RADIO
Dylan Smith Looks Like the Closer to Roster in San Francisco
Across 28 1/3 innings (30 games) in 2026, San Francisco Giants right-hander Dylan Smith has recorded a 2.86 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 36 strikeouts, and three saves. Smith has begun to see some save opportunities since the trade deadline, recording two saves in his last seven appearances. The 26-year-old's 11.5% walk rate is slightly elevated, but he's struck out 29.5% of the batters he's faced in 2026. Smith has also done a nice job of limiting hard contact, allowing just 0.64 HR/9. San Francisco also has a pair of veteran relievers in Sam Hentges and Jason Foley who could be capable of working in the ninth inning, so fantasy managers may not want to expect Smith to see every save opportunity for the Giants. However, Smith profiles as the highest upside option of the group and has a chance to emerge as the closer in San Francisco over the final month of the regular season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
JT Brubaker Earns Save on Tuesday, Emerging as a Waiver-Wire Target?
San Francisco Giants right-hander JT Brubaker picked up his second save of the season on Tuesday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning in his team's 4-1 win over the Houston Astros. Brubaker has largely worked in a multi-inning relief role for the Giants so far in 2026, recording a 3.34 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 37 strikeouts across 56 2/3 innings (37 games). However, San Francisco made some notable subtractions from their bullpen at the trade deadline by sending out Erik Miller and Caleb Kilian (oblique). As a result, Brubaker could now be part of the mix at the end of games. The 32-year-old does not have typical closer stuff, as he's averaging just 93.2 miles per hour on his fastball and has posted a 16.1% strikeout rate. Still, he's a veteran who has been fairly productive for the Giants this season. In deep leagues, Brubaker could be worth a dart throw on the waiver wire.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Phillies Trade No. 9-Ranked Prospect Ramon Marquez to San Francisco
The Philadelphia Phillies traded their No. 9-ranked prospect in their system, pitcher Ramon Marquez (per MLB Pipeline), as the headliner piece in the deal that brought Luis Arraez and Caleb Kilian to Philadelphia. Marquez is just 20 years old but has flashed high-end upside in the lower levels of their minor leagues. This season, the right-hander opened the campaign with Low-A Clearwater, where he posted a 1.86 ERA with a sharp 0.97 WHIP across 29 innings of work. He fanned 47 batters with only 10 walks. He has since carried this production into High-A, where he has made six starts (30 innings) and held a strong 1.50 ERA with an even lower 0.67 WHIP. During this stint, Marquez has totaled 46 strikeouts with just nine walks. While he remains several seasons away from his MLB debut, he is a name to keep a close eye on as he could emerge as a high-end asset in San Francisco.
Source: Jayson Stark
Source: Jayson Stark
Luis Arraez Shipped to Phillies in Major Trade
The San Francisco Giants are trading infielder Luis Arraez to the Philadelphia Phillies, according to The Athletic's Jason Stark. In this deal, the Phillies are also receiving bullpen arm Caleb Kilian and sending No. 9-ranked prospect Ramon Marquez and pitching prospect Marty Gair. Arraez was viewed as one of the top remaining hitters on the market and will bolster one of the most potent lineups in the National League. With the Giants this season, the infielder has posted a dominant .324 AVG with a .360 OBP and .440 SLG. He is in the 92nd percentile in xBA but has generated very soft contact, with a first percentile hard-hit rate and barrel rate. However, Arraez possesses elite eye at the dish, holding a low 4.5% K% and 7.9% whiff rate, both of which place him in the top percentile among qualified hitters. While managers should not expect his power totals to increase going forward, he should be put in prime scoring positions, batting in a lineup alongside Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. He is expected to have an everyday role at the keystone, which would push Bryson Stott to a utility role. Kilian should compete for low-leverage opportunities and is not expected to hold much fantasy value outside of deep 15+ team formats that reward holds. UPDATE: Francys Romero reports that Arraez is unlikely to debut with the Phillies until Tuesday's game against the division-rival Washington Nationals.
Source: Jayson Stark
Source: Jayson Stark
Erik Miller Emerging as Priority Target for Deep-League Saves
San Francisco Giants left-hander Erik Miller picked up another save in the 4-1 win over the division-rival San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Thursday, and he's becoming an option for fantasy managers in deeper leagues who are desperate for saves. The 28-year-old southpaw allowed a hit and struck out a batter on Thursday night to earn his fourth save of the year and his second in as many outings. He's beginning to gain the trust of manager Tony Vitello and appears to be the current favored option in the ninth inning over right-handers Caleb Kilian and Dylan Smith. Before picking up two saves in his last two appearances, Miller went 24 appearances without a save in the Giants' bullpen. On the year, the former fourth-rounder by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2019 out of Stanford University is 2-0 with a 2.78 ERA (3.26 FIP) and 1.39 WHIP with 45 strikeouts and 22 walks in 32 1/3 innings in his third year in the major leagues. Miller's four saves in 2026 are the first four saves of his career, but more opportunities should be coming before the year is up. He's rostered in only 4% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Erik Miller Earns Save for Giants, Emerging as Primary Option in Bullpen
San Francisco Giants left-hander Erik Miller picked up his third save of the season on Monday night, throwing a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts in his team's 3-0 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. San Francisco has largely operated with a committee approach in the ninth inning so far this season. Still, Miller has a solid case as the team's best relief arm, as he's pitched to a 2.87 ERA and 1.40 WHIP with 44 strikeouts across 31 1/3 innings (36 games). The 28-year-old's command is spotty, as he's surrendered a 16.2% walk rate. However, he's averaging 96.9 miles per hour on his fastball and has struck out 32.4% of the batters he's faced on the year. For deep-league managers who are searching for saves on the waiver wire, Miller could be a name to target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Erik Miller Emerging as a Potential Closing Option For the Giants
San Francisco Giants left-hander Erik Miller has put together a nice season so far in 2026, with a 3.18 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, and 40 strikeouts in 28 1/3 innings pitched (33 appearances). Miller has some of the most unhittable stuff in MLB, evidenced by his .186 xBA (95th percentile) and 84.2 mph average exit velocity (99th percentile), but his control is the worst in MLB, with a 16.1 percent walk rate (first percentile). Therefore, with Miller, you have to assume he will not help you in the WHIP category. Miller has primarily been deployed as a high-leverage, lefty specialist for the Giants, but his role of late has expanded, and he has even earned a few save opportunities (three on the season). In addition to his two saves, Miller also has 10 holds on the year, and due to his electric stuff, he is someone who has the upside to take over as the Giants' primary closing option, but for now, Miller should not be considered must-roster, more so someone to keep an eye on over the latter part of the season.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Erik Miller Worth Stashing for Second-Half Saves?
San Francisco Giants left-hander Erik Miller worked 1 1/3 innings on Sunday, struck out two, allowed one hit, walked none, and allowed no runs against the Rockies, picking up his second win of the season. Miller also has an impressive 10 holds for the year, along with two saves in three opportunities and a 3.29 ERA, with 38 punchouts in 27 1/3 innings (32 appearances). His WHIP remains incredibly high for a reliever (1.50), and his control at times falters tremendously (16.5 percent walk rate), but his stuff and velocity are good enough to keep his high WHIP afloat. He generates a ton of strikeouts and whiffs (31.4 percent and 34.4 percent, respectively), and allows a .190 xBA. Caleb Kilian appears to be the preferred choice to close out games for the Giants, as he has eight saves in 11 opportunities; however, he has blown two saves in the past six outings and has a 4.74 ERA and 1.39 WHIP. It's a long shot that Miller becomes the preferred closer, as he is also utilized as a left-handed specialist; however, if Kilian continues to falter, it could keep the door open for Miller. If you are in saves-and-holds leagues, Miller will continue to provide solid value in deeper formats.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jason Foley Activated Off Injured List on Sunday
San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Jason Foley (shoulder) was activated off the 60-day Injured List on Sunday. The right-hander is ready to make his team debut after missing the first few months of the season. Foley has finally recovered from arthroscopic shoulder surgery that he underwent in May of 2025. The expectation is that Foley will begin in a low-leverage role out of the bullpen. If he pitches well, Foley could quickly work his way into save situations. He registered 28 saves with a 3.15 ERA across 60 innings with the Detroit Tigers in 2024. He's someone to keep an eye on as a possible saves target in deep leagues during the second half of the season.
Source: Giants PR
Source: Giants PR
JT Brubaker Worth an Add in Deeper Leagues?
San Francisco Giants right-handed reliever JT Brubaker handled the final two innings of Saturday's 4-2 win over the Colorado Rockies, picking up his first career save. Kyle Karros homered off him in the eighth, but that was the only baserunner Brubaker allowed. He struck out two and did not walk anyone. His 2.87 ERA and 1.13 WHIP through 47 innings look useful, but the 33:20 K:BB shows why fantasy managers should be careful. Brubaker got the call after Caleb Kilian blew Friday's save and had worked on back-to-back days. Kilian still sits atop the Giants' depth chart, with Erik Miller and Dylan Smith ahead of Brubaker, and RotoBaller called Saturday's save a likely one-off. Brubaker is rostered in roughly 0% of leagues, but that does not make him an automatic deep-league add. He is worth monitoring in NL-only formats, not rostering in standard mixed leagues, unless another late chance comes his way.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Caleb Kilian the Saves Source to Roster in San Francisco?
The San Francisco Giants aren't the best bullpen to target when searching for saves in 2026, but if you're desperate, right-handed reliever Caleb Kilian is the name to roster in the Giants' pen, especially after the team sent right-hander Ryan Walker back to the minors on Thursday. In his first year in the Bay Area, Kilian has gone 2-4 with a 4.03 ERA (4.42 FIP), 1.59 WHIP, his first eight career saves, 47 strikeouts, and 17 walks in 38 innings in relief. He closed out the month of June with five earned runs allowed in 1 2/3 innings pitched against the Athletics and Atlanta Braves, but he has two saves with six strikeouts and no walks in three innings in his first three outings in July. It's hard to put a lot of trust into a reliever with a 6.20 career ERA in just 65 1/3 innings since he debuted with the Chicago Cubs in 2022, but Kilian is definitely manager Tony Vitello's go-to guy in the ninth inning right now, and he has a strong 28.8% strikeout rate to boot. Kilian is widely available off the waiver wire, as he's rostered in only 15% of Yahoo leagues at the moment.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Ryan Walker Heading Back to Triple-A
San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello told KNBR on Thursday that the team is sending right-handed reliever Ryan Walker to Triple-A Sacramento. The 30-year-old veteran and former 31st-round pick by the Giants in 2018 out of Washington State University had a career-high 17 saves in his third year in the majors in 2025, but he has really struggled this year, going 0-1 with a 7.52 ERA (5.47 FIP), 1.82 WHIP, three saves, 19 strikeouts, and 15 walks in 26 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. This will be the second time the Giants have sent him to the farm in 2026. Walker was looking better in seven appearances since returning to the majors on June 12, allowing two earned runs on three hits with four strikeouts, two walks, and a hold, but things have fallen apart for him again recently in his four outings so far in July. He's allowed an earned run in each of his July appearances, with nine earned runs allowed, three walks, and just one strikeout. As things currently stand in San Fran's bullpen, right-hander Caleb Kilian is the reliever to roster for fantasy managers searching for saves. He's rostered in only 15% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: KNBR
Source: KNBR
Caleb Kilian a Priority Pickup for Saves-Needy Managers?
Giants right-handed reliever Caleb Kilian has done enough to keep the ninth inning in San Francisco, even after a four-run blowup against the Athletics on June 25. The Giants went right back to him in their next two save situations, and he converted both. Kilian allowed one run while closing out the Atlanta Braves on June 28, then followed with a perfect inning and two strikeouts against the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 1. He owns seven saves with a 4.00 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 43 strikeouts over 36 innings. Manager Tony Vitello officially named Kilian the closer in mid-June, while Ryan Walker has remained in a fireman role since returning from Triple-A. The ratios are not spotless, but Kilian's 43 strikeouts give him some value beyond the saves. RotoBaller recommends him in leagues with 10 or more teams, and his 11% Yahoo roster rate leaves him widely available. Saves-needy managers should treat him as a priority pickup.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Caleb Kilian Remains a Priority Waiver Wire-Target for Saves in San Francisco
San Francisco Giants right-hander Caleb Kilian had a rough outing in his most recent appearance against the Athletics on Thursday, allowing four earned runs for his second blown save of the year. However, the 29-year-old has been one of San Francisco's most reliable relievers overall this season, pitching to a 3.97 ERA and 1.26 WHIP with 40 strikeouts and five saves across 34 innings (33 games). Kilian has boosted his average fastball velocity to a career-best 96.9 miles per hour and has struck out 27.6% of the batters he's faced this season. Before his blowup against the A's, Kilian had recorded nine consecutive scoreless appearances. Kilian remains the most likely source of saves on the Giants roster and should be a priority target on the waiver wire in leagues where he is available.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Caleb Kilian Allows Four Runs in Loss, Could he Lose the Closer Role?
San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Caleb Kilian was unable to shut the door versus the Athletics on Thursday. He entered the game with a one-run lead in the ninth inning. Kilian gave up a leadoff single, but retired the next two batters. After that, Kilian allowed the next four batters to reach base, which resulted in a four-run outburst for the A's. Kilian would take the loss and suffer his second blown save of the season. This season, Kilian owns a 3.97 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and a 40:17 K:BB ratio with five saves across 34 innings. It was a bad outing, but the Giants don't have many other reliable arms out of the bullpen. They'll likely stick with Kilian and hope this was just a fluke outing.
Source: mlb.com
Source: mlb.com
