As fantasy baseball managers, most of us put a lot of effort into evaluating 2025’s MLB closers and late-inning high-leverage relievers, but sometimes saves come from unlikely sources. For instance, Seattle Mariners reliever Carlos Vargas picked up his first career big league save on Tuesday night. He’s been a bit too hittable (20 hits in 17.1 IP, .410 BAA right-handed batters) this season, but he has recorded four holds and has a 2.60 ERA. 

In last week’s article, we talked about Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase’s early-season struggles, but he seems to be back on track. We also talked about the Chicago Cubs’ bullpen, and after Ryan Pressly’s epic meltdown on Tuesday night, there’s even more uncertainty surrounding how long he’ll hold on to his closer’s role. Porter Hodge hasn’t given up a run in his last seven outings (6.2 IP) and is almost certainly the next man up in that bullpen. 

There’s plenty more ground to cover in this week’s Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Report. Don’t forget to 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 7th, 2025)

 

 

 

Boston Red Sox

Aroldis Chapman has been chugging along, but the late-inning high-leverage pitchers behind him on the Red Sox depth chart have hit a roadblock lately. That may leave the door open for Liam Hendriks to climb up the ladder and inch ever closer to getting his own chance at closing out games for the Sox should Chapman struggle or be unavailable. Both of Chapman’s setup men have been struggling lately. Justin Slaten has two losses and has given up five earned runs in two IP in his last two outings. Garrett Whitlock has given up five earned runs in four IP over his last two appearances. The Red Sox have been easing Hendriks back into action since his season debut back on April 20th. They’ve been using Hendriks late in games, and while he’s struggling with his control a bit, he hasn’t given up a run in his last five innings of work. He has five strikeouts and four walks during that time span. 

 

 

 

New York Yankees

Liam Hendriks may be moving closer to earning save opportunities, but unfortunately for the Yankees, former 2025 MLB closer Devin Williams, his future looks like it’s heading in the opposite direction. Williams seemed to be heading in the right direction as he pitched three scoreless innings and picked up a hold in his first three appearances since being removed as the Yankees’ closer. However, his early-season struggles were on full display once again on Monday night. Williams left the bases loaded in the eighth inning after he gave up a hit and walked two. He was charged with three earned runs in 0.2 IP against the San Diego Padres. Manager Aaron Boone was optimistic and diplomatic when forced to talk about Williams’ ongoing struggles with the media, but it’s looking like it might be a while before Williams is closing out games for the Yanks.  Luke Weaver, who was equally ineffective following Williams on Monday night, will continue to close out games for the Yanks for now, but the high-leverage reliever to watch in the Bronx continues to be Fernando Cruz. We’ve spoken about Cruz in this column before. He hasn’t given up a run in 16 of his 17 appearances, and on the season, he has six holds, two saves, and he has 29 Ks and seven walks in 19.2 IP. He’s been equally effective against right and left-handed batters and is likely next in line for save opportunities should Weaver be unavailable or struggle.

 

 

 

San Francisco Giants

Ryan Walker could be losing his grip on his role as the Giants’ 2025 MLB closer. Walker gave up two walks, a hit, and two earned runs in 0.2 IP on Tuesday night. Walker has now given up at least two runs in three of his last six appearances.  Camilo Doval, who was previously the Giants’ closer during parts of the 2022 through the 2024 seasons, has been enjoying a resurgent 2025 season. Doval, who lost his role as Giants’ closer last season and even saw himself sent down to the minors, has been virtually unhittable this season. His 2025 strikeout rate (5.94 K/9) is much lower than his career rate (11.08 K/9), but Doval hasn’t given up a run in his last 12 appearances spanning 11.1 IP. Doval has three saves and four holds during that time span, making him a logical choice to replace Walker should the Giants look to make a change.

 

 

 

Athletics

Mason Miller had an unusually bad outing Tuesday night, and he has given up four walks in 1.2 IP across his last two appearances, but we’re not ready to move him out from among the elite relievers on our closer grid just yet. However, keep an eye on Justin Sterner, whom we highlighted in a previous article, just in case there’s something brewing with Miller that we’re unaware of. Sterner still hasn’t given up a run all season (18.1 IP), and he does have some minor league closing experience. Tyler Ferguson has had some control issues (4.50 BB/9), but he has pitched to a 2.00 ERA this season, and he also recently picked up a save. He has seven holds and hasn’t given up many hits. Ferguson would continue to be in the mix for late-inning high-leverage opportunities should Miller be unavailable.