Smith closing while Rodney works on mechanics - Fernando Rodney (R) Seattle Mariners

It seems as though McClendon wants Rodney to win his closer job back, but for now Carson Smith, who has recorded the club's last two saves, looks like the best bet in the ninth inning. Smith is certainly good enough to run away with the job, but McClendon wants to be cautious about using him too often. "I’m committed right now," McClendon said, "if he’s closing out a game, to getting him some help in the ninth on the front end if there’s a tough lefty or something. Anything to try to jump-start him. Listen, we need (Rodney). If

we’re going to make a run at this, and be as successful as we think we’re going to be, we’ve got to have him. The other kid (Smith) has greatness written all over him. But if we think we can run him out there three or four days in a row, it’s just not going to happen."