As we fantasy baseball managers continue to forge a path to a potential league title the fantasy baseball closer position continues to be extremely unpredictable. Dodgers closer, Edwin Diaz, who has consistently been among MLB’s best closers and close to the top of the MLB closers rankings, is back on the IL. We touched on Diaz’s struggles since initially coming off the IL in last week’s column and since then, the Dodgers revealed that he has been dealing with neck inflammation. An MRI showed that he had no structural damage but there’s no target date for Diaz’s return. 

Last week, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, wouldn't commit to who his closer would be if he had to replace Diaz. This week, he has confidently named Tanner Scott as his closer with Diaz back on the IL. Behind Scott, Evan Phillips, Edgardo Henriquez and the struggling Alex Vesia will all continue to be used in late inning high leverage situations moving forward.

We’ve updated our fantasy baseball closer grid and updated to the Dodgers’ bullpen depth chart. The grid is just one of Fantasy Alarm’s  great resources that can help you win your fantasy baseball league. Check out James Grande’s weekly Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire column with new articles dropping every Sunday. For the latest in our video content, which is also updated daily, visit the Fantasy Alarm You Tube Channel.

In the meantime, we still have lots of closer and late inning high leverage reliever related news to cover in this week’s bullpen report, so please enjoy!

 

Saves Leaders Over The Past Week

Five relievers recorded three saves last week. They were:

It’s a small sample size, but since August 10th, Senga has converted four straight save opportunities and has made modest gains in the MLB closers rankings. He has struck out five batters and walked two while giving up just one earned run during that time frame. His ground ball rate, which is 29.9 for the season, has jumped up to 44.4 in his four games as the Mets’ closer and will help him to keep the ball in the park. Perhaps Senga has finally found his calling. It will be interesting to note if the Mets continue to use Senga as their closer once Devin Williams is ready to be reinstated from the IL.

A whopping 13 other relievers secured two saves over the past week. Mason Montgomery was one of those relievers and now appears to be the favorite for save opportunities moving forward for the Pirates. Heading into Friday’s action, Montgomery is riding an eight inning scoreless innings pitched streak. He has 17 strikeouts and has walked just two during that time frame. He also has two wins and three saves as well.

For the season, Rays reliever Bryan Baker continues to be one of MLB’s best closers and leads the major leagues with 36 saves. O’Brien has achieved elite status in our MLB closers rankings and has the second-most saves in baseball with 33. Guardians reliever Cade Smith, is right behind O’Brien with 32 saves this season. 

 

 

 

Holds Leaders Over The Past Week

Five relievers had three holds over the past week including Daniel Duarte who has emerged as a key setup man in the Mets’ bullpen. Duarte has a 0.84 ERA and 0.609 WHIP in his first 16 appearances of the 2026 season. 

Braves setup man Dylan Lee maintains his overall MLB lead in holds with 29 on the season. Blue Jays setup man Tyler Rogers has 26, and Rays reliever Kevin Kelly and Guardians reliever Hunter Gaddis each have 25. 

 

Relievers To Take Note Of

Perhaps by the time you read this article, Cubs reliever Daniel Palencia would have already been reinstated from the IL. He’s been on the IL since June 16th, and the Cubs were expected to activate him in time for Friday’s action. Jacob Webb has handled most of the save opportunities for the Cubs and will likely remain in that role for at least the short term. According to Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com Palencia, who has been sidelined due to a right flexor strain, will not immediately be the Cubs’ closer when he returns. 

Jose Urquidy has been pitching in long relief for the White Sox and has looked good lately. He pitched 9.2 innings last week and struck out 11 batters while walking none. 

Luis Mey picked up two holds for the Reds last week and threw five scoreless innings. He struck out 10 batters and walked just two.

Former and potentially future Orioles closer Felix Bautista, who has missed the entire 2026 season while recovering from shoulder surgery, is expected to begin a rehab assignment on Sunday. We’re almost certainly not going to see him on a big-league mound until September, but that could be sooner than we see Ryan Helsley, who served as the team’s closer for most of the season. Helsley is on the IL, nursing an elbow injury, and the timetable for his return has yet to be determined.