Latest fantasy baseball reliever updates
Daniel Palencia (elbow, 15-day IL) has begun a minor league rehabilitation stint and could be ready to rejoin the Cubs in the coming days. He might be worked in slowly once activated, but shuld reclaim his closer role before long. (August 6)
Alex Lange has struggled to the tune of an 11.05 ERA since June 10, and he pitched in middle relief on Aug. 1, and Steven Cruz closed the team's Aug. 5 victory. There could be a changing of the guard here. (August 6)
The Angels traded both Ryan Zeferjahn and Kirby Yates at the deadline and placed Sam Bachman on the injured list on Aug. 5, leaving them precariously thin in the ninth inning. Ben Joyce might have the brightest outlook amongst the team's remaining options, though the team could also go with a committee that includes Samy Natera Jr., Luke Murphy, Jose Fermin and others. (August 6)
Devin Williams was unavailable to pitch on Aug. 5 due to arm fatigue. The Mets have almost no proven alternatives behind him, so anyone from Daniel Duarte to Kodai Senga to Nate Lavender to Dedniel Nunez to Jefry Yan could be called upon to close if Williams needs to miss additional time. (August 6)
Paul Sewald, who blew two saves and posted a 27.00 ERA in his first six appearances of the second half, was demoted from the Diamondbacks' closer role. They'll use a committee going forward, though Brandyn Garcia recorded the team's first two saves since the switch was made. (August 3)
The Orioles traded Tyler Wells to the Rays, taking another piece from their recent closer-by-committee. Andrew Kittredge will likely get any save chances in the short term, but bear in mind that both Felix Bautista and Ryan Helsley are both on the comeback trail from injuries. (August 3)
The White Sox traded their Opening Day closer, Seranthony Dominguez, ahead of the deadline, leaving the role in the hands of a Grant Taylor/Sean Newcomb/Bryan Hudson committee. Taylor, however, has the most fantasy upside of the bunch. (August 3)
The Twins acquired both Jeff Hoffman and A.J. Minter at the deadline to bolster their bullpen. Though unclear whether they intend a closer-by-committee, Hoffman's past experience could swiftly earn him the primary ninth-inning role. (August 3)
The Pirates fortified their bullpen with the acquisitions of Camilo Doval and Luke Weaver. Weaver, who has past ninth-inning experience, seems likely to quickly emerge as the team's primary closer. (August 3)
Erik Miller, who had been closing games recently for the Giants, was traded at the deadline. Expect the team to use a committee to close games, with Dylan Smith, Keaton Winn and JT Brubaker all candidates. (August 3)
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Closer-by-committee: Brandyn Garcia (5.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Jonathan Loaisiga (0.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Kevin Ginkel (1.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Juan Morillo (2.3%)
THE ATHLETICS
Closer: Hogan Harris (4.4%)
Primary setup: Elvis Alvarado (0.4%)
Secondary setup: Luis Medina (0.1%)
Middle relief: Brady Basso (0.0%)
ATLANTA BRAVES
Closer: Raisel Iglesias (82.8%)
Primary setup: Dylan Lee (19.1%)
Secondary setup: Dylan Dodd (1.0%)
Sleeper: Didier Fuentes (3.0%)
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Co-closer: Andrew Kittredge (1.2%)
Co-closer: Yennier Cano (1.4%)
Primary setup: Rico Garcia (9.8%)
Injured list: Ryan Helsley (34.7%)
BOSTON RED SOX
Closer: Aroldis Chapman (92.5%)
Primary setup: Garrett Whitlock (17.9%)
Secondary setup: Justin Slaten (1.9%)
Sleeper: Tayron Guerrero (1.2%)
CHICAGO CUBS
Closer-by-committee: Jacob Webb (3.6%)
Closer-by-committee: Ryan Zeferjahn (2.4%)
Closer-by-committee: Trent Thornton (0.1%)
Injured list: Daniel Palencia (31.3%)
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Closer-by-committee: Grant Taylor (14.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Sean Newcomb (1.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Bryan Hudson (0.3%)
Primary setup: Jordan Hicks (0.3%)
CINCINNATI REDS
Closer: Emilio Pagan (52.6%)
Primary setup: Tejay Antone (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Brock Burke (0.4%)
Middle relief: Pierce Johnson (0.1%)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Closer: Cade Smith (97.5%)
Primary setup: Hunter Gaddis (5.8%)
Secondary setup: Colin Holderman (0.8%)
Middle relief: Erik Sabrowski (7.9%)
COLORADO ROCKIES
Closer: Jordan Romano (4.4%)
Primary setup: Juan Mejia (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Jimmy Herget (0.1%)
Middle relief: Brennan Bernardino (0.1%)
DETROIT TIGERS
Closer: Kenley Jansen (37.6%)
Primary setup: Kyle Finnegan (2.0%)
Secondary setup: Drew Sommers (0.0%)
Middle relief: Tyler Holton (0.6%)
HOUSTON ASTROS
Closer: Josh Hader (82.2%)
Primary setup: Bryan Abreu (31.2%)
Secondary setup: Steven Okert (2.7%)
Middle relief: Enyel De Los Santos (0.3%)
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Co-closer: Alex Lange (1.9%)
Co-closer: Steven Cruz (0.8%)
Primary setup: Nate Pearson (0.0%)
Injured list: Carlos Estevez (18.0%)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Closer-by-committee: Samuel Natera Jr. (0.5%)
Closer-by-committee: Ben Joyce (1.5%)
Closer-by-committee: Luke Murphy (0.0%)
Closer-by-committee: Jose Fermin (0.0%)
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Closer: Edwin Diaz (66.7%)
Primary setup: Tanner Scott (30.0%)
Secondary setup: Alex Vesia (9.5%)
Middle relief: Jack Dreyer (1.0%)
MIAMI MARLINS
Closer: Pete Fairbanks (41.7%)
Primary setup: Tyler Zuber (0.0%)
Secondary setup: Michael Petersen (1.5%)
Middle relief: Victor Vodnik (0.4%)
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Closer: Trevor Megill (54.9%)
Primary setup: Abner Uribe (47.4%)
Secondary setup: Antonio Senzatela (3.2%)
Middle relief: Aaron Ashby (14.5%)
MINNESOTA TWINS
Co-closer: Yoendrys Gomez (12.1%)
Co-closer: Jeff Hoffman (40.0%)
Primary setup: Andrew Morris (0.0%)
Secondary setup: A.J. Minter (0.2%)
NEW YORK METS
Closer: Devin Williams (67.9%)
Primary setup: Daniel Duarte (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Kodai Senga (4.5%)
Middle relief: Nate Lavender (0.0%)
NEW YORK YANKEES
Closer: David Bednar (86.3%)
Primary setup: Fernando Cruz (4.8%)
Secondary setup: Brent Headrick (7.9%)
Middle relief: Paul Blackburn (1.2%)
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Closer: Jhoan Duran (93.7%)
Primary setup: Orion Kerkering (1.3%)
Secondary setup: Jonathan Bowlan (0.3%)
Middle relief: Jose Alvarado (0.6%)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Closer-by-committee: Luke Weaver (12.4%)
Closer-by-committee: Gregory Soto (23.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Mason Montgomery (2.5%)
Primary setup: Camilo Doval (2.7%)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Closer: Riley O'Brien (62.5%)
Primary setup: George Soriano (0.9%)
Secondary setup: Ryne Stanek (0.6%)
Middle relief: Gordon Graceffo (0.2%)
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Closer: Mason Miller (99.5%)
Primary setup: Adrian Morejon (13.4%)
Secondary setup: Jeremiah Estrada (6.6%)
Sleeper: Bradgley Rodriguez (0.3%)
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Closer-by-committee: Dylan Smith (0.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Keaton Winn (0.5%)
Closer-by-committee: JT Brubaker (0.1%)
Primary setup: Sam Hentges (0.0%)
SEATTLE MARINERS
Closer: Andres Munoz (80.7%)
Primary setup: Eduard Bazardo (3.6%)
Secondary setup: Jose Ferrer (1.1%)
Middle relief: Gabe Speier (1.2%)
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Closer: Bryan Baker (75.9%)
Primary setup: Kevin Kelly (12.7%)
Secondary setup: Garrett Cleavinger (4.4%)
Middle relief: Tyler Wells (3.2%)
TEXAS RANGERS
Closer: Jacob Latz (56.9%)
Primary setup: Cole Winn (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Peyton Gray (0.1%)
Sleeper: Chase Silseth (0.1%)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Closer: Louis Varland (83.4%)
Primary setup: Tyler Rogers (15.7%)
Secondary setup: Mason Fluharty (0.3%)
Middle relief: Braydon Fisher (0.6%)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Closer: Clayton Beeter (4.7%)
Primary setup: Orlando Ribalta (0.0%)
Secondary setup: Tom Cosgrove (0.0%)
Middle relief: Will Dion (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.