Daniel Hudson, Tanner Scott, Carlos Estévez, Calvin Faucher, and Kyle Finnegan all had three SV+HLDs this past week with Hudson and Scott racking up four each. Hudson is likely the main beneficiary of Evan Phillips being removed as the full time closer, with Hudson seeing consistent high leverage work. Scott has been lights out lately, not allowing a hit over his past 11.2 IP and is certainly upping his trade value. As are Estevez and Finnegan who are both having career years and should be traded at peak value. Going back to the Marlins, Faucher has been the most consistent holds option behind Scott and A.J. Puk, and with both not on the roster in a week, I’d make Faucher the favorite for saves in Miami moving forward (but don’t rule out Anthony Bender or Andrew Nardi).
Notes
- Julian Merryweather, Brock Stewart, Joe Kelly, Joel Payamps, Calvin Faucher, Nick Sandlin, Tim Herrin, and Victor Vodnik were all added to the list. Merryweather, Stewart and Kelly all returned after lengthy IL stints. Payamps seems to be the favorite for that 3rd/4th (once Devin Williams returns) high leverage role in Milwaukee. Again, with Faucher I see him as the slight favorite for saves in Miami after the deadline (Faucher 40%, Bender 30%, Nardi 30% odds). Sandlin and Herrin are still factors in a deep Guardians bullpen, especially Herrin with Sam Hentges on the IL.
- Mason Miller, Justin Wilson, Lucas Sims, Nate Pearson, Trent Thornton, Dedniel Núñez, Cionel Pérez, and Randy Rodríguez all fell off the list this week. Miller landed on the IL after “putting his hand down awkwardly” on a padded table in the Athletics’ training room which resulted in a broken left pinky. Wilson and Sims are likely to be moved in the next week and I doubt they will be pitching in high leverage spots right away for their new team. Pearson continues to have issues despite some intriguing underlying metrics (2025 bullpen sleeper?). Thornton has struggled lately and may be out of a HLR role. Perez is likely to fluctuate on and off the back of the list for now. Rodriguez was sent to AAA but I’d imagine he is back up soon enough.
- Ryan Helsley is still all alone as the league leader SV+HLDs for the season with 32 now, with Emmanuel Clase in 2nd with 31, and Kyle Finnegan now in 3rd with 28. Finnegan currently is in the midst of the best season of his career with a career low 2.32 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and he’s already matched a career high 28 saves. He’s not guaranteed to be moved at the deadline but it makes sense for the Nationals to consider selling high here.
- Quick closer update since Closing Time came out on Tuesday. Craig Kimbrel has now allowed 4 hits, 6 runs (4 ER) and 5 walks over his past 2.2 IP, which is not great timing for his fantasy stock as the deadline approaches. The Orioles may now look towards adding a reliever who could fill in or take over the closer role if need be (Scott, Yimi García, Finnegan, Estevez, Pete Fairbanks) rather than just a complimentary piece.
And if you want more daily reliever updates, please check out our Reliever Ranks series.
| PITCHER | TIER | INJURY. NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| Devin Williams | 1-2 | Back. So far so good in his rehab assignment. A return by next weekend seems likely. |
| Mason Miller | 2-3 | Finger. Broken left pinky, so hopefully he only misses 15 days. |
| Jordan Romano | 3-4 | Elbow. Underwent arthroscopic surgery and is shut down for six weeks. September is best case now. |
| Reed Garrett | 6-7 | Elbow. No structural damage is good, but don’t expect to see him again until August. |
| Danny Coulombe | 6-7 | Elbow. Underwent surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow, and now out until at least September. |
| Chris Martin | 7-8 | Elbow. Shut down from throwing as he experienced some discomfort. No plans for imaging yet. |
| Justin Slaten | 7-8 | Elbow. Playing catch already and should be able to return in August. |
| Brusdar Graterol | 7-8 | Shoulder. Rehab assignment is now at AAA. Should return next week. |
When will Robert Suarez get respect?
Helsley and Suarez in tier 3?
Minter hasn’t had a Hold in over three weeks. He’s been replaced by both Jimenez and Pierce Johnson on the totem pole.
Why is Hudson ranked so low?
Criminal, and Gaddis too. They are saving my ERA and Whip on a weekly basis.