Paul Sewald has surpassed expectations for many fantasy managers, but he’s struggled recently, and Justin Martinez is on track for a return. Andy Lyons / Getty Images
July 23, 2026 12:46 pm EDT Updated
There is no rest for the weary in the ever-evolving world of high-leverage relievers. The All-Star break has not deterred the avalanche of pitchers (204) recording at least one save this season.
The number of closers with at least 20 saves is in line with previous seasons, no matter how vexing it seems getting saves this season. However, there are fewer relievers with 10-19 saves, whether the result of injuries, changing leverage approaches or a combination of these factors.
Changes in roles and usage patterns will continue ahead of and following the fast-approaching MLB trade deadline, and there are some specific situations to monitor:
Baltimore Orioles: Tyler Wells has been the preferred save option but will face a team’s toughest segment of the lineup when necessary. Andrew Kittredge has accrued ancillary saves, but if the team sells at the deadline, he could be moved since he’s a pending free agent at the end of the season. Last, Ryan Helsley was placed on the 60-day injured list, which pushes his return date into September.
Detroit Tigers: Keider Montero had been used in high-leverage situations before the All-Star break, but he may be needed in the rotation, putting Kenley Jansen atop the leverage ladder, for now.
Los Angeles Angels: Riding a hot streak, Kirby Yates took over as the preferred save option, then turned in two losses sandwiched around a save and has returned to lower-leverage appearances. Ryan Zeferjahn has resurfaced as an option for saves, but is also in trade rumors, putting Sam Bachman and Ben Joyce on the radar for post-deadline saves.
Los Angeles Dodgers: On the precipice of a return, Edwin Díaz has moved his rehab outings to Triple A and may be active for his team’s next home outing, according to The Athletic’s Katie Woo. Tanner Scott becomes a viable stream option, but his fantasy managers should be planning accordingly.
San Francisco Giants: More changes may be underway for this volatile environment for saves all season. Caleb Kilian was named the closer; however, he has suffered three losses while converting four-of-six save chances over his past 10 appearances, posting a 2.25 WHIP across eight innings. Erik Miller has emerged as an option for saves, but the leverage ladder has not afforded him a chance since the All-Star break.
Washington Nationals: The Nats moved into a tie for the MLB lead in pitchers with at least one save this season at 11 when Tom Cosgrove recorded one in Colorado. He may be in the saves conversation, along with Clayton Beeter, but the bullpen should be addressed ahead of the trade deadline, signaling more changes may occur.
There are also some relievers who could experience role changes if their struggles continue:
Paul Sewald (ARI): He has surpassed any expectations for those who took a chance on the veteran, but he has allowed at least a run in three straight games and in four of his past six. Home runs have been an issue; he’s served up five in his past 11 outings. As a bridge option, he’s converted 23-of-25 save chances this season and has maintained a strong K-BB percentage (22.6%). However, if the home run issue continues, he may be removed from the role or, at the least, benched by fantasy managers protecting their ratio statistics. Justin Martinez remains on track for a return and could begin rehab outings next week.
Alex Lange (KCR): After landing on this list before the All-Star break, he remains after suffering consecutive blown saves to start the second half. He did bounce back with his ninth save in a clean outing against the Giants, but it’s tough trusting a reliever with a 1.91 WHIP and eight strikeouts versus seven walks over his past 12 appearances.
Pete Fairbanks (MIA): He’s been on this list previously, and recent results have not changed his tenuous status as the Marlins’ closer. He has not recorded a save since July 8 and could not close out a win in Milwaukee, allowing a walk-off, three-run home run. Through 33 games, he owns a 1.52 WHIP with a 3.50 SIERA and a 5.11 xERA.
This segues nicely into my leverage pathways, which try to provide accurate team approaches for procuring saves despite the multitude of confusing usage patterns throughout the league. Each team will receive 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
Primary Save Share
Tyler Wells
Andrew Kittredge
Yennier Cano
Mostly Linear
Aroldis Chapman
Garrett Whitlock
Justin Slaten
Shared Saves
Grant Taylor
Bryan Hudson
Jordan Hicks
Mostly Linear
Cade Smith
Hunter Gaddis
Colin Holderman
Primary Save Share
Kenley Jansen
Kyle Finnegan
Drew Anderson
Mostly Linear
Josh Hader
Bryan Abreu
Steven Okert
Mostly Linear
Alex Lange
Daniel Lynch IV
John Schreiber
Primary Save Share
Ryan Zeferjahn
Sam Bachman
Samy Natera Jr.
Mostly Linear
Yoendrys Gómez
Andrew Morris
Taylor Rogers
Mostly Linear
David Bednar
Fernando Cruz
Brent Headrick
Mostly Linear
Andrés Muñoz
Eduard Bazardo
Gabe Speier
Mostly Linear
Bryan Baker
Kevin Kelly
Garrett Cleavinger
Mostly Linear
Jacob Latz
Jakob Junis
Tyler Alexander
Shared Saves
Hogan Harris
Luis Medina
José Suarez
Mostly Linear
Louis Varland
Tyler Rogers
Jeff Hoffman
Stock streamers (ancillary)
Garrett Whitlock (BOS)
Bryan Hudson (CHW)
Andrew Kittredge (BAL)
Bryan Abreu (HOU)
Save stashes
Steven Cruz (KCR)
Ben Joyce (LAA)
Luis Medina (ATH)
National League leverage pathways
TeamLeverage PathwayCloser (Primary)Stopper/HLRStealth/Ancillary Option
Mostly Linear
Paul Sewald
Juan Morillo
Brandyn Garcia
Mostly Linear
Raisel Iglesias
Dylan Lee
Didier Fuentes
Shared Saves
Jacob Webb
Trent Thornton
Caleb Thielbar
Mostly Linear
Emilio Pagán
Brock Burke
Tejay Antone
Primary Save Share
Jordan Romano
Juan Mejia
Brennan Bernardino
Primary Save Share
Tanner Scott
Alex Vesia
Evan Phillips
Mostly Linear
Pete Fairbanks
Michael Petersen
Calvin Faucher
Mostly Linear
Trevor Megill
Abner Uribe
Aaron Ashby
Mostly Linear
Devin Williams
Luke Weaver
Brooks Raley
Mostly Linear
Jhoan Duran
Orion Kerkering
Jonathan Bowlan
Fluid
Gregory Soto
Mason Montgomery
Carmen Mlodzinski
Mostly Linear
Riley O’Brien
George Soriano
Ryne Stanek
Mostly Linear
Mason Miller
Adrian Morejon
Bradgely Rodriguez
Shared Saves
Erik Miller
Caleb Kilian
Keaton Winn
Fluid
Clayton Beeter
Tom Cosgrove
Orlando Ribalta
Stock streamers (ancillary)
Mason Montgomery (PIT)
Erik Miller (SFG)
Trent Thornton (CHC)
Tom Cosgrove (WSH)
Didier Fuentes (ATL)
Save stashes
Edwin Díaz (LAD) — if available
Justin Martinez (ARI) long-term; Juan Morillo (ARI) near-term
Michael Petersen (MIA)
Jason Foley (SFG)
July leaderboardsSavesHoldsSOLDS
My 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.
Jordan Hicks (CHW)
Brent Headrick (NYY)
Dylan Dodd (ATL)
Craig Yoho (MIL)
Statistical Credits: FanGraphs, Baseball-Reference.com, Baseball Savant, BrooksBaseball.net. Check out my work at Reliever Recon and Closer Monkey for daily updates.
Jul 23, 2026
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