Fantasy Baseball Reliever Roundup

Washington Nationals
PJ Poulin	0.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	33% CSW
Orlando Ribalta	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	30% CSW
Gus Varland – L (1)	0.1 IP	3 ER	2 H	2 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	18% CSW
Paxton Schultz	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	0 Whiffs	29% CSW

Gus Varland started off the 8th inning with a strikeout before losing his fastball command against left-handed hitters, walking two, before allowing a couple of bloop singles on sliders. There were also four stolen bases against him and an overturned called strike three in this short outing. Very weird outing aside, he needs to be more consistent with his command to stick in whatever role it is that he currently has.

Miami Marlins
Calvin Faucher – W (4)	2.0 IP	0 H	1 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	20% CSW
Andrew Nardi – HLD (6)	0.2 IP	1 H	0 BB	2 K	2 Whiffs	31% CSW
Josh Ekness – SV (1)	0.1 IP	0 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	67% CSW

Andrew Nardi faced only three batters in the ninth, allowing just one baserunner before the team brought in Josh Ekness for the final out. With a three-run lead, it would have been cool to see Nardi get a chance to finish this one out and get his confidence up, but at least we got to see Ekness close a game out before Pete Fairbanks returns.

Athletics
Justin Sterner	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	50% CSW
Luis Medina	2.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	4 K	4 Whiffs	52% CSW

Luis Medina showed off his starter repertoire here, throwing five different pitches at least 3 times (but no more than 5), but the fastballs look pretty good right now.

Baltimore Orioles
Chris Bassitt – W (3)	6.0 IP	1 ER	4 H	1 BB	6 K	14 Whiffs	32% CSW
Anthony Nunez – HLD (6)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	2 BB	1 K	4 Whiffs	35% CSW
Rico Garcia – SV (3)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	24% CSW

Rico Garcia didn’t have his best stuff here, but he was able to make it through unscathed. There’s still no official word on Ryan Helsley being cleared to start throwing again, so Garcia should be rostered in most 12-teamers for the time being.

Tampa Bay Rays
Kevin Kelly – HLD (8)	1.1 IP	0 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	30% CSW
Garrett Cleavinger – HLD (6)	1.0 IP	0 H	0 BB	3 K	5 Whiffs	28% CSW
Bryan Baker – SV (10)	1.0 IP	1 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	40% CSW

Garrett Cleavinger is officially back now, with his fastball sitting at 97.7 MPH here and the slider getting four whiffs. This is 2025 Cleavinger, who was one of the best relievers in baseball.
Bryan Baker didn’t have his best fastball command here (Gasper floated a double off the monster for the lone hit), but battled through, and he’s really leaning on that changeup more than ever, using it same side rather than the slider. No one is throwing more changeups than the Rays this season.

Boston Red Sox
Zack Kelly	0.1 IP	1 ER	1 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	19% CSW
Tyler Samaniego	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	20% CSW
Justin Slaten	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	27% CSW
Greg Weissert	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	30% CSW
Jovani Morán	1.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	25% CSW

Great to see Justin Slaten back in the Red Sox bullpen, and the stuff more or less looked great here (fastball velo at 97.4 MPH). He should immediately slot in as the Red Sox seventh inning set up man.

Colorado Rockies
Seth Halvorsen	1.0 IP	1 ER	2 H	1 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	14% CSW
Zach Agnos	2.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	21% CSW

Seth Halvorsen still has intriguing stuff, but the command is a mess. Maybe one day this will all click.

Philadelphia Phillies
Jonathan Bowlan	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	33% CSW
Jhoan Duran	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	6 Whiffs	47% CSW

This was vintage Jhoan Duran, sitting 101 MPH and just bullying hitters with his fastball. Hopefully, this means better days are ahead for Duran.

Los Angeles Angels
Sam Bachman – HLD (7)	0.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	20% CSW
Ryan Zeferjahn	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	47% CSW

Ryan Zeferjahn pitching the ninth inning again…and he looked pretty dominant here as well. The fastball command comes and goes with Zeferjahn (as it did here), but the velo was up at 98.2 MPH, and the sweeper was nasty. I want to temper expectations because we’ve seen the floor with Zeferjahn (and it is low), but this could be legit. Not harm in Vargas Rule-ing this.

Toronto Blue Jays
Tommy Nance	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	38% CSW
Eric Lauer – L (5)	5.0 IP	6 ER	5 H	2 BB	4 K	9 Whiffs	25% CSW

Tommy Nance still has a great pair of breakers and a sinker that can survive.

Houston Astros
AJ Blubaugh	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	14% CSW
Cody Bolton	2.0 IP	2 ER	2 H	3 BB	4 K	8 Whiffs	28% CSW
Jayden Murray	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	18% CSW
Logan VanWey	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	50% CSW

I don’t know, I think there could be something here with the funkiness of Logan VanWey. I’m not sure if he needs all five pitches, but they all grade out well.

Cincinnati Reds
Tejay Antone	1.0 IP	2 K	3 Whiffs	38% CSW
Sam Moll	1.0 IP	1 K	1 Whiffs	35% CSW
Graham Ashcraft	1.0 IP	2 K	3 Whiffs	50% CSW

Graham Ashcraft pitching in the ninth is great…up five, well ok it’s till a positive outing at least. The cutter was sitting 99 (only two thrown), and that slider is just so nasty. Just need the command to be a little bit better.

Minnesota Twins
Kendry Rojas – W (1)	3.1 IP	1 ER	5 H	3 BB	5 K	4 Whiffs	27% CSW
Travis Adams	1.1 IP	2 ER	4 H	2 BB	2 K	5 Whiffs	28% CSW
Anthony Banda – HLD (3)	1.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	5 Whiffs	32% CSW
Luis García Jr. – HLD (1)	1.0 IP	1 ER	2 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	15% CSW
Yoendrys Gómez – SV (2)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	40% CSW

Why not install Yoendrys Gómez as your closer if you are the Twins. I’m all for it until it stops working. The stuff is better than 90% of this bullpen so as long as he is commanding it well, let’s roll with it. That said, I’d only roster him in deeper AL-Only leagues at the moment.

Cleveland Guardians
Franco Aleman	2.0 IP	0 ER	2 H	0 BB	1 K	4 Whiffs	29% CSW
Tim Herrin	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	29% CSW

We finally got Franco Aleman’s debut, two innings nonetheless, and overall it was OK. It’s definitely above average stuff from a kind of funky arm angle, but expect the command to be a work in progress. The stuff should give him a chance to stick, at least until Shawn Armstrong returns.

Seattle Mariners
José A. Ferrer – HLD (4)	1.0 IP	0 ER	2 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	16% CSW
Eduard Bazardo – L (2)	1.0 IP	2 ER	2 H	1 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	47% CSW

José A. Ferrer went 22/25 sinkers here, throwing one changeup near the zone that Murakami hit to CF for a single. That was just the third pitch Ferrer threw (Murakami was his first batter), so he essentially ditched it afterwards. I know he doesn’t trust his secondaries, and the team doesn’t trust his secondaries, and I really don’t trust them…but he needs to figure something out so he’s not just throwing his sinkers and hoping for the best (and BABIP luck).

Chicago White Sox
Sean Newcomb	1.0 IP	1 H	0 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	33% CSW
Bryan Hudson – W (1)	1.0 IP	1 H	0 BB	1 K	4 Whiffs	56% CSW
Seranthony Domínguez – SV (9)	1.0 IP	2 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	22% CSW

Just as I was starting to trust Seranthony Domínguez we were reminded of how volatile his command is (6/23 pitches in the zone here). He ultimately bore down and got the final two outs while stranding the bases loaded.

New York Yankees
Jake Bird	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	1 Whiffs	67% CSW
Paul Blackburn	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	1 K	0 Whiffs	17% CSW
Fernando Cruz	1.1 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	3 K	5 Whiffs	45% CSW
Tim Hill	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	14% CSW
David Bednar – L (3)	0.2 IP	1 ER	1 H	0 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	50% CSW

David Bednar’s fastball looked pretty good in this one; it was his curveball that did him in, as he thought he could sneak a first-pitch curveball over the plate to Turang, who was ready to ambush it. It’s going to happen time to time, and ultimately, there’s nothing to worry about here.

Milwaukee Brewers
DL Hall – BS (1)	1.0 IP	1 ER	1 H	2 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	20% CSW
Trevor Megill	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	38% CSW
Aaron Ashby	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	3 K	3 Whiffs	50% CSW
Abner Uribe – W (2)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	36% CSW

Trtevor Megill’s command is still messy (it likely always will be), but as long as he is around the zone, he should be ok. He has now allowed just one run over his past nine innings, holding a 27.3% K-BB (120 Stuff+) over that span. I might like him a tiny bit better than Abner Uribe, but the difference is so small that it doesn’t make sense for the Brewers to switch back to Megill as the closer at this point.

Chicago Cubs
Hoby Milner	0.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 K	1 Whiffs	27% CSW
Phil Maton	1.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	2 K	4 Whiffs	62% CSW
Daniel Palencia	0.2 IP	2 ER	2 H	1 K	3 Whiffs	27% CSW

Daniel Palencia tried to throw a slider to Carter here in a 3-2 count and left it middle in. It was a bad pitch choice and poor execution, but outside of that pitch, he looked like his normal self.

Texas Rangers
Jacob Latz – SV (4)	2.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	25% CSW

Obviously, it was great to see Jacob Latz get this two-out save, and maybe I’m selfish, but I’m a bit bummed out that the fastball velocity was back down in the 93 MPH range. It led to some loud contact and just one whiff and strikeout. I’d prefer him just pitching one inning with that velo in the 95-96 range, but we’ll take this for now at least.

Pittsburgh Pirates
Isaac Mattson – BS (2)	0.1 IP	2 ER	3 H	0 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	17% CSW
Mason Montgomery	1.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	7 Whiffs	42% CSW
Dennis Santana	0.2 IP	0 ER	2 H	0 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	16% CSW
Gregory Soto	1.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	0 Whiffs	33% CSW
Yohan Ramírez – BS (2)	2.0 IP	1 ER	1 H	3 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	26% CSW
Justin Lawrence – L (2)	0.1 IP	0 ER	2 H	1 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	29% CSW

Almost everyone pitched in this one, but this Mason Montgomery outing definitely caught my eye. The fastball command still needs work…but the willingness to throw his slider and curveball almost 50% of the time could be huge for him, and I think that helps him use his fastball as more of a swing and miss offering. I feel like he’s so close to truly breaking out.

San Francisco Giants
Keaton Winn	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	29% CSW
Sam Hentges	0.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	22% CSW
Caleb Kilian	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	2 BB	0 K	3 Whiffs	26% CSW
Joel Peguero	1.1 IP	1 ER	1 H	1 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	7% CSW
Dylan Smith	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	22% CSW
Ryan Borucki – W (1)	2.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	2 BB	1 K	5 Whiffs	33% CSW

Interesting to see Joel Peguero get the ninth and Caleb Kilian the eighth here, and it probably doesn’t mean anything as this bullpen likely won’t commit to one closer, but still interesting to see Peguero’s name in the mix. He’s like the right-handed Ferrer; I either need Peguero to fix his slider or trust it more, or both. It was the last pitch he threw (left a slider over the middle of the plate to Horwitz), so I’m sure the confidence in it isn’t great after this game. He needs something to pair with his fastballs.

New York Mets
Tobias Myers	1.0 IP	1 H	0 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	42% CSW
David Peterson	5.0 IP	4 H	0 BB	3 K	6 Whiffs	30% CSW
Sean Manaea	1.0 IP	0 H	1 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	40% CSW

Look at all these former starters pitching out of the bullpen. Sean Manaea at 91.3 MPH is good to see, but can that stick for longer than one-inning outings?

Arizona Diamondbacks
Juan Morillo	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	22% CSW

Juan Morillo got the final two outs here and looked more or less like his normal self, except for the lack of fastball command.

St. Louis Cardinals
Ryne Stanek – HLD (6)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	1 Whiffs	40% CSW
JoJo Romero – HLD (12)	1.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	5 Whiffs	45% CSW
George Soriano – HLD (7)	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	50% CSW
Riley O’Brien – BS (3)	1.0 IP	2 ER	2 H	0 BB	3 K	7 Whiffs	26% CSW
Gordon Graceffo – L (1)	0.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	2 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	14% CSW

Ryne Stanek has been pitching much better lately…could he get a chance to take that closer role back from Riley O’Brien? No, he shouldn’t with O’Brien just on a bit of a bad luck streak right now. He ran a sinker back into Castellanos’s barrel here for the game-tying homerun, but other than that, he looked fine.

San Diego Padres
Ron Marinaccio	2.0 IP	0 BB	3 K	9 Whiffs	34% CSW
Bradgley Rodriguez	1.0 IP	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	20% CSW
Jeremiah Estrada	0.2 IP	1 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	41% CSW
Adrian Morejon – W (3)	0.1 IP	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	0% CSW

Jeremiah Estrada and Adrian Morejon (one pitch, one out) navigated the 10th inning here, keeping the Cardinals off the board. Estrada’s fastball, velo, and command were not great, and it may take some time for him to be consistent with it.

Atlanta Braves
Robert Suarez – HLD (5)	1.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	0 K	3 Whiffs	20% CSW
Tyler Kinley	1.0 IP	2 ER	1 H	1 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	26% CSW
Raisel Iglesias	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	67% CSW

Robert Suarez got the fireman usage in this one, entering in the 6th inning with the bases loaded and two outs (which almost backfired as Muncy just missed a grand slam). It’s interesting to see that Suarez won’t just be used in the 8th inning, which could open up more hold chances for Dylan Lee and potentially Tyler Kinley.

Los Angeles Dodgers
Wyatt Mills	0.1 IP	0 ER	2 H	0 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	36% CSW

Detroit Tigers
Brant Hurter	1.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	39% CSW
Drew Anderson – BS (1)	2.0 IP	3 ER	5 H	0 BB	4 K	7 Whiffs	41% CSW
Enmanuel De Jesús – W (2)	2.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	41% CSW
Kyle Finnegan – HLD (5)	1.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	2 BB	0 K	4 Whiffs	32% CSW
Kenley Jansen – SV (7)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	1 Whiffs	42% CSW

There’s the Kenley Jansen we know and love. The velo is still below 92 MPH, but he located well and was willing to at least show his slider.

Kansas City Royals
John Schreiber	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	33% CSW
Nick Mears – L (2)	0.2 IP	2 ER	2 H	0 BB	1 K	0 Whiffs	50% CSW
Daniel Lynch IV	0.2 IP	1 ER	2 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	25% CSW
Alex Lange	1.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	12% CSW
Steven Cruz	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	2 K	7 Whiffs	43% CSW

Steven Cruz fastball looked good again here…and he mixed in a cutter and slider that has some upside. If Cruz can sustain this (which, who knows), he could eventually see some save chances.

If you’re looking for potential relievers to stream today, check out RP Streamers

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Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher Roundup: 5/10

Rick Graham

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Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher Roundup: 5/10

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