Over the past few weeks, fantasy baseball closers have been living up to their reputation as being one of the most volatile positions in all of fantasy sports. Over the past two weeks, we’ve seen the Baltimore Orioles and the Arizona Diamondbacks, two very successful teams, make a change to their MLB closers for 2024.

 

 

 

There weren’t many who would have ever predicted that Seranthony Dominguez would take over as the Orioles’ closer to end the season, that is if he can hold onto the job that long. Justin Martinez came out of nowhere to become the Arizona Diamondbacks’ closer. One week Torey Lovullo was telling us that he’d be using a best-matchup-approach to managing his bullpen in late-inning situations, and the next week Martinez is his guy!

With Dominguez as the Orioles’ closer, Yennier Cano can do what he does best and that is set up MLB closers. The O’s have been using Cionel Perez in late-inning, high-leverage situations, but with Craig Kimbrel and Gregory Soto struggling, their bullpen is pretty thin. Dominguez has three saves for the Orioles since August 10th, but he’s given up a home run in each of his last two outings. Based on Orioles manager Brandon Hyde’s comments, it seems that as long as Dominguez performs well, the closer role will belong to him.

As for Martinez, he hasn’t given up a run in his last 10 outings and he’s recorded four saves and two holds during that time span. The Diamondbacks have won 26 of their last 35 games and Martinez has been a big part of their second straight late-season resurgence.

MLB Closers 2024: Fantasy Baseball Closer Report

Make it a point to check out our Fantasy Baseball Closer Grid. We update it on a regular basis based on all the latest trends and news related to baseball’s high-leverage relievers. 

In the meantime, here’s a few bullpen related updates regarding fantasy baseball closers that you should be aware of!

(All stats quoted in this article are accurate as of the morning of 8/21/2024)

 

 

 

Just Like That, Porter Hodge Is The Cubs Closer

We introduced you to Hodge in our May 30th Closer Report as a reliever who should be on your radar, and he was the Cubs reliever to pick up the first save in the post Hector Neris era. The Cubs DFA’ed Neris on Tuesday. A big part of the decision was likely due to the fact that he would have secured a $9 million contract for the 2025 season if he had appeared in at least 60 games or finished 45 games this season. 

Hodge has a sparkling 2.08 ERA and 0.890 WHIP so far this season. He has two saves and nine holds across 27 appearances. Jorge Lopez, who you might remember for tossing his glove into the stands in frustration earlier this season, might also get some save opportunities moving forward. Lopez has a 0.83 ERA and a 1.108 WHIP in 19 games for the Cubs, and he recorded a save on Saturday.

It Looks Like Michael Kopech Might Not Be The Dodgers Closer After All

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts hasn’t officially named a closer since Evan Phillips was removed from the role. It looked like it was Kopech after he saved both Dodgers wins last weekend. However, Phillips picked up the save for the Dodgers on Monday, which is understandable since Kopech had pitched three out of the last four days. But to complicate matters further, Roberts brought in Daniel Hudson for the save on Tuesday. 

Dating back to July 8th when he was still with the Chicago White Sox, Kopech hasn’t given up a run and opposing hitters are batting just .043 against him but based on Roberts’ bullpen management, that doesn’t seem to guarantee that he’s the Dodgers’ primary closer. The Dodgers’ bullpen got even deeper as Blake Treinen (hip) was activated from the IL on Wednesday.

 

 

 

With Pete Fairbanks On The IL, The Rays Will Use A Bullpen-By-Committee Approach

Tampa Bay Rays manager Dave Cash isn’t going to name a new closer, at least for now, but he did suggest that Edwin Uceta and Manuel Rodriguez (featured in our Closer Report for August 8th) would continue to be in the mix for high-leverage, late-inning work. Uceta picked up the Rays’ first save since Fairbanks hit the IL. 

Colin Poche has 12 career saves in his four-year career with the Rays and could also be used to close out games moving forward. Fairbanks is dealing with a right lat strain and is expected to miss between two-to-four weeks of the season. 

Yankees Manager Aaron Boone Insists That Clay Holmes Is The Team’s Closer

Since our last article, Holmes added to his major league lead in blown saves (10), and yet in this interview, Boone said “Clay’s the guy”. Last week we suggested that fantasy baseball managers rostering Holmes should at least have Luke Weaver or Tommy Kahnle on their watch list. 

Those managers should add Ian Hamilton to that list as well. Hamilton has been on the IL due to a lat strain and is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment on Saturday. He saved two games for the Yankees last season and has 46 career minor league saves. If Holmes continues to struggle, even Boone may reach a breaking point.

 

 

 

Rockies Place Victor Vodnik On The IL After Experiencing Right Shoulder Soreness

Angel Chivilli was brought in to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning on Tuesday night and he recorded the first save of his major league career. He has 28 minor league career saves.  You might want to think twice before adding Chivilli to your fantasy baseball roster, though. 

He has a 4.70 ERA and 1.370 WHIP this season. Tyler Kinley, who has six saves on the season, had already pitched the eighth inning on Tuesday night. His stats aren’t much better than Chivilli’s. Kinley has a 5.88 ERA and 1.465 WHIP this season.