Latest fantasy baseball reliever updates
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)
The Yankees placed Devin Williams on the paternity list on April 1, meaning Luke Weaver will handle the closing duties for at least that night's game and perhaps through April 3. (April 1)
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)
The Dodgers have now had Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia and Blake Treinen close their first three games, as clear a sign as there is that manager Dave Roberts will lean on relief matchups wherever applicable. (March 28)
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 (30.3%)
Co-closer: Justin Martinez (67.3%)
Primary setup: Ryan Thompson (0.5%)
Secondary setup: Shelby Miller (0.2%)
THE ATHLETICS
Closer: Mason Miller (97.2%)
Primary setup: Jose Leclerc (0.4%)
Secondary setup: Tyler Ferguson (0.1%)
Middle relief: T.J. McFarland (0.1%)
ATLANTA BRAVES
Closer: Raisel Iglesias (92.1%)
Primary setup: Pierce Johnson (0.5%)
Secondary setup: Aaron Bummer (0.3%)
Middle relief: Dylan Lee (0.5%)
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Closer: Felix Bautista (87.7%)
Primary setup: Keegan Akin (0.6%)
Secondary setup: Seranthony Dominguez (1.4%)
Middle relief: Yennier Cano (8.3%)
BOSTON RED SOX
Closer: Aroldis Chapman (38.6%)
Primary setup: Justin Slaten (2.4%)
Secondary setup: Greg Weissert (0.1%)
Sleeper: Garrett Whitlock (1.4%)
CHICAGO CUBS
Closer: Ryan Pressly (66.1%)
Primary setup: Porter Hodge (11.7%)
Secondary setup: Nate Pearson (0.3%)
Middle relief: Julian Merryweather (0.1%)
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Closer: Mike Clevinger (1.1%)
Primary setup: Fraser Ellard (0.0%)
Secondary setup: Cam Booser (0.0%)
Sleeper: Jordan Leasure (0.1%)
CINCINNATI REDS
Closer-by-committee: Emilio Pagan (4.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Tony Santillan (1.4%)
Closer-by-committee: Taylor Rogers (0.9%)
Injured: Alexis Diaz (57.3%)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Closer: Emmanuel Clase (99.5%)
Primary setup: Cade Smith (23.5%)
Secondary setup: Hunter Gaddis (6.2%)
Sleeper: Paul Sewald (0.6%)
COLORADO ROCKIES
Closer-by-committee: Tyler Kinley (0.4%)
Closer-by-committee: Seth Halvorsen (2.9%)
Closer-by-committee: Victor Vodnik (0.2%)
Sleeper: Luis Peralta (0.0%)
DETROIT TIGERS
Closer-by-committee: Tommy Kahnle (1.7%)
Closer-by-committee: Beau Brieske (1.0%)
Closer-by-committee: Tyler Holton (7.6%)
Primary setup: Will Vest (0.5%)
HOUSTON ASTROS
Closer: Josh Hader (98.0%)
Primary setup: Bryan Abreu (24.5%)
Secondary setup: Bryan King (0.1%)
Middle relief: Tayler Scott (0.2%)
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Co-closer: Carlos Estevez (19.7%)
Co-closer: Lucas Erceg (43.0%)
Primary setup: Hunter Harvey (0.6%)
Secondary setup: John Schreiber (0.2%)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Closer: Kenley Jansen (31.1%)
Primary setup: Ben Joyce (9.0%)
Secondary setup: Brock Burke (0.0%)
Middle relief: Ryan Zeferjahn (0.0%)
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Closer-by-committee: Tanner Scott (83.6%)
Closer-by-committee: Kirby Yates (35.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Blake Treinen (28.7%)
Primary setup: Alex Vesia (7.6%)
MIAMI MARLINS
Co-closer: Calvin Faucher (2.9%)
Co-closer: Anthony Bender (0.6%)
Primary setup: Lake Bachar (0.0%)
Secondary setup: George Soriano (0.0%)
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Closer: Trevor Megill (54.0%)
Primary setup: Joel Payamps (1.8%)
Secondary setup: Jared Koenig (0.2%)
Sleeper: Abner Uribe (0.3%)
MINNESOTA TWINS
Closer: Jhoan Duran (82.8%)
Primary setup: Griffin Jax (22.6%)
Secondary setup: Cole Sands (0.6%)
Middle relief: Jorge Alcala (0.1%)
NEW YORK METS
Closer: Edwin Diaz (97.2%)
Primary setup: A.J. Minter (1.2%)
Secondary setup: Jose Butto (0.5%)
Sleeper: Reed Garrett (0.8%)
NEW YORK YANKEES
Closer: Luke Weaver (30.1%)
Primary setup: Fernando Cruz (2.2%)
Sleeper: Mark Leiter Jr. (1.3%)
Paternity List: Devin Williams (95.9%)
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Closer-by-committee: Jordan Romano (15.7%)
Closer-by-committee: Jose Alvarado (8.6%)
Closer-by-committee: Orion Kerkering (6.7%)
Closer-by-committee: Matt Strahm (3.9%)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Closer: Dennis Santana (2.5%)
Primary setup: Colin Holderman (0.6%)
Secondary setup: Caleb Ferguson (0.3%)
Middle relief: Justin Lawrence (0.1%)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Closer: Ryan Helsley (96.9%)
Primary setup: JoJo Romero (1.3%)
Secondary setup: Phil Maton (0.3%)
Middle relief: Ryan Fernandez (0.3%)
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Closer: Robert Suarez (90.5%)
Primary setup: Jason Adam (36.8%)
Secondary setup: Jeremiah Estrada (6.2%)
Sleeper: Yuki Matsui (0.7%)
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Closer: Ryan Walker (89.2%)
Primary setup: Camilo Doval (8.0%)
Secondary setup: Tyler Rogers (3.5%)
Sleeper: Lou Trivino (0.0%)
SEATTLE MARINERS
Closer: Andres Munoz (89.4%)
Primary setup: Trent Thornton (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Gregory Santos (0.1%)
Middle relief: Tayler Saucedo (0.1%)
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Closer: Pete Fairbanks (45.6%)
Primary setup: Edwin Uceta (2.3%)
Secondary setup: Garrett Cleavinger (0.3%)
Sleeper: Mason Montgomery (0.9%)
TEXAS RANGERS
Closer: Luke Jackson (9.9%)
Primary setup: Chris Martin (16.0%)
Secondary setup: Robert Garcia (2.2%)
Sleeper: Marc Church (0.2%)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Closer: Jeff Hoffman (82.8%)
Primary setup: Yimi Garcia (1.8%)
Secondary setup: Chad Green (4.0%)
Middle relief: Nick Sandlin (0.1%)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Closer: Kyle Finnegan (26.1%)
Primary setup: Jorge Lopez (0.4%)
Secondary setup: Jose Ferrer (0.1%)
Sleeper: Colin Poche (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.