Latest fantasy baseball reliever updates
When he returns, Alexis Diaz may not be immediately reinstated as closer, especially since Emilio Pagan has been perfect in four chances. (April 13)
The Phillies have had four save chances or were tied entering the ninth inning of their first nine games, with Jose Alvarado pitching the ninth three times and Jordan Romano once. Consider them co-closers. (April 7)
A.J. Puk has saved back-to-back Diamondbacks victories, while Justin Martinez has handled the eighth inning ahead of him in his past two outings. Puk might be gaining the edge in this closer partnership. (April 3)
A day after they demoted David Bednar to Triple-A Indianapolis, the Pirates had Dennis Santana close their April 2 win. Santana appears in the lead for save chances ahead of Colin Holderman and Caleb Ferguson. (April 3)
Luke Jackson has drawn the save chance in three of the Rangers' first four games, converting two, while Chris Martin closed on Jackson's night off on March 29. The team's closer role appears to be Jackson's. (March 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
Co-closer: A.J. Puk (30.4%)
Co-closer: Justin Martinez (68.5%)
Primary setup: Shelby Miller (0.4%)
Secondary setup: Ryan Thompson (0.4%)
THE ATHLETICS
Closer: Mason Miller (97.1%)
Primary setup: Tyler Ferguson (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Jose Leclerc (0.3%)
Sleeper: Justin Sterner (0.2%)
ATLANTA BRAVES
Closer: Raisel Iglesias (86.1%)
Primary setup: Pierce Johnson (0.4%)
Secondary setup: Dylan Lee (0.5%)
Middle relief: Enyel De Los Santos (0.1%)
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Closer: Felix Bautista (78.9%)
Primary setup: Seranthony Dominguez (1.2%)
Secondary setup: Keegan Akin (0.5%)
Middle relief: Yennier Cano (6.8%)
BOSTON RED SOX
Closer: Aroldis Chapman (44.5%)
Primary setup: Justin Slaten (1.6%)
Secondary setup: Greg Weissert (0.1%)
Sleeper: Garrett Whitlock (1.4%)
CHICAGO CUBS
Closer: Ryan Pressly (62.0%)
Primary setup: Porter Hodge (10.9%)
Secondary setup: Julian Merryweather (0.1%)
Sleeper: Nate Pearson (0.2%)
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Closer: Mike Clevinger (0.5%)
Secondary setup: Cam Booser (0.0%)
Sleeper: Jordan Leasure (0.1%)
Injured: Fraser Ellard (0.0%)
CINCINNATI REDS
Co-closer: Emilio Pagan (4.9%)
Co-closer: Tony Santillan (2.6%)
Primary setup: Taylor Rogers (0.6%)
Injured: Alexis Diaz (52.0%)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Closer: Emmanuel Clase (99.3%)
Primary setup: Cade Smith (21.1%)
Secondary setup: Hunter Gaddis (7.2%)
Sleeper: Paul Sewald (0.6%)
COLORADO ROCKIES
Closer-by-committee: Seth Halvorsen (2.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Victor Vodnik (0.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Tyler Kinley (0.4%)
Sleeper: Luis Peralta (0.0%)
DETROIT TIGERS
Closer-by-committee: Tommy Kahnle (3.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Beau Brieske (0.6%)
Closer-by-committee: Tyler Holton (6.0%)
Primary setup: Will Vest (0.5%)
HOUSTON ASTROS
Closer: Josh Hader (98.2%)
Primary setup: Bryan Abreu (19.8%)
Secondary setup: Bryan King (0.4%)
Middle relief: Tayler Scott (0.1%)
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Closer: Carlos Estevez (21.9%)
Primary setup: Lucas Erceg (42.6%)
Secondary setup: John Schreiber (0.2%)
Middle relief: Angel Zerpa (0.1%)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Closer: Kenley Jansen (33.1%)
Primary setup: Ryan Johnson (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Brock Burke (0.0%)
Injured: Ben Joyce (5.9%)
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Co-closer: Tanner Scott (84.1%)
Co-closer: Blake Treinen (20.0%)
Primary setup: Kirby Yates (26.5%)
Secondary setup: Alex Vesia (12.4%)
MIAMI MARLINS
Closer: Anthony Bender (1.2%)
Primary setup: Calvin Faucher (1.3%)
Secondary setup: Ronny Henriquez (0.0%)
Middle relief: George Soriano (0.0%)
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Closer: Trevor Megill (51.2%)
Primary setup: Joel Payamps (1.3%)
Secondary setup: Jared Koenig (0.2%)
Sleeper: Abner Uribe (0.6%)
MINNESOTA TWINS
Closer: Jhoan Duran (75.6%)
Primary setup: Griffin Jax (16.6%)
Secondary setup: Cole Sands (0.6%)
Middle relief: Jorge Alcala (0.1%)
NEW YORK METS
Closer: Edwin Diaz (95.1%)
Primary setup: Ryne Stanek (0.3%)
Secondary setup: A.J. Minter (1.2%)
Sleeper: Reed Garrett (1.4%)
NEW YORK YANKEES
Closer: Devin Williams (90.5%)
Primary setup: Luke Weaver (28.9%)
Secondary setup: Fernando Cruz (1.8%)
Sleeper: Mark Leiter Jr. (1.3%)
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Co-closer: Jose Alvarado (28.8%)
Co-closer: Jordan Romano (8.9%)
Primary setup: Matt Strahm (4.7%)
Sleeper: Orion Kerkering (5.5%)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Closer: Dennis Santana (3.5%)
Primary setup: Caleb Ferguson (0.3%)
Secondary setup: Justin Lawrence (0.1%)
Middle relief: Ryan Borucki (0.4%)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Closer: Ryan Helsley (92.4%)
Primary setup: Phil Maton (1.3%)
Secondary setup: JoJo Romero (1.0%)
Middle relief: Ryan Fernandez (0.2%)
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Closer: Robert Suarez (92.2%)
Primary setup: Jason Adam (45.1%)
Secondary setup: Jeremiah Estrada (6.4%)
Sleeper: Yuki Matsui (0.7%)
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Closer: Ryan Walker (88.8%)
Primary setup: Camilo Doval (6.1%)
Secondary setup: Tyler Rogers (5.5%)
Sleeper: Lou Trivino (0.0%)
SEATTLE MARINERS
Closer: Andres Munoz (90.0%)
Primary setup: Trent Thornton (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Gregory Santos (0.1%)
Middle relief: Eduard Bazardo (0.0%)
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Closer: Pete Fairbanks (40.4%)
Primary setup: Edwin Uceta (1.1%)
Secondary setup: Garrett Cleavinger (0.2%)
Sleeper: Mason Montgomery (0.8%)
TEXAS RANGERS
Closer: Luke Jackson (27.1%)
Primary setup: Chris Martin (20.9%)
Secondary setup: Robert Garcia (3.2%)
Sleeper: Marc Church (0.1%)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Closer: Jeff Hoffman (83.8%)
Primary setup: Yimi Garcia (2.3%)
Secondary setup: Chad Green (3.2%)
Middle relief: Nick Sandlin (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.