Dotel could end up on DL

According to MLB.com, the Royals could be without their new closer, Octavio Dotel, for more than just opening day. Dotel is feeling discomfort in his left oblique and won't pitch Monday against the Red Sox. He will be re-evaluated Wednesday. "There is a chance that he could be put on the disabled list," manager Buddy Bell said before the Royals' public workout Sunday afternoon at Kauffman Stadium. "We don't think it is a long-term situation." GM Dayton Moore said the team does not want to rush Dotel and risk further injury. "He wants to go, but we want to be cautious," Moore said.

Bell doesn't know who will close while Dotel is out, but said Joakim Soria and Todd Wellemeyer could pitch in the later innings. "We are going to play it by ear right now," Bell said. The sad part for Dotel is that he had a great spring training and looked as good as ever. Fantasy owners should keep Dotel out of active Fantasy lineups until further notice. Soria has closer's experience, but that came in the Mexican Pacific League last season. He would be the likely candidate to close games, if Dotel is out for an extended period. Although the team could go with Wellemeyer because he is more accustomed to the MLB game. Either way, all three players are just low-end options because the Royals might have a hard time getting their closer save opportunities.
Source: CBS SportsLine.com