April 10, 2008 - Atlanta Braves closer Rafael Soriano was placed on the 15-day disabled list with elbow tendinitis on Wednesday evening, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Soriano has been nursing a sore elbow since spring training, but the decision to rest him was still made suddenly and as a last resort for Atlanta.

Soriano is the latest in a rash of significant closer injuries that have impacted the fantasy landscape. Top-flight closers J.J. Putz (ribcage) and Francisco Rodriguez (ankles) have also had injury woes within the last week, while Chad Cordero (shoulder) and B.J. Ryan (elbow) both began the season on the disabled list.

Soriano's elbow is a much deeper concern than a couple of fluke, non-pitching arm injuries to Putz and Rodriguez. Soriano has had a difficult time staying healthy throughout his career, which could explain why his first full-time closing gig didn't come until the age of 28. Most notably, he had Tommy John surgery in 2004 and missed most of the 2004 and 2005 seasons as he recovered.

The Braves were proactive in shutting Soriano down now, electing to rest him and sacrifice some April struggles for a healthier Soriano moving forward. Much like the other primetime closers that suffered injuries, this wasn't a convenience for Soriano owners, but his long-term welfare was protected, which should make it easier to turn the page on the injury. There's no telling how long the elbow would have bothered him if Braves management didn't make a swift decision.

REPLACEMENT CANDIDATES
Two candidates are in the running to close games in Soriano's absence - right-handers Manny Acosta and Peter Moylan.

First opportunity is always key in these situations, and Acosta looks like the best bet to get it. He fits the bill of a more traditional closer with better velocity and a hard breaking pitch - aka, "swing and miss" offerings - that Moylan can't match. Acosta can bring a little flair to the ninth inning, while the more steady Moylan waits to pounce on any missed opportunities.

The guess is that Acosta does a decent enough job to keep the vast majority of save opportunities, but that Soriano will be ready to resume closing duties on schedule. The move was made retroactive to Monday, so he will be eligible to return on April 22.

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