As we head into September, we’ve had to adjust our MLB closer rankings due to an injury to Marlins closer Pete Fairbanks, and it seems like we’ll need to keep a close eye on the Cubs’ bullpen depth charts, as some key components in their late-inning, high-leverage rotation have been struggling of late. Even this late in the fantasy baseball season, new resources for relievers who can make meaningful contributions in saves-plus-holds league formats continue to make their presence known and are likely available on your league’s waiver wire. 

We’ve updated our fantasy baseball closer grid with updates based on recent injury news and will continue to update MLB closer rankings, but keep in mind that 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 YouTube 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

Cade Smith, who has been close to the top of the MLB closers rankings all season, recorded four saves for the Guardians last week. Three other relievers recorded three saves last week. They were Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman, Braves closer Raisel Iglesias, and A’s reliever Elvis Alvarado. 

Chapman has 30 saves this season, his second year in a row with at least 30 saves. He has a 1.81 ERA in his first 46 games, and his fastball is still blazing and averages 96.9 mph. That’s pretty good for a 38-year-old reliever who looked like his career was winding down just a few seasons ago.

Iglesias looks like he’s back on track after a couple of rocky outings earlier this month. He has 28 saves this season and four saves and a win in his last seven appearances.

Alvarado looks like he’s the favorite for save opportunities for the A’s for the near future, but Hogan Harris is probably still in the mix as well. Alvarado hasn’t given up a run in his last eight outings and has three saves, three holds and a 7:2 K:BB ratio over 6.2 IP during that time span. Harris has two holds and a save in his last three scoreless appearances and leads A’s relievers with 13 saves this season.

For the season, Rays reliever Bryan Baker continues to be one of MLB’s best closers and leads the major leagues with 38 saves. The previously mentioned Cade Smith has the second most saves in baseball with 35. Cardinals closer Riley O’Brien has the third most saves in baseball with 33 saves this season. 

 

 

 

Holds Leaders Over The Past Week

Guardians setup man Hunter Gaddis led MLB relievers with three holds over the past week. A whopping 14 other relievers had two holds. 

Braves setup man Dylan Lee was one of those relievers with two holds last week and maintains his overall MLB lead with 30 on the season. Blue Jays setup man Tyler Rogers has 28, and Rays reliever Kevin Kelly and Guardians reliever Hunter Gaddis each have 27. 

Relievers And Bullpens To Take Note Of

As expected, Cubs reliever Daniel Palencia was reinstated from the IL last Friday, but as previously reported, the Cubs don’t plan on him immediately reclaiming his role as the team’s closer. Jacob Webb was expected to remain in that role, but in his last three appearances he’s given up two home runs, five hits, and five earned runs in 2.2 IP. He’s also blown two consecutive save opportunities during that time frame. Palencia looked good in his first game back last Friday but gave up three earned runs in 0.2 IP in his next appearance on Tuesday. Should Palencia and Webb’s struggles continue, Trent Thornton could find himself being used in save situations. He’s been the Cubs’ best reliever for the month of August, pitching 10 shutout innings while picking up two wins and three holds during that time frame. 

It’s been a rocky first season with the Marlins for Pete Fairbanks. Fairbanks, who will be a free agent at the end of the season, has 18 saves this season to go along with a 6.02 ERA. Unfortunately, he’s back on the IL for the second time due to recurring nerve-related injuries.  With Fairbanks sidelined, the Marlins might opt to use a committee approach to closing out their games for the short term. However, Calvin Faucher is one Marlins reliever who could see himself rise in the MLB closer rankings moving forward. He has been the Marlins’ most effective reliever over the past several weeks and could emerge as the team’s go-to option in the ninth inning. In his last 15 IP, Faucher has a 1.20 ERA and a 22:3 K:BB ratio to go along with a win, a save, and three holds. Michael Petersen, who has 22 holds and a save this season, could be another option for the Marlins in the ninth inning as well.

Fernando Cruz, who has been a key late-inning, high-leverage reliever for the Yankees this season, was placed on the IL with a partially torn UCL. With Cruz potentially needing Tommy John surgery and likely out for the rest of the season, left-handed reliever Brent Headrick will continue to be David Bednar’s setup man. Right-handed reliever Paul Blackburn moves up the Yankees’ depth chart as an additional option in late-inning, high-leverage situations. He hasn’t given up a run in his last 15.1 IP, and while he’s given up eight walks, Blackburn has 16 strikeouts, six holds, and three wins during that time span.

With Jeremiah Estrada recently hitting the IL, Bradgley Rodriguez has become a potential resource for holds for the Padres moving forward. In his last nine games spanning 12 IP, Rodriguez has thrown 12 scoreless innings and has a 14:1 K:BB ratio. He’s picked up two holds, two saves, and a win in those outings.