Fantasy baseball managers received updates on a few of the MLB closers who are currently on the IL. And while not all of the news was positive, overall, it was another relatively quiet week for fantasy baseball closers and high-leverage, late-inning relievers. 

 

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: MLB Closers 2024

While there’s been an unusual lack of volatility surrounding the closer position over the past couple of weeks, fantasy managers should stop themselves from getting lulled into a false sense of security when it comes to managing their late-inning, high-leverage relievers. The MLB trade deadline is just a few weeks away and some of the closers currently on fantasy baseball rosters could get traded. If they do, there’s a chance they won’t be the primary closer for their new teams. 

We’ll break it all down for you in this week’s MLB closer report!

*Unless otherwise noted, stats quoted in this article are current as of the morning of July 3, 2024.

 

 

 

Edwin Diaz Eligible To Be Reinstated From Suspension On July 6

The New York Mets have been rolling lately, but it is still welcome news for the team. Reed Garrett and Adam Ottavino will remain the favorites to back up Diaz once he’s reinstated.

Jordan Romano Injury Update

Romano underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair an impingement in his throwing elbow and won’t pick up a baseball for at least six weeks. He was able to avoid Tommy John surgery but if he does return at all this season, it probably won’t be until late August or September. With Yimi Garcia also on the IL, Chad Green remains the best option for save opportunities among Toronto Blue Jays’ relievers. 

Green’s time as the Blue Jays’ closer may be short lived. Garcia has been actively throwing and should be activated after completing a short rehab assignment. There’s no guarantee that he’ll step right back into the team’s closer's role, but he will almost certainly be used in late-inning, high-leverage situations upon his reinstatement. 

Trevor Richards is another Jays reliever you should familiarize yourself with. He’s being used in the seventh and eighth innings of late and he hasn’t given up a run in his last 10 appearances. Richards has thrown 13.1 innings during that time period and has struck out 11 batters while walking just two. He has six holds on the season.

David Bednar Making Progress But Still No Timetable For Return

According to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Andrew Destin, Bednar, who is on the IL due to an oblique strain, is getting some long-tossing in. Although he hasn’t started throwing off a mound yet, the good news is that it probably won’t be too long before he does. 

Aroldis Chapman should continue to function as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ closer while Bednar is on the IL. Colin Holderman and Carmen Mlodzinski could be in line for save opportunities should Chapman be unavailable.

 

 

 

Relying On Tanner Scott For Saves? Might Want To Have A Backup Plan

According to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic, the Miami Marlins are shopping Scott around and he will likely be traded before MLB’s July 30 trade deadline. According to Rosenthal, the Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees could all be potential landing spots for Scott who will probably not be the primary closer for his new team. 

There are several relievers on the Marlins roster who could step up and close out games should Scott get traded. A.J. Puk is one such reliever who’s enjoying a resurgence and could end up closing out some games for the Marlins. Puk failed as a starter earlier this season but in his last six appearances as a reliever he hasn’t given up a run and he has struck out 10 batters and walked just one in 7.2 IP. Puk has three holds during that time frame, and he has 20 career saves. 

The Marlins have also been using Calvin Faucher in the eighth inning of games lately. He has 33 total career saves between his major league, minor league and college career. Faucher has eight holds this season and hasn’t given up a run in his last six appearances. Anthony Bender has nine big-league career saves and another 16 that he picked up in the minor leagues. Bender has a 1.42 ERA in his last 16 games. He has struck out 11 batters in 12.2 IP and recorded four holds during that time frame. 

Andrew Nardi is yet another Marlins reliever with some closer experience. Nardi has 17 total saves (3 at the big-league level and 14 in the minor leagues) in his professional career. The Marlins have been using him in the seventh and eighth innings of games and while he’s had an up and down season, he has recorded nine holds.

Good Closers On Bad Teams At The MLB Trade Deadline

MLB’s Wild Card rounds and the potential for some mediocre teams to make the playoffs has stopped some teams from being sellers at the trade deadline over the past couple of years. However, there are at least a few teams who seemingly have no chance of making the playoffs that will be looking to move late-inning, high-leverage relievers as the trade deadline approaches.

Los Angeles Angels closer Carlos Estevez, Oakland A’s closer Mason Miller and Chicago White Sox closer Michael Kopech could all potentially be moved at or before MLB’s trade deadline. Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen, who’ll be a free agent at the end of the season, was expected to be traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers by some, but with the Sox contending for a wild card spot, they might end up holding on to him. 

If you hear a trade rumor about a closer or other high-end reliever who is on your fantasy roster, find out who the next man up will likely be by checking out our ever-evolving fantasy baseball closer grid.