Acquired by the White Sox in late May, MacDougal restored some order to a Nationals closing situation in disarray, compiling a 3.60 ERA and converting all but one save opportunity. Dig deeper, however, and you'll notice a shaky 31/31 K/BB ratio, suggesting it's only a matter of time before he gets roughed up again, fireman job or not.

MacDougal should begin a throwing program in six to eight weeks and should be fully recovered by Spring Training. The towering righty had problems with his hip since late August, but pitched until the end of the season. In 52 games for the Nationals, MacDougal had 20 saves and a 3.60 ERA.

Rodney has been the most efficient closer in terms of cashing in on save opportunities. Only one other closer with double-digit saves has matched Rodney's impressive mark of just one blown save, and that's Washington's Mike MacDougal, who has 20 saves in 21 chances. Rodney's ability to close the deal nearly every time he's called upon has made him one of the most surprising closers in '09.

The vote of confidence given by Nationals interim manager Jim Riggleman has paid short-term dividends, with MacDougal bouncing back from a rough Sunday outing that saw him surrender three runs in a 6-3 loss to the Braves in 10 innings. That said, it's hard to see the veteran righty retaining the fireman job for long without drastically improving his command (29/31 K/BB ratio).

A smooth ninth inning for MacDougal, who allowed runs in five of his previous six trips to the hill. Despite his recent struggles, the lanky righty has blown only one save all season.

MacDougal's closer job appears safe for now, but it's likely just a matter of time before he loses control. The problem is the lack of alternatives reputably challenging MacDougal for saves. An ominous 27/32 K/BB ratio hints strongly that MacDougal's quasi-respectable 3.55 ERA is bound to rise. The same goes for Villone, whose 1.77 WHIP offers little hope in the face of a 4.20 ERA.

MacDougal didn't allow a runner to cross home plate in 14 innings, covering 13 outings, during August. Of course, closers often struggle in these kinds of non-save situations, so look for him to be a little sharper the next time he takes the mound with the game on the line.

A fine rebound performance for MacDougal, who gave up three earned runs in his past two outings. The Nats' newest fireman is worth using, of course -- after all, saves are saves -- but his scary 11/16 K/BB ratio should be more than enough to give one pause before doing so.

This makes four saves in four chances for MacDougal, but he certainly has made things interesting/terrifying for Nats fans and owners alike thanks to his control issues. MacDougal now has a 10/17 K/BB ratio in 19 2/3 innings this season, and a sky-high 1.78 WHIP. He's getting saves for now, and has done so in the past -- albeit fairly far in the past, as Mac the Ninth hasn't held down ninth-inning responsibilities consistently since 2005 -- but this tightrope routine is tough to take. Still, NL-only owners who can take the WHIP bump should keep him in the lineup.

The good news is that MacDougal has nailed down all three of his save opportunities since being named the Nats' official ninth-inning man on June 6. That bad news, of course, is that the 32-year-old has received just three chances in a little over three weeks. That doesn't figure to change as the 22-59 Nationals could start unloading their best players before the trade deadline, depleting an already punchless lineup and resulting in fewer leads being entrusted to MacDougal.

Manager Manny Acta was often frustrated with Hanrahan relying too much on his slider instead of his 95-mph fastball. Some in the organization believe that Hanrahan doesn't have enough movement on his fastball to get people out on a consistent basis. It appears unlikely that he will get his job back. But that doesn't necessarily mean that MacDougal, who last closed in Kansas City four years ago, will keep it. MacDougal throws high-nineties heat and has a solid slider and change, but he has really struggled with control since leaving the Royals, and the former "Mac the Ninth" has six strikeouts and eight walks in seven innings this season. In 59 1/3 innings over the 2007 and '08 seasons, he struck out 51 and walked 45. All of which is to say: feel free to pick him up, but know what you're getting into.

MacDougal had an out clause in his Minor League contract that allowed him to leave Triple-A Syracuse on May 25. However, the Nationals had 48 hours to put him on the 25-man roster. If they didn't, MacDougal would have become a free agent. MacDougal pitched in seven games and gave up one run in 7 1/3 innings for Syracuse.

MacDougal, 32, had posted a 12.46 ERA in five games out of the White Sox bullpen, walking seven in 4 1/3 innings. This will mark Egbert's Major League debut. Chicago's 13th-round pick in 2004, he had posted a combined 3.35 ERA in five Minor League seasons and was 1-0 with a 6.43 ERA for the Knights so far in 2009 over five relief appearances.

The demotion doesn't bode well for MacDougal's chances of winning a roster spot next year.

MacDougal sports a 2.08 ERA, but he's walked a whopping seven batters in 8 2/3 innings. He'll be back when he demonstrates improved control.