In fantasy baseball, bullpen changes happen fast. To help you stay ahead, RotoProspects constantly updates the Fantasy Baseball Closer Chart as a way for our subscribers to keep an edge, especially in dynasty leagues. This tool keeps fantasy baseball managers updated on shifting closer situations across Major League Baseball.
Bullpen roles change constantly due to injuries, performance shifts, and managerial decisions. That’s why our chart provides an up-to-date snapshot of each team’s closer hierarchy. You’ll always know who’s getting the ninth-inning chances.
Since we are heavily focused on prospects, we have a unique feature which highlights the team’s “Closer of the Future”. This gives you the edge on who to keep an eye on from the minor leagues before they become a household name.
Here’s a look at some recent news and developments:
Cubs closer Daniel Palencia hits the IL
- The Cubs officially placed Palencia on the 15-day injured list on June 16 with right elbow inflammation. When Palencia walked off the mound on June 15 after gutting out a 3-strikeout performance with a visibly declining fastball (dropping from 99 mph to 96 mph), he became the latest casualty in an unprecedented organizational arm crisis.
- The Cubs currently have an entire high-leverage staff sitting on the IL. The internal damage features a brutal mix of current and future back-end pieces:
- Daniel Palencia: 15-day IL (Elbow inflammation). He held a 2.70 ERA and 3 saves before hitting the shelf.
- Cade Horton & Porter Hodge: Both elite young power arms are entirely out for the season after undergoing Tommy John/UCL reconstruction surgeries earlier this spring.
- Hunter Harvey: On the 60-day IL with right triceps inflammation. He suffered a major setback (stress reaction) during a May bullpen session and remains completely shut down in Arizona.
- Riley Martin: Out until at least July with a severe flexor strain.
As for the solutions, Jacob Webb looks like the most logical target to spearhead the immediate ninth-inning save chances, though the team will likely utilize a fluid mix depending on matchups. Caleb Thielbar and Phil Maton remain heavily in the high-leverage setup mix. A trade is not out of the question, either (see below).
Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman managing minor injury, trade talk
- With the Red Sox sliding out of contention, Chapman (pictured above) has become the premier relief target on the market. He is widely expected to be moved ahead of the deadline, which would mark his eighth different MLB franchise. Before a minor hamstring tweak limited his volume recently, Chapman was utterly dominant. He converted 28 consecutive saves dating back to last season, boasting an eye-popping 0.46 ERA and 0.92 WHIP over 19.2 innings. Contenders are drooling over that kind of postseason-tested production.
- The Yankees “Apology” Requirement: A fascinating subplot emerged this past week regarding a potential reunion with the Yankees, who are actively monitoring the market due to David Bednar‘s struggles (3.90 ERA, 2 blown saves). Chapman didn’t mince words, stating that if a trade back to the Bronx were to happen, “I believe someone from this organization [Brian Cashman] should apologize first” due to how his departure went down in 2022.
- The Verdict: While insiders like Jon Heyman have since played down a Yankees reunion—noting New York is prioritizing bats like Hunter Goodman—Chapman will easily command a fierce bidding war. The Phillies (even with Jhoan Duran) and the Cubs are frequently linked as potential landing spots.
Orioles welcome Ryan Helsley back to closer duties
The Orioles officially reinstated Helsley from the 15-day injured list on June 16, providing a massive boost to their late-inning stability.
Out since late April with right elbow inflammation, Helsley was thoroughly dominant during a brief Triple-A rehab assignment, striking out five batters over two perfect, hitless frames with his fastball sitting comfortably in the upper 90s. He slides directly back into the uncontested 9th-inning role, where he was a perfect 7-for-7 in save chances with a 2.53 ERA before the injury.
Helsley’s return trickles everyone down into more comfortable roles. Rico Garcia, who filled in admirably as the primary high-leverage bridge during Helsley’s two-month absence, moves back to a secure setup slot alongside Andrew Kittredge and Yennier Cano.
Reds should get closer Emilio Pagan back soon
The Reds’ bullpen has devolved into a complete disaster zone, carrying a terrible 5.13 ERA.
Before landing on the shelf, Pagan was a major part of the problem, limping onto the IL on May 6 with a brutal 6.43 ERA and a noticeable dip in his fastball velocity.
In his absence, Tony Santillan has emerged as the only reliable active arm, converting three straight saves to solidify himself at the top of a chaotic committee.
Relief is on the horizon, however, as Pagan cleared an MRI check on his severe hamstring strain, threw a clean bullpen session on Tuesday, and is scheduled to face live hitters this Friday. He is on track to return by early July and should immediately reclaim the primary closing duties given the total lack of stable alternatives.
News and notes
- The Nationals bullpen is an absolute headache for fantasy baseball managers. Ninth-inning opportunities are being split among Gus Varland, Brad Lord and a struggling Clayton Beeter based entirely on nightly matchups. Unless you are desperate for speculative saves in deep formats, this is a situation to entirely avoid until a single arm puts together a consecutive-save streak.
- The Rockies activated Victor Vodnik from the 15-day injured list on June 15, adding a high-leverage arm back into a messy, unstable committee that has recently seen Jaden Hill and Seth Halvorsen factor into late-inning situations.
- The Giants’ relief corps remains a chaotic, high-ERA committee that fantasy managers should avoid, especially now that Keaton Winn has been placed on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow strain, leaving Caleb Kilian and Erik Miller to scramble for volatile matchup-based saves.
- Tanner Scott continues to serve as the primary ninth-inning option, but, keep an eye on Alex Vesia, who has been dominant and remains the clear backup plan if Scott hits a rare rough patch or if there are specific lefty-lefty matchups earlier in the game.
- Cleveland’s Cade Smith is pacing the entire league right now, sitting as the lone closer to cross the 20-save mark (currently at 22).
Here’s a look at the Fantasy Baseball Closer Chart for the teams listed above (* denotes a committee). For the complete chart, CLICK HERE and purchase a subscription.
What makes our Fantasy Baseball Closer Chart unique? Closer of the Future!
We give dynasty managers another advantage with our fantasy baseball closer chart. We include a “Closer of the Future” column in the chart. This feature highlights the top relief prospect from each farm system who could eventually take over closing duties. Now, you can plan ahead and grab future closers before your competition does.
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Key features of the Fantasy Baseball Closer Chart:
- Updated regularly – We track bullpen changes so you always have the latest information.
- Team-by-team breakdown – Quickly see the closer situation for all 30 MLB teams.
- Highlighting key setup men – For those in leagues that value holds or SVH, SVH2 etc.
- Closer of the future – What other site gives you a list of future closers from every farm system?
By using the RotoProspects Fantasy Baseball Closer Chart, you’ll gain an edge in finding saves, spotting trends, and securing future closers. Check back regularly as we are constantly updating the list.