Latest fantasy baseball bullpen updates
After blowing his third save in August, David Bednar was demoted from closer and will work in lower-leverage scenarios. Aroldis Chapman and Jalen Beeks are expected to fill in. (August 31)
With the release of John Brebbia, the White Sox, who rarely generate save chances anyway, are likely to use a closer-by-committee of Justin Anderson, Chad Kuhl, Gus Varland and others. (August 28)
Since Pete Fairbanks was placed on the IL, Edwin Uceta and Manuel Rodriguez have collected saves, indicating closer-by-committee, which may also include Colin Poche. (August 23)
With Victor Vodnik placed on the IL, Tyler Kinley has returned to closing duties. (August 23)
Team-by-team fantasy baseball bullpens
Each pitcher's roster percentages in ESPN leagues is listed in parentheses. Those who have been "heavily worked" over recent days have their names bolded and italicized. Pitchers who are thus labeled as "tired" are less likely to pitch in today's games and, therefore, less likely than normal to earn wins, holds or saves today. Our formula for deeming a reliever to be tired generally requires that he meets at least two of the following criteria: At least 25 pitches thrown the previous day; at least 35 pitches thrown over the last three days; appearances in both of the prior two days.
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Closer: Justin Martinez (10.3%)
Primary setup: Ryan Thompson (1.9%)
Secondary setup: Paul Sewald (46.9%)
Sleeper: A.J. Puk (20.5%)
ATLANTA BRAVES
Closer: Raisel Iglesias (90.9%)
Primary setup: Joe Jimenez (2.8%)
Secondary setup: Pierce Johnson (0.3%)
Middle relief: Dylan Lee (0.2%)
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Closer: Seranthony Dominguez (8.4%)
Primary setup: Yennier Cano (35.8%)
Secondary setup: Cionel Perez (0.4%)
Middle relief: Craig Kimbrel (66.2%)
BOSTON RED SOX
Closer: Kenley Jansen (69.4%)
Primary setup: Chris Martin (2.1%)
Secondary setup: Greg Weissert (0.0%)
Middle relief: Justin Slaten (0.8%)
CHICAGO CUBS
Co-closer: Porter Hodge (4.8%)
Co-closer: Jorge Lopez (2.1%)
Primary setup: Tyson Miller (0.3%)
Sleeper: Nate Pearson (0.2%)
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Closer-by-committee: Chad Kuhl (0.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Justin Anderson (0.0%)
Closer-by-committee: Gus Varland (0.0%)
Sleeper: Prelander Berroa (0.1%)
CINCINNATI REDS
Closer: Alexis Diaz (68.0%)
Primary setup: Emilio Pagan (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Fernando Cruz (1.4%)
Middle relief: Buck Farmer (0.1%)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Closer: Emmanuel Clase (98.6%)
Primary setup: Hunter Gaddis (9.0%)
Secondary setup: Scott Barlow (2.4%)
Sleeper: Cade Smith (7.0%)
COLORADO ROCKIES
Co-closer: Tyler Kinley (1.3%)
Co-closer: Angel Chivilli (0.1%)
Primary setup: Justin Lawrence (4.6%)
Secondary setup: Anthony Molina (0.0%)
DETROIT TIGERS
Closer-by-committee: Jason Foley (21.4%)
Closer-by-committee: Shelby Miller (0.5%)
Closer-by-committee: Tyler Holton (4.3%)
Primary setup: Beau Brieske (0.2%)
HOUSTON ASTROS
Closer: Josh Hader (92.0%)
Primary setup: Ryan Pressly (9.1%)
Secondary setup: Hector Neris (8.0%)
Sleeper: Bryan Abreu (15.6%)
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Closer: Lucas Erceg (9.6%)
Primary setup: John Schreiber (0.9%)
Secondary setup: James McArthur (10.1%)
Middle relief: Chris Stratton (0.1%)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Closer: Ben Joyce (6.0%)
Primary setup: Roansy Contreras (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Hunter Strickland (0.1%)
Middle relief: Jose Quijada (0.0%)
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Closer-by-committee: Michael Kopech (18.6%)
Closer-by-committee: Daniel Hudson (9.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Evan Phillips (59.6%)
Primary setup: Blake Treinen (1.0%)
MIAMI MARLINS
Closer: Calvin Faucher (1.4%)
Primary setup: Jesus Tinoco (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Declan Cronin (0.0%)
Middle relief: Kent Emanuel (0.0%)
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Closer: Devin Williams (52.5%)
Primary setup: Trevor Megill (7.4%)
Secondary setup: Jared Koenig (0.7%)
Middle relief: Joel Payamps (5.5%)
MINNESOTA TWINS
Closer: Jhoan Duran (74.5%)
Primary setup: Griffin Jax (14.5%)
Secondary setup: Jorge Alcala (0.3%)
Middle relief: Caleb Thielbar (0.1%)
NEW YORK METS
Closer: Edwin Diaz (78.1%)
Primary setup: Phil Maton (0.3%)
Secondary setup: Reed Garrett (3.2%)
Sleeper: Jose Butto (2.8%)
NEW YORK YANKEES
Closer: Clay Holmes (84.5%)
Primary setup: Tommy Kahnle (1.2%)
Secondary setup: Luke Weaver (4.1%)
Middle relief: Jake Cousins (0.7%)
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
Closer: Mason Miller (74.4%)
Primary setup: Tyler Ferguson (0.6%)
Secondary setup: Michel Otanez (0.0%)
Middle relief: Grant Holman (0.2%)
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Closer: Carlos Estevez (37.4%)
Primary setup: Jeff Hoffman (14.7%)
Secondary setup: Matt Strahm (9.3%)
Sleeper: Orion Kerkering (1.3%)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Co-closer: Aroldis Chapman (11.1%)
Co-closer: Jalen Beeks (0.5%)
Primary setup: Dennis Santana (0.3%)
Secondary setup: Kyle Nicolas (0.1%)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Closer: Ryan Helsley (93.0%)
Primary setup: Andrew Kittredge (6.1%)
Secondary setup: JoJo Romero (10.4%)
Middle relief: Ryan Fernandez (0.2%)
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Closer: Robert Suarez (84.2%)
Primary setup: Tanner Scott (66.6%)
Secondary setup: Jason Adam (15.2%)
Middle relief: Jeremiah Estrada (2.2%)
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Closer: Ryan Walker (24.9%)
Primary setup: Tyler Rogers (4.2%)
Secondary setup: Camilo Doval (70.5%)
Middle relief: Taylor Rogers (0.4%)
SEATTLE MARINERS
Closer: Andres Munoz (79.2%)
Primary setup: Collin Snider (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Tayler Saucedo (0.1%)
Middle relief: Austin Voth (0.1%)
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Closer-by-committee: Edwin Uceta (4.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Manuel Rodriguez (0.8%)
Closer-by-committee: Garrett Cleavinger (0.7%)
Closer-by-committee: Kevin Kelly (0.2%)
TEXAS RANGERS
Closer: Kirby Yates (53.7%)
Primary setup: David Robertson (11.9%)
Secondary setup: Andrew Chafin (0.3%)
Sleeper: Jose Leclerc (22.1%)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Closer: Chad Green (18.5%)
Primary setup: Genesis Cabrera (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Erik Swanson (1.3%)
Injured: Jordan Romano (48.3%)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Closer: Kyle Finnegan (54.7%)
Primary setup: Jacob Barnes (0.0%)
Secondary setup: Eduardo Salazar (0.0%)
Middle relief: Tanner Rainey (0.0%)
KEY: "Closer" is either that team's officially designated closer, or the pitcher most likely to get the team's next save chance. Teams can be listed with "Co-closers" or "Closer-by-committee." "Primary setup" is the pitcher next-most likely to take over if something happens to the closer, the top holds-getter and the one who might get any save chances on the closer's nights off. "Secondary setup" is the pitcher third-in-line to close and a good candidate for holds. "Middle relief" covers any other pertinent relievers from that team's bullpen. "Sleeper" is another reliever who could provide a decent number of holds or eventually graduate into the closer role.