Bullpen roles can change overnight. Injuries, trades, performance swings, and managerial decisions can turn a seemingly stable closer situation into a committee before fantasy managers have time to react.
That is why RotoProspects continually updates its Fantasy Baseball Closer Chart, helping fantasy managers track not only the current ninth-inning option, but also the relievers most likely to inherit saves next.
This update focuses on the bullpens that have experienced meaningful changes since our previous chart. The complete team-by-team closer hierarchy—including each team’s backup, next option, dark horse, and Closer of the Future—is available to subscribers.
Dodgers: Edwin Díaz Hits the IL, Tanner Scott Takes Center Stage
The Dodgers’ already-volatile ninth inning took a major turn Wednesday, August 19, when the club moved to place Edwin Díaz back on the injured list, according to reports from The Athletic. Díaz had only recently returned from the 60-day injured list after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow. The new issue is reportedly upper-body related and not connected to the surgically repaired elbow, although the Dodgers had not yet publicly finalized the diagnosis at the time of this update.
The move removes the Dodgers’ nominal closer from the immediate saves picture and elevates Tanner Scott. Scott was already the most natural alternative after handling the ninth inning during Díaz’s earlier absence, and he had converted 16 saves before Díaz returned to the active roster.
Scott should now be considered the Dodgers’ primary closer, although manager Dave Roberts may still use Alex Vesia or another high-leverage arm based on matchups and workload. Vesia remains the most important next option in the RotoProspects hierarchy, while Edgardo Henriquez remains the longer-term dark-horse name.
Fantasy takeaway: Tanner Scott is the clear priority add and should be rostered in every league where he is available. Alex Vesia becomes a more attractive deeper-league stash, particularly in leagues that reward holds or saves-plus-holds. Edwin Díaz should remain on injured-list slots rather than being dropped automatically until the Dodgers provide a timeline.
Mets: Senga Remains the Temporary Ninth-Inning Answer
The Mets’ late-inning situation changed after Devin Williams landed on the injured list with a shoulder strain. Kodai Senga has moved into the ninth-inning picture and remains the most important short-term saves option in New York.
Daniel Duarte and Nate Lavender remain relevant high-leverage alternatives, but Senga currently has the clearest path to save chances until Williams returns.
Fantasy takeaway: Senga is the immediate add in saves leagues, while Duarte and Lavender remain speculative holds in deeper formats.
Pirates: Montgomery Takes Another Step Forward
Mason Montgomery recorded another save for Pittsburgh, strengthening his case as the Pirates’ preferred ninth-inning option. The latest save gives Montgomery additional momentum in what had been viewed as a three-man late-inning mix with Gregory Soto and Luke Weaver.
Soto remains a legitimate high-leverage alternative, while Weaver continues to have a path to save opportunities based on matchups and workload. However, Montgomery should now be listed ahead of both as the Pirates’ current closer.
Fantasy takeaway: Montgomery is the best Pirates saves option at the moment. Soto remains worth holding in deeper leagues, while Weaver is still a speculative add rather than the primary handcuff.
Angels: Joyce Reasserts Himself as the Preferred Closer
Ben Joyce converted another save for the Angels in their 3-1 win over Houston, his third save since returning from the injured list. The latest appearance further separates Joyce from Samy Natera Jr. in the Angels’ unsettled late-inning picture.
Natera remains involved and should continue to receive high-leverage work, but Joyce’s velocity and consecutive save opportunities make him the clearest current choice for the ninth inning. José Fermin remains the next option, with Luke Murphy retaining dark-horse appeal.
Fantasy takeaway: Joyce should be treated as the Angels’ primary closer, although the team’s limited save volume and overall instability still make this a risky bullpen to rely on heavily.
Royals: Cruz and Pearson Complicate the Ninth
Kansas City has moved toward a more flexible ninth-inning arrangement involving Steven Cruz and Nate Pearson. Cruz remains the preferred name in the hierarchy, but Pearson’s recent performance has pushed him directly into the closing conversation.
John Schreiber remains the dark-horse candidate, while Alex Lange is the next established alternative in the updated RotoProspects hierarchy.
Fantasy takeaway: Cruz remains the preferred roster choice, but Pearson deserves attention in leagues where saves are scarce. The situation could shift quickly if one pitcher begins receiving consecutive ninth-inning opportunities.
Orioles: Cano and Kittredge Settle Into a Co-Closing Arrangement
Baltimore’s ninth inning has shifted toward a shared-save setup involving Yennier Cano and Andrew Kittredge. Rico Garcia remains the most important next option, while Grant Wolfram provides another matchup-based possibility.
The Orioles’ bullpen should continue to produce saves, but the distribution may remain frustrating for fantasy managers hoping to find a single 30-save closer.
Fantasy takeaway: Cano and Kittredge are both viable roster pieces, but neither should be valued as a locked-in solo closer.
Athletics: Medina Moves Ahead of Alvarado
Hogan Harris remains at the top of the RotoProspects chart, but Luis Medina now moves ahead of Elvis Alvarado as the primary backup. Seth Johnson remains the dark-horse candidate.
Fantasy takeaway: This is a bullpen to approach cautiously. Harris and Medina are the best speculative names, but neither offers reliable save security.
Updated bullpens
Here’s a look at the Fantasy Baseball Closer Chart for the teams listed above (* denotes a committee). For the complete chart, with every team’s Closer of the Future, CLICK HERE and purchase a subscription.
| Team | Current closer | 1st in line | 2nd in line | Dark horse | Closer of the Future |
| Athletics | Hogan Harris | Luis Medina | Elvis Alvarado | Seth Johnson | Wei-En Lin |
| Angels | Ben Joyce | Samy Natera Jr. | Jose Fermin | Luke Murphy | Nate Snead |
| Dodgers | Tanner Scott | Alex Vesia | Edgardo Henriquez | Evan Phillips | Edgardo Henriquez |
| Mets | Kodai Senga | Daniel Duarte | Nate Lavender | Jonathan Pintaro | Ben Simon |
| Orioles | Andrew Kittredge* | Yennier Cano* | Rico Garcia | Grant Wolfram | Patrick Reilly |
| Pirates | Mason Montgomery | Luke Weaver | Gregory Soto | Camilo Doval | Reinold Navarro |
| Royals | Steven Cruz | Nate Pearson | John Schreiber | Alex Lange | Luinder Avila |
What to Watch Next
The Mets, Dodgers, Pirates, Orioles, Royals, Angels, and Athletics remain the most important bullpens to monitor because their save distribution is either unsettled or dependent on performance and matchup decisions.
The best immediate speculative adds are Michael Petersen, Bryan Abreu, Didier Fuentes, Luke Weaver, Bryan Hudson, Garrett Cleavinger, and Jakob Junis. Managers in holds leagues should also keep an eye on Alex Vesia, Camilo Doval, and Gabe Speier.
For the complete hierarchy across all 30 MLB teams—including every backup, next option, dark horse, and Closer of the Future—visit the updated RotoProspects Fantasy Baseball Closer Chart, available exclusively to subscribers.
Bullpen roles can change quickly. This article reflects the hierarchy as of August 18, 2026, and should be treated as a current snapshot rather than a guarantee of future save distribution.