Madson (0-2) gave up the game-winning run on two hits in two-thirds of an inning in Tuesday's 2-1 extra-inning loss to the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran reliever fired nine of his 11 pitches for strikes but couldn't quite escape the 11th inning unscathed, surrendering a game-winning single to Kole Calhoun with two out. Madson had only given up one other run through the eight appearances he'd made prior to Tuesday, so he continues to be one of manager Bob Melvin's most trusted late-inning options and has already compiled a pair of holds and one save.

Madson allowed no runs on one hit while striking out three over 1.1 innings to earn his first save Saturday against the Mariners.

EDGE Analysis

Madson was protecting a one-run lead, and he successfully closed out his first save opportunity in eight outings this month. There has yet to be an indication that his role in the athletics bullpen has changed, but he's certainly capable of doing well if given an opportunity to close. For now, his fantasy value is as a setup man.

Madson fired a scoreless eighth inning in Thursday's 9-6 win over the Mariners and recorded a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran righty was used on back-to-back days for the third time this season and replicated his line from Wednesday's victory over the Rangers. Madson has been solid in a setup role thus far, notching a pair of holds and lowering his ERA to 1.50 with Thursday's effort. He's allowed just one run and one walk over his first six innings as well, and he could pick up the occasional save opportunity on days when Santiago Casilla is unavailable .

Madson allowed two hits over one scoreless inning in Thursday's 3-1 loss to the Royals. He recorded a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

Madson, who boasts 85 career saves, nevertheless looks like manager Bob Melvin's primary eighth-inning option for the foreseeable future. The A's skipper has already designated Sean Doolittle and Santiago Casilla as his lefty/righty closer combo, leaving Madson as a highly viable setup option to either. The veteran reliever has been deployed in the eighth in three of his four appearances thus far, with the only exception being a ninth-inning stint in a non-save scenario against the Rangers on April 8. Madson has yet to allow a run over 3.1 innings while also generating a 4:1 K:BB.

Madson notched his second hold in Tuesday's 7-6 loss to the Angels, giving up one hit and recording a strikeout over a scoreless eighth inning.

EDGE Analysis

Madson came through in a tough spot in the eighth for the second time in as many nights Tuesday, successfully navigating the potent trio of Kole Calhoun, Mike Trout and Albert Pujols. The veteran threw just 13 pitches, getting nine into the strike zone and earning his second hold of the young season. Given manager Bob Melvin's liberal use of his relievers thus far -- as well as Madson's own established track record as a closer -- it's likely the 36-year-old righty will get his share of ninth-inning opportunities this season as well.

Madson was credited with his first hold of the season in Monday's 4-2 Opening Day win over the Angels, giving up a hit and a walk over one-third of an inning.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Bob Melvin deployed three of his closer options over the eighth and ninth innings Monday, with Santiago Casilla getting the first crack to close out a win. Madson was brought in to relieve lefty Sean Doolittle after the latter got the first two outs in the eighth and had to wade through the dangerous trio of Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and C.J. Cron to get out of the inning. Madson surrendered a two-bagger to Trout and then intentionally walked Pujols before inducing a fielder's choice groundout from Cron to escape the frame. Melvin appears comfortable with keeping the closer role a fluid one to start the season, so holds may be Madson's most consistent fantasy contribution for the time being.

Manager Bob Melvin said Thursday that the A's could use a closer-by-committee approach to start the season, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Madson still appears to be the favorite to close for the A's, but Thursday's announcement confirms that his job security is in flux. He gave up a home run in Thursday's outing and has been shaky overall this spring, notching a 6.75 ERA and allowing 13 hits over 8.0 innings. Both Sean Doolittle and John Axford have closing experience and could see save opportunities early in the season until one reliever separates himself from the pack.

Madson gave up an earned run on a solo home run in one inning in Wednesday's 15-12 Cactus League loss to the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

The 36-year-old continues to be in contention for the closer role and now has a 6.75 ERA and 1.88 WHIP over eight spring innings. The homer he surrendered to Willson Contreras was Madson's first of spring. Given the spotty performances of both Madson and fellow closing candidate Santiago Casilla this spring, manager Bob Melvin may experiment with a committee approach in the ninth inning to start the regular season.

Madson fired a scoreless inning in Saturday's 11-6 split-squad Cactus League loss to the Reds, giving up two hits.

EDGE Analysis

Madson successfully converted 30 of 37 save opportunities last season but struggled early this spring. The veteran has generated a 6.43 ERA by giving up five earned runs on 12 hits and two walks over seven innings, but the majority of that damage occurred over his first two outings. Madson has settled down since that point, giving up just one earned run across the five innings he's pitched in his five subsequent trips to the mound. The 36-year-old reliever remains in contention for a closer role that could still potentially be handled by committee to open the season.

Madson's recent arm soreness was attributed to his efforts to add a splitter to his pitch arsenal, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Madson said that he liked how the pitch was behaving, but opted to stop practicing it due to the soreness it brought on. Madson's Cactus League debut Tuesday was a letdown as he gave up two runs in a single inning, so the veteran closer has plenty to improve off moving forward. Health permitting, he's still the favorite to hold the closing job heading into the 2017 season, but Oakland's management has said that the job may up for grabs over their spring games if another reliever impresses the club.