At RotoProspects.com, we pride ourselves on being your source for up-to-the-minute bullpen updates that matter for fantasy baseball with our Fantasy Baseball Closer Chart. Whether it’s injury news, role changes, or late-inning trends, we monitor every bullpen across the league to help fantasy managers stay ahead of the curve.
As we move into the dog days of summer, MLB bullpens are under the microscope with the trade deadline looming and postseason races intensifying. Roles are shifting, new names are emerging, and veteran closers are fighting to prove they still belong.
Félix Bautista hits the IL with shoulder discomfort
The Orioles placed Bautista on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to July 21), citing right shoulder discomfort. The Orioles plan to conduct an MRI on Friday to determine the severity of the injury. Bautista, a 2023 All-Star who has notched 19 saves with a 12.98 K/9 and a 2.60 ERA, now leaves Baltimore searching for a reliable late-inning arm.
Gregory Soto clinches the first save opportunity
Stepping into the ninth inning on July 24, Soto (pictured above) earned his first save of the season—delivering a clean inning with a strikeout to seal a 3–2 win over Cleveland. Soto now becomes the primary closer, though his season-long 1.53 WHIP suggests inconsistency and a lack of lockdown control.
Seranthony Domínguez, Yennier Cano in the mix as well
With Bautista out and Soto advancing, Domínguez and Cano are next in line. Acquired mid-2024, Domínguez saved 11 opportunities last season and has been used in high-leverage spots in 2025. Though he struggled in July, he remains a capable setup man and potential closer if Soto falters. Cano stands as the next “backup” power arm. Known for his strong groundball rates and consistency, Cano has saved 14 games over the past three seasons.
Keegan Akin progressing with his rehab
Sidelined with shoulder inflammation since early July, Akin has entered a rehab assignment. After tossing a clean inning in the rookie-level Florida Complex League, he shifted to Triple‑A Norfolk, allowing one earned run in 1.1 frames. He’s scheduled for another outing Saturday and, if all goes well, could be reinstated early next week. Akin’s return would bolster bullpen depth, though he is more of a high-leverage piece than top closer candidate.
A look at the Orioles current bullpen situation (* denotes committee)
| Team | Current closer | Backup | Next option | Dark horse |
| Orioles | Gregory Soto* | S. Dominguez* | Yennier Cano* | Andrew Kittredge |
Don’t miss the next big change
Closer roles are among the most fluid in fantasy baseball—and the biggest source of sneaky value. That’s why it’s essential to stay on top of bullpen usage, velocity trends, and manager comments.
Our Fantasy Baseball Closer Chart does just that. We monitor every MLB bullpen so you can act before your league-mates do.