Latest fantasy baseball bullpen updates
Craig Kimbrel (back) resumed throwing on April 30 but has now been unavailable for back-to-back games. The Orioles are using a closer-by-committee while he heals. (May 1)
Hector Neris has notched each of the Cubs' past four successful saves, a sign that he has captured the team's full-time closer role. (April 30)
Jhoan Duran, who began the season on the IL with an oblique injury, was activated by the Twins and closed his first game back. Consider him back in the full-time role. (April 30)
The Rays are currently without Pete Fairbanks (nerve issue) and Colin Poche (back). Jason Adam and Garrett Cleavinger appear likely to serve as co-closers for now. (April 29)
Trevor Megill logged the save on April 25 with Joel Payamps collecting his third hold, suggesting the club will share ninth-inning duties, with Payamps the slight favorite over Megill. (April 25)
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.
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: Kevin Ginkel (12.9%)
Primary setup: Ryan Thompson (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Joe Mantiply (0.1%)
Injured: Paul Sewald (64.3%)
ATLANTA BRAVES
Closer: Raisel Iglesias (88.0%)
Primary setup: A.J. Minter (13.2%)
Secondary setup: Joe Jimenez (2.2%)
Sleeper: Pierce Johnson (0.6%)
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Closer: Craig Kimbrel (74.9%)
Primary setup: Yennier Cano (40.1%)
Secondary setup: Danny Coulombe (1.3%)
Middle relief: Jacob Webb (0.2%)
BOSTON RED SOX
Closer: Kenley Jansen (71.7%)
Primary setup: Chris Martin (3.1%)
Secondary setup: Zack Kelly (0.0%)
Sleeper: Justin Slaten (5.3%)
CHICAGO CUBS
Closer: Hector Neris (13.7%)
Primary setup: Mark Leiter Jr. (3.2%)
Secondary setup: Adbert Alzolay (48.1%)
Middle relief: Yency Almonte (0.5%)
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Closer: Michael Kopech (4.1%)
Primary setup: John Brebbia (0.8%)
Secondary setup: Steven Wilson (0.2%)
Sleeper: Jordan Leasure (0.3%)
CINCINNATI REDS
Closer: Alexis Diaz (83.6%)
Primary setup: Emilio Pagan (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Fernando Cruz (3.4%)
Sleeper: Lucas Sims (0.4%)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Closer: Emmanuel Clase (97.0%)
Primary setup: Hunter Gaddis (2.1%)
Secondary setup: Scott Barlow (3.5%)
Middle relief: Nick Sandlin (0.8%)
COLORADO ROCKIES
Closer: Justin Lawrence (2.8%)
Primary setup: Jake Bird (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Nick Mears (0.0%)
Middle relief: Victor Vodnik (0.1%)
DETROIT TIGERS
Closer: Jason Foley (56.1%)
Primary setup: Andrew Chafin (0.5%)
Secondary setup: Shelby Miller (1.8%)
Sleeper: Alex Lange (33.9%)
HOUSTON ASTROS
Closer: Josh Hader (83.5%)
Primary setup: Ryan Pressly (12.1%)
Secondary setup: Rafael Montero (0.2%)
Sleeper: Bryan Abreu (9.2%)
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Closer: James McArthur (24.1%)
Primary setup: John Schreiber (1.6%)
Secondary setup: Chris Stratton (0.1%)
Middle relief: Will Smith (3.3%)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Closer: Carlos Estevez (30.0%)
Primary setup: Matt Moore (0.3%)
Secondary setup: Luis Garcia (0.1%)
Middle relief: Adam Cimber (0.1%)
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Closer: Evan Phillips (87.2%)
Primary setup: Daniel Hudson (7.3%)
Secondary setup: Joe Kelly (1.2%)
Middle relief: Alex Vesia (0.5%)
MIAMI MARLINS
Closer: Tanner Scott (53.6%)
Primary setup: Calvin Faucher (0.0%)
Secondary setup: Andrew Nardi (0.4%)
Sleeper: Anthony Bender (0.1%)
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Co-closer: Joel Payamps (12.4%)
Co-closer: Trevor Megill (1.6%)
Primary setup: Bryan Hudson (1.1%)
Injured: Devin Williams (37.0%)
MINNESOTA TWINS
Closer: Jhoan Duran (81.3%)
Primary setup: Griffin Jax (8.1%)
Middle relief: Caleb Thielbar (0.2%)
Injured: Brock Stewart (1.5%)
NEW YORK METS
Closer: Edwin Diaz (94.3%)
Primary setup: Adam Ottavino (1.6%)
Secondary setup: Jake Diekman (0.1%)
Sleeper: Reed Garrett (16.4%)
NEW YORK YANKEES
Closer: Clay Holmes (93.5%)
Primary setup: Ian Hamilton (2.8%)
Secondary setup: Dennis Santana (0.0%)
Middle relief: Victor Gonzalez (0.1%)
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
Closer: Mason Miller (66.3%)
Primary setup: Lucas Erceg (1.9%)
Secondary setup: Austin Adams (0.5%)
Middle relief: Dany Jimenez (0.3%)
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Co-closer: Jose Alvarado (48.1%)
Co-closer: Jeff Hoffman (2.6%)
Primary setup: Gregory Soto (1.2%)
Secondary setup: Orion Kerkering (1.9%)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Closer: David Bednar (66.6%)
Primary setup: Aroldis Chapman (10.0%)
Secondary setup: Colin Holderman (0.5%)
Sleeper: Hunter Stratton (0.1%)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Closer: Ryan Helsley (87.6%)
Primary setup: Giovanny Gallegos (1.7%)
Secondary setup: JoJo Romero (10.9%)
Sleeper: Andrew Kittredge (8.4%)
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Closer: Robert Suarez (76.2%)
Primary setup: Wandy Peralta (0.3%)
Secondary setup: Enyel De Los Santos (0.4%)
Sleeper: Yuki Matsui (12.9%)
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Closer: Camilo Doval (90.1%)
Primary setup: Tyler Rogers (2.6%)
Secondary setup: Ryan Walker (0.7%)
Sleeper: Taylor Rogers (0.4%)
SEATTLE MARINERS
Closer: Andres Munoz (76.6%)
Primary setup: Ryne Stanek (1.2%)
Secondary setup: Gabe Speier (0.6%)
Middle relief: Trent Thornton (0.0%)
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Co-closer: Jason Adam (16.4%)
Co-closer: Garrett Cleavinger (1.5%)
Primary setup: Phil Maton (0.4%)
Injured: Pete Fairbanks (52.5%)
TEXAS RANGERS
Closer: Kirby Yates (40.2%)
Primary setup: David Robertson (17.5%)
Secondary setup: Jose Leclerc (30.0%)
Middle relief: Jake Latz (0.1%)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Closer: Jordan Romano (81.0%)
Primary setup: Yimi Garcia (7.5%)
Secondary setup: Trevor Richards (0.2%)
Sleeper: Erik Swanson (2.4%)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Closer: Kyle Finnegan (40.9%)
Primary setup: Hunter Harvey (11.9%)
Secondary setup: Dylan Floro (0.2%)
Middle relief: Jordan Weems (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.