Latest fantasy baseball reliever updates
The Orioles placed Ryan Helsley on the 15-day IL with right elbow discomfort. This is his second stint for this ailment; the first visit lasted around seven weeks. Tyler Wells, Rico Garcia, Yennier Cano and Andrew Kittredge will likely serve in a closer-by-committee for as long as Helsley is sidelined. (July 4)
Edwin Diaz (elbow, 60-day IL) has resumed throwing and appears on track for activation after the All-Star break. He'd presumably reclaim his closer role with Tanner Scott returning to setup duty. (July 3)
David Bednar returned from the paternity list on July 2 and will immediately reclaim his closer job for the Yankees. (July 2)
Emilio Pagan was activated by the Reds on June 30, and he's expected to slide right back into his full-time closer job. (July 1)
Team-by-team fantasy baseball bullpens
Each pitcher's roster percentages in ESPN leagues is listed in parentheses. Those who have been "heavily worked" over recent days have their names bolded and italicized. Pitchers who are thus labeled as "tired" are less likely to pitch in today's games and, therefore, less likely than normal to earn wins, holds or saves today. Our formula for deeming a reliever to be tired generally requires that he meets at least two of the following criteria: At least 25 pitches thrown the previous day; at least 35 pitches thrown over the last three days; appearances in both of the prior two days.
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Closer: Paul Sewald (36.9%)
Primary setup: Juan Morillo (1.9%)
Secondary setup: Brandyn Garcia (0.4%)
Middle relief: Kevin Ginkel (1.2%)
THE ATHLETICS
Co-closer: Elvis Alvarado (1.2%)
Co-closer: Hogan Harris (4.4%)
Primary setup: Luis Medina (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Justin Sterner (0.8%)
ATLANTA BRAVES
Closer: Raisel Iglesias (84.2%)
Primary setup: Dylan Lee (18.5%)
Secondary setup: Didier Fuentes (2.7%)
Middle relief: Tyler Kinley (0.4%)
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Closer-by-committee: Tyler Wells (2.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Rico Garcia (14.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Yennier Cano (0.9%)
Injured list: Ryan Helsley (42.7%)
BOSTON RED SOX
Closer: Aroldis Chapman (89.4%)
Primary setup: Garrett Whitlock (10.5%)
Secondary setup: Justin Slaten (0.2%)
Middle relief: Tayron Guerrero (0.7%)
CHICAGO CUBS
Co-closer: Jacob Webb (0.8%)
Co-closer: Caleb Thielbar (0.4%)
Primary setup: Trent Thornton (0.1%)
Injured list: Daniel Palencia (33.1%)
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Closer-by-committee: Seranthony Dominguez (15.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Grant Taylor (9.7%)
Closer-by-committee: Bryan Hudson (0.4%)
Closer-by-committee: Sean Newcomb (1.2%)
CINCINNATI REDS
Closer: Emilio Pagan (47.7%)
Primary setup: Tejay Antone (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Brock Burke (0.2%)
Middle relief: Caleb Ferguson (0.1%)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Closer: Cade Smith (97.5%)
Primary setup: Hunter Gaddis (4.9%)
Secondary setup: Colin Holderman (0.9%)
Middle relief: Erik Sabrowski (13.2%)
COLORADO ROCKIES
Closer-by-committee: Antonio Senzatela (4.6%)
Closer-by-committee: Jordan Romano (2.7%)
Closer-by-committee: Jimmy Herget (0.6%)
Closer-by-committee: Victor Vodnik (0.4%)
DETROIT TIGERS
Closer: Kenley Jansen (36.8%)
Primary setup: Drew Anderson (0.5%)
Secondary setup: Kyle Finnegan (2.3%)
Middle relief: Tyler Holton (0.7%)
HOUSTON ASTROS
Closer: Josh Hader (82.0%)
Primary setup: Bryan King (5.0%)
Secondary setup: Steven Okert (0.8%)
Middle relief: Bryan Abreu (31.3%)
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Closer: Alex Lange (5.4%)
Primary setup: Daniel Lynch IV (0.7%)
Secondary setup: Lucas Erceg (11.0%)
Injured list: Carlos Estevez (20.3%)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Closer-by-committee: Kirby Yates (1.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Ryan Zeferjahn (0.4%)
Closer-by-committee: Sam Bachman (0.6%)
Sleeper: Chase Silseth (0.1%)
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Closer: Tanner Scott (36.4%)
Primary setup: Alex Vesia (11.0%)
Secondary setup: Edgardo Henriquez (0.5%)
Injured list: Edwin Diaz (63.4%)
MIAMI MARLINS
Closer: Pete Fairbanks (41.8%)
Primary setup: Calvin Faucher (0.4%)
Secondary setup: Michael Petersen (2.0%)
Middle relief: Lake Bachar (0.2%)
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Closer: Trevor Megill (48.8%)
Primary setup: Abner Uribe (46.6%)
Secondary setup: Aaron Ashby (17.5%)
Middle relief: Grant Anderson (0.1%)
MINNESOTA TWINS
Closer: Yoendrys Gomez (9.3%)
Primary setup: Andrew Morris (0.0%)
Secondary setup: Travis Adams (0.0%)
Middle relief: Taylor Rogers (0.4%)
NEW YORK METS
Closer: Devin Williams (71.9%)
Primary setup: Luke Weaver (5.6%)
Secondary setup: Brooks Raley (0.9%)
Middle relief: Huascar Brazoban (0.8%)
NEW YORK YANKEES
Closer: David Bednar (82.3%)
Primary setup: Fernando Cruz (5.9%)
Secondary setup: Camilo Doval (2.7%)
Middle relief: Brent Headrick (1.2%)
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Closer: Jhoan Duran (94.6%)
Primary setup: Orion Kerkering (1.6%)
Secondary setup: Jose Alvarado (0.7%)
Middle relief: Jonathan Bowlan (0.1%)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Closer-by-committee: Gregory Soto (27.4%)
Closer-by-committee: Dennis Santana (8.0%)
Closer-by-committee: Mason Montgomery (0.5%)
Primary setup: Yohan Ramirez (0.5%)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Closer: Riley O'Brien (65.6%)
Primary setup: JoJo Romero (9.4%)
Secondary setup: George Soriano (0.6%)
Middle relief: Ryan Fernandez (0.0%)
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Closer: Mason Miller (99.5%)
Primary setup: Adrian Morejon (12.0%)
Secondary setup: Wandy Peralta (0.1%)
Sleeper: Bradgley Rodriguez (0.2%)
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Closer: Caleb Kilian (3.6%)
Primary setup: Ryan Walker (10.0%)
Secondary setup: Erik Miller (0.3%)
Middle relief: Dylan Smith (0.0%)
SEATTLE MARINERS
Closer: Andres Munoz (80.8%)
Primary setup: Jose Ferrer (1.5%)
Secondary setup: Eduard Bazardo (6.1%)
Middle relief: Gabe Speier (1.5%)
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Closer: Bryan Baker (68.8%)
Primary setup: Kevin Kelly (12.4%)
Secondary setup: Garrett Cleavinger (2.1%)
Middle relief: Casey Legumina (0.1%)
TEXAS RANGERS
Closer: Jacob Latz (54.7%)
Primary setup: Peyton Gray (0.3%)
Secondary setup: Tyler Alexander (2.0%)
Middle relief: Chris Martin (0.1%)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Closer: Louis Varland (81.8%)
Primary setup: Tyler Rogers (15.1%)
Secondary setup: Jeff Hoffman (40.7%)
Middle relief: Mason Fluharty (0.3%)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Closer: Clayton Beeter (3.1%)
Primary setup: P.J. Poulin (0.3%)
Secondary setup: Orlando Ribalta (0.0%)
Middle relief: Brad Lord (2.4%)
KEY: "Closer" is either that team's officially designated closer, or the pitcher most likely to get the team's next save chance. Teams can be listed with "Co-closers" or "Closer-by-committee." "Primary setup" is the pitcher next-most likely to take over if something happens to the closer, the top holds-getter and the one who might get any save chances on the closer's nights off. "Secondary setup" is the pitcher third-in-line to close and a good candidate for holds. "Middle relief" covers any other pertinent relievers from that team's bullpen. "Sleeper" is another reliever who could provide a decent number of holds or eventually graduate into the closer role.