Florio's Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Report: Martinez Hurt, Helsley Struggling, Palencia Walked Off

June 11, 2025

Michael Florio reviews fantasy baseball closers, saves, and waiver wire pickups for Week 11 of 2025. He analyzes changing bullpens and RP risers with elite ratios.

I love writing about bullpens. I have been doing so for RotoBaller for years now. The one issue is that when you tend to focus on changing bullpens, you often find yourself writing about the same few teams.

This week is different, though. Sure, there are some of the same usual culprits. But some teams have been super steady with their late-inning bullpen use and made their way into this article for the first time this season.

Is that a good thing? Maybe not for those MLB teams, but it is for save-needy fantasy baseball managers!

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Changing Bullpens for Fantasy Baseball

The Diamondbacks are a committee, which can be frustrating for fantasy purposes. It is worth dealing with, though, as both Justin Martinez and Shelby Miller have provided strong strikeouts and ratio numbers, while also getting save chances. In the last week, each picked up a save. However, on Monday, Martinez exited the game with elbow discomfort and is set to get an MRI on Tuesday.

The Diamondbacks did not give an update before writing, but manager Torey Lovullo said the concern level was “very high.” Managers will need to monitor his health moving forward. If he were to miss time, Miller would become a must-start option in all fantasy formats. It is also worth noting that A.J. Puk continues to work his way back and began throwing at 120 feet this week.

#Dbacks Justin Martinez left the game last night in the 9th inning. The few pitches leading up to this one he was wild and struggled to locate but was 99-100 mph

This one was 97 mph and he called for the trainer right after pic.twitter.com/bFi7KHBDnV

— Mike Kurland (@Mike_Kurland) June 10, 2025

The Braves bullpen is a mess for fantasy purposes. Raisel Iglesias has struggled mightily this season, and Atlanta is hoping to get him right. We saw him pitch in the eighth inning on Monday night with a four-run lead. Earlier in the week, he got shelled by the Diamondbacks. Iglesias has reportedly ditched his slider as he tries to regain his old form. He is still the top closing option in Atlanta for now.

We are getting closer and closer to the Braves removing him from the closer role. The issue for them is that they do not have a clear-cut second option. We saw them call up franchise legend Craig Kimbrel, only to cut him the next day. I continue to back Pierce Johnson as the best option in this bullpen, but Dylan Lee could also be in the mix. This is a nightmare fantasy situation.

The #Braves today recalled LHP Austin Cox to Atlanta and designated RHP Craig Kimbrel for assignment.

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 7, 2025

The Dodgers have a set closer in Tanner Scott, but he has had his struggles at times this season. Los Angeles also does not love to use him in back-to-back days, so its secondary options could see chances. Scott has picked up both saves for the Dodgers in the last week. In that time, they activated both Kirby Yates and Michael Kopech from the IL. We have only seen each in a limited sample size so far, but we know the potential each possesses.

Yates has the sixth-highest strikeout rate of all relievers who have thrown at least 20 innings this year. He is up there with the elites at the position, such as Josh Hader and Edwin Diaz. Kopech has shown to be a high-strikeout reliever in recent years. Both Yates and Kopech also have closer experience. Given the team they play for, if you are looking to roster a non-closer reliever, they are toward the top of the list.

The Rangers officially have a new closer in Robert Garcia. He picked up their lone save this week. Since May 20th, he has picked up three of the Rangers' four saves. It had been evident that Luke Jackson was no longer the option here, but Garcia has taken the reins. He should be started in all fantasy leagues for the time being. Jackson can be thrown back onto the waiver wire. I did so in a league myself this weekend.

Speculative Saves for Fantasy Baseball

Let me start by saying I do not think a change is imminent in the Cardinals bullpen. But I have to mention that Ryan Helsley has blown three straight save chances for the Red Birds. It is not like he has been rocked, as he has allowed just one run in each outing, and even picked up the win in one of them. He is still a must-start option.

If you wanted to get out in front of things here, Phil Maton would likely be the next man up. He has picked up two saves this season, the most by a Cardinals pitcher not named Helsley, and has pitched to a 2.16 ERA. It is also worth mentioning that Helsley is in the final year of his contract. If the Cardinals are sellers, he could be up for grabs.

Coming out of spring training, Ryan Helsley was trying to correct mechanics that an injury and adjusted cleat helped cause.

More details on that and what he clings to after 3 blown saves … https://t.co/nkpmCjCUtr

— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) June 10, 2025

The Cubs have a closer in Daniel Palencia, but he struggled on Monday. He worked through the 10th, but did not have the same success in the 11th. After being gifted a one-run lead, Palencia did not record an out, allowing four straight singles and two runs to score. The Phillies walked him off.

This is not the time to panic, as Palencia has been very reliable since being given the closer gig. However, this is something to monitor moving forward. The Cubs have had a short leash with their closers this year. Palencia still is their best bet, but if he struggles again moving forward, things could get dicey. I still fully expect the Cubs to be aggressive in the reliever trade market, which could shake things up in this pen.

#Cubs 3 @ #Phillies 4 [B11-0o]:

Brandon Marsh singles (19): fly ball to CF
Hit: 🔥105.2mph, 380ft, 24°, 💥.937xBA

Pitch: 99.8mph 4S Fastball (RHP D.Palencia)#BeHereForIt #RingTheBell #MLB pic.twitter.com/mpvxoGWrzD

— MLB Run Videos (@MLBRBIs) June 10, 2025

The Pirates had David Bednar pick up both of their saves this past week. He has picked up each of their last three saves and five of their last six. He is the clear-cut top arm to roster in this bullpen. Dennis Santana will still get a save chance here and there, which keeps him in play in deep Roto formats.

Bednar does seem like a strong trade candidate. That could leave Santana, if he is also not dealt, as the closer in the second half of the season. Still, until any move is made, continue rolling with Bednar in all formats.

Elite Strikeouts and Ratios for Fantasy Baseball

Randy Rodriguez leads all qualified relievers with a 51 percent strikeout rate in the last month. He has pitched to a 0.00 ERA and  0.29 WHIP (also the lowest in that span) with a .071 batting average against in that span. Those are elite numbers. Plus, he pitches for a Giants team that just recently changed its closer. If anything should happen to Camilo Doval, we could see Rodriguez utilized more in the late innings. If you need elite ratios and strikeouts, he is at the top of the list.

Gabe Speier has struck out 48 percent of the batters he has faced in the last month, which ranks second among all qualified relievers. He has a 1.69 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in that span. Do not expect him to see save chances as Andres Munoz has been automatic this season, but if you need strikeouts and ratios, he provides them.

Cade Smith has mowed down 47 percent of the hitters he has faced in the last month. That ranks third among qualified relievers in that span. During that time, he had a 1.59 ERA and 0.71 WHIP. Plus, he is next in line for saves on the Guardians. A reliever like Smith is more valuable than a fringe starting pitcher who could blow up your ratios.

Eric Lauer has the lowest average against of all qualified relievers in the last month at .047. He has a 0.49 WHIP, the third lowest in that span. Lauer has not allowed a run during that time and has a 27 percent strikeout rate. If you need to fix your ratios, using an arm like Lauer can certainly help.

Make sure to follow Michael on X, @MichaelFFlorio. 

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