Fantasy Baseball Closer Depth Charts - MLB Bullpens and Saves

Saves are an important component for many fantasy baseball leagues. Closers are one of the most volatile positions in fantasy baseball and one of the highest turnover positions in MLB. Each year, closers drop like flies, and many MLB teams make in-season changes due to injuries or poor performance. Relief pitchers are becoming increasingly important […]

Gus Varland Looking to Rebound After Rough Stretch in Washington

Washington Nationals right-hander Gus Varland has struggled in recent outings, posting a 7.11 ERA across his last seven appearances. His season ERA has climbed to 4.80 during his first year in Washington, and his role in the back end of the bullpen may begin to shrink. Varland is still 4-for-6 in save opportunities and has […]

Jake Burger Off to Slow Start, Power Still Worth Monitoring

Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger has struggled through the early portion of the 2026 season, slashing .208/.242/.362 with a .604 OPS across 38 games. The power remains present for Burger, as he has already launched six home runs, but his 27.4 K% has continued to hurt his overall offensive production. Burger has not appeared […]

Cam Smith Looking to Rebound Amid Astros Outfield Competition

Houston Astros outfielder Cam Smith has cooled off after a strong start to the season, slashing .151/.237/.226 across his last 15 games. Smith now owns a .642 OPS with four home runs through 40 games in 2026. The 23-year-old has flashed the offensive tools needed to succeed at the major league level, but consistency has […]

JJ Bleday Breaking Out With Reds, Emerging as High-End Power Source

Cincinnati Reds outfielder JJ Bleday has enjoyed an early breakout in his first season with the Reds. Bleday, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft by the Miami Marlins, has bounced around the majors after struggling to find the consistent success many expected early in his career. He appears to have found […]

Caleb Kilian Emerging as Favorite for Giants Saves Opportunities?

San Francisco Giants right-hander Caleb Kilian could be in line for increased save opportunities after the club optioned struggling reliever Ryan Walker to Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday. Walker opened the season with inconsistent results and was unable to secure the closer role for San Francisco. Kilian has emerged as one of the Giants' most dependable […]

Seth Hernandez Promoted to High-A Greensboro After Dominant Start in Single-A

The Pittsburgh Pirates have promoted right-hander Seth Hernandez to High-A Greensboro after a dominant six-start run in the Single-A Florida State League. Hernandez, the No. 19 prospect in baseball and the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, logged 28 innings and allowed just three earned runs while piling up 50 strikeouts. The […]

Is Kyle Finnegan the Top Closer Handcuff Available on the Waiver Wire?

Detroit Tigers right-hander Kyle Finnegan has gotten results so far in 2026, pitching to a 1.53 ERA and 1.47 WHIP with 13 strikeouts and one save across 17 2/3 innings (18 games). Finnegan is currently blocked off from save opportunities in Detroit by veteran Tigers closer Kenley Jansen, who remains the team's preferred option in […]

Carlos Cortes Earning More Playing Time, Emerging as a Priority Waiver-Wire Target

Athletics outfielder Carlos Cortes is off to an excellent start to the 2026 season, hitting .355/.408/.570 with four home runs, 15 RBI, 11 runs scored, and one stolen base across his first 103 plate appearances of the season. Entering play on Sunday, Cortes owned an 11.1% barrel rate and had walked (eight) nearly as many […]

Jorge Soler Remains an Impact Power Bat Worth Targeting on the Waiver Wire

Across 157 plate appearances so far in 2026, Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jorge Soler is hitting .226/.325/.451 with eight home runs, 28 RBI, and 19 runs scored. With a 31.2% strikeout rate, Soler is unlikely to help fantasy managers in the batting average category. However, the 34-year-old remains a legitimate power bat even as he […]

Randy Vasquez Emerging as a Must-Add Waiver-Wire Target

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Randy Vasquez turned in another strong performance in his team's 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday, throwing six innings of one-run ball with six strikeouts while picking up the win. The 27-year-old has been excellent so far this season for San Diego, recording a 4-1 record with […]

Spencer Torkelson Remains a Viable Power Bat to Target on the Waiver Wire

Across his first 152 plate appearances of 2026, Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson is hitting .209/.329/.411 with six home runs, 15 RBI, and 13 runs scored. The 26-year-old's season has taken a strange shape, as five of his six home runs came in a five-day period between April 22 and April 26. Outside of […]

Kerry Carpenter Placed on 10-Day Injured List with Left AC Joint Sprain

Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter (shoulder) has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a left AC joint sprain. Infielder Gage Workman was recalled to take Carpenter's spot on Detroit's active roster. Carpenter exited early from the Tigers' loss to the Kansas City Royals on Saturday after colliding with the outfield wall and […]

Starts and Sits - All Starting Pitcher Matchups for Fantasy Baseball (May 11 - May 17)

Let's put those April showers fully behind us and take May by storm with our updated starting pitcher starts/sits for fantasy baseball for the week ahead - Monday, May 11 through Sunday, May 17. This column provides readers with who is pitching, the opponent, and a confidence/startability score based on an array of proven and […]

Is Lucas Erceg a Worthy Saves Target Despite Concerning Underlying Metrics?

Kansas City Royals right-hander Lucas Erceg has established himself as his team's closer so far this season, recording a 3.31 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and 10 saves across 16 1/3 innings (17 games). Erceg has gotten hot in recent weeks, as he's gone eight straight appearances without allowing an earned run. On […]

Seranthony Dominguez Establishing Himself as a Reliable Source of Saves

Across 14 2/3 innings (18 games) so far this season, Chicago White Sox closer Seranthony Dominguez has recorded a 3.68 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 19 strikeouts, and eight saves. The 31-year-old has been particularly locked in of late, allowing just one earned run while logging 11 strikeouts and five saves over his last nine appearances. Control […]

Ryan Walker Optioned to Triple-A

San Francisco Giants right-hander Ryan Walker has been optioned to Triple-A Sacramento, according to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area. Walker opened 2026 as San Francisco's primary closer, but he's struggled mightily so far this season. Across 15 1/3 innings (16 games), Walker has pitched to a 6.46 ERA and 1.89 WHIP with 14 […]

Noah Schultz Still Worth Targeting on the Waiver Wire Following Rough Outing?

Across 25 innings (five starts) so far this season, Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Noah Schultz has recorded a 2-2 record with a 4.68 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 23 strikeouts. Schultz has struggled mightily with command, as he currently owns a 15.1% walk rate. Still, the 22-year-old's overall line is weighed down by a rough […]

Tatsuya Imai Scheduled to Rejoin Astros Rotation on Tuesday

Houston Astros starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai (arm) will make his return to his team's starting rotation on Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Imai has been on the 15-day injured list since early April due to right arm fatigue. The 28-year-old got off to a brutal start to his […]

Addison Barger Scratched From Sunday's Lineup Due to Elbow Soreness

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Addison Barger (elbow) has been scratched from the lineup for his team's game on Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels due to right elbow soreness. Barger was originally slated to lead off and play right field. The 26-year-old was recently activated from the 10-day injured list on Saturday after missing over […]

Trevor Rogers Throws Bullpen, Hopes to Return Soon

Baltimore Orioles left-hander Trevor Rogers (illness) said he threw more of a "simulated bullpen" session on Saturday, according to Jake Rill of MLB.com. Rogers doesn't expect to need a minor-league rehab start and hopes to return to the team's starting rotation in the "near future." The O's should reinstate Rogers from the 15-day injured list […]

Hunter Greene Throwing Up to 150 Feet

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene (elbow) is throwing up to 150 feet of long toss in his rehab program in Arizona, according to Mike Petraglia of MLB.com. Greene has yet to get back on the mound after having surgery on his right elbow back in spring training in March, but it's good news that he's […]

Miguel Vargas Continues to Hit the Ball Hard in Two-Homer Game

Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas led the charge in the team's 6-1 win over the visiting Seattle Mariners on Saturday, going 2-for-3 at the plate with two home runs, three RBI, a walk, and a strikeout to raise his season average to .228 and his OPS to .840. Vargas' two home runs came […]

Bryce Harper Returns to Sunday's Lineup After Migraine Issues

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (head) is back in the starting lineup and is hitting third for Sunday's series finale against the visiting Colorado Rockies and right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano, according to MLB.com. Harper was pulled from Saturday's win over Colorado before even making a plate appearance due to a migraine, but he's feeling much […]

Carlos Rodon Activated for Season Debut on Sunday

The New York Yankees announced on Sunday that they activated left-hander Carlos Rodon (elbow) from the 15-day injured list and optioned right-hander Kervin Castro to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in a corresponding move. Rodon will make his 2026 season debut for the Yanks in Sunday's series finale in Milwaukee against the Brewers. The 33-year-old veteran southpaw got […]

Moises Ballesteros is Mashing his Way into Must-Have Catcher Territory

Chicago Cubs catcher Moises Ballesteros is quickly making a name for himself with the way he has been swinging the bat. Through 35 games this season, Ballesteros is slashing .277/.340/.521 with six home runs, 19 RBI, and 10 walks. He has fallen into a cold spell recently, going 3-for-36 over the last two weeks. Despite […]

Nick Mariano's Week 7 Waiver Wire Picks - Get 'Em While They're Hot (Premium Content)

All other Premium Tools can be accessed on the Premium Dashboard. There's nearly one quarter of the season behind us, so please try to imagine another three of these little fantasy baseball lifetimes ahead of you. We've still got plenty of ball on the horizon, with much to unfold that we can't even fathom at […]

Waiver Wire Rankings - Fantasy Baseball Pickups for Week 7 (Hitters and Pitchers)

Happy Mother's Day to all the great moms out there! We are entering Week 7 of the MLB, and there is still plenty of baseball to be played. Injuries continue to pile up as Bryce Harper exited early with a migraine, and the Twins placed right-hander Taj Bradley on the IL with right pectoral inflammation. […]

Carter Jensen Remains a Stash Option at Catcher

Kansas City Royals catcher Carter Jensen came into the season swinging a hot bat, but he has cooled off since then. Jensen has smashed six home runs with 17 RBI and 15 walks through his first 37 games this season. He has hit a cold spell recently, but could still be someone worth stashing in […]