We’ve got a lot to cover this week. In fact, by the time Wednesday rolled around, I was already itching to post, particularly following a shorter issue last time out.
My preferred format for news-heavy stretches is to recap, then provide a full ranking of available closers rather than just throw out some pickups. Those will come in the Holds section, where I’ve got a few new guys to cover, including an under-the-radar return off the IL with plenty of upside.
Off we go.
(stats updated through Saturday, 5/31)
Closer News (by team)
ATH
I’d be remiss to ignore the recent downturn of Mason Miller. Since May 3, Miller has allowed 10 earned runs and a ghastly eight walks across eight appearances.
No hot takes incoming here – Miller should be fine, and is firmly entrenched as the A’s closer. It’s not often you see a pitcher struggle with a 44% strikeout rate, and beneath his 5.49 ERA lie a FIP and xERA in the low 3s. The walks are a concern, but the obscene batted-ball metrics (.394 BABIP, 18.8% HR/FB, 50% hard hit) ought to normalize. It’ll take more sustained underperformance to knock him out of the top five fantasy closers.
ATL
It continues to be tough sledding for Raisel Iglesias, who seems to give up a run or two every trip to the mound. Opposing hitters are teeing off on him to the tune of a .584 xSLG and 17% barrel rate. Unlike Miller, he doesn’t possess elite strikeout stuff, and his 5.99 FIP nearly matches his ERA.
For fantasy managers, the dilemma is who to speculate on. I’ve called out Pierce Johnson and Dylan Lee here before, but Johnson hasn’t exactly been lights out himself, and Lee may be more likely to be used situationally as Atlanta’s top lefty. Maybe Aaron Bummer could be a thing, but I doubt it.
The Braves’ bullpen is currently no more than one to monitor, and probably avoid, other than hanging on to Iglesias and hoping he rights the ship.
CHC
I get some credit (from myself, I guess – thanks, me!) for being early on Daniel Palencia, though lose a bit back (dammit) for recommending Ryan Pressly in the same breath in my previous article. Palencia rightly scoffed at this disrespect and put up a masterpiece of a week, with four saves and only one baserunner allowed.
There’s no real competition here; my hesitance was only in the feeling that the Cubs would want Pressly back in the closer role as soon as it seemed feasible. Fortunately, it seems Palencia may run away with the job and give the Cubs much-needed stability in the ninth inning for the rest of the year.
LAD
It’s been a volatile stretch for Tanner Scott, who’s allowed multiple earned runs in three of his last six appearances. It was Alex Vesia picking up the Dodgers’ latest save, with Scott entering in the eighth for a lone out, putting out a mini-fire against the Yankees on Friday night.
I don’t anticipate a change here anytime soon; Scott has been fine overall, and Vesia hasn’t been so great lately either. Things get a bit more interesting, though, with the impending returns of Kirby Yates and Michael Kopech off the IL.
PIT
Alright, FINE – it’s David Bednar.
I’ve been the only guy continuing to tout Dennis Santana here all season, and why not? He’s been terrific, and if Santana has indeed lost the closer role, it’s through no fault of his own. But David Bednar is David Bednar, and it was, yeah, David Bednar picking up the Pirates’ last two saves, with Santana nabbing a pair of holds instead.
I still expect a share here, and a share of Pirate saves ain’t exactly much to get excited about. But Bednar at the very least takes the 1-A spot, and those rostering Santana may be hoping for a midseason trade to clear his path again.
SF
This one is straightforward – Giants manager Bob Melvin announced a change at closer this week, and it’s Camilo Doval taking over for Ryan Walker.
The timing is odd, as Walker had been pretty good lately, but this is one I’ve been warning about for a while now. Doval has had an exceptional 2025, and certainly seems like the right guy for the job.
I see you shaking your fists, fellow Randy Rodríguez enjoyers – your time will come.
TEX
Finally, it seems that Robert Garcia has taken over as closer for the Rangers, replacing the unreliable Luke Jackson. Garcia picked up Texas’s two one-inning saves this week, as Jackson was relegated to other mid-late inning duties.
It’s a sad moment for me, as Jackson was my first-ever recommended pickup in week one, but Garcia has been noted here as the guy to stash for some time now. The net value to fantasy players is a notable increase, as Garcia should provide high-end ratios along with the saves, unlike his predecessor. He’s one of the highest-priority pickups off waivers this week.
TOR
I tacked on the Jays here after yet another poor performance from Jeff Hoffman on Saturday. Hoffman allowed two earned runs, and only avoided blowing the save thanks to a spectacular two-out defensive play by Ernie Clement.
I’m not ready to say that Hoffman’s job is in jeopardy, and continue to believe that he’ll stabilize. Still, with Yimi García sidelined and Chad Green in a rough patch of his own, guys like Yariel Rodríguez and Brendon Little are at least becoming watchlist material.
Saves (rankings <60%-rostered Yahoo)
- Camilo Doval – SF (55%)
- Justin Martinez – ARI (53%)
- Daniel Palencia – CHC (35%)
- Robert Garcia – TEX (18%)
- Will Vest – DET (45%)
- David Bednar – PIT (43%)
- Tommy Kahnle – DET (33%)
- Dennis Santana – PIT (20%)
- Ronny Henriquez – MIA (5%)
- Zach Agnos – COL (2%)
The Watchlist: Alex Vesia (LAD), Shelby Miller (ARI), Dylan Lee (ATL), Yariel Rodríguez (TOR), Orion Kerkering (PHI)
Holds
Jack Dreyer (LAD) (2%)
Unlike his namesake, Jack Dreyer’s been doing anything but serving it up soft to MLB hitters this season.
Wait, that’s Breyers? …with a B? record scratch
Dreyer has been a Jack of all trades for the Dodgers this season (that’s better). He’s functioned as an opener, a multi-inning reliever, and a more traditional high-leverage arm. The role is sometimes fantasy-friendly and sometimes not, but besides quality ratios, Dreyer has picked up two wins and five holds along the way. His last week provided two of those holds, with only a pair of baserunners allowed over three appearances against quality lineups (and also the Guardians). His SP eligibility and team context help him stand out in particular, and if Dreyer can maintain even decent numbers, he’ll make for a worthwhile piece on fantasy rosters.
Brant Hurter (DET) (1%)
An emerging arm in the Tiger bullpen, Brant Hurter had a heck of a month. In May, Hurter allowed just one earned run across 12.1 innings while racking up 16 strikeouts. He notched two holds and a win in the last two weeks alone, and seems potentially as high as third in charge past the aforementioned Will Vest and Tommy Kahnle.
Hurter’s not really a blow-em-away kinda guy, but his rocking, three-quarters-ish delivery comes with a sweeping slider that’s been one of baseball’s better pitches this season. Opposing hitters are putting up a .103 batting average against it while whiffing at a 44.4% clip.
While there are differences, this feels reminiscent of my previous breakdown of Brendon Little, a fellow tall, low-velo lefty relying on an absurd breaking pitch to dominate in the late innings. Let’s hope this recommendation works out as well as that one has so far.
Robert Stephenson (LAA) (<1%)
Fresh off the IL after missing all of 2024, Robert Stephenson bolsters a destitute Angels bullpen. While that year off comes with concern, the hope is that he recaptures the magic from his brief stint with the Rays in 2023. In that stretch, Stephenson was one of baseball’s best relievers, putting up a comical 60 strikeouts in 38.1 innings alongside a mere eight walks and 2.35 ERA. He looked the part in his return on Wednesday against the Yankees, striking out two in a clean inning. While he left that game with a biceps injury, it seems to be a mild one that shouldn’t keep him out long.
There’s no way to be confident in what to expect from Stephenson, and pitching for the Angels is certainly a strike against him. But it’s rare to have a pitcher with this level of upside rostered almost nowhere, and if he shines through for even a brief stretch, I’d be picking him up anywhere I could in the majority of points and holds leagues.
