O’Day was one of the more obscure players to get a projection at the start of the year. Now it looks like he’s going to make the Angels as a middle reliever because of the injuries to Bootcheck and John Lackey.

Felipe Paulino (Astros)
Jose Valverde (Astros)

I took one save away from Valverde. I wasn’t optimistic going in, and I’m liking their pitching staff less every day.

Armando Benitez (Blue Jays)
Brandon League (Blue Jays)
Blaine Boyer (Braves)
Tyler Johnson (Cardinals)
Brad Thompson (Cardinals)
Bob Howry (Cubs) - Down $2
Carlos Marmol (Cubs) - Up $1
Kerry Wood (Cubs) - Up $2

Just like when I first did the projections, I had Wood as the clear favorite for saves and Marmol still as the Cubs’ most valuable reliever. That’s unchanged, but both are moving up now with Howry fading from the picture.

Randy Messenger (Giants)
Merkin Valdez (Giants)
Greg Aquino (Orioles)
Jim Hoey (Orioles)
Frank Francisco (Rangers) - Down $1
Kazuo Fukumori (Randers)
Eddie Guardado (Rangers)

I was thinking that Francisco might get his act together another six months removed from Tommy John surgery, but he hasn’t impressed this spring. Fukumori is looking like the best sleeper saves candidate in Texas right now.

Luis Mendoza (Rangers)
Juan Salas (Rays)
Manny Delcarmen (Red Sox) - Up $1
Devern Hansack (Red Sox)
Lincoln Holdzkom (Red Sox)
Hideki Okajima (Red Sox) - Down $1

I gave two of Okajima’s four projected saves to Delcarmen, narrowing the gap between the two setup men.

Denny Bautista (Tigers)
Todd Jones (Tigers) - Down $1
Fernando Rodney (Tigers) - Down $1

Jones has looked terrible, but his job remains awfully secure. Because of his shoulder troubles, Rodney dropped a dollar even with Jones struggling.

Jordan Tata (Tigers)
Billy Traber (Yankees)