The Dodgers got some great news when Edwin Diaz, one of MLB’s best closers, returned to action on Wednesday. He was a little rusty in his first outing back from the IL, but he managed to pick up a save. Diaz is once again back towards the top of the MLB closers rankings. As expected, Tanner Scott, whose 16 saves were all converted while Diaz was on the IL, will be Diaz’s setup man moving forward. 

The Diamondbacks have reconfigured their bullpen’s depth chart, and we’ve reflected that in our fantasy baseball closer grid. We’ll talk more about the Diamondbacks’ potential bullpen hierarchy moving forward a bit later in this article, but we’re expecting to make several updates to the grid as the MLB August 3rd 6 p.m ET trade deadline approaches. A.J. Minter was recently traded from the Mets to the Twins and will be a depth piece in their bullpen, but we expect there will be many more trades coming in the next few days.

The grid is just one of the great resources that can help you win your fantasy baseball leagues. 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

Yankees closer David Bednar led the way with four saves over the past week. Bednar has been on fire since late May and finds himself in the upper tier of the MLB closers rankings. He has three wins, 11 saves, and a 28:5 K:BB ratio in his last 22 appearances spanning 25 IP. Bednar threw 24 consecutive scoreless innings during that time frame, and in the only game in which opposing batters were able to score runs against him, he still managed to convert the save. 

Five other relievers had three saves last week, including Nationals closer Clayton Beeter. He had one walk, one strikeout, and pitched three scoreless innings during that stretch. The Nationals desperately need someone to take the reins and lead their bullpen. Collectively, Nationals relievers have blown 27 saves this season, the most in baseball. As this article is being written, they’re just 2.5 games out of a wild card spot. They lead the major leagues in runs scored and, on the surface, it appears they’ve got enough offense to make a run at securing a spot. If they hold onto their ace starting pitcher Foster Griffin and decide to become buyers at the MLB trade deadline, they will likely look to add depth to their bullpen. In the meantime, Orlando Ribalta could see himself used in more late-inning, high-leverage situations based on his recent performance. He has 14 career saves in his professional career. In his last nine outings spanning 8.1 IP he has a 13:2 K:BB ratio and two holds to go along with a serviceable 3.24 ERA.

Guardians closer Cade Smith leads the major leagues with 30 saves. Rays closer Bryan Baker is right behind him with 29 saves, and Padres closer Mason Miller has the third most saves in baseball with 28. 

 

 

 

Holds Leaders Over The Past Week

Blue Jays set-up man Tyler Rogers, Rays set-up man Garrett Cleavinger, Astros reliever Bennett Sousa and Rangers reliever Tyler Alexander all had three saves last week. Eighteen other relievers recorded two holds. 

Arizona relievers Juan Morillo and Brandyn Garcia were among the two relievers with two holds last week. With Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo announcing that Paul Sewald will no longer be used as the team’s closer for the time being, both Morillo and Garcia could have a path to save opportunities moving forward and may see themselves climb in the MLB closers rankings. Kevin Ginkel and Jonathan Loaisiga may also be in the mix for save opportunities as well.

Blue Jays reliever Tyler Rogers leads the major leagues with 23 holds. Cardinals reliever JoJo Romero, who remains on the IL due to appendicitis, is tied for having the second most holds in baseball (21) with Braves setup man Dylan Lee, Mariners reliever Eduard Bazardo, Guardians setup man Hunter Gaddis and Rays reliever Kevin Kelly. Red Sox setup man Garrett Whitlock and Guardians reliever Erik Sabrowski have the third most holds in the big leagues with 20. 

Relievers To Take Note Of

Pete Fairbanks must have read last week’s column suggesting that he could be on the verge of losing his closer’s gig because he’s been pitching better of late. He put together three straight scoreless appearances in which he recorded two saves and struck out four batters in his last three IP. With Fairbanks’ recent turnaround and the fact that he’ll be a free agent at the end of the season, the Marlins may find teams knocking on their door and asking about his availability ahead of the MLB trade deadline. Should Fairbanks be moved, he likely will not be the closer for his new team. Michael Petersen and Calvin Faucher would likely be in the mix for save opportunities for the Marlins if Fairbanks is traded. 

Keep an eye out for Steven Cruz. The Royals reliever has two saves and a hold in his last 10 appearances. He has pitched to a 1.86 ERA and has a 7:1 K:BB ratio during that time span. Alex Lange is barely holding onto his role as the team’s closer. He has a 17.61 ERA, two losses and three blown saves in his last nine appearances. He also managed to record four saves during that time period. Matt Strahm, Lucas Erceg and Daniel Lynch IV could also potentially be used in save situations as well in what could become a very fluid situation.

White Sox reliever Jordan Hicks could also find himself being used in more late-inning high-leverage situations in the near future. He hasn’t given up a run in his last 13.1 IP and has two holds, 21 strikeouts, and five walks during that time frame. 

Angels reliever Samy Natera is another reliever who could find himself being used in more higher-leverage situations moving forward. He joined the Angels in early June and has been an under-the-radar gem working out of the bullpen. Natera has a 2.08 ERA and 0.877 WHIP in 19 appearances to go along with a save and four holds. 

Erik Miller is beginning to emerge as a save option for the Giants. He hasn’t given up a run in his last 12.2 IP, has an 18:5 K:BB ratio, 2 saves, and two holds during that time span.