Closers and Saves Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Report for Week 2 (2026)

April 5, 2026

David's closers and saves fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and bullpen report for Week 2 (2026). His relief pitcher updates, and closers to add for saves.

We're baaaack! Welcome to the 2026 baseball season, which has already been a little bit wild even here at the start. ABS challenges? Fun! Standings turned on their heads? Fun! Teams we thought were bad are good, maybe? Teams we thought were good are bad, maybe? It's all FUN, as Jeff McNeil screamed after this strikeout.

Interesting language from Jeff McNeil after the strikeout! pic.twitter.com/jQ5QAimpZk

— Fireside Baseball (@FiresideBsbl) April 1, 2026

We're not even 10 games into the 162-game season, but we already have old faces in new places, and some closers no one thought would close closing well. Some bullpens have clear roles already defined, while others are still working things out, tossing darts in the general direction of a dartboard and seeing what happens. Let's break it all down in this week's report!

Let's dive into this week's report! As always, stay tapped in with our Fantasy Baseball Closer Depth Charts for saves, holds, and bullpens -- which you can also see at the bottom of this article below. They will be updated frequently throughout the 2026 baseball season as new information becomes available. 

Closer Waiver Wire Pickups for Standard Leagues

Lucas Erceg, Kansas City Royals (Rostered in 47% of leagues)

One of the first big reliever injuries of the season already happened in the Royals bullpen, as closer Carlos Estevez (foot) was placed on the injured list this week. With that move, Lucas Erceg became an immediate must-roster in almost all formats, but he's still available in more than half of fantasy leagues right now.

Erceg put up a 2.64 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 48:18 K:BB last season while working mostly as the primary setup man in the Royals bullpen. He's not a huge strikeout guy, but he limits hard contact and doesn't allow too many walks. If he can do well while Estevez recovers, there's reason to believe Erceg could keep the ninth-inning role even after Estevez returns. He should be scooped up anywhere he's available.

Lucas Erceg, K'ing the Side in the 8th. pic.twitter.com/JNRAKg0cDq

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 8, 2025

Jordan Romano, Los Angeles Angels (Rostered in 41% of leagues)
Drew Pomeranz, Los Angeles Angels (Rostered in 4% of leagues)

To no one's surprise, the Angels' bullpen is already a mess. Kirby Yates (knee) was expected to at least be the leader of the committee in Anaheim, but an early injury sent him to the injured list already. In his place, Jordan Romano has earned the first two saves of the Angels' season and seems to be "the guy," at least for now. Yates is already starting to throw off a mound, so he may be back before long.

Romano had an 8.23 ERA last season and a 6.59 ERA the season before that, so there is definite reason for pause despite his pretty good start to 2026. If Romano falters, Drew Pomeranz would likely be next up for saves, even though he's not off to a great start this season. Romano should be rostered in most formats right now, although mostly by fantasy managers really looking for saves. He shouldn't replace another closer already on your roster.

Jordan Romano looks like a very different pitcher this year.

The biggest thing is the 4S improvement.

2025: 96 mph / 18 iVB / 7 HB
2026: 95 mph / 20 iVB / 2 HB

RelH up from 6.1 to 6.3.

No doubt part of this is small sample / playing in HOU, but the heater looks really good. pic.twitter.com/nmxBsITxr4

— Remi Bunikiewicz (@RBunikiewicz) April 1, 2026

Cole Sands, Minnesota Twins (Rostered in 16% of leagues)

The Twins had a closer competition throughout spring training with no clear winner when camp broke. But the first Twins save chance, and the first save went to Cole Sands. He's available in most leagues and is worth a speculative add for fantasy managers looking for saves with a roster spot available. The Twins bullpen could end up being a fluid committee for most of the season, but at least for now, Sands looks like he has a chance to stick in the role if he pitches well.

Justin Topa, Taylor Rogers, and Kody Funderburk all worked high leverage innings along with Sands, so it's definitely going to be a pretty fluid situation in Minnesota.

Cole Sands, Dirty 86mph Splitter. ✌️ pic.twitter.com/G98sLTV9QF

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 24, 2024

Paul Sewald, Arizona Diamondbacks (Rostered in 43% of leagues)

One of the more unexpected closers so far this season has been veteran reliever Paul Sewald of the DBacks. Sewald only threw 19 2/3 innings last season and has already matched the two saves he got in 2025. Extremely small sample this year, of course, but Sewald has looked excellent (four K in 2 1/3 innings, no base runners allowed) and might be locking down Arizona's ninth-inning job. He's available on a lot of waiver wires and should be picked up in most formats.

Cole Sands, Dirty 86mph Splitter. ✌️ pic.twitter.com/G98sLTV9QF

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 24, 2024

Short Relief: More Closers and Bullpen Notes

-Leading the league in saves so far this season is David Bednar of the Yankees, with three. He's followed by nine other pitchers with two saves each, including names like Sewald, Tyler Alexander, and Pete Fairbanks.

-The holds leader for the season is Erik Sabrowski of the Guardians, with four. He's followed by JoJo Romero, with three. Both should be season-long assets in holds leagues. 

-Mark Leiter Jr. got the first save for the A's, but this is maybe the most likely bullpen to go with a committee approach for a majority of the season.

-Bryan Abreu has been struggling in his role as Astros closer, but with Josh Hader not ready to return soon, Abreu figures to maintain his temporary role at least for now.

-Griffin Jax is off to a rough start, posting two blown saves and a 22.50 ERA. There are good signs, though! His 10.38 xERA shows he's been a little unlucky and could cut that ERA in half before long!

-The Cardinals' bullpen looks like it will be some sort of mix of Ryne Stanek, Riley O'Brien, and Romero. O'Brien and Stanek have one save each so far, and Romero has three holds.

-The Nationals only have one save so far, so it's hard to tell what they'll do moving forward, but Clayton Beeter has that one save plus a hold, and PJ Poulin is the only Washington reliever with more than one hold. Cionel Perez figures to factor in near the end of Nationals games as well.

-The Giants are back to Ryan Walker as their closer, but he was summoned with one out in the sixth inning, as part of a plan put together by rookie manager Tony Vitello. The plan was based on the "opposite looks" of starter Robbie Ray and Walker, based on handedness and arm angles.

-Ryan Helsley is likely safe in his spot as Orioles closer, but another high leverage arm is on its way back to Baltimore's bullpen as Andrew Kittredge has started a rehab assignment at Triple-A.

Updated Closers and Bullpen Depth Charts

AL EAST: 2026 Fantasy Baseball Closers & Saves

AL CENTRAL: 2026 Fantasy Baseball Closers & Saves

AL WEST: 2026 Fantasy Baseball Closers & Saves

NL EAST: 2026 Fantasy Baseball Closers & Saves

NL CENTRAL: 2026 Fantasy Baseball Closers & Saves

NL WEST: 2026 Fantasy Baseball Closers & Saves

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