Latest fantasy baseball reliever updates
Kevin Ginkel (shoulder) will miss the remainder of the season, meaning the Diamondbacks now have seven members of their bullpen currently on the IL, including all three of their preseason closer competitors. So what's left? Kendall Graveman, Andrew Saalfrank, Kyle Backhus and Kyle Nelson could serve in a committee for now, and as a team, the Diamondbacks now have a serious chance at matching the 2021 Rays' and 2024 Dodgers' record of 14 different relievers notching a save. (August 7)
After Devin Williams was scored upon Aug. 5, for the fourth consecutive game and sixth time in his past eight outings, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he'd "play it night by night" when handling who closes. David Bednar then helped the team snap a five-game losing streak by closing the Yankees' Aug. 6 victory. Bednar might now be atop a closer-by-committee that could also include Camilo Doval and Luke Weaver, and perhaps even Williams. (August 7)
Riley O'Brien saved the Cardinals' comeback Aug. 6 win, after JoJo Romero was needed to face Shohei Ohtani in the seventh with the team trailing, so their bullpen might be more matchups-based than initially perceived following the trade of closer Ryan Helsley. (August 7)
Robert Garcia has struggled of late, surrendering runs in three consecutive appearances, while Phil Maton closed the Rangers' Aug. 5 win successfully. It's unclear whether this signals Maton emerging as the singular closer, or if Garcia is merely getting a breather from the role. (August 7)
The Tigers had Will Vest pitch in setup relief in their Aug. 1 and 2 games, and newly acquired Kyle Finnegan came on in relief of a struggling Vest to close the latter game. The two are probably still viewed as matchups partners, but Finnegan might have a leg up on the saves competition in Detroit. (August 4)
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
Closer-by-committee: Kendall Graveman (0.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Andrew Saalfrank (0.0%)
Closer-by-committee: Kyle Backhus (0.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Kyle Nelson (0.0%)
THE ATHLETICS
Co-closer: Sean Newcomb (0.8%)
Co-closer: Michael Kelly (0.1%)
Primary setup: Justin Sterner (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Elvis Alvarado (0.0%)
ATLANTA BRAVES
Closer: Raisel Iglesias (65.0%)
Primary setup: Pierce Johnson (0.5%)
Secondary setup: Dylan Lee (0.8%)
Middle relief: Tyler Kinley (0.3%)
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Closer-by-committee: Yennier Cano (2.0%)
Closer-by-committee: Corbin Martin (0.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Keegan Akin (0.6%)
Injured: Felix Bautista
BOSTON RED SOX
Closer: Aroldis Chapman (76.9%)
Primary setup: Garrett Whitlock (4.4%)
Secondary setup: Justin Wilson (0.2%)
Sleeper: Jordan Hicks (2.0%)
CHICAGO CUBS
Closer: Daniel Palencia (27.1%)
Primary setup: Brad Keller (0.8%)
Secondary setup: Andrew Kittredge (0.7%)
Middle relief: Drew Pomeranz (0.5%)
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Closer-by-committee: Grant Taylor (1.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Steven Wilson (0.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Jordan Leasure (0.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Brandon Eisert (0.0%)
CINCINNATI REDS
Closer: Emilio Pagan (50.3%)
Primary setup: Tony Santillan (6.2%)
Secondary setup: Scott Barlow (0.3%)
Sleeper: Graham Ashcraft (0.4%)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Co-closer: Cade Smith (23.8%)
Co-closer: Hunter Gaddis (6.8%)
Primary setup: Erik Sabrowski (0.2%)
On leave: Emmanuel Clase
COLORADO ROCKIES
Closer-by-committee: Victor Vodnik (0.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Jimmy Herget (0.0%)
Closer-by-committee: Juan Mejia (0.0%)
Injured: Seth Halvorsen
DETROIT TIGERS
Co-closer: Kyle Finnegan (32.1%)
Co-closer: Will Vest (24.1%)
Primary setup: Tyler Holton (2.6%)
Secondary setup: Tommy Kahnle (4.8%)
HOUSTON ASTROS
Closer: Josh Hader (98.3%)
Primary setup: Bryan Abreu (24.0%)
Secondary setup: Bryan King (3.0%)
Middle relief: Bennett Sousa (0.8%)
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Closer: Carlos Estevez (66.6%)
Primary setup: Lucas Erceg (26.7%)
Secondary setup: Hunter Harvey (0.4%)
Sleeper: Daniel Lynch IV (0.1%)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Closer: Kenley Jansen (31.2%)
Primary setup: Reid Detmers (2.1%)
Secondary setup: Ryan Zeferjahn (0.2%)
Middle relief: Brock Burke (0.1%)
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Closer-by-committee: Blake Treinen (4.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Alex Vesia (11.4%)
Closer-by-committee: Ben Casparius (2.8%)
Injured: Tanner Scott
MIAMI MARLINS
Closer-by-committee: Calvin Faucher (6.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Ronny Henriquez (10.0%)
Closer-by-committee: Anthony Bender (2.6%)
Closer-by-committee: Lake Bachar (0.2%)
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Closer: Trevor Megill (65.0%)
Primary setup: Abner Uribe (17.5%)
Secondary setup: Jared Koenig (1.3%)
Middle relief: Nick Mears (0.2%)
MINNESOTA TWINS
Closer-by-committee: Justin Topa (0.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Cole Sands (1.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Michael Tonkin (0.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Erasmo Ramirez (0.0%)
NEW YORK METS
Closer: Edwin Diaz (96.5%)
Primary setup: Ryan Helsley (81.1%)
Secondary setup: Tyler Rogers (8.4%)
Middle relief: Brooks Raley (0.1%)
NEW YORK YANKEES
Closer-by-committee: David Bednar (38.9%)
Closer-by-committee: Camilo Doval (19.8%)
Closer-by-committee: Luke Weaver (25.9%)
Closer-by-committee: Devin Williams (71.4%)
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Closer: Jhoan Duran (85.2%)
Primary setup: Orion Kerkering (3.5%)
Secondary setup: Matt Strahm (3.6%)
Middle relief: Jordan Romano (4.9%)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Closer: Dennis Santana (5.8%)
Primary setup: Isaac Mattson (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Carmen Mlodzinski (0.3%)
Sleeper: Braxton Ashcraft (0.2%)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Co-closer: JoJo Romero (6.1%)
Co-closer: Riley O'Brien (0.3%)
Primary setup: Kyle Leahy (1.2%)
Secondary setup: Gordon Graceffo (0.1%)
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Closer: Robert Suarez (92.3%)
Primary setup: Mason Miller (91.1%)
Secondary setup: Jason Adam (32.3%)
Middle relief: Adrian Morejon (6.4%)
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Closer: Randy Rodriguez (17.0%)
Primary setup: Ryan Walker (57.1%)
Secondary setup: Jose Butto (0.3%)
Middle relief: Spencer Bivens (0.0%)
SEATTLE MARINERS
Closer: Andres Munoz (96.1%)
Primary setup: Matt Brash (2.7%)
Secondary setup: Eduard Bazardo (0.4%)
Middle relief: Gabe Speier (1.0%)
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Closer: Pete Fairbanks (34.6%)
Primary setup: Griffin Jax (16.7%)
Secondary setup: Edwin Uceta (1.8%)
Middle relief: Garrett Cleavinger (0.9%)
TEXAS RANGERS
Co-closer: Phil Maton (5.0%)
Co-closer: Robert Garcia (4.9%)
Primary setup: Danny Coulombe (0.6%)
Secondary setup: Shawn Armstrong (0.7%)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Closer: Jeff Hoffman (81.4%)
Primary setup: Seranthony Dominguez (1.9%)
Secondary setup: Louis Varland (1.9%)
Middle relief: Brendon Little (4.4%)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Co-closer: Jose Ferrer (1.0%)
Co-closer: Cole Henry (0.1%)
Primary setup: Konnor Pilkington (0.0%)
Secondary setup: Orlando Ribalta (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.