Since this column was last published, yet another 2025 MLB closer has lost their job and another has been placed on the IL again. Plus, we’ve been watching last season’s saves leader implode. The past week’s 2025 MLB closer-related news hasn’t been all bad, though. 

We’ve got a lot more ground to cover this week and several late-inning high-leverage relievers that we need to talk about. Make sure 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 June 11th, 2025)

 

 

2025 MLB Bullpen News

Toronto Blue Jays reliever Jeff Hoffman seems to be back on track. He’s been giving up more home runs than usual this season, but Hoffman has a win and four saves in his last five appearances dating back to June 4th. 

Pittsburgh Pirates' late-inning high-leverage reliever David Bednar is back on top as the team’s closer. Dating back to May 24th, Bednar hasn’t given up a run in eight appearances spanning eight IP. He’s struck out 11, hasn’t issued a walk, and has five saves during that span. 

Kansas City Royals late-inning high-leverage reliever Lucas Erceg has been removed from the IL. He’s one of baseball’s best set-up men and the next man up behind 2025 MLB Closer Carlos Estevez. 

Speaking of solid set-up men, Texas Rangers reliever Chris Martin has been reinstated from the IL. He’s right behind Robert Garcia on the Rangers’ bullpen depth chart. Garcia seems to have a tenuous hold on the closer role for now.

 

 

 

Los Angeles Dodgers

It’s been about a week since Dave Roberts announced that the Dodgers don't have a set closer. Tanner Scott, who had been the team’s closer all season long, had the team’s first two saves since that announcement. Then, Alex Vesia picked up the other save on Wednesday. Roberts used the best matchups in that game. Scott faced the middle of the lineup, and Vesia closed things out with three strikeouts against the bottom of the order. 

Kirby Yates and Michael Kopech, who both have closer experience, were recently reinstated from the IL. Yates has a win and two holds over the past week. Kopech has pitched twice since coming off the IL, one a scoreless appearance, and in the other, he gave up three walks in 0.1 IP. 

 

 

 

Atlanta Braves

In last week’s column, we detailed Raisel Iglesias’ 2025 struggles and the fact that Braves manager Brian Snitker has been getting heat for sticking with him as the team’s closer. Well, maybe he felt he needed to do something because of the Braves’ poor play this season. Snitker recently announced that Iglesias would no longer be the team's primary closer. 

Snitker didn’t name a primary replacement, and as we mentioned last week, the Braves’ bullpen depth is rather lacking. Daysbel Hernandez, who would have been a candidate for late-inning high-leverage work, recently hit the IL. Pierce Johnson, who has 16 career saves, has a 10.38 ERA in his last five outings. Southpaw Dylan Lee still seems like a logical choice to be the next man up. He has 21 career minor league saves and hasn’t given up a run in his last seven innings. Lee has nine strikeouts and just one walk during that time, and might make for a good speculative add if Iglesias continues to struggle. 

 

 

 

St. Louis Cardinals

Speaking of struggling closers, Ryan Helsley has three straight blown saves. He hasn’t been his old dominant self all season. Part of the blame could be linked to an early-season toe injury that forced him to wear an uncomfortable insert in his shoe. That discomfort caused Helsley to tweak his delivery and have a dip in his velocity with less control over his pitches. 

Despite the three blown saves, Helsley says he feels “great” and his velocity is back in normal range. If the Cards were to fall out of the playoff race, Helsley, who’ll be a free agent after this season, might be a candidate to be traded. Should he eventually be dealt, Phil Maton could be the next man up. Maton has a 2.16 ERA, two saves, and 12 holds on the season.

 

 

 

Arizona Diamondbacks

Unfortunately for the Diamondbacks, Justin Martinez, who was recently reinstated from the IL, is right back on the list. He has a sprained right ulnar collateral ligament and is seeking the dreaded “second opinion”. In a corresponding move, Kevin Ginkel, who has 14 career saves for the Diamondbacks, was reinstated from the IL. 

A.J. Puk, who is coming off his own elbow injury, is continuing to rehab and was recently cleared to begin throwing out to 120 feet. He still has a few weeks left in his recovery, so it looks like Shelby Miller will once again be the favorite to pitch in save situations for the Snakes for the short term. Miller converted his seventh save on Wednesday. Jalen Beeks and Ryan Thompson should also continue to see late-inning high-leverage opportunities as well.