🖥 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE THANKS
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

MLB Closers and Saves Report - Week 5

We are through the first month of the season, and bullpens are starting to figure out their real identities. Some teams have stuck with closers through early-season struggles, others are on their second or third closers already.

It was a crazy month of April, with nearly one third of closers fighting for their jobs, due to injuries, suspensions, or poor performance.

Let's take a look at how the month wound down with Week Five's Closers and Saves Report

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

 

Bullpen News for Week 5

Oakland Athletics

Death, taxes, and Sean Doolittle on the disabled list. Those are the only sure things in life. The A's lefty landed on the DL this week with a shoulder strain, his third in three years. The early news is that Doolittle could be out for a while. He had worked his way into the closer-by-committee along with Santiago Casilla. Casilla will likely take over full time now, boosting his fantasy value quite a bit. Ryan Dull, Ryan Madson, and John Axford (once he returns from his injury) may be saves candidates as well, but Casilla should see the highest increase of opportunities in Doolittle's absence. He should be picked up in mixed leagues where he isn't owned.

Washington Nationals

Nationals closer Shawn Kelley was always seen as a relatively high upside closer, but with injury risks attached. He's been unavailable the last few games not because of an injury, but because of an illness. While his former committee-mate, Koda Glover, has been on the disabled list, Kelley has only made one appearance. He had a chance to cement himself in the closer role in D.C., but instead it seems the team may return to a Kelley/Glover committee once the latter is ready to return.

Baltimore Orioles

Brad Brach was amazing for a few weeks and would possibly be a top-10 closer if given the chance. However, an established top-10 closer, Zach Britton, returned from the disabled list and pushed Brach down to his familiar setup role. Brach is still absolutely a must-own in leagues that count holds, but can't be considered more than Britton's handcuff in standard leagues. Brach will provide nice ratios, but outside of AL-only and very deep mixed leagues, his spot could be taken by someone with more potential for saves.

St. Louis Cardinals

Cardinals closer Seung Hwan Oh got off to a slow start this season, but seemed to be putting things together lately. He had a rough extended outing a few nights ago (even though the runs he allowed were unearned) so Trevor Rosenthal picked up his third save this week with a brilliant inning. His re-emergence is certainly making Oh's owners nervous, but "The Final Boss" is safe in his ninth inning spot for now, and should continue to have a rather long leash. Rosenthal is definitely the next man up though, and makes for a strong handcuff to Oh.

 

Roster Moves of the Week

Adds

Santiago Casilla, Oakland Athletics - Casilla is now the unquestioned closer in Oakland. He was formerly sharing the ninth inning with Sean Doolittle, but with Doolittle landing on the disabled list this week, Casilla will be taking over on his own. He's only owned in 34% of fantasy leagues right now, so take a look at that waiver wire.

Drops

Sean Doolittle, Oakland Athletics - Sometimes, the injury bug bites at random and other times it buzzes around the same player year after year. A's reliever Sean Doolittle has missed significant time in each of the last two seasons due to a shoulder strain. That's exactly what landed him on the DL this week, and he's expected to miss an extended period of time again, making it three straight years. He's droppable in most formats now, since he'll miss enough time that he'd have to work his way back into the closer hierarchy, and that's assuming none of the current A's relievers run away with the role.

Brad Brach, Baltimore Orioles- With closer Zach Britton back from the disabled list, Brach's run as an excellent closer comes to an end. He's absolutely worth hanging onto in holds leagues and should be considered for a roster spot in deeper leagues for Britton owners, but in standard leagues, he can be dropped. He'll still provide good ratios, but Britton will take all of the Orioles save chances.

 

Best of the Week

Craig Kimbrel, Boston Red Sox- 4 IP, 7 K, 3 SV, 0.00 ERA, 0.25 WHIP

Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel only allowed one hit this week on his way to four saves. He added seven strikeouts for good measure. He was just on the outside of the top tier of closers when the season started, but he's busted that door down and is sitting comfortably in that top tier once again.

Cody Allen, Cleveland Indians- 3 IP, 5 K, 3 SV, 0.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP

Indians closer Cody Allen allowed more base runners than his fantasy owners would have liked this week, walking two and allowing three hits, resulting in a bloated WHIP. But he and Kimbrel were the only closers to record three saves, and he ultimately did not allow a run despite all the base runners. Allen has been excellent this year and is working his way up the fantasy closer ranks.

Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers- 3.1 IP, 10 K, 2 SV, 0.00 ERA, 0.30 WHIP

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen recorded 10 outs this week. Every single one was a strikeout. He had three one-inning appearances where he struck out the side and one appearance where he faced one batter and struck him out. He only saved two games, but his fantasy owners certainly won't complain about seeing those strikeouts pile up for the top-tier closer.

 

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Adds




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Cason Wallace

Off Injury Report Saturday
Keyonte George

Erupts for Career-High 39 Against Memphis
Bones Hyland

Exits Early With Knee Contusion
Isaiah Joe

To Miss Fourth Straight Game
Isaiah Hartenstein

Removed From Injury Report
Austin Reaves

To Be Re-Evaluated In One Week With Calf Strain
Logan O'Connor

Still Not Ready for Season Debut
Lukas Dostal

Activated From Injured Reserve
NJ

Arseni Gritsyuk Ruled Out for Weekend's Action
Connor Bedard

Ruled Out for Saturday
Zeev Buium

Canucks Acquire Zeev Buium From Wild
Marco Rossi

Moves to Vancouver
Quinn Hughes

Traded to WIld
Joel Embiid

Available Against Indiana
Ja Morant

Back on Friday Night
Rickard Rakell

Available Saturday
Tre Jones

is Returning on Friday
Coby White

Cleared for Action Versus Hornets
Jake Ferguson

Listed as Questionable for Week 15
Bo Horvat

Ruled Out for Saturday
Tre Johnson

to be Limited in Return on Friday
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Could Return Monday
Geno Smith

Officially Ruled Out for Week 15
Victor Hedman

to Be Out Until February
Kenny Pickett

to Start in Week 15 Against Eagles
Moussa Diabaté

Moussa Diabate Available on Friday
Jared McCann

to Miss Three Weeks With Lower-Body Injury
Tyrese Maxey

Under the Weather on Friday
Josh Jacobs

Officially Questionable to Face the Broncos
Victor Wembanyama

Expected to Return on Saturday
Stuart Skinner

Shipped to Pittsburgh
Tristan Jarry

Oilers Acquire Tristan Jarry From Penguins
Anthony Edwards

Sidelined on Friday Evening
Deebo Samuel Sr.

Questionable for Week 15
CFB

Washington State Expected to Hire Kirby Moore as Next Head Coach
CFB

Kyle Whittingham Stepping Down as Utah Head Coach
T.J. Watt

Officially Ruled Out for Monday Night
Manel Kape

Set For UFC Vegas 112 Main Event
Davante Adams

to be Questionable, Expected to Play on Sunday
Brandon Royval

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 112
Rome Odunze

Questionable for Sunday
Kevin Vallejos

Set For His Third UFC Fight
Alvin Kamara

Ruled Out for Sunday
Giga Chikadze

In Dire Need Of Victory
Cesar Almeida

Set To Welcome Cezary Oleksiejczuk To The UFC
Cezary Oleksiejczuk

Set To Make His UFC Debut
Jayden Daniels

Not Cleared for Contact
T.J. Watt

Undergoes Surgery for Collapsed Lung
Maikel Garcia

Royals Agree on Five-Year Extension
Melquizael Costa

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Looks to Win Second Consecutive Fights
Marcus Buchecha

Looks To Bounce Back
Kennedy Nzechukwu

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 112
King Green

Returns At UFC Vegas 112
Lance Gibson jr

Lance Gibson Jr. Set To Open Up UFC Vegas 112 Main Card
Jake Ferguson

on Track to Play in Week 15
CFB

Sherrone Moore Charged with Home Invasion, Among Other Charges
Jayden Daniels

Cleared for Contact
Tee Higgins

Ruled Out Against Ravens
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Ruled Out for Week 15, Expected Back This Year
Josh Jacobs

"Feeling Pretty Good," Will Practice on Friday
Daniel Gafford

Still Unlikely to Play Friday
Brady Cook

to Get Starting Nod for Jets in Week 15
Khris Middleton

Misses Second Straight Game
Collin Sexton

Sidelined Again Versus Bulls
Tee Higgins

Absent From Practice on Friday
Coby White

On Track To Suit Up Versus Charlotte
De'Von Achane

Should Be Available Monday
Tre Jones

Expected To Play Friday Vs. Hornets
Los Angeles Chargers

Chargers to Utilize Hot-Hand Approach in Backfield Moving Forward?
Ayo Dosunmu

to Miss Friday's Game Vs. Hornets
T.J. Watt

Trending Towards Missing Week 15
CFB

Freddie Kitchens Fired from North Carolina Coaching Staff
Joel Kiviranta

Hurt in Thursday's Win
Lars Eller

Departs Early Versus Blue Jackets
Viktor Arvidsson

Makes Early Exit Against Jets
Bo Horvat

Suffers Lower-Body Injury in Thursday's Win
Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Sustains Lower-Body Injury
Roope Hintz

Exits Loss With Injury
Logan Cooley

to Miss at Least Eight Weeks
CFB

Bryce Underwood Could Leave Michigan Without Buyout
Fernando Tatis Jr.

Padres Not Considering Trading Fernando Tatis Jr.
Tarik Skubal

Tigers Engaged in "Serious Talks" Around Trading Tarik Skubal at the Winter Meetings
CFB

Chris Brazzell II Declaring for NFL Draft
CFB

Fernando Mendoza Named AP College Football Player of the Year
Raisel Iglesias

to Remain the Braves Closer
Robert Suarez

Agrees on Three-Year Deal With Braves
CFB

Sherrone Moore Remains in Police Custody
CFB

Joe Klanderman Joining Baylor Coaching Staff
CFB

Kentucky Hiring Jay Bateman as Next Defensive Coordinator
Si Woo Kim

Closes 2025 With Strong Finish Among Putting Woes
Akshay Bhatia

Looks to Rebound in 2026 After Down Year Off the Tee
Brian Harman

2025 Season a Step Back Despite Spring Win
Sam Burns

' Elite Putting Headlines a Solid 2025 Season
Sepp Straka

Ends Stellar 2025 Campaign on a High Note
Robert MacIntyre

Closes Out a Steady 2025 Campaign
CFB

Chip Kelly Interviews for Georgia Tech Offensive Coordinator Job
CFB

Louisville Receiver Chris Bell has a Torn ACL
Min Woo Lee

Breaks Through to Win in Texas This Year
PGA

Alex Noren Wins Twice on European Tour This Year
Wyndham Clark

has Up-and-Down 2025 Golf Season
CFB

Michigan Fires Head Coach Sherrone Moore
Corey Conners

Comes Close to Winning Again in Very Good 2025
Justin Rose

Turns Back the Clock in 2025
CFB

Jim Knowles Expected to be Hired as Tennessee's Defensive Coordinator
Harris English

Enjoys Solid Finish at Hero World Challenge
CFB

Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles Not Being Retained at Penn State
CFB

Indiana's Stephen Daley Done for Season After Post-Game Injury
Pete Alonso

Orioles Finalizing Five-Year Deal
Kyle Finnegan

Tigers, Kyle Finnegan Agree on Two-Year Deal
Bo Bichette

Red Sox Out on Bo Bichette For Now
Philadelphia Phillies

Phillies Extend Manager Rob Thomson Through 2027 Season
Michael King

the Mets' Top Rotation Target?
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Could Move Back to Leadoff Spot
CFB

Florida, Wisconsin Among Suitors for QB Transfer Kenny Minchey
CFB

Bryan Harsin, Justin Wilcox Candidates for Washington State Head Coach Job?
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Agrees to Deal With the Dodgers
Kyle Schwarber

Returning to Phillies on Five-Year Deal
CFB

Ole Miss Hiring John David Baker as Offensive Coordinator
CFB

Ty Howle the Top Target for Virginia Tech Offensive Coordinator Job
Shohei Ohtani

to be Used More as Traditional Starting Pitcher Next Year
Yordan Alvarez

to Become Full-Time DH in 2026?
Mason Miller

Padres Plan to Keep Mason Miller in the Bullpen
Ranger Suárez

Orioles Interested in Signing Ranger Suarez
Anthony Volpe

Yankees Don't Expect Anthony Volpe to be Ready in April
Gerrit Cole

Targeting a Return in May/June
CFB

Heisman Trophy Finalists Announced on Monday
Rory McIlroy

Ends 2025 as the Year's Most Unburdened Player
Aaron Rai

Needs to Figure Out Putting Woes This Offseason
Jordan Spieth

Plays Better on Paper in 2025 Than Results Show
PGA

Chris Gotterup Needs to Find Better Touch and Consistency This Offseason
Hideki Matsuyama

Ends 2025 Season With a Bookend Victory
Scottie Scheffler

Comes Up Just Shy of Hero World Challenge Victory
Merab Dvalishvili

Drops A Decision At UFC 323
Petr Yan

Reclaims Bantamweight Title
Alexandre Pantoja

Era Ends With Gruesome Injury
Joshua Van

Becomes Second-Youngest UFC Champion
Brandon Moreno

Suffers His First TKO Loss
Brandon Moreno

Tatsuro Taira Becomes First Fighter To Finish Brandon Moreno
Henry Cejudo

Payton Talbott Retires Henry Cejudo
Henry Cejudo

Retires After UFC 323 Loss
Jan Blachowicz

Bogdan Guskov Vs. Jan Blachowicz Ends In A Majority Draw
San Francisco Giants

Jeff Kent Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
Ketel Marte

Red Sox Interested in Trading for Ketel Marte