Who will be the closer if Papelbon is injured?

[frank69m]

just curious?

[Oatsdad]

I'd think Okajima would get the job given his success - but there aren't any actual indications Papelbon is hurt AFAIK, just idle speculation...

[NZF]

Timlin would be the closer

[chalk61]

Timlin would be the closer

Timlin was placed on the DL yesterday. I would think Okajima would be next in line but nothing official.

The Red Sox announced before last night's game against the Mariners that Mike Timlin, who earned his first save of the season Wednesday against Oakland, was placed on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder tendinitis.

It's not the first time the 41-year-old righthander has shown the wear and tear of a 17-year major league career. He started the season on the DL with a strained left oblique and was activated for the home opener April 10. Now, less than a month later, he's headed back to the DL.

"It's been there for a while," said Timlin. "We tried to get past it. There were times it would loosen up, as tendinitis tends to do, there were times that it wouldn't. We figured this might be a good time to let it settle down."

With the pain more than the normal aches pitchers endure, the shoulder was examined by doctors yesterday. There is no timetable for Timlin's return.

"If it was the middle of August, I think we'd try to go ahead and pitch through it, but it doesn't seem to make a lot of sense right now," said manager Terry Francona. "We shut him down for a couple weeks, maybe we can get Timlin back. That's the thought, to get him back and let him be Timlin."

Timlin has struggled this season after an unimpressive second half to 2006. Timlin has amassed a 6.23 ERA this season, having allowed at least one run in four of his nine appearances.

"Guys are throwing the ball well," Timlin said. "I'm not to say expendable, but the way the guys are throwing right now, this is a good time to take."

Devern Hansack, 29, was called up from Pawtucket to fill Timlin's spot, but threw a side session yesterday, making him unavailable last night, as was closer Jonathan Papelbon.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2007/05/04/timlin_placed_on_dl_with_shoulder_tendinitis?mode=PF