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:
Dodgers’ Edwin Diaz to miss multiple months with elbow surgery
A massive blow to the NL favorites as Díaz (pictured above) heads for elbow surgery on April 22 to remove loose bodies. He is expected to miss roughly three months, sidelining him until after the All-Star Break.
Manager Dave Roberts is pivoting to a committee. Tanner Scott and Alex Vesia are the primary left-handed options for the ninth, while Blake Treinen and Will Klein (Dark Horse) provide right-handed balance.
Edgardo Henriquez remains the Closer of the Future, but his timeline may accelerate if the committee falters.
Braves turn to Robert Suarez with shoulder injury to Raisel Iglesias
The Braves’ bullpen depth is no longer a luxury. Iglesias was placed on the 15-day IL (retroactive to April 20) with right shoulder inflammation.
Suarez is now the primary closer. With his fastball recently clocking in at 100.7 mph, he is the undisputed anchor in Atlanta. Dylan Lee and Tyler Kinley move up into high-leverage setup roles.
After initial optimism that Iglesias just “slept on it weird,” a noticeable velocity dip to 93 mph triggered an IL move. He is out until at least May 5.
Enyel De Los Santos takes charge for Astros amid shaky bullpen
The hierarchy in Houston has undergone a complete overhaul with Josh Hader on the 60-day IL and Bryan Abreu‘s early-season struggles (14.73 ERA).
De Los Santos has secured saves in back-to-back appearances and has become the only reliable late-inning arm lately.
Bryan King is the primary backup, while Abreu has been relegated to a “Next Option” role until his command returns.
Phillies’ Brad Keller is the best option with injury to Jhoan Duran
With Duran sidelined by a “mild” oblique strain, the Phillies are navigating a shaky transition period.
Keller has emerged as the most consistent option for save opportunities.
Jose Alvarado continues to struggle with an ERA over 10.00, pushing him into a secondary role. Orion Kerkering is the high-upside play to monitor for saves as Duran rehabs.
Caleb Thielbar leads the Cubs’ MASH unit in the ninth
The Cubs’ bullpen has been absolutely gutted over the last week, losing their top three high-leverage arms to the IL in rapid succession.
Daniel Palencia was placed on the 15-day IL (April 17, retroactive to April 14) with a left oblique strain. He joins Hunter Harvey (triceps inflammation) and Phil Maton (knee tendinitis) on the sidelines, leaving the team with a depleted unit.
Thielbar is the de facto “Current Closer” based on seniority, but Ben Brown is the name to watch. Brown has been “dazzling” in multi-inning relief, and with his new sinker, he is generating the kind of “closer energy” that could see him take the job permanently. Jacob Webb and Hoby Milner will provide matchup-based support.
Blue Jays remain ‘confident’ in Jeff Hoffman… for now
The Blue Jays’ ninth-inning situation is currently the most debated in the American League. Despite public outcry following recent struggles, manager John Schneider has doubled down on his current closer.
Hoffman has endured a brutal stretch, punctuated by a non-save appearance against Arizona where he allowed a grand slam, ballooning his ERA to 7.71. Schneider stated on April 18, “If there’s a situation to close out a game, I’ll take Jeff Hoffman.”
While he remains the Current Closer, he is on the shortest of leashes. Louis Varland has been “dazzling” in high-leverage spots, maintaining a 0.00 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 12.1 innings.
While the team is sticking with Hoffman for now, Varland is the undisputed “Next Option” and the favorite of the scouting community to take over. Tyler Rogers provides a veteran submarine look as a backup.
Angels may be getting Kirby Yates back just in time
The Jordan Romano experiment in the ninth is on life support due to a 1.5 mph velocity drop.
Kirby Yates has officially started his rehab assignment. Pairing him back with pitching coach Mike Maddux makes him the heavy favorite to take over the role as soon as he is activated (expected within the week).
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 | Chase Silseth | Sam Bachman | Nate Snead |
| Astros | Enyel De Los Santos* | Bryan King* | Bryan Abreu | Steven Okert | Nick Potter |
| Blue Jays | Jeff Hoffman | Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers | Braydon Fisher | Javen Coleman |
| Braves | Robert Suarez | Dylan Lee | Tyler Kinley | Aaron Bummer | Rolddy Munoz |
| Cubs | Caleb Thielbar* | Ben Brown* | Jacob Webb | Hoby Milner | Jack Neely |
| Dodgers | Tanner Scott* | Alex Vesia* | Blake Treinen* | Will Klein | Edgardo Henriquez |
| Phillies | Brad Keller | Jose Alvarado | Orion Kerkering | Tanner Banks | Gabe Craig |
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.