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 the Opening Day results:
Cardinals manager stays true to his word as Ryne Stanek gets the first save
St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol stayed true to his word about letting the bullpen “solve itself.” In a wild 9-7 win over the Rays, it was Stanek (pictured above) who emerged for the ninth-inning save chance. Stanek made it interesting by walking the bases loaded before striking out Joshua Palacios to seal the win.
The committee is still firmly in the mix at this point. Riley O’Brien earned the win in relief and remains the best “pure stuff” bet for long-term saves, but Stanek’s veteran status gave him the first crack. JoJo Romero teamed up with O’Brien to handle the seventh and eighth innings, while Matt Svanson was ineffective in his sixth-inning appearance but could eventually take the job as well.
Angels turn to Jordan Romano first in the wake of a rash of injuries
The Angels’ pecking order appears just as we suspected. With Robert Stephenson (elbow), Kirby Yates (knee), and Ben Joyce (shoulder) all starting the season on the IL, manager Kurt Suzuki turned to Romano to protect a 3-0 lead against the Astros. Romano earned the save, allowing one walk and striking out one. While Romano has struggled with consistency over the last two seasons, his 114 career saves make him the most “trusted” arm left standing in Anaheim.
We still have him listed in a job share with Drew Pomeranz for now, as we wait to see what happens as the next save opportunities come.
Pirates have a rebuilt bullpen with two clear front-runners
The Pirates entered 2026 with a “rebuilt” bullpen, and while the depth chart might list Dennis Santana as the closer, don’t expect a traditional usage pattern. Manager Don Kelly has indicated that Santana will not be a “full-time” closer in the traditional sense. The Pirates plan to be aggressive with matchups, meaning Santana could be deployed in the 7th or 8th innings if the heart of the opponent’s order is due up.
Gregory Soto is the clear 1B to Santana’s 1A. Soto’s experience and left-handedness make him the go-to option for saves when a lefty-heavy pocket hits the 9th. In the 11-7 wild loss to the Mets on Thursday, Soto pitched a scoreless eighth and Santana threw a scoreless ninth, for what it’s worth.
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.
| Team | Current closer | Backup | Next option | Dark horse | Closer of the Future |
| Angels | Jordan Romano* | Drew Pomeranz* | Sam Bachman | Ryan Zeferjahn | Chris Cortez |
| Cardinals | Ryne Stanek* | JoJo Romero* | Riley O’Brien* | Matt Svanson | Zack Showalter |
| Pirates | Dennis Santana* | Gregory Soto* | Isaac Mattson | Justin Lawrence | David Matoma |
A quick look at the saves earned on Thursday, March 26:
Aroldis Chapman (Red Sox): Facing his former team, Chapman retired the side in order to finalize a 3-0 shutout win against the Reds.
Jhoan Duran (Phillies): Duran was summoned with two outs in the ninth to face the potential tying run, winning a four-pitch battle with Evan Carter to save a 5-3 win over the Rangers.
Ryan Helsley (Orioles): In his Baltimore debut, Helsley struck out three in a perfect ninth to secure a 2-1 victory over the Twins.
Jordan Romano (Angels): With the projected bullpen leaders on the shelf, Romano stepped in to lock down a three-run shutout against the Astros.
Cade Smith (Guardians): Smith cemented his status as Cleveland’s new anchor, navigating a scoreless ninth with one strikeout to secure a 6-4 win over the Mariners.
Ryne Stanek (Cardinals): Stanek survived a bases-loaded jam in the ninth, eventually punching out Richie Palacios to preserve a wild 9-7 win over the Rays.
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.
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.