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Closers and Saves Waiver Wire Report for Fantasy Baseball - Week 18

Seranthony Dominguez - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, Closers, Saves, Draft Sleepers. Waiver Wire

Fantasy baseball closers, saves, and bullpen waiver wire pickups for July 28, 2023. David's relief pitcher and bullpen updates, and potential closers to add.

The trade deadline is just a couple of days away and with a lot of teams in the race (or at least a lot of teams who think they're in the race) we could be looking at one of the more active deadlines in a while. It already got started with some bullpen moves, like the Aroldis Chapman trade a couple of weeks ago and a few more this week.

While bullpens around the league will certainly look different by this time next week, we still had the current bullpens work their way into saves, holds, blown saves, wins, and losses this week. So let's take a look at some bullpen-relevant trades and other reliever news for this final week of July.

Be sure to also keep an eye on our Fantasy Baseball Closer Depth Charts for saves, holds, and bullpens. They will be updated daily or sometimes even more often throughout the 2023 baseball season. 

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Miami Marlins - Bullpen and Closer News

The Marlins have made two notable bullpen trades already, with them and the Twins agreeing on a rare 1-for-1 reliever deal. Miami sent Dylan Floro to Minnesota in exchange for Jorge Lopez. Both pitchers have been solid in the past but have mostly struggled this year. Floro figures to work in middle relief for the Twins while Lopez likely slots into a similar spot in Miami. The Marlins reportedly see something in Lopez that they hope to unlock to get him back to his All-Star form from last season.

The Fish also picked up one of the better relievers available on the trade market, grabbing David Robertson from the Mets late on Thursday night. Robertson was working as the Mets' closer, saving 14 games and posting a 2.05 ERA. With the recent struggles of A.J. Puk, Robertson figures to move right into the Marlins' closer role, with Puk and Tanner Scott working in setup roles. Meanwhile, Adam Ottavino should close for the Mets, but he could be traded before the deadline as well.

Risers: David Robertson, Adam Ottavino
Fallers: A.J. Puk

 

Philadelphia Phillies - Bullpen and Closer News

Since Craig Kimbrel established himself as "so back" this season, the Phillies have been using a mostly traditional bullpen approach, saving their closer for the ninth inning. That changed this week, as Kimbrel was deployed in the eighth inning of a game to face the opponent's 3-4-5 hitters. Gregory Soto then came in for the ninth inning and earned his second save of the year.

This type of "leverage" move was certainly an excellent one in terms of giving the Phillies the best chance to win, but is it a sign of new bullpen usage in Philadelphia or just a one-off situation? We'll have to wait and see since any trade acquisitions could mix in as well, along with Seranthony Dominguez, who was just activated off the IL. Still, Kimbrel has been good enough that he's almost sure to keep his job as closer.

Risers: none (Kimbrel is very good)
Fallers: none (Seranthony Dominguez and Gregory Soto are both good holds options)

 

Arizona Diamondbacks - Bullpen and Closer News

The Diamondbacks are currently in the thick of the National League Wild Card race, despite their team leader in saves (Andrew Chafin) having just eight. It's been a struggle all season for Arizona relievers, and that was very evident this week as well. Chafin, Scott McGough, and Miguel Castro are all still being used for high-leverage innings, but it's Kevin Ginkel who has emerged as the new committee leader in the desert.

Ginkel doesn't have typical "closer stuff" as he doesn't miss a ton of bats (22.5 K%), but he's been good at preventing runs this season, posting a 2.31 ERA in 39 innings. His fantasy value seems temporary, however, as the Diamondbacks are certainly one of the teams most likely to make a trade for a closer before Tuesday's deadline. For now, Ginkel can probably help some teams in save-only formats.

Risers: Kevin Ginkel
Fallers: Andrew Chafin, Scott McGough

 

TRADES - Bullpen and Closer News

The Twins picked up Dylan Floro from the Marlins. He's been struggling lately after a solid start to the season, but he hasn't been able to get lefty batters out in a while. He'll likely pitch in middle relief in the Twins bullpen, severely limiting his already dwindling fantasy value.

The Angels said they weren't trading Shohei Ohtani because they planned on being buyers and they proved it this week by picking up Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez from the White Sox. Lopez has had an up-and-down season but has great swing-and-miss stuff and could end up as one of the primary setup arms in the Angels' bullpen. Meanwhile, the White Sox bullpen is likely to continue to lose relievers, but for now, Gregory Santos and Keynan Middleton see their holds league value rise a bit.

The Braves made two bullpen trades, picking up Pierce Johnson from the Rockies and Taylor Hearn from the Rangers. Both will be middle relievers in Atlanta with little fantasy value, but Johnson moving from Colorado puts Brad Hand back into the holds league conversation (at least until he hs traded).

Risers: Gregory Santos, Keynan Middleton, Brad Hand, Reynaldo Lopez (maybe)
Fallers: Dylan Floro, Pierce Johnson

 

Short Relief - Other Bullpen News

-Clay Holmes seems to have risen to the top of the Yankee committee and is now either the outright closer or at least the head of the committee with a significant lead over his competition.

-Similar trajectory for Adbert Alzolay in the Cubs bullpen. It seems like he's become the closer on most nights at the very least.

-A.J. Puk has been struggling and got a vote of confidence and then struggled some more, so keep an eye on the Marlins bullpen: Tanner Scott would be next in line, but they may go out and get someone before the deadline as well.

-A few setup guys proved themselves to be the "next man up" just in case anything happens to their team's closer. Andres Munoz, Bryan Abreu, and Lucas Sims all picked up saves this week on days that their team's closers (Paul Sewald, Ryan Pressly, and Alexis Diaz) weren't available.



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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Terry Rozier

Chauncey Billups Arrested in Gambling Investigation
Moses Moody

Out on Thursday
Al Horford

to Rest on Friday
T.J. McConnell

Remains Unavailable Thursday
Isaiah Joe

Misses Thursday's Action
Cason Wallace

Questionable for Finals Rematch
Jalen Williams

Remains Out Thursday
Patrick Kane

to Miss Third Consecutive Game Thursday
Nikita Kucherov

Set to Return Against Blackhawks
Brock Boeser

Available Thursday
Dawson Mercer

Records Two Assists Against Wild
Jack Quinn

Tallies Three Points in Wednesday's Win
Jason Zucker

Exits With Injury Wednesday
CFB

Utah QB Devon Dampier Listed as Questionable on Big 12 Injury Report
San Francisco Giants

Tony Vitello Named New Manager of the Giants
Anthony Edwards

Active Against Trail Blazers
Grayson Allen

Active for Suns’ Opening Night Game
Kevin Porter Jr.

Won't Return on Wednesday Evening
Anthony Edwards

a Game-Time Decision for Wednesday
Daniel Gafford

Ruled Out for Mavericks Season Opener
Alexander Romanov

Expected to Miss Two More Games
Pierre Engvall

Ruled Out for the Season
Luguentz Dort

Questionable for Thursday Versus Pacers
Adin Hill

Out Week-to-Week
Patrik Laine

Sits Out Another Game Wednesday
Caris LeVert

Cleared for Wednesday's Game
Marco Rossi

Available Wednesday Night
Cody Glass

Out on Wednesday
Ryan Kalkbrenner

Starting on Wednesday
Stefan Noesen

Makes Season Debut Wednesday
Jaylen Brown

Available Versus Philadelphia
OG Anunoby

Available to Play in Season Opener
Alex Caruso

Placed in Concussion Protocol Wednesday
Joel Embiid

on a Minutes Cap Versus Boston
Kel'el Ware

Available for Season Opener
De'Andre Hunter

Absent on Wednesday
Jaylen Waddle

Dolphins Don't Have Plans to Trade Jaylen Waddle
Francisco Lindor

has Elbow Surgery, Expected to be Ready for Spring Training
Aaron Jones Sr.

Considered Questionable to Play on Thursday
PGA

Alex Noren is a Smash Play at Bank of Utah Championship
Mike Evans

Could be Back in Under Eight Weeks
Bucky Irving

Will Not Play in Week 8
Jayden Daniels

Will Not Play on Monday Night Against Chiefs
Darren Waller

Dolphins Place Darren Waller on Injured Reserve
Maverick McNealy

Look Out For Maverick McNealy This Week in Utah
Justin Lower

Unlikely to Flip The Script at Bank of Utah Championship
Stephan Jaeger

Looking for Repeat Performance in Utah
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Behren Morton Will be Listed as Questionable on Wednesday
Max McGreevy

a Longer Shot to Contend in Utah
Jackson Suber

on the Bubble for the PGA in 2026
Greyson Sigg

Improving at the Right Time This Fall
Seamus Power

Hopes to Make More Birdies This Week
Patton Kizzire

May Struggle Once Again in Utah
Beau Hossler

Up and Down Heading to Bank of Utah Championship
Adam Hadwin

Looking to Find the Weekend in Utah
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Enjoying the Fall Golf Season
Brad Marchand

Delivers Two Assists on Special Night
Adrian Kempe

Lifts Kings to Victory Tuesday
Justin Brazeau

Records Three Points Against Canucks
Jack Hughes

Pots Third Career Hat Trick
TOR

Chris Tanev Could Miss Time With Upper-Body Injury
Jack McBain

Evaluated for Upper-Body Injury
Tom Hoge

Sputtering into Bank of Utah Championship
Sahith Theegala

On the Upswing Heading into Utah
Andrew Putnam

Looks to Find Form in Utah
Matt McCarty

Looks to Defend Title in Utah
Ben Kohles

a Strong Value Play at Bank of Utah Championship
Max Homa

Trending Up Entering the Bank of Utah Championship
Nick Dunlap

Searching for Spark at Bank of Utah Championship
Quade Cummins

Struggling to Find Form Ahead of Bank of Utah Championship
Maxx Crosby

Raiders Won't Trade Maxx Crosby
Jonathan Marchessault

Remains Absent Against Ducks
Darcy Kuemper

Available Tuesday
Jason Day

Making a Spot Start at Bank of Utah Championship
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Kurt Suzuki to be the Angels' Next Manager
Bo Bichette

Plans to be Ready for World Series
Tyrod Taylor

Aaron Glenn "Moving Toward" Naming Tyrod Taylor the Starting QB
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Finds the End Zone Twice on Monday Night
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Continues Elite Production
Chris Godwin

Bucky Irving May Not Play This Week
Michael Penix Jr.

Expected to Be "Good to Go" for Sunday
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Ruled Out Late on Monday Night With Concussion
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Suffers Head Injury on Monday Night
Jahmyr Gibbs

Blows Up For 218 Total Yards, Two Touchdowns in Win
Mike Evans

to Miss Most of the Year With Broken Clavicle
Brandon Woodruff

Expects to Be Ready for Opening Day
Mike Evans

Ruled Out Monday With Concussion, Shoulder Injury
Mike Evans

Making his Return in Primetime Against Detroit
Emeka Egbuka

Officially Active on Monday Night
Michael Penix Jr.

Dealing With Bone Bruise in Foot, Considered Day-to-Day
Jayden Daniels

Avoids Long-Term Injury, Status Unknown for Week 8
Reinier de Ridder

Reinier De Ridder Suffers His First UFC Loss
Brendan Allen

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Kevin Holland

Drops Decision
Mike Malott

Wins Third Fight In A Row
Marlon Vera

Loses Third Consecutive Fight
Aiemann Zahabi

Gets A Razor-Thin Split Decision Win
Jasmine Jasudavicius

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Manon Fiorot

Gets Back In The Win Column
Davey Grant

Suffers Submission Loss
Charles Jourdain

Gets First-Round Submission Win
Matt Frevola

Gets Dominated At UFC Vancouver
Matt Frevola

Kyle Nelson Dominates Matt Frevola
George Springer

Returns to Lineup for Game 6 of ALCS
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Colorado State Fires Head Coach Jay Norvell After Four Seasons
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Florida Fires Head Coach Billy Napier After Four Years
Chase Elliott

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Chase Briscoe

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Kyle Larson

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Ty Gibbs

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Josh Berry

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