{"id":794165,"date":"2026-07-30T22:07:20","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T22:07:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/794165\/"},"modified":"2026-07-30T22:07:20","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T22:07:20","slug":"fantasy-baseball-bullpen-report-featuring-steven-cruz-and-edwin-diaz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/794165\/","title":{"rendered":"Fantasy baseball bullpen report featuring Steven Cruz and Edwin D\u00edaz"},"content":{"rendered":"

Although the focus may be on the impending trade deadline, fantasy managers entering the final weekend before it must monitor two situations of interest. First, in Arizona, Paul Sewald has been removed from the closer role<\/a> after his latest blown save, during which he allowed two home runs while ceding a three-run lead in Pittsburgh. Torey Lovullo mentioned a matchup-based approach could ensue with Jonathan Lo\u00e1isiga and Brandyn Garcia in the mix for saves, but prefers Juan Morillo in the fireman role<\/a>, used at the highest-leveraged moments, not reserved for save situations in the ninth inning.<\/p>\n

There has not been anything official from the Royals, but Steven Cruz has worked himself into a larger leverage role and a potential share of saves for the team through the end of the season. His hot stretch coincides with recent struggles by Alex Lange, who has a 1-2 record while converting 3-of-6 save chances in July. Here are their statistics since the All-Star break<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Alex Lange: 5 games, 4.2 IP, 7:2 K:BB (22.7 K-BB%), two saves, three blown saves, 1.71 WHIP
\nSteven Cruz: 8 games, 7.2 IP, 6:1 K:BB (17.2 K-BB%), two saves, two holds, 0.91 WHIP<\/p>\n

Last, but not least, Edwin D\u00edaz made his first appearance since April 19, securing his fifth save. He did allow two doubles, resulting in an earned run, but averaged 96.9 mph, throwing eight four-seam fastballs<\/a>, and maxing out at 98.9 mph against Seattle. His velocity and workload should be monitored, but he\u2019s back atop his team\u2019s pecking order in the bullpen moving forward.<\/p>\n

As for the reliever market ahead of the trade deadline, it may have narrowed. It seemed like a reach that Mason Miller would be traded, and the team\u2019s recent surge makes this even less likely. He could still be moved this winter, but the uncertainty surrounding the potential lockout may delay any moves before 2027 games occur. Entering game play on July 30, these relievers who lead their respective teams in saves could be traded, but nothing is assured:<\/p>\n

Kenley Jansen (DET)
\nPete Fairbanks (MIA)
\nRiley O\u2019Brien (STL)<\/p>\n

The Mets may benefit from Miller\u2019s potential unavailability and move Luke Weaver for a strong return in their retooling for next season. He and Jeff Hoffman are two relievers with closer experience, if a team will take on their contracts. Otherwise, there will be depth deals, like the most recent one, with Chase Silseth going to Texas as a setup reliever in a weak leverage ladder. Relievers on expiring contracts will be moved, but their potential impact as closers remains minimal. A surprise can happen, and if it does, our bullpen report on the day after the trade deadline will reset the hierarchies across the fantasy landscape.<\/p>\n

This segues nicely into our 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:<\/p>\n

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.
\nPrimary 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.
\nShared 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.
\nFluid: The manager has not named a closer, and usage patterns regarding the leverage roles remain unclear.
\nAmerican League leverage pathways<\/p>\n

Team<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Leverage Pathway<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Closer (Primary)<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Stopper\/HLR<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Stealth\/Ancillary Option<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Fluid<\/p>\n

Tyler Wells<\/p>\n

Andrew Kittredge<\/p>\n

Yennier Cano<\/p>\n

Mostly Linear<\/p>\n

Aroldis Chapman<\/p>\n

Garrett Whitlock<\/p>\n

Justin Slaten<\/p>\n

Shared Saves<\/p>\n

Grant Taylor<\/p>\n

Bryan Hudson<\/p>\n

Jordan Hicks<\/p>\n

Mostly Linear<\/p>\n

Cade Smith<\/p>\n

Hunter Gaddis<\/p>\n

Colin Holderman<\/p>\n

Primary Save Share<\/p>\n

Kenley Jansen<\/p>\n

Kyle Finnegan<\/p>\n

Drew Anderson<\/p>\n

Mostly Linear<\/p>\n

Josh Hader<\/p>\n

Bryan Abreu<\/p>\n

Steven Okert<\/p>\n

Shared Saves<\/p>\n

Alex Lange<\/p>\n

Steven Cruz<\/p>\n

Daniel Lynch IV<\/p>\n

Fluid<\/p>\n

Ryan Zeferjahn<\/p>\n

Sam Bachman<\/p>\n

Samy Natera Jr.<\/p>\n

Mostly Linear<\/p>\n

Yoendrys G\u00f3mez<\/p>\n

Andrew Morris<\/p>\n

Taylor Rogers<\/p>\n

Mostly Linear<\/p>\n

David Bednar<\/p>\n

Fernando Cruz<\/p>\n

Brent Headrick<\/p>\n

Mostly Linear<\/p>\n

Andr\u00e9s Mu\u00f1oz<\/p>\n

Eduard Bazardo<\/p>\n

Gabe Speier<\/p>\n

Mostly Linear<\/p>\n

Bryan Baker<\/p>\n

Kevin Kelly<\/p>\n

Garrett Cleavinger<\/p>\n

Mostly Linear<\/p>\n

Jacob Latz<\/p>\n

Jakob Junis<\/p>\n

Tyler Alexander<\/p>\n

Shared Saves<\/p>\n

Hogan Harris<\/p>\n

Luis Medina<\/p>\n

Jos\u00e9 Suarez<\/p>\n

Mostly Linear<\/p>\n

Louis Varland<\/p>\n

Tyler Rogers<\/p>\n

Jeff Hoffman<\/p>\n

Save streamers (ancillary)
\nSteven Cruz (KC)
\nBryan Abreu (HOU)
\nBryan Hudson\/Jordan Hicks (CWS)
\nSave stashes
\nBen Joyce (LAA)
\nTy Madden (DET)
\nLuis Medina (ATH)
\nNational League leverage pathways
\n TeamLeverage PathwayCloser (Primary)Stopper\/HLRStealth\/Ancillary Option<\/p>\n

Fluid<\/p>\n

Jonathan Lo\u00e1isiga<\/p>\n

Juan Morillo<\/p>\n

Brandyn Garcia<\/p>\n

Mostly Linear<\/p>\n

Raisel Iglesias<\/p>\n

Dylan Lee<\/p>\n

Didier Fuentes<\/p>\n

Shared Saves<\/p>\n

Jacob Webb<\/p>\n

Trent Thornton<\/p>\n

Caleb Thielbar<\/p>\n

Mostly Linear<\/p>\n

Emilio Pag\u00e1n<\/p>\n

Brock Burke<\/p>\n

Tejay Antone<\/p>\n

Primary Save Share<\/p>\n

Jordan Romano<\/p>\n

Juan Mejia<\/p>\n

Brennan Bernardino<\/p>\n

Mostly Linear<\/p>\n

Edwin D\u00edaz<\/p>\n

Tanner Scott<\/p>\n

Alex Vesia<\/p>\n

Mostly Linear<\/p>\n

Pete Fairbanks<\/p>\n

Michael Petersen<\/p>\n

Calvin Faucher<\/p>\n

Mostly Linear<\/p>\n

Trevor Megill<\/p>\n

Abner Uribe<\/p>\n

Aaron Ashby<\/p>\n

Mostly Linear<\/p>\n

Devin Williams<\/p>\n

Luke Weaver<\/p>\n

Brooks Raley<\/p>\n

Mostly Linear<\/p>\n

Jhoan Duran<\/p>\n

Orion Kerkering<\/p>\n

Jonathan Bowlan<\/p>\n

Fluid<\/p>\n

Mason Montgomery<\/p>\n

Gregory Soto<\/p>\n

Carmen Mlodzinski<\/p>\n

Mostly Linear<\/p>\n

Riley O’Brien<\/p>\n

George Soriano<\/p>\n

Ryne Stanek<\/p>\n

Mostly Linear<\/p>\n

Mason Miller<\/p>\n

Adrian Morejon<\/p>\n

Jeremiah Estrada<\/p>\n

Primary Save Share<\/p>\n

Erik Miller<\/p>\n

Dylan Smith<\/p>\n

Keaton Winn<\/p>\n

Fluid<\/p>\n

Clayton Beeter<\/p>\n

Tom Cosgrove<\/p>\n

Orlando Ribalta<\/p>\n

Notes
\nArizona Diamondbacks: A shared situation has not been the norm for this unit under Torey Lovullo, but this may be in deference to the potential return of Justin Martinez later this season. Fantasy players can take a chance on Jonathan Lo\u00e1isiga in the near-term and figure out the roles on the fly as August progresses. For those managing ratios or in SOLDS leagues, Brandyn Garcia and Juan Morillo remain strong options.
\nChicago Cubs: Chicago will be active ahead of the trade deadline, but the bullpen may be addressed by getting Daniel Palencia and Hunter Harvey back. Both are on track for minor league rehab outings next week.
\nPittsburgh Pirates: It appears that Mason Montgomery has moved ahead of Gregory Soto as the preferred save option; hopefully this weekend\u2019s usage patterns confirm this.
\nSave streamers (ancillary)
\nMason Montgomery (PIT)
\nJonathan Lo\u00e1isiga (ARI)
\nErik Miller (SF)<\/p>\n

Save stashes<\/p>\n

Justin Martinez (ARI)
\nCalvin Faucher (MIA)
\nGeorge Soriano (STL)
\nAbner Uribe (MIL)
\nLeaderboardsSaves
\n 2026SavesLast 14 DaysSaves<\/p>\n

Cade Smith<\/p>\n

30<\/p>\n

Aroldis Chapman<\/p>\n

6<\/p>\n

Bryan Baker<\/p>\n

29<\/p>\n

Bryan Baker<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

Mason Miller<\/p>\n

28<\/p>\n

Louis Varland<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

Riley O’Brien<\/p>\n

26<\/p>\n

Josh Hader<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

Aroldis Chapman<\/p>\n

25<\/p>\n

Emilio Pag\u00e1n<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

Jhoan Duran<\/p>\n

24<\/p>\n

David Bednar<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

Paul Sewald<\/p>\n

24<\/p>\n

Clayton Beeter<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

Louis Varland<\/p>\n

23<\/p>\n

Mason Miller<\/p>\n

3<\/p>\n

Raisel Iglesias<\/p>\n

22<\/p>\n

Tanner Scott<\/p>\n

3<\/p>\n

David Bednar<\/p>\n

22<\/p>\n

Andr\u00e9s Mu\u00f1oz<\/p>\n

3<\/p>\n

Jacob Latz<\/p>\n

21<\/p>\n

Trevor Megill<\/p>\n

3<\/p>\n

Andr\u00e9s Mu\u00f1oz<\/p>\n

19<\/p>\n

Hogan Harris<\/p>\n

3<\/p>\n

Trevor Megill<\/p>\n

17<\/p>\n

Raisel Iglesias<\/p>\n

3<\/p>\n

Tanner Scott<\/p>\n

16<\/p>\n

Jacob Latz<\/p>\n

3<\/p>\n

Holds
\n 2026HoldsLast 14 DaysHolds<\/p>\n

Tyler Rogers<\/p>\n

23<\/p>\n

Bennett Sousa<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

Kevin Kelly<\/p>\n

21<\/p>\n

Justin Slaten<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

Hunter Gaddis<\/p>\n

21<\/p>\n

Brent Headrick<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

Dylan Lee<\/p>\n

21<\/p>\n

Garrett Whitlock<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

Eduard Bazardo<\/p>\n

21<\/p>\n

Steven Okert<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

JoJo Romero<\/p>\n

21<\/p>\n

Tyler Rogers<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

Garrett Whitlock<\/p>\n

20<\/p>\n

Tyler Alexander<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

Erik Sabrowski<\/p>\n

20<\/p>\n

Ryan Zeferjahn<\/p>\n

3<\/p>\n

Garrett Cleavinger<\/p>\n

18<\/p>\n

Brandyn Garcia<\/p>\n

3<\/p>\n

Alex Vesia<\/p>\n

17<\/p>\n

Brock Burke<\/p>\n

3<\/p>\n

Jason Adam<\/p>\n

17<\/p>\n

Daniel Lynch IV<\/p>\n

3<\/p>\n

Fernando Cruz<\/p>\n

17<\/p>\n

Chase Silseth<\/p>\n

3<\/p>\n

Michael Petersen<\/p>\n

17<\/p>\n

Juan Morillo<\/p>\n

3<\/p>\n

Ryne Stanek<\/p>\n

17<\/p>\n

Dylan Dodd<\/p>\n

3<\/p>\n

George Soriano<\/p>\n

16<\/p>\n

Tommy Nance<\/p>\n

3<\/p>\n

Adrian Morejon<\/p>\n

16<\/p>\n

Tejay Antone<\/p>\n

3<\/p>\n

Sam Bachman<\/p>\n

16<\/p>\n

Jakob Junis<\/p>\n

3<\/p>\n

Justin Slaten<\/p>\n

16<\/p>\n

Luke Weaver<\/p>\n

3<\/p>\n

Abner Uribe<\/p>\n

15<\/p>\n

Garrett Cleavinger<\/p>\n

3<\/p>\n

Luke Weaver<\/p>\n

15<\/p>\n

Hunter Gaddis<\/p>\n

3<\/p>\n

Steven Okert<\/p>\n

15<\/p>\n

George Soriano<\/p>\n

3<\/p>\n

Jakob Junis<\/p>\n

14<\/p>\n

Orion Kerkering<\/p>\n

3<\/p>\n

Brooks Raley<\/p>\n

14<\/p>\n

Sam Bachman<\/p>\n

3<\/p>\n

Tim Herrin<\/p>\n

14<\/p>\n

John Schreiber<\/p>\n

3<\/p>\n

Seven tied with<\/p>\n

13<\/p>\n

Eduard Bazardo<\/p>\n

3<\/p>\n

12 tied with<\/p>\n

12<\/p>\n

Cade Gibson<\/p>\n

3<\/p>\n

SOLDS
\n 2026SOLDSLast 14 DaysSOLDS<\/p>\n

Bryan Baker<\/p>\n

31<\/p>\n

Aroldis Chapman<\/p>\n

6<\/p>\n

Cade Smith<\/p>\n

30<\/p>\n

Bryan Baker<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

Mason Miller<\/p>\n

28<\/p>\n

Louis Varland<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

Louis Varland<\/p>\n

28<\/p>\n

Josh Hader<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

Riley O’Brien<\/p>\n

27<\/p>\n

Emilio Pag\u00e1n<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

Aroldis Chapman<\/p>\n

25<\/p>\n

David Bednar<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

Kevin Kelly<\/p>\n

25<\/p>\n

Clayton Beeter<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

Tyler Rogers<\/p>\n

25<\/p>\n

Tanner Scott<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

Jhoan Duran<\/p>\n

24<\/p>\n

Steven Cruz<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

Paul Sewald<\/p>\n

24<\/p>\n

Ryan Zeferjahn<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

Trevor Megill<\/p>\n

24<\/p>\n

Brandyn Garcia<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

Jacob Latz<\/p>\n

23<\/p>\n

Bennett Sousa<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

Tanner Scott<\/p>\n

23<\/p>\n

Justin Slaten<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

Raisel Iglesias<\/p>\n

22<\/p>\n

Brent Headrick<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

David Bednar<\/p>\n

22<\/p>\n

Garrett Whitlock<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

Garrett Whitlock<\/p>\n

22<\/p>\n

Steven Okert<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

Hunter Gaddis<\/p>\n

22<\/p>\n

Tyler Rogers<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

Four tied with<\/p>\n

21<\/p>\n

Tyler Alexander<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Ratio relievers<\/p>\n

*Multi-inning or bridge relievers who can vulture wins and help protect ratios.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Garrett Whitlock (BOS)
\nBrent Headrick (NYY)
\nJuan Morillo (ARI)
\nHuascar Brazob\u00e1n (NYM)
\nSamy Natera Jr. (LAA)<\/p>\n

Statistical Credits: FanGraphs, Baseball-Reference.com, Baseball Savant, BrooksBaseball.net. Check out my work at Reliever Recon<\/a> and Closer Monkey<\/a> for daily updates.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Although the focus may be on the impending trade deadline, fantasy managers entering the final weekend before it…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":794166,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[65],"tags":[21850,363,99],"class_list":["post-794165","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-mlb","tag-fantasy-baseball","tag-mlb","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/794165","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=794165"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/794165\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/794166"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=794165"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=794165"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=794165"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}