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Fantasy baseball closer breakouts, sleepers, waiver wire add/drop analysis for Week 9 of 2026 include Bryan Abreu, Jeff Hoffman, Grant Taylor, more.
Finding saves on the waiver wire can often be difficult. While some clear roles emerge due to injuries, managers must be proactive and identify potential breakouts before they truly claim the ninth-inning role on their respective rosters.
Below, we will spotlight six relievers and closers whose fantasy values have increased over the past week and determine whether managers should consider picking them up.
Should fantasy managers pick up these emerging closers? Let's dive in!
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Bryan Abreu, RP, Houston Astros
Houston Astros right-hander Bryan Abreu picked up his third save of the season on Tuesday, recording the final out in a 2-1 victory against the Minnesota Twins. Abreu worked around a hit batter and continued his strong stretch after a difficult start to the season. The 28-year-old has not allowed an earned run in May, lowering his ERA to 7.63 after early struggles inflated his numbers.
Abreu now sits second on the Astros in saves behind Bryan King, who has four saves. In his eighth season with Houston, Abreu has already proven capable of dominant production and could continue earning more save opportunities if his recent momentum carries forward. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues searching for saves should continue monitoring Abreu as he trends in the right direction.
-Written by Julian Brooke
Grant Taylor, RP, Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox right-hander Grant Taylor earned his first save of the season on Tuesday, striking out the side in a scoreless ninth inning during his team's 2-1 win over the Seattle Mariners. The 24-year-old is off to an excellent start in 2026, as he's recorded a 1.78 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 38 strikeouts across 25 1/3 innings (19 games). Veteran righty Seranthony Dominguez has been the primary closer so far in 2026 for Chicago.
However, Dominguez currently owns a 4.82 ERA and has given up five home runs across 18 2/3 innings pitched. Taylor has been the more dominant of the two relievers by far, as he's averaging 98.6 miles per hour on his fastball and has struck out 36.2% of the batters he's faced so far this year. Fantasy managers in need of saves may want to consider targeting Taylor on the waiver wire ahead of his potential promotion to the ninth-inning role for the White Sox.
- Written by Will Brady
Tony Santillan, RP, Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds reliever Tony Santillan worked a clean and efficient inning on Tuesday to secure a 4-1 victory against the Philadelphia Phillies. Santillan needed just 10 pitches to earn his second save of the season while striking out two batters. The save was his first since April 18 and came after he blew two save opportunities over the last month. The 29-year-old posted a 2.31 ERA in April but has struggled in May, allowing eight earned runs across 5 1/3 innings. Tuesday's outing marked a positive step forward for Santillan, and his career 3.24 ERA suggests he can still provide value in late-inning situations for Cincinnati.
- Written by Julian Brooke
Jose A. Ferrer, RP, Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Jose A. Ferrer struck out the side in the ninth inning on Wednesday to close out his team's 5-4 win over the White Sox. He allowed a home run to Randal Grichuk to lead off the inning before fanning Munetaka Murakami, Derek Hill, and Colson Montgomery to end the game. Ferrer has allowed five earned runs in his 23 2/3 innings this season for a 1.90 ERA and 2.56 FIP to go with his 22 strikeouts.
The young lefty has established himself as one of the team's top setup options in front of Andres Munoz, who pitched on both Monday and Tuesday. Ferrer also pitched in both those contests but needed only four pitches Tuesday before giving the ball to Munoz, who was charged with a blown save. While Munoz is one of the top closers in the game and will likely get a long leash, Ferrer is a very effective setup option who can step in and close if needed.
In deep leagues where setup men have value, Ferrer is definitely one of the better widely available options to consider from the waiver wire.
- Written by Zach Thompson
Jeff Hoffman, RP, Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman was tasked with shutting down the New York Yankees on Thursday. The right-hander was handed the ball with a two-run lead in the ninth inning. Hoffman has been working in a setup role since being pulled from the closer gig earlier in the season.
The Jays gave him a chance to prove himself on Thursday, and Hoffman delivered. Hoffman tossed a scoreless inning, while striking out two batters to earn his fourth save of the season. The right-hander could slowly be earning his way back into the closer role going forward. He could be worth an add in deep leagues as he gains more trust in the Jays pen.
- Written by Andy Webb
Hogan Harris, RP, Athletics
Athletics relief pitcher Hogan Harris closed out the team's comeback victory over the Angels on Wednesday night, preserving a one-run lead in the 10th inning to earn his fourth save of the year. Harris issued two walks (one intentional), but he forced Jorge Soler to ground out to second to end the game with the bases loaded. Harris has secured the team's two most recent saves and has a 3.00 ERA and 4.65 FIP in his 24 innings this season.
The lefty has not allowed a run in six of his last seven appearances and seems to be the preferred closer option with a slight advantage over righties Jack Perkins and Joel Kuhnel. Perkins and Kuhnel did not appear in the A's 10-inning win on Wednesday after all three relievers pitched on Tuesday. The A's close out their four-game set in Anaheim on Thursday before heading to San Diego for three games this weekend.
Harris is a solid big-picture closer pickup in deep leagues, although he may not get the call on Thursday after pitching two straight games. The A's closer committee will continue to be an important situation to monitor, but for now, Harris seems to be the first option.
- Written by Zach Thompson
Updated Closers and Saves Depth Charts
Check out our updated closer depth charts for each of the 30 MLB teams that are updated regularly by Nick Mariano.
AL EAST: 2026 Fantasy Baseball Closers & Saves
| RotoBaller Stability Rating | Team Name |
Current Closer |
Direct Backup |
More Holds Candidates |
Waiver Wire Add |
| Volatile | Yankees | David Bednar | Fernando Cruz, Camilo Doval | Tim Hill, Brent Headrick, Yovanny Cruz | Fernando Cruz, Camilo Doval |
| Solid | Red Sox | Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock, Justin Slaten | Greg Weissert, Zack Kelly | N/A |
| Questionable | Blue Jays | Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers, Jeff Hoffman | Braydon Fisher, Joe Mantiply, Mason Fluharty, Yimi Garcia (IL) | Louis Varland |
| Solid | Orioles | Rico Garcia | Anthony Nunez, Ryan Helsley (IL) | Andrew Kittredge, Yennier Cano, Keegan Akin, Grant Wolfram (IL), Felix Bautista (IL) | Rico Garcia |
| Solid | Rays | Bryan Baker | Garrett Cleavinger, Ian Seymour | Kevin Kelly, Hunter Bigge, Edwin Uceta (IL), Cole Sulser (IL) | N/A |
AL CENTRAL: 2026 Fantasy Baseball Closers & Saves
| RotoBaller Stability Rating |
Team Name | Current Closer | Direct Backup | More Holds Candidates |
Waiver Wire Add |
| Solid | Tigers | Kenley Jansen | Will Vest, Kyle Finnegan | Drew Anderson, Tyler Holton, Brenan Hanifee, Brant Hurter | N/A |
| Volatile | White Sox | Seranthony Dominguez | Grant Taylor, Bryan Hudson | Sean Newcomb, Jordan Hicks | Grant Taylor, Bryan Hudson |
| Solid | Guardians | Cade Smith | Erik Sabrowski, Hunter Gaddis | Matt Festa, Tim Herrin, Colin Holderman, Shawn Armstrong | Erik Sabrowski |
| Solid | Royals | Lucas Erceg | Daniel Lynch IV, Carlos Estevez (IL) | Nick Mears, John Schreiber, Matt Strahm (IL) | N/A |
| Committee | Twins | Eric Orze, Taylor Rogers, Luis Garcia, Kody Funderburk | Yoendrys Gomez, Cole Sands (IL) | Anthony Banda, Andrew Morris | N/A |
AL WEST: 2026 Fantasy Baseball Closers & Saves
| RotoBaller Stability Rating | Team Name | Current Closer | Direct Backup | More Holds Candidates |
Waiver Wire Add |
| Solid | Rangers | Jacob Latz | Jakob Junis, Robert Garcia (IL) | Cole Winn, Tyler Alexander, Jalen Beeks, Gavin Collyer | Jacob Latz |
| Committee | Angels | Ryan Zeferjahn, Sam Bachman | Kirby Yates | Brent Suter, Chase Silseth, Drew Pomeranz (IL), Ben Joyce (IL) | Ryan Zeferjahn, Sam Bachman, Kirby Yates |
| Committee | Athletics | Jack Perkins, Hogan Harris | Mark Leiter Jr., Joel Kuhnel | Justin Sterner, Scott Barlow | Jack Perkins |
| Volatile | Astros | Bryan King, Bryan Abreu | Enyel De Los Santos, Josh Hader (IL) | AJ Blubaugh, Steven Okert, Nate Pearson | Bryan King, Bryan Abreu |
| Solid | Mariners | Andres Munoz | Eduard Bazardo, Jose A. Ferrer | Cooper Criswell, Matt Brash, Gabe Speier (IL) | N/A |
NL EAST: 2026 Fantasy Baseball Closers & Saves
| RotoBaller Stability Rating | Team Name | Current Closer | Direct Backup | More Holds Candidates |
Waiver Wire Add |
| Solid | Braves | Raisel Iglesias | Robert Suarez, Dylan Lee | Tyler Kinley, Reynaldo Lopez, Aaron Bummer, Joe Jimenez (IL) | N/A |
| Solid | Marlins | Pete Fairbanks | John King, Tyler Phillips | Andrew Nardi, Calvin Faucher, Anthony Bender, Michael Petersen | N/A |
| Solid | Mets | Devin Williams | Luke Weaver | Brooks Raley, Huascar Brazoban, A.J. Minter (IL) | N/A |
| Solid | Phillies | Jhoan Duran | Brad Keller, Jose Alvarado | Orion Kerkering, Tanner Banks, Tim Mayza | N/A |
| Volatile | Nationals | Gus Varland | Richard Lovelady | PJ Poulin, Brad Lord, Clayton Beeter (IL) | Gus Varland |
NL CENTRAL: 2026 Fantasy Baseball Closers & Saves
| RotoBaller Stability Rating | Team Name | Current Closer | Direct Backup | More Holds Candidates |
Waiver Wire Add |
| Solid | Cubs | Daniel Palencia | Phil Maton | Hoby Milner, Jacob Webb, Caleb Thielbar, Riley Martin (IL) | N/A |
| Volatile | Reds | Tony Santillan, Graham Ashcraft, Pierce Johnson | Brock Burke, Tejay Antone, Emilio Pagan (IL) | Connor Phillips, Sam Moll | Tony Santillan, Graham Ashcraft, Pierce Johnson |
| Questionable | Brewers | Abner Uribe | Trevor Megill | Aaron Ashby, Grant Anderson, DL Hall | N/A |
| Questionable | Pirates | Gregory Soto | Dennis Santana | Isaac Mattson, Mason Montgomery, Brandan Bidois, Justin Lawrence | Gregory Soto |
| Solid | Cardinals | Riley O'Brien | JoJo Romero, Ryne Stanek | Justin Bruihl, George Soriano | N/A |
NL WEST: 2026 Fantasy Baseball Closers & Saves
| RotoBaller Stability Rating | Team Name | Current Closer | Direct Backup |
More Holds Candidates |
Waiver Wire Add |
| Solid | Diamondbacks | Paul Sewald | Juan Morillo | Jonathan Loaisiga, Ryan Thompson, Kevin Ginkel, A.J. Puk (IL), Justin Martinez (IL) | Juan Morillo |
| Volatile | Rockies | Antonio Senzatela, Juan Mejia | Brennan Bernardino, Victor Vodnik | Jaden Hill, Zach Agnos, Jimmy Herget (IL) | Antonio Senzatela, Juan Mejia |
| Solid | Dodgers | Tanner Scott | Alex Vesia | Blake Treinen, Jack Dreyer, Will Klein, Edwin Diaz (IL) | Tanner Scott |
| Solid | Padres | Mason Miller | Jason Adam, Adrian Morejon | Bradgley Rodriguez, Jeremiah Estrada | N/A |
| Committee | Giants | Caleb Kilian, Matt Gage, Erik Miller | Keaton Winn | Joel Peguero, Gregory Santos | Caleb Kilian, Matt Gage, Erik Miller |
Who Should I Pickup Fantasy Baseball Tool
Trying to decide who to pick up off the waiver wire? Check the Who Should I Pickup tool:
Compare up to four players and we'll tell you who to pickup...
2026 Player Decisions. Looking to pick up someone else instead? Today's focus is on specific players like Grant Taylor, Hogan Harris, Bryan Abreu, Jeff Hoffman, Tony Santillan, Jose Ferrer, Bryan Baker, Louie Varland, Rico Garcia. These are some common searches for 2026 fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups.
Using The Tool. This is a simple tool but very powerful. The first step is to enter the player names that you want to compare. In the first box, search for the first player's name. In the second box, search for the second player's name. Compare up to four MLB players at once, and then click the Who To Pickup? button to see who the recommended waiver wire pickups are based on fantasy baseball rankings, projections, and more.
Improvements For Who Should I Pickup? You may have noticed, our Who Should I Pickup? tool has gotten an overhaul. We've added lots of great features for you to give you as much information as possible to win on the waiver wire in 2026. You'll see MLB player tiles with stats, projections, and a slick new interface. We hope you enjoy!
How It Works. Our RotoBaller staff puts together their weekly fantasy baseball waiver wire rankings and projections based on their research, and updates them constantly throughout the week. That information is the core data that is powering the decision-making in this tool. When you search for player names, you will only see those players who are ranked.
Popular Player Comparison Searches - Who To Pickup
Looking to pick up someone else instead? Below are some popular searches and comparisons from our Who To Pickup tool for 2026 for players like Grant Taylor, Hogan Harris, Bryan Abreu, Jeff Hoffman, Tony Santillan, Jose Ferrer, Bryan Baker, Louie Varland, Rico Garcia:
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