Mariners acting manager Robby Thompson said Friday that Tom Wilhelmsen is out as closer for the time being.

Wilhelmsen imploded in epic fashion Thursday night against the Red Sox, throwing just seven out of 19 pitches for strikes while allowing two hits and two walks. It's worth noting that he was pitching pretty well prior to Thursday's outing, but Thompson plans to look elsewhere in the short-term. Yoervis Medina is probably the favorite for save chances right now.

After coming in with a 7-2 lead, Tom Wilhelmsen was charged with four runs without ever retiring a batter Thursday against the Red Sox.

Just seven of Wilhelmsen's 19 pitches were strikes. It was control problems that cost him his closer gig earlier this season, but he had been quite a bit better of late; allowing one run in 7 1/3 innings and walking three since the All-Star break. He's also still 8-for-8 in his save chances since regaining the closer's gig, so one bad outing probably won't get him sent back to middle relief. That said, he's hardly someone who can be relied on as a source of saves for the rest of the season.

Tom Wilhelmsen earned his fourth save of the second half by tossing a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday against the Indians.

Wilhelmsen inherited a 4-3 lead and nearly coughed it up, allowing two hits before being bailed out by slick infield defense. Seattle is riding an eight-game winning streak and Wilhelmsen has been a huge fantasy benefactor, saving five of those games. He has 23 on the season to go with a 3.77 ERA.

Tom Wilhelmsen picked up his third save in four days with a scoreless ninth Monday against the Indians.

Wilhelmsen gave up runs in two of his final three outings before the break, but the Mariners have kept him in the closer's role anyway. Tonight, he gave up a one-out double to Michael Brantley and walked Jason Giambi before getting Lonnie Chisenhall to fly out to end a 2-1 game.

Tom Wilhelmsen earned his 21st save of the season Saturday in the Mariners' 4-2 win over the Astros.

Wilhelmsen has not blown a save opportunity since being inserted back into Seattle's ninth-inning role in early July. He is again a reliable fantasy closer and that should remain true for the remainder of the 2013 campaign.

Mopping up against the Red Sox, Tom Wilhelmsen walked two and allowed two runs in his inning of work on Wednesday.

It's the first time in eight outings that Wilhelmsen has walked a batter and the first in seven that he's allowed a run. The Mariners were down 9-4 when he came in, so the poor night didn't do them any harm. Still, it may have hurt Wilhelmsen's cause, just as he was being eased back into the closer's role. He threw 36 pitches tonight, so he probably won't be used if there's a save chance on Thursday. That could go to Oliver Perez.

Tom Wilhelmsen earned his 18th save of the season Sunday in the Mariners' 3-1 defeat of the Reds.

Wilhelmsen tossed a perfect ninth inning to cap off a stellar outing from starter Joe Saunders and a hitless eighth-inning relief appearance by Charlie Furbush. Wilhelmsen is now 2-for-2 since being reinserted as the Seattle closer and should remain a solid fantasy option for the remainder of the 2013 campaign.

Tom Wilhelmsen earned his 17th save of the season on Wednesday in his first opportunity since being restored as the Mariners' closer.

Before the game, Mariners manager Eric Wedge hinted it could be Wilhelmsen if a save opportunity arose. Sure enough, with a two-run lead the big righty was called on and delivered his first save since June 10. He seems over whatever ailed him last month and should be owned in all standard fantasy leagues.

Mariners manager Eric Wedge said that Tom Wilhelmsen could be used in a potential save situation on Wednesday.

It comes a day after Wedge said that Wilhelmsen was close to getting his ninth inning job back. Wilhelmsen has allowed just one baserunner over his last four appearances while striking out four. He should be fine as the club's closer if he can manage to avoid the free passes.

Mariners manager Eric Wedge said Tuesday that Tom Wilhelmsen was close to getting his closer job back.

Wedge said that Wilhelmsen will likely be used in a setup role once before going back to the ninth inning. The right-hander hasn't allowed any baserunners in his last three appearances and hasn't walked anyone in his last four outings, which has been his biggest issue this season.

Tom Wilhelmsen gave up a game-tying homer to the first batter he faced after being brought into a one-run game in the eighth Tuesday against the Angels.

So, Wilhelmsen can't close at the moment, but he can be brought in to face Albert Pujols with the game on the line? Pujols took him deep on just his second pitch of the night. It was actually the first homer allowed by Wilhelmsen this season. After that, he came back and got five outs, though he did need Charlie Furbush to bail him out of a jam in a tie game in the ninth. Overall, it probably wasn't a showing that's going to help his chances of returning to the closer's role.

Mariners manager Eric Wedge said Friday that Tom Wilhelmsen will not be used as the team's closer for at least his next two or three outings.

The Mariners want to see Wilhelmsen work on improving his command and location in some non-save situations before being thrust back into the ninth inning. They'll utilize the dreaded closer-by-committee for the time being, with Carter Capps the most likely beneficiary.

Tom Wilhelmsen was charged with five runs in one-third of an inning Wednesday in a blown save and a loss against the Astros.

Not that Wilhelmsen was very good tonight, but he certainly didn't deserve that. The ninth went: infield single, single, sac bunt, intentional walk, two-run double and intentional walk, at which point Wilhelmsen was pulled. Both of those intentional walks came around to score later. Wilhelmsen has been quite shaky of late, and his strikeout rate is down this year. On the other hand, his velocity is still excellent, and we're not sure anyone else in the Seattle pen is a better bet. It's unlikely Wilhelmsen will lose his closer gig over this one, but another blown save within the next 7-10 days could do it. If so, Carter Capps, Charlie Furbush, Oliver Perez and Yoervis Medina could factor into a closer by committee.

Tom Wilhelmsen allowed a run on two hits but escaped with the save in Monday's win over the Astros.

Since May 29, Wilhelmsen has given up six runs in 6 1/3 innings while walking seven. That spurt jacked his ERA from 0.41 to 2.22. Wilhelmsen's K/BB ratio (21/13 over 28 1/3 innings) doesn't inspire confidence, but he's converted 16 saves in 19 opportunities and been stingy with base runners until recently (0.95 WHIP). While he still has a good amount of job security, a couple of train wrecks could change that.

Tom Wilhelmsen allowed a run on a hit and a walk but still converted the save in Monday's win over the White Sox.

Wilhelmsen walked Alex Rios to lead off the ninth before rebounding strike out Paul Konerko and Dayan Viciedo. After Rios went to second on fielder's indifference, Adam Dunn singled him in. He then got Jeff Keppinger to fly out to end it. Wilhelmsen was coming off a disastrous outing and has blown three of his last five save chances. However, he still has a 2.13 ERA and 0.91 WHIP, giving him plenty of leash.

Tom Wilhelmsen blew his third save of the season in Saturday's loss to the Twins.

Wilhelmsen just didn't have it. He entered the bottom of the ninth with a 4-2 lead, but walked the bases loaded before giving up a sacrifice fly to Josh Willingham. Ryan Doumit then triple to the right-center field gap to win it. The 29-year-old right-hander had issued only eight walks in 24 innings coming into Saturday's outing, so we're thinking it was just a blip.

Tom Wilhelmsen pitched a perfect ninth inning to pick up his 12th save of the season on Friday.

Wilhelmsen blew a save in his last outing on May 29, but he bounced back well to collect the save on Friday. Despite two blown saves since May 20, the right-hander still owns a 0.75 ERA. The save was his first since May 16, but it likely won't be another two weeks before he earns his 13th.

Tom Wilhelmsen blew his first save of the season Monday in the Mariners' late loss to the Indians.

Wilhelmsen had the victory in his grasp with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning but dropped an easy throw at first base that allowed Jason Kipnis to score the tying run. The Mariners marched back in the top of the 10th but the Indians one-upped Seattle in the bottom of that frame. Wilhelmsen still has a cool 0.47 ERA and 0.68 WHIP in 19 innings this season. His job is safe.

Tom Wilhelmsen notched his 11th save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning in Thursday's win over the Yankees.

A perfect 11-for-11 in save conversions this season, Wilhelmsen has allowed just one earned run in 2013 -- and that came on April 5. The Bartender's ERA (0.50), WHIP (0.61), job security and fantasy value for a reliever are all elite.

Tom Wilhelmsen nailed down his sixth save of the season with a perfect ninth inning in Thursday's win over the Tigers.

Wilhelmsen has only struck out five and walked four through eight innings, but fantasy owners don't really care. He's permitted just two hits and one run on the year and has converted all six save chances. "The Bartender" has plenty of job security.