Latest fantasy baseball reliever updates
Both Luke Jackson (finger) and Chris Martin (elbow) are dealing with injuries, forcing the Rangers to lean on Shawn Armstrong and Jacob Webb to close games temporarily. (May 16)
The Cubs' closer situation is in flux, after Porter Hodge saved their May 10 win, only to badly blow a tie game in the eighth inning the next day. He and Ryan Pressly are mired in a battle for save chances. (May 12)
The Dodgers now have Michael Kopech (shoulder), Evan Phillips (forearm) and Blake Treinen (forearm) all on the IL, reducing their number of closer candidates. Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates now appear to be in a partnership, with Alex Vesia available in matchup situations. (May 8)
Bad luck has struck the bullpen of the Diamondbacks, who on May 1 placed Justin Martinez on the IL and transferred A.J. Puk to the 60-day IL, sidelining the latter until at least June 17. Expect a committee in their absence, with Shelby Miller, Kevin Ginkel, Ryan Thompson and Jalen Beeks all candidates to handle the ninth inning. (May 2)
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: Shelby Miller (5.8%)
Closer-by-committee: Kevin Ginkel (0.8%)
Closer-by-committee: Ryan Thompson (0.3%)
Injured: Justin Martinez (48.5%)
THE ATHLETICS
Closer: Mason Miller (96.6%)
Primary setup: Tyler Ferguson (0.6%)
Secondary setup: Grant Holman (0.2%)
Sleeper: Justin Sterner (0.9%)
ATLANTA BRAVES
Closer: Raisel Iglesias (75.6%)
Primary setup: Pierce Johnson (0.7%)
Secondary setup: Dylan Lee (1.0%)
Middle relief: Daysbel Hernandez (0.4%)
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Closer: Felix Bautista (80.9%)
Primary setup: Yennier Cano (4.2%)
Secondary setup: Keegan Akin (0.3%)
Middle relief: Seranthony Dominguez (0.6%)
BOSTON RED SOX
Closer: Aroldis Chapman (42.6%)
Primary setup: Justin Slaten (1.0%)
Secondary setup: Liam Hendriks (3.3%)
Sleeper: Garrett Whitlock (1.2%)
CHICAGO CUBS
Co-closer: Porter Hodge (6.7%)
Co-closer: Ryan Pressly (47.1%)
Primary setup: Drew Pomeranz (0.5%)
Sleeper: Daniel Palencia (0.1%)
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Closer-by-committee: Cam Booser (0.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Steven Wilson (0.0%)
Closer-by-committee: Jordan Leasure (0.1%)
Primary setup: Brandon Eisert (0.0%)
CINCINNATI REDS
Closer: Emilio Pagan (32.2%)
Primary setup: Tony Santillan (3.2%)
Secondary setup: Taylor Rogers (0.4%)
Sleeper: Graham Ashcraft (1.0%)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Closer: Emmanuel Clase (99.0%)
Primary setup: Hunter Gaddis (10.7%)
Secondary setup: Cade Smith (23.7%)
Middle relief: Tim Herrin (0.4%)
COLORADO ROCKIES
Closer: Zachary Agnos (0.5%)
Primary setup: Seth Halvorsen (0.7%)
Secondary setup: Jake Bird (0.4%)
Injured: Victor Vodnik (0.1%)
DETROIT TIGERS
Co-closer: Will Vest (6.6%)
Co-closer: Tommy Kahnle (10.2%)
Primary setup: Beau Brieske (0.3%)
Secondary setup: Tyler Holton (3.4%)
HOUSTON ASTROS
Closer: Josh Hader (97.7%)
Primary setup: Bryan Abreu (18.0%)
Secondary setup: Bryan King (2.8%)
Middle relief: Kaleb Ort (0.0%)
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Closer: Carlos Estevez (51.3%)
Primary setup: Lucas Erceg (41.4%)
Secondary setup: John Schreiber (0.2%)
Sleeper: Daniel Lynch IV (0.4%)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Closer: Kenley Jansen (24.7%)
Primary setup: Ryan Zeferjahn (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Hector Neris (0.1%)
Middle relief: Brock Burke (0.0%)
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Co-closer: Tanner Scott (87.7%)
Co-closer: Kirby Yates (21.9%)
Primary setup: Alex Vesia (9.4%)
Injured: Blake Treinen (5.8%)
MIAMI MARLINS
Closer-by-committee: Jesus Tinoco (0.6%)
Closer-by-committee: Anthony Bender (0.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Calvin Faucher (1.0%)
Primary setup: Lake Bachar (0.1%)
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Closer: Trevor Megill (37.8%)
Primary setup: Jared Koenig (0.6%)
Secondary setup: Nick Mears (0.3%)
Sleeper: Abner Uribe (3.2%)
MINNESOTA TWINS
Closer: Jhoan Duran (81.0%)
Primary setup: Griffin Jax (14.6%)
Secondary setup: Cole Sands (0.4%)
Middle relief: Louis Varland (1.1%)
NEW YORK METS
Closer: Edwin Diaz (93.5%)
Primary setup: Ryne Stanek (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Reed Garrett (5.1%)
Middle relief: Max Kranick (0.4%)
NEW YORK YANKEES
Closer: Luke Weaver (49.7%)
Primary setup: Devin Williams (68.0%)
Secondary setup: Fernando Cruz (11.5%)
Middle relief: Ian Hamilton (0.1%)
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Co-closer: Jordan Romano (7.7%)
Co-closer: Jose Alvarado (47.0%)
Primary setup: Matt Strahm (3.5%)
Sleeper: Orion Kerkering (2.6%)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Co-closer: David Bednar (27.2%)
Co-closer: Dennis Santana (3.4%)
Primary setup: Caleb Ferguson (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Chase Shugart (0.0%)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Closer: Ryan Helsley (84.7%)
Primary setup: Phil Maton (1.2%)
Secondary setup: Kyle Leahy (4.9%)
Middle relief: Steven Matz (2.1%)
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Closer: Robert Suarez (94.2%)
Primary setup: Jason Adam (45.3%)
Secondary setup: Jeremiah Estrada (6.6%)
Sleeper: Yuki Matsui (0.5%)
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Closer: Ryan Walker (70.1%)
Primary setup: Camilo Doval (20.4%)
Secondary setup: Tyler Rogers (6.6%)
Sleeper: Hayden Birdsong (2.2%)
SEATTLE MARINERS
Closer: Andres Munoz (94.6%)
Primary setup: Matt Brash (0.9%)
Secondary setup: Gabe Speier (0.4%)
Middle relief: Collin Snider (0.1%)
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Closer: Pete Fairbanks (37.4%)
Primary setup: Garrett Cleavinger (0.3%)
Secondary setup: Edwin Uceta (0.7%)
Sleeper: Mason Montgomery (0.6%)
TEXAS RANGERS
Closer: Luke Jackson (10.6%)
Primary setup: Chris Martin (7.7%)
Secondary setup: Shawn Armstrong (0.4%)
Middle relief: Robert Garcia (3.5%)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Closer: Jeff Hoffman (81.5%)
Primary setup: Yimi Garcia (2.1%)
Secondary setup: Chad Green (1.8%)
Middle relief: Brendon Little (1.4%)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Closer: Kyle Finnegan (48.6%)
Primary setup: Jose Ferrer (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Jorge Lopez (0.3%)
Middle relief: Jackson Rutledge (0.1%)
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.