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Chad Cordero has been activated from the bereavement list, and many assumed he would slide right back into the closer’s role for the hapless Washington Nationals.

However, as Bill Ladson reports for MLB.com, Manny Acta has thrown the fantasy community a curveball. Acta states in Ladson’s article that Cordero will be eased back into the closer role.

Cordero said he had bullpen sessions while he was in California, but manager Manny Acta said that Cordero will be eased back into the closer’s role. For now, Cordero will be a middle innings/setup guy, while Jon Rauch will remain the closer.

This development is interesting as Rauch’s ascension to closer was facilitated by a death in Cordero’s family….not an injury. There is no question that the health of Cordero’s grandmother weighed on the pitcher’s mind, however, the fact remains he was/is physically healthy.

Is there an underlying injury? Or do the rumors of a Cordero trade suddenly gain credence?

While Cordero’s line for the season is not impressive, he has proven to be a viable and productive fantasy option in the past, even as a member of the woeful Washington Nationals. Stash him on your roster and wait it out. If you are in a deep league, or NL only format, pick up Rauch, with a solid season line of 20.1 IP, 3.98 ERA and a good BB/K ratio (3/12).