Latest fantasy baseball reliever updates
Jordan Romano recorded the Rockies' first save of the second half on July 21, after recording two of their final three of the first half. He appears to be the team's preferred closer choice, ahead of Antonio Senzatela, Jimmy Herget and Brennan Bernardino. (July 22)
Ryan Helsley (elbow) landed on the IL during the Fourth of July weekend, though Felix Bautista (shoulder, 60-day IL) has resumed throwing and could be a factor during the second half. In their absence, Tyler Wells, Rico Garcia, Yennier Cano and Andrew Kittredge will likely comprise a closer-by-committee for the Orioles. (July 7)
Edwin Diaz (elbow, 60-day IL) has resumed throwing and appears on track for activation after the All-Star break. He'd presumably reclaim his closer role with Tanner Scott returning to setup duty. (July 3)
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: Paul Sewald (36.5%)
Primary setup: Juan Morillo (1.8%)
Secondary setup: Kevin Ginkel (1.2%)
Middle relief: Ryan Thompson (0.2%)
THE ATHLETICS
Closer: Hogan Harris (3.8%)
Primary setup: Elvis Alvarado (0.6%)
Secondary setup: Luis Medina (0.1%)
Middle relief: Jose Suarez (0.1%)
ATLANTA BRAVES
Closer: Raisel Iglesias (83.6%)
Primary setup: Dylan Lee (19.5%)
Secondary setup: Dylan Dodd (0.3%)
Sleeper: Didier Fuentes (2.6%)
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Closer-by-committee: Tyler Wells (5.0%)
Closer-by-committee: Andrew Kittredge (1.6%)
Closer-by-committee: Yennier Cano (0.7%)
Injured list: Ryan Helsley (38.1%)
BOSTON RED SOX
Closer: Aroldis Chapman (90.7%)
Primary setup: Garrett Whitlock (16.9%)
Secondary setup: Justin Slaten (0.8%)
Middle relief: Tayron Guerrero (1.3%)
CHICAGO CUBS
Closer-by-committee: Jacob Webb (4.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Trent Thornton (0.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Caleb Thielbar (0.3%)
Injured list: Daniel Palencia (32.3%)
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Closer-by-committee: Grant Taylor (12.5%)
Closer-by-committee: Sean Newcomb (1.5%)
Closer-by-committee: Seranthony Dominguez (13.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Bryan Hudson (0.4%)
CINCINNATI REDS
Closer: Emilio Pagan (46.4%)
Primary setup: Tejay Antone (0.1%)
Secondary setup: Brock Burke (0.2%)
Middle relief: Julian Garcia (0.0%)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Closer: Cade Smith (97.7%)
Primary setup: Hunter Gaddis (6.6%)
Secondary setup: Colin Holderman (0.9%)
Middle relief: Shawn Armstrong (0.4%)
COLORADO ROCKIES
Closer-by-committee: Jordan Romano (3.2%)
Closer-by-committee: Antonio Senzatela (3.9%)
Closer-by-committee: Jimmy Herget (0.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Juan Mejia (0.1%)
DETROIT TIGERS
Closer: Kenley Jansen (37.5%)
Primary setup: Kyle Finnegan (2.3%)
Secondary setup: Drew Anderson (0.5%)
Middle relief: Tyler Holton (0.7%)
HOUSTON ASTROS
Closer: Josh Hader (82.5%)
Primary setup: Bryan Abreu (30.6%)
Secondary setup: Steven Okert (1.7%)
Middle relief: Enyel De Los Santos (0.3%)
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Closer: Alex Lange (3.3%)
Primary setup: Daniel Lynch IV (0.7%)
Secondary setup: Matt Strahm (1.8%)
Injured list: Carlos Estevez (19.4%)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Closer-by-committee: Kirby Yates (1.1%)
Closer-by-committee: Ryan Zeferjahn (0.6%)
Closer-by-committee: Sam Bachman (0.5%)
Sleeper: Chase Silseth (0.1%)
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Closer: Tanner Scott (36.3%)
Primary setup: Alex Vesia (11.1%)
Secondary setup: Will Klein (1.0%)
Injured list: Edwin Diaz (65.8%)
MIAMI MARLINS
Closer: Pete Fairbanks (40.1%)
Primary setup: Calvin Faucher (0.3%)
Secondary setup: Michael Petersen (3.1%)
Middle relief: Lake Bachar (0.2%)
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Closer: Trevor Megill (53.0%)
Primary setup: Abner Uribe (48.2%)
Secondary setup: Aaron Ashby (17.0%)
Middle relief: Grant Anderson (0.1%)
MINNESOTA TWINS
Closer: Yoendrys Gomez (12.1%)
Primary setup: Andrew Morris (0.0%)
Secondary setup: Taylor Rogers (0.4%)
Middle relief: Tommy Nance (0.1%)
NEW YORK METS
Closer: Devin Williams (69.7%)
Primary setup: Luke Weaver (7.4%)
Secondary setup: Brooks Raley (1.0%)
Middle relief: Huascar Brazoban (0.6%)
NEW YORK YANKEES
Closer: David Bednar (83.6%)
Primary setup: Fernando Cruz (6.0%)
Secondary setup: Brent Headrick (2.9%)
Middle relief: Paul Blackburn (0.4%)
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Closer: Jhoan Duran (95.0%)
Primary setup: Orion Kerkering (1.7%)
Secondary setup: Jose Alvarado (0.6%)
Middle relief: Jonathan Bowlan (0.3%)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Closer-by-committee: Gregory Soto (25.3%)
Closer-by-committee: Dennis Santana (7.5%)
Closer-by-committee: Mason Montgomery (0.9%)
Primary setup: Yohan Ramirez (0.5%)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Closer: Riley O'Brien (67.3%)
Primary setup: George Soriano (0.8%)
Secondary setup: Ryne Stanek (0.5%)
Middle relief: Matt Svanson (0.3%)
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Closer: Mason Miller (99.5%)
Primary setup: Adrian Morejon (11.3%)
Secondary setup: Wandy Peralta (0.1%)
Sleeper: Bradgley Rodriguez (0.3%)
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Closer: Caleb Kilian (2.6%)
Primary setup: Erik Miller (0.4%)
Secondary setup: Dylan Smith (0.0%)
Middle relief: Keaton Winn (0.6%)
SEATTLE MARINERS
Closer: Andres Munoz (80.5%)
Primary setup: Jose Ferrer (1.4%)
Secondary setup: Eduard Bazardo (5.5%)
Middle relief: Gabe Speier (1.3%)
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Closer: Bryan Baker (72.8%)
Primary setup: Kevin Kelly (12.6%)
Secondary setup: Garrett Cleavinger (2.8%)
Middle relief: Casey Legumina (0.1%)
TEXAS RANGERS
Closer: Jacob Latz (59.4%)
Primary setup: Jakob Junis (3.9%)
Secondary setup: Peyton Gray (0.2%)
Middle relief: Tyler Alexander (1.8%)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Closer: Louis Varland (83.7%)
Primary setup: Tyler Rogers (15.4%)
Secondary setup: Jeff Hoffman (40.1%)
Middle relief: Mason Fluharty (0.3%)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Closer: Clayton Beeter (3.2%)
Primary setup: Orlando Ribalta (0.0%)
Secondary setup: Tom Cosgrove (0.0%)
Middle relief: Riley Cornelio (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.