Latest fantasy baseball reliever updates
Kyle Finnegan returned to action on Sept. 19, and after he totaled four saves and 14 1/3 shutout innings in his first 12 games with the Tigers, he should at least move back into a co-closer arrangement with Will Vest. (September 22)
The Twins, who won only three of their first 13 September games, placed fill-in closer Justin Topa (oblique) on the IL on Sept. 12. Expect a closer-by-committee arrangement, including Cole Sands, Cody Funderburk, Michael Tonkin and Genesis Cabrera, in Topa's stead. (September 15)
With Daniel Palencia (shoulder) on the injured list, the Cubs will probably turn to Andrew Kittredge, who saved two games in August and has a 1.54 ERA in his past 12 appearances, to close. Brad Keller could also get a look in the ninth. (September 8)
Team-by-team fantasy baseball bullpens
Each pitcher's roster percentages in ESPN leagues is listed in parentheses. Those who have been "heavily worked" over recent days have their names bolded and italicized. Pitchers who are thus labeled as "tired" are less likely to pitch in today's games and, therefore, less likely than normal to earn wins, holds or saves today. Our formula for deeming a reliever to be tired generally requires that he meets at least two of the following criteria: At least 25 pitches thrown the previous day; at least 35 pitches thrown over the last three days; appearances in both of the prior two days.
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Co-closer: Andrew Saalfrank (1.3%)
Co-closer: John Curtiss (0.0%)
Primary setup: Ryan Thompson (0.3%)
Secondary setup: Jalen Beeks (0.2%)
THE ATHLETICS
Co-closer: Hogan Harris (0.8%)
Co-closer: Michael Kelly (0.1%)
Primary setup: Justin Sterner (0.3%)
Secondary setup: Elvis Alvarado (0.0%)
ATLANTA BRAVES
Closer: Raisel Iglesias (78.0%)
Primary setup: Tyler Kinley (0.9%)
Secondary setup: Dylan Lee (1.0%)
Middle relief: Pierce Johnson (0.5%)
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Co-closer: Keegan Akin (3.2%)
Co-closer: Kade Strowd (0.1%)
Primary setup: Dietrich Enns (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Rico Garcia (0.3%)
BOSTON RED SOX
Closer: Aroldis Chapman (86.3%)
Primary setup: Garrett Whitlock (6.2%)
Secondary setup: Justin Slaten (0.4%)
Middle relief: Justin Wilson (0.2%)
CHICAGO CUBS
Co-closer: Andrew Kittredge (9.3%)
Co-closer: Brad Keller (7.8%)
Secondary setup: Caleb Thielbar (2.2%)
Injured: Daniel Palencia
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Co-closer: Jordan Leasure (2.7%)
Co-closer: Grant Taylor (0.6%)
Primary setup: Brandon Eisert (0.0%)
Secondary setup: Mike Vasil (0.7%)
CINCINNATI REDS
Closer: Emilio Pagan (44.8%)
Primary setup: Tony Santillan (7.5%)
Secondary setup: Connor Phillips (0.2%)
Sleeper: Graham Ashcraft (0.3%)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Closer: Cade Smith (39.3%)
Primary setup: Hunter Gaddis (10.9%)
Secondary setup: Erik Sabrowski (0.3%)
On leave: Emmanuel Clase
COLORADO ROCKIES
Closer: Victor Vodnik (2.9%)
Primary setup: Juan Mejia (0.0%)
Secondary setup: Jimmy Herget (0.1%)
Injured: Seth Halvorsen
DETROIT TIGERS
Co-closer: Kyle Finnegan (29.0%)
Co-closer: Will Vest (22.2%)
Primary setup: Rafael Montero (0.0%)
Secondary setup: Troy Melton (1.2%)
HOUSTON ASTROS
Closer: Bryan Abreu (30.8%)
Primary setup: Bryan King (4.6%)
Secondary setup: Steven Okert (0.5%)
Injured: Josh Hader
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Closer: Carlos Estevez (67.1%)
Primary setup: John Schreiber (0.6%)
Secondary setup: Taylor Clarke (0.1%)
Middle relief: Angel Zerpa (0.1%)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Closer: Kenley Jansen (31.9%)
Primary setup: Luis Garcia (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Brock Burke (0.1%)
Middle relief: Jose Fermin (0.0%)
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Closer: Tanner Scott (57.7%)
Primary setup: Alex Vesia (7.2%)
Secondary setup: Blake Treinen (3.4%)
Middle relief: Jack Dreyer (1.2%)
MIAMI MARLINS
Closer-by-committee: Calvin Faucher (4.0%)
Closer-by-committee: Ronny Henriquez (10.4%)
Closer-by-committee: Lake Bachar (0.1%)
Closer-by-committee: George Soriano (0.0%)
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Closer: Abner Uribe (32.1%)
Primary setup: Jared Koenig (3.5%)
Secondary setup: Aaron Ashby (1.5%)
Injured: Trevor Megill
MINNESOTA TWINS
Closer-by-committee: Cole Sands (0.7%)
Closer-by-committee: Kody Funderburk (0.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Michael Tonkin (0.1%)
Injured: Justin Topa
NEW YORK METS
Closer: Edwin Diaz (95.1%)
Primary setup: Tyler Rogers (9.3%)
Secondary setup: Ryan Helsley (65.4%)
Middle relief: Brooks Raley (0.2%)
NEW YORK YANKEES
Closer: David Bednar (52.7%)
Primary setup: Devin Williams (63.7%)
Secondary setup: Luke Weaver (25.1%)
Middle relief: Fernando Cruz (3.1%)
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Closer: Jhoan Duran (89.2%)
Primary setup: Matt Strahm (5.7%)
Secondary setup: David Robertson (1.2%)
Middle relief: Orion Kerkering (3.2%)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Closer: Dennis Santana (11.6%)
Primary setup: Isaac Mattson (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Dauri Moreta (0.0%)
Middle relief: Kyle Nicolas (0.0%)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Closer-by-committee: JoJo Romero (9.4%)
Closer-by-committee: Riley O'Brien (1.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Kyle Leahy (1.2%)
Primary setup: Ryan Fernandez (0.1%)
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Closer: Robert Suarez (92.8%)
Primary setup: Mason Miller (90.9%)
Secondary setup: Adrian Morejon (7.4%)
Middle relief: Jeremiah Estrada (11.1%)
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Closer: Ryan Walker (63.2%)
Primary setup: Joey Lucchesi (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Joel Peguero (0.2%)
Middle relief: Jose Butto (0.3%)
SEATTLE MARINERS
Closer: Andres Munoz (95.9%)
Primary setup: Matt Brash (3.9%)
Secondary setup: Eduard Bazardo (1.4%)
Middle relief: Gabe Speier (1.7%)
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Closer: Pete Fairbanks (36.4%)
Primary setup: Bryan Baker (0.6%)
Secondary setup: Edwin Uceta (2.0%)
Middle relief: Garrett Cleavinger (1.5%)
TEXAS RANGERS
Closer: Shawn Armstrong (9.0%)
Primary setup: Robert Garcia (2.8%)
Secondary setup: Phil Maton (3.2%)
Middle relief: Chris Martin (2.5%)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Closer: Jeff Hoffman (79.1%)
Primary setup: Seranthony Dominguez (1.3%)
Secondary setup: Yariel Rodriguez (0.7%)
Middle relief: Tommy Nance (0.1%)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Closer: Jose Ferrer (11.5%)
Primary setup: Clayton Beeter (0.8%)
Secondary setup: P.J. Poulin (0.1%)
Middle relief: Konnor Pilkington (0.0%)
KEY: "Closer" is either that team's officially designated closer, or the pitcher most likely to get the team's next save chance. Teams can be listed with "Co-closers" or "Closer-by-committee." "Primary setup" is the pitcher next-most likely to take over if something happens to the closer, the top holds-getter and the one who might get any save chances on the closer's nights off. "Secondary setup" is the pitcher third-in-line to close and a good candidate for holds. "Middle relief" covers any other pertinent relievers from that team's bullpen. "Sleeper" is another reliever who could provide a decent number of holds or eventually graduate into the closer role.