Latest fantasy baseball reliever updates
Ben Joyce has each of the Angels' past three successful save conversions, as well as six consecutive scoreless appearances since returning from the IL. He appears to be the team's top choice to close. (August 19)
After he surrendered 11 runs in nine appearances between IL stints, Edwin Diaz (neck) was placed back on the injured list on Aug. 18. Tanner Scott will move back into the closer role for the Dodgers. (August 19)
Jacob Webb has an active streak of 21 scoreless appearances, as well as each of the Cubs' past four successful saves. It's now a debate whether he'll cede the closer role to Daniel Palencia (elbow, 15-day IL) once the latter is ready to return. (August 17)
With Devin Williams (shoulder, 15-day IL) sidelined, the Mets will likely turn to a closer-by-committee. Kodai Senga had the team's first successful save on Aug. 10, but Daniel Duarte and Nate Lavender could also get opportunities. (August 11)
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-by-committee: Kevin Ginkel (1.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Brandyn Garcia (3.8%)
Closer-by-committee: Juan Morillo (2.5%)
Sleeper: Justin Martinez (1.8%)
THE ATHLETICS
Closer: Hogan Harris (5.3%)
Primary setup: Elvis Alvarado (0.3%)
Secondary setup: Luis Medina (0.1%)
Middle relief: Drew Rom (0.0%)
ATLANTA BRAVES
Closer: Raisel Iglesias (81.4%)
Primary setup: Dylan Lee (21.8%)
Secondary setup: Dylan Dodd (1.7%)
Sleeper: Didier Fuentes (3.5%)
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Closer: Andrew Kittredge (1.7%)
Primary setup: Yennier Cano (0.9%)
Secondary setup: Rico Garcia (8.6%)
Injured list: Ryan Helsley (33.8%)
BOSTON RED SOX
Closer: Aroldis Chapman (91.8%)
Primary setup: Erik Miller (1.0%)
Secondary setup: Greg Weissert (0.2%)
Sleeper: Tyron Guerrero (1.2%)
CHICAGO CUBS
Closer: Jacob Webb (13.4%)
Primary setup: Ryan Zeferjahn (1.9%)
Secondary setup: Ryan Rolison (0.3%)
Injured list: Daniel Palencia (31.0%)
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Closer-by-committee: Grant Taylor (16.0%)
Closer-by-committee: Sean Newcomb (1.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Jordan Hicks (0.4%)
Closer-by-committee: Trevor Richards (0.1%)
CINCINNATI REDS
Closer: Emilio Pagan (55.6%)
Primary setup: Tejay Antone (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Brock Burke (0.8%)
Middle relief: Pierce Johnson (0.1%)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Closer: Cade Smith (97.3%)
Primary setup: Hunter Gaddis (5.9%)
Secondary setup: Colin Holderman (0.6%)
Middle relief: Erik Sabrowski (7.2%)
COLORADO ROCKIES
Closer: Jordan Romano (5.2%)
Primary setup: Juan Mejia (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Jimmy Herget (0.1%)
Middle relief: Brennan Bernardino (0.1%)
DETROIT TIGERS
Closer: Kenley Jansen (39.5%)
Primary setup: Tyler Holton (1.2%)
Secondary setup: Kyle Finnegan (1.9%)
Middle relief: Drew Sommers (0.0%)
HOUSTON ASTROS
Closer: Josh Hader (83.2%)
Primary setup: Bryan Abreu (31.9%)
Secondary setup: Steven Okert (3.4%)
Middle relief: Enyel De Los Santos (0.3%)
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Closer: Steven Cruz (1.5%)
Primary setup: Nate Pearson (0.1%)
Secondary setup: John Schreiber (0.2%)
Injured list: Carlos Estevez (17.5%)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Closer: Ben Joyce (5.3%)
Primary setup: Samy Natera Jr. (1.4%)
Secondary setup: Ryan Watson (0.0%)
Middle relief: Luke Murphy (0.0%)
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Closer: Tanner Scott (32.4%)
Primary setup: Alex Vesia (8.7%)
Secondary setup: Evan Phillips (0.1%)
Injured list: Edwin Diaz (56.6%)
MIAMI MARLINS
Closer: Pete Fairbanks (43.9%)
Primary setup: Tyler Zuber (0.0%)
Secondary setup: Michael Petersen (1.9%)
Middle relief: Victor Vodnik (0.4%)
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Closer: Trevor Megill (58.6%)
Primary setup: Aaron Ashby (15.2%)
Secondary setup: Antonio Senzatela (2.7%)
Middle relief: Chad Patrick (4.6%)
MINNESOTA TWINS
Closer: Yoendrys Gomez (14.0%)
Primary setup: Jeff Hoffman (38.9%)
Secondary setup: Andrew Morris (1.3%)
Middle relief: A.J. Minter (0.3%)
NEW YORK METS
Closer: Kodai Senga (10.6%)
Primary setup: Daniel Duarte (0.9%)
Secondary setup: Nate Lavender (0.3%)
Injured list: Devin Williams (61.9%)
NEW YORK YANKEES
Closer: David Bednar (87.8%)
Primary setup: Brent Headrick (9.9%)
Secondary setup: Paul Blackburn (1.2%)
Middle relief: Fernando Cruz (4.4%)
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Closer: Jhoan Duran (93.4%)
Primary setup: Jonathan Bowlan (0.5%)
Secondary setup: Orion Kerkering (1.1%)
Middle relief: Brooks Raley (1.0%)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Closer-by-committee: Luke Weaver (9.0%)
Closer-by-committee: Gregory Soto (20.5%)
Closer-by-committee: Mason Montgomery (3.7%)
Primary setup: Camilo Doval (2.6%)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Closer: Riley O'Brien (66.6%)
Primary setup: Ryne Stanek (1.6%)
Secondary setup: George Soriano (0.9%)
Middle relief: Caleb Ferguson (0.1%)
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Closer: Mason Miller (99.5%)
Primary setup: Adrian Morejon (17.2%)
Secondary setup: Jeremiah Estrada (7.2%)
Sleeper: Bradgley Rodriguez (1.1%)
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Closer-by-committee: Dylan Smith (0.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Keaton Winn (0.4%)
Closer-by-committee: JT Brubaker (0.1%)
Primary setup: Sam Hentges (0.0%)
SEATTLE MARINERS
Closer: Andres Munoz (80.2%)
Primary setup: Eduard Bazardo (3.6%)
Secondary setup: Jose Ferrer (1.0%)
Middle relief: Seranthony Dominguez (9.9%)
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Closer: Bryan Baker (78.4%)
Primary setup: Kevin Kelly (13.2%)
Secondary setup: Garrett Cleavinger (3.9%)
Middle relief: Tyler Wells (2.5%)
TEXAS RANGERS
Closer: Jacob Latz (59.7%)
Primary setup: Cole Winn (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Peyton Gray (0.1%)
Sleeper: Chase Silseth (0.1%)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Closer: Louis Varland (85.5%)
Primary setup: Tyler Rogers (16.4%)
Secondary setup: Braydon Fisher (0.7%)
Middle relief: Brendon Little (0.2%)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Closer: Clayton Beeter (4.9%)
Primary setup: Orlando Ribalta (0.0%)
Secondary setup: Tom Cosgrove (0.0%)
Sleeper: Yovanny Cruz (0.1%)
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.