Latest fantasy baseball bullpen updates
Craig Kimbrel converted a save on May 19, albeit one of the easier opportunities he could've received, signaling he might be close to recapturing the Orioles' closer role. (May 20)
After Edwin Diaz blew two saves while allowing seven runs in his past three games, Reid Garrett secured a two-inning save for the Mets on May 19. Consider theirs a closer-by-committee. (May 20)
Pete Fairbanks is likely to recapture the Rays' full-time closer role soon, though he has been sharing the role initially since his return from the injured list. (May 20)
Paul Sewald returned from the injured list to pitch the ninth inning of the Diamondbacks' 6-2 win on May 7. He'll reclaim his closer role, with Kevin Ginkel moving back to the eighth inning. (May 8)
Team-by-team fantasy baseball bullpens
Each pitcher's roster percentages in ESPN leagues is listed in parentheses. Those who have been "heavily worked" over recent days have their names bolded and italicized. Pitchers who are thus labeled as "tired" are less likely to pitch in today's games and, therefore, less likely than normal to earn wins, holds or saves today. Our formula for deeming a reliever to be tired generally requires that he meets at least two of the following criteria: At least 25 pitches thrown the previous day; at least 35 pitches thrown over the last three days; appearances in both of the prior two days.
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Closer: Paul Sewald (60.7%)
Primary setup: Kevin Ginkel (5.1%)
Secondary setup: Ryan Thompson (0.3%)
Middle relief: Joe Mantiply (0.1%)
ATLANTA BRAVES
Closer: Raisel Iglesias (85.5%)
Primary setup: A.J. Minter (10.8%)
Secondary setup: Joe Jimenez (3.0%)
Middle relief: Aaron Bummer (0.3%)
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Closer-by-committee: Craig Kimbrel (69.9%)
Closer-by-committee: Yennier Cano (38.7%)
Closer-by-committee: Danny Coulombe (1.8%)
Primary setup: Jacob Webb (0.4%)
BOSTON RED SOX
Closer: Kenley Jansen (67.0%)
Primary setup: Chris Martin (2.5%)
Secondary setup: Justin Slaten (1.9%)
Middle relief: Zack Kelly (0.0%)
CHICAGO CUBS
Closer: Hector Neris (16.8%)
Primary setup: Mark Leiter Jr. (3.0%)
Secondary setup: Tyson Miller (0.1%)
Sleeper: Ben Brown (1.3%)
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Closer: Michael Kopech (5.4%)
Primary setup: Jordan Leasure (0.6%)
Secondary setup: John Brebbia (0.7%)
Middle relief: Steven Wilson (0.2%)
CINCINNATI REDS
Closer: Alexis Diaz (70.4%)
Primary setup: Emilio Pagan (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Fernando Cruz (1.5%)
Sleeper: Lucas Sims (0.4%)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Closer: Emmanuel Clase (97.7%)
Primary setup: Hunter Gaddis (1.8%)
Secondary setup: Scott Barlow (3.6%)
Middle relief: Nick Sandlin (1.0%)
COLORADO ROCKIES
Closer-by-committee: Justin Lawrence (2.9%)
Closer-by-committee: Jalen Beeks (1.7%)
Closer-by-committee: Tyler Kinley (0.3%)
Primary setup: Nick Mears (0.0%)
DETROIT TIGERS
Closer: Jason Foley (39.2%)
Primary setup: Alex Lange (30.8%)
Secondary setup: Andrew Chafin (0.4%)
Middle relief: Alex Faedo (0.3%)
HOUSTON ASTROS
Closer: Josh Hader (83.9%)
Primary setup: Ryan Pressly (10.3%)
Secondary setup: Rafael Montero (0.3%)
Sleeper: Bryan Abreu (10.0%)
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Closer: James McArthur (20.8%)
Primary setup: John Schreiber (4.4%)
Secondary setup: Chris Stratton (0.1%)
Middle relief: Will Smith (2.9%)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Closer: Carlos Estevez (25.4%)
Primary setup: Hunter Strickland (0.0%)
Secondary setup: Luis Garcia (0.1%)
Middle relief: Matt Moore (0.2%)
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Closer-by-committee: Daniel Hudson (8.0%)
Closer-by-committee: Blake Treinen (2.7%)
Closer-by-committee: Alex Vesia (0.8%)
Injured: Evan Phillips (80.9%)
MIAMI MARLINS
Closer: Tanner Scott (51.4%)
Primary setup: Anthony Bender (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Calvin Faucher (0.0%)
Sleeper: A.J. Puk (17.6%)
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Closer: Trevor Megill (10.8%)
Primary setup: Elvis Peguero (0.5%)
Secondary setup: Bryan Hudson (3.1%)
Injured: Devin Williams (35.3%)
MINNESOTA TWINS
Co-closer: Jhoan Duran (80.5%)
Co-closer: Griffin Jax (9.0%)
Primary setup: Caleb Thielbar (0.3%)
Secondary setup: Cole Sands (0.3%)
NEW YORK METS
Closer-by-committee: Edwin Diaz (86.9%)
Closer-by-committee: Adam Ottavino (1.9%)
Closer-by-committee: Reed Garrett (17.6%)
Closer-by-committee: Jake Diekman (0.1%)
NEW YORK YANKEES
Closer: Clay Holmes (94.2%)
Primary setup: Luke Weaver (5.6%)
Secondary setup: Ian Hamilton (1.8%)
Middle relief: Nick Burdi (0.1%)
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
Closer: Mason Miller (74.1%)
Primary setup: Lucas Erceg (1.5%)
Secondary setup: Austin Adams (2.3%)
Middle relief: Michael Kelly (0.0%)
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Co-closer: Jose Alvarado (48.9%)
Co-closer: Jeff Hoffman (6.0%)
Primary setup: Matt Strahm (9.1%)
Sleeper: Orion Kerkering (1.4%)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Closer: David Bednar (65.6%)
Primary setup: Aroldis Chapman (8.1%)
Secondary setup: Colin Holderman (0.4%)
Sleeper: Hunter Stratton (0.1%)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Closer: Ryan Helsley (89.3%)
Primary setup: JoJo Romero (13.4%)
Secondary setup: Ryan Fernandez (0.0%)
Sleeper: Andrew Kittredge (5.8%)
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Closer: Robert Suarez (81.7%)
Primary setup: Wandy Peralta (0.3%)
Secondary setup: Jeremiah Estrada (0.3%)
Sleeper: Yuki Matsui (9.9%)
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Closer: Camilo Doval (87.2%)
Primary setup: Tyler Rogers (2.3%)
Secondary setup: Ryan Walker (1.1%)
Sleeper: Taylor Rogers (0.4%)
SEATTLE MARINERS
Closer: Andres Munoz (79.5%)
Primary setup: Ryne Stanek (0.8%)
Secondary setup: Gabe Speier (0.3%)
Middle relief: Trent Thornton (0.1%)
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Closer-by-committee: Pete Fairbanks (53.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Jason Adam (15.7%)
Closer-by-committee: Kevin Kelly (0.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Garrett Cleavinger (1.7%)
TEXAS RANGERS
Closer: Kirby Yates (41.5%)
Primary setup: David Robertson (20.4%)
Secondary setup: Jose Leclerc (26.1%)
Middle relief: Jake Latz (0.1%)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Closer: Jordan Romano (74.4%)
Primary setup: Yimi Garcia (5.4%)
Secondary setup: Trevor Richards (0.2%)
Sleeper: Erik Swanson (1.8%)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Closer: Kyle Finnegan (54.2%)
Primary setup: Hunter Harvey (14.6%)
Secondary setup: Dylan Floro (0.3%)
Middle relief: Jordan Weems (0.0%)
KEY: "Closer" is either that team's officially designated closer, or the pitcher most likely to get the team's next save chance. Teams can be listed with "Co-closers" or "Closer-by-committee." "Primary setup" is the pitcher next-most likely to take over if something happens to the closer, the top holds-getter and the one who might get any save chances on the closer's nights off. "Secondary setup" is the pitcher third-in-line to close and a good candidate for holds. "Middle relief" covers any other pertinent relievers from that team's bullpen. "Sleeper" is another reliever who could provide a decent number of holds or eventually graduate into the closer role.