Latest fantasy baseball reliever updates
Both Robert Stephenson (elbow) and Kirby Yates (knee) began the season on the injured list, leaving Jordan Romano, who closed the Angels' Opening Day win, as their likely full-time closer. (March 27)
Ryne Stanek saved the Cardinals' Opening Day win, though it wasn't the prettiest outing (1 IP, 3 BB). He, Riley O'Brien, JoJo Romero and perhaps Matt Svanson will likely share the role for now. (March 27)
Though he hasn't yet formally announced his closer, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo's comments hint that Paul Sewald is likely to begin the season in the role. (March 23)
Pirates manager Don Kelly told DK Pittsburgh Sports that he won't go with a set closer. Dennis Santana will get the majority of the ninth-inning work, but Gregory Soto was also mentioned as a closer candidate. (March 23)
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: Paul Sewald (5.0%)
Primary setup: Kevin Ginkel (6.2%)
Secondary setup: Taylor Clarke (0.0%)
IL: A.J. Puk
THE ATHLETICS
Closer-by-committee: Hogan Harris (1.5%)
Closer-by-committee: Justin Sterner (1.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Mark Leiter Jr. (0.3%)
Primary setup: Scott Barlow (0.2%)
ATLANTA BRAVES
Closer: Raisel Iglesias (91.0%)
Primary setup: Robert Suarez (55.0%)
Secondary setup: Dylan Lee (1.1%)
Middle relief: Tyler Kinley (0.2%)
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Closer: Ryan Helsley (73.2%)
Primary setup: Yennier Cano (0.5%)
Secondary setup: Tyler Wells (0.4%)
Middle relief: Dietrich Enns (0.0%)
BOSTON RED SOX
Closer: Aroldis Chapman (97.0%)
Primary setup: Garrett Whitlock (22.7%)
Secondary setup: Justin Slaten (0.3%)
Middle relief: Greg Weissert (0.3%)
CHICAGO CUBS
Closer: Daniel Palencia (67.6%)
Primary setup: Phil Maton (2.7%)
Secondary setup: Hunter Harvey (0.3%)
Sleeper: Ben Brown (1.3%)
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Closer: Seranthony Dominguez (15.8%)
Primary setup: Jordan Leasure (0.8%)
Secondary setup: Grant Taylor (7.5%)
Middle relief: Sean Newcomb (0.2%)
CINCINNATI REDS
Closer: Emilio Pagan (87.0%)
Primary setup: Tony Santillan (7.6%)
Secondary setup: Graham Ashcraft (0.9%)
Middle relief: Pierce Johnson (0.2%)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Closer: Cade Smith (98.7%)
Primary setup: Shawn Armstrong (1.2%)
Secondary setup: Erik Sabrowski (0.3%)
Middle relief: Matt Festa (0.1%)
COLORADO ROCKIES
Closer: Victor Vodnik (1.5%)
Primary setup: Juan Mejia (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Jimmy Herget (0.1%)
Middle relief: Zach Agnos (0.1%)
DETROIT TIGERS
Closer: Kenley Jansen (69.0%)
Primary setup: Will Vest (16.3%)
Secondary setup: Kyle Finnegan (4.2%)
Middle relief: Tyler Holton (2.0%)
HOUSTON ASTROS
Closer: Bryan Abreu (79.3%)
Primary setup: Bryan King (3.3%)
Secondary setup: Roddery Munoz (0.0%)
IL: Josh Hader
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Closer: Carlos Estevez (72.2%)
Primary setup: Lucas Erceg (5.2%)
Secondary setup: Matt Strahm (5.8%)
Middle relief: John Schreiber (0.5%)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Closer: Jordan Romano (3.5%)
Primary setup: Drew Pomeranz (0.4%)
Secondary setup: Sam Bachman (0.0%)
IL: Kirby Yates
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Closer: Edwin Diaz (99.3%)
Primary setup: Tanner Scott (5.5%)
Secondary setup: Alex Vesia (12.0%)
Middle relief: Blake Treinen (0.5%)
MIAMI MARLINS
Closer: Pete Fairbanks (75.5%)
Primary setup: Calvin Faucher (0.4%)
Secondary setup: Tyler Phillips (0.1%)
Middle relief: Anthony Bender (0.5%)
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Co-closer: Abner Uribe (74.7%)
Co-closer: Trevor Megill (70.2%)
Primary setup: Jared Koenig (1.5%)
Secondary setup: Aaron Ashby (0.5%)
MINNESOTA TWINS
Closer-by-committee: Taylor Rogers (1.9%)
Closer-by-committee: Cole Sands (0.8%)
Closer-by-committee: Kody Funderburk (0.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Justin Topa (0.3%)
NEW YORK METS
Closer: Devin Williams (94.5%)
Primary setup: Luke Weaver (8.9%)
Secondary setup: Brooks Raley (0.6%)
Middle relief: Luis Garcia (0.1%)
NEW YORK YANKEES
Closer: David Bednar (94.9%)
Primary setup: Camilo Doval (8.6%)
Secondary setup: Fernando Cruz (3.0%)
Middle relief: Tim Hill (0.3%)
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Closer: Jhoan Duran (98.2%)
Primary setup: Jose Alvarado (1.7%)
Secondary setup: Brad Keller (7.7%)
Middle relief: Tanner Banks (0.2%)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Co-closer: Dennis Santana (22.7%)
Co-closer: Gregory Soto (0.8%)
Primary setup: Isaac Mattson (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Justin Lawrence (0.1%)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Closer-by-committee: Riley O'Brien (7.0%)
Closer-by-committee: JoJo Romero (12.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Ryne Stanek (0.8%)
Closer-by-committee: Matt Svanson (1.6%)
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Closer: Mason Miller (99.4%)
Primary setup: Adrian Morejon (15.6%)
Secondary setup: Jeremiah Estrada (26.2%)
Middle relief: David Morgan (0.1%)
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Closer: Ryan Walker (43.6%)
Primary setup: Erik Miller (0.3%)
Secondary setup: Jose Butto (0.2%)
Middle relief: Caleb Kilian (0.5%)
SEATTLE MARINERS
Closer: Andres Munoz (98.3%)
Primary setup: Matt Brash (6.1%)
Secondary setup: Jose Ferrer (1.7%)
Middle relief: Eduard Bazardo (0.8%)
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Closer-by-committee: Griffin Jax (79.5%)
Closer-by-committee: Garrett Cleavinger (3.7%)
Closer-by-committee: Bryan Baker (0.3%)
IL: Edwin Uceta
TEXAS RANGERS
Closer: Robert Garcia (28.0%)
Primary setup: Chris Martin (1.2%)
Secondary setup: Cole Winn (0.1%)
Middle relief: Jacob Latz (0.5%)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Closer: Jeff Hoffman (78.6%)
Primary setup: Tyler Rogers (18.3%)
Secondary setup: Louis Varland (5.0%)
Middle relief: Brendon Little (2.1%)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Co-closer: Clayton Beeter (4.3%)
Co-closer: Cole Henry (0.3%)
Primary setup: P.J. Poulin (0.0%)
Secondary setup: Brad Lord (0.5%)
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.