In what’s been the norm (RIP George Wendt) this fantasy baseball season, it was another eventful week for 2025 MLB closers. We saw a couple of closers fall from their perch over the past week, but the good news is that we also have a few rising and returning stars to talk about. 

One such rising star is Toronto Blue Jays late-inning high-leverage reliever Yariel Rodriguez. The Jays used Rodriguez as a starter in 2024, but he has transitioned to the bullpen this season, and he’s been very effective of late. In his last nine appearances dating back to May 3rd, Rodriguez has a 0.79 ERA, and he’s recorded four holds. Rodriguez has 12 strikeouts and just two walks in 11.1 IP during that time span, and the Jays have been rolling him out in the seventh and eighth innings lately.

Another rising star to familiarize yourself with is Miami Marlins reliever Ronny Henriquez. The win-challenged Marlins only have seven team saves, but if you play in a saves and holds league, Henriquez is someone to keep on your watch list. He had some control issues earlier this season, but in his last eight appearances dating back to May 2nd, Henriquez has pitched 8.1 scoreless innings and he’s punched out 12 batters while walking just 3. He has two holds during that time span and six on the season. Henriquez has five minor league career saves, and with the Marlins’ closer situation being rather fluid, he’s a late-inning high-leverage reliever who could eventually be used in save situations.

In other 2025 MLB closer-related news, it looks like Luke Weaver will remain the New York Yankees’ closer for a little while longer.  Devin Williams has been pitching well in late-inning high-leverage situations lately (0 runs allowed, 9 Ks, 1 BB, and 2 holds in his last six games spanning 5.1 IP), and the Yanks are in first place, but Weaver has been phenomenal. The closer position is volatile in nature, and Williams might get a shot at reclaiming his role as the team’s closer, but not just yet.

There are a lot more closer and late-inning high-leverage relievers that we need to talk about. Now more than ever, it’s imperative that you 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 21st, 2025)

 

 

 

Philadelphia Phillies

This past weekend, we finally found out the reason behind Jose Alvarado’s resurgence this season. Alvarado received an 80-game suspension (he’s also ineligible for the playoffs) for using performance-enhancing drugs. The Phillies recently signed Lucas Sims to a minor league contract and have been linked to veteran free agent David Robertson, but neither of those pitchers is likely to make much of an impact anytime soon. Phils manager, Rob Thomson, has long frustrated fantasy baseball managers with his matchup-based approach when it comes to his MLB closers. Look for right-handed Jordan Romano, who has pitched well as of late (0.93 ERA, 4 saves, 2 holds in his last 10 appearances) to get the majority of save chances moving forward, but if it’s a close game and if there’s a lefty hitting part of an opponent’s lineup coming up in the ninth inning, Romano would likely pitch the eighth inning and south paw Matt Strahm would get the save opportunity in the ninth. Right-handed reliever Orion Kerkering remains a good resource for holds and would likely be Romano’s backup should he be unavailable. If Strahm is unavailable against a lefty lineup, Tanner Banks (not rosterable) would likely get the call.

 

 

 

Chicago Cubs

We’ve covered the Cubs’ bullpen in past columns, and just when it looked like Porter Hodge was the team’s new closer, he hit the IL with an oblique strain. Ryan Pressly has pitched much better since his epic meltdown when he gave up eight runs against the San Francisco Giants a few weeks ago. The Cubbies have been using Pressly in the seventh and eighth innings lately, and he hasn’t given up a run in his last five appearances. Unfortunately, his slider doesn’t have the vertical movement that it used to, and he’s not striking out as many batters as in the past, but he’ll probably get first crack at reclaiming his closer role. We’ve covered Drew Pomeranz in this column before, and he remains the Cubs’ best left-handed bullpen option. He hasn’t given up a run this season (10.1 IP, 1 save, 1 hold). Cubs manager Craig Counsell doesn’t usually play the matchup game as much as Rob Thomson does, but should Pressly struggle or if there’s a couple of lefty bats coming up in a crucial part of a game, look for Counsell to call upon Pomeranz. Daniel Palencia blew a save opportunity against the Marlins on Monday night. He might get another shot at closing out a game for the Cubs but his career control issues (5.1 BB/9) question whether he could be considered a long-term option in late-inning high-leverage situations. Brad Keller (the mere mention of his name made @rotobuzzguy almost toss his cookies when I brought him up on his Caught Stealing podcast) hasn’t given up a run in his last 11 appearances, spanning 12.1 IP. He has three holds, 12 strikeouts, and 2 walks during that time frame, and the Cubs are using him in the seventh and eighth innings of games. Keller only has two career saves, but oblique strains can take a while to heal, and who knows how long Hodge will be sidelined. Keller could be pitching in some meaningful late-inning situations for a while.

 

 

 

Arizona Diamondbacks

It’s looking like Justin Martinez could be back on a pitching mound before long, and based on Shelby Miller’s recent shaky performances, Martinez’s return can’t come fast enough for the Diamondbacks. Since taking over the closer’s role with Martinez on the IL, Miller has five saves, but he’s blown two and issued six walks while striking out seven batters in eight innings pitched. Martinez looked good in a rehab appearance on Tuesday night, and his velocity is creeping up to his career norm. A.J. Puk, who began the season as the team’s co-closer and is also on the IL, recently started a throwing program, but he’s not expected back until late June or early July. While Martinez’s return from the IL seems close, the Diamondbacks don’t want to rush him back just yet.

 

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