The White Sox were counting on Chris Sale to provide them with a huge boost to the starting rotation. The Royals felt Jonathan Sanchez will give then a number one type starter. Now both have health issues that need to be watched closely.

Chris Sale (LHP, CHW) reportedly is scheduled to start Saturday, ending his brief stint as closer seemingly before it even began. CHW had removed Sale from the rotation May 4, designating him closer amidst reports of elbow tenderness and erstwhile rookie closer Hector Santiago's (LHP, CHW) ineffectiveness. Sale will make his start with two days' rest since a one-inning May 8 relief appearance.

Earlier this week our own Doug Dennis advised patience with Sean Marshall's (LHP, CIN) near-5.00 ERA due to superior peripherals (2.28 xERA, 5.0 Cmd, 194 BPV). But when Marshall gave up three hits and a run in two-thirds of an inning in what was a 2-0 game on Wednesday, Dusty Baker came with the hook. Logan Ondrusek (RHP, CIN) finished it off by recording the final out and his first career save. Is CIN the next participant in the Great Closer Turnover Trend of 2012?

This NL Weekend Series Matchup column previews eight three-game series, all of which run Friday through Sunday.

[FREE] Casey Janssen (RHP, TOR) recorded his first save since replacing temporary closer Francisco Cordero (RHP, TOR) Wednesday with a 1-2-3 inning. Cordero was demoted from the closer role following his third Blown Save in five opportunities in spectacular fashion May 8, surrendering a game-winning Grand Slam HR to Oakland's Brandon Inge, failing to hold a one-run lead.

Looking like the O's of old: Baltimore takes on Tampa Bay this weekend in a battle for AL East supremacy.

The San Diego bullpen in its current state (Street on the DL) was profiled just a few days ago, but there is another member of the pen that could surprisingly play a prominent role. Manager Bud Black indicated over the weekend that any of Andrew Cashner, Luke Gregerson, or Dale Thayer could be used to close out games. On May 6, Gregerson pitched the seventh inning of a tie game, and Cashner the eighth, meaning neither were going to be called upon to get the save. The next day, when a save situation presented itself, Thayer got the call, and preserved the victory with a perfect inning.

Jason Werth's broken wrist could mean a broken season. Plus Jansen is the new closer in LA, Frieri is suddenly in the LAA saves mix, and more ...

After being almost no-hit for the second time in a week, one had to figure that the Minnesota Twins would make some changes. And change they will, bringing in a new shortstop. But not all are of their choosing, as DH Justin Morneau is headed to the DL. Meanwhile, SP Liam Hendricks is reportedly heading to the minors to work out his early season struggles. Who will fill the voids, and how might they fare?

Injury week in review: The Brewers lose Mat Gamel; several key pitching injuries—and two highly-anticipated activations are expected this week.

This NL Midweek Series Matchup column previews eight three-game series this week. All but two teams will be off on Thursday, 5/10.