Latest fantasy baseball reliever updates
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo, who has typically preferred to use a set closer (when one has been available on his roster), said he'll initially play the matchups in the ninth inning. Beyond the listed top four options below, Joe Mantiply could also get looks as part of a closer-by-committee. (March 20)
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde has hinted that projected closer Felix Bautista (Tommy John surgery recovery) might not yet be ready for Opening Day. (March 20)
Aroldis Chapman appears to have pulled ahead of Liam Hendriks in the Red Sox's closer race. (March 20)
Mike Clevinger has been shifted to the bullpen, where he has a realistic chance at claiming the White Sox's closer role. He's in the mix along with Justin Anderson, Fraser Ellard and Jordan Leasure. (March 17)
Alexis Diaz's miserable Cactus League has fueled questions about his ability to hold the Reds' closer job come Opening Day. Taylor Rogers, Scott Barlow or Emilio Pagan could otherwise step into the ninth inning role. (March 17)
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
Closer-by-committee: Justin Martinez (67.5%)
Closer-by-committee: A.J. Puk (31.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Kevin Ginkel (1.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Ryan Thompson (0.6%)
THE ATHLETICS
Closer: Mason Miller (98.1%)
Primary setup: Jose Leclerc (0.6%)
Secondary setup: Tyler Ferguson (0.1%)
Middle relief: T.J. McFarland (0.1%)
ATLANTA BRAVES
Closer: Raisel Iglesias (96.3%)
Primary setup: Pierce Johnson (0.5%)
Secondary setup: Aaron Bummer (0.4%)
Middle relief: Dylan Lee (0.5%)
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Closer: Felix Bautista (92.0%)
Primary setup: Seranthony Dominguez (1.0%)
Secondary setup: Keegan Akin (0.4%)
Middle relief: Yennier Cano (8.4%)
BOSTON RED SOX
Closer: Aroldis Chapman (21.3%)
Primary setup: Liam Hendriks (11.3%)
Secondary setup: Justin Slaten (1.0%)
Sleeper: Garrett Whitlock (1.1%)
CHICAGO CUBS
Closer: Ryan Pressly (73.4%)
Primary setup: Porter Hodge (12.2%)
Secondary setup: Tyson Miller (0.2%)
Sleeper: Nate Pearson (0.5%)
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Closer-by-committee: Mike Clevinger (0.5%)
Closer-by-committee: Justin Anderson (0.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Fraser Ellard (0.0%)
Sleeper: Jordan Leasure (0.1%)
CINCINNATI REDS
Closer: Alexis Diaz (79.1%)
Primary setup: Taylor Rogers (0.5%)
Secondary setup: Scott Barlow (0.2%)
Middle relief: Emilio Pagan (0.1%)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Closer: Emmanuel Clase (99.7%)
Primary setup: Cade Smith (25.9%)
Secondary setup: Paul Sewald (0.5%)
Middle relief: Hunter Gaddis (6.4%)
COLORADO ROCKIES
Closer-by-committee: Seth Halvorsen (1.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Victor Vodnik (0.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Tyler Kinley (0.7%)
Sleeper: Luis Peralta (0.0%)
DETROIT TIGERS
Closer-by-committee: Beau Brieske (0.7%)
Closer-by-committee: Tyler Holton (8.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Jason Foley (17.6%)
Primary setup: Tommy Kahnle (0.2%)
HOUSTON ASTROS
Closer: Josh Hader (98.8%)
Primary setup: Bryan Abreu (27.5%)
Secondary setup: Tayler Scott (0.2%)
Middle relief: Kaleb Ort (0.0%)
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Co-closer: Carlos Estevez (14.7%)
Co-closer: Lucas Erceg (44.1%)
Primary setup: Hunter Harvey (0.5%)
Secondary setup: John Schreiber (0.3%)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Closer: Kenley Jansen (21.4%)
Primary setup: Ben Joyce (9.9%)
Secondary setup: Brock Burke (0.0%)
Middle relief: Jose Quijada (0.0%)
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Closer: Tanner Scott (85.9%)
Primary setup: Kirby Yates (30.9%)
Secondary setup: Blake Treinen (4.9%)
Middle relief: Alex Vesia (2.1%)
MIAMI MARLINS
Closer: Calvin Faucher (3.1%)
Primary setup: Jesus Tinoco (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Anthony Bender (0.2%)
Middle relief: Declan Cronin (0.0%)
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Closer: Trevor Megill (48.1%)
Primary setup: Jared Koenig (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Joel Payamps (2.5%)
Sleeper: Craig Yoho (0.5%)
MINNESOTA TWINS
Closer: Jhoan Duran (89.6%)
Primary setup: Griffin Jax (32.0%)
Secondary setup: Cole Sands (0.7%)
Middle relief: Jorge Alcala (0.1%)
NEW YORK METS
Closer: Edwin Diaz (98.3%)
Primary setup: A.J. Minter (1.1%)
Secondary setup: Jose Butto (0.6%)
Sleeper: Reed Garrett (0.7%)
NEW YORK YANKEES
Closer: Devin Williams (98.9%)
Primary setup: Luke Weaver (31.5%)
Secondary setup: Ian Hamilton (0.2%)
Middle relief: Fernando Cruz (2.0%)
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Closer: Jordan Romano (15.4%)
Primary setup: Matt Strahm (4.3%)
Secondary setup: Jose Alvarado (2.9%)
Sleeper: Orion Kerkering (7.4%)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Closer: David Bednar (73.7%)
Primary setup: Dennis Santana (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Colin Holderman (0.6%)
Middle relief: Carmen Mlodzinski (0.1%)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Closer: Ryan Helsley (97.9%)
Primary setup: JoJo Romero (1.4%)
Secondary setup: Ryan Fernandez (0.3%)
Middle relief: Matthew Liberatore (0.3%)
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Closer: Robert Suarez (90.8%)
Primary setup: Jason Adam (28.2%)
Secondary setup: Jeremiah Estrada (5.3%)
Sleeper: Yuki Matsui (0.6%)
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Closer: Ryan Walker (93.4%)
Primary setup: Tyler Rogers (2.9%)
Secondary setup: Camilo Doval (5.1%)
Sleeper: Sean Hjelle (0.1%)
SEATTLE MARINERS
Closer: Andres Munoz (89.5%)
Primary setup: Collin Snider (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Gregory Santos (0.2%)
Middle relief: Tayler Saucedo (0.1%)
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Closer: Pete Fairbanks (40.4%)
Primary setup: Edwin Uceta (2.2%)
Secondary setup: Garrett Cleavinger (0.3%)
Sleeper: Mason Montgomery (0.2%)
TEXAS RANGERS
Closer: Chris Martin (5.3%)
Primary setup: Robert Garcia (2.3%)
Secondary setup: Jacob Webb (0.1%)
Sleeper: Marc Church (0.1%)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Closer: Jeff Hoffman (80.5%)
Primary setup: Chad Green (4.9%)
Secondary setup: Yimi Garcia (0.6%)
Middle relief: Erik Swanson (0.1%)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Closer: Kyle Finnegan (20.5%)
Primary setup: Jorge Lopez (0.5%)
Secondary setup: Derek Law (0.7%)
Middle relief: Jose Ferrer (0.1%)
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.