Grant Balfour pitched an uneventful ninth inning to earn his seventh save of the season against the Mariners on Wednesday. Balfour struck out one while not allowing a baserunner in the inning. Balfour has converted three straight save opportunities since getting lit up by the White Sox on April 25. The right-hander is 7-for-8 in save chances, and he owns a 4.70 ERA -- inflated by allowing five runs in 2/3 of an inning in said thrashing -- and 1.43 WHIP in 15 1/3 innings this year.

Grant Balfour pitched a pair of scoreless innings to save both ends of Tampa Bay's doubleheader on Thursday. Balfour got through the first in 14 pitches, but he needed 24 in the nightcap. It's a good bet that he'll get Friday off now. Jake McGee also pitched in both games, so he could be unavailable, too. If a save opportunity arises, it will probably go to Joel Peralta.

Grant Balfour blew a save and took the loss Friday against the White Sox after giving up five runs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Balfour entered the bottom of the ninth inning with a two-run lead, but he loaded the bases before getting Adam Eaton to ground into a fielder's choice to drive in one run. He then loaded the bases again before Jose Abreu took him deep for a walk-off grand slam. Balfour issued three free passes in the inning and has now walked nine batters in just 10 1/3 innings on the year. He's also not missing as many bats as usual. Seven out of his nine appearances have been scoreless this season, but it's something to keep an eye on.

Grant Balfour secured his fourth save of the season Saturday with a scoreless ninth inning against the Reds. Balfour walked three batters in a shaky appearance Friday night, but he bounced back Saturday. While he issued a one-out to Joey Votto, he was able to get Brandon Phillips to ground into a double play to end the game.

Grant Balfour struggled with his command on Friday, but managed to record the final two outs against the Reds to secure his third save of the season. David Price started the ninth inning in a bid for a shutout, but after a Joey Votto solo blast, Balfour was summoned to finish the evening. After getting Ryan Ludwick on strikes, he made things interesting by walking Jay Bruce, Todd Frazier and Devin Mesoraco, before punching out Brayan Pena to end the ballgame.

Grant Balfour secured his second save of the season Tuesday, closing out the Rays' win over the Royals. Balfour surrendered a leadoff hit to Mike Moustakas but induced an Alcides Esobar fly out before striking out Jarrod Dyson and Norichika Aoki to end the threat. Balfour still hasn't allowed a run in three appearances this season.

Grant Balfour was shaky against the Blue Jays on Wednesday, walking one and uncorking two wild pitches in one inning. Balfour was making his first appearance of the 2014 season in a non-save situation. The right-hander was in danger, with runners on second and third and two outs in the top of the ninth, but was able to record a strikeout to end the threat. Balfour, who battled arm fatigue in mid-March, takes over for Fernando Rodney as closer for the Rays.

Grant Balfour (arm) tossed a scoreless inning in a minor league game on Wednesday afternoon. Balfour battled some arm fatigue earlier this month, but it's a typical thing for him in the spring and he's back near 100 percent health by now. "I'm not worried about it," he told reporters Wednesday. "I've done it plenty of times to where I know my body, I know what it does." The right-hander signed a two-year, $12 million contract this past winter and will serve as the Rays' closer in 2014.

Grant Balfour (arm) threw 15 pitches in a minor league game Wednesday and reported improvement. Balfour began experiencing arm fatigue during a rough appearance Saturday in a Grapefruit League game, but it seems to be nothing major. "I felt really good, felt strong," the Rays' closer told reporters Wednesday. "I'm really, really happy with how it went."

Grant Balfour (dead-arm), Joel Peralta (neck), and Alex Cobb will pitch in a minor league game on Wednesday. Balfour complained after Saturday's rough outing against the Pirates that he's going through a "dead-arm period." Peralta, meanwhile, has been dealing with neck stiffness since his appearance on the same day. Neither seems overly concerned with their minor maladies. Cobb, a projected top-10 AL-only hurler, will join them on the mound in the exhibition.