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This week in the Closer Report: Hensley cleaning up for the Marlins, Takahashi, Lyon and Uehara still under-owned, and Kuo stabilizes the Dodger bullpen.

• Brandon Lyon was signed to be the closer, and since assuming the role from Matt Lindstrom he has performed well. His pitching line since August 1: 2.59 ERA, 16 strikeouts, 10 walks, 24.1 innings, 14 saves.  The walks are still higher than you’d like, but he’s been getting the job done. He’s probably the Astros closer for 2011.

• Since being promoted to the closer role, Clay Hensley has allowed just 3 hits in 6.1 innings with 3 saves.  That was on the heels of a great August when he went 2-0 with 12 strikeouts in 13 IP.  Hensley has a 2.42 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 69 strikeouts on the season.  Pick up Hensley if you need a strikeouts and saves.  Leo Nunez has been very poor since August (8.03 ERA, 7 walks in 12 IP) so the 9th inning job will likely be an open battle next spring.

• Hisanori Takahashi is still available in 60% of ESPN standard leagues. He already has four saves in September and hasn’t allowed a run in 11 appearances.  What are you waiting for?

• The Dodgers are having a lost season, but at least Hong-Chih Kuo has been consistently dominant.  He has only been scored upon five times this year in 50 outings with a 1.36 ERA and 0.81 WHIP.  His only blown save( in 10 chances) was on 6/4, and even so he got the win. With Jonathan Broxton relegated to middle relief the rest of the year converted catcher Kenley Jansen is the back-up closer. He’s got amazing stuff with 29 strikeouts in just 18.2 innings. His inexperience (he converted to pitching in the middle of last year) is evident in his 11 walks, but he’s only allowed two runs without a home run. It will be very interesting to see what the Dodgers do with Broxton in the offseason and spring training.

• Evan Meek will get some save chances as the season winds down according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. With essentially a timeshare and less than  month’s worth of games remaining this decision effectively kills the value of both Meek and Joel Hanrahan in mixed leagues. Both are under contract for 2011 so the duo will likely battle next spring for the job.

• Being a closer suits Koji Uehara. Since recording his first save August 21 Uehara has pitched 10.1 innings. In that span he’s converted 9 of 10 saves with 11 strikeouts. Subtract a blip on 9/8 against the Yankees when he surrendered 2 runs while getting just 1 out and his ERA is 2.70.  He’s still available in far too many leagues so go get him if you need to make up ground in saves.

• Chris Perez since August 1: 16.1 IP, 1.10 ERA, 20 strikeouts, 4 walks, .185 SLG against, 8 saves. Why did the Indians sign Kerry Wood again? (I will continue to answer this question until 2011 starts)

• David Aardsma had a rough June and first half of July, but he’s been pretty much nails since giving up two runs on 7/8. Since then he’s made 20 appearances pitching 19.1 innings with a 0.93 ERA converting 13 of 14 saves. In that span he’s struck out 21 batters with 10 walks, both numbers right in line with his career numbers. While it looked like Aardsma could have been on the way out of the closer job in Seattle midseason, he looks fine going forward to keep his job heading into next season.