MLB’s trade deadline may be over a month away, but there has already been speculation that fantasy baseball closers, some of whom are high up in the MLB closers rankings like Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen, could be on the move. 

Many of MLB’s best closers have become setup men following a trade, but at the same time, that could lead to new opportunities for current setup men to step up and move into a role as their respective team’s closer. Fantasy baseball managers should roster as many high-end, late-inning, high-leverage relievers as possible, especially those with a clear path to save opportunities. We feature several of those types of relievers within our fantasy baseball closer grid. We update it as news happens, so make sure to refer to it on a regular basis.

The grid is just one of the great resources that can help you win your fantasy baseball leagues. For instance, Howard Bender’s Fantasy Baseball Stock Watch offers the latest insights on news about trending fantasy baseball players. For the latest in our video content, including the Caught Stealing podcast, which I had the honor of being a part of on Thursday, visit the Fantasy Alarm YouTube channel.    

As expected, the Orioles welcomed back closer Ryan Helsley from the IL this week. Despite giving up two home runs in one IP in his first outing on Wednesday, he is consistently regarded as one of the best closers in MLB 2026 and among the top relievers featured in the MLB closers rankings. We’ve got much more closer and late-inning high-leverage reliever news to cover. Please enjoy this week’s Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Report!

 

 

 

Saves Leaders Over The Past Week

Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald, Blue Jays closer Louis Varland, Astros closer Josh Hader, Mets closer Devin Williams, Dodgers closer Tanner Scott and Guardians closer Cade Smith all had three saves last week. 

Sewald is moving up the MLB closers rankings based on his under-the-radar season. His 18 saves overall ties him for third most in baseball, and he has also shown good control as evidenced by his 31:7 K:BB ratio. 

Varland has been virtually unhittable since he took over as the Jays’ closer in late April and sports a 0.90 ERA to go along with 14 total saves, five holds and three wins.

Hader converted back-to-back save opportunities on Tuesday and Wednesday and has a 1.29 ERA, four saves, and an 11:1 K:BB ratio in seven appearances since his return from the IL.

The much-maligned Williams has continued to turn his season around. Since April 23rd, when he had a 10.29 ERA, Williams has pitched to a 2.76 ERA, saved eight games, won two others, and struck out 24 batters in 16.1 IP. Unfortunately, his relatively low overall 10 saves total prevents him from being considered one of the best closers in MLB 2026.

Whether Dodgers manager Dave Roberts likes to admit it or not, Tanner Scott is his closer. He’s climbed up the MLB closers rankings with nine saves since Edwin Diaz was placed on the IL on April 20th. He also has a 30:3 K:BB ratio since that date. Dodgers’ relievers Blake Treinen, Alex Vesia, Kyle Hurt and Will Klein each have one save during that time span.

Cade Smith leads the big leagues with 24 saves, followed by Padres closer Mason Miller with 19.

Holds Leaders Over The Past Week

Hunter Gaddis, who is Cade Smith’s setup man, led MLB relievers with three holds last week. A whopping 11 other late-inning high-leverage relievers had two holds during the same time period. That includes Colin Holderman and Tim Herrin, who are also part of the Guardians bullpen that leads the major leagues with 66 holds this season. 

Mets reliever Luke Weaver was also among the pitchers with two holds last week. Weaver, who is Devin Williams’ setup man, hasn’t given up a run in his last 19 IP and has a 22:4 K:BB ratio during that time span.

Cardinals reliever JoJo Romero has grabbed the overall holds lead with 18 from injured Guardians reliever Erik Sabrowski, who has 17 on the season. Padres reliever Jason Adam and Blue Jays reliever Tyler Rogers, each of whom had two holds last week, are tied for having the third most overall holds with 16.

Phillies reliever Brad Keller, who has topped the weekly holds leaderboard in the three previous weeks, was placed on the IL this past week with forearm tendinitis.  

 

 

 

Relievers on the Rise

Marlins late-inning high-leverage reliever Michael Petersen should be on your watch list. In his last 14 appearances, Petersen has a 1.17 ERA, five holds, and 21 strikeouts in 15.1 IP. Petersen’s fastball and slider have become much more effective and are generating a .123 and .207 BAA, respectively. His slider has an especially high 36.8 Whiff %. Petersen has the kind of elite stuff that can help him move up the MLB closers rankings should the Marlins wish to revamp their bullpen’s hierarchy.

Cam Booser was added to the Rays’ big-league roster on May 31st, and he hasn’t given up a run in six appearances. Booser has struck out 10 batters and walked just three in seven innings pitched and has increasingly been used in higher-leverage situations. He’s locating his pitches better and now has two offerings, his four-seam fastball and cutter,  that he can throw for strikes. If he continues to limit his walks allowed, with 19 career saves between his major and minor league career, he has a chance to move up in the MLB closers rankings.

Bullpens To Take Note Of

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs placed closer Daniel Palencia on the IL on Tuesday due to right elbow inflammation. It’s the second time he’s been on the IL. The first was due to an oblique strain. Jacob Webb picked up the first save in the post-Palencia era, but keep Caleb Thielbar on your radar as well. Despite being a lefty reliever, he has been equally effective vs. right-handed and left-handed batters. Right-handed batters have a .292 BAA against right-handed Webb this season.

San Francisco Giants

Giants reliever Dylan Smith could soon be moving up the MLB closer rankings. The Giants have been using him in the seventh and eighth innings of late, and with Keaton Winn recently placed on the IL, he could eventually have a path to save opportunities before long. Smith hasn’t given up a run in seven appearances for the Giants this season and has seven strikeouts in six IP during those games. Ryan Walker is back with the Giants after spending time in Triple-A. He’s made some mechanical adjustments to his delivery, and so far, the results have been encouraging. The Giants have been using him late in games, and he hasn’t given up a run in three appearances since his return.