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Some weeks, it feels like the bullpens around baseball go bonkers and everything happens all at once. On other weeks, it almost seems like the bullpens all took a nice little summer nap in the grass under the warm moon. This week was more of a warm nap. Baseball in general was having a loud, busy party, but the bullpens were just out back, resting on the warm grass.
A season-long committee may have found a near full-time closer, what we thought would be a committee looks like it might not be, and what we thought wasn't a committee might end up as one. All that and (a little) more this week, so find a nice dry patch of grass, sit down, and read on!
Be sure to also keep an eye on our Fantasy Baseball Closer Depth Charts for saves, holds, and bullpens. They will be updated daily or sometimes even more often throughout the 2023 baseball season.
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Seattle Mariners - Bullpen and Closer News
Most of us thought the Mariners would employ a closer committee this season from Opening Day, but Paul Sewald took hold of the ninth inning and wouldn't let go. Before this week, Sewald had only appeared in a game earlier than the ninth inning four times, and one of those was a clear "needs to get work" day after not pitching for six days.
This week though, Sewald appeared in the eighth inning of a one-run game, with Andres Munoz warming up for the save. Sewald ended up allowing a game-tying home run, however. Still, it was very interesting to see Sewald in the game with Munoz warming up after him.
We'll need to keep a close eye on the Seattle bullpen, but a committee is looking more and more likely, especially with Munoz still sporting a 0.00 ERA after 11 innings pitched.
Risers: Andres Munoz
Fallers: Paul Sewald (maybe)
Minnesota Twins - Bullpen and Closer News
Jhoan Duran is having another incredible season out of the Twins bullpen. He has a 1.45 ERA and a 35.3% K rate, both excellent numbers. The big frustration with Duran among fantasy owners has always been: but will he get saves? Last season, he only had eight, but this year he's already at 11. And that number is very likely to start going up.
Duran's main competition for saves, Jorge Lopez, is on the IL for mental health reasons. Another Twins high-leverage reliever, Brock Stewart, made his way onto the IL with tendinitis in his throwing elbow.
Griffin Jax is still around, but he's almost sure to work in a setup role while Emilio Pagan and Jovani Moran get the game to them. Duran's time as a top-tier fantasy closer might finally have arrived.
Risers: Jhoan Duran
Fallers: Jorge Lopez, Brock Stewart
St. Louis Cardinals - Bullpen and Closer News
After closer Ryan Helsley was placed on the injured list, most folks weren't sure what to make of the Cardinals bullpen. The widely made assumption was that Giovanny Gallegos would take over, but instead, we've all watched the redemption arc of Jordan Hicks. Hicks has four straight saves for St. Louis, plenty to go on in naming him the team's closer, at least for now.
Hicks wasn't great earlier this season, but he's been more than solid since assuming his new role and should be able to keep it as long as he doesn't slump or get hurt. Meanwhile, Ryan Helsley was cleared to begin a throwing program this week, but he still figures to need some time before he's back in a big league game, where he'll likely return to a setup role.
Risers: Jordan Hicks
Fallers: Giovanny Gallegos, Ryan Helsley
Short Relief - Other Bullpen News
-Kirby Yates, who was the best reliever in baseball four years ago, picked up his first save in three years this week.
-Hunter Harvey picked up another save this week and seems to be well ahead of Kyle Finnegan. It's probably still a committee, but Harvey is on top.
-Trevor May worked an eighth inning this week ahead of a Sam Moll save. May is almost certain to be traded at the deadline, so the A's could try to boost his trade value with a few save chances going forward.
-Scott Barlow is struggling while Aroldis Chapman is heating up again. Both could be pitching for new teams before the deadline, but Chapman could start seeing some more ninth innings while he's still in Kansas City.
-Keynan Middleton picked up his second save of the year and has joined the White Sox committee alongside Kendall Graveman and Joe Kelly.
-Alex Lange looks like he's back on track after two strong outings this week including a four-strikeout save. He should see most of the Tigers save chances moving forward.
-David Robertson is starting to look more and more like the primary closer for the Mets. Adam Ottavino will still mix in now and then, but it hasn't been close to the 50-50 split some expected.
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