Manager has confidence in Salas: Cardinals reliever Fernando Salas struggled during spring training and hasn't gotten off to a great start in the regular season. He had to be pulled out of Saturday's game against the Brewers after yielding a home run and two doubles in a five-batter appearance. However, manager Mike Matheny continues to have confidence in Salas as closer Jason Motte's primary setup man. "He's a guy that controls the plate with the fastball," Matheny told MLB.com. "He was falling behind, and that's just not something that he usually does. I don't think it's something that he's going to do for very long. He's still, to me, he's one of those guys who I know we can count on in tough situations." (Updated 04/08/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/24/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Salas has a lot of late-game experience, which includes a 24-save season in 2011. However, Matheny has Motte as his closer, but he still wants to use Salas in key situations. Salas might even get a few save opportunities and could be the guy first up in the event something happens to Motte, but since he isn't going to see regular save chances, then he's more of a Fantasy option for leagues that reward holds. (Updated 04/08/2012).
05/19/2012 02:29 The Lineup: Pitchers and Blue Jays
Interleague play commenced with some staggering pitching performances ... except in Toronto.
05/19/2012 01:37 Bases-load walk gives Dodgers win
A.J. Ellis drew a bases-loaded walk in the ninth inning, helping the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 6-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night in the opener of a series between the NL West and Central Division leaders.
Fernando Salas looked to be the Cardinals' answer at closer last season but ended up losing the role toward the end of the year. He converted each of his first 10 save chances with a 1.52 ERA before finally blowing one to begin June. He would blow just two saves before the All-Star break but after some second-half struggles, manager Tony La Russa turned to Jason Motte in the ninth inning. Salas finished the campaign 24 for 30 in save opportunities and posted a 2.28 ERA in 68 appearances. New manager Mike Matheny has already said Motte will start 2012 as the closer in St. Louis, which should put Salas in a setup role. While things could change as the season goes on, it looks as though the right-hander will not be as valuable in Fantasy to start the year. Target Salas in NL-only formats on Draft Day. (Updated 2/2/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
= probable start