Florio's Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Report: Changes in Arizona, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, and more

April 23, 2025

Michael Florio reviews fantasy baseball closers, saves, and waiver wire pickups for Week 4 of 2025. He analyzes changing bullpens and RP risers with elite ratios.

Bullpens are interesting. Some weeks, not much changes. And others, it feels like if you blink, you miss out on a whole bunch of changes around MLB. This week is one of those weeks.

Not only did we see some big names land on the IL, but we also had several players return in the past week. It is why it is always vital to keep a close eye on closer news, as you do not want to leave saves on the waiver wire. Even worse, you do not want to leave a player no longer getting save chances in your lineup.

That is, unless they are still providing elite strikeouts and ratios! But do not worry; there are plenty of options like that around the league.

Changing Bullpens for Fantasy Baseball

Perhaps the biggest bullpen news of the week is that David Bednar is back for the Pirates. Bednar dominated in Triple-A, not allowing a run and pitching to a 0.20 WHIP in five innings. He struck out seven of the 16 batters he faced (44 percent). He and Dennis Santana should handle late-inning work for the Pirates. It may take a bit for Bednar to work his way back as the full-time closer, but I do believe that is in the range of outcomes, as the Pirates likely want to build up his trade value.

Santana did pick up a loss on Monday, allowing the ghost runner to score in extras. For the time being, Santana is still the top fantasy option here. He should be started, while Bednar is a strong stash candidate. This situation is fluid and can change, so it is worth keeping a close eye on moving forward.

Derek Shelton: "We're a better bullpen with David Bednar in it."#Pirates | @Pirates
🔗 https://t.co/6YbqEWFvEp pic.twitter.com/ecdrFAzRxa

— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) April 22, 2025

The Diamondbacks placed A.J. Puk on the IL with an elbow injury. Prior, Puk and Justin Martinez had been splitting save chances for the D-backs. My thinking had been that Martinez would win out throughout the season, but that the D-backs would not mess with what is working. This is a huge win for Martinez managers, as he becomes an RP1 moving forward with the upside to finish top five at the position. How the D-backs manage things once Puk returns is a problem to worry about down the road. For now, Martinez is a must-start fantasy option.

Justin Martinez, 100mph Fastball and EVIL 90mph Splitter, Overlay.

Good luck. pic.twitter.com/s7YDR2wz4Z

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 5, 2025

The Red Sox named Aroldis Chapman as the closer before the season, but it is impossible not to view this as a committee now. On the year, Chapman has four saves, while Justin Slaten has three. In the last week, Slaten has two to Chapman’s one. Both pitchers have been very effective, especially as of late. While it is not ideal for fantasy, both are worth rostering and starting in Roto formats until one pulls away. Liam Hendriks just returned as well, but he is more of a name to watch for the time being.

The Reds saw Alexis Diaz return from the IL, which some may see and assume he would return to the closer role. However, the Reds had other plans. After pitching to a 5.40 ERA and 2.00 WHIP in five Triple-A games, Diaz has put up a 6.75 ERA and 2.00 WHIP in four appearances with the Reds. For now, Emilio Pagan remains the Reds closer and is a must-start in fantasy baseball. Diaz is purely just a stash candidate right now.

Agustin Ramirez destroys a baseball for his first-career extra-base hit.

110.4 mph off the bat to straightaway center off Alexis Diaz. He went on to steal third base for his first career bag. pic.twitter.com/TWemMERXIc

— Isaac Azout (@IsaacAzout) April 22, 2025

The Dodgers placed Blake Treinen on the IL with a forearm strain and are uncertain just how long he will be sidelined. Treinen was the secondary option for the Dodgers, who do not like to use primary option Tanner Scott on back-to-back days. It is why he has picked up two saves already this season. The Dodgers have no shortage of options they can turn to, but Kirby Yates seems like the logical next choice.

Yates was extremely effective last year as the Rangers closer. He provides elite strikeouts (third-highest strikeout rate amongst qualified relievers) and ratios, and could get a save opportunity here or there for Los Angeles. Scott is a must-start fantasy option. Alex Vesia is another name that provides strong ratios and could get a save chance here and there.

Speculative Saves for Fantasy Baseball

The Yankees made a big splash this offseason by acquiring Devin Williams. He has struggled early on, pitching to a 9.00 ERA, 6.07 xERA, and 2.25 WHIP with a .324 batting average against. His 19.5 percent strikeout rate would be a career low. He has picked up four saves this season, while Fernando Cruz and Luke Weaver each have two.

The Yankees are likely going to give Williams a lengthy leash, but if he continues to struggle, I would expect Weaver to get the opportunity. He has yet to allow a run this season, so he clearly offers elite ratios, as well as strikeouts. He can thrive in that role, but given Williams' struggles, him getting save chances on a good team is in the range of outcomes. He is a good add in Roto leagues.

Aaron Boone says Devin Williams’ stuff has been good and he’s just been unlucky pic.twitter.com/u7SyNuY7aA

— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) April 22, 2025

The Tigers have a closer, even if the numbers indicate otherwise. On the season, Tommy Kahnle leads them with four saves, while Will Vest and Brant Hurter have two each. Kahnle is the preferred option, and Vest seems like the clear No. 2. He gets the save chances when Kahnle is unavailable. Still, Kahnle is available in far too many leagues right now. Put some respect on his name and add him! Vest is a good play in daily leagues when Kahnle is unavailable. He is also in play in deeper Roto leagues.

The Phillies were using Jordan Romano in low-leverage situations, and even that did not work out. On Saturday, he came in the ninth inning with a seven-run lead against the Marlins. He recorded two outs and allowed six runs on six hits. His velocity has been down; he is not missing bats like he used to, and he is struggling just to get outs. He can be cut in all leagues right now.

That leaves Jose Alvarado as the Phillies closer. He is a must-start option moving forward, although we did see Matt Strahm pick up his first save of the season this week. He could become the secondary option that gets used when Alvarado is unavailable.

Speaking of the Marlins, they are a bit of an all-out committee right now. They have four saves this season, with two going to Jesus Tinoco, one to Anthony Bender, and one to Calvin Faucher. For much of the year, it looked like the latter two would handle save chances, but Tinoco picked up both of his saves in the last week. While it is a committee and no certainty will get the save chance on a given night, the recent usage is clearly in Tinoco’s favor.

I rank them as Tinoco, Bender, and Faucher, for fantasy purposes.

Jesús Tinoco has finished off back-to-back Marlins wins, but Clayton McCullough isn't naming him the full-time closer yet.

"Tino was the best person in this spot. We'll continue to have (Faucher) and (Bender) and (Henriquez) and others pitch in those high-leverage moments."

— Fish On First (@FishOnFirst) April 22, 2025

Elite Strikeouts and Ratios for Fantasy Baseball

Shelby Miller leads all qualified relievers with a 0.30 WHIP. Opposing hitters are batting just .032 against him this season. Oh, and he has yet to allow a run. He has also struck out 29 percent of the batters he has faced this season. And to make him even more intriguing, with Puk on the IL, he could get some save chances when Martinez is unavailable. Miller is a strong reliever to roster in Roto formats.

Steven Okert has a 0.45 WHIP, the second-lowest of qualified relievers. He has thrown to a 0.82 ERA, with a 39 percent strikeout rate. He has not allowed a walk yet this season, and opposing batters are hitting just .132 against him. He may not get many save chances, but he provides elite ratios and strikeouts. He is much more useful than a fringe starting pitcher in Roto formats.

Lucas Erceg was thought to be in the closer mix with the Royals, but Carlos Estevez has held that down to start the year. Erceg has been exceptional, though, pitching to a 1.23 ERA with a 0.55 WHIP. He has struck out 22 percent of the batters he has faced, limits walks, and opponents are hitting just .136 against him. Plus, if anything happens to Estevez, he would take over the closer gig for Kansas City.

Ryan Zeferjahn of the Angels has struck out 52 percent of the batters he has faced this season. Mason Miller is the only other qualified reliever to have struck out over half the batters they have faced. Zeferjahn has a 4.05 ERA, but that is deceiving. His xERA sits at 1.65, and he has a 1.05 WHIP. Opposing batters have hit just .167 against him. He has given up a couple of home runs, but that should normalize. The strikeouts are what we care about here.

Make sure to follow Michael on X, @MichaelFFlorio. 

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