56 Fernando Rodney, RP

Rays closer Fernando Rodney was asked to record five outs Tuesday in Toronto. Rodney entered in the eighth inning with two runners on base and one out. 

On his first pitch in the eighth, Rodney induced a double play to end the inning. He remained on for the ninth in the 4-2 game and allowed a run to score on a wild pitch before recording the save on a strikeout. He went 1 2/3 innings with two strikeouts and one run allowed on a hit and a walk. 

Rodney, who now has nine saves on the season, has recorded two consecutive scoreless appearances since allowing three runs on four hits and a hit over 2/3 of an inning against Boston. His ERA is at 5.00. 

Rays closer Fernando Rodney allowed Chris Davis to hit a fly ball to just inches from the center field wall Sunday in Baltimore. Thankfully, that was the closest the Orioles came to scoring off the closer. 

Rodney went 1-2-3 in the ninth inning to hold off the Orioles for the 3-1 win. He earned his eighth save as he needed 10 pitches. His ERA is at 4.96. 

The 36-year-old rebounded from blowing his third save in his last appearance against Boston May 16. He's been a little shaky this season, but he recorded the outs he needed Sunday. 

Worried about Fernando Rodney? It's simple, really: The 36-year-old flamethrower won't get back to being the closer he was last year if he continues to walk batters at his current rate. And even if he walks them at half that rate, he's only back to where he was in his Tigers days.

What allowed Rodney to take a dramatic leap forward last year was his markedly improved control. He issued just 1.8 walks per nine innings. His previous best was 3.5. Not only did it keep runners off base, but it allowed him to use his best pitch, the changeup, more effectively.

So if he wants to get back to being that pitcher, he has a long way to go. That's the bad news. The good news -- and the reason I still rank him 18th among relief pitchers -- is that the Rays don't have any obvious alternatives if he continues to struggle. Joel Peralta is a possibility, but as a 37-year-old career setup man, he's a remote one.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said he's "not really concerned yet" about closer Fernando Rodney, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Rodney blew the save in Thursday's game against Boston as he walked four batters and allowed three runs to score. His ERA ballooned to 5.28 as a result, and he has already given up four more earned runs this year (nine) than he did last year. 

However, given Rodney's success last year and the good run he was on before Thursday's outing -- a 2.08 ERA and seven saves in eight chances over his last 13 outings -- it will likely take a few more disasters to unseat him.

Rays closer Fernando Rodney, who had recorded saves in three straight appearances, took a step back as he blew his third save and suffered his second loss of the season Thursday night against the Red Sox.

Rodney, who entered the game in the ninth with a two-run lead, struck out two and walked the bases loaded before surrendering a bases-clearing double to Will Middlebrooks that lost the game for the Rays.

Rodney walked four and struck out two as he was charged with three runs on one hit over two-thirds of an inning in a 4-3 defeat. His ERA rose from 3.68 to 5.28 after his ninth inning collapse on Thursday.