. However, Madson suffered a setback in February while nearing the final stages of his recovery from Tommy John surgery last spring, prompting his placement on the 15-day DL to open the season. Madson is now set to go on a rehab assignment at Triple-A that could a week or more, so don't be surprised if he's not back in the bullpen until early June. Even when he becomes healthy, he won't be vaulted into the closer's role right away. The most likely scenario is that Madson settles into a middle relief role to get his bearings before taking over closing duties from Frieri, though Frieri could maintain the role with his solid start to the season through 15 appearances. Downs will serve as Frieri's top setup man for the foreseeable future. The rest of the down-the-line closing candidates, Burnett and Jepsen, are injured and on the DL.