A preseason of uncertainty in the closer ecosystem has devolved into bedlam almost nightly. Since my last post, Jakob Junis has emerged as the preferred option for saves for Texas. Riley O’Brien is not only the Cardinals’ closer; only one reliever has recorded more saves through April 15.
Situations of unrest reside with the Dodgers, Brewers, Reds and Astros. Edwin Díaz had a rough outing last Friday, then was unavailable on Saturday and wasn’t used on Sunday. The Dodgers could have used him in the ninth inning on Wednesday, but they didn’t need him. He’s been working through a minor knee issue and reduced velocity with his four-seam fastball, putting him in the crosshairs of the fantasy community.
Trevor Megill has lacked command in his previous two appearances. It’s not always about throwing strikes; his knuckle-curve has not been effective, leaving him with his four-seam fastball in predictable counts, which has resulted in seven earned runs on five hits and a walk through his last 11 batters faced. Pat Murphy said the team will evaluate the ninth inning, and Abner Uribe secured his first save in the next game. Role changes are afoot in this leverage ladder.
Emilio Pagán notched his fifth save, but had an issue with his hamstring on the final pitch of the game on Tuesday. He believes he can avoid a stint on the injured list, but it’s something fantasy managers must monitor. Injuries can affect performance and other areas in the kinetic chain if mechanics are altered. Those with Pagán rostered may benefit from stashing Tony Santillan, just in case.
Houston’s bullpen struggled during a nine-game losing streak, but has recovered with the Rockies visiting early this week. Enyel De Los Santos has matched his career-best save total in this series, closing out saves in consecutive contests. Bryan King will also be in the mix while Bryan Abreu tries to get back on track, working in lower-leverage situations or as a setup reliever, not as the interim closer. Help could be on the way, though. Josh Hader just started facing live hitters and could be back by mid-May.
Some fantasy managers will need patience, as four teams have only two saves: the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays. Daniel Palencia will start accruing them soon. However, who gets the next save chance for the Giants remains open for debate and may not be settled anytime soon.
Last, but not least, an appreciation for the dominant start to the season by Mason Miller. He has converted all five save opportunities and owns a 29.2 inning scoreless streak, dating back to August 6, 2025. This year, he has recorded a strikeout against 20 of 27 batters faced for a robust 74.1 strikeout percentage, which, in this environment, feels unworldly.
Stock reports and situations worth monitoring will be covered by their respective leagues below. I define the high-leverage pathways by assigning each team one of the following labels:
Mostly Linear: This is a more traditional approach, with a manager preferring one reliever in the seventh inning, another in the eighth, and a closer (when rested) in the ninth. There are shades of gray, but it usually follows a predictable pattern in high-leverage situations.
Primary save share: The team prefers one reliever as the primary option for saves. However, the player may also be used in matchup-based situations, whether dictated by batter-handedness or batting order, especially in the late innings, providing multiple relievers with save chances each series or week throughout the season.
Shared saves: Typically, two relievers share save opportunities, often based on handedness, rest or recent usage patterns that keep them fresh. While these situations typically involve a primary and ancillary option, others may be used. Some teams also prefer a matchup-based option, which creates fluid save opportunities.
Fluid: The manager has not named a closer, and usage patterns regarding the leverage roles remain unclear.
American League leverage pathways
TeamLeverage PathwayCloser (Primary)Stopper/HLRStealth/Ancillary Option
Mostly Linear
Ryan Helsley
Rico Garcia
Grant Wolfram
Mostly Linear
Aroldis Chapman
Garrett Whitlock
Justin Slaten
Primary Save Share
Seranthony Domínguez
Jordan Leasure
Jordan Hicks
Mostly Linear
Cade Smith
Shawn Armstrong
Erik Sabrowski
Primary Save Share
Kenley Jansen
Will Vest
Kyle Finnegan
Shared Saves
Enyel De Los Santos
Bryan King
Bryan Abreu
Primary Save Share
Lucas Erceg
Matt Strahm
Nick Mears
Primary Save Share
Jordan Romano
Drew Pomeranz
Chase Silseth
Fluid
Cole Sands
Justin Topa
Kody Funderburk
Mostly Linear
David Bednar
Camilo Doval
Fernando Cruz
Mostly Linear
Andrés Muñoz
Matt Brash
Gabe Speier
Fluid
Bryan Baker
Griffin Jax
Ian Seymour
Primary Save Share
Jakob Junis
Cole Winn
Jacob Latz
Fluid
Joel Kuhnel
Hogan Harris
Mark Leiter Jr.
Primary Save Share
Jeff Hoffman
Tyler Rogers
Louis Varland
Stock up
Jakob Junis (TEX): He has posted a 0.50 WHIP with a 17.9 K-BB percentage. There will be some regression, especially in his BABIP, but if he’s racking up saves, fantasy teams will take that chance.
Joel Kuhnel (ATH): Viability may be fleeting, but he has secured three saves in a leverage ladder rife with opportunities.
Louis Varland (TOR): Through 10.1 innings this season, he owns a 31.6 K-BB percentage (15:3 K:BB) with a 1.63 SIERA, 1.66 xERA and 0.97 WHIP.
Watch list
Jordan Romano (LAA): Things were progressing well until the closer arrived in the Bronx. He’s suffered consecutive blown saves, allowing five hits, five earned runs and three walks without recording a strikeout. His WHIP has spiked to 1.89, and he’s produced seven strikeouts against five walks (7.7 K-BB%) through 5.1 innings. Given his 3.76 xERA and 4.88 SIERA, these appearances have opened the door for role changes during save situations when Kirby Yates and Ben Joyce return.
Jeff Hoffman (TOR): Hoffman has recorded 18 strikeouts against five walks (31.7 K-BB percentage); however, his 1.80 WHIP and 4.32 ERA are accompanied by a 1.96 SIERA and a 1.78 xERA. Of his 18 batted-ball events, he has only allowed one barrel and six hard-hits (33.3%). Can he turn his season around? One more blown save before the end of the month may necessitate a role change.
Stash list
*For keeper-league players or those trying to mine saves later this month/season.
Louis Varland (TOR)
Kirby Yates (LAA)
Elvis Alvarado (ATH)
Jack Perkins (ATH)
Carlos Lagrange (NYY)
Jacob Latz (TEX)
National League leverage pathways
TeamLeverage PathwayCloser (Primary)Stopper/HLRStealth/Ancillary Option
Mostly Linear
Paul Sewald
Juan Morillo
Jonathan Loáisiga
Mostly Linear
Raisel Iglesias
Robert Suarez
Dylan Lee
Mostly Linear
Daniel Palencia
Ben Brown
Caleb Thielbar
Mostly Linear
Emilio Pagán
Tony Santillan
Graham Ashcraft
Primary Save Share
Victor Vodnik
Juan Mejia
Brennan Bernardino
Mostly Linear
Edwin Díaz
Tanner Scott
Alex Vesia
Primary Save Share
Pete Fairbanks
Calvin Faucher
Andrew Nardi
Fluid
Abner Uribe
Ángel Zerpa
Trevor Megill
Mostly Linear
Devin Williams
Luke Weaver
Brooks Raley
Mostly Linear
Jhoan Duran
Brad Keller
José Alvarado
Shared Saves
Dennis Santana
Gregory Soto
Isaac Mattson
Mostly Linear
Riley O’Brien
JoJo Romero
Ryne Stanek
Mostly Linear
Mason Miller
Jason Adam
Adrian Morejon
Fluid
Ryan Walker
Keaton Winn
Caleb Kilian
Shared Saves
Clayton Beeter
Gus Varland
PJ Poulin
Stock up
Riley O’Brien (STL): Again? Yes, through 10 appearances, he’s posted a minuscule 0.39 WHIP with 11 strikeouts and no walks (31.4 K-BB%) across 10.1 innings, allowing one unearned run.
Paul Sewald (ARI): Anyone who had him leading all MLB relievers in saves through April 15 should cash in. He’s been a steady presence, and his 0.55 WHIP with 10 strikeouts versus zero walks (38.5 K-BB percentage) keep him atop his team’s hierarchy.
Gus Varland (WSH): He’s not a closer, but if he keeps securing ancillary saves for a gritty Nationals team, there’s value in deeper formats. There will be volatility, illustrated by his 1.50 WHIP and 14.8 K-BB percentage, but saves are saves, right?
Abner Uribe (MIL): He was a popular target this preseason based on his strong finish last year and in the postseason. Megill’s slow start opens the door for “El Pistolero,” one of the coolest nicknames in baseball. Focus on his 22.6 K-BB percentage, not the inflated BABIP early on this season.
Watch list
Trevor Megill (MIL): He has allowed seven earned runs over his past two games and eight in his past five, spiking his WHIP to 2.40 with five strikeouts against four walks. Through 19 batted-ball events, he has a 10.5 barrel percentage and a troubling 52.6% hard-hit rate, fueling his rise in ratio statistics.
Clayton Beeter (WSH): It’s not that he’s pitching poorly; it’s the usage patterns. He was used in the eighth inning against an opponent’s toughest hitters, paving the way for Varland’s save in the same contest. Beeter has recorded two saves, but has only finished three of his eight appearances this season. There are some command issues, and his 5.14 xERA and 5.34 SIERA hint at migration toward the mean soon.
Stash list
*For keeper-league players or those trying to mine saves later this month/season.
A.J. Puk (ARI)
Tony Santillan (CIN)
Keaton Winn; Caleb Kilian (SF)
Gus Varland (WSH)
LeaderboardsSaves leaders through April 15SOLDS leaders through April 15
Our rankings are a blend of in-season performance and rest-of-season expectations. If you feel strongly about a player, by all means, roster him.
Ratio relievers
*Multi-inning or bridge relievers who can vulture wins and help protect ratios.
Aaron Ashby (MIL)
Carmen Mlodzinski (PIT)
Antonio Senzatela (COL)
Yohan Ramírez (PIT)
Chase Dollander (COL)
Statistical Credits: FanGraphs, Baseball-Reference.com, Baseball Savant, BrooksBaseball.net. Check out my work at Reliever Recon and Closer Monkey for daily updates.