We fantasy baseball managers have had to put up with a lot in trying to manage our rosters regarding MLB Closers 2024, and it certainly didn’t get any easier last week. Chaos reigned supreme since our last article as we were told that one of baseball’s all-time save leaders would be sidelined due to an injury, but then suddenly, he wasn’t. 

 

 

 

As this article is being written, Edwin Uceta, the Tampa Bay Rays closer is serving a two-game suspension and will be reinstated on Friday. We also lost two fantasy baseball closers to the IL. Plus, as promised, the New York Yankees have begun to use a creative approach to managing their high-leverage, late-inning situations. 

We’ll tell you what that means and break down all the latest news surrounding MLB closers 2024 in these last few weeks of the fantasy baseball season.

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 with all of the latest trends and news related to baseball’s high-leverage relievers and MLB Closers 2024. 

In the meantime, here are 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 9/11/2024)

 

 

 

Luke Weaver & The Ever-Changing New York Yankees Bullpen 

What a week it's been for Luke Weaver!! It took him 25 pitches but Weaver picked up the first save in the post-Clay Holmes era (and the first of his career) last Friday. Weaver was warming up before the ninth inning on Saturday in what would have been another save situation, but the Yanks opted to let Nestor Cortes, yes, their former starter, finish up a 4.1-inning scoreless relief appearance. 

Weaver worked the eighth inning on Monday and recorded a hold and on Wednesday night he was brought in to pitch parts of the 10th and 11th innings and he picked up a win. Unfortunately, there haven’t been any other save opportunities for Yankees relievers since then. Even if there was, there’s no telling who the Yanks would use. 

Ian Hamilton is back from the IL and worked the ninth inning of Monday’s Yankees win, but it wasn’t a save opportunity. Tommy Kahnle, who is probably the logical choice to take over as the team’s closer based on his stuff, worked the eighth inning last Friday and picked up a hold. He was also used in the eighth inning again on Wednesday night. 

When manager Aaron Boone said he was going to get creative in how he uses his relievers in late-inning high leverage situations, he wasn’t kidding! The Yankees' true closer to end the season has yet to reveal himself.

Miami Marlins Closer Calvin Faucher Lands On IL

Unfortunately, Calvin Faucher’s season may be over as he's now on the IL with right shoulder impingement. Just as unfortunate is that there’s no clear-cut replacement for him as the Miami Marlins’ closer. Faucher last recorded a save on September 1st and Marlins relievers haven’t recorded another one since then. 

John McMillon, who has a 1.50 ERA and 10 career minor league saves, Jesus Tinoco, who has a 1.47 ERA and 19 saves in his professional baseball career, and Anthony Bender, who has nine MLB career saves, all have a chance to be used in save situations moving forward. Now, all we need is a Marlins save situation!

 

 

 

Los Angeles Angels Bullpen Situation With Ben Joyce Out

With just a few weeks left to the regular season, Ben Joyce (shoulder inflammation) could be done for the season. According to Angels manager Ron Washington, he will use a closer by committee approach to managing his bullpen with Joyce on the IL. Joyce last recorded a save on September 1st and the only other Angels save came on Monday. 

It was a three-inning relief effort by Jose Suarez. Unfortunately for fantasy baseball managers, the Angels have several relievers with at least some closer experience in their bullpen, making it hard to decide which is the best one to consider rostering. 

Right-handed reliever Hunter Strickland has pitched well this season (3.39 ERA) and has 29 career saves. Roansy Contreras (2 saves this season), and Ryan Miller (1.80 ERA with 16 saves across his minor league and college career) are two other right-handed relievers that Washington could use to close out games for the Angels. 

Jose Quijada (1.20 ERA with 8 career saves) is a good left-handed reliever who might see some save opportunities come his way before the end of the season as well.

Kenley Jansen Has Brief Injury Scare

On Friday, Kensley Jansen told the Boston Globe that he was dealing with a lat issue and wasn’t going to pitch until it "calms down". Chris Martin hasn’t pitched since Tuesday, September 3rd, and was not available because he has not been feeling well. 

So, it was up to Josh Winckowski to pick up the save against the White Sox on Friday and he was up to the task. Apparently, Jansen’s lat discomfort didn’t last too long because he was out there on Saturday and picked up a save for the Boston Red Sox. For the sake of all fantasy baseball managers who roster him, we hope that Jansen can avoid re-aggravating his injury. 

Aroldis Chapman Is The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Closer

In last week’s article, we told you that Pirates manager Derek Shelton would be using a committee approach to managing his team’s high leverage late-inning situations. Well, since then, the Pirates have had three save opportunities and all three were converted by Chapman.