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

edwin diaz fantasy baseball rankings draft sleepers closers saves

Fantasy baseball closers, saves and bullpen waiver wire pickups for Week 15 (2022). David's relief pitcher and bullpen updates, and potential closers to add.

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. 

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

 

 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.



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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Alexander Romanov

Islanders Retain Alexander Romanov on $50 Million Contract
Andrei Kuzmenko

Signs Up for One More Year with Kings
Morgan Geekie

Signs Long-Term Extension with Bruins
Ivan Provorov

Stays in Columbus on Seven-Year Deal
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Stepping Away From Golden Knights for Health Reasons
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Maple Leafs Bring in Matias Maccelli
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Inks $42 Million Contract with Oilers
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Wild Acquire Vladimir Tarasenko From Detroit
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Lands Six-Year Extension
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Heads to Vegas
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Homers Twice, Plates Four Monday
Shea Langeliers

Hits Three-Run Homer In Return From Injured List Monday
Wilyer Abreu

Belts Grand Slam and Hits Inside-the-Park Home Run
Philadelphia 76ers

Trendon Watford Lands in Philadelphia
Jordan Clarkson

Expected to Sign With Knicks
Zack Wheeler

Tosses Eight Shutout Innings, Punches Out 10
Santi Aldama

Remains with Grizzlies
Atlanta Hawks

Nickeil Alexander-Walker Lands in Atlanta
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Jalen Ramsey

Could Move Around in Pittsburgh
Los Angeles Clippers

Brook Lopez Strikes Deal With Clippers
Jonnu Smith

to be Used in Hybrid Role
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Commanders, Terry McLaurin Not Close on Contract Extension
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Likely Headed to Injured List
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Tre Jones Remaining in Chicago
Michael Mayer

Raiders Not Interested in Trading Michael Mayer
Houston Rockets

Dorian Finney-Smith Signing With Rockets
Trent Grisham

Exits With Hamstring Tightness
Atlanta Hawks

Caris LeVert Joining Pistons
Milwaukee Bucks

Kevin Porter Jr., Bucks Reach Agreement on a New Contract
Brooklyn Nets

D'Angelo Russell Heading to Dallas
Denver Nuggets

Bruce Brown Jr. Heading Back to Denver
Atlanta Hawks

Clint Capela Returning to Houston
Cameron Johnson

Traded to Denver
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Signs Massive Extension
Michael Porter Jr.

Traded to Brooklyn
Matt Chapman

Could Return for Start of Giants Homestand
Wyatt Langford

Expected to Return on Saturday
Yanquiel Fernández

Yanquiel Fernandez Called Up to Majors
Tyler Mahle

Dealing With Rotator-Cuff Strain
Brooklyn Nets

Ziaire Williams Expected to Return to Nets
Austin Wells

to Miss Next Two Games
Tre Mann

Set to Become an Unrestricted Free Agent
Bo Bichette

Scratched With Sore Knee
Cody Martin

to Enter Free Agency
Los Angeles Clippers

Nicolas Batum Staying with Clippers
Jurickson Profar

to Return on Wednesday
Jordan Clarkson

Jazz Finalize Contract Buyout for Jordan Clarkson
Aldrich Potgieter

Wins Rocket Mortgage Classic
Thorbjorn Olesen

Finishes Tied for 41st at Rocket Mortgage Classic
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Finishes Tied For 12th at Travelers Championship
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Finishes Tied For Second at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Michael Kim

Finishes Tied for 26th at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Max Homa

Misses Cut at Rocket Mortgage Classic
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Finishes Tied For Ninth at Travelers Championship
PGA

Nico Echavarria Finishes Tied For Sixth at Rocket Mortgage Classic
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Day'Ron Sharpe Staying with Nets
Colby Thomas

Called Up From Triple-A
Shea Langeliers

A's Reinstate Shea Langeliers From Injured List
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Rumors Still Swirling Around Potential T.J. Watt Trade
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Activated and Starting on Monday
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Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
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Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
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Submitted At UFC 317
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Extends His Win Streak
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Interested in Playing for Steelers
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Dolphins Now Looking to Acquire a Tight End
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Says he's Healthy
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Loses Back-To-Back Fights
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Gets Back In The Win Column
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Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
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Heading Back to Miami
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Shipped to Pittsburgh
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
Jalen Ramsey

Steelers Acquiring Jalen Ramsey
Kerry Carpenter

Leaves Game with Apparent Hamstring Injury
Jonas Brodin

Expected to Miss Start of Next Season
TB

Conor Sheary Placed on Waivers for Contract Termination
Dante Fabbro

Stays with Blue Jackets on Four-Year Deal
Joel Hofer

Commits to Blues for Two More Years
Kevin Bahl

Signs Long-Term Extension with Flames
Oneil Cruz

Smacks Two Homers
Jordan Spence

Traded to Ottawa
Petr Mrazek

Heads to Anaheim
John Gibson

Red Wings Acquire John Gibson
Matthew Knies

Inks Six-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Aaron Judge

Blasts Two Homers, Dealing With Back Issue
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
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NFL Won't Hold Supplemental Draft This Year
Damon Arnette

Getting Second Chance With Texans
Deommodore Lenoir

Arrested for Obstruction of Justice
Carson Hocevar

Recovers From Big One to Finish 10th at Atlanta
William Byron

Caught up in Atlanta Big One but Retains Points Lead
Denny Hamlin

Top In-Season Challenge Seed Denny Hamlin Eliminated in Lap 70 Crash
Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Make Second-Year Jump
Jalin Hyatt

Looking to Flip the Script in 2025
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
Ty Dillon

Could Benefit from Kaulig Speed
Dylan Sampson

Being Used as a Receiver
Carson Schwesinger

Figures to be in Full-Time Role in 2025
Cedric Tillman

Should Have Full-Time Role
Bryce Young

Looking More Comfortable, Showing More Intensity
Aaron Rodgers

Roman Wilson Could Fit Nicely With Aaron Rodgers
Charles Oliveira

Can Become A Two-Time Lightweight Champion
Ilia Topuria

A Favorite At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fourth Title Defense At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Renato Moicano

Returns At UFC 317
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC 317
Payton Talbott

Looks To Bounce Back
Felipe Lima

Set To Open Up UFC 317 Main Card
Michael Thorbjornsen

Returns in Detroit at Rocket Classic
Adam Hadwin

Could Struggle Over the Weekend in Detroit
Cam Davis

Hopes Detroit Magic Can Spark Turnaround
Matt Wallace

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Rocket Classic
Joel Dahmen

Not Cutting it Lately
Michael Kim

Searching for Spark at Rocket Classic
Rasmus Hojgaard

a High-Ceiling Play in Rocket Classic
Matt McCarty

a Wild Card Heading into Detroit
Emiliano Grillo

Rolling into the Summer Season
Rickie Fowler

Looking for More Magic at Rocket Classic
Wyndham Clark

Brings High Upside to Detroit Golf Club
Max Greyserman

Could Make Noise at Rocket Classic
Akshay Bhatia

a Strong Value Play at Rocket Classic
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