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Welcome back RotoBallers to another week of our fantasy baseball closers and saves waiver wire report. Another week, another round of bullpen news and moves for us to cover. A little bear returns from a little trip to the injured list. A blue bird is sick but his backup blue bird has him covered. A large fish struggles when it matters most. A desert snake who was really bad for a while is looking like he might be really good again.
Bullpens have been as wild as ever in 2022, but keep reading Rotoballer's weekly Closers and Saves Report to stay one pitch ahead of everyone else in your league. Especially in leagues that count holds, one good or bad relief performance could be the difference between a win or a loss in your fantasy matchup. Read ahead to learn more about little bears, blue birds, large fish, and desert snakes.
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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Chicago Cubs - Bullpen and Closers News
After spending a week and a half on the COVID IL and leaving the Cubs with a closer by committee situation, David Robertson is back and should take back his closer's role right away. He pitched in the ninth inning in his first appearance back, but it wasn't a save situation as the Cubs were trailing. Still, he pitched a clean inning while striking out two batters, showing that he's more than ready to lock down a save when the situation presents itself.
Risers: David Robertson
Fallers: Rowan Wick, Mychal Givens
Texas Rangers - Bullpen and Closers News
The Rangers bullpen finally settled into each reliever having mostly defined roles, with Joe Barlow entrenching himself as the team's closer. He's pitched well, posting a 1.35 ERA and seven saves in seven chances. He's going to need a few days to heal from a blister, or "hot spot", on his finger, but he isn't expected to need a stint on the injured list for it. Matt Bush got the first chance at a save with Barlow unavailable, but blew the chance by allowing two runs before the Rangers finally won in extra innings. Bush could get the next save chance anyway, or it could go to Brett Martin instead. Either way, it will be a temporary bullpen change, and likely only worth pursuing by those with Barlow in daily lineup leagues.
Risers: Matt Bush, Brett Martin (very temporary)
Fallers: Joe Barlow (reportedly only for a few days)
Toronto Blue Jays - Bullpen and Closers News
Jordan Romano has been excellent for the Blue Jays, leading the American League with 12 saves and posting a solid 3.07 ERA. A gastrointestinal infection has kept him out for a few games, but he isn't expected to need a trip to the injured list. Adam Cimber locked down two saves in two straight games in Romano's place, proving that the submarining righty is the direct backup to Romano and could have legitimate mixed league value if Romano ends up needing to miss more time. For now it's a temporary boost to Cimber, but Romano will reclaim the ninth inning as soon as he's healthy enough.
Risers: Adam Cimber (as Romano's direct backup)
Fallers: Yimi Garcia (falls back in the hierarchy)
Short Relief - Other Bullpen News
-Anthony Bender had a brief nice run pitching in lower leverage situations, but as soon as he was brought into a high leverage inning, he blew the game once again. Dylan Floro hasn't looked good in his return from the injured list, so the Marlins closer role may default to Cole Sulser.
-The Reds bullpen is messy as expected, but Alexis Diaz (the brother of Mets closer Edwin Diaz) has looked good and is starting to get more and more significant innings. The brothers became just the third pair in baseball history to record a save on the same day earlier this week.
-Daniel Bard and Mark Melancon have both struggled, but at least for now there's no confirmed movement in those bullpens. Alex Colome would be next in line in Colorado, with Ian Kennedy on deck in Arizona.
-The Mariners bullpen is a full on committee and no one knows who might pitch in a given inning on any given day. The late-inning Seattle relievers are valuable in holds leagues, but likely too unreliable to trust in saves only formats.
-Daniel Hudson looks like the backup for Craig Kimbrel in Los Angeles. He'd immediately shoot up in fantasy value if Kimbrel were to miss time.
-Hansel Robles leads the Red Sox in saves with two. Five other relievers have one save each.
-Tyler Duffey picked up a save for the Twins this week, but it was because of heavy workloads for Emilio Pagan and Jhoan Duran. Duran is still the upside play in Minnesota.
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