One of the biggest challenges I face when writing the Fantasy Alarm 2026 Bullpen Report is that it seems that as soon as I’m finished writing my weekly column or submitting an update to our 2026 Fantasy Baseball Closer Grid, another late-inning high-leverage reliever gets added to the IL. Volatile is often used to describe the fantasy baseball closer position, but this season, it doesn’t even begin to describe the current state of the fantasy baseball closer landscape.  

The one constant among fantasy baseball closers this season has been Padres closer Mason Miller’s ability to mow down opposing hitters. He leads MLB with eight saves, three of which were converted over the past week. He also has a 27:2 K:BB across his first 11.1 IP. 

Cardinals reliever Riley O’Brien is the only other closer with three saves over the past week. He hasn’t walked or given up a run in his first 13.1 IP and has a total of seven saves this season.

Orioles reliever Anthony Nunez picked up his first save of the season on Wednesday, and while Baltimore has a deep bullpen, he’s someone who should be on your watch list. In addition to his one save, Nunez has a 1.46 ERA, 15:2 K:BB, and three holds in his first 12.1 IP this season.  

Padres reliever Jason Adam, Cardinals middle reliever Justin Bruihl, Braves setup men Dylan Lee and Tyler Kinley, and Rockies reliever Jaden Hill each had three holds over the past week. Guardians reliever Eric Sabrowski is closer Cade Smith’s setup man and leads MLB with nine holds. Cardinals reliever JoJo Romero is right behind Sabrowski with seven holds.

Reds setup man Tony Santillan also has seven holds, and even though Emilio Pagan’s minor hamstring injury seems to be behind him, Santillan picked up his first save of the season last Saturday. Santillan has pitched 10.2 scoreless innings to start the season, and even though Pagan seems healthy, we’ve seen too many seemingly healthy closers mysteriously hit the IL, so if Santillan is available on your league’s waiver wire, he might be worth rostering.

Let’s take a look back at the recent chaos surrounding fantasy baseball’s late-inning high-leverage relievers and try to figure out what it means for the near future of the fantasy baseball closer position. These are a few of the bullpens that need to be on your radar.

MLB Closers 2026: Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Rankings

Los Angeles Dodgers

In last week’s column, we mentioned that with Edwin Diaz dealing with a noticeable drop in the velocity of his pitches, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was forced to concede that Diaz was dealing with a “minor” knee injury. The Dodgers manager held off using Diaz for eight days, and when Diaz was finally back on the mound this past Sunday, he got lit up by the Rockies. It turns out that Diaz was also dealing with an elbow injury that forced him to undergo surgery to remove loose bodies in his right elbow. He’s expected to miss at least three months of the season. Dodgers relievers haven’t had a save opportunity since Diaz was placed on the IL, but Roberts has indicated that he’d use a closer-by-committee approach for the near future. The Dodgers have three viable candidates to close out games, including left-handers Tanner Scott and Alex Vesia and right-hander Blake Treinen. All three have some closer experience. 

Chicago Cubs

Cubs closer Daniel Palencia was another one of the several fantasy baseball closers who unexpectedly hit the IL last week (retroactive to April 14th). An MRI showed that he is dealing with a mild lat strain, which is good news because he might be reinstated within two weeks. Many expected Ben Brown to take over closer duties for the Cubs, but his ability to pitch multiple innings in relief caused manager Craig Counsell to lean on Caleb Thielbar to close out games. Thielbar has converted the Cubs’ only two save opportunities since Palencia has been sidelined. Despite being left-handed, Thielbar has been equally effective against right and left-handed batters in his career.

Philadelphia Phillies

The 2026 season has been very unkind to the Phillies thus far, and having to put their closer, Jhoan Duran, on the 15-day IL due to an oblique strain is only making matters worse. The good news is that, according to manager Rob Thomson, Duran is feeling much better and was recently able to have a catch. Duran’s strain is considered to be “very mild”. As this article is being written, the Phillies are in the middle of an eight-game losing streak, but should a save opportunity present itself, Brad Keller might be the pitcher Thomson calls on. Keller is coming off a career 2025 season (2.07 ERA, 3 saves, 25 holds) and has pitched well this season. Left-hander Jose Alvarado has some closing experience but has struggled this season (.353 BAA, 9.82 ERA) and was recently removed from an appearance due to back spasms. Right-handed reliever Orion Kerkering could also be in the mix for save opportunities.

 

 

 

Atlanta Braves

When the Braves re-signed Raisel Iglesias to a one-year contract for $16 million and Robert Suarez for three years for a total of $45 million, it seemed like overkill. Right now, they look like geniuses because Suarez, who led the league with 40 saves last season, has taken over as the team’s closer with Iglesias hitting the IL. The Braves initially reported that Iglesias was dealing with shoulder discomfort after sleeping on it the wrong way back on April 17th. He was able to convert a save two days later, but there was a noticeable drop in his velocity. An MRI revealed no structural damage, and Iglesias is said to be dealing with inflammation. Suarez has assumed closer duties, but should he be unavailable, Dylan Lee or Tyler Kinley would likely have a chance to close out a win for the Braves should Suarez be unavailable. 

Toronto Blue Jays

It seems like deja vu all over again. Jeff Hoffman blows save opportunities, Blue Jays John Schneider gives him a vote of confidence, Hoffman pitches poorly again…If you roster Hoffman and Louis Varland is available on your league’s waiver wire, you need to pick him up. You have to admire Schneider for standing by his player, but even he recently conceded that the Blue Jays will likely need to make a change at the closer position. Hoffman has given up seven earned runs in his last three IP. Varland picked up a save on Tuesday night (his first ever) and hasn’t given up a run in his first 13 IP this season. He also has a 19:3 K:BB ratio. Tyler Rogers has 19 career saves and a 0.73 ERA in his first 12.1 IP this season and might also be used in save situations. Unfortunately, he doesn’t miss as many bats as Varland and has only five strikeouts and four walks so far this season. Yimi Garcia, on the IL due to an elbow injury, is getting closer to being ready for a rehab assignment. With 29 career saves, he’ll likely be used in late-inning, high-leverage situations upon his return.

New York Mets

Mets closer Devin Williams recently received the dreaded vote of confidence from manager Carlos Mendoza despite his recent struggles. Williams, who also slumped for a good part of the 2025 season as a member of the New York Yankees, has given up seven earned runs in his last three appearances spanning just 1.1 IP. His control also continues to be an issue. Williams has walked six batters in 6.1 IP this season. Luke Weaver would likely be the next man up should Mendoza eventually decide to make a change. Weaver has some closing experience with 12 career saves under his belt. Left-handed reliever Brooks Raley, who also has 12 career saves, has been one of the Mets’ best bullpen arms this season. He has a 2.08 ERA and has recorded three holds thus far. Raley could be called upon to close out games against teams with several left-handed batters in their lineups should the Mets decide to shake up their bullpen hierarchy.