2026 Relief Pitcher Fantasy Baseball Rankings (Closers, Saves): Points Leagues

January 19, 2026

2026 points fantasy baseball relief pitcher rankings, tiers, draft strategy for closers, saves and points leagues. Nick Mariano is a top-accuracy fantasy baseball ranker.

While starting pitching is usually at a premium in points leagues, relief pitchers are normally not as valuable in this format. In points leagues, there are different ways for relievers to accrue points, rather than just securing saves. Starters with RP eligibility, such as Chase Burns and Jacob Misiorowski, have more value in this format than middle-of-the-pack closers like Trevor Megill or Pete Fairbanks. We break it down in our 2026 fantasy baseball relief pitcher rankings for points leagues and head-to-head (H2H) points leagues.

The RP rankings below are specifically designed for points leagues. We also have many other fantasy baseball rankings, tools, and resources to help you win in 2026. Throughout the preseason and MLB season, we'll be publishing rankings, tools, and analysis articles, all geared for fantasy baseball points and H2H points leagues -- so bookmark that link and be sure to check back often.

In the article below, we will be taking a look at our overall points rankings list put together by RotoBaller's MLB expert Nick Mariano. These rankings cover the top 35 relief pitchers. Be sure to also download our free fantasy baseball mobile app so you can stay on top of all the MLB news and analysis articles.

2026 Relief Pitcher Rankings: Points Leagues

These RP rankings are for points and head-to-head points leagues. You can also see our roto fantasy baseball rankings.

Before we get to the rankings, let's quickly review points leagues and how they differ from other formats. Typically, points leagues have different league settings and scoring formats than other fantasy baseball leagues. Different MLB stats and categories are assigned different point values, and those can vary by individual league settings. Those different point buckets are then added up over the course of a scoring period or season.

In many cases, hitters who walk more and strike out less are preferred for points leagues. Also, many league formats tend to give more weight to pitchers than normal, as they can easily accrue points through categories like Innings Pitched. These are the general frameworks that we use for our points league rankings below, and explain why they look different than more standard 5x5 roto fantasy baseball rankings.

Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher News

JoJo Romero, St. Louis Cardinals

The Seattle Mariners have expressed interest in bolstering their bullpen and have been linked to St. Louis Cardinals reliever JoJo Romero. The Cardinals are currently in the midst of a "re-tool" as they shipped off starting third baseman Nolan Arenado to the Arizona Diamondbacks this week and have also been shopping infielder Brendan Donovan. According to Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat, the Mariners are among the teams that have shown interest in Romero.

Last summer, Romero was quite effective in the St. Louis bullpen, logging 61 innings to the tune of a 2.07 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. He tallied just 55 punchouts but was a go-to option in high-leverage situations as he earned 24 holds and eight saves. While Romero would not contend for saves in Seattle as Andres Munoz is slated to remain the closer, he could find value in deeper holds leagues, operating as the primary left-hander in setup situations.

Seranthony Dominguez, Free Agent

Free agent relief pitcher Seranthony Dominguez is viewed as a top option for the Diamondbacks' bullpen, according to Jack Sommers of Sports Illustrated. The Diamondbacks are in the market to add to their bullpen as both of their top options, A.J. Puk (elbow) and Justin Martinez (elbow), are expected to miss the first half as they recover from Tommy John surgery.

While Kevin Ginkel could fill the closer role for the short term, they have begun exploring the free agent market to add some depth to their bullpen. Dominguez is viewed as one of those options. Last summer, the right-hander logged 62 2/3 innings to the tune of a 3.16 ERA with a 1.28 WHIP. However, he generated an elite .198 xBA, suggesting he should see better results in 2026.

Dominguez has also had experience in the closer role, totaling 11 saves in 2024 and 16 saves back in 2018. If he were to sign with the Diamondbacks, he would carry sleeper appeal as he would be in the mix to earn the primary ninth-inning job during the first half.

Jose Suarez, Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles have claimed left-handed pitcher Jose Suarez off waivers from the Atlanta Braves. In a corresponding move, the Orioles have opted to designate outfielder Marco Luciano for assignment. Suarez logged a limited 19 1/3 innings with the Braves last season but showed solid upside, posting a 1.86 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP. Across seven outings, the primary reliever tallied one save and held a 16:10 K:BB.

He made one start against the Nationals and logged seven innings of work, allowing just two runs with nine punchouts. Earlier in his career, the left-hander spent six seasons with the Angels operating as a reliever and a starter. Through those 376 2/3 innings, the left-hander held a 5.47 ERA. Managers should expect Suarez to compete for a middle-relief role in the Orioles bullpen with the possibility of earning some starting opportunities.

Brock Burke, Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds are acquiring left-handed reliever Brock Burke from the Los Angeles Angels on Friday in a three-team deal that also includes the Tampa Bay Rays, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. The Reds sent infielder Gavin Lux and right-hander Chris Clark to the Rays, and the Rays sent outfielder Josh Lowe to the Angels. Burke, 29, probably isn't going to be closing games for Cincinnati, but he should fill a late-inning, high-leverage role in his new digs.

In 61 2/3 innings pitched for the Halos last year, Burke posted a 3.36 ERA (4.16 FIP) and 1.23 WHIP with 52 strikeouts and 18 walks in 69 outings (one start). Burke has been in high-leverage roles the last couple of seasons with the Angels and Texas Rangers, but he still has no career saves in five big-league seasons. He sports a career 3.88 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 22.5% strikeout rate.

Mason Miller, San Diego Padres

Right-handed reliever Mason Miller and the San Diego Padres avoided salary arbitration and settled on a one-year, $4 million deal on Thursday, a source told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. This is Miller's first year of arbitration eligibility. The 27-year-old flamethrowing closer began the 2025 season with the Athletics before being traded to the San Diego Padres in July.

Miller had a combined 2.63 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 10 holds, 22 saves in 26 chances, 104 strikeouts, and 28 walks in his 61 2/3 innings during the regular season. There was talk of the Padres moving Miller to the starting rotation in 2026, but the team has pumped the brakes on that for now, and he's expected to be SD's primary closer next season.

Since becoming a full-time reliever, Miller has been one of the most dominant bullpen arms in the game with a 43.1% strikeout rate the last two years. As a full-time closer for the Padres in 2026, he should be one of the first closers off the board in fantasy drafts this spring.

Danny Coulombe, Free Agent

According to Chris Cotillo of Mass Live, the Boston Red Sox remain engaged with free agent left-hander Danny Coulombe. Cotillo reported that with Justin Wilson considering retirement, the Red Sox have begun to shop the market for other free-agent southpaws for the bullpen. Last season, Coulombe was highly effective in Minnesota, logging 31 innings with a stellar 1.16 ERA and 0.97 WHIP.

During this stint with the Twins, the left-hander struck out 31 hitters and allowed nine free passes. However, Coulombe was shipped to the Rangers before the deadline and saw his production decline. With the Rangers, Coulombe posted a much higher 5.25 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP across 12 innings.

Given his strong production with the Twins, Coulombe could earn a high-leverage role in the Boston bullpen and be a viable target for those in deeper leagues that reward holds.

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