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We're a week into the season and...the Angels are in first place, the Guardians are the best team in baseball by run differential, and the Marlins might never win a game again. In other words: it's still early, folks! But early or not, we've already seen some bullpen trends start to develop across the league.
Veteran closers are doing veteran closer things, but new guys are popping up and throwing bullets in ninth innings for some teams as well. There are some interesting things happening in rebuilding team bullpens (although it's April, so there's still "hope" for every team, right? ...right??). There are also things to look at in some of the top contending team bullpens that could lead to an interesting next few months. We'll look at all of that and, of course, more in today's report.
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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Waiver Wire Pickups for Saves
Abner Uribe, Milwaukee Brewers (Rostered in 65% of leagues)
The Milwaukee Brewers expected elite closer Devin Williams to take care of their ninth innings again this season, but a pair of stress fractures in his back changed those plans. Entering the season, it was mostly unclear who would close in Milwaukee, but most people's best guess was Joel Payamps or Trevor Megill. Payamps was the primary setup man last season, so it made sense that he would step into the closer role.
Instead, it's been 23-year-old Abner Uribe picking up three of the first four saves of the season for the Brewers (Payamps has the fourth one). While the Brewers may not stick with Uribe for every single save chance, he's clearly the head of the committee at worst and absolutely worth rostering in all formats at this point.
Payamps is still a solid holds league reliever. Trevor Megill, who was also thought to be in the closer committee before, was placed on the concussion injured list this week. Hoby Milner figures to be next in line, but Uribe and Payamps are the fantasy assets here.
Abner Uribe with the Stretch. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/gGhUEl1CUX
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 2, 2024
Jason Foley, Detroit Tigers (Rostered in 63% of leagues)
Coming into the season, pretty much everyone had Alex Lange penciled in as the closer for the Tigers. Lange led the team in saves last year, closing out 26 wins while no other Detroit reliever had more than seven. That one with seven, though? Jason Foley.
Foley has earned the first two saves of the season for the Tigers and has mostly been used as the closer while Lange has only made two appearances and struggled to throw strikes in both.
Shelby Miller looks like he may be in there with Foley as well, but Foley is clearly the head of the committee right now in Detroit and should be rostered in most formats. Miller is better in holds leagues, and Andrew Chafin could have some holds production as well.
Jason Foley, Disgusting 99mph Sinker. 🤮 pic.twitter.com/MAbkzMhlEo
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 2, 2024
Michael Kopech, Chicago White Sox (Rostered in 19% of leagues)
The White Sox bullpen was full of question marks before the season started, but former starter Michael Kopech has looked every bit the part of a closer in the early going. Kopech worked as a reliever for most of 2021 and had his best season (1.7 fWAR), but was back in the rotation for 2022 (1.1 fWAR) and 2023 (-0.9 fWAR).
This year, Kopech is back in the bullpen and at least for now looks to be the top option for saves on the team. There's only been one White Sox save so far this season, but it's gone to Kopech, who has a 2.08 ERA in his 4 1/3 innings. John Brebbia and Jordan Leasure figure to see some high-leverage work as well, but for right now, Kopech is the one to go and get, and he's currently still available for free in 81% of fantasy leagues.
Michael Kopech, Filth. 😷
And Swords. ⚔️⚔️ pic.twitter.com/MtFtqIgtff— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 31, 2024
Kevin Ginkel, Arizona Diamondbacks (Rostered in 68% of leagues)
The National League champs thought Paul Sewald would return to anchor their bullpen, but a late injury near the end of spring training sent him to the injured list instead. He's already started playing catch, which is a good sign, but it's an oblique injury and those can be tricky and linger much longer than expected. In Sewald's place, playoff star Kevin Ginkel has been working as Arizona's closer.
Ginkel doesn't have a save yet, but neither does anyone else in the Diamondbacks bullpen. Once those save chances start coming, Ginkel will be the one on the mound until Sewald returns. Ginkel doesn't have the elite strikeout upside of some other closers, but he's more than solid and should be able to keep the role until Sewald is back on the mound, making him a must-roster in most leagues.
KEVIN GINKEL IS UNBELIEVABLE. pic.twitter.com/Ps9sXfrwH1
— PHNX Sports (@PHNX_Sports) October 25, 2023
David Robertson, Texas Rangers (Rostered in 36% of leagues)
This one is a bit more of a wait-and-see than the others on this list, but David Robertson (0.00 ERA in 4 2/3 innings) is certainly off to a better start than Jose Leclerc (20.25 ERA in 2 2/3). The Rangers don't have a save recorded yet, and they do figure to give Leclerc at least another chance or two, but Robertson would figure to be the next man up in that bullpen based on his experience and early success.
Robertson is not a must-roster at this point in standard leagues, but he is definitely someone to keep an eye on in all formats and someone worth a final RP spot in holds leagues already. Leclerc could turn it around, but he has his fantasy managers already feeling a bit nervous and looking for other options. Robertson could be one of those.
Is this a ...new fastball for David Robertson? pic.twitter.com/6IrmL5Qxh1
— Alex Fast (@AlexFast8) March 29, 2024
More Bullpen and Closer News
Kansas City Royals
The Royals bullpen has been led by William Smith, John Schreiber, and James McArthur in the early going. Smith has struggled while Schreiber has looked excellent and McArthur has shown some upside as well.
There's no move expected for now, but it wouldn't be shocking to see Schreiber or McArthur take over closing duties in Kansas City if Smith continues to struggle. For now, it's just something to keep an eye on.
Boston Red Sox
Another thing to keep an eye on is Kenley Jansen working as the Red Sox's closer. He recorded the 422nd save of his career this week, moving him into sixth place all time in baseball history. That's the good news. The less good news is that his velocity is noticeably down and he has walked as many batters (five) as he's struck out.
The 5.99 xFIP also doesn't inspire much confidence despite his 0.00 ERA. Again, just a "keep an eye on it" situation, but if Jansen struggles or misses time due to injury, Chris Martin would likely take over and become a valid RP option in all formats.
Short Relief - Other Bullpen News
-Alexis Diaz was looked at for a sticky substance check but passed the test and was allowed to pitch, picking up his first save of the season and looking strong in the process.
-The Marlins bullpen has been an absolute mess this season already, and that includes two guys who were excellent fantasy assets last season: Tanner Scott and Andrew Nardi. Scott's walk issues seem to have returned in the early going, and Nardi is giving up the hardest contact of his career and sporting a 21.60 ERA. The Marlins, now 0-8, will look to avoid becoming the first team in baseball history to go 0-162.
-Ian Hamilton is only rostered in 9% of leagues right now but should be a solid and consistent holds asset.
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