With the exhibition season coming to an end, teams are getting close to setting their opening day starting rotations and bullpens. Pitchers are making a push for rotation and bullpen spots. Some have hurt their chances with poor performances, but others are quickly gaining recognition and significant roles with solid pitching. Here's a look at some of the pitchers that have begun to gain notoriety and might be good pickups in the upcoming weeks and those that are quickly losing value.

High hopes

Luis Ayala, Montreal Expos: This rookie reliever made a good impression before suffering a hip-flexor injury. He pitched only three innings, but gave up just two hits and was being talked up as a potential closer. Scott Stewart is also a candidate to close games but hasn't done much to solidify the job as the closer. Keep an eye on Ayala. His current status is day to day, so his injury shouldn't prevent him from making the roster. He has a good chance of becoming the closer if he can return to the mound soon and is worth a flier in NL-only leagues.

Jeremy Bonderman, Detroit Tigers: Many expected the 20-year-old to begin the season in the minor leagues, but his performance during the exhibition season has forced manager Alan Trammell to look at him for a spot in the rotation. In three exhibition games, Bonderman has allowed only one earned run in nine innings while striking out 11 batters. His performance, coupled with the inexperience of the Tigers' starting pitchers, might be enough allow this 2001 draft pick to join the rotation. Having Trammell as his manager will also be an added advantage. Trammell can relate to Bonderman's journey. He broke into the majors as a 20-year-old in 1978, so he know it's possible for player to be a major-league starter at that age. Bonderman's early success makes him an intriguing Fantasy player, but he is also inexperienced and has never pitched over the Class A level. Nevertheless, he is worth gambling on as a pitcher to fill out your roster in an AL-only league.

David Cone, New York Mets: He hasn't pitched in almost two years but has been solid so far retiring all nine of the batters he has faced. Cone is competing for one of the final spots in rotation. His main competition, pitchers Mike Bascik and Aaron Heilman, have done little to stake a claim for a rotation spot. As the season grows nearer, Mets manager Art Howe has become more comfortable with the idea of using Cone, 40, in his rotation. Fantasy leaguers should be comfortable with Cone he can be obtained for a flier in an NL-only league.

Cal Eldred, St. Louis Cardinals: While Cone defies age, Eldred defies science. He continues to pitch on without any cartilage in his elbow. Eldred has done a solid job, allowing just one run in 10 2/3 innings this spring and has an inside track on the fifth spot in the Cardinals rotation. Take a chance on him in an NL-only league.

Aaron Harang, Oakland Athletics: The second-year pitcher likely gained an advantage over John Halama for the fifth spot in the starting rotation Wednesday. He allowed two runs in four innings against the White Sox. Not exactly an overpowering performance, but it was better than Halama's outing. Tuesday, Halama allowed seven runs (five earned) in 3 1/3 innings against Colorado. Harang is a risky option for mixed leagues but should be a good fourth or fifth Fantasy starter in AL-only leagues if he lands the final spot in the Oakland rotation.

Trey Hodges, Atlanta Braves: He won 15 games for Triple-A Richmond last season and has been superb during the exhibition season. Hodges has allowed only one hit in six innings while striking out six batters. The struggles of projected starters Mike Hampton and Jason Marquis have improved Hodges' chances of making the rotation, but he remains a long shot. Monitor his status. Hodges might get a chance to join the rotation if Hampton and Marquis continue to struggle.

Ricardo Rodriguez, Cleveland Indians: This hard-throwing right-hander has allowed only one earned run in nine innings during three spring training starts. He also has five strikeouts and is favored to get the fourth spot in the Indians rotation. He probably won't make a major impact, but should be a useful pitcher to use at the end of a Fantasy rotation.

Jeff Weaver, New York Yankees: He entered the exhibition season as a candidate to join the bullpen but has quickly moved into the rotation as the fifth starter. Weaver has only allowed two earned runs in nine innings while striking out nine batters. Don't hesitate to bid between $10 and $15 for his services in an AL-only league now that he has a spot in the Yankees' rotation.

Jake Westbrook, Cleveland Indians: The journeyman has been pretty impressive during spring training, showing good command of his impressive arsenal of pitches. He throws a sinking fastball, change-up, slider and curve and has used them effectively enough to limit the opposition to one earned run in 10 innings. Injuries and ineffectiveness prevented Westbrook from being an effective major-leaguer in the past, but he might be useful this season. The Indians would prefer to use young pitchers Jason Davis and Ricardo Rodriguez in their final two rotation spots, but Westbrook will be the first in line should one of them falter. Westbrook is not worth drafting right now but could be a good pickup later in the season.

Not so hot

Jose Contreras, New York Yankees: The Yankees planned for this rookie to join their rotation as the fifth starter, but he has quickly pitched his way out of the equation. He has allowed 15 earned runs and four home runs in only eight innings to compile a 16.88 ERA and might very well earn a trip to the minor leagues. Despite his struggles, Contreras is too talented to pass over in a draft or auction. He is a risky pick at this point, but is worth it if you can nab him toward the end of an AL-only draft or for less than $5 in an auction.

Juan Cruz, Chicago Cubs: He would like to earn a spot in the starting rotation, but a surplus of starters will likely land him in the bullpen. He has allowed three earned runs in 4 1/3 innings and hasn't done much to persuade manager Dusty Baker. "Sometimes you have to wait your turn, and sometimes you had your chance already and you have to wait until your next chance," Baker told the Chicago Tribune . Avoid using Cruz. He is only worth using in larger leagues at this juncture.

Mike Hampton, Atlanta Braves: Many expected Hampton to regain the form that made him a 20-game winner now that he has escaped from Colorado. That has not been the case. Hampton allowed six runs and seven hits in four innings Wednesday and has a 8.00 ERA. He will likely remain in the Braves rotation, but his stock is quickly dropping. Try not to bid any more than $8 for him and hold off on selecting him until late rounds of a draft.

Mets fifth starter: With David Cone pitching well, it appears that Bascik and Heilman are competing for the fifth spot in the rotation, but neither has been impressive. Bascik allowed six hits and two runs in 3 1/3 innings Wednesday. Heilman wasn't much better, allowing three runs and five hits in three innings. Bascik has a 9.00 ERA in three spring starts. Heilman has a 4.82 ERA but has allowed 14 hits in 9 1/3 innings. Avoid using both pitchers for now.

Johan Santana, Minnesota Twins: He didn't do anything on the field to decrease his value. But Minnesota's acquisition of Kenny Rogers has essentially dropped Santana out of the starting rotation. Santana should still rack up a lot of strikeouts as a reliever, but don't bid more than $5 for him in an AL-only league.

Jamey Wright, Seattle Mariners: New manager Bob Melvin planned to use Wright as the fifth starter, but his shaky performance on Wednesday has left the job up for grabs. Wright gave up eight runs in four innings off two homers while walking four batters and has a 7.07 ERA in five appearances during the exhibition season. Now he must compete with Gil Meche and Julio Mateo for the final spot in the rotation. Despite his struggles, Wright is still worth a flier in AL-only leagues. He might emerge as a sleeper if he can improve his command.