Latest fantasy baseball reliever updates
Pete Fairbanks (hand, 15-day IL) is expected to be ready to return to the Marlins around May 12, the first day he's eligible for activation. He should immediately recapture his former closer role. (May 11)
After demoting Ryan Walker to Triple-A Sacramento, the Giants will likely go with a closer-by-committee that includes Caleb Kilian, Keaton Winn, Matt Gage and Joel Peguero. (May 11)
Gregory Soto could be emerging as the Pirates' primary closer, after he saved back-to-back games May 6-7. Dennis Santana, who had been serving in a partnership with Soto, has a 6.52 ERA and two blown saves in his past 10 games. (May 8)
Usual closer Emilio Pagan was carted off the field with a hamstring injury on May 5, and he's likely headed to the injured list. Tony Santillan is the favorite to assume the closer role in Pagan's absence, though Graham Ashcraft and Connor Phillips could factor into a prospective committee. (May 6)
The Angels activated Kirby Yates from the injured list on May 5, and he might quickly emerge as the team's go-to ninth inning option. For now, they're likely to play the matchups, with Yates joining Sam Bachman, Ryan Zeferjahn and Chase Silseth as candidates to close. (May 6)
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 (30.7%)
Primary setup: Taylor Clarke (0.5%)
Secondary setup: Juan Morillo (7.7%)
Middle relief: Jonathan Loaisiga (0.2%)
THE ATHLETICS
Closer-by-committee: Jack Perkins (6.9%)
Closer-by-committee: Joel Kuhnel (4.5%)
Closer-by-committee: Hogan Harris (2.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Mark Leiter Jr. (0.2%)
ATLANTA BRAVES
Closer: Raisel Iglesias (83.0%)
Primary setup: Robert Suarez (57.3%)
Secondary setup: Tyler Kinley (1.2%)
Middle relief: Aaron Bummer (0.1%)
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Closer: Rico Garcia (19.3%)
Primary setup: Andrew Kittredge (0.7%)
Secondary setup: Anthony Nunez (0.7%)
Injured list: Ryan Helsley (60.9%)
BOSTON RED SOX
Closer: Aroldis Chapman (92.2%)
Primary setup: Garrett Whitlock (12.5%)
Secondary setup: Greg Weissert (0.2%)
Middle relief: Zack Kelly (0.0%)
CHICAGO CUBS
Closer: Daniel Palencia (48.2%)
Primary setup: Phil Maton (0.7%)
Secondary setup: Hoby Milner (0.2%)
Middle relief: Jacob Webb (0.1%)
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Closer: Seranthony Dominguez (20.6%)
Primary setup: Bryan Hudson (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Jordan Hicks (0.2%)
Sleeper: Grant Taylor (4.1%)
CINCINNATI REDS
Closer-by-committee: Pierce Johnson (0.4%)
Closer-by-committee: Tony Santillan (11.9%)
Closer-by-committee: Graham Ashcraft (7.2%)
Injured: Emilio Pagan (57.4%)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Closer: Cade Smith (95.3%)
Primary setup: Hunter Gaddis (2.5%)
Secondary setup: Erik Sabrowski (21.9%)
Middle relief: Matt Festa (0.2%)
COLORADO ROCKIES
Closer: Victor Vodnik (1.5%)
Primary setup: Jaden Hill (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Antonio Senzatela (5.4%)
Middle relief: Zach Agnos (0.1%)
DETROIT TIGERS
Closer: Kenley Jansen (48.0%)
Primary setup: Kyle Finnegan (3.7%)
Secondary setup: Tyler Holton (0.7%)
Middle relief: Burch Smith (0.2%)
HOUSTON ASTROS
Closer: Enyel De Los Santos (0.8%)
Primary setup: Bryan King (2.9%)
Secondary setup: Bryan Abreu (36.7%)
Injured list: Josh Hader (68.9%)
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Closer: Lucas Erceg (34.8%)
Primary setup: Matt Strahm (4.7%)
Secondary setup: Daniel Lynch IV (0.9%)
Injured list: Carlos Estevez (27.7%)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Closer-by-committee: Kirby Yates (1.8%)
Closer-by-committee: Ryan Zeferjahn (0.5%)
Closer-by-committee: Sam Bachman (0.2%)
Sleeper: Chase Silseth (0.2%)
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Closer: Tanner Scott (20.3%)
Primary setup: Alex Vesia (13.1%)
Secondary setup: Blake Treinen (0.6%)
Injured list: Edwin Diaz (75.5%)
MIAMI MARLINS
Closer-by-committee: Tyler Phillips (1.6%)
Closer-by-committee: John King (0.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Josh Ekness (0.1%)
Injured list: Pete Fairbanks (43.4%)
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Co-closer: Trevor Megill (39.6%)
Co-closer: Abner Uribe (50.5%)
Primary setup: Aaron Ashby (12.8%)
Secondary setup: Grant Anderson (0.2%)
MINNESOTA TWINS
Closer-by-committee: Justin Topa (0.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Eric Orze (0.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Taylor Rogers (0.5%)
Closer-by-committee: Yoendrys Gomez (0.1%)
NEW YORK METS
Closer: Devin Williams (75.1%)
Primary setup: Luke Weaver (4.0%)
Secondary setup: Brooks Raley (0.8%)
Middle relief: Craig Kimbrel (0.1%)
NEW YORK YANKEES
Closer: David Bednar (89.4%)
Primary setup: Fernando Cruz (2.7%)
Secondary setup: Camilo Doval (3.5%)
Middle relief: Tim Hill (1.3%)
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Closer: Jhoan Duran (90.9%)
Primary setup: Brad Keller (4.8%)
Secondary setup: Jose Alvarado (0.7%)
Middle relief: Orion Kerkering (0.6%)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Closer: Gregory Soto (32.0%)
Primary setup: Isaac Mattson (0.6%)
Secondary setup: Dennis Santana (15.1%)
Middle relief: Mason Montgomery (0.8%)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Closer: Riley O'Brien (83.0%)
Primary setup: JoJo Romero (10.3%)
Secondary setup: George Soriano (0.4%)
Middle relief: Ryne Stanek (0.4%)
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Closer: Mason Miller (99.5%)
Primary setup: Jason Adam (14.3%)
Secondary setup: Jeremiah Estrada (10.3%)
Middle relief: Adrian Morejon (7.5%)
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Closer-by-committee: Caleb Kilian (1.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Keaton Winn (1.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Matt Gage (0.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Joel Peguero (0.1%)
SEATTLE MARINERS
Closer: Andres Munoz (88.2%)
Primary setup: Eduard Bazardo (1.0%)
Secondary setup: Jose Ferrer (1.5%)
Middle relief: Cooper Criswell (0.3%)
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Closer: Bryan Baker (40.9%)
Primary setup: Cole Sulser (1.2%)
Secondary setup: Garrett Cleavinger (1.4%)
Sleeper: Ian Seymour (11.6%)
TEXAS RANGERS
Closer: Jacob Latz (11.9%)
Primary setup: Jakob Junis (9.3%)
Secondary setup: Tyler Alexander (2.8%)
Middle relief: Cole Winn (0.4%)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Closer: Louis Varland (51.9%)
Primary setup: Tyler Rogers (14.3%)
Secondary setup: Jeff Hoffman (48.9%)
Middle relief: Braydon Fisher (1.0%)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Closer: Gus Varland (3.0%)
Primary setup: P.J. Poulin (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Brad Lord (0.4%)
Injured list: Clayton Beeter (1.8%)
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.