The past week or so has shown fantasy baseball managers that saves can come from the unlikeliest of 2025 MLB closers. The Colorado Rockies have the worst record in baseball, and yet their closer, Victor Vodnik, converted four saves and a win in his last five appearances, dating back to August 12th. 

Raisel Iglesias lost his role as the Atlanta Braves’ closer job earlier this season, but no Braves reliever stepped up, so he took it back. He hasn’t given up a run in his last 13 IP and has recorded 10 saves during that time span, five of which came in the past week.  

On the injury front, as this article is being written, the Los Angeles Dodgers are still waiting for Tanner Scott (elbow) and Michael Kopech (knee) to complete their rehab assignments and provide added depth to their bullpen. 

There is a lot more injury and bullpen usage-related news to cover, and we’ll point out some late-inning high-leverage relievers who could find themselves closing out games in the near future in this week’s Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Report.

 

 

 

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies avoided a potential bullpen disaster. Jhoan Duran, their right-handed star closer, was hit by a line drive that struck his ankle on Friday night and forced him to be carted off the field. Thankfully, he avoided a serious injury, and he has picked up two saves since the incident. The Phillies got some added good news when lefty reliever and former Phillies closer Jose Alvarado was reinstated from his 80-game suspension for violating MLB’s rules against using PEDs. Alvarado pitched a clean eighth inning for the Phillies on Wednesday night and provided the team with a formidable end-of-game one-two punch.

Los Angeles Angels

Kenley Jansen is dealing with a rib injury sustained while he was working out in the weight room. He is trying to avoid hitting the IL, but the injury to his left side has impacted his ability to pitch effectively. If he is unavailable for a prolonged period, look for the Angels to use a committee approach with Luis Garcia (who secured a save on Wednesday), Reid Detmers, and even Brock Burke in line for late-inning high-leverage work. 

 

 

 

New York Yankees

Continuing our theme of saves coming from unlikely sources mentioned in the opening, Yankees reliever and former closer Devin Williams walked the tightrope on Wednesday by giving up two hits and a run but closed out the Yankees’ victory against the Tampa Bay Rays. He got out of trouble by striking out the last three batters he faced in the 10th inning. It was Williams’ 18th save of the season. The Yanks will likely continue to avoid using Williams in high leverage situations for the short term. David Bednar (who blew a save on Wednesday) is the favorite to work the ninth inning for the Yanks, but Luke Weaver has been pitching better of late and is likely considered next in line for save opportunities. Unfortunately, Camilo Doval has struggled since being traded from the San Francisco Giants to the Yankees, posting a 6.43 ERA and striking out eight batters, but walking six for his new team.

Cincinnati Reds

They haven’t made an official announcement, but it appears the Reds are giving their closer, Emilio Pagan, a break from closing games. Pagan has had a rough time of it lately. In his last eight appearances, Pagan has a 5.63 ERA, and he’s lost two games and blown two save opportunities. He has struck out seven batters in eight IP during that time span, but walked six during that stretch as well. With the Reds right in the thick of the NL Wild Card race, the Reds had Scott Barlow close out their win on Monday. With 59 career saves, Barlow is no stranger to pitching in high-pressure situations. Tony Santillan, one of manager Terry Francona’s favorites, picked up a save for the Reds on Tuesday. Should the Reds want to give Pagan an extended break from closing, Graham Ashcraft is another reliable late-inning high-leverage reliever that they can turn to. 

 

 

 

Houston Astros

If you were hoping that Josh Hader would be back before the end of the season, you’re out of luck. Hader is expected to be restricted from throwing for three weeks, and it might take him another three weeks to build up his arm strength before he can return to action. That means that in all likelihood, the earliest we can expect to see Hader back on a big league pitching mound would be during the playoffs. Bryan Abreu, who has yet to give up a run in the month of August, remains the best option for saves in the Astros’ bullpen. Lefty reliever Bennett Sousa could also be in the mix for saves.

Baltimore Orioles

Unfortunately, the Orioles will likely be in the market for a closer for the 2026 season. Felix Bautista, who has been on the IL retroactive to July 21st, underwent surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff and torn labrum. Bautista is expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2026 season. Lefty reliever Keegan Akin has picked up two of the last three Orioles saves. Fellow southpaw Dietrich Enns, whom we highlighted in last week’s column, has the other. Yennier Cano is the primary right-handed reliever option that the Orioles have been using late in games. 

 

Â