Latest fantasy baseball bullpen updates
The Marlins placed Calvin Faucher on the 15-day IL due to a right shoulder impingement, retroactive to Sept. 5. Anthony Bender and John McMillon are likely to share save chances. (September 8)
The Cubs placed Jorge Lopez (groin) on the 15-day IL on Sept. 4, leaving Porter Hodge standing alone as the team's solitary closer. (September 5)
Clay Holmes' recent struggles have convinced Yankees manager Aaron Boone to go with a closer-by-committee which could also include Jake Cousins, Tommy Kahnle and Luke Weaver. (September 5)
After blowing his third save in August, David Bednar was demoted from closer and will work in lower leverage scenarios. Aroldis Chapman and Jalen Beeks are expected to fill in. (August 31)
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: Justin Martinez (8.9%)
Primary setup: Ryan Thompson (1.5%)
Secondary setup: Paul Sewald (45.7%)
Sleeper: A.J. Puk (20.0%)
ATLANTA BRAVES
Closer: Raisel Iglesias (91.4%)
Primary setup: Joe Jimenez (4.2%)
Secondary setup: Pierce Johnson (0.3%)
Middle relief: Dylan Lee (0.3%)
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Closer: Seranthony Dominguez (10.9%)
Primary setup: Yennier Cano (35.8%)
Secondary setup: Cionel Perez (0.4%)
Middle relief: Craig Kimbrel (63.4%)
BOSTON RED SOX
Closer: Kenley Jansen (65.8%)
Primary setup: Chris Martin (1.9%)
Secondary setup: Justin Slaten (0.7%)
Middle relief: Greg Weissert (0.0%)
CHICAGO CUBS
Closer: Porter Hodge (6.6%)
Primary setup: Tyson Miller (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Shawn Armstrong (0.2%)
Sleeper: Nate Pearson (0.2%)
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Closer-by-committee: Justin Anderson (0.0%)
Closer-by-committee: Chad Kuhl (0.0%)
Closer-by-committee: Gus Varland (0.0%)
Sleeper: Prelander Berroa (0.1%)
CINCINNATI REDS
Closer: Alexis Diaz (67.9%)
Primary setup: Tony Santillan (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Emilio Pagan (0.1%)
Middle relief: Buck Farmer (0.1%)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Closer: Emmanuel Clase (98.6%)
Primary setup: Hunter Gaddis (9.2%)
Secondary setup: Eli Morgan (0.1%)
Sleeper: Cade Smith (7.4%)
COLORADO ROCKIES
Co-closer: Victor Vodnik (1.2%)
Co-closer: Tyler Kinley (1.8%)
Primary setup: Angel Chivilli (0.0%)
Secondary setup: Justin Lawrence (4.5%)
DETROIT TIGERS
Closer-by-committee: Jason Foley (22.5%)
Closer-by-committee: Shelby Miller (0.4%)
Closer-by-committee: Tyler Holton (5.5%)
Primary setup: Sean Guenther (0.0%)
HOUSTON ASTROS
Closer: Josh Hader (91.2%)
Primary setup: Ryan Pressly (9.2%)
Secondary setup: Hector Neris (7.6%)
Sleeper: Bryan Abreu (14.8%)
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Closer: Lucas Erceg (8.8%)
Primary setup: Kris Bubic (0.1%)
Secondary setup: John Schreiber (0.8%)
Middle relief: James McArthur (9.5%)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Closer: Ben Joyce (8.5%)
Primary setup: Jose Quijada (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Roansy Contreras (0.2%)
Middle relief: Hunter Strickland (0.1%)
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Co-closer: Michael Kopech (17.8%)
Co-closer: Evan Phillips (60.4%)
Primary setup: Daniel Hudson (8.7%)
Secondary setup: Blake Treinen (1.0%)
MIAMI MARLINS
Co-closer: Anthony Bender (0.1%)
Co-closer: John McMillon (0.2%)
Primary setup: Jesus Tinoco (0.3%)
Injured: Calvin Faucher (1.2%)
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Closer: Devin Williams (55.3%)
Primary setup: Trevor Megill (6.6%)
Secondary setup: Jared Koenig (0.6%)
Middle relief: Joel Payamps (4.9%)
MINNESOTA TWINS
Closer: Jhoan Duran (75.1%)
Primary setup: Griffin Jax (14.2%)
Secondary setup: Jorge Alcala (0.3%)
Middle relief: Caleb Thielbar (0.1%)
NEW YORK METS
Closer: Edwin Diaz (79.0%)
Primary setup: Phil Maton (0.9%)
Secondary setup: Reed Garrett (4.0%)
Sleeper: Jose Butto (2.6%)
NEW YORK YANKEES
Closer-by-committee: Luke Weaver (4.7%)
Closer-by-committee: Clay Holmes (76.7%)
Closer-by-committee: Jake Cousins (0.6%)
Closer-by-committee: Tommy Kahnle (1.4%)
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
Closer: Mason Miller (71.7%)
Primary setup: Tyler Ferguson (0.5%)
Secondary setup: Michel Otanez (0.0%)
Middle relief: Grant Holman (0.1%)
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Closer: Carlos Estevez (41.1%)
Primary setup: Jeff Hoffman (15.9%)
Secondary setup: Matt Strahm (10.4%)
Sleeper: Orion Kerkering (1.4%)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Closer-by-committee: Aroldis Chapman (11.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Jalen Beeks (0.5%)
Closer-by-committee: Dennis Santana (1.3%)
Primary setup: Kyle Nicolas (0.1%)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Closer: Ryan Helsley (92.8%)
Primary setup: Andrew Kittredge (6.4%)
Secondary setup: JoJo Romero (9.6%)
Middle relief: Ryan Fernandez (0.2%)
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Closer: Robert Suarez (80.0%)
Primary setup: Tanner Scott (66.8%)
Secondary setup: Jason Adam (15.1%)
Middle relief: Jeremiah Estrada (2.1%)
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Closer: Ryan Walker (29.8%)
Primary setup: Tyler Rogers (4.1%)
Secondary setup: Taylor Rogers (0.4%)
Sleeper: Camilo Doval (68.7%)
SEATTLE MARINERS
Closer: Andres Munoz (74.5%)
Primary setup: Collin Snider (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Austin Voth (0.1%)
Middle relief: Tayler Saucedo (0.1%)
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Closer-by-committee: Edwin Uceta (4.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Manuel Rodriguez (0.6%)
Closer-by-committee: Garrett Cleavinger (0.7%)
Closer-by-committee: Kevin Kelly (0.2%)
TEXAS RANGERS
Closer: Kirby Yates (56.1%)
Primary setup: David Robertson (12.0%)
Secondary setup: Andrew Chafin (0.3%)
Sleeper: Jose Leclerc (22.0%)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Closer: Chad Green (12.1%)
Primary setup: Genesis Cabrera (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Erik Swanson (1.3%)
Injured: Jordan Romano (47.8%)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Closer: Kyle Finnegan (54.0%)
Primary setup: Jacob Barnes (0.0%)
Secondary setup: Derek Law (0.2%)
Middle relief: Tanner Rainey (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.