Latest fantasy baseball reliever updates
The Orioles activated Felix Bautista, their closer in 2022-23 and '25, on Sept. 19, and will work him back in slowly in lower-pressure situations. He could push Andrew Kittredge and Rico Garcia for save chances late in the final week. (September 21)
Edwin Diaz was activated from the injured list by the Dodgers on Sept. 18, and he'll work in lower-pressure situations initially. He could push Tanner Scott for his former closer role by the season's final days or the postseason. (September 21)
Andres Munoz left his Sept. 20 save chance early with a knee injury. If he's forced to miss time, Eduard Bazardo, Seranthony Dominguez and Jose Ferrer would handle the closer duties on a matchups basis. (September 21)
Pete Fairbanks returned to the injured list only days after his activation. The Marlins seem likely to use a closer-by-committee for the remainder of 2026, with Calvin Faucher and Michael Petersen the top options. (September 16)
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: Juan Morillo (3.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Kevin Ginkel (1.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Jonathan Loaisiga (0.4%)
Closer-by-committee: Brandyn Garcia (2.9%)
THE ATHLETICS
Co-closer: Elvis Alvarado (2.0%)
Co-closer: Hogan Harris (7.1%)
Primary setup: Luis Medina (0.8%)
Secondary setup: Scott Blewett (0.1%)
ATLANTA BRAVES
Closer: Raisel Iglesias (84.3%)
Primary setup: Robert Suarez (32.5%)
Secondary setup: Dylan Lee (14.0%)
Sleeper: Didier Fuentes (6.9%)
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Co-closer: Rico Garcia (12.0%)
Co-closer: Andrew Kittredge (2.8%)
Primary setup: Grant Wolfram (0.1%)
Sleeper: Felix Bautista (0.8%)
BOSTON RED SOX
Closer: Aroldis Chapman (87.4%)
Primary setup: Garrett Whitlock (18.0%)
Secondary setup: Erik Miller (1.3%)
Sleeper: Tyron Guerrero (0.6%)
CHICAGO CUBS
Closer-by-committee: Ryan Rolison (0.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Ryan Zeferjahn (1.4%)
Closer-by-committee: Jacob Webb (3.6%)
Closer-by-committee: Daniel Palencia (27.1%)
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Co-closer: Grant Taylor (19.0%)
Co-closer: Bryan Hudson (1.9%)
Primary setup: Sean Newcomb (1.2%)
Sleeper: Hagen Smith (3.6%)
CINCINNATI REDS
Closer: Emilio Pagan (59.3%)
Primary setup: Brock Burke (1.8%)
Secondary setup: Tejay Antone (0.1%)
Middle relief: Connor Phillips (0.1%)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Closer: Cade Smith (97.5%)
Primary setup: Hunter Gaddis (9.3%)
Secondary setup: Erik Sabrowski (9.4%)
Middle relief: Tim Herrin (0.2%)
COLORADO ROCKIES
Closer: Jordan Romano (5.1%)
Primary setup: Juan Mejia (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Brennan Bernardino (0.1%)
Middle relief: Jaden Hill (0.1%)
DETROIT TIGERS
Closer: Kenley Jansen (44.0%)
Primary setup: Tyler Holton (1.0%)
Secondary setup: Drew Sommers (0.3%)
Middle relief: Tyler Kinley (0.3%)
HOUSTON ASTROS
Closer: Josh Hader (85.3%)
Primary setup: Bryan Abreu (34.7%)
Secondary setup: AJ Blubaugh (0.8%)
Middle relief: Bryan King (1.7%)
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Co-closer: Steven Cruz (1.2%)
Co-closer: Nate Pearson (0.6%)
Primary setup: Nolan Hoffman (0.0%)
Secondary setup: Lucas Erceg (6.7%)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Closer: Ben Joyce (4.7%)
Primary setup: Ryan Watson (1.1%)
Secondary setup: Tayler Saucedo (0.6%)
Middle relief: Jose Fermin (0.0%)
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Closer: Tanner Scott (37.3%)
Primary setup: Evan Phillips (0.7%)
Secondary setup: Edwin Diaz (49.6%)
Middle relief: Alex Vesia (8.2%)
MIAMI MARLINS
Co-closer: Calvin Faucher (0.8%)
Co-closer: Michael Petersen (1.9%)
Primary setup: Tyler Zuber (0.0%)
Injured list: Pete Fairbanks (34.8%)
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Closer: Trevor Megill (63.0%)
Primary setup: Abner Uribe (44.5%)
Secondary setup: Aaron Ashby (15.2%)
Middle relief: Antonio Senzatela (2.3%)
MINNESOTA TWINS
Closer: Yoendrys Gomez (11.9%)
Primary setup: Jeff Hoffman (41.5%)
Secondary setup: A.J. Minter (0.7%)
Middle relief: Andrew Morris (0.7%)
NEW YORK METS
Closer: Kodai Senga (10.0%)
Primary setup: Dedniel Nunez (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Nate Lavender (0.9%)
Injured list: Devin Williams (58.4%)
NEW YORK YANKEES
Closer: David Bednar (89.6%)
Primary setup: Brent Headrick (12.9%)
Secondary setup: Paul Blackburn (4.3%)
Middle relief: John Schreiber (0.3%)
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Closer: Jhoan Duran (93.4%)
Primary setup: Jose Alvarado (0.9%)
Secondary setup: Jonathan Bowlan (0.4%)
Middle relief: Brooks Raley (0.7%)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Closer: Mason Montgomery (35.8%)
Primary setup: Luke Weaver (7.3%)
Secondary setup: Gregory Soto (18.3%)
Middle relief: Kirby Yates (0.6%)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Closer: Riley O'Brien (58.3%)
Primary setup: George Soriano (0.7%)
Secondary setup: Ryne Stanek (1.4%)
Middle relief: Gordon Graceffo (0.6%)
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Closer: Mason Miller (99.6%)
Primary setup: Adrian Morejon (20.5%)
Secondary setup: Bradgley Rodriguez (2.1%)
Middle relief: Jason Adam (8.9%)
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Closer-by-committee: Dylan Smith (0.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Joel Kuhnel (0.6%)
Closer-by-committee: Trenton Harris (1.3%)
Primary setup: Sam Hentges (0.0%)
SEATTLE MARINERS
Closer: Andres Munoz (75.5%)
Primary setup: Jose Ferrer (0.9%)
Secondary setup: Seranthony Dominguez (9.3%)
Middle relief: Eduard Bazardo (2.9%)
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Closer: Bryan Baker (77.1%)
Primary setup: Cole Sulser (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Kevin Kelly (12.9%)
Middle relief: Cam Booser (0.3%)
TEXAS RANGERS
Closer: Jacob Latz (61.0%)
Primary setup: Jakob Junis (2.5%)
Secondary setup: Tyler Alexander (1.3%)
Sleeper: Robert Garcia (3.7%)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Closer: Louis Varland (86.1%)
Primary setup: Tyler Rogers (17.0%)
Secondary setup: Braydon Fisher (0.6%)
Middle relief: Paul Sewald (14.8%)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Co-closer: Erik Tolman (0.4%)
Co-closer: Jack Sinclair (0.0%)
Primary setup: Will Dion (0.3%)
Sleeper: Yovanny Cruz (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.