👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
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

#1 Expert Projections
Save 50% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
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

Featured Promo: Save 50% the regular price with discount code SPRING, for a limited time. Exclusive access to our Team Sync platform, DFS cheat sheets, Lineup Optimizers, betting/prop picks, and exclusive content from Nick Mariano and Eric Cross! GAIN ACCESS NOW

 

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

#1 Expert Projections
Save 50% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jalen Williams

Still Out Thursday
Carter Bryant

Available Wednesday Night
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Reveals Recovery Timeline
Anthony Edwards

Cleared for Game 2 Against Spurs
Mitchell Robinson

is Ruled Out for Game 2 on Wednesday
Kevin Huerter

is Doubtful for Game 2 on Thursday
Brandon Miller

has Successful Shoulder Surgery
Emilio Pagán

Emilio Pagan has Grade 2 Hamstring Strain, Expected to Miss 4-8 Weeks
Ayo Dosunmu

is Cleared to Play in Game 2
Joe Ryan

Listed as Scheduled Starter for Saturday Against Cleveland
Joel Embiid

is Downgraded to Out for Game 2
Tyler Glasnow

Not Expected to Land on the Injured List
Framber Valdez

Suspension Reduced to Five Games
Nils Hoglander

Will Miss World Championship Due to Injury
Christian Dvorak

Likely to Play in Game 3 Against Hurricanes
Owen Tippett

a Game-Time Decision Thursday
Noah Cates

to Miss Rest of Round 2
Arber Xhekaj

Rejoins Canadiens Lineup Wednesday
Brendan Gallagher

Scratched on Wednesday
Logan Stanley

Returns to Action Wednesday
Framber Valdez

Suspended Six Games
Tyler Glasnow

Exits Early on Wednesday With Back Pain
Russell Wilson

Jets Offer a Contract to Russell Wilson
CFB

Brauntae Johnson the Next Star in Notre Dame's Secondary?
CFB

Ethan Barbour a Name to Know in Georgia's Tight End Room
C.J. Stroud

Makes Changes to his Diet as he Looks to Bounce Back
CFB

Payton Pierce Next Up at Linebacker for Ohio State
CFB

Javin Gordon to Play Significant Role for Tennessee?
Bhayshul Tuten

the Preferred Dynasty Running Back in Jacksonville?
CFB

Tanook Hines Stepping into WR1 Role for USC
De'Zhaun Stribling

49ers See Something Special in De'Zhaun Stribling
CFB

Rueben Owens II has "Star Potential" in Fourth Campaign
Brandon Woodruff

has Fluid Drained From his Right Shoulder
Brandon Woodruff

to Resume Throwing on Saturday, Return Imminent?
Joe Mixon

Remains an Enormous Question Mark
RJ Harvey

Still the Leader in a Crowded Backfield?
Carlos Correa

to Have Season-Ending Ankle Surgery
Baker Mayfield

Looking to Bounce Back in Contract Year
Brian Robinson Jr.

a Dynasty Target as Handcuff with Standalone Upside
Sam LaPorta

Remains an Intriguing Dynasty Target Post-Injury
Minnesota Vikings

Vikings Request to Interview Terrance Gray for GM Job
Kenneth Walker III

Could be More Involved as Pass-Catcher With Chiefs
Jacob Misiorowski

Listed as Friday's Probable Starter
Logan Webb

Dealing With Knee Discomfort
Carlos Correa

Expected to Miss Significant Time With Ankle Injury
Collin Morikawa

Withdraws From Truist Championship
Jakobi Meyers

Is Jakobi Meyers the Most Mispriced Jaguars Receiver in Dynasty Leagues?
Xander Schauffele

Carries Elite Form Into Quail Hollow
Hideki Matsuyama

Looks to Bounce Back at Truist Championship
Matt Fitzpatrick

Secures Third Win of 2026 Season
Patrick Cantlay

Continues Playing Well Heading to Truist Championship
Ludvig Aberg

Returns to Action For Truist Championship
Jayden Higgins

How Much Growth Can be Expected of Jayden Higgins in Year 2?
Justin Thomas

Searching for Consistency at Quail Hollow
Jordan Spieth

Looks to Break Through at Quail Hollow
D'Andre Swift

an Underrated Dynasty Buy for Contending Managers
Adam Scott

Brings Strong Form to Quail Hollow
Woody Marks

A Role Change Could Be Key to Salvaging Woody Marks' Dynasty Value
Robert MacIntyre

a Steady Option at Truist Championship
Ray Davis

Offers Almost No Standalone Value as a Fading Dynasty Asset
Jason Day

Looks to Overcome Approach Struggles at Quail Hollow
Akshay Bhatia

Looks for Complete Game at Truist Championship
Chet Holmgren

Leads Thunder to Victory in Game 1 Against Lakers
LeBron James

Scores Game-High 27 Points in Tuesday's Loss
James Harden

Finishes Game 1 Loss With 22 Points
Cade Cunningham

Posts 23 Points in Game 1 Win
Jalen Duren

Records Second Consecutive Double-Double
Sam Merrill

Status Unclear for Game 2
Jarred Vanderbilt

Dislocates Finger in Game 1 Loss
Mats Zuccarello

Extends Point Streak to Five Games
Kirill Kaprizov

Nets Third Playoff Goal
Scott Wedgewood

Returns to Form in Game 2 Against Wild
Gabriel Landeskog

Picks Up Two Power-Play Points Tuesday
Martin Necas

Has Second Straight Multi-Point Outing
Nathan MacKinnon

Joins Exclusive List With Another Three-Point Performance
TOR

Maple Leafs Win Draft Lottery
Emilio Pagán

Emilio Pagan Headed for Injured List With Hamstring Injury
Stefon Diggs

Found Not Guilty of Assault, Strangulation
Emilio Pagán

Emilio Pagan Carted Off With Apparent Hamstring Injury on Tuesday
Justin Rose

to Continue Mid-Season Club Change at Truist Championship
Si Woo Kim

is Back to Peak Form Ahead of Truist Championship
Sam Merrill

Heads to Locker Room in Game 1
Sam Burns

to Bounce Back at Truist Championship
Cameron Young

Looks to Carry Dominance to Quail Hollow
Anthony Edwards

Iffy for Game 2
Rory McIlroy

Returns to Familiar Stomping Grounds This Week at Quail Hollow
Ayo Dosunmu

Listed as Questionable Wednesday
Kevin Huerter

Remains Out for Series Opener
Carter Bryant

Questionable for Game 2
Chris Gotterup

Looking to Bounce Back at Quail Hollow
MLB

Cardinals-Brewers Game Postponed on Tuesday
Roman Anthony

Day-to-Day With Wrist Sprain
Radko Gudas

to Remain Sidelined Wednesday
Sam Carrick

Upgraded to Day-to-Day
Noah Cates

Considered Day-to-Day
Alexander Nikishin

Cleared to Play in Game 3 Against Flyers
Josh Manson

Expected to Remain Out Tuesday
Filip Gustavsson

Starting Game 2 Against Avalanche
Victor Hedman

Reveals Reason for Absence
Travis Kelce

Dynasty Value Fading Entering 2026
DJ Moore

a Prime Bounce-Back Candidate Following Offseason Trade
Derrick Henry

Dynasty Value Holding Steady Following NFL Draft
Ladd McConkey

Can Ladd McConkey Re-Establish His Dynasty Value in 2026?
Jacob Misiorowski

"All Things Look Good" for Jacob Misiorowski to Start on Wednesday
Tommy Fleetwood

Looking For Better Iron Play at Quail Hollow
MLB

Rockies-Mets Game Postponed Due to Inclement Weather
CFB

Mario Craver Enters No. 1 Wide Receiver Role for Marcel Reed
Raisel Iglesias

Braves Officially Reinstate Raisel Iglesias From Injured List on Tuesday
CFB

LaNorris Sellers a Strong Rebound Candidate in 2026
CFB

Cam Coleman Poised for Monster Year at Texas?
CFB

Will Hammond Pushing to Be Ready for Week 1
Alex Fitzpatrick

Looking to Keep Up Ball-Striking Output at Quail Hollow
CFB

Notre Dame Leads College Football in Returning Snaps
CFB

Two Ole Miss Football Players Arrested, Charged with DUI
Ben Griffin

Looks Solid on the Surface Heading to Charlotte
Roman Anthony

Pulled Early on Monday After Tweaking his Wrist
Jhoan Duran

to Come Off the Injured List on Tuesday
Chase Elliott

Earns his Second Texas Motor Speedway Victory
Denny Hamlin

Misses Out on Winning at Texas
Alex Bowman

Finishes Third for the Second Week in a Row at Texas
Tyler Reddick

Earns Seventh Top-Five Finish of the Season at Texas
Chris Buescher

Scores his First Career Texas Finish in the Top Five
CFB

Bryce Underwood in Better Situation Entering Sophomore Season
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Emerging as Leader, Playmaker for UCLA
Jack Della Maddalena

Gets Dominated At UFC Perth
Carlos Prates

Shines At UFC Perth
Beneil Dariush

Suffers A First-Round TKO Loss
Quillan Salkilld

Remains Unbeaten In The UFC
Tim Elliott

Drops Decision At UFC Perth
Steve Erceg

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Ollie Schmid

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Marwan Rahiki

Remains Unbeaten
Christopher Bell

Is Christopher Bell Worth Rostering for Texas Lineups?
William Byron

Might have the Speed to Compete for the Win at Texas
Joey Logano

Provides Solid Upside for Texas DFS Lineups
Chase Briscoe

Could Chase Briscoe be A Sneaky Pick for Texas Lineups?
Ty Gibbs

Should DFS Managers Roster Ty Gibbs at Texas?
Daniel Suarez

Is Daniel Suarez Worth Rostering After Career-Best Starting Position at Texas?
Kyle Busch

Is a DFS Risk Starting in the Top 10 at Texas
Tyler Reddick

One of the Favorites to Win at Texas
Chase Elliott

Could Contend for Another Win at Texas
Carson Hocevar

on Pole at Texas
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Wrecks in Practice at Texas
Chris Buescher

Looking to Continue Strong Run at Texas
Austin Dillon

Blows Engine in Practice at Texas
Jack Della Maddalena

Returns At UFC Perth
Carlos Prates

Set For UFC Perth Main Event
Quillan Salkilld

Set For Co-Main Event
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC Perth
Steve Erceg

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Tim Elliott

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Ollie Schmid

Set For His UFC Debut
Marwan Rahiki

Looks To Remain Undefeated