Latest fantasy baseball reliever updates
Though the Athletics have used a closer-by-committee all season to date, Elvis Alvarado has two saves and four straight scoreless appearances since his June 5 recall. He could be emerging as a primary option. (June 15)
After using a committee for much of the season, Giants manager Tony Vitello has named Caleb Kilian as the primary closer. Ryan Walker was recalled and will serve in a setup capacity. (June 13)
Kenley Jansen was activated from the 15-day IL and was reinerted as the closer to continue his quest for 500 career saves. Kyle Finnegan and Will Vest return to their setup roles. (June 13)
Seranthony Dominguez, who began the season as the White Sox's closer, has begun to work earlier in the game due to his recent inconsistency. He, Grant Taylor and Bryan Hudson appear to be in a closer-by-committee. (June 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: Paul Sewald (40.7%)
Primary setup: Kevin Ginkel (1.3%)
Secondary setup: Brandyn Garcia (0.1%)
Middle relief: Juan Morillo (2.7%)
THE ATHLETICS
Closer-by-committee: Elvis Alvarado (2.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Hogan Harris (7.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Justin Sterner (1.0%)
Closer-by-committee: Mason Barnett (0.0%)
ATLANTA BRAVES
Closer: Raisel Iglesias (85.0%)
Primary setup: Robert Suarez (54.2%)
Secondary setup: Didier Fuentes (2.6%)
Middle relief: Dylan Lee (15.6%)
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Closer: Rico Garcia (19.8%)
Primary setup: Andrew Kittredge (0.5%)
Secondary setup: Grant Wolfram (0.1%)
Injured list: Ryan Helsley (53.6%)
BOSTON RED SOX
Closer: Aroldis Chapman (92.8%)
Primary setup: Garrett Whitlock (9.0%)
Secondary setup: Justin Slaten (0.2%)
Middle relief: Danny Coulombe (0.1%)
CHICAGO CUBS
Closer: Daniel Palencia (40.5%)
Primary setup: Jacob Webb (0.3%)
Secondary setup: Caleb Thielbar (0.4%)
Middle relief: Phil Maton (0.6%)
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Closer-by-committee: Seranthony Dominguez (20.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Grant Taylor (11.8%)
Closer-by-committee: Bryan Hudson (0.7%)
Primary setup: Sean Newcomb (0.7%)
CINCINNATI REDS
Closer-by-committee: Tony Santillan (4.6%)
Closer-by-committee: Sam Moll (0.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Tejay Antone (0.1%)
Injured list: Emilio Pagan (48.4%)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Closer: Cade Smith (97.7%)
Primary setup: Hunter Gaddis (4.2%)
Secondary setup: Shawn Armstrong (0.5%)
Middle relief: Tim Herrin (0.6%)
COLORADO ROCKIES
Closer-by-committee: Juan Mejia (0.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Antonio Senzatela (6.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Jaden Hill (0.2%)
Primary setup: Brennan Bernardino (0.1%)
DETROIT TIGERS
Closer: Kenley Jansen (38.3%)
Primary setup: Drew Anderson (0.5%)
Secondary setup: Will Vest (4.6%)
Middle relief: Kyle Finnegan (2.7%)
HOUSTON ASTROS
Closer: Josh Hader (77.4%)
Primary setup: Bryan Abreu (33.3%)
Secondary setup: Bryan King (4.4%)
Middle relief: Enyel De Los Santos (0.6%)
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Co-closer: Alex Lange (6.3%)
Co-closer: Lucas Erceg (14.2%)
Primary setup: Matt Strahm (2.3%)
Injured list: Carlos Estevez (22.5%)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Closer-by-committee: Kirby Yates (1.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Ryan Zeferjahn (0.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Sam Bachman (1.0%)
Sleeper: Chase Silseth (0.1%)
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Closer: Tanner Scott (24.4%)
Primary setup: Alex Vesia (10.0%)
Secondary setup: Will Klein (0.9%)
Injured list: Edwin Diaz (64.0%)
MIAMI MARLINS
Closer: Pete Fairbanks (40.5%)
Primary setup: Calvin Faucher (0.3%)
Secondary setup: Anthony Bender (1.2%)
Middle relief: Tyler Zuber (0.0%)
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Closer: Trevor Megill (40.8%)
Primary setup: Abner Uribe (46.4%)
Secondary setup: Aaron Ashby (17.6%)
Middle relief: Chad Patrick (5.1%)
MINNESOTA TWINS
Closer-by-committee: Yoendrys Gomez (4.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Eric Orze (0.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Anthony Banda (0.5%)
Closer-by-committee: Andrew Morris (0.0%)
NEW YORK METS
Closer: Devin Williams (72.8%)
Primary setup: Luke Weaver (4.2%)
Secondary setup: Brooks Raley (1.2%)
Middle relief: Huascar Brazoban (0.6%)
NEW YORK YANKEES
Closer: David Bednar (82.1%)
Primary setup: Fernando Cruz (6.3%)
Secondary setup: Camilo Doval (2.9%)
Middle relief: Brent Headrick (0.9%)
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Closer: Jhoan Duran (94.1%)
Primary setup: Brad Keller (6.3%)
Secondary setup: Jose Alvarado (0.7%)
Middle relief: Orion Kerkering (1.6%)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Closer: Gregory Soto (36.5%)
Primary setup: Dennis Santana (8.8%)
Secondary setup: Mason Montgomery (0.5%)
Middle relief: Carmen Mlodzinski (3.1%)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Closer: Riley O'Brien (69.1%)
Primary setup: JoJo Romero (10.8%)
Secondary setup: George Soriano (0.9%)
Middle relief: Ryne Stanek (0.6%)
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Closer: Mason Miller (99.5%)
Primary setup: Jason Adam (15.6%)
Secondary setup: Adrian Morejon (9.6%)
Middle relief: David Morgan (0.1%)
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Closer: Caleb Kilian (2.3%)
Primary setup: Ryan Walker (10.8%)
Secondary setup: Erik Miller (0.4%)
Middle relief: Dylan Smith (0.1%)
SEATTLE MARINERS
Closer: Andres Munoz (79.5%)
Primary setup: Eduard Bazardo (1.7%)
Secondary setup: Gabe Speier (1.2%)
Middle relief: Jose Ferrer (1.9%)
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Closer: Bryan Baker (63.5%)
Primary setup: Garrett Cleavinger (1.2%)
Secondary setup: Kevin Kelly (8.5%)
Middle relief: Cole Sulser (0.1%)
TEXAS RANGERS
Closer: Jacob Latz (29.8%)
Primary setup: Jakob Junis (5.7%)
Secondary setup: Cole Winn (0.1%)
Middle relief: Robert Ahlstrom (0.0%)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Closer: Louis Varland (73.0%)
Primary setup: Tyler Rogers (15.1%)
Secondary setup: Jeff Hoffman (41.9%)
Middle relief: Braydon Fisher (1.4%)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Co-closer: Gus Varland (0.8%)
Co-closer: Clayton Beeter (2.9%)
Primary setup: Brad Lord (2.6%)
Secondary setup: Mitchell Parker (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.