In last week’s Waiver Relief, I provided a wide-reaching update on closer news, and ranked all available RPs for saves and holds. If you’re finding yourself particularly lost, consider starting there to get your bearings.
This week, I’m taking a more honed-in approach, providing a select few of my top recommendations, and digging deeper into what makes them worth highlighting.
(stats updated through Thursday, 5/28)
Saves (%-rostered Yahoo)
Caleb Kilian (SF) (9%)
While I stand by last week’s insistence that Keaton Winn is the best arm in this bullpen, it seems like Caleb Kilian has a tightening if not ironclad grip on San Fran’s save chances. Sometimes these things are undeniable; the only Giant besides Kilian with a save in the last month is Matt Gage. Kilian put a brief cold run behind him with three clean innings this week, even striking out the side for a save against the White Sox on Sunday. While I keep stressing his regression indicators (BABIP schmabip), and you shouldn’t expect his ERA to remain in the low-2s, Kilian’s had a very good season and is clearly The Guy at the moment. That’s enough to make for a top-20ish fantasy closer, and a leading recommendation in this week’s column.
Kirby Yates (LAA) (8%)
In my previous issue, I balked a bit at Kirby Yates reemerging as the Angels’ closer, as he’d looked less than reliable since his early-May return from the injured list. Yates then rebounded from his last blown save with a strong week, allowing just a pair of walks over three appearances, all of which came in the ninth inning of close games. This included a clean save against the Rangers in a 5-2 win on Saturday. It appears that the closer role is Yates’ to lose, which makes him worth rostering in any standard scoring league, even if he’s barely a top-25 option. Sam Bachman retains his status as watchlist material in case Yates falters.
Kyle Finnegan (DET) (10%)
Tigers closer Kenley Jansen was placed on the 15-day injured list on Thursday with pelvic inflammation. That sounds painful, and these things tend to be more concerning for a guy in his late 30s (trust me). Expect an absence of at least a few weeks. This puts Kyle Finnegan first in line for Detroit’s save opportunities. That’s a prospect that would’ve been enticing a few weeks ago, but Finnegan has had a horrific May, allowing nine walks and striking out just three batters over 10 innings since the calendar turned. With Will Vest looking even worse, keep an eye on Drew Anderson if Finnegan stumbles. For now, Finnegan is a stopgap measure for those desperate for saves, at least until we get a clearer timeline on Jansen’s return.
Holds
Kyle Hurt (LAD) (2%)
Sometimes love don’t feel like it should, but Kyle Hurt’s good, nay, great season, kept rolling for another week. Hurt’s last four appearances made for a pair of holds, a win, and even a save, as he picked up his career first on Wednesday against the Rockies. Hurt has quickly become a fixture at the backend of the Dodger bullpen, thanks to a 20:4 strikeout-to-walk ratio and just two earned runs allowed in 17 innings this season. The sample size may still be growing, but there isn’t a single reason for doubt present in the data currently. Hurt’s sparkling ratios (1.06 ERA, 0.82 WHIP) are backed by a 2.32 SIERA and 25 K-BB%. He’s quickly become a borderline top-20 RP in holds leagues.
Will Klein (LAD) (1%)
Next up out of the same bullpen, Will Klein makes for another Dodger setup man on a great run of late. Klein is coming off eight straight scoreless appearances, a streak in which he’s picked up three holds and a save. Much of Klein’s success in 2026 is due to improved control. Across the first 22.2 innings of his career from 2024-25, Klein walked 16 batters; in 23.1 innings this year, he’s walked just 6. This, combined with a 26.9% strikeout rate and excellent contact metrics has made Klein one of L.A.’s most trusted arms in the middle innings. A few weeks ago I ranked holds league arms at a 1% roster rate or lower – if I did that now, Klein would be at the top of the list.
Colin Holderman (CLE) (1%)
Even I draw the line for name-based puns somewhere. The… er, appropriately-titled Colin Holderman is one of the most rapidly-rising setup men this week. This is due in part to excellent performance; across 13 innings this month, Holderman has allowed just 11 baserunners and a lone earned run while striking out 16 batters. It’s also due to team context; the Guardians’ top setup man (and Waiver Relief banner occupier) Erik Sabrowski hit the injured list with elbow inflammation, and should be shelved for a month at the minimum. This puts Holderman up with Hunter Gaddis and Shawn Armstrong as the Guardians’ top relievers, a trio of which Holderman has easily been the best of thus far this season. He’s a top-30ish holds league RP at the moment.
SPRPs
Braydon Fisher (TOR) (3%)
While Braydon Fisher has been highlighted previously in this column, he recently became SP eligible following his latest appearance as an opener on Tuesday. That sort of usage isn’t fantasy-friendly, but Fisher sees his fair share of high-leverage appearances, good for six holds and two wins to date. Even moderate counting stats will do when paired with the excellent ratios that Fisher provides, and while his strikeout numbers are a bit down year over year, his 27.4% rate is nothing to sneeze at. With his newfound eligibility, Fisher makes for a clear top-ten target among SPRPs in holds and points leagues.
Jovani Morán (BOS) (<1%)
Jovani Morán has recently become a key part of the Red Sox bullpen. Morán is unquestionably Boston’s best lefty reliever (not named Aroldis) now that Danny Coulombe looks like a shell of his former self. While he’s made several multi-inning appearances, Morán’s latest outings look encouragingly like that of a traditional mid-high leverage arm. “Encouragingly” is the key word here, as Morán’s usage has been good for just a single hold so far this season. While he’s continued to be plagued by the long ball (13% HR/FB), Morán has struck out a whopping 18 batters in 11 innings this May. There’s elite upside here; I’ve already rostered Morán in a couple of deeper leagues, and I’m expecting the counting stats to see an uptick soon.
UPDATE: Garrett Whitlock was placed on the injured list on Thursday with knee inflammation, only increasing Morán’s role, at least in the short term.
Bryan Hudson (CHW) (1%)
Over the last few weeks, Bryan Hudson has emerged as one of the White Sox’s top relievers. That’s a superlative that suddenly carries fantasy relevance, as those Sox have improved from laughingstock to division frontrunner. Since opening the season with a pair of duds, Hudson has entered a stretch of 25 appearances in which he’s surrendered a run just once. Hudson is hardly overpowering, with a fastball that tops out around 92 mph and a piddling 24.5% Chase rate, but he’s no fraud either. He’s pitched to extremely weak contact, having been barreled just once, with a 32.4% HardHit rate and 52.1% groundball rate. Hudson should be good for decent ratios and a fair share of holds as a deep-league SPRP filler.
