The Memorial Day long weekend is here and with it comes — surprise, surprise — more movement in the ninth inning to report. In over 20 great years of playing the game, we’ve never witnessed a campaign with as much uncertainty in the saves category.

After taking two of the past three weeks off it’s about time I got back in the saddle and earned my keep. Last week was a first as it appears as if we might have actually gone a full seven days without a closer being replaced. The revolving door at the closer position has slowed somewhat but both the Mets and Reds could be on the verge of making moves to shore up the position. What an incredible mess bullpens have been so far in 2012. This week we have a mixed bag of speed/power, potential saves, and injury replacements, so without further ado let’s get to our recommendations of the week.

McDonald continued his impressive run in 2012 by holding the Reds to one earned run Saturday in securing his second victory. In 36 2/3 IP, he’s allowed 27 hits and 13 walks, while striking out 31 and posting a 2.70 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. McDonald has been a model of consistency so far, allowing more than two earned runs only twice in his first six starts. On Monday, he racked up 10 Ks in a gem against the Braves — the majors’ top-scoring team. It’s time for doubters to give McDonald a second look in mixed formats.

We’ve always been big believers in rostering players returning from the DL earlier rather than later whenever possible. It’s a long season and if you have the bench space, saving some of that FAAB cash can be a prudent move. You can pay the piper now or pay him later, but the second option is surely going to be a more expensive one, often substantially more costly. This week we also examine the return to prominence of several veterans who should immediately grab your attention, so without further ado, let’s get to it.

After a horrible spring in which he struggled to find the form he demonstrated down the stretch in 2011, Delgado stepped it up in his season debut. In five innings, he held Houston to two earned runs while allowing five hits and two walks and striking out six. Degaldo is looking at a two-start week coming up (against the Mets and Diamondbacks) and is an intriguing option in both H2H and and NL-only formats.

Rodriguez earned his first save Saturday with three punchouts in the ninth and the radar gun was being stressed to its limits as he brought that triple-digit heat into play. Rodriguez’s high walk rate will be cause for some concern, but his outstanding strikeout rate will provide value even after the return of Storen.