Friends, we are back covering all things bullpen and relief pitchers this week. It’s more of the same narrative: some bullpens are rock solid, others are in limbo, and some make zero sense at all. Every team uses all of their resources to win the game in front of them that day, and following bullpens can be quite the vigorous exercise, despite the fact that I write these words from the comfort of my dining room table.
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Let’s get to it.
Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Report
AL East
Ryan Helsley remains the closer in Baltimore, but veteran Rico Garcia has three holds as the top eighth-inning guy there. Garcia earned a save last week on a night off for Helsley. Tyer Wells appears to be the other top setup guy in Baltimore at this time.
David Bednar had a save earlier in the week, but then two losses in his last two appearances. There has not been any talk about replacing him with Camilo Doval, who has been just as bad with a 7.20 ERA.
Bryan Baker has taken over the top job in Tampa Bay, earning two saves before blowing an opportunity on Saturday. Griffin Jax and Ian Seymour are the top candidates for holds in this bullpen right now.
Jeff Hoffman had a quiet week, but did earn a save in his last appearance. A name to know here who is moving up in the world: Braydon Fisher, who quietly has a 35.7% K%. He is in middle relief now but is climbing. Tyler Rogers and Louis Varland are the best bets for hold right now, but Fisher is making his way up.
AL Central
Seranthony Dominguez got the only save this week in Chicago, but Jordan Leasure continues to improve after a tough start to his season. Leasure now is the top eighth-inning guy with three holds and a 30% K% for the White Sox. Manager Will Venable has used Grant Taylor as an opener in four of their last 10 games. Interesting usage, even if it has been effective.
Cleveland: lefty Eric Sabrowksi continues to open eyes in a top leverage role behind closer Cade Smith. Sabrowksi has an absurd 43.5% K% and a 9.15 hard-hit rate. He is picking up where he left off in 2025.
Kenley Jansen has been fine, but has not earned many opportunities due to the 6-9 start of the Detroit Tigers. The veteran has two saves on the season, earning his second one Friday night. Drew Anderson earned one Saturday, but it was a 61-pitch effort that covered more than three innings. Nothing to see here.
The Minnesota Twins had three different pitchers earn saves this week: Justin Topa, Kody Funderburk, and Eric Orze. Would-be closing options Cole Sands and Taylor Rogers both earned holds this week, but no saves. Until someone has the role definitively, it may be best to avoid this whole situation.
AL West
Veteran Joel Kuhnel joined the fray this week for the Athletics and earned a save, the second of his career. Hogan Harris earned the other on Thursday. The Athletics continue to mix and match here, making it tough to know who will get the next chance. Justin Sterner and Mark Leiter Jr. are also in the save mix.
With Josh Hader battling a shoulder injury dating back to the 2025 season, many thought Bryan Abreu would be a worthy heir to the top job in Houston. But it has been a nightmarish start to 2026 for the talented Abreu, with a bloated 20.25 ERA, two losses, and only one save. Yes, he is on the hot seat, but what will the struggling Astros do with this situation? Lefty Bryan King? Maybe Enyel De Los Santos? There are no clear answers here.
Texas: Well, what can you say? Much of the debate over the winter centered on the job being a competition between Robert Garcia and Chris Martin. The pitchers with saves in this bullpen so far: Jacob Junis, Cole Winn, and Tyler Alexander. Just how we drew it up. Martin has struggled, and Garcia has been decent. Of the mix, Winn is the most talented, but we know that does not always equate to saves.
NL East
Pete Fairbanks was on paternity leave this week, which led to Michael Petersen and Tyler Phillips earning saves in his absence. Fairbanks is back and should have the next chances coming.
Philadelphia: It’s funny how we have been trained to always wonder what is happening with the Phillies’ bullpen over the years to try to determine who was getting the saves. We do not need to do that anymore with Jhoan Duran being the closer now. The top two setup options are Jose Alvarado and Brad Keller, and Orion Kerkering is back to help as well.
Clayton Beeter earned his second save this week in Washington.
NL Central
Daniel Palencia has one save in Chicago, as the Cubs have struggled to a 6-8 record. Be patient. He is their top option, but can’t get saves until they start winning again.
Milwaukee: veteran Trevor Megill has been the closer backed up by Abner Uribe and a stable of left-handed power arms. Uribe has been his usual electric self, with three holds, a 1.93 ERA, and 31.6% K%. Megill has struggled to an 11.25 ERA through six outings thus far, so this could be one to watch in the coming days.
Riley O’Brien seems to have a solid hold on the closer job in St. Louis, with three saves over the last seven days. Lefty JoJo Romero continues to impress as well.
NL West
In Arizona, veteran closer Paul Sewald continues to hold the top job. But there has been some movement in the setup chairs below him. Juan Morillo has joined Jonathan Loaisiga as one of the top leverage guys, with Ryan Thompson pitching more often lately in the middle innings. Arizona is holding its own with an 8-7 record thus far in a rugged NL West.
Victor Vodnik pitched only once this week in a non-save spot. Veteran Antonio Senzatela seems to be settling in as a setup option with Jimmy Herget and Jaden Hill. There do not figure to be too many save chances in Colorado this year, but Vodnik should get them, for now, at least.
San Diego: Mason Miller threw three days in a row this week, earning a win but no saves. He was off Saturday night, and Jason Adam earned the save. Adrian Morejon has struggled out of the gate this year, but he will be allowed to get things right. His incredible season in 2025 gives him that opportunity.
It has been quiet in San Francisco this week with no save chances for closer Ryan Walker. I am watching the usage in front of him carefully, where Caleb Killian has been getting high-leverage work, and Keaton Winn is attempting to climb the ladder as well. Could get interesting here.
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