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Out of all the weeks in baseball, this was certainly one of them. One bullpen that recently became a mess is becoming more of a mess, another bullpen that's been a mess almost all year continues to be, and finally, a bullpen that's been a mess might have just started cleaning things up.
As we move closer and closer to fantasy playoffs (or, for some leagues: Welcome to Week 1 of the fantasy playoffs!) relief pitchers get more and more important as one save or one hold or one extra run prevented could be the difference between going on and going home. Metaphorically. It's fantasy baseball. We're all at home.
Be sure to also keep an eye on our RotoBaller Fantasy Baseball Closers and Saves Bullpen Depth Charts. They're updated daily, or sometimes even more often in this wild 2022 baseball season.
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New York Yankees - Bullpen and Closers News
Seemingly now mainstays in Closers and Saves Report, the Yankees bullpen is just plain going through it these days. Clay Holmes was the best reliever in baseball for a while, then he wasn't, then he got hurt. Aroldis Chapman used to be one of the best closers in baseball, but now he isn't, and the Yankees don't trust him in the ninth. Scott Effross was a new guy, acquired at the trade deadline, and seemed like a good closing option. Hurt.
So the Yankees are left with their fourth and fifth choices at this point. We'll likely still see Chapman now and then (even though manager Aaron Boone says they're not quite ready yet), but it looks like this could be a committee approach, with Wandy Peralta and Johnathan Loaisiga picking up saves along the way. There isn't a must-have in this bullpen right now, but if you need a reliever in pinstripes, Peralta is probably your guy.
Risers: Wandy Peralta, Jonathan Loaisiga
Fallers: Scott Effross, Aroldis Chapman
Philadelphia Phillies - Bullpen and Closers News
As is baseball tradition, the Phillies bullpen was pretty much a mess for the first half of this season. They went and signed Corey Knebel, thinking he'd solve the problem, but he struggled mightily and lost his job, leading to a committee until the trade deadline. At the deadline, Philadelphia went out and got David Robertson from the Cubs, one of the best relievers available via trade. We all assumed that Robertson would slide right into the ninth inning, but instead, he took the lesser half of a committee approach with Seranthony Dominguez, who had been on the team all along. Meanwhile, Corey Knebel had started pitching much better...
This week, Corey Knebel went on the IL and the team announced that he would be out for the season. Seranthony Dominguez made his way to the injured list as well, although he's expected to be able to return at some point. So, as things often do, they sorted themselves out so that all of us who predicted Robertson would be the Phillies closer ended up being right (although we took quite the circuitous route). Managers in leagues where Robertson was dropped recently should jump right on the wire and try to acquire him for this final stretch run.
Risers: David Robertson
Fallers: Seranthony Dominguez, Corey Knebel
San Diego Padres - Bullpen and Closers News
At the trade deadline, the Padres acquired the best hitter available via trade, and the best closer. That's the sentence, just "the best closer" because not only was Josh Hader widely regarded as the best closer in baseball, but also no one had any idea that he was available. So how's that going for them? Well, this week, the Padres announced that Hader would be taking "a break" from closing for a little while. As a Padre, the former Brewer has appeared in six games and posted a 12.46 ERA to go with a loss, a blown save, and a 7:5 K:BB ratio. Probably not what anyone expected.
It likely won't be too long until Hader is back at it in the ninth inning, but for now, Luis Garcia has emerged as the favorite for saves in the San Diego bullpen. Nick Martinez figures to mix in as well. Garcia is the one to pick up for managers who need saves now, but managers in leagues with late trade deadlines might want to dangle something in front of the manager who rosters Hader to see if the price is low enough.
Risers: Luis Garcia, Nick Martinez
Fallers: Josh Hader
Houston Astros - Bullpen and Closers News
Astros closer Ryan Pressly was unavailable a few times this week due to a stiff neck but was originally not expected to miss much time. Something changed though, and Pressly was placed on the injured list on Thursday. The hope is that he will not need to miss more than the required days on the IL.
Rafael Montero is expected to take Pressly's place in the Houston ninth inning, but Hector Neris and Bryan Abreu could mix in as well. Montero is definitely the one to roster in most fantasy formats, though.
Risers: Rafael Montero, Hector Neris
Fallers: Ryan Pressly
Short Relief - Other Bullpen News
-Brandon Hughes looks like the closer for the Cubs, at least for now. He's saved three wins in a row and is at the very least the much bigger half of a committee.
-Matt Moore is earning saves in the Rangers bullpen, but Jonathan Hernandez is still the favorite for saves in Texas.
-Peter Fairbanks is threatening Jason Adam's status as "the guy" in the Tampa Bay bullpen.
-Jose Quijada might be the favorite for saves in the Angels bullpen, but you probably still don't need him on your roster.
-Ryan Helsley has been on the paternity leave list and is now on the restricted list, so Giovanny Gallegos has slid back into his role as Cardinals closer temporarily.
-Dany Jimenez looks like he's heading the Oakland closer committee again, but they won't have too many save opportunities going forward.
-Miami seems like they're sticking with Tanner Scott in the ninth, likely to see what they have in him in yet another lost season for Mattingly's Marlins.
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