X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Join the Best Live Fantasy Chat Community!

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Pickups & Streamers
Rookies & Call-Ups
News and Alerts

Closers and Saves Waiver Wire Report for Fantasy Baseball - Week 15

edwin diaz fantasy baseball rankings draft sleepers closers saves

It's (almost) the All-Star Break, folks! Even though all teams have already played at least 81 games, the break is always looked at as the midpoint of the season, with the first "half" always looked at as the games before the break and the second "half" made up of all the games after. Bullpens tend to change dramatically around this time because shortly after the break comes the trade deadline!

This year, the deadline is set for August 2nd, and we're sure to see big-name players make their way to new teams throughout the end of July and the very beginning of August. Big moves can make big differences, but small bullpen moves can as well. Keep following Rotoballer for up-to-the-minute coverage of anything trade-related, but you came here for bullpen news right now, and bullpen news is what you're going to get!

Be sure to also keep an eye on our RotoBaller Fantasy Baseball Closers and Saves Bullpen Depth Charts. They're updated daily, or sometimes even more often in this wild 2022 baseball season. 

Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers received 13 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association including Baseball Writer of the Year, Football Writers of the Year, Golf Writer of the Year and many more! Be sure to follow their analysis, rankings and advice all year long, and win big with RotoBaller! Read More!

 

 Texas Rangers - Bullpen and Closers News

Rangers closer Joe Barlow was doing fine in the ninth inning in Texas. He was certainly nothing special (19.0 K%) and plenty of metrics showed regression was coming (5.21 xERA), but his on-field showing was fine. He had 13 saves in 17 chances and a 3.26 ERA. Early this week though, manager Chris Woodward decided to "alleviate some stress" on Barlow and "allow for a reset" by taking him out of the closer's role. A few days later, although seemingly unrelated, Barlow landed on the injured list with a blister on his right index finger. Woodward said there would be a committee approach in the meantime, but Brett Martin is off to a good start with two solid saves and looks like he could be the favorite ahead of guys like Dennis Santana and Jose Leclerc.

Risers: Brett Martin
Fallers: Joe Barlow

 

Washington Nationals - Bullpen and Closers News

Nationals closer Tanner Rainey was in the middle of a strong bounce-back season after his atrocious 2021, but it looks like it may come to an abrupt end. Rainey was placed on the 60-day injured list with a sprained UCL. He'll miss at least two months, and there's a good chance he won't be able to pitch again this season. Rainey had pitched to a 3.30 ERA, with 12 saves and a 28.1 K%. With him hurt, the Washington ninth inning should go to Kyle Finnegan or Carl Edwards Jr. Steve Cishek is also in the bullpen and boasts the most closing experience. We'll likely see a committee at least to start until a hot hand takes over. However, the Nationals bullpen is sure to change after the trade deadline, so stay tuned.

EDIT: Nationals manager Davey Martinez officially named Kyle Finnegan "the guy" in the Nationals bullpen, so he's the fantasy add.

Risers: Kyle Finnegan, Carl Edwards Jr.
Fallers: Tanner Rainey

 

Atlanta Braves - Bullpen and Closers News

Bullpen depth is one of the key things a contending team needs, and the defending champion Atlanta Braves showed just that over these past few weeks. Closer Kenley Jansen spent some time on the injured list due to an irregular heartbeat, and setup men A.J. Minter and William Smith filled in admirably. Jansen was activated this week and pitched a scoreless inning on Wednesday night. Before that, he hadn't pitched since June 26th. In the time Jansen was gone, Minter picked up four saves while allowing only one run and Smith picked up three saves while allowing just one run of his own. The Braves bullpen is one of the best in baseball and should continue to be as the season goes on. Jansen will have the most value in standard leagues, but most of the members of the Braves bullpen will have fantasy value in holds formats.

Risers: Kenley Jansen
Fallers: A.J. Minter, William Smith

 

Short Relief - Other Bullpen News

-Corey Knebel picked up a save this week and has been much better lately, but the Phillies ninth inning will still mostly go to Seranthony Dominguez and Brad Hand.

-Paul Sewald is more or less the official closer in Seattle now. They may still call it a committee, but Sewald is out there in the ninth with a lead much more often than anyone else. Case in point: he saved both games of a doubleheader this week.

-Alexis Diaz and Hunter Strickland seem like the best bets in the Cincinnati bullpen, although that doesn't really make either of them actually good bets.

-Clay Holmes pitched poorly. That seems newsworthy, given how rarely it happens.

-Adam Ottavino looks like he's jumped Seth Lugo in the Mets bullpen hierarchy and has been the main setup guy ahead of closer Edwin Diaz.

-Yerry De Los Santos is emerging as the main setup guy in Pittsburgh, and could take over as closer if the Pirates end up trading closer David Bednar at the deadline.

-Lou Trivino's overall numbers don't look good at all, but he's pitching well lately and picking up saves in the process. His value is likely temporary though, as he's a prime trade candidate and won't close for a new team.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!



More Fantasy Baseball Advice




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Pickups & Streamers
Rookies & Call-Ups
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Deni Avdija17 mins ago

Limited At Tuesday's Training Camp
Khris Middleton38 mins ago

Doesn't Practice With Bucks Tuesday
Chet Holmgren56 mins ago

Fully Healthy At Training Camp
LeBron James1 hour ago

Appears On Track For Opening Night
Kyle Lowry2 hours ago

Believes He Will Start
Klay Thompson2 hours ago

To Guard Power Forwards At Times
Alex Newhook5 hours ago

Expected To Be In Canadiens Lineup To Start Regular Season
Joel Armia5 hours ago

Expected To Be Available For Start Of Season
Rhys Hoskins6 hours ago

To Stay Ready In Florida
Luis Arraez6 hours ago

Returns For Game 1 Of Wild-Card Series
Jameson Williams6 hours ago

Says He's "Ready To Go"
Ja Morant8 hours ago

Permitted To Travel, Practice During Suspension
Kristaps Porzingis8 hours ago

"Ready To Go" For Training Camp
James Harden9 hours ago

Expected To Join 76ers In Colorado
Pat Freiermuth10 hours ago

"Doubtful" To Play In Week 5
Kenny Pickett10 hours ago

Scheduled To Practice Wednesday
Royce Lewis11 hours ago

Hitting Third In Return To Twins Lineup
Michael Lorenzen11 hours ago

Left Off Roster, Orion Kerkering Included
Cole Perfetti11 hours ago

Returns To Action With An Assist
Byron Buxton11 hours ago

Left Off Roster For Wild-Card Series
Jakub Vrana11 hours ago

Enjoying Good Preseason With Blues
Tampa Bay Rays11 hours ago

Jose Siri Makes Playoff Roster, Luke Raley Left Off
Torey Krug12 hours ago

Logs Over 24 Minutes In Preseason Debut
Jesper Bratt12 hours ago

Totals Four Points Versus Islanders
Joonas Korpisalo12 hours ago

Shuts Out Penguins With 40 Saves
New England Patriots12 hours ago

Matthew Judon To Have Surgery, Expected To Miss At Least Two Months
Pavel Francouz12 hours ago

Ruled Out For Start Of Season
Jameson Williams12 hours ago

To Debut In Supporting Role
Mike Evans13 hours ago

Undergoing MRI Exam
Anthony Davis15 hours ago

Aims To Play In All 82 Regular-Season Games
Larry Nance15 hours ago

Pelicans Hope To Have Larry Nance Jr. Ready For Season Opener
Zion Williamson15 hours ago

Worked On Being "Unguardable" In Offseason
Kenrich Williams15 hours ago

Fully Healthy Ahead Of New Season
Cameron Johnson15 hours ago

Misses Start Of Training Camp
Christian Koloko15 hours ago

Ruled Out Indefinitely
Geno Smith22 hours ago

Avoids Serious Injury
Pat Freiermuth23 hours ago

Likely Out 2-3 Weeks
Joe Ryan23 hours ago

To Start Game 3 If Needed
Philadelphia Phillies23 hours ago

Trea Turner Healthy For Wild-Card Series
Darren Waller23 hours ago

Has Another Dreadful Performance In Week 4
Javonte Williams23 hours ago

Shouldn't Miss Much Time
Daniel Jones23 hours ago

Sacked 11 Times In Blowout Loss
Corbin Burnes1 day ago

To Start Game 1 Against Diamondbacks
Byron Buxton1 day ago

Unlikely To Be On Roster For Wild-Card Series
Carlos Correa1 day ago

Royce Lewis, Carlos Correa Expected To Be Ready For Wild-Card Series
Jordan Montgomery1 day ago

To Start Game 1 Of Wild-Card Series
Geno Smith1 day ago

Returns In The Second Half
Geno Smith1 day ago

Questionable To Return With Knee Injury
Bones Hyland1 day ago

Likely To Be Backup Point Guard
Seattle Seahawks1 day ago

Jamal Adams Will Not Return On Monday Night
Trey Murphy1 day ago

III Could Be Back In November
Domantas Sabonis1 day ago

Is Fully Healthy
Kevin Gausman1 day ago

To Start Game 1 Of Wild-Card Series
Bryce McGowens1 day ago

Dealing With Minor Injury
Gordon Hayward1 day ago

Healthy Entering Camp
Matthew Stafford1 day ago

"Should Be Good" For Week 5
Kyren Williams1 day ago

Dealing With Hip Contusion
Saquon Barkley1 day ago

Officially Inactive On Monday Night
Radim Simek1 day ago

Opening Night Availability In Doubt
Ivan Miroshnichenko1 day ago

Getting Strong Opportunity With Capitals
Jansen Harkins1 day ago

Claimed Off Waivers By Penguins
Trevor Zegras1 day ago

Ducks Agree To Three-Year Deal
Dallas Cowboys1 day ago

Cowboys Not Concerned With Micah Parsons' Injury
Josh Manson1 day ago

Expected To Be Ready For Opening Night
New England Patriots1 day ago

Matthew Judon, Christian Gonzalez Out Indefinitely
Buffalo Bills1 day ago

Tre'Davious White Done For The Year
Kenny Pickett1 day ago

Dealing With Bone Bruise
Evan Mobley1 day ago

Adds Seven Pounds Of Muscle
Minnesota Twins1 day ago

Royce Lewis Unsure If He'll Be Ready For Wild-Card Series
Brandon Woodruff1 day ago

To Miss Wild-Card Series With Shoulder Injury
Luis Arraez1 day ago

Expected To Return In Game 1?
Max Scherzer1 day ago

Limited To Flat-Ground Work
Brandon Pfaadt1 day ago

To Start Game 1 For D-Backs
Martin Truex Jr2 days ago

. Finishes 19th At Talladega
Alex Bowman2 days ago

Starts Strong But Finishes Poorly At Talladega
Drake Batherson2 days ago

Racks Up Four Points In Preseason Win
Kyle Busch2 days ago

Underwhelms At Talladega
Matthew Knies2 days ago

Shining In Preseason
Filip Chytil2 days ago

Progressing From Upper-Body Injury
Brad Keselowski2 days ago

Earns Crucial Stage Win At Talladega
Daniil Tarasov2 days ago

Doubtful For Start Of Season
Kyle Palmieri2 days ago

Has Started Skating But Remains Absent For Islanders
Samuel Savoie2 days ago

Undergoes Successful Surgery
Kevin Harvick2 days ago

Has Runner-Up Finish Stripped Due To DQ
Denny Hamlin2 days ago

Championship Hopes In Great Shape After Talladega
Ryan Blaney2 days ago

Wins Talladega, Advances To Round Of Eight
Jesús Luzardo2 days ago

Jesus Luzardo Set To Start Game 1
Tampa Bay Rays2 days ago

Tyler Glasnow Expected To Start Game 1 Of Wild-Card Series
Zack Wheeler2 days ago

To Start Game 1 Of Wild-Card Series
Cole Sillinger2 days ago

Might Start Campaign In AHL
2 days ago

Brandon Sutter Announces Retirement
NASCAR3 days ago

J.J Yeley Tries To Duplicate Spring Talladega Magic
Kyle Larson3 days ago

Begins Fourth At Talladega On Sunday
Erik Jones3 days ago

Contends Well At Talladega And It Shows
Ryan Preece3 days ago

Could Use A Little Luck At Talladega
Austin Dillon3 days ago

Starts 14th At Talladega On Sunday
Brennan Poole3 days ago

Could Move Up On Sunday
Daniel Suarez3 days ago

Keeps Improving At Talladega
Harrison Burton3 days ago

Has Some Good News Sunday
Austin Cindric3 days ago

Cracks Top Ten In Qualifying
Ryan Blaney3 days ago

Likes To Lead Laps At Talladega
NASCAR3 days ago

Bubba Wallace Runs Well At Talladega
Tyler Reddick3 days ago

Starts 13th At Talladega On Sunday Again
Chase Elliott3 days ago

Worth A Shot At Talladega
Alex Bowman3 days ago

Will Start 20th At Talladega

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP