Latest fantasy baseball reliever updates
Elvis Alvarado, who has eight straight scoreless appearances and a 2.70 ERA since the All-Star break, appears to have moved into a share of the Athletics' closer duties with (if not the lead ahead of) Hogan Harris. (August 27)
Pete Fairbanks returned to the injured list with nerve irritation in his right hand, the same injury that sidelined him for 15 days in April/May. The Marlins will likely go the closer-by-committee route, with Calvin Faucher, Tyler Zuber, Michael Petersen and Josh Ekness the top ninth-inning options. (August 26)
Ben Joyce has each of the Angels' past three successful save conversions, as well as six consecutive scoreless appearances since returning from the IL. He appears to be the team's top choice to close. (August 19)
After he surrendered 11 runs in nine appearances between IL stints, Edwin Diaz (neck) was placed back on the injured list on Aug. 18. Tanner Scott will move back into the closer role for the Dodgers. (August 19)
Team-by-team fantasy baseball bullpens
Each pitcher's roster percentages in ESPN leagues is listed in parentheses. Those who have been "heavily worked" over recent days have their names bolded and italicized. Pitchers who are thus labeled as "tired" are less likely to pitch in today's games and, therefore, less likely than normal to earn wins, holds or saves today. Our formula for deeming a reliever to be tired generally requires that he meets at least two of the following criteria: At least 25 pitches thrown the previous day; at least 35 pitches thrown over the last three days; appearances in both of the prior two days.
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Closer-by-committee: Kevin Ginkel (1.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Brandyn Garcia (3.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Juan Morillo (2.7%)
Sleeper: Justin Martinez (1.7%)
THE ATHLETICS
Co-closer: Elvis Alvarado (1.3%)
Co-closer: Hogan Harris (5.7%)
Primary setup: Luis Medina (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Drew Rom (0.0%)
ATLANTA BRAVES
Closer: Raisel Iglesias (81.9%)
Primary setup: Dylan Lee (20.8%)
Secondary setup: Dylan Dodd (1.2%)
Sleeper: Didier Fuentes (3.9%)
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Closer-by-committee: Andrew Kittredge (1.7%)
Closer-by-committee: Rico Garcia (9.0%)
Closer-by-committee: Yennier Cano (0.7%)
Injured list: Ryan Helsley (33.4%)
BOSTON RED SOX
Closer: Aroldis Chapman (92.2%)
Primary setup: Erik Miller (1.3%)
Secondary setup: Greg Weissert (0.2%)
Sleeper: Tyron Guerrero (1.2%)
CHICAGO CUBS
Closer: Jacob Webb (9.9%)
Primary setup: Daniel Palencia (30.5%)
Secondary setup: Ryan Zeferjahn (1.2%)
Middle relief: Ryan Rolison (0.2%)
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Closer-by-committee: Grant Taylor (18.9%)
Closer-by-committee: Sean Newcomb (1.6%)
Closer-by-committee: Jordan Hicks (0.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Trevor Richards (0.1%)
CINCINNATI REDS
Closer: Emilio Pagan (55.3%)
Primary setup: Tony Santillan (2.7%)
Secondary setup: Tejay Antone (0.1%)
Middle relief: Luis Mey (0.2%)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Closer: Cade Smith (97.4%)
Primary setup: Hunter Gaddis (7.2%)
Secondary setup: Erik Sabrowski (8.6%)
Middle relief: Colin Holderman (0.5%)
COLORADO ROCKIES
Closer: Jordan Romano (5.6%)
Primary setup: Juan Mejia (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Jimmy Herget (0.1%)
Middle relief: Brennan Bernardino (0.1%)
DETROIT TIGERS
Closer: Kenley Jansen (39.3%)
Primary setup: Tyler Holton (1.1%)
Secondary setup: Kyle Finnegan (1.8%)
Middle relief: Drew Sommers (0.3%)
HOUSTON ASTROS
Closer: Josh Hader (83.6%)
Primary setup: Bryan Abreu (32.1%)
Secondary setup: Steven Okert (3.4%)
Middle relief: Enyel De Los Santos (0.3%)
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Co-closer: Steven Cruz (1.4%)
Co-closer: Nate Pearson (0.6%)
Primary setup: John Schreiber (0.3%)
Injured list: Carlos Estevez (17.3%)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Closer: Ben Joyce (8.2%)
Primary setup: Ryan Watson (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Luke Murphy (0.0%)
Middle relief: Jose Fermin (0.0%)
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Closer: Tanner Scott (36.8%)
Primary setup: Evan Phillips (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Alex Vesia (8.2%)
Injured list: Edwin Diaz (52.1%)
MIAMI MARLINS
Closer-by-committee: Calvin Faucher (0.8%)
Closer-by-committee: Michael Petersen (1.9%)
Closer-by-committee: Josh Ekness (0.0%)
Injured list: Pete Fairbanks (38.9%)
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Closer: Trevor Megill (60.8%)
Primary setup: Aaron Ashby (16.9%)
Secondary setup: Antonio Senzatela (2.6%)
Middle relief: Chad Patrick (4.7%)
MINNESOTA TWINS
Closer: Yoendrys Gomez (15.8%)
Primary setup: Jeff Hoffman (38.7%)
Secondary setup: Andrew Morris (1.1%)
Middle relief: A.J. Minter (0.9%)
NEW YORK METS
Closer: Kodai Senga (10.1%)
Primary setup: Daniel Duarte (2.1%)
Secondary setup: Nate Lavender (0.7%)
Injured list: Devin Williams (60.7%)
NEW YORK YANKEES
Closer: David Bednar (89.1%)
Primary setup: Brent Headrick (10.7%)
Secondary setup: Paul Blackburn (3.5%)
Middle relief: Tim Hill (0.5%)
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Closer: Jhoan Duran (93.6%)
Primary setup: Jonathan Bowlan (0.8%)
Secondary setup: Orion Kerkering (1.3%)
Middle relief: Brooks Raley (1.0%)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Closer-by-committee: Mason Montgomery (8.4%)
Closer-by-committee: Luke Weaver (7.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Gregory Soto (19.7%)
Primary setup: Camilo Doval (2.5%)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Closer: Riley O'Brien (64.0%)
Primary setup: Ryne Stanek (1.5%)
Secondary setup: George Soriano (0.8%)
Middle relief: Caleb Ferguson (0.1%)
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Closer: Mason Miller (99.6%)
Primary setup: Adrian Morejon (18.2%)
Secondary setup: Bradgley Rodriguez (1.2%)
Middle relief: Yuki Matsui (0.4%)
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Closer: Dylan Smith (0.5%)
Primary setup: Carson Seymour (0.0%)
Secondary setup: Sam Hentges (0.0%)
Middle relief: Ryan Walker (9.0%)
SEATTLE MARINERS
Closer: Andres Munoz (80.1%)
Primary setup: Eduard Bazardo (3.8%)
Secondary setup: Jose Ferrer (1.0%)
Middle relief: Seranthony Dominguez (9.7%)
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Closer: Bryan Baker (79.4%)
Primary setup: Kevin Kelly (13.3%)
Secondary setup: Garrett Cleavinger (3.5%)
Middle relief: Tyler Wells (2.4%)
TEXAS RANGERS
Closer: Jacob Latz (62.1%)
Primary setup: Chase Silseth (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Jakob Junis (2.7%)
Middle relief: Peyton Gray (0.1%)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Closer: Louis Varland (86.4%)
Primary setup: Tyler Rogers (16.4%)
Secondary setup: Braydon Fisher (0.6%)
Middle relief: Paul Sewald (16.4%)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Closer: Clayton Beeter (4.0%)
Primary setup: Orlando Ribalta (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Tom Cosgrove (0.0%)
Sleeper: Luis Perales (0.1%)
KEY: "Closer" is either that team's officially designated closer, or the pitcher most likely to get the team's next save chance. Teams can be listed with "Co-closers" or "Closer-by-committee." "Primary setup" is the pitcher next-most likely to take over if something happens to the closer, the top holds-getter and the one who might get any save chances on the closer's nights off. "Secondary setup" is the pitcher third-in-line to close and a good candidate for holds. "Middle relief" covers any other pertinent relievers from that team's bullpen. "Sleeper" is another reliever who could provide a decent number of holds or eventually graduate into the closer role.