The 2025 MLB closer position has been full of surprises this season. Since our last column, we saw Tampa Bay Rays reliever Mason Montgomery and Chicago Cubs reliever Drew Pomeranz pick up their first saves of the season. Minnesota Twins reliever Danny Coulombe also recorded a rare save. 

We highlighted Montgomery in an earlier column this season, and while he’s had his ups and downs, he does have six holds. His save opportunity came on Tuesday night on the heels of an uncharacteristically bad performance by Rays closer Pete Fairbanks. There’s speculation that the Rays might be willing to trade Fairbanks at some point this season, and that could open up some more save opportunities for Montgomery. However, the Rays have a deep bullpen, and he’s still at least a couple of steps away from obtaining the team’s closer role. Garrett Cleavinger, Manuel Rodriguez, and Edwin Uceta are currently ahead of Montgomery on the Rays’ bullpen depth chart.

Ryan Pressly and Porter Hodge seem to be sharing the Cubs’ closer role for now, but Pomeranz is an interesting feel-good story. The 36-year-old hasn’t pitched in the major leagues since the 2021 season due to multiple injuries. He already has one hold this season, and his save on Monday night was his first since 2020. Heading into Wednesday’s action, Pomeranz hadn’t given up a run in 8.2 IP. As one of two lefties in the Cubs bullpen and with the uncertainty at the top of the team’s bullpen depth chart, Pomeranz could run into an occasional save chance and also be a good resource for holds moving forward. 

Coulombe has pitched great this season, striking out 19 batters while walking just two in 16.2 IP. However, he has just two holds, and his save last Friday (second of the season) came on a night when the Twins’ regular 2025 MLB closer, Jhoan Duran, was unavailable. Keep Coulombe on your watch list, but he’s still a few steps away from receiving regular save opportunities.

There’s plenty more ground to cover in this week’s Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Report. Check out our 2025 Fantasy Baseball Closer Grid on a regular basis. We update the grid as news happens. 

(Stats quoted in this article are current as of the morning of May 15th, 2025)

 

 

 

Toronto Blue Jays

Up until recently, Jeff Hoffman was one of the most reliable 2025 MLB closers in the game. However, he’s been struggling lately and has given up at least three earned runs in three of his last five games. Specifically, he’s given up 11 ER, 10 hits, and 3 HR in his last 3 IP, for a 33.00 ERA. Blue Jays manager John Schneider still has faith in Hoffman, but should he need a little time out from closing out games, Chad Green is one Blue Jays reliever who could be in the mix for save opportunities. Green saved 17 games for the Jays last season, and heading into Thursday’s action, he has had a save, a hold, and a 1.59 ERA in his last five appearances spanning 5.2 IP. Yimi Garcia has 28 career saves and has struggled lately as well, but he picked up a save on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays and is also a reliever the Jays will lean on if Hoffman continues to struggle. Brendon Little is a lefty reliever in the Jays' pen that doesn’t get a lot of attention, but he has 29 strikeouts in 19.1 IP to go along with eight holds and a 1.86 ERA. 

 

 

 

Texas Rangers

The Rangers’ bullpen has had a couple of scares lately. Luke Jackson, the team’s closer, got hit by a comebacker on the hand on Monday night. Luckily, X-rays came back negative. Jackson is experiencing swelling on the hand but is expected to avoid the IL and could be sidelined until Friday. On Tuesday night, Chris Martin, Jackson’s setup man, was removed from his appearance after throwing one pitch and experiencing elbow tightness. He underwent an MRI on Wednesday, and it looks like the Rangers lucked out again because no structural damage was detected. Martin could also avoid a trip to the IL. Shawn Armstrong took the mound in place of Martin on Tuesday night and picked up the save. Armstrong has nine big league and 72 minor league career saves and will likely share the closer’s role with Robert Garcia until Jackson and Martin are available to pitch. 

 

 

 

Atlanta Braves

Raisel Iglesias is another 2025 MLB closer who’s been struggling lately. Heading into Thursday’s action, Iglesias has allowed at least one run in his last three appearances, giving up eight hits and a home run in 2.1 IP during that time span. Braves manager Brian Snitker is sticking with Iglesias for now, but there are a few Braves relievers who could step up if he continues to struggle. Pierce Johnson picked up a save for the Braves on Tuesday night and has 16 for his career. He has a 2.30 ERA, four holds, 18 Ks, and four BBs in 15.2 IP this season. Daysbel Hernandez has given up too many walks (11 in 19 IP), but he doesn’t give up the long ball and has a 1.105 WHIP and six holds this season. Lefty Dylan Lee has seven holds and a save this season to go along with a 2.04 ERA. He has 21 minor league career saves and is accustomed to pitching in late-inning high high-leverage situations.

 

 

 

Miami Marlins

As a team, the Marlins have just seven total saves this season, but Jesus Tinoco has recorded four of them, including one on Wednesday. Before considering adding Tinoco to your fantasy baseball team, know that the Marlins’ bullpen depth chart is still very fluid, and the team doesn’t win too many games. Saves are tough to come by in fantasy baseball, but Tinoco’s 9:6 strikeout-to-walk ratio, 4.06 ERA, and 1.244 WHIP make it just as tough to put him in your fantasy lineups on a regular basis. 

 

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