It’s been another action-packed week for fantasy baseball managers looking for saves and holds. We have a new closer in San Francisco, a changing of the guard in Texas, and an injury scare for the closer from DC, who has the second most saves in baseball. 

A lot has happened since our last article. Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Justin Martinez has been taken off the IL. He doesn’t have a save yet, but he’ll likely resume closing out games for the D’backs before long. Shelby Miller, who had been the team’s closer, hasn’t pitched since last Tuesday when he got lit up by the Los Angeles Dodgers. We also saw Miami Marlins reliever Ronny Henriquez, whom we highlighted last week, pick up his first save of the season. We moved Henriquez into the closer spot on our 2025 Fantasy Baseball Closer Grid, but Calvin Faucher picked up a save for the Marlins on Wednesday, so their bullpen depth chart is still fluid. Toronto Blue Jays late-inning high-leverage reliever Yimi Garcia was added to the IL, so if Jeff Hoffman continues to struggle, Chad Green or possibly Yariel Rodriguez would be the next man up.

We’ve got a lot of ground to cover this week and several late-inning high-leverage relievers that we need to talk about. Now more than ever, it’s imperative that you check out our 2025 Fantasy Baseball Closer Grid on a regular basis. We update the grid as news happens. 

(Stats quoted in this article are current as of the morning of May 28th, 2025)

 

 

 

San Francisco Giants

Giants manager Bob Melvin made it official on Wednesday. Camilo Doval will be replacing Ryan Walker as the team’s closer. Ironically, it was Walker who replaced the struggling Doval as the team’s closer last season. Doval earned his promotion. He hasn’t given up a run in his last 19 appearances spanning 18 IP. Doval has 18 Ks, 5 BBs, and he hasn’t allowed a HR during that time frame. Walker earned his demotion, pitching to an 8.18 ERA with 11 strikeouts and six walks in his last 11 IP. 

 

 

 

Washington Nationals

Even though he had 38 saves last season and 28 in the 2023 season, it’s still surprising to see that Kyle Finnegan has the second-most saves (15) in baseball. Unfortunately, saving all of those games seems to have taken a toll on his arm. Finnegan has been dealing with arm fatigue and, entering Wednesday’s action, hadn’t pitched since May 22nd (last Thursday).  Finnegan has said that the Nats are resting him due to “an abundance of caution.” He’s never been on the IL in his big league career, but if you’re looking for his handcuff, look no further than Jorge Lopez. Lopez’s overall stats (6.00 ERA, 1.208 WHIP) aren’t great, but he did pick up a save for the Nats on Saturday and has 32 in his career. 

 

 

 

Philadelphia Phillies

As a right-handed reliever in Phillies manager Rob Thomson’s matchup-based bullpen, we expected Jordan Romano to get the majority of save chances moving forward, and he picked up two saves last week. As we mentioned last week, Romano has been pitching better of late, but he did give up three runs when Thomson used him on consecutive days. Tanner Banks bailed Romano out in that game and recorded a save. Matt Strahm appeared in four games last week. He picked up three holds and blew a lead in the eighth inning of a game. He still has an opportunity to pick up an occasional save against left-handed hitting lineups. 

 

 

 

Chicago Cubs

Last week, I suggested that Ryan Pressly would probably get first crack at reclaiming his closer role with Porter Hodge on the IL. I also wrote that Daniel Palencia might get another shot at closing out “a” game for the Cubs, but that his control issues might not make him a good long-term option for saves. I was wrong! Apparently, Cubs manager Craig Counsell has a lot more faith in Palencia than I do, and it’s paid off! Palencia was one of two closers (Milwaukee Brewers closer Trevor Megill was the other) to save three games last week. Palencia struck out three batters and didn’t allow a walk in three innings of work last week. Pressly hasn’t given up a run in his last eight appearances (7 IP), but he’s still not in Counsell’s circle of trust. In case you were wondering, Drew Pomeranz’s scoreless innings pitched streak is now up to 12.2. 

 

 

 

Texas Rangers

And just like that, Robert Garcia is the Rangers’ closer. Luke Jackson had been the team’s closer, but he hasn’t recorded a save in over a month. Manager Bruce Bochy hasn't been using Jackson to close out games for the Rangers of late. That role, at least for now, has gone to Garcia, who has recorded the team’s last two saves. Some might speculate that Garcia, as a lefty, might not hold onto the closer’s role for too long, but he has had good success against right-handed batters this season (.220 BAA). With Chris Martin on the IL, Shawn Armstrong could also be in the mix for save opportunities. He has two on the season, and right-handed batters are hitting .135 against him.