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There goes another week and we're closer to the All Star Game and closer to the trade deadline. With so many teams in striking distance of a Wild Card spot, this should be an interesting deadline. If standings stay similar to how they are now, we could see only a handful of teams legitimately selling, which means trade values will be significantly inflated.
Some guys will be traded, some will be taking over open closer spots, and some may be unexpectedly keeping their roles. But this week, we saw a closer get hurt but (at least for now) his team hasn't put him on the IL. We saw a guy who has been closing most of the season suddenly stop closing. And we saw another closer, who was filling in for an injured closer, also get injured. Lots going on this week, so let's take a look.
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 2024 baseball season.
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Sunday Quick Hit Closer Updates
-David Bednar is dealing with some "left side tightness" which led to a save for Aroldis Chapman this weekend. Bednar was placed on the injured list on Sunday, meaning Chapman will likely take the ninth inning until he returns.
-Jordan Romano had a setback in his rehab, feeling some elbow soreness after throwing from 120 feet. He'll be shut down from throwing from a few days, leaving more save chances for Chad Green (see below).
-Speaking of the Blue Jays bullpen, Yimi Garcia plans on playing catch on Sunday and could be on his way back.
-Ben Joyce is back in the Angels bullpen and the eye test says he could be one of the best relievers in baseball. We'll see if the stats catch up to that this time around.
-Paul Sewald finally got a save and is now 9-for-9 this season. The chances have been few and far between, but he's been nails when given the chance.
-Giovanny Gallegos is back in the Cardinals bullpen. Ryan Helsley will still close, but Andrew Kittredge and JoJo Romero will have some new competition for holds.
-Kyle Finnegan allowed a walk-off on a pitch clock violation. Yikes.
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Saves
Chad Green, Toronto Blue Jays (Rostered in 30% of leagues)
The Blue Jays are on their third closer of the year. Their original plan, Jordan Romano, is on the injured list with an elbow injury. His replacement, Yimi Garcia, landed on the IL this week with an elbow issue of his own (ulnar neuritis). Romano is already rehabbing, throwing from 90 to 120 feet early in the week. He hasn't been great when healthy (6.59 ERA in 13 2/3 innings, but eight saves in nine chances), but will likely have a chance to get back to the ninth inning when he's back on the mound.
In the meantime, though, the lone Canadian closer's job will go to Chad Green. Green has gotten great results so far this year, pitching to a 1.72 ERA in 15 2/3 innings. He has two saves and six holds and has struck out 13 while walking four. He's currently rostered in under a third of fantasy leagues (30% as of this article), and should be a valuable closer while the rest of the Blue Jays relievers heal.
@BlueJays rehabbing reliever Chad Green brought the filth with him to Buffalo 😮💨#BlueJays | #Bisons pic.twitter.com/VpnoQ47Ehq
— Buffalo Bisons (@BuffaloBisons) August 16, 2023
John Brebbia, Chicago White Sox (Rostered in 2% of leagues)
This is another one where you're only even considering it if you're absolutely desperate for saves. The White Sox have played 76 games and won just 20 of them. As a team, they have 13 saves and 20 blown saves, led in both categories by Michael Kopech (five saves, four blown saves). Kopech has had some flashes of brilliance but his control and home-run rate have both been issues.
Recently, the team has seemed to use veteran reliever John Brebbia in its few close-and-late situations. Brebbia has a 5.81 ERA but 34 strikeouts and just six walks in 26 1/3 innings. He's very unlikely to put up more than a save a week, if that, but fantasy managers thoroughly desperate for saves who can't find anyone else on the wire will almost certainly find Brebbia, who is available in 98% of fantasy leagues. He might not get a lot of saves, but he absolutely won't throw a wet baseball.
John Brebbia will NOT throw a wet baseball pic.twitter.com/XseAhAPGLE
— Sox On 35th (@SoxOn35th) May 4, 2024
Colten Brewer, Chicago Cubs (Rostered in under 1% of leagues)
Colten Brewer is available in almost quite literally every fantasy league right now. He might end up with some fantasy value soon. Cubs closer Hector Neris has somehow been getting away with pitching poorly almost all season, saving 10 games despite a 4.73 ERA/5.66 FIP, adding 24 strikeouts and 20 walks.
In his last three appearances, he's blown two saves and allowed seven earned runs. In the most recent save opportunity for the Cubs, Colten Brewer, fresh off the injured list, earned the first save of his career. He has a 3.68 ERA backed up by a 3.21 FIP, striking out 15 while walking six. The team hasn't made any mention of an official move yet, so this is mostly a shot in the dark, but with Brewer available in pretty much every league in the world, there are worse options as dart throws. Keegan Thompson also earned a save for the Cubs this week, making it more believable that the club may be ready to move on from Neris.
Colten Brewer picks up his 1st career save! pic.twitter.com/8KqWU6nnqk
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) June 19, 2024
More Bullpen and Closer News
Colorado Rockies
Please leave the Rockies bullpen alone! Matt Koch is tied for fourth in the Colorado bullpen for saves. Koch has an 81.00 ERA and has gotten one out this season, facing five batters before clearing waivers and rejoining the Triple-A bullpen in Albuquerque. Jalen Beeks and Tyler Kinley have spent most of the season swapping roles as closer and key setup man. Beeks has just 28 strikeouts and 17 walks in 36 innings, and Kinley has an even 9.00 ERA. Almost every fantasy league will have safer and higher-ceiling options available than any of the Rockies guys.
This is also a bullpen likely to look a lot different after the trade deadline. Jake Bird and Justin Lawrence were both reinstated from the IL this week, but they've also struggled despite two of the five Rockies with saves this year. Maybe Dinger can end up pitching in some save situations; if he does, we definitely recommend adding him immediately.
heading to the 6th, Rockies making a move to the bullpen pic.twitter.com/SzVKlhFehF
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) June 25, 2023
Short Relief - Other Bullpen News
-Fun with meaningless stats: Andrew Nardi leads the league in most appearances (34) without an official decision (0-0 record). The next closest is Angel Zerpa of the Royals with 32, then Stephen Kolek with 30.
-Danny Coulombe had bone chips removed from his elbow this week. The Orioles setup man likely won't return until September, but Baltimore does not think his season will be over.
-Pete Fairbanks took a comebacker off his hand this week and had to leave a save situation, but he was able to pitch a few days later, blowing a save but ultimately getting the win.
-Ryan Helsley tied a Cardinals franchise record this week, recording his 24th consecutive save. He's opened a gap in his saves lead.
-Speaking of leaders in saves, Helsley has opened that gap. He has 24 while Kyle Finnegan and Emmanuel Clase trail him in second place with 21 each, followed by Clay Holmes and Raisel Iglesias with 19.
-We've moved into a six-way tie for blown saves, with the following relievers all with five blown saves: Ryan Pressly, David Robertson, Shelby Miller, Steven Okert, Adbert Alzolay, and Andrew Nardi.
-Holds leaders are Hunter Harvey with 22, JoJo Romero with 20, and Andrew Kittredge with 19.
-Josh Staumont (16 1/3) and Sam Long (10 2/3) are the only two relievers with 10 or more innings pitched and zero runs allowed.
-Relievers with the highest fWAR: Jeff Hoffman (1.4) and Mason Miller (1.4), Matt Strahm (1.3), Justin Slaten (1.2), and Emmanuel Clase (1.2).
-The Reds (82%), Brewers (77%), and Mariners (74%) have the highest save percentages (saves divided by save opportunities) so far this season. The White Sox (38%), Marlins (42%), and Tigers (48%) have the lowest.
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