With just a few weeks left to the season, we’re still seeing turnover at the fantasy baseball closer position. David Bednar was removed as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ closer since our last column, and we’ll let you know who we think has a chance of working the ninth inning for the Bucs moving forward.

 

 

 

We might even be in store for more turnover at the position for MLB closers in 2024 after baseball’s blown saves leader blew another one on Tuesday night. Unfortunately, there’s no clear-cut replacement for him and it doesn’t look like there will be one reliever closing out games in Pittsburgh, either. We’ll break it all down for you.

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 9/4/2024)

 

 

 

Evan Phillips Has The Last Two Saves For The Dodgers, Not Their Closer Yet

It seems that moving Phillips out of the closer’s position has done wonders for the Dodgers reliever. In his last 15 games dating back to August 2nd, Phillips has a 0.68 ERA. He also has struck out 20 batters and walked just one in 13.1 IP during that stretch.

Phillips has three saves and four holds in those appearances, but the Dodgers bullpen hierarchy still seems fluid. Phillips was used in the seventh inning of a Dodgers win on Tuesday. Michael Kopech still seems like the best option for saves in the Dodgers’ bullpen for now.

Clay Holmes’ Days As The Yankees Closer Are Numbered, May Be Behind Him

Aaron Boone is known as a player’s manager, and he has stuck by Holmes throughout his struggles this season, but it sounds as if even Boone knows that Holmes needs to be removed from his role of MLB closers in 2024. Holmes gave up a grand slam home run on Tuesday night for his league leading 11th blown save of the season. 

Unfortunately, Boone doesn’t have an obvious choice to fill Holmes’ role as Yankees closer. Based on his recent comments Boone is going to get “creative” in his handling of his late inning high leverage relievers and would probably use best matchups to determine who he uses to close out games for the Yanks in any given situation. 

We’ve previously covered Tommy Kahnle, Luke Weaver and Jake Cousins, the Yankees relievers who would be the potential candidates to pitch in save situations moving forward. They are all options that Boone may elect to use in this new committee approach until one of them takes the job and runs with it. 

Ian Hamilton, who may rejoin the team this weekend, could also be in the mix for save opportunities. When asked if Luis Gil or Clarke Schmidt, starting pitchers who are both on the IL, could see action in late inning high leverage situations Boone said “never say never.” This Yankees bullpen could be a mess for fantasy baseball managers moving forward.

 

 

 

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Not Use A Designated Closer Moving Forward

The Pirates will use a committee approach to managing their high leverage late inning situations, at least for now. Pirates manager Derek Shelton announced that David Bednar was being removed as the team’s closer last Friday. 

Aroldis Chapman picked up the team's first save in the post Bednar era on Saturday and Dennis Santana recorded a save on Monday. Santana hasn’t given up a run in his last 11 appearances, spanning 14 IP and he also recorded three holds during that time span. Kyle Nicolas and Carmen Mlodzinski are two other options that could be in the mix for saves moving forward.

MLB Closers 2024: Relievers You Can Use As Fill-Ins

The following relief pitchers can occasionally be used as fill-ins for your struggling middling starting pitchers. Keep them on your watchlist or just use them now! What are you waiting for?

Joe Jimenez, Atlanta Braves

Jimenez is Raisel Iglesias’ handcuff and has had a solid season. Over the past week he made four scoreless appearances, striking out nine batters while walking just two. He also recorded a hold during that time period.

Tony Santillan, Cincinnati Reds

Santillan shares setup man duties with Emilio Pagan and he has a path to an occasional save when Alexis Diaz is unavailable. He threw 3.1 scoreless innings last week, striking out nine batters while walking one. He also recorded a hold. 

Erik Miller, San Francisco Giants

In his last five appearances dating back to August 23rd Miller has 10 strikeouts and has walked just one batter while pitching to a 2.25 ERA. He has 12 holds on the season.

Drew Smyly, Chicago Cubs

With Jorge Lopez hitting the IL, Smyly will have a bigger role in late inning high leverage situations for the Cubs. He’s the reliever that the Cubs will turn to when they need to get tough left-handed out. Over the past week Smyly has pitched 3.1 innings across three appearances, and he struck out seven batters while walking just one. He also recorded a hold.