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Closers and Saves Waiver Wire Report for Fantasy Baseball - Week 22

Alex Lange - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, Draft Sleepers, MLB Injury News

Fantasy baseball closers, saves, and bullpen waiver wire pickups for August 25, 2023. David's relief pitcher and bullpen updates, and potential closers to add.

We've reached the point in the baseball season where no matter how your team is doing (real or fantasy), there's a tangible air of restlessness. Is my team going to blow it? After such a great year is it all coming crashing down? How are we going to mess this up? You know...that kind of thing. Some leagues are starting playoffs, others are almost there. Every little thing matters even more, including your bullpen guys.

This week, a usually elite closer had one of the worst weeks of his career. A closer with an elite career behind him is hurt and may miss some time. A committee dissolved and had a bullpen right back where it started. Lots to talk about, lots to worry about, lots of fun, this fantasy baseball thing, right? Read on in this week's Closers and Saves Report for more!

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:

 

Boston Red Sox - Bullpen and Closer News

Kenley Jansen has been excellent for the Red Sox this year, helping them remain right on the periphery of the Wild Card chase, currently four games back. Jansen has 29 saves and a 2.81 ERA to go with strong strikeout and walk peripherals as well. He's only blown three saves, but he was forced to leave a game this week due to a hamstring injury.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora seems optimistic, saying that it's "just hamstring tightness" but that the team hopes their closer will be ready to go for the weekend series. If Jansen misses time, it would be Chris Martin taking save chances for the Red Sox until Jansen returns. It's a wait-and-see for now, but fantasy managers rostering Jansen should check if Martin is available just in case.

Risers: Chris Martin
Fallers: Kenley Jansen

 

San Francisco Giants - Bullpen and Closer News

The Giants got off to a slow start this season, but they put it all together. Now in late August, they're only a half game out of the Wild Card spot in the National League. Closer Camilo Doval has solid numbers (3.09 ERA, 33 saves, 32.8 K%), but has really been struggling lately. He set a franchise record this week, becoming the first Giant to blow a save in four straight appearances.

Manager Gabe Kapler said Doval needs to, "mix his pitches better" and that "the game is moving too fast" for his closer right now. It remains to be seen what they'll do in their bullpen, but Doval might get a little lower leverage time to ramp back up to his elite self. Tyler Rogers and Taylor Rogers could form a twin closer committee if Doval gets a break. Another wait-and-see over here.

Risers: Tyler Rogers, Taylor Rogers
Fallers: Camilo Doval

 

Detroit Tigers - Bullpen and Closer News

The Tigers bullpen has been a bit of an adventure lately, but it looks like they may be going back to how it all started this season: with Alex Lange in the ninth inning. Lange struggled with control recently and lost his closer's job, but based on recent usage, it looks like he may be back.

For a while, it looked like Jason Foley was taking over the closer's role. Lange now has the last two Tigers saves and has always seemed to be manager A.J. Hinch's preferred ninth-inning option. Lange's astronomical walk rate (17.8 BB%) is what's mostly keeping him from being an elite option. He certainly misses a lot of bats (28.8 K%) and generally keeps the ball on the ground.

Risers: Alex Lange
Fallers: Jason Foley, Beau Brieske 

 

Texas Rangers - Bullpen and Closer News

The Rangers made one of the first trade splashes when they picked up Aroldis Chapman in late June. William Smith was pitching well, but it never hurts to make your bullpen even deeper by adding an experienced flame thrower. Smith kept his job, and Chapman settled in as a very effective setup man throughout July and most of August.

But all of a sudden, Smith has now given up runs in three straight appearances and six of his last eight. He's also not missing nearly as many bats, with only three strikeouts in his last 6 1/3 innings pitched. It may be a rough patch, it may be an injury, but it also may be the beginning of the Rangers leaning into a committee approach where Chapman starts seeing some ninth inning work. Yet again folks, we wait and see.

Risers: Aroldis Chapman
Fallers: William Smith

 

Short Relief - Other Bullpen News

-JoJo Romero has the two most recent Cardinals saves, but they came 10 days apart. He and Giovanny Gallegos figure to continue sharing the closer's role in St. Louis.

-Justin Lawrence has three blown saves in his last five outings, and has allowed eight runs in his past three appearances. Daniel Bard could start seeing some save chances if Lawrence's struggles continue.

-Padres reliever Robert Suarez was ejected from a game this week before even throwing a pitch and is now facing a 10-game "sticky stuff" suspension.

-Jose Alvarado has rejoined the Phillies bullpen after another injury. He should find himself in high-leverage setup situations right away.

-Bowen Francis earned the first save of his career this week for the Blue Jays, pitching the final three innings of a big win.

 



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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

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
Denny McCarthy

Finishes Tied For 12th at Travelers Championship
Chris Kirk

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
Lucas Glover

Finishes Tied For Ninth at Travelers Championship
PGA

Nico Echavarria Finishes Tied For Sixth at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Brooklyn Nets

Day'Ron Sharpe Staying with Nets
Colby Thomas

Called Up From Triple-A
Shea Langeliers

A's Reinstate Shea Langeliers From Injured List
Pittsburgh Steelers

Rumors Still Swirling Around Potential T.J. Watt Trade
Jalen Williams

will Undergo Surgery on Right Wrist
Bryce Harper

Activated and Starting on Monday
Deandre Ayton

Finalizing Contract Buyout with Portland
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Lands on Injured List With Fractured Ribs
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Tyler Boyd

Interested in Playing for Steelers
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Now Looking to Acquire a Tight End
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
L'Jarius Sneed

Says he's Healthy
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Minkah Fitzpatrick

Heading Back to Miami
Jonnu Smith

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
Brooklyn Nets

Day'Ron Sharpe Heads to Free Agency
Santi Aldama

Receives Qualifying Offer
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner has Team Option Declined
Jabari Smith Jr.

Signs Massive Extension
Jusuf Nurkić

Hornets Trading Jusuf Nurkic to Utah
Collin Sexton

Heading to Charlotte
Cam Thomas

Set for Restricted Free Agency
Milwaukee Bucks

Bobby Portis Staying in Milwaukee
Jonas Brodin

Expected to Miss Start of Next Season
TB

Conor Sheary Placed on Waivers for Contract Termination
Los Angeles Clippers

James Harden, Clippers Agree on a New Contract
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
Claude Giroux

Signs One-Year Deal with Senators
Yordan Alvarez

has Chance to Return Next Weekend
Minnesota Timberwolves

Julius Randle Signs Three-Year Extension
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Opts into Player Option
Luis Robert Jr.

Heads to Injured List
Gabriel Arias

Carted Off on Sunday
Bryce Harper

Faces Live Pitching
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Remains Out on Sunday
Utah Jazz

Bojan Bogdanovic Retiring From Basketball
Los Angeles Lakers

Dorian Finney-Smith Declines Player Option
Jaylin Williams

Signing Three-Year Extension
LeBron James

Accepts Player Option
Anfernee Simons

"a Possible Re-Trade Candidate"
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
NFL

NFL Won't Hold Supplemental Draft This Year
Damon Arnette

Getting Second Chance With Texans
Deommodore Lenoir

Arrested for Obstruction of Justice
Yordan Alvarez

Eyeing Return Before All-Star Break
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
Quinn Priester

Fans 11 in One-Hit Gem
Spencer Schwellenbach

Dominant in Victory
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Make Second-Year Jump
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Out of Lineup Saturday
Jalin Hyatt

Looking to Flip the Script in 2025
Garrett Mitchell

to Undergo Shoulder Surgery
José Ramírez

Jose Ramirez in Guardians Lineup on Saturday
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
Chase Burns

Slated to Make Next Start on Monday
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
Charlie Coyle

Blue Jackets Acquire Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood From Colorado
Jack Quinn

Signs Up for Two More Years with Sabres
Brandon Saad

Stays in Vegas on One-Year Deal
Trent Frederic

Inks Eight-Year Extension
Josh Naylor

Exits Friday's Contest Early with Neck Stiffness
Emil Heineman

Shipped to the Islanders
Noah Dobson

Traded to Montreal
John Tavares

Agrees to Four-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Sam Bennett

Signs Eight-Year Extension with Panthers
NYI

Islanders Select Matthew Schaefer With No. 1 Pick in NHL Draft
Aaron Rodgers

Roman Wilson Could Fit Nicely With Aaron Rodgers
Josh Simmons

on Schedule to Open the Year as a Starter
Micah Parsons

Contract Length an Issue for Cowboys, Micah Parsons
Denver Broncos

Broncos Unsure How Their Running Back Room Will Look
Russell Wilson

Not the Only Leader in Giants Clubhouse
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
Daniil Tarasov

Panthers Bring in Daniil Tarasov
Frederick Gaudreau

Kraken Pick Up Frederick Gaudreau From Wild
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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