The 2025 fantasy baseball season has been one of the most active for 2025 MLB closers in recent memory. Fantasy baseball managers are still dealing with the fallout from the MLB trade deadline, and injuries to high-profile 2025 MLB closers have also clouded the late-inning high-leverage reliever landscape. 

The Arizona Diamondbacks have just about the cloudiest bullpen landscape of any team in baseball. Their former closer, Shelby Miller, is now part of a deep Milwaukee Brewers bullpen, and four different pitchers have recorded the Diamondbacks’ last four saves. In all, 14 different Diamondbacks relievers have converted at least one save this season, and since they’re not fighting for a playoff berth, it would make sense for them to continue to utilize a committee approach with their bullpen management. The Diamondbacks’ bullpen is one to avoid, but if you’re absolutely desperate for a reliever that has a chance at saving games, your probable best option remains Kyle Backhus, but even he has warts. Backhus has 19 Ks and just three walks in 18 IP, but has given up three home runs during that time frame. 

The Dodgers, who’ve been slumping lately, have been dealing with bullpen woes all season long. Currently, Ben Casparius, Alex Vesia, and Blake Treinen are sharing closer duties, but help may soon be on the way. Tanner Scott (Elbow) is expected to face live hitters soon, and Michael Kopech (Knee) is beginning a rehab assignment. Unfortunately, Brock Stewart, whom they acquired at the trade deadline from the Minnesota Twins, was placed on the IL on Wednesday due to shoulder soreness. The Dodgers are hoping that the injury is due to normal wear and tear and that he’ll be back in a few weeks.

It’s often been said that when one door closes, another door opens. We’ll look for the open door that leads to recently newly minted closers and valuable late-inning fantasy baseball relievers, and fill you in on some other bullpen-related news in this week’s Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Report.

 

 

 

Houston Astros

The Astros were dealt a huge blow when Josh Hader was placed on the IL with a left shoulder strain on Wednesday. Hader is seeking the dreaded “second opinion,” and unfortunately, Astros manager Joe Espada revealed that Hader may be on the IL for a while. The bright side for the Astros is that they have one of the best setup men in baseball in Bryan Abreu. The right-handed Abreu picked up his 10th career save on Wednesday night. Veteran lefty reliever Bennett Sousa, who has 35 saves across his big league, minor league, and college career, will likely be in the mix for save chances as well. Bryan King is another lefty reliever who might be in the mix for save opportunities. He’s been used in late-inning high-leverage situations and has 21 holds this season. The Astros might have to get creative in managing their bullpen. That might involve increasing their usage of right-handed reliever Kaleb Ort, who has 58 career saves in his professional career. He hasn’t given up a run in his last 6.1 IP across seven appearances and could get an occasional save chance if Abreu is unavailable and the Astros need a right-handed reliever in a tight spot. 

 

 

 

Baltimore Orioles

Felix Bautista (right shoulder inflammation) has been on the IL retroactive to July 21st, and the Orioles revealed that he will not pitch again this season. Bautista, who missed all of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, had a good 2025 season, saving 19 games and posting a 2.60 ERA. Keegan Akin has picked up two of the three Orioles saves since Bautista was placed on the IL. Yennier Cano, who has had an uncharacteristically bad season and even spent some time in the minors, might get some save chances as well, but if you’re looking for a sleeper in saves and holds leagues, Dietrich Enns might be your man. Since being traded to the O’s from the Detroit Tigers, he’s struck out 12 batters, while walking none in seven appearances spanning 5.1 IP. He has two holds during that stretch, and his last two appearances came in the eighth inning.  

 

 

 

Detroit Tigers

Last week, we might have prematurely anointed Kyle Finnegan as the Tigers’ 2025 MLB closer moving forward, but it looks like manager A.J. Hinch is up to his old tricks again. Will Vest has converted the Tigers’ last two save opportunities this week. The first can be easily explained away. On Monday, Finnegan pitched the eighth inning, and the Tigers were expecting to bring him out for the ninth, but a rain delay prevented that from happening. However, Vest’s Wednesday save was probably more of a result of Hinch’s mix-and-match managerial style. Finnegan was brought in to pitch the eighth inning and to face the White Sox’s 5, 6, and 7 hitters. Luckily, the Tigers are a good team, and there should be plenty of save opportunities to go around the rest of the way, so both Finnegan and Vest should continue to be rostered.