Latest fantasy baseball reliever updates
The Marlins placed Pete Fairbanks on the 15-day IL on April 28 due to nerve irritation in his thumb. Tyler Phillips notched the save that night, though Calvin Faucher and Anthony Bender could also see save chances as part of a committee. (April 29)
After Jordan Romano allowed multiple runs in three of five appearances between April 13-25, the Angels released him, leaving their ninth-inning plan to a committee potentially including Sam Bachman, Drew Pomeranz and Chase Silseth. Eventually, Kirby Yates (knee, 15-day IL) appears ticketed for closer duties for the team, once he's healthy. (April 27)
Jeff Hoffman was removed from the Blue Jays' closer role on April 24, and he'll work in middle relief in the short term. Louis Varland is the most logical replacement, though the Blue Jays could also consider Tyler Rogers, Mason Fluharty or Braydon Fisher in the ninth as matchups dictate. (April 27)
The Cubs have Daniel Palencia, Porter Hodge, Hunter Harvey and Caleb Thielbar on the injured list, leaving their bullpen precariously thin in the late innings. Phil Maton's return to action could give him a short-term chance to claim their closer role, but it's also possible manager Craig Counsell will use a committee that also includes Ben Brown, Hoby Milner and Jacob Webb. (April 25)
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 (40.1%)
Primary setup: Juan Morillo (6.9%)
Secondary setup: Taylor Clarke (0.4%)
Middle relief: Jonathan Loaisiga (0.3%)
THE ATHLETICS
Closer-by-committee: Jack Perkins (2.4%)
Closer-by-committee: Joel Kuhnel (7.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Hogan Harris (3.0%)
Closer-by-committee: Mark Leiter Jr. (0.2%)
ATLANTA BRAVES
Closer: Robert Suarez (59.8%)
Primary setup: Tyler Kinley (1.1%)
Secondary setup: Aaron Bummer (0.1%)
Injured list: Raisel Iglesias (81.5%)
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Closer: Ryan Helsley (69.7%)
Primary setup: Anthony Nunez (1.7%)
Secondary setup: Andrew Kittredge (0.9%)
Middle relief: Rico Garcia (12.4%)
BOSTON RED SOX
Closer: Aroldis Chapman (91.5%)
Primary setup: Garrett Whitlock (14.4%)
Secondary setup: Greg Weissert (0.2%)
Middle relief: Danny Coulombe (0.1%)
CHICAGO CUBS
Co-closer: Phil Maton (0.8%)
Co-closer: Hoby Milner (0.2%)
Sleeper: Ben Brown (2.6%)
Injured list: Daniel Palencia (46.2%)
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Closer: Seranthony Dominguez (14.8%)
Primary setup: Jordan Leasure (0.5%)
Secondary setup: Bryan Hudson (0.2%)
Sleeper: Grant Taylor (4.3%)
CINCINNATI REDS
Closer: Emilio Pagan (77.4%)
Primary setup: Tony Santillan (16.8%)
Secondary setup: Brock Burke (0.4%)
Middle relief: Pierce Johnson (0.1%)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Closer: Cade Smith (93.8%)
Primary setup: Hunter Gaddis (3.6%)
Secondary setup: Erik Sabrowski (19.0%)
Middle relief: Connor Brogdon (0.2%)
COLORADO ROCKIES
Closer: Victor Vodnik (1.9%)
Primary setup: Jaden Hill (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Antonio Senzatela (7.1%)
Middle relief: Zach Agnos (0.1%)
DETROIT TIGERS
Closer: Kenley Jansen (59.5%)
Primary setup: Kyle Finnegan (2.8%)
Secondary setup: Will Vest (6.5%)
Middle relief: Tyler Holton (0.9%)
HOUSTON ASTROS
Closer: Enyel De Los Santos (2.0%)
Primary setup: Bryan King (2.3%)
Secondary setup: Bryan Abreu (40.0%)
Injured list: Josh Hader (70.4%)
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Closer: Lucas Erceg (21.9%)
Primary setup: Matt Strahm (4.6%)
Secondary setup: Daniel Lynch IV (0.3%)
Injured list: Carlos Estevez (31.5%)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Closer-by-committee: Drew Pomeranz (0.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Chase Silseth (0.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Sam Bachman (0.1%)
Injured list: Kirby Yates (2.0%)
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Closer: Tanner Scott (19.7%)
Primary setup: Alex Vesia (18.1%)
Secondary setup: Blake Treinen (0.8%)
Injured list: Edwin Diaz (79.5%)
MIAMI MARLINS
Closer: Tyler Phillips (1.3%)
Primary setup: Calvin Faucher (0.3%)
Secondary setup: John King (0.1%)
Injured list: Pete Fairbanks (48.6%)
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Co-closer: Trevor Megill (44.8%)
Co-closer: Abner Uribe (52.8%)
Primary setup: Aaron Ashby (11.2%)
Secondary setup: Grant Anderson (0.3%)
MINNESOTA TWINS
Closer-by-committee: Cole Sands (1.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Justin Topa (0.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Taylor Rogers (0.6%)
Primary setup: Eric Orze (0.1%)
NEW YORK METS
Closer: Devin Williams (72.6%)
Primary setup: Luke Weaver (4.6%)
Secondary setup: Brooks Raley (0.6%)
Middle relief: Huascar Brazoban (0.4%)
NEW YORK YANKEES
Closer: David Bednar (89.9%)
Primary setup: Camilo Doval (4.0%)
Secondary setup: Fernando Cruz (2.3%)
Middle relief: Tim Hill (1.2%)
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Co-closer: Brad Keller (5.9%)
Co-closer: Jose Alvarado (0.8%)
Primary setup: Orion Kerkering (0.6%)
Injured list: Jhoan Duran (92.6%)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Closer: Dennis Santana (21.6%)
Primary setup: Gregory Soto (21.9%)
Secondary setup: Isaac Mattson (1.3%)
Middle relief: Justin Lawrence (0.1%)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Closer: Riley O'Brien (80.5%)
Primary setup: George Soriano (0.1%)
Secondary setup: JoJo Romero (8.8%)
Middle relief: Ryne Stanek (0.5%)
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Closer: Mason Miller (99.4%)
Primary setup: Jason Adam (14.7%)
Secondary setup: Adrian Morejon (8.5%)
Sleeper: Bradgley Rodriguez (0.4%)
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Closer: Ryan Walker (23.6%)
Primary setup: Erik Miller (2.1%)
Secondary setup: Keaton Winn (1.0%)
Middle relief: Matt Gage (0.1%)
SEATTLE MARINERS
Closer: Andres Munoz (89.4%)
Primary setup: Matt Brash (4.6%)
Secondary setup: Jose Ferrer (0.9%)
Middle relief: Gabe Speier (1.5%)
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Closer: Bryan Baker (21.1%)
Primary setup: Ian Seymour (9.6%)
Secondary setup: Cole Sulser (0.1%)
Injured list: Edwin Uceta (4.8%)
TEXAS RANGERS
Closer-by-committee: Jacob Latz (2.4%)
Closer-by-committee: Jakob Junis (12.4%)
Closer-by-committee: Cole Winn (0.7%)
Closer-by-committee: Tyler Alexander (4.7%)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Closer: Louis Varland (42.4%)
Primary setup: Tyler Rogers (15.5%)
Secondary setup: Jeff Hoffman (53.8%)
Middle relief: Braydon Fisher (0.9%)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Closer-by-committee: Gus Varland (1.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Cionel Perez (0.1%)
Closer-by-committee: P.J. Poulin (0.1%)
Injured list: Clayton Beeter (2.1%)
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.