Fantasy baseball News & Notes: Papelbon's job not in jeopardy

Jonathan Papelbon has been on the decline recently, but his job as the Phillies' closer is not at risk.

Derik Hamilton/Icon SMI

In the ever-changing carousel of closers, Papelbon has somehow remained in the role since 2006. Once upon a time, Daniel Bard was being groomed specifically to be Papelbon's replacement with the Red Sox, but that change never happened, and it's highly unlikely to happen here. Criticize his pitching all you want. Take offense to his current 5.06 ERA. But the fact of the matter is that there's almost no chance he leaves the closer role, and that has to be worth something.

Neil Walker smashed two home runs in a (rain-shortened) slugfest against the Reds.

Tom Lynn/AP

• Mike Zunino hit a homer last night, and now has a .282 average early in the season. An enormous prospect, Zunino looks like he's really piecing it together at the plate. There's a lot of parity at the catcher spot these days, but guys like Zunino -- first-round draft picks who play this well early in the season -- are a rarity, and should be scooped up immediately. He's available in 87 percent of Yahoo! leagues and is looking increasingly like a must-own player.