X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Fantasy Baseball Closers and Saves Waiver Wire Report for Week 26

Jhoan Duran fantasy baseball rankings closers saves draft sleepers

Fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for closers, saves, and bullpen arms for Week 26 (2024). David's relief pitcher and bullpen updates, and closers to add.

Sometimes, you make the playoffs in your home fantasy baseball league every season since its inception 17 years ago. Other times, you make it 16 years in a row and then actually miss the playoffs the 17th year by two games in the standings. I wonder how that feels, I'm asking for a friend...

This week, baseball's hardest throwing closer got hurt, committees around the league continued doing committee things, and one of two pitchers who still hasn't allowed a home run this year went on the injured list. We'll take a closer look at that and more in this week'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. 

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Weekend Quick Hit Closer Updates

-Tyler Holton picked up a save this weekend in a game where Jason Foley wasn't available because he'd pitched in two in a row.

-Luke Weaver got his second save and Yankees manager Aaron Boone heavily implied they may not officially name a closer any time soon.

-Edwin Uceta earned his third save for the Rays. Manuel Rodriguez remains the highest leverage guy in that bullpen, but he won't always be kept waiting for save situations.

-Lucas Erceg leads all of baseball in saves + holds (SOLDS) since the All-Star Break, with 16. He has nine saves and seven holds.

-Emmanuel Clase is the saves leader for the second half, with 15 so far.

-Evan Phillips had a really rough day on Saturday, coughing up five earned runs while getting only one out. That won't help anyone's ratios.

 

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Saves

Jesus Tinoco, Miami Marlins (Rostered in 1% of Leagues)
Declan Cronin, Miami Marlins (Rostered in 1% of Leagues)
Anthony Bender, Miami Marlins (Rostered in 1% of Leagues)

The Miami Marlins had one of the league's best closers in Tanner Scott until the trade deadline. Once Scott was shipped off to the Padres, the Marlins mixed and matched for a while until Calvin Faucher settled into the ninth inning and pitched more than well enough to keep the role.

Faucher landed on the injured list this week with a shoulder impingement, leaving the Marlins with yet another committee approach for now. Jesus Tinoco, Declan Cronin, and Anthony Bender have been handling leverage innings when they come up, and one of them should end up picking up any Marlins saves.

Each guy is available in almost every league, but it's a complete toss-up as to who will work his way into the role. Desperate fantasy managers can close their eyes and pick one of these guys and maybe get lucky.

Hunter Strickland, Los Angeles Angels (Rostered in 2% of Leagues)
Jose Quijada, Los Angeles Angels (Rostered in 1% of Leagues)

The Angels bullpen is in a similar position to the Marlins bullpen, as mentioned above. They had a closer, they traded their closer, they had a guy take over the role, and now that guy is hurt. Ben Joyce landed on the IL this week with shoulder inflammation.

The Angels' committee approach seems more likely to be a two-headed monster compared to the three-headed one in Miami. Still, both of the guys expected to see save chances in Anaheim are guys who are available in almost every fantasy league right now.

Hunter Strickland has settled into a leverage role and has been pitching well, and Jose Quijada is only 16 innings into his 2024 season, but he's allowed just two runs so far.

 

More Bullpen and Closer News

New York Yankees

Clay Holmes has been removed from the closer's role in the Bronx, and yet he still found a way to add to his league lead in blown saves, suffering his 12th in the seventh inning of a game this week. Luke Weaver has been used the most like a closer, although Tommy Kahnle and Jake Cousins are still seeing significant leverage innings.

Detroit Tigers

The Tigers are somewhat suddenly Wild Card contenders, and Jason Foley is heating up just at the right time. The closer committee leader in Detroit has 22 saves and has allowed no earned runs since August 14, saving seven games in that span with 10 strikeouts and four walks in 11 1/3 innings.

 

Short Relief - Other Bullpen News

-Jordan Montgomery earned the first save of his career by throwing 37 pitches and getting the final nine outs of a blowout win.

-Edwin Diaz earned the 223rd save of his career by throwing one pitch.

-Since August 26, three pitchers have saved six games: Emmanuel Clase (okay, yes of course), Kirby Yates (oh, that's kind of interesting), and ... Tyler Kinley (what?!).

-Michael Kopech pitched his way into and out of a rough outing this week and earned another save. He's been a totally different guy since the trade.

-Andres Munoz pitched well and looked sharp in an outing this week, but it had been a week since he'd last pitched and workload concerns could limit his fantasy value going forward.

-Declan Cronin has faced 281 batters this season and has yet to allow a home run. He and his teammate, Calvin Faucher, remain the only pitchers with 50+ innings pitched and no home runs allowed.

-We have a tie for the league lead in saves, with both Emmanuel Clase and Ryan Helsley at 44. Kyle Finnegan takes the bronze with 36.

-On the holds leaderboard, we have Bryan Abreu up top on his own with 34, followed by Andrew Kittredge, Hunter Gaddis, and Yennier Cano each with 32.

 



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!



More Fantasy Baseball Advice




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Returns Against Marlins
Wyatt Langford

Rangers to Place Wyatt Langford on Injured List
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Now in Friday's Lineup
Wyatt Langford

Out With Strained Oblique
Luis Robert Jr.

Out on Friday
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Not in Friday's Lineup
Xander Bogaerts

Back in Lineup on Friday
Griffin Canning

Done for the Year With Ruptured Achilles
Jae'Sean Tate

Rockets Want to Bring Back Jae'Sean Tate
Andre Drummond

Accepts Player Option
Cal Raleigh

Added to Home Run Derby Field
José Ramírez

Jose Ramirez Won't Start on Friday
Jihaad Campbell

to Begin at Inside Linebacker
Josh Conerly Jr.

to Play Right Tackle for Now
Tyleik Williams

Expected to Fill Big Role Right Away
Malaki Starks

Should Make an Immediate Impact
James Pearce Jr.

Impressing the Falcons
Jaxson Dart

has "Excellent" Spring
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Should Play Vs. BoSox
Donovan Jackson

has Inside Track on Starting Job
Spencer Jones

Promoted to Triple-A
Matthew Golden

Appears Set for Significant Role
Derrick Harmon

in Line to Start
Jahdae Barron

Primarily Working at Cornerback
Nathan Eovaldi

Returning on Friday
Shohei Ohtani

Starting on Saturday
Cleveland Cavaliers

Tyrese Proctor Selected by Cavaliers With the No. 49 Pick
Portland Trail Blazers

Caleb Love Lands with Trail Blazers
Dallas Mavericks

Ryan Nembhard Signs a Two-Way Deal with Mavericks
Orlando Magic

Noah Penda Drafted and Traded to the Magic
Phoenix Suns

Rasheer Fleming Taken With the First Pick of the Second Round
Jordan Lawlar

on Injured List at Triple-A
Charles Oliveira

Can Become A Two-Time Lightweight Champion
Ilia Topuria

A Favorite At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Josh Giddey

Receives Qualifying Offer from Chicago
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fourth Title Defense At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Renato Moicano

Returns At UFC 317
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC 317
Andre Szmyt

Browns Sign Andre Szmyt to One-Year Deal
Payton Talbott

Looks To Bounce Back
Wilfried Pene

Patriots Waive Wilfried Pene
Felipe Lima

Set To Open Up UFC 317 Main Card
Aaron Rodgers

Lauds DK Metcalf as "Big Reason" Behind Move to Pittsburgh
Emeka Egbuka

to Have Big Role in the Offense
Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sanchez Records 11 Strikeouts
Daniil Tarasov

Panthers Bring in Daniil Tarasov
Grey Zabel

in Line to Start at Left Guard
Frederick Gaudreau

Kraken Pick Up Frederick Gaudreau From Wild
Shemar Stewart

Bengals Still High on Shemar Stewart
SJ

Sharks Buying Out Marc-Edouard Vlasic
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Staying in Downtown Cincinnati Through 2036
Bucky Irving

Improves Footwork and Pass Protection
Jamie Benn

Stays in Dallas on One-Year Deal
Reilly Smith

Signs New One-Year Deal with Vegas
Michael Kesselring

Traded to Sabres
Josh Doan

Moves to Buffalo
JJ Peterka

Mammoth Acquire JJ Peterka
Evander Kane

Traded to Canucks
Justin Tucker

Receives 10-Game Suspension
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

X-Rays Come Back Negative on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on Thursday
José Ramírez

Jose Ramirez Leaves Early With Bruised Forearm
Will Levis

Has Been "Good Teammate" this Offseason
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Leaves Early Thursday After Being Hit by Pitch
Tyler Shough

Prepared for Ups and Downs of Rookie Season
Bryce Harper

Could Return on Monday
Max Muncy

Mashes Home Run No. 12, Drives in Six
Miami Heat

Miami Selects Guard Kasparas Jakucionis
Brooklyn Nets

Brooklyn Takes Nolan Traore in the First Round
Utah Jazz

Walter Clayton Jr. Heading to Utah
Minnesota Timberwolves

Minnesota Drafts Joan Beringer
Portland Trail Blazers

Yang Hansen Drafted by Portland
Oklahoma City Thunder

Thomas Sorber Selected by Thunder
San Antonio Spurs

Carter Bryant Lands in San Antonio
New Orleans Pelicans

New Orleans Acquires No. 13 Overall Pick Derik Queen From Atlanta
Chicago Bulls

Noa Essengue Drafted by Chicago
Memphis Grizzlies

Cedric Coward Drafted by Portland, Traded to Memphis
Mark Williams

Phoenix Trades For Hornets Center Mark Williams
Phoenix Suns

Suns Land Khaman Maluach in NBA Draft
Toronto Raptors

Collin Murray-Boyles Drafted by Toronto
Michael Thorbjornsen

Returns in Detroit at Rocket Classic
Adam Hadwin

Could Struggle Over the Weekend in Detroit
Cam Davis

Hopes Detroit Magic Can Spark Turnaround
Matt Wallace

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Rocket Classic
Joel Dahmen

Not Cutting it Lately
Michael Kim

Searching for Spark at Rocket Classic
Rasmus Hojgaard

a High-Ceiling Play in Rocket Classic
Matt McCarty

a Wild Card Heading into Detroit
Emiliano Grillo

Rolling into the Summer Season
Rickie Fowler

Looking for More Magic at Rocket Classic
Wyndham Clark

Brings High Upside to Detroit Golf Club
Max Greyserman

Could Make Noise at Rocket Classic
Akshay Bhatia

a Strong Value Play at Rocket Classic
Eric Cole

Hoping for Better Times at Rocket Classic
Beau Hossler

Searching for Form at Rocket Classic
PGA

Byeong Hun An in Good Form Heading into Rocket Classic
Cameron Young

Looking For Redemption and Possible First Career Victory in Detroit
Collin Morikawa

is The Headliner This Week in Detroit For Good Reason
Si Woo Kim

Back in Competition After Last Week's Withdrawal
PGA

Alex Noren Finishes Tied For 30th at Travelers Championship
Kurt Kitayama

Misses The Cut at RBC Canadian Open
Ryan Poehling

Becomes a Duck
Trevor Zegras

Moves to Philadelphia
Andre Burakovsky

Traded to Blackhawks
Fabian Zetterlund

Remains in Ottawa on Three-Year Deal
Matt Duchene

Signs Four-Year Extension
Jonathan Toews

to Sign with Jets
Ryan Blaney

Drives Through the Field Twice Despite Failing Cool Suit to Finish Third
William Byron

Poor Strategy Ruins William Byron's Strong Run
Kyle Larson

Decent Pocono Run Allows Him to Make Up Some of his Points Deficit
John Hunter Nemechek

Earns Another Sixth-Place Finish in One of His Best Career Races
Jamahal Hill

Gets Dominated At UFC Azerbaijan
Khalil Rountree Jr.

Dominates At UFC Azerbaijan
Rafael Fiziev

Gets Back In The Win Column
Ignacio Bahamondes

Drops Decision At UFC Azerbaijan
Curtis Blaydes

Gets Split-Decision Win at UFC Azerbaijan
Curtis Blaydes

Rizvan Kuniev Unsuccessful In His UFC Debut
Denny Hamlin

Falls Short of Victory At Pocono
Chase Elliott

Continues his 2025 Consistency with A Top-Five Run at Pocono
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace's Difficult Weekend Ends with A Tire Failure at Pocono
Chris Buescher

Finishes Well at Pocono with A Solid Top-Five Finish
Tofiq Musayev

Submitted In His UFC Debut
Myktybek Orolbai

Scores First-Round Submission
Nikolas Motta

Gets Finished After Back-And-Forth Fight
Nazim Sadykhov

Scores Second-Round TKO
Bogdan Grad

Drops Decision
Denny Hamlin

the Favorite to Notch Yet Another Pocono Win
Ryan Blaney

Qualifies 20th but Should Contend at Pocono
William Byron

the Chalk DFS Play at Pocono After Wrecking in Qualifying
Joey Logano

Is Better Than Recent Pocono Record Suggests
Chris Buescher

Looking for Legitimate Pocono Win This Time
Brad Keselowski

Should Be Strong at Pocono This Weekend
Josh Berry

a Safe DFS Option at Pocono After Diffuser Issue
Erik Jones

Is Good at Pocono
Noah Gragson

is a DFS Pivot Option at Pocono
Austin Dillon

is Respectable at Pocono
John Hunter Nemechek

Should Be Avoided in DFS
Christopher Bell

Probably Not Dominant Enough Recently for DFS Play
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace's Lack of Pocono Qualifying Time Makes Him a DFS Must-Have
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF