Latest fantasy baseball reliever updates
The Athletics continue to use both Elvis Alvarado and Hogan Harris to finish games, with the two evenly splitting the team's past six saves (through Sept. 3). (September 4)
Jacob Webb has been dealing with a forearm contusion, though he's not expected to require an IL stint. While he's out, Daniel Palencia, Ryan Rolison and Ryan Zeferjahn should handle the late innings. (September 4)
Mason Montgomery has six of the Pirates' past seven successful save conversions and hasn't allowed a run in his past 16 appearances (through Sept. 3). He's the Pirates' go-to guy in the ninth inning. (September 4)
Pete Fairbanks returned to the injured list with nerve irritation in his right hand, the same injury that sidelined him for 15 days in April/May. The Marlins will likely go the closer-by-committee route, with Calvin Faucher, Tyler Zuber, Michael Petersen and Josh Ekness the top ninth-inning options. (August 26)
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-by-committee: Juan Morillo (2.9%)
Closer-by-committee: Kevin Ginkel (1.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Jonathan Loaisiga (0.2%)
Sleeper: Justin Martinez (1.3%)
THE ATHLETICS
Co-closer: Elvis Alvarado (3.4%)
Co-closer: Hogan Harris (5.6%)
Primary setup: Luis Medina (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Brady Basso (0.0%)
ATLANTA BRAVES
Closer: Raisel Iglesias (82.0%)
Primary setup: Dylan Lee (17.1%)
Secondary setup: Dylan Dodd (1.5%)
Sleeper: Didier Fuentes (4.2%)
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Co-closer: Andrew Kittredge (3.8%)
Co-closer: Yennier Cano (0.7%)
Primary setup: Rico Garcia (8.6%)
Injured list: Ryan Helsley (32.9%)
BOSTON RED SOX
Closer: Aroldis Chapman (92.2%)
Primary setup: Garrett Whitlock (13.4%)
Secondary setup: Erik Miller (1.5%)
Middle relief: Greg Weissert (0.2%)
CHICAGO CUBS
Closer: Jacob Webb (6.5%)
Primary setup: Daniel Palencia (27.9%)
Secondary setup: Ryan Rolison (0.2%)
Middle relief: Ryan Zeferjahn (0.9%)
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Closer-by-committee: Bryan Hudson (1.4%)
Closer-by-committee: Grant Taylor (21.7%)
Closer-by-committee: Sean Newcomb (1.9%)
Closer-by-committee: Jordan Hicks (0.4%)
CINCINNATI REDS
Closer: Emilio Pagan (56.1%)
Primary setup: Tony Santillan (2.5%)
Secondary setup: Tejay Antone (0.1%)
Middle relief: Luis Mey (0.1%)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Closer: Cade Smith (97.3%)
Primary setup: Hunter Gaddis (8.0%)
Secondary setup: Erik Sabrowski (9.4%)
Middle relief: Colin Holderman (0.5%)
COLORADO ROCKIES
Closer: Jordan Romano (5.6%)
Primary setup: Juan Mejia (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Jimmy Herget (0.1%)
Middle relief: Jaden Hill (0.1%)
DETROIT TIGERS
Closer: Kenley Jansen (39.4%)
Primary setup: Tyler Holton (1.1%)
Secondary setup: Kyle Finnegan (1.8%)
Middle relief: Drew Sommers (0.3%)
HOUSTON ASTROS
Closer: Josh Hader (84.1%)
Primary setup: Bryan Abreu (33.3%)
Secondary setup: Steven Okert (3.7%)
Middle relief: AJ Blubaugh (1.1%)
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Co-closer: Steven Cruz (1.4%)
Co-closer: Nate Pearson (0.5%)
Primary setup: Craig Kimbrel (0.1%)
Injured list: Carlos Estevez (16.9%)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Closer: Ben Joyce (6.1%)
Primary setup: Ryan Watson (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Luke Murphy (0.0%)
Middle relief: Jose Fermin (0.0%)
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Closer: Tanner Scott (36.6%)
Primary setup: Evan Phillips (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Alex Vesia (7.9%)
Injured list: Edwin Diaz (51.4%)
MIAMI MARLINS
Closer-by-committee: Calvin Faucher (0.8%)
Closer-by-committee: Michael Petersen (1.7%)
Closer-by-committee: Josh Ekness (0.0%)
Injured list: Pete Fairbanks (37.6%)
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Closer: Trevor Megill (61.5%)
Primary setup: Abner Uribe (43.4%)
Secondary setup: Aaron Ashby (16.8%)
Middle relief: Antonio Senzatela (2.6%)
MINNESOTA TWINS
Closer: Yoendrys Gomez (15.0%)
Primary setup: Jeff Hoffman (38.2%)
Secondary setup: Andrew Morris (0.8%)
Middle relief: A.J. Minter (0.7%)
NEW YORK METS
Closer: Kodai Senga (9.6%)
Primary setup: Daniel Duarte (1.4%)
Secondary setup: Nate Lavender (0.9%)
Injured list: Devin Williams (60.1%)
NEW YORK YANKEES
Closer: David Bednar (88.7%)
Primary setup: Brent Headrick (10.2%)
Secondary setup: Paul Blackburn (6.0%)
Sleeper: Luis Gil (1.0%)
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Closer: Jhoan Duran (93.5%)
Primary setup: Jonathan Bowlan (0.8%)
Secondary setup: Orion Kerkering (1.2%)
Middle relief: Brooks Raley (0.9%)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Closer: Mason Montgomery (13.0%)
Primary setup: Luke Weaver (6.7%)
Secondary setup: Gregory Soto (19.5%)
Middle relief: Camilo Doval (2.5%)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Closer: Riley O'Brien (62.4%)
Primary setup: George Soriano (0.7%)
Secondary setup: Ryne Stanek (1.4%)
Middle relief: Luis Gastelum (0.1%)
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Closer: Mason Miller (99.5%)
Primary setup: Adrian Morejon (17.4%)
Secondary setup: Bradgley Rodriguez (1.2%)
Middle relief: Yuki Matsui (0.4%)
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Closer: Dylan Smith (0.5%)
Primary setup: Carson Seymour (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Ryan Walker (9.0%)
Middle relief: Jason Foley (0.0%)
SEATTLE MARINERS
Closer: Andres Munoz (79.7%)
Primary setup: Eduard Bazardo (3.6%)
Secondary setup: Jose Ferrer (0.9%)
Middle relief: Seranthony Dominguez (9.4%)
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Closer: Bryan Baker (79.6%)
Primary setup: Kevin Kelly (14.6%)
Secondary setup: Garrett Cleavinger (2.8%)
Middle relief: Tyler Wells (2.9%)
TEXAS RANGERS
Closer: Jacob Latz (63.1%)
Primary setup: Chase Silseth (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Jakob Junis (2.7%)
Middle relief: Tyler Alexander (1.4%)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Closer: Louis Varland (86.6%)
Primary setup: Tyler Rogers (16.4%)
Secondary setup: Braydon Fisher (0.6%)
Middle relief: Paul Sewald (15.5%)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Closer: Clayton Beeter (3.4%)
Primary setup: Orlando Ribalta (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Erik Tolman (0.1%)
Sleeper: Luis Perales (0.1%)
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.
