Latest fantasy baseball reliever updates
Josh Hader has been dealing with a biceps issue early in spring training, and seems likely to begin the year on the injured list. Bryan Abreu would fill in as the Astros' closer in the interim. (March 6)
Team-by-team fantasy baseball bullpens
Each pitcher's roster percentages in ESPN leagues is listed in parentheses. Those who have been "heavily worked" over recent days have their names bolded and italicized. Pitchers who are thus labeled as "tired" are less likely to pitch in today's games and, therefore, less likely than normal to earn wins, holds or saves today. Our formula for deeming a reliever to be tired generally requires that he meets at least two of the following criteria: At least 25 pitches thrown the previous day; at least 35 pitches thrown over the last three days; appearances in both of the prior two days.
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Co-closer: Kevin Ginkel (0.3%)
Co-closer: Paul Sewald (0.2%)
Primary setup: Ryan Thompson (0.4%)
Secondary setup: Kade Strowd (0.1%)
THE ATHLETICS
Closer-by-committee: Hogan Harris (1.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Justin Sterner (0.4%)
Closer-by-committee: Mark Leiter Jr. (0.5%)
Primary setup: Michael Kelly (0.2%)
ATLANTA BRAVES
Closer: Raisel Iglesias (80.1%)
Primary setup: Robert Suarez (92.6%)
Secondary setup: Dylan Lee (1.3%)
Middle relief: Aaron Bummer (0.2%)
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Closer: Ryan Helsley (67.8%)
Primary setup: Andrew Kittredge (9.4%)
Secondary setup: Keegan Akin (4.3%)
Middle relief: Yennier Cano (1.8%)
BOSTON RED SOX
Closer: Aroldis Chapman (87.1%)
Primary setup: Garrett Whitlock (7.3%)
Secondary setup: Justin Slaten (0.4%)
Middle relief: Greg Weissert (0.5%)
CHICAGO CUBS
Closer: Daniel Palencia (15.2%)
Primary setup: Phil Maton (3.7%)
Secondary setup: Hunter Harvey (0.3%)
Sleeper: Ben Brown (5.8%)
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Closer: Seranthony Dominguez (1.4%)
Primary setup: Jordan Leasure (2.7%)
Secondary setup: Grant Taylor (0.9%)
Middle relief: Jordan Hicks (1.7%)
CINCINNATI REDS
Closer: Emilio Pagan (53.2%)
Primary setup: Tony Santillan (10.6%)
Secondary setup: Graham Ashcraft (1.0%)
Middle relief: Pierce Johnson (0.5%)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Closer: Cade Smith (47.3%)
Primary setup: Hunter Gaddis (14.2%)
Secondary setup: Shawn Armstrong (8.9%)
Middle relief: Erik Sabrowski (0.6%)
COLORADO ROCKIES
Closer: Victor Vodnik (3.4%)
Primary setup: Juan Mejia (0.0%)
Secondary setup: Jimmy Herget (0.3%)
Middle relief: Seth Halvorsen (0.7%)
DETROIT TIGERS
Closer: Kenley Jansen (38.4%)
Primary setup: Will Vest (25.0%)
Secondary setup: Kyle Finnegan (30.0%)
Middle relief: Tyler Holton (2.4%)
HOUSTON ASTROS
Closer: Bryan Abreu (34.5%)
Primary setup: Bryan King (4.7%)
Secondary setup: Steven Okert (0.6%)
Injury: Josh Hader
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Closer: Carlos Estevez (70.9%)
Primary setup: Lucas Erceg (25.3%)
Secondary setup: Matt Strahm (6.3%)
Middle relief: John Schreiber (0.8%)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Closer-by-committee: Robert Stephenson (0.0%)
Closer-by-committee: Kirby Yates (8.8%)
Closer-by-committee: Drew Pomeranz (0.7%)
Closer-by-committee: Jordan Romano (4.1%)
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Closer: Edwin Diaz (95.6%)
Primary setup: Tanner Scott (59.4%)
Secondary setup: Alex Vesia (7.4%)
Middle relief: Blake Treinen (3.3%)
MIAMI MARLINS
Closer: Pete Fairbanks (40.0%)
Primary setup: Calvin Faucher (4.4%)
Secondary setup: Tyler Phillips (0.5%)
Middle relief: Anthony Bender (0.5%)
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Co-closer: Abner Uribe (38.3%)
Co-closer: Trevor Megill (57.4%)
Secondary setup: Jared Koenig (4.2%)
Middle relief: Aaron Ashby (2.1%)
MINNESOTA TWINS
Closer-by-committee: Taylor Rogers (0.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Cole Sands (0.8%)
Closer-by-committee: Kody Funderburk (1.5%)
Closer-by-committee: Justin Topa (0.3%)
NEW YORK METS
Closer: Devin Williams (67.9%)
Primary setup: Luke Weaver (27.7%)
Secondary setup: Brooks Raley (0.7%)
Middle relief: Luis Garcia (0.2%)
NEW YORK YANKEES
Closer: David Bednar (58.8%)
Primary setup: Camilo Doval (14.0%)
Secondary setup: Fernando Cruz (3.2%)
Middle relief: Tim Hill (0.3%)
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Closer: Jhoan Duran (89.4%)
Primary setup: Jose Alvarado (8.4%)
Secondary setup: Brad Keller (8.1%)
Middle relief: Orion Kerkering (3.2%)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Closer: Dennis Santana (14.6%)
Primary setup: Gregory Soto (0.9%)
Secondary setup: Isaac Mattson (0.2%)
Middle relief: Justin Lawrence (0.1%)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Closer-by-committee: Riley O'Brien (1.5%)
Closer-by-committee: JoJo Romero (10.0%)
Closer-by-committee: Matt Svanson (1.0%)
Middle relief: Ryne Stanek (0.3%)
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Closer: Mason Miller (91.2%)
Primary setup: Adrian Morejon (7.5%)
Secondary setup: Jeremiah Estrada (11.0%)
Middle relief: David Morgan (0.1%)
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Closer: Ryan Walker (63.2%)
Primary setup: Erik Miller (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Jose Butto (0.3%)
Middle relief: Matt Gage (0.0%)
SEATTLE MARINERS
Closer: Andres Munoz (95.3%)
Primary setup: Matt Brash (3.8%)
Secondary setup: Jose Ferrer (10.7%)
Middle relief: Eduard Bazardo (2.0%)
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Closer-by-committee: Griffin Jax (15.8%)
Closer-by-committee: Garrett Cleavinger (1.5%)
Closer-by-committee: Bryan Baker (0.5%)
Injury: Edwin Uceta
TEXAS RANGERS
Closer: Robert Garcia (2.8%)
Primary setup: Chris Martin (2.5%)
Secondary setup: Cole Winn (0.0%)
Sleeper: Alexis Diaz (19.8%)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Closer: Jeff Hoffman (81.2%)
Primary setup: Tyler Rogers (10.3%)
Secondary setup: Louis Varland (1.5%)
Middle relief: Yimi Garcia (0.5%)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Co-closer: Clayton Beeter (1.0%)
Co-closer: Cole Henry (0.1%)
Primary setup: P.J. Poulin (0.0%)
Secondary setup: Jackson Rutledge (0.0%)
KEY: "Closer" is either that team's officially designated closer, or the pitcher most likely to get the team's next save chance. Teams can be listed with "Co-closers" or "Closer-by-committee." "Primary setup" is the pitcher next-most likely to take over if something happens to the closer, the top holds-getter and the one who might get any save chances on the closer's nights off. "Secondary setup" is the pitcher third-in-line to close and a good candidate for holds. "Middle relief" covers any other pertinent relievers from that team's bullpen. "Sleeper" is another reliever who could provide a decent number of holds or eventually graduate into the closer role.