The MLB season has more than a week of action (plus some injuries and uneven performances to deal with), and fantasy baseball analyst Dalton Del Don has an update on each team's bullpen hierarchy. provides a perspective.
lowest
baltimore orioles
Closer: craig kimbrel
Next up is Yenie Kano
boston red sox
Closer: Kenley Jansen
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Jansen walked five batters in four innings and didn't give up any runs. He is expected to experience some rust after missing spring training, but he has also struck out. Jansen's biggest concern remains his health, as his back pain has returned.
Next up is Chris Martin.
new york yankees
Closer: clay holmes
Next up is Ian Hamilton.
tampa bay rays
Closer: pete fairbanks
Fairbanks had a huge outing (3 ERs, 0 OUTs) at Coors Field. He then complained about baseballs coming out of his humidor.. As a result, the Rays likely kept him out of the team's next two save situations over the weekend in Colorado, so he remains the top candidate for the save in Tampa Bay.
Next up is Jason Adam.
toronto blue jays
Closer: Chad Green (Jordan Romano)
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Green recorded Toronto's only save of the season and entered Monday's win with a four-point lead, but he's still available for 90 percent of the Yahoo League games.He continues to warm the seat of Jordan Romano, who is reportedly on the road to recovery. “very good” And he is expected to pitch at Triple-A soon. However, if Romano falters, Green would likely be a viable replacement.
Next is Yimi Garcia
al central
chicago white sox
Closer: Michael Kopec
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Kopech recorded a save in Chicago's only win so far this season, and his fastball is averaging a career-high 98 mph while practicing exclusively out of the pen. Walks are still a problem, as is playing on a team that doesn't get many save opportunities, but for those looking for help in this category, Kopech is available in almost 80% of Yahoo leagues.
Next up is Steven Wilson.
cleveland guardians
Closer: Emmanuel Classe
Next is Scott Barlow
detroit tigers
Closer: Jason Foley
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Alex Lange has a 2.63 WHIP early on, and Foley has emerged as Detroit's preferred option in the pen.Although he will lose some saves (and probably gain some wins) while being used in high-leverage situations, Foley's strikeout numbers have increased significantly. Equipped with a sinker of over 160 mph. Foley should be in every fantasy league, as his CSW (37.3%) ranks in the top 15 among relievers.
Next is Shelby Miller
kansas city royals
Closer: james mcarthur
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MacArthur had both of Kansas City's saves over the weekend after Will Smith struggled to start the season. MacArthur's 7.71 ERA includes a 1.68 FIP and his MLB-best 42.7% CSW rate. He has the best thing in the Royals bullpen He continues to be considered a likely save candidate for Kansas City. MacArthur is available in his 75% of Yahoo leagues.
Will Smith is next
minnesota twins
Closer: griffin jacks
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The Jacks will lose some saves (and pick up some wins) while pitching in high-leverage situations at Minnesota, but while Joao Duran is sidelined with an oblique injury, he is the most likely candidate to win. Duran pitched in the flats over the weekend, but a timetable for his return has not yet been determined. The Jax have the potential to be a top 10 fantasy RP even with Duran out.
Next up is Brock Stewart.
al west
houston astros
Closer: josh hader
Next up is Ryan Presley.
los angeles angels
Closer: Carlos Estevez
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Estevez may rate as one of this year's best draft picks among closers given his ADP, but the Angels will likely limit his save opportunities. Forget his career numbers. Estevez is a different pitcher outside of Coors Field.
Next up is Matt Moore.
Oakland Athletics
Closer: mason miller
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Miller has yet to record a save (what a stupid statistic) despite pitching two scoreless innings in a four-run win over the weekend. Although Oakland has yet to record a single save this season, Miller seems poised to take over the closer role sooner rather than later. If healthy, he has the ability to be one of the five best relievers in the league this season, but Mason's situation hurts his fantasy value.
Next up is Danny Jimenez.
seattle mariners
Closer: Andres Muñoz
Next up is Ryne Stanek.
texas rangers
Closer: Jose Leclerc
Next is David Robertson
eastern north carolina
atlanta braves
Closer: Raisel Iglesias
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Iglesias missed out on weekend save opportunities because he pitched every day, and it's unstable to only have one save this season. He should start building up his pitching for the loaded Braves.
Next up is AJ Minter.
miami marlins
Closer: tanner scott
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Miami still doesn't have a save this year, and Scott's position as the team's closer is unstable. He struggled badly with control during spring training, walking six batters in 4.0 innings and posting a 2.25 ERA with a 6.46 SIERA.
Next up is Anthony Bender.
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Andrew Nardi is an option to take over the closer role in Miami, but he took a big hit in the opening game of the year (BABIP.600). Bender, on the other hand, had a 4.91 ERA and a 0.73 FIP and was one of the best relievers in baseball in 2021, so he will continue to look to save as a sleeper.
new york mets
Closer: Edwin Diaz
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Diaz is still the top fantasy closer on Monday despite missing save opportunities after pitching in three of the past four days (although Hader could add to his save total against Houston) ). Diaz's velocity is still down from missing all games last season, but his results were still impressive (38.9 K-BB%).
Next up is Adam Ottavino.
philadelphia phillies
Closer: Jose Alvarado
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The closure situation in Philadelphia is pretty confusing. Alvarado, who leads the team with two saves and has not given up a run in five games since his explosive debut, pitched eight innings in Monday's win. Jeff Hoffman had a save in the 9th inning, but was able to get the win and has been pitching well this season. Meanwhile, Ricardo Pinto and Gregory Soto recorded half of the team's saves.Alvarado and Hoffman are expected to share the save at this point, but Orion Kirkeling It should appear soon as Philadelphia's most valuable fantasy closer.
Next up: Jeff Hoffman (Orion Kerkeling)
washington nationals
Closer: Kyle Finnegan
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Finnegan continues to earn all of Washington's saves, but Hunter Harvey is clearly the better pitcher and seems likely to take over as the closer at some point. Finnegan's FIP is 9.73 and his CSW (21.4%) ranks 191st out of 217 eligible relievers. Harvey's FIP is his 0.40 and his CSW (37.3%) ranks in the top 15 among his RP.
Next is Hunter Harvey
central north carolina
chicago cubs
Closer: Adbert Alzolay
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Alzolay allowed a two-run home run on Monday night after entering the game with runners on base, but was tasked with recording a five-out save. Chicago remains the top favorite to win the title, but things could quickly become fluid with the arrival of Hector Neris and others.
Next up is Hector Neris.
cincinnati reds
Closer: Alexis Diaz
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Diaz has recovered since his outburst in his first start this season and is comfortably filling his role as Cincinnati's closer. Still, Diaz's low 10.5 K-BB% doesn't inspire confidence, as it dropped to 6.5% after last year's All-Star break.
Next is Lucas Sims
milwaukee brewers
Closer: Abner Uribe
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With Devin Williams sidelined, Uribe has a 6.75 ERA and 6.93 FIP, but has emerged as the frontrunner for the save. He certainly has much better pitching ability and his K% will definitely increase significantly, but this is also a relatively awkward closing situation.
Next up is Joel Peamps.
pittsburgh pirates
Closer: david bednar
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Bednar is locked in as Pittsburgh's closer assuming he has rat issues, but the Pirates have an elite replacement if needed. Aroldis Chapman's CSW (38.9%) ranks him 7th among relievers (last year he was 2nd) and his FIP is 0.18.
Next up is Aroldis Chapman.
st louis cardinals
Closer: ryan helsley
Next up is Giovani Gallegos.
western north carolina
arizona diamondbacks
Closer: Kevin Ginkel
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The Diamondbacks have yet to record a save this season, but Ginkel deserves much better when he missed a chance on an error. Next is this “double”. Ginkel will relinquish his closing duties once Paul Swald is ready to return, but he is the best reliever in Arizona.
Next up is Ryan Thompson.
colorado rockies
Closer: Justin Lawrence
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Lawrence remains a likely save candidate for Colorado State, but he is also the team's high-leverage reliever. He was set to face Arizona's 4-5-6 batter starting in the eighth inning with a lead on Monday, but ultimately missed the chance to make the save. Lawrence definitely throws at risk half of his games at Coors Field, but with a FIP of 2.64 and an unfortunate .500 BABIP, he should be a source of saves. Lawrence is available in his 90% of Yahoo leagues.
Next up is Nick Mears.
los angeles dodgers
Closer: Evan Phillips
Next up is Daniel Hudson.
san diego padres
Closer: robert suarez
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Not only has Suarez pitched well this season, recording all four of San Diego's saves, but Yuki Matsui has also been unimpressive with a K-BB% of -4.0. This is obviously still a small sample, but it's an incredibly encouraging start for someone who drafted Suarez at a reasonably priced ADP.
Next is Yuki Matsui
san francisco giants
Closer: Camilo Doval
Next up is Tyler Rogers.
