Have a safe and happy Fourth, everyone.

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

Gonzalez racked up his second save of the season Wednesday, June 25, and then pitched a scoreless ninth inning two days later in a non-save situation. Since returning from the disabled list June 18, the lefty has emerged as the top option for saves in Atlanta's troubled bullpen. We expect him to hold that perch for at least the near future, though the picture could get muddled whenever Soriano returns from the DL.

No one seems certain when that will be, though, as Soriano is still experiencing pain from elbow tendonitis. The most likely scenario would be allowing Soriano to rehab until after the All-Star break, leaving Gonzalez the ninth inning duties on most nights. We say "most nights" because Gonzo has not yet worked on back-to-back nights as he continues the recovery process from Tommy John surgery. The Braves have said that a committee would handle the ninth inning when Gonzo can't go, and Bennett figures to be at the head of such a committee.

Durability grade: 6
Job security grade: 7

Milwaukee Brewers

Closer: Salomon Torres
Next in line: Eric Gagne
Other possibilities: Guillermo Mota, Brian Shouse, David Riske

The Brewers activated Gagne from the disabled list Monday, June 30, but the team has already said that the closer's job would remain with Torres for at least the time being. And why not? Torres has converted 12 straight save chances in Gagne's stead, and his proficiency should allow the Brewers to ease Gagne back into the ninth inning role if they are so inclined.

Gagne was woefully ineffective as the Brewers closer, notching 10 saves in 15 chances, but he still could get a chance to win back the job sometime after the All-Star break. As anyone who has watched Gagne pitch over the past few seasons can attest, though, he's far from a lock to regain - or keep - the closer's job. Hang on to Torres because he's a worthwhile insurance policy even if Gagne eventually makes it back into the closer's chair. Mota, Shouse and Riske are fine setup men who figure to remain in that role as long as Torres and Gagne are both healthy.

Durability grade: 8
Job security grade: 8

St. Louis Cardinals

Closer: Ryan Franklin
Next in line: Jason Isringhausen (knee)
Other possibilities: Kyle McClellan, Chris Perez, Russ Springer
Disabled list: Randy Flores (ankle)

Franklin suffered his fourth blown save of the season Thursday, June 26, but recovered to convert his 11th opportunity Sunday, June 29. He has done a serviceable job as the Cardinals closer, but his lack of dominant stuff makes him susceptible to the occasional bumpy outing. Speaking of bumpy, Isringhausen is pitching through a right knee strain but reportedly won't need another trip to the disabled list. Isringhausen has said that he'll "just put a brace on it and take some Tylenol." Chances are very good that Izzy's fantasy owners could show him where all kinds of assorted painkillers are located; Isringhausen's 5.72 ERA and seven blown saves this season tells that tale loud and clear.

In fairness, though, Isringhausen has pitched well since being activated from the DL June 14 - allowing just two earned runs in 10 1/3 innings of work. He appears well on his way to earning another chance to close games, though that chance may not come until after the break. That could change if Franklin's struggles worsen, but for now it looks like getting Izzy healthy is the Cards' chief concern.

Durability grade: 8
Job security grade: 6 (last week: 5)

Seattle Mariners

Closer: Brandon Morrow (back)
Next in line: Miguel Batista, Mark Lowe
Other possibilities: Sean Green, Ryan Rowland-Smith, Arthur Rhodes
Disabled list: J.J. Putz (elbow)

Morrow has been dealing with back spasms over the past couple of weeks, but he has been lights-out when he has taken the hill. The 23-year-old right-hander has not allowed an earned run in his last 16 appearances, dating all the way back to May 12. Morrow converted his third and fourth saves Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28 - both against the Padres. As long as his back holds up, Morrow should be the man for the Mariners until at least the All-Star break.

Putz suffered a minor setback last week in his recovery from a hyperextended right elbow, but he threw pain-free off flat ground June 28. Putz figures to head out on a rehab assignment before long, but even he's not expecting to return before the break. Until then, Morrow should continue serving as the team's interim closer and is a must-add if he's available on your league waiver wire.

Durability grade: 7
Job security grade: 8

Tampa Bay Rays

Closer: Troy Percival (hamstring)
Next in line: Dan Wheeler
Other possibilities: Grant Balfour, J.P. Howell, Trever Miller
Disabled list: Al Reyes (shoulder)

Percival (hamstring) had been trying to pitch through a tender hamstring, but he aggravated the injury against the Red Sox on Monday, June 30, and had to leave the game. Howell finished the game, but don't read too much into that as both Wheeler and Balfour had already worked prior to Percy going down. Percival allowed two earned runs in that game, which marked the third time in his last four appearances that he has surrendered at least one earned run. The 38-year-old is clearly struggling with his injury, and it wouldn't be surprising to see the Rays place their closer on the disabled list and allow him to fully heal over the All-Star break.

If Percy is shut down again, Wheeler figures to get the ball in the ninth inning, and his 1.88 ERA through 38 1/3 innings shows that he's up to the task. Wheeler saved 11 games for the Houston Astros last season, so he could be a good stopgap option while Percival's hammy heals.

Durability grade: 6
Job security grade: 6 (last week: 9)

Hot Seat: Lackluster Performance

Colorado Rockies

Closer: Brian Fuentes
Next in line: Taylor Buchholz
Other possibilities: Manny Corpas, Luis Vizcaino, Matt Herges

Fuentes has been the subject of much trade speculation lately, and all that talk may have gotten into his head. After stringing together 12 consecutive scoreless appearances, Fuentes allowed two earned runs against the Tigers Saturday, June 28. He was then lit up two nights later, when he was charged with five earned runs in only one-third of an inning against the Padres. Fuentes suffered the loss on both occasions, leaving the Rockies to wonder what has become of the dominant closer who had converted 13 of his previous 14 save opportunities.

Whatever the reasons behind his recent collapse, the timing of Fuentes' implosion couldn't have been much worse for the reeling Rockies, who may have trouble fetching maximum value if they are indeed going to trade Fuentes. Buchholz is sporting a 1.36 ERA through his first 35 appearances, and he figures to be in line for a shot at the closer's job if Fuentes is either traded or removed. If he stays in town, Fuentes figures to retain the ninth-inning role for the time being, although his grip has loosened. If he's dealt, Buchholz becomes a must-grab in just about every fantasy format. Buchholz already makes a good speculative pickup.

Durability grade: 9
Job security grade: 8

Texas Rangers

Closer: C.J. Wilson
Next in line: Eddie Guardado (shoulder)
Other possibilities: Joaquin Benoit (shoulder)

Wilson had another rough outing Friday, June 27, allowing three hits and an earned run en route to notching his 17th save of the season. He bounced back to pitch scoreless innings in his next two outings, racking up his 18th save June 30 against the Yankees. Despite his troubles, Wilson's job security increased when closer-in-waiting Guardado felt a "twinge" in his left shoulder and exited the June 30 game prior to completing his warm-up tosses. Stay abreast of this situation, as it's uncertain whether Guardado will need another trip to the disabled list. Benoit, meanwhile, has allowed three earned runs in his last 3 1/3 innings of work, and he may still be struggling with the sore shoulder that has been bothering him all season long. Wilson is still the Rangers' top option for saves, though his fantasy owners will have to put up with high ratios and the occasional rocky outing.

Durability grade: 8
Job security grade: 7 (Last week: 6)