Is Louis Varland the Primary Closer in Toronto?

While not a save situation, the Toronto Blue Jays used right-hander Louis Varland in the ninth inning of their 7-3 win over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night. With Blue Jays reliever Jeff Hoffman recently being removed from the closer role amid persistent struggles, Varland appears to have taken over as the team's new primary […]

Jacob Webb Notches Save on Friday, Emerging as Cubs' New Closer?

Chicago Cubs reliever Jacob Webb picked up his first save of the season on Friday, throwing two scoreless innings with three strikeouts in his team's 6-5 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Across his first 12 2/3 innings of 2026, Webb has pitched to a 4.26 ERA, 1.82 WHIP, and 15 strikeouts. With Cubs right-hander Daniel […]

Rico Garcia a Name to Watch for Saves in Baltimore

With Baltimore Orioles closer Ryan Helsley (elbow) on the 15-day injured list due to elbow discomfort, Orioles right-hander Rico Garcia could emerge as the team's temporary stand-in in the ninth inning. Garcia has been dominant to start 2026, pitching to a 0.66 ERA and 0.37 WHIP with 15 strikeouts and one save across 13 2/3 […]

Jacob Latz Earns Another Save on Friday, Emerging as Rangers' Primary Closer?

Texas Rangers left-hander Jacob Latz picked up his third save of the season on Friday, throwing a scoreless inning with a strikeout in his team's 5-4 win over the Detroit Tigers. Latz started the year in the Rangers' rotation but has since been shifted to the bullpen and has now recorded saves in three consecutive […]

MRI on Ryan Helsley's Elbow Comes Back Clean, Orioles Expecting Quick Return?

An MRI on Baltimore Orioles closer Ryan Helsley's (elbow) right elbow came back clean, per Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun. Per Calvin Meyer, Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said that his concern level for Helsley is "not high at all." Helsley was placed on the 15-day injured list on Friday after experiencing discomfort in […]

Jhoan Duran Scheduled to Throw Bullpen Session on Saturday

Philadelphia Phillies closer Jhoan Duran (oblique) is scheduled to throw a second bullpen session at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday. The 28-year-old is working his way back from an oblique strain that has kept him on the injured list since mid-April. While the Phillies are reportedly not planning to push him before he's 100% ready, […]

Weekend Waiver Wire Rankings: Fantasy Baseball Pickups for Week 5

It's officially May! We have seen plenty of close calls and injuries happen this past month. If you need an injury replacement or are looking for a closer, we've got you covered with our weekend fantasy baseball waiver rankings for Week 5 -- April 27  through May 3 for leagues that allow daily moves. The […]

Mariners Place Matt Brash on Injured List With Lat Inflammation

The Seattle Mariners announced on Friday that they placed right-handed reliever Matt Brash (lat) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to April 30) with right-lat inflammation and recalled left-hander Josh Simpson from Triple-A Tacoma in a corresponding move. Brash injured himself during his brief outing against the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday when he threw just […]

Matt Brash Diagnosed With Lat Inflammation, Could Land on IL

Seattle Mariners right-handed reliever Matt Brash (lat) had an MRI exam that showed "trace inflammation" in his right lat, president of baseball operations Justin Hollander told MLB.com's Daniel Kramer. There were no signs of structural damage for Brash. The Mariners are now trying to determine if he'll need to go on the 15-day injured list. […]

Ryan Helsley Placed on Injured List With Elbow Inflammation

Baltimore Orioles right-handed closer Ryan Helsley (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list on Friday with right-elbow inflammation, according to Jake Rill of MLB.com. This one is a bit of a surprise after Helsley looked fine in his last outing, when he locked down his seventh save of the year with a perfect ninth […]

Mets Don't Intend to Fire Manager Carlos Mendoza

Despite one of the worst starts in New York Mets franchise history this year, president of baseball operations David Stearns told Anthony DiComo of MLB.com that "we don't intend to make a change" and fire manager Carlos  Mendoza. The Mets have started 10-21, which is the third-worst start in franchise history through 31 games after […]

Jeremiah Estrada Returns to Padres Bullpen

The San Diego Padres announced on Friday that they reinstated right-handed reliever Jeremiah Estrada (elbow) from the 15-day injured list and optioned right-hander David Morgan to Triple-A El Paso in a corresponding move. Estrada didn't look right early in the 2026 season, allowing six runs (four earned) on five hits with five walks and eight […]

Daniel Palencia Making a Rehab Appearance on Friday

Chicago Cubs right-handed closer Daniel Palencia (lat) will make a minor-league rehab appearance on Friday with Triple-A Iowa, manager Craig Counsell told Andy Martinez. If Palencia looks good on Friday and doesn't suffer a setback with his lat, the Cubs could activate him from the 15-day injured list for the final two games of the […]

Top 300 Fantasy Baseball Rankings - Nick Mariano's Rest-of-Season Outlooks for Fernando Tatis Jr., Ildemaro Vargas, Paul Skenes, more

With another month about to begin, it's a great time to produce another weekly update to my rest-of-season fantasy baseball top 300 ranks. Those of you near the top of the standings may feel invincible, while those at the bottom may feel lost in the dark. We're here for those who want to keep on […]

Gus Varland Earns Another Save in Washington, Seeing Fantasy Value Rise

Washington Nationals right-handed reliever Gus Varland is seeing his fantasy baseball value rise after earning his third save of the year in the team's 5-4 win over the division-rival New York Mets at Citi Field on Thursday. Varland entered the game with two outs in the eighth inning and ended up tossing 1 1/3 scoreless […]

Emilio Pagan Struggles in Non-Save Situation, Allows Two Runs

Cincinnati Reds right-handed closer Emilio Pagan had a rough day at the office in a non-save situation in Thursday's 6-4 win over the visiting Colorado Rockies at Great American Ballpark. Pagan was summoned in the top of the ninth inning with a four-run lead, and he proceeded to allow two earned runs on three hits […]

Jack Perkins Tallies Third Save, Emerging as Closer to Roster?

Athletics right-handed reliever Jack Perkins picked up his third save of the season in the team's 6-3 victory over the visiting Kansas City Royals on Thursday, allowing a hit while striking out one in a scoreless inning of work at Sutter Health Park. Harris has become a reliever on the rise for fantasy managers to […]

Ryan Walker Blows Second Save, Falling Out of Closer Committee?

San Francisco Giants right-handed reliever Ryan Walker blew his second save of the season and was tagged with the loss in the first game of a doubleheader on Thursday versus the Philadelphia Phillies, and he could be running out of chances going forward in save situations in the Bay Area. Walker's first blown save came […]

Can Josh Hader Return to Dominant Form in 2026 Once Healthy?

Houston Astros closer Josh Hader (biceps) has yet to pitch in 2026 as he works his way back from a biceps injury. There was some thought in Spring Training that Hader might have a chance to return in April, but the 32-year-old was transferred to the 60-day injured list in the middle of the month […]

Jhoan Duran Throwing a Bullpen on Thursday, to Return Soon?

Philadelphia Phillies right-handed closer Jhoan Duran (oblique) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Thursday for the first time since landing on the 15-day injured list with a left-oblique strain, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Duran has been on the IL for 16 days, but the Phillies are optimistic about his progress, […]

Edwin Diaz Feels Good, "100 Percent Confident" he'll be Full Strength in Second Half

Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed closer Edwin Diaz (elbow), who is on the 15-day injured list after having surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow, said that he feels "really good" and is "100% confident" that he will be back to full strength for the second half of the 2026 season, according to Bill […]

Carlos Estevez Shows Increased Velocity While Throwing to Hitters

Kansas City Royals right-handed reliever Carlos Estevez (ankle) threw to live hitters in Arizona on Tuesday, and president of baseball operations JJ Picollo said that his velocity was "closer to what it needed to be," according to Cody Tapp of 96.5 The Fan. It's good news, but Tapp also guesses that Estevez is two weeks […]

Mid-Week Waiver Wire Rankings: Fantasy Baseball Pickups for Week 5

April will be in the books soon, and we will have a full month of stats for the 2026 MLB season. There is still plenty of baseball to be played and time to turn things around if your fantasy baseball team is at the bottom of the standings. At RotoBaller HQ, we are back with […]

Didier Fuentes Worth a Pickup in Modified Role?

Atlanta Braves right-handed pitching prospect Didier Fuentes was recalled to the MLB roster in a modified relief role prior to Tuesday's contest. In Tuesday's game, Fuentes entered the game out of the bullpen and logged two no-hit frames with one walk and one punchout, earning his first career hold. Fuentes was promoted to the majors […]

14 Closer Fantasy Baseball Breakout Candidates: Relief Pitcher Targets For Saves (Week 5)

Alright, Mason Miller is mortal, so we're moving further into the uncharted territory that is 2026 bullpens. The injuries won't stop, we had Jordan Romano get designated for assignment, and elite bullpen arms are stuck in middle relief. Let's get into it with this week's relief risers and potential breakouts. This column aims to identify […]

Mark Leiter Jr. Secures One-Out Save for Athletics

Athletics relief pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. came on to close out the Royals on Wednesday night, earning his third save of the season by getting Jac Caglianone to strike out swinging to end the game. He came in to replace Joel Kuhnel, who got five outs but gave up a run on a sacrifice fly […]

Jacob Latz Earns Another Save for Rangers, Emerging as Closer to Roster?

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jacob Latz worked two shutout innings on Wednesday night to help his team close out a 3-0 win over the visiting Yankees. Latz allowed one hit and had one strikeout, lowering his ERA for the season to 1.08 with a 0.48 WHIP in his 16 2/3 innings over 13 appearances. While […]

Cubs Turn to Hoby Milner for Save on Wednesday

Chicago Cubs left-hander Hoby Milner picked up his first save of the season on Wednesday, coming on to record the final out of his team's 5-4 win over the San Diego Padres. Milner has been effective out of the Chicago pen in the early-going of 2026, pitching to a 2.40 ERA and 0.93 WHIP with […]

Calvin Faucher Earns Save on Wednesday, Emerging Name in Marlins' Committee?

Miami Marlins reliever Calvin Faucher earned his first save of the season on Wednesday, working around three walks in a scoreless ninth inning in his team's 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. With Marlins closer Pete Fairbanks (thumb) on the injured list due to nerve irritation in his thumb, Faucher could be emerging as […]

Matt Brash Injures his Side on Wednesday

Seattle Mariners right-handed reliever Matt Brash (side) left his outing in Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Twins early with side discomfort, manager Dan Wilson told Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times. Brash left his appearance after just two pitches to begin the eighth inning when it looked like he experienced discomfort on a changeup that […]