Latest fantasy baseball reliever updates
Though Red Sox manager Alex Cora named Aroldis Chapman his closer at the conclusion of spring training, Chapman worked the eighth with Justin Slaten closing the team's opener, signaling a partnership. (March 28)
With Alexis Diaz (hamstring, IL) sidelined, the Reds went Scott Barlow (sixth inning)-Emilio Pagan (seventh)-Tony Santillan (eighth)-Ian Gibaut (ninth) on Opening Day. It's a clear closer-by-committee in Cincinnati. (March 28)
The White Sox had Mike Clevinger enter a 3-0 game with two runners on with two outs in the eighth inning on Opening Day, hinting they regard him their lead choice to close games. (March 28)
The Dodgers have now had Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia and Blake Treinen close their first three games, as clear a sign as there is that manager Dave Roberts will lean on relief matchups wherever applicable. (March 28)
Luke Jackson, who emerged from spring training as the Rangers' favorite for saves, blew his first chance in spectacular fashion on Opening Day. The team's competition might now extend into the regular season. (March 28)
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-by-committee: Justin Martinez (71.0%)
Closer-by-committee: A.J. Puk (33.6%)
Closer-by-committee: Ryan Thompson (0.6%)
Primary setup: Shelby Miller (0.1%)
THE ATHLETICS
Closer: Mason Miller (97.9%)
Primary setup: Jose Leclerc (0.5%)
Secondary setup: Tyler Ferguson (0.1%)
ATLANTA BRAVES
Closer: Raisel Iglesias (96.0%)
Primary setup: Pierce Johnson (0.5%)
Secondary setup: Aaron Bummer (0.4%)
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Closer: Felix Bautista (92.9%)
Primary setup: Keegan Akin (0.4%)
Secondary setup: Seranthony Dominguez (1.3%)
BOSTON RED SOX
Co-closer: Aroldis Chapman (38.2%)
Co-closer: Justin Slaten (3.4%)
Secondary setup: Greg Weissert (0.1%)
CHICAGO CUBS
Closer: Ryan Pressly (73.2%)
Primary setup: Porter Hodge (10.8%)
Secondary setup: Nate Pearson (0.3%)
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Closer: Mike Clevinger (1.8%)
Primary setup: Fraser Ellard (0.0%)
Secondary setup: Cam Booser (0.0%)
CINCINNATI REDS
Closer-by-committee: Taylor Rogers (1.5%)
Closer-by-committee: Scott Barlow (0.5%)
Closer-by-committee: Emilio Pagan (0.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Tony Santillan (0.9%)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Closer: Emmanuel Clase (99.6%)
Primary setup: Cade Smith (26.0%)
Secondary setup: Hunter Gaddis (6.6%)
COLORADO ROCKIES
Closer-by-committee: Tyler Kinley (0.7%)
Closer-by-committee: Seth Halvorsen (1.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Victor Vodnik (0.2%)
DETROIT TIGERS
Closer-by-committee: Beau Brieske (1.6%)
Closer-by-committee: Tyler Holton (9.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Tommy Kahnle (0.4%)
Primary setup: Will Vest (0.6%)
HOUSTON ASTROS
Closer: Josh Hader (98.6%)
Primary setup: Bryan Abreu (26.7%)
Secondary setup: Tayler Scott (0.2%)
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Co-closer: Carlos Estevez (18.2%)
Co-closer: Lucas Erceg (48.1%)
Primary setup: Hunter Harvey (0.6%)
Secondary setup: John Schreiber (0.2%)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Closer: Kenley Jansen (25.2%)
Primary setup: Ben Joyce (10.2%)
Secondary setup: Brock Burke (0.0%)
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Closer-by-committee: Tanner Scott (87.5%)
Closer-by-committee: Kirby Yates (32.9%)
Closer-by-committee: Blake Treinen (14.5%)
Primary setup: Alex Vesia (3.8%)
MIAMI MARLINS
Closer: Calvin Faucher (4.4%)
Primary setup: Jesus Tinoco (0.3%)
Secondary setup: Anthony Bender (0.2%)
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Closer: Trevor Megill (58.5%)
Primary setup: Jared Koenig (0.2%)
Secondary setup: Joel Payamps (2.7%)
MINNESOTA TWINS
Closer: Jhoan Duran (90.2%)
Primary setup: Griffin Jax (28.2%)
Secondary setup: Cole Sands (0.7%)
NEW YORK METS
Closer: Edwin Diaz (98.1%)
Primary setup: A.J. Minter (1.3%)
Secondary setup: Jose Butto (0.5%)
NEW YORK YANKEES
Closer: Devin Williams (98.6%)
Primary setup: Luke Weaver (32.8%)
Secondary setup: Fernando Cruz (2.1%)
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Closer: Jordan Romano (18.4%)
Primary setup: Orion Kerkering (8.0%)
Secondary setup: Matt Strahm (4.1%)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Closer: David Bednar (62.1%)
Primary setup: Colin Holderman (0.8%)
Secondary setup: Dennis Santana (0.3%)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Closer: Ryan Helsley (97.8%)
Primary setup: JoJo Romero (1.5%)
Secondary setup: Ryan Fernandez (0.3%)
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Closer: Robert Suarez (90.5%)
Primary setup: Jason Adam (28.6%)
Secondary setup: Jeremiah Estrada (6.1%)
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Closer: Ryan Walker (92.8%)
Primary setup: Tyler Rogers (3.2%)
Secondary setup: Camilo Doval (5.1%)
SEATTLE MARINERS
Closer: Andres Munoz (90.3%)
Primary setup: Collin Snider (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Gregory Santos (0.2%)
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Closer: Pete Fairbanks (43.9%)
Primary setup: Edwin Uceta (2.8%)
Secondary setup: Garrett Cleavinger (0.3%)
TEXAS RANGERS
Closer-by-committee: Chris Martin (9.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Luke Jackson (1.9%)
Closer-by-committee: Robert Garcia (2.5%)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Closer: Jeff Hoffman (83.1%)
Primary setup: Chad Green (5.4%)
Secondary setup: Yimi Garcia (0.9%)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Closer: Kyle Finnegan (27.4%)
Primary setup: Jorge Lopez (0.5%)
Secondary setup: Jose Ferrer (0.1%)
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.