Bullpen Mayhem: Your Fantasy Closer Chart Just Got a Whole Lot Messier
The Bullpen Landscape Is an Absolute Dumpster Fire Right Now
Fantasy managers chasing saves, this is not the time to get comfortable. Mason Miller has been one of the most reliable closers in baseball, but the rest of the relief pitcher universe is shifting faster than a splitter. From the Angels' ninth-inning black hole to the Mets praying Devin Williams' arm holds up, here's every update you need before setting your lineup.
Latest Closer Chaos
• Daniel Palencia is on a minor league rehab assignment and could rejoin the Cubs soon. Don't expect him to be eased in gently — he should reclaim the closer role before long.
• Alex Lange has been an absolute disaster with an 11.05 ERA since June 10, and he was pitching middle relief on Aug. 1. Steven Cruz closed out Aug. 5 for the Royals. That's a changing of the guard, plain and simple.
• The Angels traded Ryan Zeferjahn and Kirby Yates at the deadline and then lost Sam Bachman to the injured list on Aug. 5. Their ninth inning is alarmingly thin. Ben Joyce has the brightest outlook, but this looks like a committee featuring Samy Natera Jr., Luke Murphy, Jose Fermin and others.
• Devin Williams was unavailable on Aug. 5 with arm fatigue. The Mets have almost no proven fallback options. Daniel Duarte, Kodai Senga, Nate Lavender, Dedniel Nunez and Jefry Yan could all be in the mix if he needs more time.
• Paul Sewald blew two saves and posted a 27.00 ERA in his first six appearances after the break. He's been yanked from the Diamondbacks' closer role, and now it's a committee. Brandyn Garcia has already scooped up the first two saves since the switch.
• The Orioles traded Tyler Wells to the Rays, stripping another arm from their closer-by-committee. Andrew Kittredge should get save chances in the short term, but Felix Bautista and Ryan Helsley are both working their way back from injuries.
• The White Sox traded Opening Day closer Seranthony Dominguez. It's now a Grant Taylor / Sean Newcomb / Bryan Hudson committee, with Taylor carrying the most fantasy upside.
• The Twins added Jeff Hoffman and A.J. Minter at the deadline. Hoffman's closing experience could make him the primary ninth-inning weapon sooner rather than later.
• The Pirates picked up Camilo Doval and Luke Weaver. Weaver has past ninth-inning experience and looks like the guy most likely to emerge as the team's closer.
• The Giants traded Erik Miller, who was closing games for them. Expect a committee with Dylan Smith, Keaton Winn and JT Brubaker all in the mix.
Who's Locked In? Who's a Nightmare?
Some bullpens are still easy to read. Raisel Iglesias is rolling for Atlanta. Aroldis Chapman is Boston's man. Josh Hader is doing Josh Hader things in Houston. Mason Miller is an absolute cheat code in San Diego. Andres Munoz remains Seattle's anchor. Cade Smith has been elite for Cleveland. Jhoan Duran is the guy in Philly. David Bednar is holding it down for the Yankees.
But if your fantasy team relies on saves from committee-heavy bullpens, buckle up. Arizona is a three-headed monster with Kevin Ginkel, Brandyn Garcia and Juan Morillo. Baltimore has Andrew Kittredge and Yennier Cano splitting co-closer duties. The Cubs are running Jacob Webb, Ryan Zeferjahn and Trent Thornton out there while waiting on Daniel Palencia. The Angels are a scavenger hunt with Natera, Joyce, Murphy and Fermin. The Giants and White Sox are full-blown committees, and the Pirates are mixing Luke Weaver, Gregory Soto and Mason Montgomery.
Bottom Line for Fantasy Managers
This is the time to be aggressive on the waiver wire. The closer market is fluid, roles are being stolen, and injuries are opening doors. Names like Steven Cruz, Ben Joyce, Brandyn Garcia, Jeff Hoffman and Luke Weaver should be on your radar if they are somehow still available. Saves are gold down the stretch — and right now, opportunity is knocking for the managers who act fast.