What’s up RotoBallers. Welcome back to the MLB closers watch, where we take a look at interesting closers and saves situations around MLB twice a week, and provide analysis for fantasy baseball.

The big news this week is the probable return of Sean Doolittle. The struggling A’s are fighting to get him back on the field before the season ends. I’ll go through some other waiver wire options below.

Editor's Note: Bookmark our MLB Closers & Saves Depth Charts for the latest look at all the current closers, setup men, longshots and relief pitcher waiver wire adds.

 

MLB Closers & Saves Updates for Week 20

Sean Doolittle (RP, OAK)

Doolittle’s injury has been a running story all year and with only 40 games left it appears that he’s finally making a comeback. He’s been pitching well in his rehab assignments and it’s been announced that he’ll make two more rehab appearances before being brought up to the majors. I would think that he’ll immediately be moved into the closer role, or else they probably wouldn’t even rush him back. Once activated, he’d be a great waiver wire option as we near the final stretch run this fantasy season. He’s still available in almost 80% of ESPN leagues so you may want to go ahead and pick him up now if you need closer help.

Once he makes the return, Edward Mujica and Francisco Rodriguez will take a fantasy hit. Especially Mujica who has been getting the recent save opportunities. Drew Pomeranz injured his shoulder this week so his stock will just continue to fall when Doolittle is activated.

 

Bruce Rondon (RP, DET)

Just as it seemed like Rondon was locking in the closer role after two straight saves, he blew his most recent opportunity. Manager Brad Ausmus did state before the blown save that Rondon was his closer moving forward but that could clearly change on a game to game basis. At only 16.4% owned in ESPN leagues, he’s a solid pickup this week. He gets a ton of strikeouts so he has value in that category regardless of when he pitches.

Alex Wilson’s stock took a bit of a dip with Ausmus’ remarks, and his like of strikeout power makes him though to roster unless he’s getting the save opportunities. I’d hold off on adding Wilson at this time unless Rondon implodes.

 

Kevin Jepsen (RP, MIN)

Current closer Glen Perkins is currently sidelined with an injury. He had something similar last season, which forced him to miss time. Jepsen will fill in for Perkins while he is unavailable. It's not yet clear how long he will be out for, but Jepsen can provide a nice short term boost for saves.

 

Justin Grimm (RP, CHC)

Grimm has been awesome recently as he hasn’t allowed a run in his last 12 appearances. He has 49 strikeouts in only 33.1 innings and is on a tear. Grimm is a great waiver wire option right now even though he hasn’t been given many save opportunities. The strikeouts make up for that and if he keeps this up, could add a few saves in there as well.

 

Fernando Rodney (RP, SEA)

Shocker, he blew another save.

 

John Axford (RP, COL)

Axford has been reinstated as the Rockies closer. If you are desperate for saves, he's a better guy to own than Mujica or Rodney.

 

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