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.
The 2026 bullpen landscape is already in motion. Make sure your fantasy strategy is, too. With bullpen usage evolving faster than ever, staying ahead of these shifts can be the difference between chasing saves all season — and controlling the category from day one.
Here’s a quick look at some of the biggest changes to the bullpens since the end of the 2025 season. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL CHART.
Edwin Díaz becomes the Dodgers’ latest weapon with his huge $69 million deal
The Dodgers made perhaps the most headline-grabbing move by signing Díaz (pictured above), inserting him atop an already loaded bullpen. Articles throughout the winter emphasized Los Angeles’ desire to dominate the late innings after postseason bullpen volatility, and Díaz fits that vision perfectly.
With Tanner Scott and Blake Treinen backing him up, Díaz’s strikeout rate and track record in pressure situations make him a top fantasy closer with elite upside. The key fantasy takeaway: don’t overthink the depth — Díaz is the guy.
Ryan Helsley emerges as Baltimore’s new anchor after signing a two-year deal
Baltimore’s bullpen underwent a quiet but meaningful shift with Helsley landing atop the Orioles’ depth chart. Recent offseason coverage emphasized the Orioles’ desire for a proven, high-strikeout closer to stabilize the late innings for a contending roster, and Helsley checks every box. His elite velocity, swing-and-miss profile, and recent save totals make him a strong fit for Camden Yards and a team expected to generate consistent leads.
With Andrew Kittredge and Keegan Akin in supporting roles, Helsley appears positioned for a firm grip on the ninth. For fantasy managers, this is a volume-plus-skills situation — a closer on a playoff-caliber team with limited internal pressure, making Helsley a reliable mid-to-upper tier option.
Mason Miller inherits the ninth in San Diego after deadline deal last season
San Diego’s bullpen picture crystallized once Robert Suárez left for Atlanta, officially opening the door for Miller to take over as the unquestioned closer. Offseason reporting consistently pointed to Miller as the internal favorite, and Suárez’s exit removed any remaining ambiguity about ninth-inning usage.
Miller brings one of the most overpowering arsenals in baseball, pairing triple-digit velocity with elite swing-and-miss rates that few relievers can match. The Padres view him as a long-term bullpen centerpiece, not a matchup-dependent option. With a competitive roster and a clear role, Miller enters the season as a true set-and-forget elite fantasy closer.
Kenley Jansen brings stability to Detroit, and could make history in their uniform
Detroit’s signing of Jansen flew under the radar compared to other moves, but it may prove just as important for fantasy purposes. The Tigers lacked a consistent ninth-inning presence, and multiple offseason reports framed Jansen as both a stabilizer and mentor for the rest of the bullpen. While Jansen is no longer the overpowering force he once was, his command, experience, and defined role make him extremely draftable. Jansen and former closers Will Vest and Kyle Finnegan form a nice 1-2-3 punch.
With 476 career Major League saves, he’s two away from matching Hall of Famer Lee Smith for third on the all-time list and 24 away from joining Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman in the 500-save club and completing his case for a Hall of Fame induction.
Seranthony Domínguez gets a fresh start on the South Side, could hold down the ninth
The White Sox tabbed Domínguez as their primary closer following a bullpen reset that prioritized experience and raw stuff. Chicago intends to simplify late-game roles after years of churn, and Domínguez’s power arsenal makes him the most logical choice to finish games. While save chances may be inconsistent on a rebuilding roster, his strikeout ability gives him standalone fantasy value, especially in leagues that reward ratios and K’s. His grip on the job is stronger than it might appear, with younger arms like Jordan Leasure and Grant Taylor more likely to be setting him up.
Pete Fairbanks brings experience — and risk — to Miami’s bullpen
After three seasons as Tampa Bay’s primary closer, Fairbanks signed a one-year deal with the Marlins, stepping into a bullpen that lacked a clear ninth-inning answer. Miami has been targeting veteran stability, and Fairbanks immediately becomes the favorite to handle save opportunities when healthy. He has 75 saves in the past three seasons, which is 12th-most in baseball over that time span.
The upside is clear: Fairbanks has proven he can miss bats at an elite rate and close games in high-leverage environments. The risk, as always, is durability. Miami’s depth behind him — including Calvin Faucher and Anthony Bender — gives plenty of room for the Marlins to be cautious with Fairbanks’ workload.
A look at the above-mentioned bullpens
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.