Latest fantasy baseball reliever updates
The Cubs activated Daniel Palencia from the injured list on Sunday, and he'll likely immediately reclaim his prior full-time closer role for the team. (May 4)
Ryan Helsley was placed on the 15-day IL with a sore elbow. Tests revealed no structural damage, so the Orioles are hoping for a short stay. Rico Garcia, Andrew Kittredge and Yennier Cano are the chief options for saves. (May 2)
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. Louie 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)
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 (34.7%)
Primary setup: Taylor Clarke (0.5%)
Secondary setup: Juan Morillo (7.7%)
Middle relief: Jonathan Loaisiga (0.3%)
THE ATHLETICS
Closer-by-committee: Jack Perkins (9.6%)
Closer-by-committee: Joel Kuhnel (5.5%)
Closer-by-committee: Hogan Harris (2.4%)
Closer-by-committee: Mark Leiter Jr. (0.3%)
ATLANTA BRAVES
Closer: Robert Suarez (61.3%)
Primary setup: Tyler Kinley (1.7%)
Secondary setup: Aaron Bummer (0.1%)
Injured list: Raisel Iglesias (81.3%)
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Co-closer: Rico Garcia (13.8%)
Co-closer: Andrew Kittredge (0.8%)
Primary setup: Anthony Nunez (1.0%)
Injured list: Ryan Helsley (63.0%)
BOSTON RED SOX
Closer: Aroldis Chapman (91.5%)
Primary setup: Garrett Whitlock (13.3%)
Secondary setup: Greg Weissert (0.2%)
Middle relief: Alec Gamboa (0.0%)
CHICAGO CUBS
Closer: Daniel Palencia (47.9%)
Primary setup: Phil Maton (0.8%)
Secondary setup: Hoby Milner (0.2%)
Sleeper: Ben Brown (3.6%)
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Closer: Seranthony Dominguez (19.5%)
Primary setup: Jordan Leasure (0.5%)
Secondary setup: Bryan Hudson (0.2%)
Sleeper: Grant Taylor (4.3%)
CINCINNATI REDS
Closer: Emilio Pagan (71.4%)
Primary setup: Tony Santillan (15.7%)
Secondary setup: Graham Ashcraft (6.5%)
Middle relief: Connor Phillips (0.3%)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Closer: Cade Smith (94.5%)
Primary setup: Hunter Gaddis (2.8%)
Secondary setup: Erik Sabrowski (20.9%)
Middle relief: Connor Brogdon (0.1%)
COLORADO ROCKIES
Closer: Victor Vodnik (1.6%)
Primary setup: Jaden Hill (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Antonio Senzatela (6.0%)
Middle relief: Zach Agnos (0.1%)
DETROIT TIGERS
Closer: Kenley Jansen (51.1%)
Primary setup: Kyle Finnegan (4.6%)
Secondary setup: Tyler Holton (0.9%)
Middle relief: Burch Smith (0.0%)
HOUSTON ASTROS
Co-closer: Enyel De Los Santos (1.3%)
Co-closer: Bryan King (2.2%)
Primary setup: Bryan Abreu (38.1%)
Injured list: Josh Hader (69.3%)
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Closer: Lucas Erceg (28.6%)
Primary setup: Matt Strahm (4.8%)
Secondary setup: Daniel Lynch IV (0.4%)
Injured list: Carlos Estevez (30.3%)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Closer-by-committee: Sam Bachman (0.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Ryan Zeferjahn (0.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Chase Silseth (0.2%)
Injured list: Kirby Yates (1.9%)
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Closer: Tanner Scott (18.9%)
Primary setup: Alex Vesia (15.0%)
Secondary setup: Blake Treinen (0.7%)
Injured list: Edwin Diaz (77.5%)
MIAMI MARLINS
Co-closer: Tyler Phillips (1.6%)
Co-closer: Calvin Faucher (0.4%)
Primary setup: John King (0.2%)
Injured list: Pete Fairbanks (44.8%)
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Co-closer: Trevor Megill (42.9%)
Co-closer: Abner Uribe (52.7%)
Primary setup: Aaron Ashby (11.5%)
Secondary setup: Grant Anderson (0.3%)
MINNESOTA TWINS
Closer-by-committee: Justin Topa (0.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Eric Orze (0.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Taylor Rogers (0.6%)
Primary setup: Kody Funderburk (0.2%)
NEW YORK METS
Closer: Devin Williams (72.5%)
Primary setup: Luke Weaver (4.1%)
Secondary setup: Brooks Raley (0.8%)
Middle relief: Craig Kimbrel (0.1%)
NEW YORK YANKEES
Closer: David Bednar (89.8%)
Primary setup: Fernando Cruz (2.5%)
Secondary setup: Camilo Doval (3.7%)
Middle relief: Brent Headrick (0.3%)
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Closer: Brad Keller (5.3%)
Primary setup: Jose Alvarado (0.8%)
Secondary setup: Orion Kerkering (0.6%)
Injured list: Jhoan Duran (92.1%)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Closer: Dennis Santana (18.6%)
Primary setup: Gregory Soto (22.3%)
Secondary setup: Isaac Mattson (0.7%)
Middle relief: Justin Lawrence (0.1%)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Closer: Riley O'Brien (81.4%)
Primary setup: JoJo Romero (8.7%)
Secondary setup: Ryne Stanek (0.5%)
Middle relief: George Soriano (0.1%)
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Closer: Mason Miller (99.4%)
Primary setup: Jason Adam (14.7%)
Secondary setup: Jeremiah Estrada (10.7%)
Sleeper: Bradgley Rodriguez (0.3%)
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Closer: Ryan Walker (19.9%)
Primary setup: Keaton Winn (0.9%)
Secondary setup: Caleb Kilian (0.7%)
Middle relief: Matt Gage (0.1%)
SEATTLE MARINERS
Closer: Andres Munoz (89.6%)
Primary setup: Eduard Bazardo (0.7%)
Secondary setup: Jose Ferrer (0.9%)
Middle relief: Nick Davila (0.0%)
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Closer: Bryan Baker (33.2%)
Primary setup: Ian Seymour (9.9%)
Secondary setup: Cole Sulser (0.3%)
Injured list: Edwin Uceta (4.5%)
TEXAS RANGERS
Closer: Jacob Latz (9.5%)
Primary setup: Jakob Junis (10.7%)
Secondary setup: Tyler Alexander (4.0%)
Middle relief: Cole Winn (0.5%)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Closer: Louis Varland (52.9%)
Primary setup: Tyler Rogers (16.5%)
Secondary setup: Jeff Hoffman (50.9%)
Middle relief: Braydon Fisher (1.1%)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Co-closer: Gus Varland (2.0%)
Co-closer: Richard Lovelady (0.1%)
Primary setup: P.J. Poulin (0.1%)
Injured list: Clayton Beeter (1.9%)
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.