2026 Closers, Saves Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Relief Pitchers

December 29, 2025

Early 2026 closer fantasy baseball relief pitcher rankings, draft tiers for 5x5 mixed roto leagues (December update). Early tiered rankings for RP.

At RotoBaller HQ, we are back with more fantasy baseball rankings. Although we are months away from spring training, it's never too early to start prepping for 2026 fantasy baseball drafts. Today, you will find our MLB teams' 2026 fantasy baseball relief pitcher/closer rankings and tiers for 5x5 mixed roto leagues. Relief pitchers are the most volatile position, as injuries, role changes, or trades for closers can happen at any time during the season. The question is whether you want to lock down an elite closer or punt the save category altogether. These December rankings cover the top 30 starting pitchers for 2026.

There were several key transactions and rumors about floating trades/signings this offseason involving relief pitchers. Kenley Jansen signed a one-year deal with the Tigers this offseason and will compete with newly signed Kyle Finnegan and Wil Vest for saves in Detroit. Marlins reliever Ronny Henriquez will miss the entire season after undergoing elbow surgery. Miami signed Pete Fairbanks to a one-year deal to replace Henriquez and handle ninth-inning duties for the Marlins. The Braves brought in former Padres closer Ranger Suarez, but have reiterated that Raisel Iglesias will remain Atlanta's closer. 

The relief pitcher rankings below are specifically designed for traditional 5x5 Roto Mixed Leagues (click here for points leagues, dynasty leagues, and prospect rankings). We also have many other tools and resources to help you win in 2026. We've worked hard to keep track of all off-season moves to get you covered for your fantasy baseball drafts with our 2026 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit (coming soon). It includes a variety of fantasy baseball tools and exclusive articles/projections for different formats. We're also writing fresh daily articles analyzing this year's fantasy baseball sleepers, breakouts, and so much more. Win more in 2026!

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2026 Fantasy Baseball Closer and Relief Pitcher Rankings (December)

Fantasy Baseball Closers and Relievers News

Jordan Romano, Los Angeles Angels

Right-handed reliever Jordan Romano has agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday. Romano, 32, struggled in 2025 with the Philadelphia Phillies, posting an 8.23 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 25.1% strikeout rate, and 9.1% walk rate across 42 2/3 innings. He landed on the injured list in late August with inflammation in his right middle finger, an issue that reportedly affected his velocity throughout the season.

The two-time All-Star now looks to revive his career in Southern California. With the Angels losing Kenley Jansen to free agency and no clear closer in their bullpen, Romano could quickly move up the depth chart and see save opportunities. For fantasy purposes, Romano is a high-risk, high-reward option, and as of now, it appears he will be the closer in Los Angeles.

Chris Martin, Texas Rangers

Free-agent righty reliever Chris Martin has agreed to a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers on Tuesday. Martin, 39, was effective in 2025, posting a 2.98 ERA (3.11 SIERA) and a 24.7% strikeout rate over 42 1/3 innings. He recorded two saves and 13 holds last season and could see a few matchup-based closing chances again in 2026 because the incumbent closer, Robert Garcia, is a lefty. However, the Rangers also recently signed Alexis Diaz, so fantasy managers should take a wait-and-see approach before drafting any of the Rangers' relievers.

Pete Fairbanks, Miami Marlins

Free-agent right-handed reliever Pete Fairbanks and the Miami Marlins agreed on a one-year, $13 million contract on Wednesday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. Fairbanks landed on the open market this offseason after the Tampa Bay Rays turned down an $11 million option for the 32-year-old closer. His deal with Miami also includes a $1 million signing bonus and another $1 million in appearance-based incentives in 2026.

Fairbanks should immediately become the Marlins' primary closing option for next season after they went with a committee approach to close out games for most of 2025. In 60 1/3 frames in Tampa last year, Fairbanks was solid, with a 2.83 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 59 strikeouts, 18 walks, and a career-high 27 saves in 32 chances. Health has been an issue for Fairbanks in his career, though, and Miami isn't exactly the greatest landing spot for save opportunities.

Kenley Jansen, Detroit Tigers

Free-agent right-handed reliever Kenley Jansen and the Detroit Tigers agreed on a one-year, $11 million deal on Saturday, pending a physical, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. Jansen is the second reliever that the Tigers have added this week after they re-signed right-hander Kyle Finnegan to a two-year deal during the winter meetings. Jansen's deal also includes a team option for 2027.

Despite being 38 years old, Jansen could open next season as the favorite for saves in Detroit because of his experience (476 career saves). He didn't look his age at all in 2025 with the Los Angeles Angels, posting a 2.59 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 29 saves, 57 strikeouts, and 19 walks in 59 innings out of the bullpen. With that said, Jansen is clearly no longer in his prime, and he's going to have much more competition for saves next year in Finnegan and Will Vest.

Mason Miller, San Diego Padres

The New York Mets are among many MLB teams that are inquiring about San Diego Padres right-handed reliever Mason Miller, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman. The Padres will listen to offers, but they "love him as much as anyone and would need to be overwhelmed." The Mets lost All-Star closer Edwin Diaz in free agency to the Los Angeles Dodgers, although they did sign reliever Devin Williams.

In addition to Miller, the Mets could also be interested in trading for right-handed starter Nick Pivetta or outfielder Ramon Laureano. San Diego is looking to shed payroll and is reportedly interested in New York's prospects and younger position players. It's possible that the Friars also look to trade relievers Adrian Morejon and Jeremiah Estrada.

Miller, who has been one of the hardest-throwing and most dominant closers in baseball the last couple of years, should be an elite closing target in fantasy baseball, regardless of where he's pitching in 2026.

Alexis Diaz, Texas Rangers

Free-agent reliever Alexis Diaz has agreed to a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers. Díaz endured a turbulent 2025 season, beginning the year on the injured list with a hamstring issue and quickly losing his closing role with the Cincinnati Reds after surrendering three home runs in a single outing during his mid-April debut. The 29-year-old was subsequently demoted to Triple-A and later traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he lasted only a few weeks before being designated for assignment.

He was then claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves and finished the season with a career-worst 8.15 ERA and a 14.1% walk rate, while striking out just 20% of batters faced. With the Rangers, Díaz projects as another bullpen arm, and at this point, he holds no fantasy relevance.

Jason Foley, San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants announced on Tuesday that they agreed to terms with free-agent right-handed reliever Jason Foley (shoulder) on an undisclosed one-year major-league deal. Foley had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder and didn't appear at all in the big leagues in 2025 as a result. The 30-year-old veteran comes to San Francisco with a career 3.16 ERA (3.22 FIP), 1.24 WHIP, 35 saves, 150 strikeouts, and 51 walks in 199 2/3 innings over 210 appearances out of the bullpen for the Detroit Tigers in four seasons.

Foley won't be on the fantasy radar at all next year, especially since he's not expected to be ready to pitch for the Giants until around the All-Star break in mid-July. He'll be under team control through the 2028 season, though. In his last season in Detroit in 2024, Foley had a 3.15 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with a career-high 28 saves in 69 outings.

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