Fantasy Baseball Closer Depth Charts - MLB Bullpens and Saves

Saves are an important component for many fantasy baseball leagues. Closers are one of the most volatile positions in fantasy baseball and one of the highest turnover positions in MLB. Each year, closers drop like flies, and many MLB teams make in-season changes due to injuries or poor performance. Relief pitchers are becoming increasingly important […]

Joel Kuhnel Picks Up First Save of 2026 on Wednesday

Athletics reliever Joel Kuhnel picked up his first save of 2026 on Wednesday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning with a strikeout in his team's 3-2 win over the New York Yankees. The 31-year-old was just recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday, but he's already made two high-leverage appearances for the A's. Kuhnel spent the […]

Edwin Uceta Could Return Before May 1

Tampa Bay Rays right-handed reliever Edwin Uceta (shoulder) will pitch one inning on Friday and on Sunday for Double-A Montgomery on a minor-league rehab assignment before being sent to Triple-A Durham to build his arm up further, according to Ryan Bass. "I'm hopeful just before May 1," manager Kevin Cash said on a possible return […]

Robert Stephenson Undergoes Season-Ending Elbow Surgery

Los Angeles Angels right-handed reliever Robert Stephenson (elbow) underwent elbow surgery and is expected to be out for the entire 2026 season, manager Kurt Suzuki told Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. Stephenson has dealt with elbow issues with the Angels and pitched only 10 innings during his three-year deal with the organization. More right-elbow issues surfaced […]

Mark Leiter Jr. Blows Second Save on Tuesday, Falling Out of Closer Job?

Athletics relief pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. came on in the eighth inning to help secure a win for his club on Tuesday, but allowed four runs on four hits instead, including a go-ahead three-run home run to Amed Rosario, resulting in a 5-3 loss to the Yankees. It was the second blown save of the […]

Sean Manaea to Remain in the Bullpen for Now

New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said he's happy with where his top five starters are at early in the 2026 season, so left-hander Sean Manaea will remain in the bullpen for now, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. The Mets will not move to a six-man starting rotation this week, as they had previously […]

Justin Topa Shuts the Door for Twins, Earns First Save of the Season

Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Justin Topa picked up his first save of the season in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Tigers. The right-hander came on with one out in the ninth and coaxed a pair of groundouts to end the game, but did walk a batter in between the two outs, so it wasn't exactly […]

Kirby Yates Close to Going on Rehab Assignment

Los Angeles Angels right-handed reliever Kirby Yates (knee) faced hitters on Tuesday for the first time since landing on the 15-day injured list with left-knee inflammation on March 22, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. Yates said he threw 26 pitches on Tuesday, and the session went well. He's now hoping that the next step […]

Mid-Week Waiver Wire Rankings: Fantasy Baseball Pickups for Week 2

At RotoBaller HQ, we are back with more waiver wire advice and have updated our waiver wire rankings from Sunday to guide fantasy managers in leagues that allow daily moves.  Below, you will find our early-week fantasy baseball waiver rankings for Week 2 -- April 6  through April 12. Below you will find players such […]

Edwin Diaz Punches Out Three en Route to Fourth Save

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz picked up his fourth save of the season on Tuesday in a 4-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Diaz allowed a hit and a walk but minimized damage with his elite swing-and-miss stuff, striking out three to close out the game. In his first year in Los Angeles, […]

Is Bryan Baker the Reliever to Roster in Tampa Bay Bullpen?

Tampa Bay Rays reliever Bryan Baker has emerged as a reliable and effective option out of the bullpen in his first full year with the club. Baker has already recorded a save and a win, posting a 2.25 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in four innings of work. He has struggled to find consistency throughout his […]

Cole Sands Pitches in Eighth Inning on Tuesday, Falling into Strict Closer Committee?

Minnesota Twins reliever Cole Sands recorded just one out in the 4-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday. He entered in the eighth inning and allowed a lineout and two walks. Sands continues to search for a defined role in the backend of the Twins bullpen after securing his first save of the season […]

Jakob Junis Earns Another Save for Rangers

Texas Rangers reliever Jakob Junis earned his second save of the season in a 3-2 win over the division-rival Seattle Mariners on Tuesday. Junis allowed two hits but minimized damage and induced weak contact, throwing 11 strikes out of 15 pitches. The 33-year-old has yet to allow a run or a walk in seven innings […]

Hot MLB Prospects to Watch for Fantasy Baseball - James Tibbs III, Kohl Drake, Henry Bolte, Joseph Dzierwa, Rodney Green Jr.

Welcome back, RotoBallers! Not only are we thrilled that Major League Baseball is back in full swing, but we're even more excited that the Minor League Baseball schedule is also underway. Monitoring the top fantasy baseball prospects who have turned heads thus far is imperative. The players listed here are coming off dominant weeks and […]

Gregory Soto Sharp in High-Leverage Spot on Tuesday

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Gregory Soto delivered a strong outing against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday, pitching a scoreless inning with a strikeout without allowing a baserunner. Across 7 1/3 innings (seven games) so far in 2026, the 31-year-old has allowed just two hits, three walks, and one earned run while recording 13 strikeouts […]

Devin Williams Quickly Returning to High-End Closer Territory

New York Mets closer Devin Williams delivered another scoreless outing in his team's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday, allowing two hits but also picking up two strikeouts in one inning of work. The 31-year-old has gotten off to a strong start to his Mets career, as he's thrown five scoreless innings […]

Josh Hader Could Face Hitters Next Week

Houston Astros left-handed closer Josh Hader (biceps) could face hitters next week, manager Joe Espada told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Hader has been throwing bullpen sessions, but now the 32-year-old southpaw is ready to take the next step. It's a positive, but he may not be ready to make his 2026 season debut until […]

Edwin Uceta Moving to Double-A on Rehab Assignment

MLB.com reports that Tampa Bay Rays right-handed reliever Edwin Uceta (shoulder) is being moved to Double-A Montgomery on his minor-league rehab assignment. Uceta began the 2026 regular season on the 15-day injured list due to a right-shoulder impingement, but he threw live batting practice on Friday and is ready to start a rehab assignment. The […]

Orion Kerkering Coming Off Injured List

The Philadelphia Phillies will activate right-handed reliever Orion Kerkering (hamstring) from the injured list on Tuesday, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. In a corresponding move, the Phillies optioned left-hander Kyle Backhus to the minors after Monday's game. Kerkering will be making his 2026 debut after straining his right hamstring in spring training. The hard-throwing […]

Rangers Turn to Jakob Junis to Earn Monday's Save

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jakob Junis earned his first save of the season on Monday by shutting down Seattle in the ninth inning of a close, 2-1 victory. Junis faced the middle of the Mariners' order and got Cal Raleigh to ground out to start the inning and Josh Naylor to hit into a game-ending […]

Jordan Romano Earns Fourth Save of Campaign

Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Jordan Romano only needed three pitches to secure his fourth save of the season on Monday night. He didn't start the ninth inning since the Angels had a 6-1 lead, but he entered with the tying run on deck after Chase Silseth gave up a run and put two more […]

10 Closer Fantasy Baseball Breakout Candidates: Relief Pitcher Targets For Saves (Week 2)

Some part of us surely knew that 2026 would bring a healthy dose of bullpen madness, but many were not prepared to tangle with this degree of chaos. Where there is ambiguity, there is opportunity. Let's run through another week's worth of risers and potential reliever breakouts. This column aims to sift through the ol' […]

Top 25 Injured Players to Stash for Fantasy Baseball - Week 2 (2026)

Welcome back to the Injured Players to Stash for Fantasy Baseball series as we continue Week 2 of the 2026 MLB season. Even though we're still extremely early in the season, that doesn't mean that you shouldn't be stashing injured players. They can make a major impact on your roster down the road. If you […]

Bryan Baker Earns Save for the Rays on Monday

Tampa Bay Rays reliever Bryan Baker picked up his first save of 2026 on Monday, allowing a solo home run but striking out two in the ninth inning of his team's 6-4 win over the Chicago Cubs. The 31-year-old has been sharp to open the year, recording six strikeouts while allowing just one hit and […]

Emilio Pagan Perfect en Route to Earning Fourth Save

Cincinnati Reds closer Emilio Pagan pitched a perfect ninth inning and recorded his fourth save of the season in his team's 2-0 victory over the Miami Marlins on Monday. Pagan's overall numbers for the year don't look pretty, as he's pitched to a 7.11 ERA with three walks and six strikeouts across 6 1/3 innings […]

Lucas Erceg Notches Third Save on Monday, Carrying Must-Start Upside

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Lucas Erceg picked up his third save of the season on Monday, pitching a perfect ninth inning with a strikeout in his team's 4-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians. Across 4 2/3 innings pitched in 2026, the 30-year-old has allowed five hits, two earned runs, and two walks while recording […]

Marlins Place Pete Fairbanks on Paternity List

Miami Marlins closer Pete Fairbanks has officially been placed on the paternity list. This move was widely expected after the Marlins shifted Fairbanks to the opener role on Sunday so that he could leave the team and join his family sooner. He was roughed up during that spot start, allowing three earned runs, three hits, […]

Is Riley O'Brien Taking Control of the Closer Job?

St. Louis Cardinals right-handed reliever Riley O'Brien picked up his second save on Sunday night, helping the Cardinals secure the 5-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers and avoid getting swept over the weekend. The Cardinals' bullpen has been a bit of a mystery box to start the season, with O'Brien, JoJo Romero, Ryne Stanek, and Matt […]

Waiver Wire Rankings - Fantasy Baseball Pickups for Week 2 (Hitters and Pitchers)

We are about a week and a half into the 2026 MLB regular season, and there has already been a lot of injury news, prospects called up, and role changes. Juan Soto is day-to-day with a minor groin strain. It didn't take long, but the Pirates promoted top prospect Konnor Griffin on Friday after he […]

Gregory Soto Emerging As Must-Add Bullpen Option; Waiver-Wire Value Rising

Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Gregory Soto is emerging as a key waiver wire opportunity, showing strong upside early in the 2026 season. The left-hander has allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings, while relying heavily on swing-and-miss stuff with 11 strikeouts. His 52.4 K% ranks in the 99th percentile, highlighting his dominance in a small sample. […]