We’re back following a brief absence due to some technical difficulties last week. There would be a ton of ground to cover regardless of that time off, which means I’ve got my work cut out for me. It’s been a very news-heavy couple of weeks, especially for mid-August. Besides the usual shuffling, multiple teams saw their closer hit the injured list, while a few others saw theirs return from it.
Per my usual format, I’ll recap all of the latest closer news, then provide rankings and names to watch for saves, holds, and SPRPs.
(stats updated through Thursday, 8/20)
Closer Notes
ARI
Star closer Justin Martinez was activated from the injured list on Monday, more than a year removed from Tommy John surgery last June. While Martinez pitched in just one low-leverage spot since, he’s likely to reassume closing duties before long. Martinez enters near the bottom of my closer rankings, with Brandyn Garcia falling back to the watchlist. In head-to-head formats where you can afford to be patient, Martinez possesses as much upside as any available closer if he acclimates himself in time for the fantasy playoffs.
BAL
The sudden and drastic falloff of Yennier Cano has opened the door for Andrew Kittredge to take over as Baltimore’s sole closer. Over the last two weeks, Kittredge and the non-contending Cam Sanders are the only Orioles with saves (two each), as Cano and Rico Garcia have struggled.
Despite this recent boost in profile, Kittredge narrowly misses my rankings, partially due to the fact that Félix Bautista is nearing a rehab assignment. While I have no idea if Bautista will be in good enough form to retake the ninth inning this season, his shadow looms large. Both Kittredge’s value as a short-term hold and Bautista’s value as a stash are highly dependent on league format and team need.
CHC
Closer Daniel Palencia was activated from the injured list today. Jacob Webb has been terrific in Palencia’s absence, particularly over the last two weeks, during which he’s picked up two wins and four saves without allowing an earned run. While I am ranking Palencia this week and demoting Webb to my watchlist, it’s no sure thing that Palencia will retake the closer role upon his return. Both pitchers should be rostered universally until we see how the Cubs’ next few save chances play out.
KC
Steven Cruz’s recent bout of mediocrity (4.05 ERA, 18.5% strikeout rate over the last thirty days) has opened the door for Nate Pearson to join him in the ninth inning. While Cruz has out-saved Pearson 3-1 over the last two weeks, this ignores multiple instances where Pearson has pitched the ninth inning in situations that narrowly missed being save opportunities. In fact, given their recent forms, I’d give the edge to Pearson here. However, a shared role in Kansas City isn’t enough for either pitcher to crack my top ten below, particularly since Carlos Estévez is nearing a rehab assignment. I strongly doubt Estévez sees fantasy relevance in 2026, but I suppose you could do worse with a truly free IL slot to spare. If you’re looking to throw a dart at an injured closer that is widely available, Félix Bautista is easily the better option.
LAA
Samy Natera Jr. landed on the injured list with back spasms on Thursday, which will keep him out at least until the end of the month. The timing is disastrous for those rostering Natera, as Ben Joyce has looked every bit as good as advertised since coming off the IL on August 5. Across six appearances, Joyce has allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out ten, and notched a save in each of his last three appearances. Even if Natera does work his way back (no pun intended), there won’t be a closing gig waiting for him. Joyce immediately enters near the top of my closer rankings below.
LAD
Edwin Díaz returned to the injured list on Tuesday with, let’s be honest here, whatever injury the Dodgers decided to go with. Tanner Scott retakes his rightful place as one of fantasy baseball’s top closers, as Díaz’s season, at least for fantasy purposes, comes to its disappointing conclusion.
NYM
Devin Williams hit the injured list last Monday with a right shoulder strain. It sounds as though he’s expected to return in early September. In the meantime, converted starter Kodai Senga has emerged as the Mets’ short-term closer. Senga’s been great since fully committing to a traditional bullpen role, allowing just one earned run and converting all four of his save chances across six appearances in August. If Williams were to end up missing the rest of the season, Senga would slot into the middle of my rankings below, comparable to Dylan Smith.
PIT
It’s a shame I backpedaled in my last issue, as I should’ve stuck with my initial read that not a single team would acquire a new closer at the trade deadline. Luke Weaver seemed like the most likely candidate, and even landed on a Pittsburgh team that could certainly use him. Nonetheless, Weaver has been relegated to the mid-late innings, and even got lit up (four hits, three earned runs) by the Red Sox last Saturday.
Instead, Weaver’s arrival has only solidified Mason Montgomery as the Pirates’ closer. You’d think I’d seem once bitten twice shy in recommending Montgomery in any capacity, but in his case it’s more like six times bitten, and still somehow not shy at all. Montgomery has been absolutely outrageous over the last month. His three wins and four saves would require little else, but also came alongside a 1.59 ERA, 0.71 WHIP, and 19.06 K/9. Particularly given his SP eligibility, Montgomery’s latest surge has him among just a few candidates to be fantasy baseball’s most valuable RP down the stretch. He’s rocketed up my rankings below, now coming in second for saves and second among all SPRPs.
Saves – Top 10 (<=60%-rostered Yahoo)
Rising names among closers this week include Tanner Scott, Mason Montgomery, and Ben Joyce.
- Tanner Scott – LAD (50%)
- Mason Montgomery – PIT (16%)
- Ben Joyce – LAA (20%)
- Yoendrys Gómez – MIN (36%)
- Dylan Smith – SF (2%)
- Daniel Palencia – CHC (57%)
- Justin Martinez – ARI (10%)
- Grant Taylor – CHW (29%)
- Jordan Romano – COL (13%)
- Clayton Beeter – WSH (17%)
The Watchlist: Jacob Webb (CHC), Andrew Kittredge (BAL), Hogan Harris (ATH), Nate Pearson (KC), Steven Cruz (KC), Brandyn Garcia (ARI)
Temporary Add: Kodai Senga (NYM)
IL Stash: Félix Bautista (BAL), Carlos Estévez (KC)
Holds
Top 10 (<=10%-rostered)
Rising names among setup men this week include Jonathan Bowlan, Erik Miller, and Dylan Dodd.
- Jonathan Bowlan – PHI (2%)
- Erik Miller – BOS (4%)
- Juan Morillo – ARI (6%)
- Tyler Wells – TB (9%)
- Dylan Dodd – ATL (6%)
- Michael Petersen – MIA (5%)
- Jeremiah Estrada – SD (7%)
- Tyron Guerrero – BOS (5%)
- Brooks Raley – PHI (3%)
- Gabe Speier – SEA (3%)
NAMES TO WATCH: Daniel Duarte (4%) and Nate Lavender (2%) have both excelled for the Mets since their recent call-ups. Cam Booser (1%) has become one of the most consistent arms in a crowded Tampa bullpen. Bradgley Rodriguez (3%) hasn’t had a strikeout-less appearance since July 11; he’s been racking up the counting stats (one win, one save, three holds) in August. Ryan Zeferjahn (5%) might never put up results befitting his stuff, but he has as much potential and as good a team context as any reliever ranked above.
SPRPs
Top 10 (Yahoo-eligible)
Rising names among SPRPs this week include Mason Montgomery, Bradgley Rodriguez, and Kodai Senga.
- Jacob Latz – TEX (69%)
- Mason Montgomery – PIT (16%)
- Grant Taylor – CHW (29%)
- Didier Fuentes – ATL (11%)
- Tyler Wells – TB (9%)
- Yoendrys Gómez – MIN (36%)
- Bradgley Rodriguez – SD (3%)
- Jack Dreyer – LAD (4%)
- Jordan Hicks – CHW (1%)
- Kodai Senga – NYM (27%)
NAMES TO WATCH: Hagen Smith (2%) has immediately entered the White Sox’ high-leverage mix following an August 8 call-up. Jovani Morán (<1%) has put up a few duds lately, but has increased importance to a Red Sox bullpen missing multiple key arms. Chad Patrick (9%) has taken on a traditional role, racking up a win, a save, and three holds for Milwaukee this month. The Blue Jays’ pair of frustrating SPRPs, Mason Fluharty (1%) and Braydon Fisher (3%), have combined to allow just one earned run across 20 innings in August.
