Meek shall inherit a closer job?

Until now, Evan Meek was just a fireballer with an impressive set of stats (9.5 K/9, 2.8 BB/9, 6.6 H/9) over a small sample size (19 IP). You know, that flash-in-the-pan type who can't harness his stuff for more than a few outings at a time. Now that he's put it together for all of April, Meek is getting picked up off the waiver wire in most fantasy leagues as a stray-saves hopeful and potential replacement for struggling Pirates closer Octavio Dotel.

Now the speculation on Meek's value reaches a new high; people within the Pirates organization believe the closer job is headed his way.

Meek, a Rule 5 draft pick in December of that year, has a 0.53 ERA through 13 appearances, 17 strikeouts to five walks, a .183 opponents' batting average and a save in his only opportunity to fill in for Octavio Dotel. Among National League relievers, only Colorado's Randy Flores and Washington's Tyler Clippard have lower ERAs.

All that, and his fastball -- which peaked with a 98-mph register a month ago in Phoenix -- as well as a dynamic slider and changeup have many associated with the team feeling it is a matter of time until he closes.

Now, let it be noted that there's no attribution to anyone making this claim other than "many associated with the team," but this is how a story leaks. Meek is still young (27), talented and speculated about. If we're thinking he's got closer written all over him, the Pirates are thinking the same. With Octavio Dotel signed to a one-year deal and likely tradable as a setup man due to his long-standing reputation at the MLB level, there's very little holding the Pirates back. Once they deem Meek ready to handle the pressure, the job is his. It's time to get serious on Meek as a long-term candidate to close in Pittsburgh. Cross your fingers that his production is suddenly legit. The Pirates are.

Hanrahan elbow ailing

Pirates reliever Joel Hanrahan will undergo an MRI on Tuesday to check out his ailing throwing elbow. Hanrahan will also visit Dr. James Andrews, which is rarely a good sign. Hanrahan looks like he may miss opening day.

Fantasy Impact: Hanrahan appeared to have an outside chance to beat Octavio Dotel for the Pirates closing job. His chance appears to be shot.

Capps elbow woes

Matt Capps experienced a sharp pain in his pitching elbow after Monday's meltdown against Milwaukee. An MRI Tuesday revealed no structural damage, but Capps will miss a few days. That leaves Tyler Yates and John Grabow potentially sharing the closer role for the time being.

Fantasy Impact: The harbinger of something more? Capps missed time in 2008, but he's fairly reliable when healthy. Yates hasn't exactly gotten the job done himself this year, but he's going to be the guy when the matchups require a right-hander. Expect Grabow to close games against lefty bats. We like Yates a touch better as an overall saves candidate in the interim as the Pirates might want to keep the lefty Grabow in a setup role.