In four seasons, he compiled a 4.79 ERA and 1.42 WHIP, with a K/9 of 6.5. In 2013, however, working exclusively out of the bullpen, Cecil has been golden, sporting a 2.35 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 9.4 K/9. 

Cecil is throwing his fastball above his career rate (93 m.p.h. vs 90.5) and has lowered his walk rate significantly. While Casey Janssen has been great as the team's closer, he is coming back from shoulder surgery and admitted this week that his arm isn't exactly back to where it should be. 

There's no indication that Janssen won't pitch the entire season, nor is there any guarantee that Cecil would get any save opportunities ahead of Steve Delabar or Esmil Rogers. But he has been dominant as a reliever and seems to be thriving in this new role. at the very least, AL-only owners may want to consider Cecil just for the low ratios and K potential he offers as a middle reliever. Anything else would just be gravy on top. 

"From not even guaranteed a spot in spring training to being the long guy, that was basically his role," Gibbons said, per MLB.com. "The real focus was getting his velocity back and he was showing signs of doing that, but you've still got to be a pitcher. He came in and he started throwing his breaking ball, his changeup, and everything came together after that."

"It kind of felt the same way in spring training," Cecil said on Wednesday. "It was just a little extra adrenaline, regular season game and I was hoping to get that extra bump. It was nice, felt really good. I don't know how the curveball was so good, I couldn't throw it for a strike in the bullpen to save my life, but in a sense that's how I like it to go. Throw it in the bullpen and usually I need a hitter up there to get my breaking stuff working and that's what happened in the game."

The 26-year-old pitcher was out of options and fighting for a bullpen spot this spring. He will likely be used as a long reliever and emergency starter.

Cecil had a 5.72 ERA and a 5.03 FIP in  61 1/3 innings with the club last season.