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Closers and Saves Waiver Wire Report for Fantasy Baseball - Week 10

Adbert Alzolay - Fantasy Baseball Closers, Saves, Waiver Wire Pickups

Fantasy baseball closers, saves, and bullpen waiver wire pickups for June 2, 2023. David's relief pitcher and bullpen updates, and potential closers to add.

Baseball is a funny sport. Some weeks it feels like absolutely everything that can happen happens and other weeks feels like there were barely any games played at all. It's a long season though, and the ebb and flow is one of the things that, in our opinion, makes baseball so great.

There was bad news for a couple of teams this week, but amazing news for baseball as a whole as well which more than made up for it. Another week closer to the official start of the summer also means that trade deadline thoughts are beginning to surface, while teams are really beginning to evaluate those bullpen situations. Let's take a look at what went down this week in the bullpens around baseball.

Be sure to also keep an eye on our Fantasy Baseball Closer Depth Charts for saves, holds, and bullpens. They will be updated daily or sometimes even more often throughout the 2023 baseball season. 

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Chicago White Sox - Bullpen and Closer News

One of the best moments of the season so far came out of the White Sox bullpen when closer Liam Hendriks ran to the mound for his first appearance after beating cancer. A thunderous ovation greeted him and a rare Liam Hendriks smile on the mound made its way across the closer's face. It certainly wasn't the best outing of his career, as he allowed two runs on three hits and a walk in an inning of work, but the stat line certainly wasn't what mattered this time.

Hendriks will work his way back into the ninth inning before long, but he'll likely see a few appearances earlier in the game just to get him back up to speed. Kendall Graveman, Reynaldo Lopez, and Joe Kelly should find themselves back in setup roles without too many save opportunities fairly soon.

Risers: Liam Hendriks
Fallers: Kendall Graveman, Reynaldo Lopez, Joe Kelly

 

Tampa Bay Rays - Bullpen and Closer News

The Rays just got their closer back from the injured list, but sometimes life can be unfair...banks. Pete Fairbanks came back from the injured list, pitched four innings, then went right back on it. This time, a hip issue will force him to miss time, although an MRI revealed no structural damage so the hope is that he won't miss too much time.

In the meantime, Jason Adam will resume head of committee duties in the Rays bullpen, with Colin Poche and Kevin Kelly seeing some ninth innings as well. Jalen Beeks earned a save this week, but it was Kelly that was brought in for the ninth and Beeks came in to relieve him after a rough start to the inning. Fantasy managers looking to add a Rays reliever should go with Adam.

Risers: Jason Adam
Fallers: Pete Fairbanks

 

Chicago Cubs - Bullpen and Closer News

The Cubs bullpen started the season as a committee split mostly between Michael Fulmer and Brad Boxberger. Now that it's June, the Cubs bullpen remains a committee split between two guys...but it's two completely different guys now.

Mark Leiter Jr. and Adbert Alzolay have been splitting save duties for the Cubs, and both are well available in a lot of standard leagues. Leiter Jr. has a bit more fireman potential in him, so we could see Alzolay see just slightly more save chances going forward. Both are strong options in holds leagues, but managers looking for saves in standard leagues could flip a coin and take a chance on one or the other. The Cubs as a team only have seven saves this season, but that figures to normalize at least somewhat going forward.

Risers: Mark Leiter Jr., Adbert Alzolay
Fallers: Michael Fulmer

 

Short Relief - Other Bullpen News

-Sounds like the Cardinals may be going into more of a committee approach, with manager Oli Marmol saying he'd start going with the "hot hand" between Ryan Helsley and Giovanny Gallegos.

-The Nationals also seem like they may be committing to a committee, with Kyle Finnegan and Hunter Harvey both seeing ninth-inning work.

-David Bednar saved nine games for the Pirates in April, then just one in May. Again, baseball is a funny sport sometimes.

-Marlins closer A.J. Puk is getting closer and closer to coming back. Manager Skip Schumaker said the next step is for Puk to make back-to-back rehab appearances, and then he should be activated. He'll presumably resume his closer role soon after being activated.

-Caleb Ferguson has now officially joined the Dodgers closer committee, as in a game this week Brusdar Graterol got the seventh, Evan Phillips the eighth and one out in the ninth, then Ferguson the final two outs for the save.

-After Kenley Jansen did it last week, Craig Kimbrel earned his 400th big league save this week. Next in line among active players: Aroldis Chapman with 317 and Mark Melancon (kind of) with 262. It'll be a while until we see another 400th save.



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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Gabriel Landeskog

a "Full Go" for the Season
Samuel Girard

Avalanche Hope to Have Samuel Girard Available for Start of Season
Mackenzie Blackwood

Out Week-to-Week
Alex Tuch

Day-to-Day With Undisclosed Injury
Jordan Greenway

to Sit Out Training Camp
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Considered Day-to-Day
Simon Edvinsson

to Miss a Couple of Weeks
Mikael Backlund

Signs Two-Year Extension
Connor Ingram

to Be Waived by Mammoth
Zach Hyman

Misses Start of Training Camp
Nick Paul

Out Until November
Kris Letang

Cleared for Training Camp
David Pastrnak

Out for Start of Training Camp
Matthew Tkachuk

Expected to Be Out Until December
NBA

Trevelin Queen Joins Chinese Team
Damian Lillard

Not Rushing His Return
NBA

Keon Johnson Waived by Nets
Justin Verlander

Plans to Pitch in 2026
Junior Caminero

Day-to-Day With Back Tightness
Will Smith

Won't Return When First Eligible
Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column

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