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2026 Closer Situations: Team Analysis
ARI
ATH
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CHC
CIN
CLE
COL
CWS
DET
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Arizona DiamondbacksTeam: Arizona Diamondbacks
Total Saves: 4
Closer: Paul Sewald
Next in Line: Ryan Thompson , Kevin Ginkel
(4/1) Arizona led the league and set a record with 17 pitchers recording at least one save last season. Injuries simply decimated this unit, with A.J. Puk (elbow), Justin Martinez (elbow) and Kevin Ginkel (shoulder) all suffering season-ending injuries during the campaign. Only Ginkel enters 2026 healthy, as both Puk and Martinez continue their recovery from Tommy John surgery. Puk, who received an internal brace, indicated recently that "he hoped to be back in early May." Whether the team allows him to return that fast is a different story, but it appears he's likely to return before the 2026 All-Star break. Martinez is tentatively targeting a return in August. Meanwhile, Andrew Saalfrank underwent shoulder surgery and will miss the 2026 campaign. Enter Paul Sewald, the former D'Backs closer back in 2023-24, who went to Driveline Baseball during the offseason and gained helium in the 2026 draft market as Opening Day approached. Sewald recorded Arizona's first save of the campaign, though Torey Lovullo's bullpen usage from last season tempers his stability in the closer role.
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Sacramento AthleticsTeam: Sacramento Athletics
Total Saves: 3
Closer: Committee
(4/1) The Athletics went from having one of the most stable closing situations in baseball to one of the most unsettled after they traded Mason Miller at last year's deadline. Losing their first 4 games of the 2026 season didn't provide any clarity either. Manager Mark Kotsay may simply take a hot-hand approach to the ninth inning until someone emerges from the pack, but it's currently a guessing game who ends up sticking in the role. From a skills perspective, Justin Sterner and Elvis Alvarado are appealing, but Scott Barlow stands out as the most-experienced option with 59 career saves. Barlow received the club's first save chance of the season, which was blown in extra innings. Mark Leiter picked up the first save of the year March 31 versus Atlanta, but he did so against the bottom of the order while Barlow worked the eighth versus the middle of the lineup, which could indicate that Barlow is considered the more trusted higher-leverage option. Hogan Harris led the A's with four of the club's 15 saves following last year's Miller trade, but it's tough to project him as part of Sacramento's closer mix for 2026, as he owns a mere 21.0 percent strikeout rate and poor 10.9 percent walk rate for his career while also being the bullpen's lone lefty.
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Atlanta BravesTeam: Atlanta Braves
Total Saves: 3
Closer: Raisel Iglesias
Next in Line: Robert Suarez , Tyler Kinley
(4/1) Raisel Iglesias accounted for 29 of Atlanta's 34 saves in 2025 for an 85.3 percent team save share that was 3rd-highest among closers overall. The veteran endured some struggles during his age-35 campaign, but finished last year strong by posting a 0.38 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and a league-leading 16 saves over the final 2 months. However, it's important to note Iglesias had no real competition for save chances. Now that Robert Suarez is signed for the next few seasons, any signs of struggles from Iglesias - who the team indicated would close in 2026 after re-signing him to a one-year, $16M deal - could result in a quick role change. New manager Walt Weiss could also turn to Tyler Kinley, whom Atlanta acquired at last year's deadline and re-signed this off-season. Kinley is coming off a career-year and should pitch important high-leverage innings for Atlanta in 2026.
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Team Notes
- 6/29:A.J. Minter, who logged his first save of the season Tuesday at Philadelphia, has appeared in 3 games in 4 days. This makes Will Smith the likeliest candidate for a save chance if one were to arise Wednesday.
Baltimore OriolesTeam: Baltimore Orioles
Total Saves: 6
Closer: Ryan Helsley
(4/2) While Felix Bautista (shoulder) returned for the onset of the 2025 campaign after missing the entirety of 2024, he was limited to just 35 games last year and is once again facing an extended absence after undergoing surgery in late-August to repair a torn labrum and torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder. "The Mountain" resumed throwing in early March and indicated he hopes to pitch at some point in September, but more than likely he'll be out until 2027. Enter Ryan Helsley, who signed a 2-year, $28 million deal with the Orioles this offseason. Helsley struggled in 2025, but is just one year removed from tallying an MLB-high 49 saves in 2024. He's opened 2026 as Baltimore's closer, successfully converting the team's first two save chances. If Helsley's past struggles return, new manager Craig Albernaz could always turn to Andrew Kittredge (shoulder), who is currently on a minor-league rehab assignment. Kittredge's statistics over the past two campaigns are strikingly similar to Helsley's and he even boasts a better WHIP, but Helsley is off to a good start in 2026 and appears to have fairly high stability as the Orioles closer.
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Boston Red SoxTeam: Boston Red Sox
Total Saves: 3
Closer: Aroldis Chapman
(4/2) Boston's bullpen was a strength of the team in 2025, ranking 2nd in the league with a 3.41 ERA while tying for sixth with 45 saves. In large part, this unit's success was thanks to closer Aroldis Chapman, who in his age-37 season dominated opposing hitters en-route to a 1.17 ERA and 0.70 WHIP that were tops among qualified relievers. Chapman's 37.3% strikeout rate ranked 3rd and perhaps most remarkably, he delivered the best walk rate (6.6%) of his 16-year career. This amounted to a 30.7% K-BB percentage that was 2nd among relievers. The southpaw racked up 32 saves (T-5th) that were his most in a season since 2019. Chapman's strong performance earned him a $13.3M contract extension with Boston that will keep him in Beantown for at least one additional season. He has a vesting option for 2027 based on innings pitched, which becomes a mutual option if not triggered during the upcoming season. Chapman has opened 2026 as the Red Sox unquestioned closer, while Garrett Whitlock, Justin Slaten and Greg Weissert figure to pitch important innings as part of the bridge to Chapman in the ninth.
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Team Notes
- 6/27:Tanner Houck was placed on the restricted list Monday prior to Boston's three-game series at Toronto. Matt Strahm and John Schreiber are the likeliest candidates for save opportunities should any arise during the series.
- 10/11:Hansel Robles exited Game 3 of the ALDS on Sunday due to a stomach illness after allowing two runs in two-thirds of an inning. He should be considered day-to-day due to his illness. Assuming he tests negative for COVID-19, it wouldn't be surprising to see the right-hander available for Game 4 on Monday. It was the first earned run he's allowed since August 29.
- 10/5:Entering tonight's AL Wild Card game against the Yankees, Hansel Robles has not allowed an earned run in 15 consecutive outings. Both he and Adam Ottavino enter tonight's contest with two-days rest, while Garrett Richards and Garrett Whitlock have had one day of rest after both pitched on Sunday.
Chicago CubsTeam: Chicago Cubs
Total Saves: 2
Closer: Daniel Palencia
(4/2) Daniel Palencia's electric performance in the World Baseball Classic made his ADP skyrocket the closer we got to Opening Day. Unfortunately, Palencia's fantasy managers are still waiting for him to record a save on his 2026 ledger, as the Cubs only save of the season thus far went to Colin Rea (who picked up a 3-inning save). While Palencia should rack up saves as the season progresses, fantasy managers must be patient for now. Despite the lack of save chances, Palencia's stability as Chicago's closer remains high, even with the team signing a trio of successful high-leverage arms this offseason in Phil Maton, Hunter Harvey and Caleb Thielbar.
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Cincinnati RedsTeam: Cincinnati Reds
Total Saves: 6
Closer: Emilio Pagan
Next in Line: Tony Santillan , Graham Ashcraft
(4/2) Reds manager Terry Francona is known for his preference of using 1 pitcher in the closer role and was true to that philosophy last season, using only 4 pitchers for saves (2nd-fewest in the league). Emilio Pagan re-emerged on the high-leverage scene, recording a career-high 32 saves; tying him for 5th in the league overall. His 78% team save share was 6th-highest among closers as the veteran right-hander managed to hold onto closing duties all year. His performance earned him a 2-year, $20 million contract to return to Cincinnati. Unfortunately, Pagan's 2026 campaign has gotten off to a rough start. He blew a save during his first appearance of the season and has allowed 2 home runs through his first three games. Pagan figures to maintain a bit of leash as the Reds' closer, but if his performance continues to suffer throughout April, Francona could turn closing duties over to Tony Santillan, Graham Ashcraft or Pierce Johnson.
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Cleveland GuardiansTeam: Cleveland Guardians
Total Saves: 5
Closer: Cade Smith
(4/2) While Emmanuel Clase's future in MLB is in jeopardy due to his alleged role in sports-betting, the Guardians and manager Stephen Vogt can take comfort with Cade Smith as their closer for the foreseeable future. Smith finished with 16 saves last year; 13 of which came after Clase was unavailable. This represented a 76.4% team save share from July 28 onwards. Ultimately, Smith was as dominant in 2025 as he was the season prior, being one of five relief pitchers to record 100+ strikeouts. Smith has battled some challenges through his first few appearances of 2026, permitting at least 1 ER in three straight outings. He does have one win and one save through his first four outings, but Smith isn't yet producing whiffs or strikeouts at the level we're used to seeing from him. His stability as the Guardians closer remains high, however, especially with top setup man Hunter Gaddis (forearm) currently on the IL. Shawn Armstrong and Erik Sabrowski are worth monitoring as potential closer-in-waiting candidates should Smith's struggles extend further into the season.
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Team Notes
- 7/1:Emmanuel Clase has appeared in each of the last 3 games. It's likely that Eli Morgan or Trevor Stephan would receive a save chance if one were to arise tonight against the Yankees.
Colorado RockiesTeam: Colorado Rockies
Total Saves: 5
Closer: Victor Vodnik
Next in Line: Jimmy Herget , Juan Mejia
(4/6) Seth Halvorsen's poor spring (5 IP, 4:12 K:BB, 12 runs allowed) earned him a trip to the minors to open 2026, meaning Victor Vodnik currently sits atop Colorado's hierarchy for saves. Vodnik finished second on the team with 10 saves and a 35% team save share last season and has one of the Rockies' 2 saves through the first week and change. Jimmy Herget has recorded the other and has yet to be scored upon through 4.1 innings. Brennan Bernardino, Zach Agnos and Antonio Senzatela have all performed well in the early going of 2026 and appear to be in the mix for high-leverage work.
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Chicago White SoxTeam: Chicago White Sox
Total Saves: 4
Closer: Seranthony Dominguez
Next in Line: Jordan Leasure , Grant Taylor
(4/3) The White Sox signed Seranthony Dominguez to a 2-year, $20 million deal this past offseason and manager Will Venable named him the team's closer shortly thereafter. The veteran righty was tagged with a blown save early on, but figures to have some leash in the closer role due based on his experience in high-leverage (40 career saves) and the inexperience of Chicago's other options. Jordan Leasure (7 saves in 2025) and Grant Taylor (6) accounted for a little more than half of the team's saves in 2025 and figure to be next-in-line should Dominguez struggle as the season progresses.
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Detroit TigersTeam: Detroit Tigers
Total Saves: 1
Closer: Kenley Jansen
Next in Line: Will Vest , Kyle Finnegan
(4/6) The Tigers bullpen ranked 26th in strikeouts (533) and 17th in ERA (4.05) last season, so there was a clear need to address the unit this offseason. Not only did Detroit re-sign Kyle Finnegan on a two-year, $19 million pact, they added future Hall of Famer, Kenley Jansen, on a one-year, $11 million deal. Speaking about his high-leverage relief options during Spring Training, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said, "I think they're all going to get saves," before adding "I think we can pretty much guess how it's gonna go given that one of them has a historic number of saves." The latter comment was in reference to Jansen, who is now 2 saves away from 3rd place on the all-time leaderboard and 23 away from 500 for his career after picking up a save, and also blowing one, in the early going of 2026. All five of the outs Jansen has recorded thus far have come via strikeout. Will Vest and/or Kyle Finnegan would be next-in-line if Jansen slips up.
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Houston AstrosTeam: Houston Astros
Total Saves: 3
Closer: Committee
(4/3) Hader's (biceps) stability as Houston's closer has been as high as it comes in the league, but a season-ending left shoulder strain in 2025 and biceps inflammation to kick off 2026 cloud his save upside. The southpaw has been throwing off the mound since early March and has completed bullpen sessions late last month, but Astros general manager Dana Brown said afterwards that Hader will begin facing hitters by mid-April. Hader will surely need a rehab assignment before being activated, so it's unlikely he'll be back before late-April. In his stead, Bryan Abreu tops the Houston hierarchy for saves, but he's given up 2 home runs through 3 appearances and was pulled from a recent save chance after issuing 2 leadoff walks to open the 9th inning. Bryan King came on to record the save, so we're labeling this a committee - at least until Hader returns.
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Team Notes
- 7/1:Ryan Pressly has recorded a Save in each of the past 2 days. He has yet to work 3 games in a row this season, so it's likely a save chance would go to Rafael Montero on Friday.
- 9/29:Ryan Pressly is currently managing a knee issue and hasn't pitched since Saturday. Kendall Graveman was placed on the paternity list Tuesday. Look for Ryne Stanek or Yimi Garcia as the favorites to pitch in potential save opportunities for the next couple days if Pressley remains unavailable.
Kansas City RoyalsTeam: Kansas City Royals
Total Saves: 5
Closer: Lucas Erceg
(3/30) Carlos Estevez led MLB with 42 saves last season, but diminished velocity during spring training, poor performance and an ankle injury after being struck by a line drive has his status as the Royals closer in jeopardy. It's not yet clear whether Estevez will require a trip to the IL, but even if not, Royals manager Matt Quatraro indicated he would give him some lower-leverage work until he corrects course. Estevez will likely be given a shot to close again for the Royals in 2026, but probably not until his velocity returns. Meanwhile, Lucas Erceg picked up Kansas City's first save of the 2026 campaign. He tops this hierarchy for now until we see how future save chances are distributed. Matt Strahm could also be in the saves mix, but has yet to receive an opportunity.
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Los Angeles AngelsTeam: Los Angeles Angels
Total Saves: 4
Closer: Jordan Romano
(4/3) Kirby Yates (knee) was the draft market's favorite to open 2026 as the Angels closer, but a last-minute move to the IL for knee inflammation suddenly put Jordan Romano atop Los Angeles' hierarchy for saves. Romano has recorded both of the Angels' saves thus far and should have some leash in the role with Drew Pomeranz off to a rough start. Once Yates, Ben Joyce (shoulder) and possibly Robert Stephenson (elbow) are healthy, this leverage ladder could look different, but for now those rostering Romano should deploy him while he's pitching well.
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Los Angeles DodgersTeam: Los Angeles Dodgers
Total Saves: 4
Closer: Edwin Diaz
Next in Line: Tanner Scott , Alex Vesia
(2/12) Los Angeles - the 2025 World Series champions - racked up 93 wins and 46 saves (49.5% save percentage) during the regular season. 12 Dodgers recorded at least one save, marking the 5th consecutive year that manager Dave Roberts used 10+ pitchers during a season to close out games. However, now that Edwin Diaz has signed a 3-year, $69 million deal with the Dodgers, Roberts may not have to deploy as many pitchers to close games as he has in the past. Tanner Scott (lower body) is coming off a rocky 2025 after signing a 4-year, $72 million contract with the Dodgers last offseason, but the southpaw represents the next-in-line for saves, if healthy. Edgardo Henriquez is a dark-horse candidate for ancillary saves, while it's worth monitoring Brusdar Graterol's (shoulder) health, performance and velocity during spring training to see if he's set to reclaim a high-leverage role for 2026. Evan Phillips is also worth monitoring if he's healthy enough to return later this summer.
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Team Notes
- 10/14:Corey Knebel will serve as the opener for Thursday's NLDS Game 5 matchup against the Giants. Knebel filled the opener role four times during the regular season, allowing one run in a combined 5.2 innings of work. Julio Urias is expected to follow him in bulk relief.
- 10/6:The Dodgers' highest-leverage relievers are well rested, as Jansen, Treinen and Vesia enter Wednesday's NL Wild Card game against the Cardinals on 4 days rest.
Miami MarlinsTeam: Miami Marlins
Total Saves: 5
Closer: Pete Fairbanks
Next in Line: Calvin Faucher , Anthony Bender
(4/6) Miami rebounded in 2025 under first-year manager Clayton McCullough, recording 79 wins - a +17 improvement from 2024 - to finish 3rd in the NL East. Nine Marlins combined for the team's 40 saves with Calvin Faucher the only one to finish in double-digits with 15. However, he never fully solidified himself in the role, leading Miami to seek a more established closer this offseason, especially with 2025 breakout reliever, Ronny Henriquez (elbow), set to miss the 2026 campaign. Veteran Pete Fairbanks, who finally managed to stay healthy for a full season in 2025, signed a 1-year, $13 million deal with the Marlins to serve as closer in 2026. The short-term deal could make Fairbanks a trade candidate later this summer, but he should receive the majority of Miami's save chances up until the trade deadline.
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Milwaukee BrewersTeam: Milwaukee Brewers
Total Saves: 4
Closer: Trevor Megill
(4/6) Abner Uribe's usage down the stretch of the 2025 campaign and during the playoffs had fantasy managers questioning who would open 2026 as the Brewers' closer. Uribe was even being drafted ahead of Megill for a period, but the latter has proven healthy in the early going and picked up all three saves for Milwaukee thus far.
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Minnesota TwinsTeam: Minnesota Twins
Total Saves: 5
Closer: Committee
(1/28) Minnesota finished 2025 with the 4th-worst record in the league at 70-92 while recording a save in a league-low 40% of their overall wins. The Twins ranked 29th with only 28 saves, led by Jhoan Duran with 16. Duran was the only pitcher on the team to record double-digit saves, while no one else recorded more than four. In large part, that's because Minnesota traded its four best relievers - Duran to Philadelphia, Griffin Jax to Tampa Bay, Danny Coulombe to Texas and Louis Varland to Toronto - leaving its bullpen in a depleted state after the trade deadline. Over the final two months of the campaign, Minnesota recorded just 7 saves, with 5 different relievers combining for them. Justin Topa was the only one to record multiple saves during that span with 3. While the Twins didn't provide much help to fantasy managers in the saves category last year, perhaps there's more reason to be optimistic for 2026. After Minnesota's second-straight 4th place finish in the AL Central division, Rocco Baldelli - notorious for his frustrating bullpen usage - was fired by the Twins. He'll be replaced by former Pirates manager Derek Shelton, who has demonstrated a willingness to commit to a primary closer in the past. Unfortunately, due to Minnesota's relief pitcher "fire sale" last year, no one currently stands out as the favorite to close for 2026. Taylor Rogers, who returns to Minnesota after spending the first six years of his career as a Twin, by far has the most experience with 83 career saves, but the southpaw has only recorded 2 over the past three seasons combined. For now, this looks like a team to avoid when drafting for saves.
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New York MetsTeam: New York Mets
Total Saves: 2
Closer: Devin Williams
(1/28) New York recorded a save in 40 of their 83 wins in 2025 for a 48.2% team save percentage that was slightly below league average (49.4%). Eight Mets recorded at least one save during the campaign, with Edwin Diaz (28 saves, 70% team save share) the only one to reach double-digits in the category. Looking ahead to 2026, the Mets were forced to rebuild its bullpen yet again, as Diaz declined his $18.5M player option to become a free-agent before ultimately signing with the Dodgers. Enter Devin Williams, who was one of the first free-agent relief pitchers to sign this offseason. He joins the Mets on a 3-year, $51 million deal after an up-and-down 2025, but is the favorite to close in 2026. Luke Weaver and Luis Garcia also signed with New York for added depth behind Williams.
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New York YankeesTeam: New York Yankees
Total Saves: 5
Closer: David Bednar
Next in Line: Camilo Doval , Fernando Cruz
(2/12) After four consecutive top-6 finishes in bullpen ERA, the Yankees slipped all the way to 23rd (4.37) last year. New York didn't do much to improve its bullpen for 2026 either, losing out on the star free-agent closers while also witnessing Devin Williams and Luke Weaver sign with the Mets this offseason. David Bednar remains, who recorded 10 of the Yankees' final 13 saves for a 77% team save share after New York acquired his services at last year's trade deadline. Bednar is under team control through the upcoming campaign and is the heavy favorite to open 2026 as the Yankees closer. Camilo Doval and Fernando Cruz remain with the team and line up for ancillary saves, but both allow too much traffic on the basepaths to reliably handle full-time closing duties.
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Team Notes
- 7/1:Aroldis Chapman was activated from the 15-day IL. Clay Holmes has worked 3 games in the last 5 days, but did not pitch yesterday. Don't be surprised if the Yankees elect to give Holmes another day of rest with Chapman back. It's possible Chapman gets the call tonight if a save opportunity were to arise.
- 6/29:Aroldis Chapman is likely to return Friday.
- 10/5:Entering tonight's AL Wild Card game, Aroldis Chapman has a career 6.43 ERA and 2.07 WHIP in 14 innings at Fenway Park. However, he logged a 2.70 ERA against Boston this season with a 8:4 K:BB in 6.2 innings, albeit with two home runs allowed.
- 9/29:Jonathan Loaisiga (shoulder) will likely be activated Wednesday.
Philadelphia PhilliesTeam: Philadelphia Phillies
Total Saves: 4
Closer: Jhoan Duran
Next in Line: Brad Keller , Jose Alvarado
(2/13) Phillies manager Rob Thomson's typically fluid approach to the ninth inning was more narrowly focused after the Phillies acquired Jhoan Duran ahead of the trade deadline last summer. Prior to the trade, the Phillies split save chances between a handful of relievers. Over the final two months of 2025, Duran racked up a team-leading 16 saves for an 80 percent team save share. The flamethrowing righty enters 2026 as the Phillies' unquestioned closer, while Jose Alvarado and newcomer Brad Keller fill important setup roles that should provide the occasional ancillary save opportunity. Orion Kerkering is still worth monitoring in dynasty formats, but he no longer looks to be the team's closer of the future.
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Pittsburgh PiratesTeam: Pittsburgh Pirates
Total Saves: 2
Closer: Committee
(4/3) Pirates manager Don Kelly appears to be leaning towards Gregory Soto for save chances in the early going of 2026, as he's been lights out to begin the season. 2025 closer Dennis Santana should remain in the mix for saves, but Soto warmed up to handle a save situation two days in a row, only for Pittsburgh's offense to churn out insurance runs in the top of the frame and erase the save chance. Santana has yet to record a save, while Soto and Jose Urquidy have picked up one apiece.
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San Diego PadresTeam: San Diego Padres
Total Saves: 4
Closer: Mason Miller
Next in Line: Jeremiah Estrada , Adrian Morejon
(2/13) San Diego posted 90 wins and led the league with 49 saves in 2025 for a 54.4% team save percentage. For the second consecutive season, the Padres made the biggest splash on the relief market, giving up top prospect Leo De Vries to acquire Mason Miller from the Athletics at the 2025 trade deadline. Miller joined an already stellar relief corps that finished 1st in the league in bullpen ERA (3.06) by a wide margin (0.35 points better than the 2nd-ranked team). While Miller brought closing experience with him to San Diego, he only recorded 2 of the team's 13 saves over the final two months of 2025. Still, he was the team's most dominant reliever, finishing the campaign on a 20-game scoreless streak during which he posted a 0.61 WHIP and 42:9 K:BB across 21.1 innings. With 2025 closer, Robert Suarez, declining his $8 million option for 2026 to become a free-agent before ultimately signing with Atlanta, Miller was recently named the team's closer by new manager Craig Stammen. Jeremiah Estrada, Adrian Morejon and Jason Adam figure to be important contributors once again. Estrada led qualified relievers with 108 strikeouts in 2025 and finished 5th with 30 holds, while Morejon ranked among the top-15 in innings pitched (73.2), ERA (2.08) and WHIP (0.90). Both relievers picked up multiple saves in 2025, recording 3 apiece.
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Seattle MarinersTeam: Seattle Mariners
Total Saves: 2
Closer: Andres Munoz
Next in Line: Matt Brash , Gabe Speier
(2/13) New manager Dan Wilson summoned only 3 Mariners for saves during the 2025 season (fewest in the league) with Andres Munoz leading the team with 38 (3rd in the league). His 88.4% team save share was 2nd-highest among closers, as his manager's approach to the late innings was more strict than Scott Servais' was during years prior. Under Wilson, Matt Brash (4 saves) was the only other Seattle reliever to record multiple saves last season, which speaks to the saves upside Munoz carries with him into 2026. After coming within one game from the franchise's first World Series appearance, the Mariners should win plenty of games in 2026 to give Munoz a realistic chance at 40-plus saves. With Brash and Gabe Speier - whose breakout campaign in 2025 went a bit under-the-radar after the southpaw led Seattle relievers in appearances (76), holds (24), WHIP (0.87) and K-BB% (29.1%), - setting him up, Munoz should be among the top closers drafted in 2026.
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San Francisco GiantsTeam: San Francisco Giants
Total Saves: 2
Closer: Ryan Walker
Next in Line: Keaton Winn , Erik Miller
(4/6) While Ryan Walker current sits atop the Giants' hierarchy for saves, it's worth noting that he was recently summoned during the 6th inning in a contest against the Mets when San Francisco was leading 6-2. Manager Tony Vitello explained that deploying Walker in that spot gave the opposing team a completely different look than the starter in that game - Robbie Ray. It will be interesting to see if Walker continues to get deployed like this in games Ray starts, so we'll be monitoring as the season progresses. Eventually, leverage roles will settle under Vitello - who has no MLB experience as a player, coach or manager, but was a three-time National Coach of the Year in college and led Tennessee to its first College World Series championship in 2024. Keaton Winn, Erik Miller, Caleb Kilian and Joel Peguero are also worth monitoring in the early going of 2026.
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Team Notes
- 5/18:Camilo Doval has recorded a save in 3 straight games for San Francisco. The Giants are off on Thursday, but Doval may get a breather on Friday after his recent heavy usage.
- 10/4:The Giants bullpen gets a much-needed break after winning the NL West. Camilo Doval, in particular, pitched 4 times in 5 days during the final week.
- 10/1:Doval, Rogers and Leone have worked 2 out of the past 3 games, with Rogers throwing 47 pitches over that span. Strong possibility Rogers gets the night off against San Diego.
- 9/30:Doval earned his 2nd big-league save on Wednesday and may be the new closer in San Francisco.
- 9/29:The plans for Jake McGee (oblique) beyond Wednesday aren't entirely clear, but so long as he gets through mound work without any setbacks, a return to the Giants' bullpen for the final regular-season series against the Padres might not be out of the question.
St. Louis CardinalsTeam: St. Louis Cardinals
Total Saves: 4
Closer: Riley O'Brien
Next in Line: JoJo Romero , Ryne Stanek
(3/27) St. Louis' bullpen looks a lot different to open 2026 than it did last year, now headlined by Riley O'Brien, Ryne Stanek, JoJo Romero and Matt Svanson. O'Brien was the draft market's favorite to lead the Cardinals in saves, but it was Stanek who secured the team's first of 2026. Stanek walked a tight rope issuing three walks in the contest, but ultimately got the job done. Meanwhile, O'Brien was summoned for the opposing team's toughest lineup pocket between the seventh and eighth innings. That's enough to leave O'Brien atop this hierarchy for now, but manager Oliver Marmol could simply play the matchups during a rebuilding year, with JoJo Romero and Matt Svanson potentially factoring into the saves mix as well.
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Team Notes
- 10/6:The Cardinals' highest-leverage relievers are well rested, as Gallegos, Cabrera and Reyes enter Wednesday's NL Wild Card game against the Dodgers on 4 days rest, while Garcia is on 3 days rest.
- 10/1:Garcia earned his 2nd save of the season Thursday night as the Cardinals give Gallegos some much deserved rest before the playoffs. Gallegos has logged a new career-high 79.1 innings this season.
Tampa Bay RaysTeam: Tampa Bay Rays
Total Saves: 3
Closer: Committee
(4/6) Tampa Bay acquired both Griffin Jax and Bryan Baker last season with both relievers under team control through at least 2027. Neither factored into the Rays' saves mix last year, but both currently sit atop Tampa Bay's hierarchy for saves. Jax has struggled during the onset of 2026, allowing at least 1 ER in 3 of his 5 appearances thus far. He also sports a poor 1:3 K:BB ratio through 4.0 innings. The right-hander simply isn't producing many whiffs on his sweeper or changeup, which are his bread-and-butter pitches. Jax is throwing a harder sweeper too - up 1.5 mph from 2025, but without much success just yet. He's also tossing more sinkers and curveballs, so it's worth monitoring the performance of those offerings. With Garrett Cleavinger (calf) and Edwin Uceta (shoulder) currently on the IL, Baker has leapfrogged both in the high-leverage hierarchy and might even be the favorite for save chances entering Week 3 of the fantasy baseball season. However, Kevin Kelly has actually recorded both of Tampa Bay's saves thus far... just like we all predicted.
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Team Notes
- 10/11:Collin McHugh will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher Monday against the Red Sox as part of a bullpen day in Game 4 of the ALDS, Manager Kevin Cash hasn't appointed a primary pitcher to work behind McHugh, as the Rays will instead likely turn to a cadre of arms to fill innings out of the bullpen. Josh Fleming, JT Chargois, Pete Fairbanks, J.P. Feyereisen, Andrew Kittredge and Matt Wisler tossed 20 pitches or fewer in Sunday's 13-inning loss, so the Tampa Bay bullpen should be relatively fresh for Monday's contest.
Texas RangersTeam: Texas Rangers
Total Saves: 5
Closer: Committee
(4/8) After Tyler Alexander picked up the Rangers' first 2 saves of 2026, Jakob Junis has recorded 2 in a row. Meanwhile, Robert Garcia and Chris Martin still have zero saves. For context, Alexander's first save of the season came during extra-innings, while his second came when Garcia and Martin were unavailable after pitching back-to-back days. Keep in mind Alexander is pitching for his fourth team over the last 3 seasons and the southpaw current sports his 12.0 K-BB percentage and 7.3 percent swinging-strike rate. Neither of those stats inspire much confidence for continued high-leverage opportunities. As for Junis, who is also pitching for his 4th team over the past 3 seasons, he's been the Rangers' best reliever thus far, racking up 7 scoreless innings with a 4:0 K:BB, 0.43 WHIP and team-leading 1.80 Game Leverage Index. That's enough to move him atop the hierarchy for saves, especially since he was called for a save chance in a game where Chris Martin was likely available (even though Garcia pitched two in a row). We're not counting Garcia out of the saves equation just yet. Meanwhile, Cole Winn currently ranks second on the team with a 1.51 gmLI. Don't count him out either.
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Toronto Blue JaysTeam: Toronto Blue Jays
Total Saves: 2
Closer: Jeff Hoffman
(2/13) After signing a three-year, $33 million contract with the Blue Jays last offseason, Jeff Hoffman was given his first shot at being a full-time closer. He finished fourth in the majors with 33 saves, while his 78.6 percent team save share was fifth-highest among closers. Hoffman's numbers weren't great on the surface -- his ratios were inflated thanks to a 20 percent HR/FB ratio along with a 1.99 HR/9 that was second-worst among qualified relievers - but the 32-year-old was effective enough to maintain fairly high stability as Toronto's closer all season. Manager John Schneider recently indicated that he's "100 percent confident if [Hoffman] is closing most games" heading into 2026. Toronto inked submariner Tyler Rogers to a three-year, $37 million contract during the winter to bolster the bullpen, but he has just three saves across the past four seasons despite consistently working in a high-leverage role. Yimi Garcia (elbow) and Louis Varland are bigger threats to overtake Hoffman as the team's closer in 2026.
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Washington NationalsTeam: Washington Nationals
Total Saves: 1
Closer: Clayton Beeter
Next in Line: Cole Henry , Brad Lord
(4/2) Washington's new manager, Blake Butera, has his team playing surprisingly competitive baseball in the early stages of the 2026 campaign. The Nationals won their opening series against the Cubs and currently sit with a .500 record through six games. Unfortunately, Washington's closer role remains unsettled. Clayton Beeter has recorded the team's only save thus far, but the right-hander sits with a negative K-BB percentage through his first couple outings. While he currently sits atop this hierarchy for saves, it's tough to put faith in any pitcher with control problems. Unfortunately, there aren't many other relievers to get excited about in Washington's bullpen. Cole Henry, Brad Lord and Gus Varland could find themselves receiving save chances, but none have much experience in high-leverage. Henry recently blew a save chance after Beeter was pulled earlier in that game. In addition, the Nationals are expected to have one of the worst records in the league by season's end. There simply may not be many save chances to go around.
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Team Notes
- 9/23:Tanner Rainey earned the save for the Nationals last night and has worked 3 out of the last 4 games. Expect Kyle Finnegan, who hasn't pitched since Sept. 19, to get the save chance if one presents itself against the Cardinals tonight.