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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.
The Orioles’ bullpen has undergone a massive transformation over the past month, with a flurry of trades and injuries stripping away nearly all of the club’s established late-inning arms. What’s left is a mix of patchwork veterans, returning arms, and intriguing wild cards—all headlined by Corbin Martin, who earned his first MLB save this week.
Key Departures
Since early July, Baltimore has moved four of its primary bullpen arms:
- Seranthony Dominguez was traded to the Blue Jays mid-doubleheader on July 29 and then pitched against his former teammates that same night, striking out two in a scoreless frame.
- Gregory Soto, who was briefly in the closer mix, was shipped to the Mets on July 25 in exchange for two pitching prospects.
- Bryan Baker, a mainstay from 2022-2024, was quietly dealt for cash considerations in mid-July.
- Andrew Kittredge, a reliable veteran with playoff experience, was traded to the Cubs just ahead of the deadline in a roster-clearing move.
These trades, along with the long-term absence of Felix Bautista, have left the Orioles’ late-inning situation wide open—and offered new opportunities.
New Closer: Corbin Martin
Martin (pictured above) officially entered the closer conversation with his first MLB save on July 29, finishing off the second game of a doubleheader sweep over Toronto with 1⅔ shutout innings. Though not overpowering, he showed the poise and pitchability to handle high-leverage situations—a crucial trait for a bullpen now full of question marks.
Key Contributors
- Keegan Akin is back from a lengthy stint on the IL and already logging important innings. His versatility gives manager Brandon Hyde a stabilizing option for both middle and late-inning roles, particularly against lefties.
- Yennier Cano, who once looked like the heir apparent to Bautista, continues to struggle with consistency. His outing earlier this week saw him allow five earned runs in a single frame—a reminder that he’s better suited for setup duty right now.
- Grant Wolfram, the 6-foot-7 lefty recently called up from Triple-A, is the dark horse to watch. He’s wild but electric, and the lack of established hierarchy could give him a chance to carve out a late-inning role if he can harness his stuff.
A look at the Orioles bullpen (* denotes committee)
| Team | Current closer | Backup | Next option | Dark horse |
| Orioles | Corbin Martin* | Keegan Akin* | Yennier Cano* | Grant Wolfram |
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.