Latest fantasy baseball reliever updates
The Orioles continue to mix and match in the late innings since losing Felix Bautista (shoulder) for the season. Keegan Akin, Dietrich Enns and Yennier Cano have been most frequently used in the eighth and ninth innings in August. (August 15)
Fourteen different Diamondbacks have notched saves this season, matching the all-time record by a single team (2021 Rays, 2024 Dodgers), but five are now on the injured list, one has since been traded, two are in the minors and two are in their rotation. Juan Morillo, Andrew Saalfran, Kyle Backhus, Andrew Hoffmann and Juan Burgos could all be candidates to close when the matchup is right. (August 14)
The Astros placed Josh Hader (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list on Aug. 12. Bryan Abreu, whose 215 fantasy points as of that date were fourth-most among non-closer relievers, is likely to handle the closer duties in the interim. (August 13)
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)
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: Juan Morillo (0.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Andrew Saalfrank (0.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Andrew Hoffmann (0.0%)
Closer-by-committee: Kyle Backhus (0.0%)
THE ATHLETICS
Closer-by-committee: Sean Newcomb (0.8%)
Closer-by-committee: Michael Kelly (0.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Justin Sterner (0.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Elvis Alvarado (0.1%)
ATLANTA BRAVES
Closer: Raisel Iglesias (70.4%)
Primary setup: Pierce Johnson (0.6%)
Secondary setup: Dylan Lee (1.2%)
Middle relief: Tyler Kinley (0.3%)
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Closer-by-committee: Keegan Akin (1.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Yennier Cano (1.9%)
Closer-by-committee: Dietrich Enns (0.3%)
Primary setup: Kade Strowd (0.0%)
BOSTON RED SOX
Closer: Aroldis Chapman (79.8%)
Primary setup: Garrett Whitlock (3.8%)
Secondary setup: Justin Wilson (0.2%)
Middle relief: Greg Weissert (0.6%)
CHICAGO CUBS
Closer: Daniel Palencia (24.9%)
Primary setup: Brad Keller (1.5%)
Secondary setup: Andrew Kittredge (1.1%)
Middle relief: Caleb Thielbar (0.7%)
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Closer-by-committee: Grant Taylor (0.9%)
Closer-by-committee: Steven Wilson (0.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Jordan Leasure (0.4%)
Closer-by-committee: Brandon Eisert (0.0%)
CINCINNATI REDS
Closer: Emilio Pagan (49.3%)
Primary setup: Tony Santillan (5.5%)
Secondary setup: Scott Barlow (0.3%)
Sleeper: Graham Ashcraft (0.5%)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Closer: Cade Smith (28.8%)
Primary setup: Hunter Gaddis (7.4%)
Secondary setup: Erik Sabrowski (0.5%)
On leave: Emmanuel Clase
COLORADO ROCKIES
Closer: Victor Vodnik (3.0%)
Primary setup: Jimmy Herget (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Juan Mejia (0.0%)
Injured: Seth Halvorsen
DETROIT TIGERS
Co-closer: Kyle Finnegan (39.8%)
Co-closer: Will Vest (24.8%)
Primary setup: Tyler Holton (2.5%)
Secondary setup: Rafael Montero (0.0%)
HOUSTON ASTROS
Closer: Bryan Abreu (30.0%)
Primary setup: Bennett Sousa (1.3%)
Secondary setup: Kaleb Ort (0.0%)
Injured: Josh Hader
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Closer: Carlos Estevez (65.2%)
Primary setup: Lucas Erceg (26.7%)
Secondary setup: John Schreiber (0.3%)
Middle relief: Angel Zerpa (0.1%)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Closer: Kenley Jansen (33.4%)
Primary setup: Reid Detmers (1.6%)
Secondary setup: Luis Garcia (0.1%)
Middle relief: Brock Burke (0.1%)
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Closer-by-committee: Alex Vesia (9.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Ben Casparius (3.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Blake Treinen (3.8%)
Injured: Tanner Scott
MIAMI MARLINS
Closer-by-committee: Calvin Faucher (4.6%)
Closer-by-committee: Ronny Henriquez (9.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Lake Bachar (0.2%)
Primary setup: Tyler Phillips (0.2%)
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Closer: Trevor Megill (70.2%)
Primary setup: Abner Uribe (21.4%)
Secondary setup: Jared Koenig (2.5%)
Sleeper: Shelby Miller (4.0%)
MINNESOTA TWINS
Closer-by-committee: Justin Topa (0.7%)
Closer-by-committee: Cole Sands (0.6%)
Closer-by-committee: Michael Tonkin (0.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Erasmo Ramirez (0.0%)
NEW YORK METS
Closer: Edwin Diaz (96.2%)
Primary setup: Ryan Helsley (73.1%)
Secondary setup: Tyler Rogers (8.4%)
Middle relief: Gregory Soto (1.3%)
NEW YORK YANKEES
Closer: David Bednar (48.6%)
Primary setup: Luke Weaver (28.2%)
Secondary setup: Camilo Doval (16.3%)
Middle relief: Devin Williams (63.5%)
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Closer: Jhoan Duran (86.7%)
Primary setup: Jose Alvarado (9.1%)
Secondary setup: Orion Kerkering (4.2%)
Middle relief: Matt Strahm (3.7%)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Closer: Dennis Santana (6.1%)
Primary setup: Isaac Mattson (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Kyle Nicolas (0.0%)
Middle relief: Chase Shugart (0.0%)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Co-closer: JoJo Romero (6.6%)
Co-closer: Riley O'Brien (0.6%)
Primary setup: Kyle Leahy (1.3%)
Secondary setup: Matt Svanson (0.2%)
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Closer: Robert Suarez (92.7%)
Primary setup: Mason Miller (91.5%)
Secondary setup: Jason Adam (32.8%)
Middle relief: Adrian Morejon (6.9%)
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Closer: Randy Rodriguez (15.0%)
Primary setup: Ryan Walker (55.7%)
Secondary setup: Jose Butto (0.2%)
Middle relief: Matt Gage (0.1%)
SEATTLE MARINERS
Closer: Andres Munoz (96.6%)
Primary setup: Matt Brash (3.5%)
Secondary setup: Gabe Speier (1.5%)
Middle relief: Eduard Bazardo (0.4%)
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Closer: Pete Fairbanks (36.4%)
Primary setup: Griffin Jax (16.2%)
Secondary setup: Edwin Uceta (2.1%)
Middle relief: Garrett Cleavinger (1.1%)
TEXAS RANGERS
Closer-by-committee: Phil Maton (4.0%)
Closer-by-committee: Robert Garcia (3.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Shawn Armstrong (1.3%)
Primary setup: Danny Coulombe (0.4%)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Closer: Jeff Hoffman (82.4%)
Primary setup: Seranthony Dominguez (1.4%)
Secondary setup: Louis Varland (1.9%)
Middle relief: Brendon Little (4.0%)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Co-closer: Jose Ferrer (1.6%)
Co-closer: Cole Henry (0.2%)
Primary setup: P.J. Poulin (0.0%)
Secondary setup: Clayton Beeter (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.