Latest fantasy baseball reliever updates
Fourteen different Diamondbacks have notched saves this season, matching the all-time record by a single team (2021 Rays, 2024 Dodgers), but six are now on the injured list, one has since been traded, two are in the minors and one is in their rotation. Andrew Saalfrank and Juan Morillo are the most likely of the current candidates to get save chances, though Kyle Backhus and Juan Burgos are also candidates in the season's final weeks. (August 21)
The Orioles continue to mix and match in the late innings since losing Felix Bautista (shoulder) for the season. Keegan Akin, Dietrich Enns, Yennier Cano and Yaramil Hiraldo have all been used in save situations in the ninth inning in August. (August 21)
Since Yankees manager Aaron Boone demoted Devin Williams from the closer role following the latter's Aug. 5 loss, David Bednar has handled all three of the team's ninth-inning save opportunities. (August 21)
Jose Ferrer has each of the Nationals' past two and three of their past four ninth-inning saves, seemingly emerging as the team's go-to closer following the deadline trade of Kyle Finnegan. (August 21)
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)
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: Andrew Saalfrank (0.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Juan Morillo (0.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Kyle Backhus (0.0%)
Primary setup: Juan Burgos (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: Hogan Harris (0.1%)
ATLANTA BRAVES
Closer: Raisel Iglesias (71.1%)
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 (79.9%)
Primary setup: Garrett Whitlock (3.7%)
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 (1.4%)
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 (48.8%)
Primary setup: Tony Santillan (5.6%)
Secondary setup: Scott Barlow (0.3%)
Sleeper: Graham Ashcraft (0.6%)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Closer: Cade Smith (28.6%)
Primary setup: Hunter Gaddis (7.4%)
Secondary setup: Erik Sabrowski (0.5%)
On leave: Emmanuel Clase
COLORADO ROCKIES
Closer: Victor Vodnik (3.5%)
Primary setup: Jimmy Herget (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Juan Mejia (0.0%)
Injured: Seth Halvorsen
DETROIT TIGERS
Co-closer: Kyle Finnegan (39.5%)
Co-closer: Will Vest (25.0%)
Primary setup: Tyler Holton (2.5%)
Secondary setup: Rafael Montero (0.0%)
HOUSTON ASTROS
Closer: Bryan Abreu (30.2%)
Primary setup: Bennett Sousa (1.2%)
Secondary setup: Kaleb Ort (0.0%)
Injured: Josh Hader
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Closer: Carlos Estevez (65.5%)
Primary setup: Lucas Erceg (26.7%)
Secondary setup: John Schreiber (0.3%)
Middle relief: Angel Zerpa (0.1%)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Closer: Kenley Jansen (30.9%)
Primary setup: Reid Detmers (1.7%)
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 (3.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Blake Treinen (3.8%)
Injured: Tanner Scott
MIAMI MARLINS
Closer-by-committee: Calvin Faucher (4.4%)
Closer-by-committee: Ronny Henriquez (9.0%)
Closer-by-committee: Lake Bachar (0.2%)
Primary setup: Tyler Phillips (0.2%)
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Closer: Trevor Megill (70.3%)
Primary setup: Abner Uribe (21.6%)
Secondary setup: Jared Koenig (2.5%)
Sleeper: Shelby Miller (3.9%)
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 (96.1%)
Primary setup: Ryan Helsley (72.9%)
Secondary setup: Tyler Rogers (8.4%)
Middle relief: Gregory Soto (1.4%)
NEW YORK YANKEES
Closer: David Bednar (48.8%)
Primary setup: Luke Weaver (28.5%)
Secondary setup: Devin Williams (63.5%)
Middle relief: Camilo Doval (16.1%)
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Closer: Jhoan Duran (86.8%)
Primary setup: Jose Alvarado (9.4%)
Secondary setup: Orion Kerkering (4.0%)
Middle relief: Matt Strahm (3.7%)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Closer: Dennis Santana (6.3%)
Primary setup: Isaac Mattson (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Kyle Nicolas (0.0%)
Middle relief: Carmen Mlodzinski (0.5%)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Co-closer: JoJo Romero (6.4%)
Co-closer: Riley O'Brien (0.7%)
Primary setup: Kyle Leahy (1.3%)
Secondary setup: Matt Svanson (0.3%)
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Closer: Robert Suarez (92.6%)
Primary setup: Mason Miller (91.4%)
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 (3.3%)
Secondary setup: Gabe Speier (1.4%)
Middle relief: Eduard Bazardo (0.4%)
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Closer: Pete Fairbanks (36.6%)
Primary setup: Griffin Jax (16.1%)
Secondary setup: Edwin Uceta (2.2%)
Middle relief: Garrett Cleavinger (1.1%)
TEXAS RANGERS
Closer-by-committee: Phil Maton (3.9%)
Closer-by-committee: Robert Garcia (3.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Shawn Armstrong (1.4%)
Primary setup: Danny Coulombe (0.4%)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Closer: Jeff Hoffman (82.3%)
Primary setup: Seranthony Dominguez (1.3%)
Secondary setup: Louis Varland (1.8%)
Middle relief: Brendon Little (3.9%)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Closer: Jose Ferrer (1.8%)
Primary setup: Cole Henry (0.2%)
Secondary setup: P.J. Poulin (0.0%)
Middle relief: 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.