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Fantasy baseball closers, saves and bullpen waiver wire pickups for Week 23 (2022). David's relief pitcher and bullpen updates, and potential closers to add.
Another mostly quiet bullpen week as we wind down to the end of the season. After a wild season that routinely saw bullpens all over the league lose their collective metaphorical minds multiple times a week, we're now two weeks into a very quiet period. It's either the calm before the storm or finally a calm ending to frenzied season.
Despite no major changes, a few things were solidified this week and a few murky committees became a little clearer. With the fantasy playoffs upon us or well underway in most formats, every hold, save, and strikeout can make a difference, so let's jump into what little bullpen news we have!
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.
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San Diego Padres - Bullpen and Closers News
Last week, we said that Josh Hader was on his way back to the closer's role, this week we can say that he made it there. Hader has the last three Padres saves, and Nick Martinez hasn't pitched in a week. After a rough patch, the Padres bullpen looks like it's more or less where they expected it to be after the trade deadline. Hader should continue to close through to the end of the season and into the playoffs. He should be added right away in any leagues where his former fantasy manager dropped him.
Risers: Josh Hader
Fallers: Nick Martinez
Texas Rangers - Bullpen and Closers News
The Rangers have only won three games since August 26. That's...not great. But all three of those wins have ended with saves by Jose Leclerc. So that's...something. At least they know they have a closer the next time the decide to take a lead into the ninth inning. With so few save chances and no reason to think many more are coming, it's hard to add Leclerc in most formats, but managers in deeper leagues with barren waiver wires might consider adding him now that he's the full-fledged closer in Texas.
Risers: Jose Leclerc
Fallers: Jonathan Hernandez
Short Relief - Other Bullpen News
-Seranthony Dominguez is back from the IL and already pitching high leverage innings. The Phillies said they want to stay away from having him pitch in back-to-back days though, so it might still be David Robertson in the closer's role.
-Peter Fairbanks has three of the four most recent Rays saves. That's as close to an outright closer as you'll see in Tampa Bay.
-Brandon Hughes seems to have solidified his role as head of the committee in the Cubs bullpen. He won't work alone, but he'll be the guy in the ninth more often than anyone else.
-Matt Barnes now has five saves this season and suddenly looks like the Matt Barnes of old. Barnes and John Schreiber have split the last four Red Sox saves and both seem more or less tied atop the committee.
-Kenley Jansen has been really bad while Raisel Iglesias has been really good. No change yet, but it's one to keep an eye on.
-Tanner Scott didn't pitch for a week because of a back injury, but now that he's back he seems to be working in earlier innings. Dylan Floro is the best bet for saves if the Marlins ever have a late lead again.
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