Welcome to another edition of the Fantasy Alarm 2026 Bullpen Report. The fantasy baseball gods are really testing us this season when it comes to the fantasy baseball closer position. It seems that as soon as one fantasy baseball closer is removed from the IL there’s another who quickly takes his place. 

Saves Leaders Over The Past Week

Since our last column, Padres closer Mason Miller continues to lead all closers with 11 saves, but he’s not alone. Cardinals closer Riley O’Brien saved three games last week and also has 11 total saves this season. Entering Friday’s action, O’Brien has a 20:1 K:BB ratio as well as a 2.00 ERA and 0.889 WHIP.

Four other fantasy baseball closers converted three saves since our last column, including Mets closer Devin Williams, Guardians closer Cade Smith, Royals closer Lucas Erceg, and former, but potential future Phillies closer, Brad Keller.

It’s difficult to trust Williams for the long term, but he hasn’t given up a run in his last five appearances (4.2 IP) and has a 7:0 K:BB ratio during that time span. He might be a good sell-high option.

Smith seems back on track after a slow start and is riding a 5.1 inning scoreless streak during which time he has an 8:0 K:BB ratio and converted five saves.

Erceg has done a fair job as the Royals’ closer with Carlos Estevez on the IL. He has 10 saves, but he simply walks too many batters. He hasn’t given up a run in his last 7 IP, converting five saves, but Erceg has a concerning 9:5 K:BB ratio during that time frame, leading to a disappointing overall 1.37 WHIP. With Estevez suffering a setback and being diagnosed with a right rotator cuff strain, Erceg will hold on to his closer role for a while longer.

Keller’s days as the Phillies’ closer are done with Jhoan Duran returning from the IL this week. Keller’s  4.02 ERA and 1.213 WHIP are pedestrian at best, but there is speculation that if the Phillies throw in the towel and decide that a full rebuilding of their roster is needed, they may eventually opt to put Duran on the trading block. If that happens, Keller will once again likely be the Phillies’ closer.

 

 

 

Holds Leaders Over The Past Week

Cardinals set up man, JoJo Romero, led the way with four holds last week. He has 12 on the season, right behind Guardians reliever Erik Sabrowski, who leads MLB with 14 holds on the season. 

Five other relievers had three holds last week, including Romero’s teammate George Soriano, Guardians reliever Matt Festa, and  Garrett Cleavinger and Kevin Kelly, two relievers pitching for the surging Rays.

Mariners reliever Eduard Bazardo also recorded three holds last week and has been used in the eighth inning during his last three appearances. He has 16 career minor league saves.

There’s a lot of ground to cover when it comes to late-inning high-leverage relievers, and these are a few more bullpens that should be on your radar.

Baltimore Orioles

Closer Ryan Helsley was unexpectedly placed on the IL due to elbow inflammation last Friday afternoon. Control continued to be an issue for Helsley this season, as shown by his 5.9 BB/9; he had converted seven saves and pitched to a 2.52 ERA in his first 12 appearances this season. Rico Garcia has converted the Orioles’ only save opportunity since Helsley hit the IL, his second of the season. Garcia has given up just one hit in his first 17 IP and has a 0.53 ERA. The veteran reliever has 30 career minor league saves.  Yennier Cano and Andrew Kittredge may also be given the chance to close out games for the O’s moving forward. 

Cincinnati Reds

Emilio Pagan is likely to miss up to eight weeks of the season due to a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. Pagan was struggling this season and had pitched to a 6.43 ERA and 1.429 WHIP. Tony Santillan, who has one save and nine holds so far this season, seems like the logical choice to step in and take over the closer’s role, but he’s given up a run in each of his last two outings and suffered a loss and a blown save during that time span. Graham Ashcraft would likely be the next man up should Santillan falter or be unavailable, but he blew a save chance in his most recent appearance and has walked four batters in his last 3.2 IP. Pierce Johnson, who has 16 career saves, could also find himself being asked to close out games for the Reds moving forward.

 

 

 

Pittsburgh Pirates

There appears to be a changing of the guard in Pittsburgh, with Gregory Soto at least temporarily taking over closer duties. Dennis Santana hasn’t converted a save since April 10th, and Soto has converted the Pirates’ last two save opportunities, pitching back-to-back on Wednesday and Thursday. Santana, on the other hand, has been used in the seventh and eighth innings of games over his last three appearances. Soto is pitching better than he has in years, compiling a 1.42 ERA and 0.684 WHIP in his first 19 appearances this season.

San Francisco Giants

It looks like Ryan Walker has been removed from his closer’s role again this season. He’s given up five earned runs in his last 3.2 IP, resulting in two blown saves. Caleb Killian converted the Giants’ most recent save (the first of his professional career), and while he has a sparkling 1.13 ERA this season, he’s given up a run in each of his last two outings. Keaton Winn, who also has just one save in his professional career, could also be used in save situations moving forward. He has seven holds on the season and notably hasn’t struck out a batter in his last five games. Erik Miller, who is on the IL due to a back strain, could be used in late-inning high-leverage situations upon his return. He has two saves this season as well as 15 career minor league saves. The Giants’ bullpen is a work in progress.

Detroit Tigers

Fantasy baseball managers rostering Kenley Jansen have had to put up with his uncharacteristically high 5.40 ERA and 1.560 WHIP this season, but also been given a scare when Tigers manager A.J. Hinch hinted that Jansen was dealing with a groin injury. He was able to avoid having to be added to the IL and last pitched on Monday. Kyle Finnegan converted the Tigers’ most recent save on April 30th. He is pitching to a 0.51 ERA this season and has 113 career saves. If Finnegan is available on your league’s waiver wire, he’d be a good speculative add.

Los Angeles Angels

Kirby Yates was reinstated from the IL on Tuesday and, as this article is being written, has yet to make his 2026 debut. Ryan Zeferjahn recorded the Angels’ most recent save on Tuesday. The Angels’ bullpen remains in flux with Yates, Zeferjahn, and Sam Bachman still in the mix for save opportunities. This is still a fantasy baseball bullpen to avoid for now.