It’s been a relatively quiet week for 2025 MLB closers; however, there’s been a change in the Philadelphia Phillies’ bullpen depth chart with their expected closer dropping down a couple of notches. Fantasy baseball managers shouldn’t get too comfortable. There are a couple of 2025 MLB closers who are struggling, and that could always lead to a “changing of the guard”. There’s also a late-inning high-leverage reliever pitching on the north side of Chicago who is gaining attention as a potential future resource for saves.   

Speaking of late-inning high-leverage relievers who deserve your attention, the Athletics have revamped their bullpen depth chart, and Michael Kelly has emerged as a reliever who is the potential next man up behind the A’s’ 2025 MLB closer, Mason Miller. The 32-year-old Kelly made his season debut on June 5th, and while he walks too many batters (six walks allowed in seven IP), he hasn’t given up a run in 10 appearances thus far this season.

Kyle Backhus, an Arizona Diamondbacks late-inning high-leverage reliever, is another name that should be on your watch list. Shelby Miller has settled in as the Diamondbacks’ closer with Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk out for the rest of the season, but he’s had his ups and downs. Backhus has the potential to be a good resource for holds moving forward. With Jalen Beeks struggling recently, Backhus is the Diamondbacks’ best left-handed option in late-inning high-leverage situations. Backhus lowered his ERA to 1.08 with a scoreless inning pitched on Wednesday night. He now has 10 strikeouts and just two walks in 8.1 IP. He’s used to pitching in late-inning high-pressure situations, as evidenced by his 17 minor league career saves.

Late-inning high-leverage reliever Casey Legumina is moving up the Seattle Mariners’ depth chart and is yet another name to familiarize yourself with. The Mariners have been using him late in games, and in his last 11 appearances, he’s pitched 13 innings, struck out 17 batters, walked just three, and posted a 1.38 ERA. He only has two holds on the season, but the way he’s pitching, several more could be on the way.

Robert Garcia and Luke Jackson are widely regarded as co-closers for the Texas Rangers, but keep your eye on Hoby Milner. The Rangers have been using Milner in late-inning high-leverage situations, and he has responded by recording 10 holds and pitching to a 2.53 ERA. He has 25 minor league career saves under his belt, and the Rangers could opt to use him in save situations at some point this season.

Our 2025 Fantasy Baseball Closer Grid has been updated, and there is more bullpen-related news to cover. Here’s what you need to know:

(Stats quoted in this article are current as of the morning of July 3rd, 2025)

San Diego Padres

In the What have you done for me lately department, it is our duty to report that NL saves leader Robert Suarez is struggling. In his last eight appearances spanning 5.1 IP, Suarez has struck out five, walked four, blown a save, and lost three games. On a positive note, he was also credited with a win and three saves during that stretch, but that came with a 16.89 ERA. Should the Padres look to make a change in their bullpen hierarchy, they do have two very capable arms behind Suarez on their depth chart. Jason Adam has 24 career saves and is pitching to a 1.69 ERA with a 1.195 WHIP this season. Adam has 19 holds this season. The only blemish for the right-handed Adam this season is the fact that he’s been more effective against left-handed hitters (.141 BAA) compared to right-handed hitters (.274 BAA). Left-handed Padres reliever Adrian Morejon is in the middle of an 18.2 IP scoreless streak in which he’s struck out 18 batters and walked just two. Morejon has been equally effective against both right and left-handed batters this season. 

 

 

 

Philadelphia Phillies 

If you’re a regular reader of this column or simply keep up with MLB bullpen usage, you know that Phillies manager Rob Thomson likes to use the best matchups when managing his bullpen. Lately, that has meant that the slumping Jordan Romano has been used in the seventh and eighth innings of games, with save opportunities going to Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering. Overall, Kerkering has been more effective of the two. He is a right-hander who has given up just one run in his last 18.2 IP. Kerkering has eight holds and two saves during that time span and has been equally effective against both right and left-handed hitters. Strahm is a lefty pitcher who has five saves and nine holds on the season. In saves-only leagues, Thomson’s managerial style makes it tough to roster either Stahm or Kerkering, but in saves and holds leagues, both are viable.

 

 

 

Chicago White Sox

There’s been a lot of helium surrounding Grant Taylor lately. He entered Wednesday’s action with a 2.70 ERA, 10 strikeouts, and one walk in 10 IP, and he had two saves and three holds during that time frame. Unfortunately, Taylor was brought in to face the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, and reality hit him pretty hard. He was charged with three earned runs and took a loss against the best team that money and savvy roster moves can buy (Los Angeles Dodgers). There’s a lot to like about Taylor. He has electric stuff and a phenomenal minor league track record. Unfortunately, he pitches for a team that’s not going to win many games, but he should still get a chance to close out games moving forward. Based on the type of counting stats he has the potential to provide and the occasional save opportunity that he’ll have, he’s worth rostering in deeper leagues that require you to have a relief pitcher starting in your lineup.