As we get closer to the MLB All-Star break, real-life teams will be looking to revamp their bullpens via the trade route, and that could end up wreaking havoc with your fantasy baseball closers. Michael Kopech hasn’t gotten many saves for the Chicago White Sox this season (they just don’t win enough games), but he picked up his ninth by pitching an immaculate inning (he struck out the side on nine pitches) on Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins.

 

 

 

Several teams have allegedly been interested in acquiring him in a trade and the Chicago White Sox’s asking price probably just went up. If Kopech does get traded, John Brebbia and Tanner Banks will likely be called upon to pitch in late-inning, high-leverage situations for the Sox. Jordan Leasure, who the White Sox recently called up from the minors, could also eventually be used in save situations at some point this season.

Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: MLB Closers 2024

In other news this week, the New York Mets got Edwin Diaz back from his suspension for using sticky stuff, but they lost Reed Garrett, who hit the 15-day IL due to right elbow inflammation. Adam Ottavino and Dedniel Nunez are the favorites to back up Diaz on days that he is unavailable.

The surging Boston Red Sox placed Chris Martin, Kenley Jansen’s setup man, on the IL due to right elbow inflammation. He’s eligible to be reinstated on July 19th. Justin Slaten and Zack Kelly would probably be in line for save opportunities if Jansen were unavailable.

Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar, who’s been on the IL retroactive to June 20th due to an oblique strain, looked good in his first action in his rehab assignment on Tuesday. While he’s taking it one day at a time, the Pirates are hoping that he’ll be back in the closer role shortly after the All-Star break. Aroldis Chapman will continue to close out games for the Pirates while Bednar is on the IL.

Yimi Garcia, who has been on the IL with an elbow injury since June 17th, had his rehab appearance pushed back twice this week due to neck stiffness. This latest setback isn’t considered serious, but since he’s been on the IL for the past few weeks, it is concerning. 

As this article is being written, the Toronto Blue Jays are expecting Garcia to make an appearance on Thursday July 10th. Chad Green will continue to function as the Blue Jays’ closer with Garcia and Jordan Romano on the IL.

 

 

 

Jeff Hoffman Has Four Of The Philadelphia Phillies’ Last Five Saves

His latest came on Wednesday night against the Dodgers. Jose Alvarado gave up a run and pitched the eighth inning against the Dodgers’ three, four, five and six batters and Hoffman worked the ninth against L.A.’s seven, eight and nine batters. It was Hoffman’s ninth save of the season and he lowered his ERA to a tidy 1.17. 

With Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thompson's love affair with playing the matchup game in the late innings, Alvarado and Hoffman are sharing the closer’s role. Alvarado, who has owned left-handed batters this season (.095 BAA heading into Wednesday’s action) got the lefty swinging Freddie Freeman to lineout to open the eighth inning of Wednesday night's game against the Dodgers.

 

 

 

It’s Time To Stash Devin Williams If He’s Available

Williams, who has been on the IL all season recuperating from a fractured back, pitched live batting practice on Tuesday and, as per Bally Sports Wisconsin, Williams was quoted as saying “my body is moving right. My pitches are going to be where I want them to be.” According to Williams, “the stuff was there.” 

The next step for Williams would be for him to begin a minor-league rehab assignment. The Milwaukee Brewers are hoping to have Williams back by the end of July. Trevor Megill has settled in as the Brewers’ closer and has a 1.53 ERA and 18 saves on the season, but in all likelihood, Williams will regain his role as the team’s closer upon his return.

 

 

 

Hunter Bigge Should Be On Your Watchlist

With the Chicago Cubs’ bullpen tied for having the third most blown saves in baseball (17) and their expected closer coming into the season still on the IL, the Cubbies have admitted that they’ve been willing to trade for bullpen depth. With the trade deadline still a few weeks away, the Cubs recently promoted Hunter Bigge from their Triple-A Iowa affiliate, and he’s a rookie who could eventually be in the mix for save chances. He has six saves in 13 minor league appearances this season and 19 in his minor league career. 

He’s only made one scoreless relief appearance for the Cubs so far this season but with Adbert Alzolay on the IL and not expected to face live hitters until the end of the month, and Hector Neris having an uneven season, Bigge could find himself being used in high-leverage, late-inning situations before long. Porter Hodge is another live arm in the Cubs bullpen to keep your eye on. The Cubs have been using him in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings of games and he has a save, two holds and a 1.32 ERA on the season.

 

 

 

Slumping Paul Sewald Will Hold Onto Role As Diamondbacks Closer (For Now)

Sewald opened the season on the IL (oblique strain) and didn’t make his first appearance until May 7th. He successfully converted his first 11 save opportunities and pitched to a 0.54 ERA in his first 18 appearances. Unfortunately, July started off very poorly for Sewald as he blew a save in each of his first three appearances this month and posted a 37.80 ERA during that time frame. 

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo has given Sewald a vote of confidence (and actually brought him in for a successful save chance on Wednesday), but if you’ve been following sports long enough, a vote of confidence can often be followed by a kiss of death. Just in case Sewald develops a phantom injury or Lovullo ends up walking back his comments, keep in mind that Kevin Ginkel recorded five of the Diamondbacks’ six saves while Sewald was on the IL. That might not necessarily be the case now. 

Ginkel went through a rough patch (8.53 ERA between May 8th and May 26th) once Sewald reclaimed his closer’s role, but he has pitched much better of late (0.51 ERA and five holds in his last 17 appearances). However, Ryan Thompson has primarily taken over as Sewald’s setup man. The 32-year-old is having a career season with a 1.67 ERA and 14 holds as of Wednesday morning. 

With 64 total saves between his Major League, minor league and college career, he’s no stranger to pitching in late-inning, high-leverage situations. Justin Martinez has emerged as another reliable reliever that the Diamondbacks have been turning to in the late innings. He has five holds and a 1.42 ERA this season and Martinez has 18 total saves in his professional baseball career.