Mujica cleaned up Thursday night's 6-2 win over the Phillies, allowing one hit and striking out one in a non-save appearance. With news that Koji Uehara (hamstring) is scheduled to pitch at Low-A Greenville on Saturday, it would appear Mujica's days as the fill-in closer are coming to end very soon.

Mujica is expected to begin the season as the Red Sox's closer, WEEI 93.7 FM reports. Mujica was the likely candidate for saves behind Koji Uehara, and with the news that Uehara is unlikely for the beginning of the season, he has been named the tentative closer. Uehara probably won't miss much to start the season, however, so Mujica's value as a closer is limited.

With Koji Uehara admitting he may not be recovered from his hamstring injury until Opening Day, the notion that Mujica is Boston's closer early in the regular season emerges as a possibility. Uehara said "it might be a close call but should be ready" when Boston kicks off the season in Philadelphia. If not, that means Mujica will be the temporary closer.

Mujica entered training camp 15 pounds lighter, something that has quickened his arm speed, according to manager John Farrell, the Boston Herald reports. "Whether or not [the increased arm speed] translates to velocity, we'll see," said Farrell. Mujica is entering the final year of his contract at a time when set-up guys are getting multi-year deals. He's coming off a dichotomous season in which a poor first half gave way to an effective second half that included six-of-six in save opportunities. As Farrell manages Koji Uehara's workload, Mujica is in line for a handful of saves over the course of the 2015 season. And possibly more, if Uehara experiences any arm problems.

Mujica revealed he had a neck issue early last season, something that played a role in his slow start to the season, WEEI.com reports. The right-hander carried a 7.29 ERA after his first 22 appearances. Mujica said he was diagnosed with a C1 vertebrae being out of place, but it did not bother him in the warm climate of Florida. It didn't begin to bother him until he hit the colder weather up north and didn't clear up until mid-way through the season. He also said adjusting to the American League played a role in his sub-par April and May. Mujica is scheduled for late-inning relief work and occasional save opportunities.

Mujica is in line to be Boston's closer for games when Koji Uehara is not available, the Providence Journal reports.Manager John Farrell laid out his plans for the bullpen Saturday, noting that he'll monitor Uehara's usage closely. Mujica served in that role last season when Uehara was removed from the closer's role in early September. Mujica's career in Boston started dismally, but he was quite effective in the second half of the season, posting a 1.78 ERA with six saves in 29 games after the All-Star break.

Mujica picked up the save Friday night, pitching a scoreless ninth inning in a win over Baltimore. He allowed one hit while throwing 12 of 15 pitches for strikes to record his seventh save in eight opportunities. Mujica is the closer for now, though manager John Farrell had said he'd like to get Koji Uehara back in the closer's role before the end of the season.

Mujica turned in a perfect ninth inning to record his sixth save against the Royals on Friday night. It was a 1-2-3 inning with no strikeouts on nine pitches - pretty much identical to his save on Thursday night. He followed Koji Uehara to the mound after Uehara tossed a clean eighth inning, but there has been no indication so far that the Red Sox are ready to give the closer's role back to Uehara just yet.

Mujica had an easy 1-2-3 ninth inning at Kansas City on Thursday to record his fifth save of the season. Mujica didn't strike any batters out, but he needed only nine pitches to retire the side. It was a nice bounce-back outing, after he allowed two runs in a none-save situation Wednesday. He'll remain Boston's closer while Koji Uehara works in lower leverage situations.

Mujica was gave up two runs on four hits while striking out one in a non-save situation Wednesday against the Orioles. The newly anointed closer gave up a double to Adam Jones to begin the frame and later allowed two more two-baggers before finally recording the final out for Boston. Mujica has seen just one save chance since taking over for Koji Uehara, but should be called upon to handle virtually any opportunity that presents itself over the final couple weeks. Even with his struggles Wednesday, Mujica still has a 2.21 ERA since the All-Star break.