Latest fantasy baseball bullpen updates
Ryan Pressly waived his no-trade clause and will be traded to the Cubs, where he will take over as their full-time closer. (January 26)
The Dodgers agreed to terms with Kirby Yates and Tanner Scott over a three-day span, giving them five legitimate closer candates. Michael Kopech, however, might be limited initially by forearm inflammation. (January 23)
The Athletics signed Jose Leclerc to deepen their bullpen depth, but he is not expected to seriously challenge Mason Miller for the closer duties. (January 17)
Jorge Lopez, who signed with the Nationals, has the requisite experience to probably emerge from what might be a spring training closer competition. (January 11)
All indications are that Jeff Hoffman, who signed with the Blue Jays, will likely be their favorite to close games to begin the 2025 season. (January 10)
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: Justin Martinez (6.1%)
Co-closer: A.J. Puk (20.9%)
Primary setup: Kevin Ginkel (3.3%)
Secondary setup: Ryan Thompson (1.3%)
THE ATHLETICS
Closer: Mason Miller (71.0%)
Primary setup: Jose Leclerc (22.7%)
Secondary setup: Tyler Ferguson (0.6%)
Middle relief: Michel Otanez (0.1%)
ATLANTA BRAVES
Closer: Raisel Iglesias (91.7%)
Primary setup: Pierce Johnson (9.3%)
Secondary setup: Aaron Bummer (2.3%)
Middle relief: Dylan Lee (7.9%)
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Closer: Felix Bautista (1.4%)
Primary setup: Andrew Kittredge (8.0%)
Secondary setup: Keegan Akin (0.3%)
Middle relief: Seranthony Dominguez (7.8%)
BOSTON RED SOX
Co-closer: Liam Hendriks (0.3%)
Co-closer: Aroldis Chapman (15.4%)
Primary setup: Justin Slaten (0.9%)
Secondary setup: Greg Weissert (0.0%)
CHICAGO CUBS
Closer: Ryan Pressly (9.9%)
Primary setup: Porter Hodge (7.8%)
Secondary setup: Tyson Miller (0.6%)
Sleeper: Eli Morgan (0.2%)
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Closer-by-committee: Justin Anderson (0.0%)
Closer-by-committee: Fraser Ellard (0.0%)
Closer-by-committee: Prelander Berroa (0.2%)
Primary setup: Gus Varland (0.0%)
CINCINNATI REDS
Closer: Alexis Diaz (69.8%)
Primary setup: Emilio Pagan (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Tony Santillan (0.1%)
Middle relief: Sam Moll (0.1%)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Closer: Emmanuel Clase (96.4%)
Primary setup: Cade Smith (10.3%)
Secondary setup: Paul Sewald (43.0%)
Middle relief: Hunter Gaddis (9.9%)
COLORADO ROCKIES
Closer-by-committee: Tyler Kinley (1.7%)
Closer-by-committee: Seth Halvorsen (0.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Victor Vodnik (0.8%)
Sleeper: Luis Peralta (0.0%)
DETROIT TIGERS
Closer-by-committee: Beau Brieske (0.9%)
Closer-by-committee: Tyler Holton (9.7%)
Closer-by-committee: Jason Foley (30.2%)
Primary setup: Will Vest (0.7%)
HOUSTON ASTROS
Closer: Josh Hader (88.2%)
Primary setup: Bryan Abreu (16.4%)
Secondary setup: Tayler Scott (0.3%)
Middle relief: Kaleb Ort (0.1%)
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Closer: Lucas Erceg (11.5%)
Primary setup: Hunter Harvey (5.2%)
Secondary setup: John Schreiber (0.8%)
Middle relief: Angel Zerpa (0.1%)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Closer: Ben Joyce (4.1%)
Primary setup: Jose Quijada (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Brock Burke (0.1%)
Middle relief: Ryan Zeferjahn (0.0%)
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Closer-by-committee: Kirby Yates (56.9%)
Closer-by-committee: Michael Kopech (15.9%)
Closer-by-committee: Tanner Scott (66.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Blake Treinen (3.1%)
MIAMI MARLINS
Closer: Calvin Faucher (0.9%)
Primary setup: Jesus Tinoco (0.9%)
Secondary setup: Anthony Bender (0.1%)
Middle relief: Declan Cronin (0.0%)
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Closer: Trevor Megill (7.5%)
Primary setup: Jared Koenig (0.6%)
Secondary setup: Joel Payamps (4.5%)
Middle relief: Bryan Hudson (3.4%)
MINNESOTA TWINS
Closer: Jhoan Duran (74.3%)
Primary setup: Griffin Jax (15.3%)
Secondary setup: Cole Sands (0.7%)
Middle relief: Jorge Alcala (0.2%)
NEW YORK METS
Closer: Edwin Diaz (85.7%)
Primary setup: Jose Butto (17.4%)
Secondary setup: A.J. Minter (4.5%)
Sleeper: Reed Garrett (13.3%)
NEW YORK YANKEES
Closer: Devin Williams (59.1%)
Primary setup: Luke Weaver (18.3%)
Secondary setup: Ian Hamilton (0.9%)
Middle relief: Fernando Cruz (1.4%)
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Closer: Jordan Romano (47.9%)
Secondary setup: Matt Strahm (10.1%)
Middle relief: Jose Alvarado (32.0%)
Sleeper: Orion Kerkering (1.4%)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Closer: David Bednar (55.1%)
Primary setup: Dennis Santana (1.9%)
Secondary setup: Colin Holderman (0.8%)
Middle relief: Carmen Mlodzinski (0.1%)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Closer: Ryan Helsley (90.8%)
Primary setup: JoJo Romero (7.1%)
Secondary setup: Ryan Fernandez (0.2%)
Middle relief: Matthew Liberatore (0.3%)
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Co-closer: Robert Suarez (76.2%)
Primary setup: Jason Adam (16.7%)
Secondary setup: Jeremiah Estrada (2.1%)
Sleeper: Yuki Matsui (7.0%)
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Closer: Ryan Walker (28.0%)
Primary setup: Tyler Rogers (4.6%)
Secondary setup: Taylor Rogers (0.4%)
Sleeper: Camilo Doval (67.7%)
SEATTLE MARINERS
Closer: Andres Munoz (76.2%)
Primary setup: Collin Snider (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Tayler Saucedo (0.1%)
Middle relief: Trent Thornton (0.1%)
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Closer: Pete Fairbanks (48.7%)
Primary setup: Edwin Uceta (3.8%)
Secondary setup: Garrett Cleavinger (0.7%)
Sleeper: Mason Montgomery (0.2%)
TEXAS RANGERS
Closer-by-committee: Chris Martin (2.0%)
Closer-by-committee: Robert Garcia (0.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Jacob Webb (0.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Jacob Latz (0.0%)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Closer: Jeff Hoffman (14.5%)
Primary setup: Chad Green (7.8%)
Secondary setup: Yimi Garcia (2.4%)
Middle relief: Erik Swanson (1.3%)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Closer-by-committee: Jorge Lopez (0.5%)
Closer-by-committee: Derek Law (0.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Jose Ferrer (0.3%)
Primary setup: Eduardo Salazar (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.