Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher Roundup: 7/31

New York Yankees
Paul Blackburn – HLD (3)	1.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	3 K	4 Whiffs	42% CSW
David Bednar – SV (23)	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	9% CSW

Paul Blackburn with an impressive line here for his third hold on the season, but I wouldn’t expect this to be a recurring event.

Chicago Cubs
Tyler Ferguson	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	2 BB	1 K	6 Whiffs	38% CSW
Antoine Kelly	1.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	22% CSW

Antoine Kelly made his debut here and has the look of a solid sinker/slider lefty reliever.

Pittsburgh Pirates
Antwone Kelly	3.0 IP	0 ER	2 H	2 BB	3 K	2 Whiffs	38% CSW
Wilber Dotel – L (4)	0.1 IP	2 ER	3 H	0 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	28% CSW
Mason Montgomery	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	33% CSW

Antwone Kelly, not to be confused with the previously mentioned Antoine Kelly, is back in the Pirates bullpen, but the velocity (and location) was down here. I’d like to see him get regular reps as a reliever here, but I’m not sure the Pirates will make that happen.

Cincinnati Reds
Sam Moll – HLD (5)	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	31% CSW
Julian Garcia – HLD (2)	0.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	0% CSW
Caleb Ferguson – HLD (3)	0.1 IP	2 ER	2 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	43% CSW
Pierce Johnson – BS (1)	0.2 IP	1 ER	3 H	0 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	47% CSW
Emilio Pagán – W (4)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	21% CSW

Emilio Pagán: Four-Seamer up 1.0 MPH (95.8 vs. 94.8 season avg). Pagán’s stuff continues to look great, at the right moment for the Reds to ship him off. As far as who would replace him in the closer role here, Tejay Antone makes the most sense if he sticks around. If not, maybe we could see Julian Garcia get a look?

Philadelphia Phillies
Orion Kerkering – L (1)	0.2 IP	4 ER	2 H	1 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	33% CSW
Tim Mayza	0.1 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	0 K	3 Whiffs	25% CSW
Chase Shugart	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	25% CSW

Orion Kerkering struggled with his command here as the stuff continues to be down. The Phillies are in desperate need of bullpen help.

Baltimore Orioles
Josh Walker	0.2 IP	1 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	24% CSW
Anthony Nunez – W (3)	0.2 IP	0 H	1 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	18% CSW
Yennier Cano – HLD (9)	1.0 IP	0 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	29% CSW
Tyler Wells – SV (4)	1.0 IP	0 H	0 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	40% CSW

Tyler Wells didn’t record a strikeout here, but he’s still getting the ninth inning, so keep rolling with him. Anthony Nunez was tasked with getting Turner, Schwarber, and Harper in the 7th, which was interesting to see.

St. Louis Cardinals
Justin Bruihl	0.1 IP	0 ER	2 H	0 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	31% CSW
Peter Strzelecki – L (1)	1.0 IP	2 ER	0 H	2 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	12% CSW
Gordon Graceffo	0.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	15% CSW

We haven’t seen Peter Strzelecki since 2024, and I’m not sure how much more we will see of him this season, although he may stick around if the Cardinals trade bullpen pieces.

Toronto Blue Jays
Spencer Miles	1.0 IP	1 H	2 K	2 Whiffs	38% CSW
Jeff Hoffman – W (6)	1.0 IP	0 H	2 K	5 Whiffs	64% CSW
Louis Varland – SV (24)	1.0 IP	1 H	0 K	2 Whiffs	33% CSW

Spencer Miles: Sinker up 1.5 MPH (97.5 vs. 96.0 season avg). I could see Miles being a solid sinker/slider one-inning relief type if needed, but still wonder if he’ll get more starts down the stretch if the Jays move some starters.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Taylor Clarke	1.0 IP	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	20% CSW
Jonathan Loáisiga – W (3)	1.0 IP	1 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	12% CSW
Kevin Ginkel – HLD (11)	1.0 IP	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	18% CSW
Brandyn Garcia – SV (3)	1.0 IP	0 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	57% CSW

Another save for Brandyn Garcia here, although Kevin Ginkel faced J-Ram, DeLauter, and Manzardo in the 8th, which would have been an interesting pocket for the lefty Garcia. Interesting that we didn’t see Juan Morillo at all here, although the Diamondbacks didn’t have a lead until the 8th.

Cleveland Guardians
Erik Sabrowski – BS (2)	0.0 IP	1 ER	2 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	10% CSW
Matt Festa	0.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	0% CSW
Will Dion	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	36% CSW

Erik Sabrowski came in with two runners on and one out, then proceeded to give up a walk and back-to-back opposite-field singles. The stuff is still there, but we are a long way from those early-season results for Sabrowski as the command has disappeared.

Chicago White Sox
Tyler Schweitzer – HLD (2)	3.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	2 BB	2 K	7 Whiffs	28% CSW
Trevor Richards	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	21% CSW

Trevor Richards‘ fastball/changeup duo is looking good these days. All of a sudden this White Sox pen is fairly deep, but it still lacks that capital C closer.

Tampa Bay Rays
Alex Cook	2.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	2 BB	0 K	3 Whiffs	21% CSW
Chris Roycroft	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	20% CSW

Alex Cook made his MLB debut in this one, and the fastball is promising for sure (95 MPH, 6.7′ Ext., 19.3″ iVB, 1.7° HAVAA), but I’m not sure about the secondaries. In typical 2026 Rays fashion, the changeup may be Cook’s best hope.

Miami Marlins
Cade Gibson	0.1 IP	0 ER	2 H	1 K	1 Whiffs	62% CSW
Calvin Faucher – HLD (13)	1.1 IP	1 ER	1 H	4 K	4 Whiffs	31% CSW
Tyler Zuber – HLD (6)	1.1 IP	0 ER	1 H	2 K	5 Whiffs	39% CSW
Pete Fairbanks – SV (16)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 K	2 Whiffs	57% CSW

Pete Fairbanks has now rattled off four straight perfect outings with five strikeouts over that span. The fastball looks great, and he didn’t even go to the slider here.

Washington Nationals
Trevor Williams	2.2 IP	0 ER	3 H	1 BB	4 K	7 Whiffs	24% CSW

Atlanta Braves
Elieser Hernández – SV (1)	3.0 IP	1 ER	5 H	1 BB	4 K	8 Whiffs	29% CSW

Elieser Hernández: Four-Seamer down 2.1 MPH (90.9 vs. 93.0 season avg). Nothing to get excited about here.

Texas Rangers
Luis Curvelo	2.0 IP	4 ER	4 H	4 BB	2 K	6 Whiffs	22% CSW
Nicky Lopez	1.0 IP	1 ER	4 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	25% CSW

Luis Curvelo: Sinker up 1.6 MPH (96.1 vs. 94.5 season avg). Did it matter?

Houston Astros
Enyel De Los Santos	0.2 IP	1 H	0 K	1 Whiffs	20% CSW
Bennett Sousa	0.2 IP	0 H	1 K	2 Whiffs	44% CSW
AJ Blubaugh	1.0 IP	0 H	1 K	1 Whiffs	23% CSW
Bryan King	1.0 IP	1 H	0 K	0 Whiffs	15% CSW

Bennett Sousa: Four-Seamer down 1.4 MPH (92.8 vs. 94.2 season avg). Sousa was sitting in the 95 MPH range his first three games back from the IL, but he’s been back down to 93 the past two.
AJ Blubaugh: Four-Seamer up 2.0 MPH (97.6 vs. 95.6 season avg). More of this velocity, please.
Bryan King: Sinker up 1.5 MPH (92.9 vs. 91.4 season avg); Sinker usage 62% (+51 pts vs. 10% usual); Four-Seamer usage 23% (-37 pts vs. 60% usual). Maybe this approach change helps; I’m a bit skeptical.

Kansas City Royals
Nate Pearson	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	29% CSW
Easton McGee	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	60% CSW

Colorado Rockies
Antonio Senzatela – HLD (4)	0.2 IP	1 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	33% CSW
Brennan Bernardino – HLD (6)	0.2 IP	0 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	23% CSW
Jordan Romano – SV (9)	1.0 IP	0 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	18% CSW

Jordan Romano picked up his fifth save with the Rockies here, and so far has only allowed one earned run with his new club. I don’t believe this is real, and there’s also the chance the Rockies try to move him for anything they can by the deadline.

Milwaukee Brewers
Grant Anderson	1.1 IP	1 K	3 Whiffs	30% CSW
Abner Uribe	0.2 IP	1 K	3 Whiffs	56% CSW
Trevor Megill	1.0 IP	1 K	1 Whiffs	36% CSW

Trevor Megill: Four-Seamer down 1.0 MPH (96.9 vs. 97.9 season avg). Not too concerned about this given that it was a non-save chance situation, but with his injury history, it’s something to keep an eye on.

Los Angeles Angels
José Fermin	2.2 IP	1 ER	3 H	1 BB	4 K	8 Whiffs	42% CSW
Luke Murphy	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	2 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	26% CSW
Sam Bachman	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	2 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	26% CSW

Luke Murphy made his MLB debut here, and similar to Cook above, there’s an interesting fastball and some questionable secondaries.

Detroit Tigers
Tyler Holton	2.0 IP	1 ER	1 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	25% CSW
Ty Madden – W (1)	3.0 IP	0 ER	2 H	2 BB	2 K	6 Whiffs	25% CSW
Drew Sommers – HLD (7)	2.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	3 K	5 Whiffs	53% CSW
Enmanuel De Jesús	2.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	29% CSW

Nice to see Enmanuel De Jesús back with the big club, and his fastball was up 0.8 MPH (94.9 vs. 94.1 season avg) as well. He could get dealt in the coming days.

Athletics
Hayden Juenger	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	30% CSW
Brady Basso	2.0 IP	2 ER	4 H	0 BB	2 K	2 Whiffs	20% CSW
Luis Morales	2.0 IP	8 ER	6 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	17% CSW

Blegh.

San Diego Padres
Bradgley Rodriguez	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	2 Whiffs	46% CSW
Yuki Matsui – W (2)	3.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	24% CSW

Bradgley Rodriguez: Four-Seamer up 0.9 MPH (99.1 vs. 98.2 season avg). It sounds like Mason Miller won’t be going anywhere this deadline, but if anyone does get moved, such as Jeremiah Estrada or Adrian Morejon, that should open up more hold chances for Bradgley (which he deserves).

Boston Red Sox
Jovani Morán	0.1 IP	1 ER	3 H	0 BB	0 K	3 Whiffs	19% CSW

Jovani Morán had a rough night against Ohtani, Pages, and Freeman here, but I think we can give him a bit of a break given the hitters he faced.

Los Angeles Dodgers
Edgardo Henriquez	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	4 Whiffs	29% CSW
Will Klein	1.1 IP	1 ER	3 H	1 BB	3 K	5 Whiffs	33% CSW
Evan Phillips	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	20% CSW

Will Klein: Four-Seamer down 0.8 MPH (96.8 vs. 97.6 season avg). Klein will stick on the roster since he has no options left (maybe they’d trade him?), but I can’t see him working in leverage situations again unless there is a significant rash of injuries (which with the Dodgers, could happen).
Evan Phillips: Four-Seamer down 1.0 MPH (95.9 vs. 96.9 season avg). 96 MPH is more in line with Phillips’ fastball average from past seasons, so I don’t think I’d be too worried. I’m more worried about his sweeper not being the pitch it once was.

Minnesota Twins
Kody Funderburk – W (2)	1.1 IP	0 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	42% CSW
Tommy Nance – HLD (5)	0.2 IP	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	27% CSW
Andrew Morris – HLD (16)	1.0 IP	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	17% CSW
Yoendrys Gómez – SV (14)	1.0 IP	2 BB	1 K	4 Whiffs	24% CSW

Yoendrys Gómez had no command of his stuff here (5/25 pitches in the zone), but he still managed to grind through the outing and pick up the save.

Seattle Mariners
José A. Ferrer – L (2)	1.0 IP	2 ER	2 H	1 K	2 Whiffs	33% CSW
Eduard Bazardo	1.2 IP	1 ER	2 H	3 K	3 Whiffs	52% CSW
Michael Rucker	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 K	1 Whiffs	31% CSW

Michael Rucker: Sinker up 1.1 MPH (96.5 vs. 95.4 season avg). Rucker > Bazardo.

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Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher Roundup: 7/31

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Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher Roundup: 7/31

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