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Top 150 relief pitchers (RP) and closers fantasy baseball rankings, tiers for roto (February updates). Nick Mariano's tiered RP fantasy baseball draft rankings.
The countdown to Opening Day continues, and at RotoBaller HQ, we are back with more updated rankings. Relief pitcher is the most challenging position to rank as MLB teams use committees, switch a struggling closer, or even deal them once out of the playoff picture. When should you draft a closer? Should fantasy managers ever pay for saves? We answer those questions by breaking down relief pitchers with our 2026 fantasy baseball relief pitcher/closer rankings and tiers for roto leagues (5x5 category mixed leagues).
Now that spring training is underway, fantasy managers should expect to hear a lot of news, rumors, and hype this offseason on trendy picks or even a player having a hot spring. When should you take a chance on a relief pitcher who could win the closer role, a player returning from injury, or an RP or closer who is set to bounce back this season? Find out where key relief pitchers such as Cade Smith, Ryan Helsley, Daniel Palencia, Emilio Pagan, Abner Uribe, Bryan Abreu, and Kirby Yates are listed below in the latest rankings.
The relief pitcher rankings below are specifically designed for traditional roto leagues, put together by RotoBaller's lead MLB forecaster Nick Mariano. We're also writing fresh articles all throughout the off-season for fantasy baseball prospects, fantasy baseball dynasty, and so much more. Win more in 2026!
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Updated Fantasy Baseball RP Rankings
Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher (RP) News
Carlos Estevez, Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals closer Carlos Estevez's velocity was "way down" during his Cactus League debut on Tuesday at 86-89 mph, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Rogers says it's "eyebrow-raising" and "something to monitor," but it's also "exactly what came up last year."
Estevez typically starts slow in the spring, and the Royals "really rely on how he says he feels." The 33-year-old was an All-Star for the second time in his career in 2025 in his first season with the Royals, posting a 2.45 ERA (3.67 FIP), 1.06 WHIP, a league- and career-high 42 saves, 54 strikeouts, and 22 walks in 66 innings pitched out of the bullpen.
His 89.4% team save share was the highest among all relievers in MLB last year. Regression could be coming -- he had a career-low 20.1% strikeout rate in 2025 -- but he'll be KC's primary closer again, making him at least a low-end No. 1 fantasy closer in his second year with the Royals.
Bryan Abreu, Houston Astros
Houston Astros relief pitcher Bryan Abreu could be asked to step up into the closer role to begin the regular season while Josh Hader (biceps) is dealing with biceps inflammation. Hader is playing light catch off flat ground and will need to ramp up his progress to be ready in time for Opening Day.
Abreu is next in line after posting elite numbers as the set-up man for multiple years. The 28-year-old racked up a career-high seven saves with a 2.28 ERA, 1,15 WHIP, 25 holds, and a 105:31 K:BB across 71 innings last season. Abreu will handle ninth-inning duties if Hader starts the season on the injured list. He is currently RP23 in the latest RotoBaller rankings, and that number could rise if Hader remains sidelined.
Trevor Megill, Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Trevor Megill (forearm) reportedly had platelet-rich plasma injections this offseason. The right-hander decided to get platelet-rich plasma injections after missing time due to a forearm strain in 2025. Megill appears to be healthy now, but his role in the bullpen is not certain yet. Last season, Megill registered a 2.49 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and a 60/17 K/BB ratio with 30 saves in 50 games.
The 32-year-old has recorded over 50 total saves over the last two seasons, but might not be the full-time closer. It seems like the Brewers also like Abner Uribe, who looked good as a closer when Megill missed time last season. Knowing how the Brewers operate, Megill could be a trade candidate given his age and current salary. His full-time closer gig could be in jeopardy, but at least it sounds like Megill is healthy heading into the 2026 season.
Josh Hader, Houston Astros
Houston Astros left-hander closer Josh Hader (biceps) is playing light catch off flat ground in camp as he works his way through biceps inflammation, but "it's difficult to envision Houston rushing" Hader to be ready for Opening Day, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. The 31-year-old six-time All-Star also missed time last season with a shoulder capsule strain, so the Astros are going to play it safe here.
If Hader is not ready for Opening Day in late March, setup man Bryan Abreu figures to take over closing duties for the team to begin the 2026 campaign. When healthy, Hader was still one of the most dominant high-leverage relievers in baseball, posting a 6-2 record, 2.05 ERA (3.25 FIP), 0.85 WHIP, 28 saves, 76 strikeouts, and 16 walks in 52 2/3 innings. But because of his injuries going into this season, Hader carries more injury risk and has dropped to No. 15 in RotoBaller's fantasy closer rankings.
Edwin Uceta, Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that right-handed reliever Edwin Uceta was diagnosed with shoulder inflammation and a slight impingement in his right shoulder, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Uceta got a cortisone shot, and the plan is for him to start throwing next weekend. Topkin writes that Uceta could be cutting it close to be ready for Opening Day on March 26.
The 28-year-old figures to be squarely in the mix for save chances in Tampa alongside Griffin Jax and Garrett Cleavinger this year after posting a 3.79 ERA (3.69 FIP), 1.17 WHIP, one save, a career-high 103 strikeouts, and 27 walks in 76 innings for the Rays in 2025. He was even better the year prior with a 1.51 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, and a career-high five saves. Uceta was one of just five relievers last season to reach 100 K's.
Riley O'Brien, St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that right-handed reliever Riley O'Brien (calf) will be shut down for the next few days, and it will take a couple of weeks for him to ramp up, according to Brian Murphy of MLB.com.
O'Brien is expected to miss the upcoming World Baseball Classic for Team South Korea, but he can always be added back to the roster, depending on his recovery from what is being called a mild right-calf strain. The 31-year-old veteran still has plenty of time to get himself right before Opening Day in late March, but if he has any further setbacks, his availability could be in question.
O'Brien is in the mix for saves in St. Louis in 2026 after he posted a sharp 2.06 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, his first six career saves, 45 K's, and 22 walks in a career-high 48 innings last year. He'll primarily be competing for save opps at the back end of the Cards' bullpen with JoJo Romero and Matt Svanson.
Who Should I Draft Tool
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