Guerra rising in earlier position: After blowing a save against the Cubs on May 6, Dodgers relief pitcher Javy Guerra (1-3) was demoted from the closer role. He hasn't returned to the position since as Kenley Jansen has taken over responsibilities in the ninth inning. Guerra now pitches in middle relief, a role that is quite different for him. "It's different, but I like it. From the fourth inning on, I'm pretty in tune with the game and know what's going on. I'm trying to figure out the situation and just be ready," Guerra told The Sports Xchange. "I had that routine of the sixth, seventh getting ready to go, the eighth watching, and ninth throwing. Now, from the first inning I'm stretching and moving around and getting going." (Updated 05/18/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/24/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Guerra's blown save at Chicago was his third in a 14-game span as his ERA swelled to 5.84. Since the demotion, Guerra has pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings to lower his ERA to 4.32. "What we're trying to do is get his confidence built back up," Los Angeles manager Don Mattingly said. "He's an important guy for us. We're going to need Javy to do his thing, and to me he's on that path." Guerra's strikeout rate has taken a dip since his demotion and he has fanned just one batter in his past five appearances. Fantasy owners should consider him a low-end option in NL-only formats while he's pitching outside of the ninth inning. (Updated 05/18/2012).
05/20/2012 23:20 Van Slyke's first HR wins it for Dodgers
Pinch-hitter Scott Van Slyke connected for his first major league homer, a go-ahead, three-run shot in the seventh inning against his father's former team, and the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied for a 6-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday night.
05/16/2012 21:30 Padres rally to top Kemp-less Dodgers
Chase Headley homered, doubled and drove in three runs, and the last-place San Diego Padres rallied to beat the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers 4-2 Wednesday night, helping left-hander Clayton Richard snap his personal five-game losing streak.
05/16/2012 01:27 D-Backs capitalize, cool off Dodgers
Wade Miley wiggled out of a couple jams while pitching into the seventh inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks snapped the Los Angeles Dodgers' five-game winning streak with a 5-1 victory Tuesday night.
05/12/2012 23:58 Harang, Dodgers handle Rockies
Aaron Harang pitched eight solid innings, pinch-hitter Tony Gwynn Jr. hit a go-ahead RBI single, and the Los Angeles Dodgers improved the best record in the majors with a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Saturday night.
05/09/2012 12:27 Dear Mr. Fantasy: New world order for closers
The relief pitching landscape sure has changed on a dime since opening day. Who are the right replacements to target? Our Scott White re-ranks his top closer options and answers your questions in Dear Mr. Fantasy.
With Jonathan Broxton missing most of last season with an elbow injury, the Dodgers' closer situation was blown wide open. By midseason, Javy Guerra claimed the job and despite mediocre peripheral stats, he pitched well enough to hang onto it. Though his strikeout-to-walk ratio was just over 2.0, Guerra finished the year with a 2.31 ERA and 1.18 WHIP and he successfully converted 21 of 23 save opportunities. Not only may Guerra have trouble repeating his success with middling strikeout and walk rates, but he will face stiff competition from Kenley Jansen. Because of last year's success, the Dodgers may trust Guerra with the closer's role out of spring training, but he will not have as much job security as most other closers. For that reason, Guerra is more of an option for owners in deeper mixed leagues and NL-only formats. (Updated 2/21/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
= probable start