2025 Fantasy Baseball Closers

Arizona Diamondbacks

Team: Arizona Diamondbacks

Total Saves: 42

Next in Line: Ryan Thompson , John Curtiss

(10/9) Arizona posted 80 wins and 42 saves in 2025 for a 52.5% team save percentage of overall wins. The D'Backs bullpen was considered a strength entering the season, but injuries decimated this unit. First, A.J. Puk (elbow) - who racked up 4 saves over the first few weeks of the season - required Tommy John surgery in late-June. Justin Martinez (elbow) was next in line for Tommy John surgery, leaving the D'Backs without their top-2 relief pitchers. Veteran Shelby Miller filled in admirably until a trade to Milwaukee took him out of the picture. That left Kevin Ginkel (shoulder) as the favorite to receive save opportunities after the trade deadline, but he too suffered an injury that would end his season in early August. Without a bona-fide closer, Arizona led the league with 17 pitchers recording at one save during the season. Miller (10 saves, 23.8% team save share) was the only one to reach double-digits.

With Puk and Martinez not expected back until late next season, manager Torey Lovullo will once again have to get creative when it comes to who closes out games in 2026. Jalen Beeks, who led Arizona relievers in innings last year, is now a free-agent. If Ginkel (shoulder) is healthy, he might be the favorite to take on the bulk of closing duties, as he's set to become a free-agent in 2027. Ryan Thompson - another 2027 free-agent - could be in the mix as well, while Andrew Saalfrank and John Curtiss appear to be favorites for late-inning roles based on their impressive 2025 campaigns.

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Sacramento Athletics

Team: Sacramento Athletics

Total Saves: 35

Closer: Committee

Next in Line: Hogan Harris , Sean Newcomb Out, Michael Kelly

(10/10) The Athletics were tied for 25th in the league with 35 saves and recorded one in 46.1 percent of their 76 wins in 2025. They had one of the most stable closing situations in baseball until they traded away star closer, Mason Miller, at the deadline. Miller ultimately led the A's in the saves category, racking up 20 for a 57.5 percent team save share, while 7 Athletics pitchers combined for the remaining 15 saves. Multi-inning relievers, Hogan Harris and Jack Perkins, were next on the team with 4 and 3 saves, respectively, while Michael Kelly, Sean Newcomb and Tyler Ferguson each tallied 2 apiece. With Miller now pitching for San Diego, the Athletics enter 2026 without a clear-cut closer. Harris, Kelly, Newcomb (who led the A's with a 1.90 WPA in 2025) and Ferguson (who ranked second on the team with a 1.34 Game Leverage Index) are primed to retain their high-leverage roles, but manager Mark Kotsay is likely to roll out a closer committee if the team doesn't sign a more established closer this offseason.

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Atlanta Braves

Team: Atlanta Braves

Total Saves: 34

Closer: Committee

Next in Line: Joe Jimenez Out, Dylan Lee , Pierce Johnson

(10/10) Atlanta was 27th in the league with 34 saves in 2025, but Raisel Iglesias accounted for 29 of them for an 85.3 percent team save share that was 3rd-highest among closers overall. The veteran right-hander endured some struggles during his age-35 campaign, but finished 2025 strong by posting a 0.38 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and a league-leading 16 saves over the final 2 months. Dylan Lee was the only other Braves reliever to record multiple saves (2). While Atlanta's closing situation in 2025 was stable, the 2026 high-leverage ladder could look a lot different. Iglesias is a free-agent, while Atlanta has decisions to make on Pierce Johnson ($7M team option, $250k buyout for 2026) and Tyler Kinley ($5M team option, $750k buyout) for 2026. Joe Jimenez, Aaron Bummer and Joel Payamps are likely to fill late-inning roles, but Atlanta isn't committed to them long-term, as all 3 will be free-agents in 2027. Lee is just now entering salary arbitration and won't become a free-agent until 2029, which gives the southpaw a leg up amongst currently rostered Atlanta relievers for at least a share of the 2026 closing duties. However, the Braves could re-sign Iglesias or sign another closer as they look to rebound from a massively disappointing 2025.

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Team Notes

6/29:A.J. Minter, who logged his first save of the season Tuesday at Philadelphia, has appeared in 3 games in 4 days. This makes Will Smith the likeliest candidate for a save chance if one were to arise Wednesday.

Baltimore Orioles

Team: Baltimore Orioles

Total Saves: 38

Closer: Keegan Akin

Next in Line: Dietrich Enns , Yennier Cano

(10/13) After making the postseason in 2024, Baltimore slipped to 5th place in the AL East last year, posting 75 wins and 38 saves (50.7% team save percentage of overall wins). While starting pitching was a major issue for the Orioles throughout their disappointing season, the bullpen wasn't much better, posting a collective 4.57 ERA that ranked 25th in the league. Felix Bautista returned for the onset of the 2025 campaign after missing the entirety of 2024, but was limited to 35 games and is once again facing an extended absence after undergoing surgery in late-August to repair a torn labrum and torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder. Baltimore seems to be leaving open the possibility that Bautista could return late in the 2026 season, but it's more likely he's out until 2027. "The Mountain" still led the team with 19 saves last season that accounted for a 76% team save share at the time of his injury. By that point, the Orioles' high-leverage ladder had changed considerably from how it looked early in the 2025 season. Seranthony Dominguez, Bryan Baker, Andrew Kittredge and Gregory Soto were traded, leaving Keegan Akin and Yennier Cano as the most experienced leverage relievers on the roster. Akin would take over primary closing duties the rest of the way, securing 8 of the team's 14 saves (57%) after Bautista got hurt.

Looking ahead to 2026, the O's bullpen currently looks depleted, though Akin and Cano will be back to reprise their roles in high-leverage. Akin is the current favorite for the 2026 closer role, but that's written in pencil as Baltimore's front office figures to shore up the relief corps this offseason, which may include signing someone with more closing experience.

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Boston Red Sox

Team: Boston Red Sox

Total Saves: 45

Closer: Aroldis Chapman

Next in Line: Garrett Whitlock , Justin Slaten

(10/13) Boston, who tied for 6th in the league with 45 saves in 2025, recorded a save in a touch over half of their 89 wins. The Red Sox bullpen was a strength of the team, ranking 2nd in baseball with a 3.41 ERA. In large part, this was thanks to closer Aroldis Chapman, who in his age-37 season dominated opposing hitters en route to a 1.17 ERA and 0.70 WHIP that were tops among qualified relievers. Chapman's 37.3% strikeout rate ranked 3rd and perhaps most remarkably, he delivered the best walk rate (6.6%) of his 16-year career. This amounted to a 30.7% K-BB percentage that was 2nd among relievers. The southpaw racked up 32 saves (T-5th) that were his most in a season since 2019. Chapman's strong performance earned him a $13.3M contract extension with Boston that will keep him in Beantown for at least one additional season. He has a vesting option for 2027 based on innings pitched, which becomes a mutual option if not triggered during the upcoming season. Chapman undoubtedly enters 2026 as the Red Sox unquestioned closer, while Garrett Whitlock, Justin Slaten, Jordan Hicks and Greg Weissert figure to pitch important innings as part of the bridge to Chapman in the ninth. However, Boston will be without two important left-handers from 2025 in Steven Matz and Justin Wilson, who enter free-agency.

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Team Notes

6/27:Tanner Houck was placed on the restricted list Monday prior to Boston's three-game series at Toronto. Matt Strahm and John Schreiber are the likeliest candidates for save opportunities should any arise during the series.
10/11:Hansel Robles exited Game 3 of the ALDS on Sunday due to a stomach illness after allowing two runs in two-thirds of an inning. He should be considered day-to-day due to his illness. Assuming he tests negative for COVID-19, it wouldn't be surprising to see the right-hander available for Game 4 on Monday. It was the first earned run he's allowed since August 29.
10/5:Entering tonight's AL Wild Card game against the Yankees, Hansel Robles has not allowed an earned run in 15 consecutive outings. Both he and Adam Ottavino enter tonight's contest with two-days rest, while Garrett Richards and Garrett Whitlock have had one day of rest after both pitched on Sunday.

Chicago Cubs

Team: Chicago Cubs

Total Saves: 44

Closer: Daniel Palencia

Next in Line: Andrew Kittredge , Ben Brown

(10/13) The Cubs were one of 4 teams to have 10+ pitchers record at least one save during the 2025 season, as 12 different relievers combined for their 44 saves. Chicago's initial attempt to address their closer role didn't go smoothly, as veteran Ryan Pressly struggled after the team acquired him via trade. They mixed and matched for a few weeks before turning over closing duties to rookie hurler Daniel Palencia, who finished 3rd among relievers with a 99.6 mph average fastball velocity. Palencia was lights out in the role, pitching to a 2.12 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 59:15 K:BB across his first 51 appearances last season before a strained right shoulder sidelined him for a few weeks in September. He was the only Cubs pitcher to record double-digits saves (22); good for a 50% team save share. Palenica pitched earlier in games upon his return from injury, but was deployed in important spots during the playoffs. Pencil him in atop the Cubs' closer hierarchy to open 2026, but keep in mind the front office will need to re-tool this pen, as Brad Keller, Drew Pomeranz, Caleb Thielbar, Taylor Rogers, Mike Soroka and Ryan Brasier will be free-agents. They could sign a reliever or two with more closing experience, relegating Palencia to the highest-leverage moments earlier in games. Chicago also holds a $9M option ($1M buyout) on Andrew Kittredge for 2026, which they'll strongly consider since he has closing experience and posted a 0.98 WHIP across 53 innings last year.

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Cincinnati Reds

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Total Saves: 41

Closer: Tony Santillan

Next in Line: Graham Ashcraft , Connor Phillips

(10/13) Cincinnati posted 83 wins and 41 saves in 2025 for a 49.4% team save percentage of overall wins. Manager Terry Francona is known for his preference of using 1 pitcher in the closer role and was true to that philosophy last season, using only 4 pitchers for saves (2nd-fewest in the league). Emilio Pagan re-emerged on the high-leverage scene, recording a career-high 32 saves that tied him for 5th in the league overall. His 78% team save share was 6th-highest among closers as the veteran right-hander managed to hold onto closing duties all year. Pagan's 0.92 WHIP ranked 15th among qualified relievers and his 30% strikeout rate was his highest mark since 2022, though he still had trouble keeping the ball inside the park (1.3 HR/9). Set to beome a free-agent, Pagan recently expressed interest in returning to the Reds for the 2026 season and potentially beyond. If he does re-sign with Cincinnati, he figures to reprise his role as the Reds closer. If not, the Reds could turn things over to Tony Santillan, who picked up 7 saves and 33 holds (3rd in the league) last year. Or, they could look to sign a free-agent with more extensive closing experience after making the postseason in 2025. For now, pencil Tony Santillan atop this hierarchy until the Reds begin making moves this offseason.

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Cleveland Guardians

Team: Cleveland Guardians

Total Saves: 47

Closer: Cade Smith

Next in Line: Hunter Gaddis , Erik Sabrowski

(10/10) Cleveland posted 88 wins and tied for 2nd in the league with 47 saves in 2025 for a 53.4% team save percentage of overall wins. Emmanuel Clase - the 2024 AL Reliever of the Year - appeared to be in line for another 40-save season, but MLB placed him on non-disciplinary leave in late-July for his possible role in sports-betting. Clase stayed on administrative leave for the remainder of the 2025 season, and while he still led the Guardians with 24 saves, his future with the team - or even MLB - remains in question. In Clase's absence, manager Stephen Vogt turned to Cade Smith for closing duties. Smith finished with 16 saves overall; 13 of which came after Clase was unavailable. This represented a 76.4% team save share from July 28 onwards. Ultimately, Smith turned in a dominant 2025 that was as equally impressive as his breakout 2024 season, as he was one of five relief pitchers to post 100+ strikeouts (104). Hunter Gaddis was next in line for ancillary saves, finishing with 3 as Cleveland's top setup man. Tim Herrin's performance took a step backwards, but Erik Sabrowski and Nic Enright impressed in limited duty. Clase's status for 2026 looks murky, but otherwise, the top of this hierarchy figures to remain as-is with Smith and Gaddis leading the unit.

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Team Notes

7/1:Emmanuel Clase has appeared in each of the last 3 games. It's likely that Eli Morgan or Trevor Stephan would receive a save chance if one were to arise tonight against the Yankees.

Colorado Rockies

Team: Colorado Rockies

Total Saves: 29

Closer: Seth Halvorsen Out

Next in Line: Victor Vodnik , Juan Mejia

(10/15) Colorado posted a league-low 43 wins last season, but recorded a save in an MLB-high 67.4% of those wins to rank 28th in the saves category overall. Only 5 Rockie pitchers tallied saves for the team in 2025, with Seth Halvorsen (11 saves, 38% team save share) and Victor Vodnik (10, 35%) accounting for the majority of them. Halvorsen's ratios were lackluster, but the right-hander proved to be the most reliable option within a pen that ranked 29th in bullpen ERA (5.18). He may have approached 20 saves if not for a season-ending elbow injury last August. For context, 8 of Vodnik's 10 saves came after Halvorsen was hurt. Looking towards 2026, Halvorsen and Vodnik figure to remain atop Colorado's hiearchy for saves. First, Halvorsen will need to prove he is past the elbow injury that cut his 2025 campaign short.

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Chicago White Sox

Team: Chicago White Sox

Total Saves: 25

Closer: Jordan Leasure

Next in Line: Grant Taylor , Mike Vasil

(10/15) The White Sox ranked dead-last with 25 saves last season, recording one in only 41.7% of their 60 wins. Eight Chicago pitchers combined for those saves, with Jordan Leasure (7) and Grant Taylor (6) accounting for a little more than half of the team total. However, manager Will Venable's approach to the ninth inning was frustrating for fantasy managers, as the White Sox were one of 2 teams (Rangers) to not have a pitcher reach double-digit saves during the 2025 season. In addition, no Chicago reliever recorded more than 3 saves in a row last year, making it difficult to identify a bona-fide closer. Despite this, the bullpen overall performed much better than expected, combining for a 4.18 ERA that ranked 18th in the league (10 spots higher than 2024). Mike Vasil was a big reason why, posting a 2.50 ERA across his team-leading 101 relief innings. White Sox general manager Chris Getz indicated he expects Vasil to remain in the bullpen in 2026, though the exciting Grant Taylor's role is currently undetermined. While both have proven capable of closing out games, Leasure is the current favorite for 2026 saves. Leasure led Chicago relievers in wins (5), saves and holds (15) last season while posting a 30.1% strikeout rate.

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Detroit Tigers

Team: Detroit Tigers

Total Saves: 40

Closer: Will Vest

Next in Line: Tyler Holton , Paul Sewald

(10/16) Detroit recorded a save in 40 of their 87 wins in 2025 for a 46.0% team save percentage that was a few percentage points below league average. Six Tigers relievers recorded at least one save during the season, with Will Vest leading the team with 23 and a 57.5% team save share. Tommy Kahnle (9 saves), Kyle Finnegan (4) and Brant Hurter (2) were the other relievers to pick up multiple saves. With 2024 team-leader in the saves category, Jason Foley, not pitching a single inning for the Tigers in 2025, manager A.J. Hinch turned to Vest and Kahnle in the ninth-inning. While things leaned in Kahnle's favor early in the season - he recorded 5 of his 9 saves during the month of April - Vest ultimately emerged as Hinch's most trusted option to close games. Kyle Finnegan would also join the mix for saves after the trade deadline, recording four during the Tigers' postseason push. With Finnegan and Kahnle now free-agents, and Paul Sewald ($10M mutual option for 2026) likely to become one soon, Vest currently stands alone atop Detroit's saves hierarchy for the time being. The team will undoubtedly address its bullpen this offseason - the Tigers bullpen ranked 26th in strikeouts (533) and 17th in ERA (4.05) last season - especially after losing two of its highest-leveraged arms. Perhaps they re-sign one or both right-handers, but there's also a possibility that Detroit targets a more experienced relief pitcher with strikeout upside. Those drafting early should temper save expectations for Vest, who is a solid pitcher, but not guaranteed to return to the closer role for 2026.

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Houston Astros

Team: Houston Astros

Total Saves: 45

Closer: Josh Hader Out

Next in Line: Bryan Abreu , Bennett Sousa Out

(8/13) Josh Hader's stability as the Astros' closer was as high as it comes in the league until a recent shoulder strain forced the southpaw to the IL. Hader will be eligible to be reinstated Aug. 26, though he's without an official timeline for his return since a recovery timetable has yet to be announced. Enyel De Los Santos and Bennett Sousa combined to handle the ninth inning earlier this week, but Bryan Abreu is the likely favorite to fill in as Houston's closer.

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Team Notes

7/1:Ryan Pressly has recorded a Save in each of the past 2 days. He has yet to work 3 games in a row this season, so it's likely a save chance would go to Rafael Montero on Friday.
9/29:Ryan Pressly is currently managing a knee issue and hasn't pitched since Saturday. Kendall Graveman was placed on the paternity list Tuesday. Look for Ryne Stanek or Yimi Garcia as the favorites to pitch in potential save opportunities for the next couple days if Pressley remains unavailable.

Kansas City Royals

Team: Kansas City Royals

Total Saves: 47

Closer: Carlos Estevez

Next in Line: Hunter Harvey Out, Lucas Erceg Out

(8/7) Carlos Estevez is among the league leaders with 28 saves (T-2nd) through early-August. The veteran right-hander has pitched well for the Royals despite a sub-20% K-rate that would be the lowest mark of his career. Estevez has never struck out a ton of batters, but he's always been around league average until this season. Regardless, Estevez continues to get the job done for Kansas City and is close to establishing a new career-high in the saves category. He's maintained one of the highest team save shares (90%) among closers and figures to finish out the year with the job, especially since his biggest competition for saves, Lucas Erceg, is still a few years away from salary arbitration.

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Los Angeles Angels

Team: Los Angeles Angels

Total Saves: 38

Closer: Kenley Jansen

Next in Line: Reid Detmers 60-Day IL, Ryan Zeferjahn

(8/8) Kenley Jansen is the league's reigning AL Reliever of the month after the veteran turned in a scoreless month of July with a 13:0 K:BB and 0.35 WHIP across 11.1 innings last month. The future Hall of Famer has not permitted a run in 13 straight appearances and has high stability as the Angels' closer, tallying 20 of the team's 26 saves overall through early August. With Ben Joyce (shoulder) out for the year, Reid Detmers in next-in-line for saves, having recorded 2 already this season. In a somewhat surprising move, Los Angeles was buyers at the trade deadline, though their relief market additions - Luis Garcia and Andrew Chafin - weren't as splashy as other teams vying for the playoffs.

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Los Angeles Dodgers

Team: Los Angeles Dodgers

Total Saves: 46

Closer: Roki Sasaki

Next in Line: Tanner Scott Out, Ben Casparius

(8/7) With Tanner Scott (elbow) out due to inflammation, the Dodgers have shifted to a full closer committee in his absence. 5 different relievers have combined for the team's last 6 saves, with Ben Casparius the only one to record multiple. Surprisingly, none of their recent saves have gone to Blake Treinen, who returned from injury in late-July. Treinen last recorded a save back in April, so Casparius might be the committee "leader" until Scott returns - tentatively in mid-August. In addition to Casparius and Treinen, Alex Vesia continues to be rock solid for Los Angeles and is 2nd on the team with 4 saves this season.

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Team Notes

10/14:Corey Knebel will serve as the opener for Thursday's NLDS Game 5 matchup against the Giants. Knebel filled the opener role four times during the regular season, allowing one run in a combined 5.2 innings of work. Julio Urias is expected to follow him in bulk relief.
10/6:The Dodgers' highest-leverage relievers are well rested, as Jansen, Treinen and Vesia enter Wednesday's NL Wild Card game against the Cardinals on 4 days rest.

Miami Marlins

Team: Miami Marlins

Total Saves: 40

Closer: Committee

Next in Line: Calvin Faucher , Tyler Phillips , Lake Bachar

(8/6) The Marlins did not trade any relievers of interest at the deadline, as the team has played surprisingly competitive ball over the past few months. In July, it appeared that Ronny Henriquez was gaining traction as Miami's preferred save share, but Calvin Faucher has resurfaced of late, picking up 3 of the team's last 4 saves. While Faucher leads the team with 11 saves, his stability is low as manager Clayton McCullough could turn back to Henriquez or even Anthony Bender at any given moment. Henriquez is the most talented reliever on the team, posting a 32.9% strikeout rate with 17.1% swinging strike percentage, and might be worth holding onto in deeper formats due to his strikeout upside.

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Milwaukee Brewers

Team: Milwaukee Brewers

Total Saves: 45

Closer: Trevor Megill

Next in Line: Abner Uribe , Nick Mears

(8/8) Not only has Trevor Megill managed to stay healthy in 2025, he's tied for 4th in the league with 26 saves through early August. Megill has an 81% team save share, holding off the exciting Abner Uribe, underrated Nick Mears and newly acquired Shelby Miller for ninth-inning responsibilities. Uribe in particular has a 29% strikeout rate and leads MLB with 30 holds. He's worth monitoring as a potential closer-in-waiting should Megill's durability issues resurface.

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Minnesota Twins

Team: Minnesota Twins

Total Saves: 28

Closer: Justin Topa Out

Next in Line: Kody Funderburk , Cole Sands

(8/6) Minnesota traded its 4 best relievers - Jhoan Duran to Philadelphia, Griffin Jax to Tampa Bay, Danny Coulombe to Texas and Louis Varland to Toronto - leaving its bullpen in a depleted state after the deadline. Out of the relievers left on the roster, Cole Sands and Justin Topa are the favorites to receive save chances over the remainder of the season. Sands has already picked up 2 saves for the Twins this season, while Topa recorded the team's first save since the deadline. We'll call this a closer committee for now, at least until one emerges as the favorite. Those seeking saves should probably look elsewhere, as Minnesota's fire-sale at the trade deadline doesn't provide much optimism for the remainder of 2025.

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New York Mets

Team: New York Mets

Total Saves: 40

Closer: Edwin Diaz

Next in Line: Ryan Helsley , Tyler Rogers

(8/6) For the second consecutive year, New York overhauled its leverage ladder at the trade deadline. The Mets acquired Ryan Helsley, Tyler Rogers and Gregory Soto to upgrade it's bridge to Edwin Diaz in the ninth-inning. Diaz's stability as the Mets' closer remains incredibly high - even after the acquisition of reigning NL Reliever of the Year, Helsley. Diaz has permitted just 1 ER over his last 33 outings, posting a dominant 0.27 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 50:11 K:BB across 33.2 innings during that stretch.

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New York Yankees

Team: New York Yankees

Total Saves: 43

Closer: David Bednar

Next in Line: Luke Weaver , Devin Williams

(8/13) After a month-long stretch of dominant results, Devin Williams' early-season woes have resurfaced. The right-hander recently allowed at least 1 ER in 5 straight outings and recently worked during the sixth inning to once again put his role within the Yankees' bullpen in question. In addition to high-leverage stalwart, Luke Weaver, New York's recent trade deadline acquisitions of David Bednar and Camilo Doval further cloud things, but Bednar appears to have emerged from this group as Aaron Boone's most trusted option to close games.

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Team Notes

7/1:Aroldis Chapman was activated from the 15-day IL. Clay Holmes has worked 3 games in the last 5 days, but did not pitch yesterday. Don't be surprised if the Yankees elect to give Holmes another day of rest with Chapman back. It's possible Chapman gets the call tonight if a save opportunity were to arise.
6/29:Aroldis Chapman is likely to return Friday.
10/5:Entering tonight's AL Wild Card game, Aroldis Chapman has a career 6.43 ERA and 2.07 WHIP in 14 innings at Fenway Park. However, he logged a 2.70 ERA against Boston this season with a 8:4 K:BB in 6.2 innings, albeit with two home runs allowed.
9/29:Jonathan Loaisiga (shoulder) will likely be activated Wednesday.

Philadelphia Phillies

Team: Philadelphia Phillies

Total Saves: 47

Closer: Jhoan Duran

Next in Line: Jose Alvarado Out, Matt Strahm

(8/6) Philadelphia made one of the biggest headlines on the relief market, acquiring Jhoan Duran from Minnesota. Duran has converted both of the Phillies' saves since the trade deadline and appears likely to slot in as the team's closer moving forward. Manager Rob Thomson has been fluid with leverage roles in the past, and while Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering have been solid, Duran has proven to be far more reliable closing out games. Newly signed David Robertson should join the late-inning mix in the coming weeks and gives Philadelphia another arm capable of closing if Duran were to be unavailable.

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Pittsburgh Pirates

Team: Pittsburgh Pirates

Total Saves: 36

Closer: Dennis Santana

Next in Line: Isaac Mattson , Chase Shugart

(8/6) David Bednar had been the topic of trade rumors for years and the Pirates finally traded their star reliever, sending him to the New York Yankees prior to the deadline. However, pending free-agent Dennis Santana remains with Pittsburgh and figures to slot in as the team's closer for the remainder of the season. The Pirates haven't recorded a save since the deadline, but Santana has recorded 6 saves in 2025 and has maintained excellent ratios this season. Isaac Mattson is worth monitoring as a potential source of second-half saves, as he's posted a 0.99 WHIP and 29.2% K-rate through 26.1 innings.

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San Diego Padres

Team: San Diego Padres

Total Saves: 49

Closer: Robert Suarez

Next in Line: Mason Miller , Jeremiah Estrada

(10/6) For the second consecutive season, San Diego made the biggest splash on the relief market, giving up top prospect Leo De Vries to acquire Mason Miller from the Athletics at the 2025 trade deadline. Miller joined an already stellar relief corps that finished 1st in the league in bullpen ERA (3.06) by a wide margin (0.35 points better than the 2nd-ranked team). While Miller brought closing experience with him to San Diego, he only recorded 2 of the Padres 13 saves over the final 2 months as Robert Suarez anchored the club with a National League leading 40 saves (2nd overall) during the regular season. Still, Miller was the team's most dominant reliever, finishing the campaign on a 20-game scoreless streak during which he posted a 0.61 WHIP and 42:9 K:BB across 21.1 innings.

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Seattle Mariners

Team: Seattle Mariners

Total Saves: 43

Closer: Andres Munoz

Next in Line: Matt Brash , Gabe Speier

(8/8) Munoz is tied for 4th in the league with 26 saves through early August, even after Seattle only recorded 2 saves during the month of June. The right-hander has a 93% team save share which speaks to his stability in his role under new manager Dan Wilson. Munoz is once again proving to be one of the most dominant relievers in the game, especially after he went more than 2 months before permitting his first earned runs of the season. Beyond Munoz and Matt Brash, Seattle's pen lacks proven high-leverage arms.

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San Francisco Giants

Team: San Francisco Giants

Total Saves: 41

Closer: Ryan Walker

Next in Line: Jose Butto , Joey Lucchesi

(8/6) The Giants traded 2 important leverage relievers at the deadline - Tyler Rogers and closer Camilo Doval. This leaves Randy Rodriguez - a 2025 All-Star with a 35% strikeout rate - as the favorite for closing duties in San Francisco. However, Ryan Walker remains with the team and was the Giants' closer on Opening Day. Walker struggled early on and has been unable to replicate his success from 2024, but he's maintained respectable ratios since May 1 (3.60 ERA, 1.09 WHIP across 35 innings). While Rodriguez has tallied the team's only save since the deadline, don't discount the possibility of manager Bob Melvin turning back to Walker at some point this season.

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Team Notes

5/18:Camilo Doval has recorded a save in 3 straight games for San Francisco. The Giants are off on Thursday, but Doval may get a breather on Friday after his recent heavy usage.
10/4:The Giants bullpen gets a much-needed break after winning the NL West. Camilo Doval, in particular, pitched 4 times in 5 days during the final week.
10/1:Doval, Rogers and Leone have worked 2 out of the past 3 games, with Rogers throwing 47 pitches over that span. Strong possibility Rogers gets the night off against San Diego.
9/30:Doval earned his 2nd big-league save on Wednesday and may be the new closer in San Francisco.
9/29:The plans for Jake McGee (oblique) beyond Wednesday aren't entirely clear, but so long as he gets through mound work without any setbacks, a return to the Giants' bullpen for the final regular-season series against the Padres might not be out of the question.

St. Louis Cardinals

Team: St. Louis Cardinals

Total Saves: 42

Closer: Committee

Next in Line: Riley O'Brien , JoJo Romero , Kyle Leahy

(9/17) With the Cardinals slipping further back in the NL Central and Wild Card standings, the team went into sell-mode at the trade deadline, electing to trade Ryan Helsley, Phil Maton and Steven Matz - all of whom are free-agents after this season. Losing Helsley, the reigning NL Reliever of the Year, is a huge blow to this leverage ladder, but JoJo Romero initially emerged as the favorite for save chances. More recently, Riley O'Brien has stepped in for the Cardinals, securing 3 of the team's last 4 saves.

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Team Notes

10/6:The Cardinals' highest-leverage relievers are well rested, as Gallegos, Cabrera and Reyes enter Wednesday's NL Wild Card game against the Dodgers on 4 days rest, while Garcia is on 3 days rest.
10/1:Garcia earned his 2nd save of the season Thursday night as the Cardinals give Gallegos some much deserved rest before the playoffs. Gallegos has logged a new career-high 79.1 innings this season.

Tampa Bay Rays

Team: Tampa Bay Rays

Total Saves: 35

Closer: Pete Fairbanks

Next in Line: Griffin Jax , Bryan Baker

(8/8) Tampa Bay acquired 2 high-leverage relievers prior to the trade deadline, adding Bryan Baker and Griffin Jax to give the team highly capable options to close games if Pete Fairbanks' durability were to ever come into question. However, Fairbanks has remained healthy all season - he's a mere 2.1 innings away from establishing a new career-high in the category - and he's tallied 9 of the Rays' 11 saves since June 1, and 19 of 25 overall (76% team save share). Fairbanks is once again proving to be a highly effective closer when healthy.

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Team Notes

10/11:Collin McHugh will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher Monday against the Red Sox as part of a bullpen day in Game 4 of the ALDS, Manager Kevin Cash hasn't appointed a primary pitcher to work behind McHugh, as the Rays will instead likely turn to a cadre of arms to fill innings out of the bullpen. Josh Fleming, JT Chargois, Pete Fairbanks, J.P. Feyereisen, Andrew Kittredge and Matt Wisler tossed 20 pitches or fewer in Sunday's 13-inning loss, so the Tampa Bay bullpen should be relatively fresh for Monday's contest.

Texas Rangers

Team: Texas Rangers

Total Saves: 37

Closer: Committee

Next in Line: Shawn Armstrong , Phil Maton , Robert Garcia

(8/6) After designating Luke Jackson for assignment, Texas acquired Phil Maton and Danny Coulombe via trade, adding experience to its leverage ladder. With Robert Garcia recently experiencing back spasms, Maton was called for the Rangers latest save opportunity and converted against the Yankees, bringing his total to 3 on the season. It's possible Garcia and Maton split closing duties moving forward, but as long as Garcia is healthy, he should benefit from the larger share of save chances.

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Toronto Blue Jays

Team: Toronto Blue Jays

Total Saves: 42

Closer: Jeff Hoffman

Next in Line: Yariel Rodriguez , Brendon Little

(8/8) After inking a three-year, $33 million contract with the Blue Jays in January, Hoffman has racked up 26 of the team's 33saves through early August for a 78.7% team save share. Hoffman's 33.5% K-rate and 5.8% walk percentage are well above league average and his 39.8% chase rate is a 100th percentile metric per Statcast. Hoffman's ERA is inflated after allowing 10 home runs across 47.1 innings, but his underlying metrics combined with Toronto's success this season make him a top-10 closer over the rest of the season. With Yimi Garcia (shoulder) still ailing, the Blue Jays added Seranthony Dominguez and Louis Varland for late-inning depth.

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Washington Nationals

Team: Washington Nationals

Total Saves: 37

Closer: Jose Ferrer

Next in Line: Clayton Beeter , PJ Poulin

(8/7) To no surprise, Washington traded closer Kyle Finnegan at the deadline. With Finnegan now in Detroit, Miguel Cairo turns to an inexperienced group of relief pitchers looking to establish themselves in high-leverage. Among them, Jose Ferrer appears to be first in line to handle closing duties whenever the situation arises. Ferrer hasn't pitched particularly well this season, but leads the Nationals with 19 holds. Cole Henry or Zach Brzykcy are candidates to for save chances as well, but Ferrer's tenure with Washington should afford him opportunities for the remainder of 2025.

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Team Notes

9/23:Tanner Rainey earned the save for the Nationals last night and has worked 3 out of the last 4 games. Expect Kyle Finnegan, who hasn't pitched since Sept. 19, to get the save chance if one presents itself against the Cardinals tonight.