Despite being just over a month into the season, it’s felt much longer due to the volume and volatility of relievers in usage patterns, injuries and performances. Continuing with this theme, Pete Fairbanks struggled with his command against the Dodgers on Sunday, resulting in his second loss. He reported numbness in his thumb and has been placed on the 15-day injured list. Fantasy managers understood the risk he presented, having Raynaud’s syndrome, but this was a warm-weather contest. Once his throwing protocols begin, a timeline for his return will be clearer, though his future outings will be closely scrutinized. As for the Marlins, another matchup-based approach has emerged.
In Toronto, it’s been more of a demotion in the leverage ladder than a break for Jeff Hoffman. He’s recorded consecutive scoreless appearances and two holds, setting up for “King” Louis Varland. Until further notice, Varland is the Blue Jays’ closer. This bullpen will also receive a reinforcement soon, when Yimi García returns.
After Tanner Scott recorded a save on April 23, and manager Dave Roberts suggested he would get the bulk of save opportunities while Edwin Díaz misses time following surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow, the talented left-handed reliever has made consecutive appearances in the seventh inning of eventual losses. This is less than ideal for those chasing saves. It’s tough using him in shallower formats without a defined role, but tough decisions remain paramount for fantasy managers in the ever-evolving saves ecosystem.
More from the injury front: It has not been confirmed, but reports indicate that Daniel Palencia could be activated on Friday. Also, Jhoan Duran may return as early as this weekend, which will stabilize two leverage situations. Only Palencia will be displayed in my leverage pathways (below), but Duran is throwing a bullpen session on Thursday. Last, but not least, Clayton Beeter landed on the 15-day injured list with forearm soreness, but his MRI was clean and he could return when eligible.
Stock reports and situations worth monitoring will be covered by their respective leagues below. I define the high-leverage pathways by assigning each team one of the following labels:
- Mostly Linear: This is a more traditional approach, with a manager preferring one reliever in the seventh inning, another in the eighth, and a closer (when rested) in the ninth. There are shades of gray, but it usually follows a predictable pattern in high-leverage situations.
- Primary save share: The team prefers one reliever as the primary option for saves. However, the player may also be used in matchup-based situations, whether dictated by batter-handedness or batting order, especially in the late innings, providing multiple relievers with save chances each series or week throughout the season.
- Shared saves: Typically, two relievers share save opportunities, often based on handedness, rest or recent usage patterns that keep them fresh. While these situations typically involve a primary and ancillary option, others may be used. Some teams also prefer a matchup-based option, which creates fluid save opportunities.
- Fluid: The manager has not named a closer, and usage patterns regarding the leverage roles remain unclear.
American League leverage pathways
| Team | Leverage Pathway | Closer (Primary) | Stopper/HLR | Stealth/Ancillary Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mostly Linear | Ryan Helsley | Rico Garcia | Andrew Kittredge | |
Mostly Linear | Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Greg Weissert | |
Primary Save Share | Seranthony Domínguez | Grant Taylor | Jordan Hicks | |
Mostly Linear | Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Erik Sabrowski | |
Primary Save Share | Kenley Jansen | Will Vest | Kyle Finnegan | |
Shared Saves | Enyel De Los Santos | Bryan King | Bryan Abreu | |
Primary Save Share | Lucas Erceg | Matt Strahm | Nick Mears | |
Fluid | Ryan Zeferjahn | Drew Pomeranz | Sam Bachman | |
Fluid | Cole Sands | Justin Topa | Kody Funderburk | |
Mostly Linear | David Bednar | Camilo Doval | Fernando Cruz | |
Mostly Linear | Andrés Muñoz | Matt Brash | Jose A. Ferrer | |
Fluid | Bryan Baker | Griffin Jax | Ian Seymour | |
Primary Save Share | Jacob Latz | Jakob Junis | Cole Winn | |
Fluid | Jack Perkins | Hogan Harris | Joel Kuhnel | |
Fluid | Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers | Jeff Hoffman |
Stock up
Jacob Latz (TEX): He recorded his second save Wednesday, working two scoreless frames against the Yankees, and he’s emerged as the Rangers’ preferred closing option. Through 16.1 innings, he’s posted a 0.48 WHIP with 14 strikeouts versus three walks (18.7 K-BB%). Jakob Junis will still face right-handed hitting pockets and garner ancillary saves, but if reports are correct, Latz will be a popular pickup this weekend.
Bryan Baker (TB): With Griffin Jax working multiple innings as an opener and being stretched out as a future rotation option, and Edwin Uceta landing on the 60-day injured list, Baker has entrenched himself as the primary option in the Rays bullpen. He’s converted seven of nine save opportunities with a 1.059 WHIP and 13 strikeouts versus three walks (21.7 K-BB%) through 11.1 innings.
Watch list
Kenley Jansen (DET): Suffering consecutive blown saves while giving up two-run home runs puts any closer in the crosshairs of the fantasy community. Jansen has allowed eight hits across 10 games, spanning 7.1 innings, but three have been home runs. His bigger issues lie in the quality of his contact, as reflected in his 5.22 xERA. He’s allowed less contact early this year than in 2025, but his walk rate has increased by over 3%. He has three blown saves across nine save chances, which could affect his usage patterns. Manager A.J. Hinch may revert to a matchup-based approach if the veteran does not improve.
David Bednar (NYY): Bednar has posted a 1.66 WHIP with 14 strikeouts against five walks (14.8 K-BB%) across 12.2 innings, with some troubling trends beneath the hood. His contact rate allowed is 7 percentage points higher than last year, and he’s producing fewer whiffs, with a swinging-strike percentage down by almost 3%. He will not finish 2026 with a .390 BABIP, but he’s struggling with his four-seamer and curveball when behind in the count. Yes, our old friend, count leverage:
- Four-seamer when behind in a count: .717 weighted on-base average (wOBA), .495 xwOBA, 15.4 whiff percentage
- Curveball when behind in a count: .601 wOBA, .535 xwOBA, 28.6 whiff percentage
Carrying an inflated WHIP, fantasy managers hope Bednar’s upcoming outings migrate toward his 3.01 SIERA and 2.56 xERA.
Stash list
*For keeper leaguers or those trying to mine saves later this month/season
- Jack Perkins (ATH)
- Carlos Estévez (KC)
- Will Vest (DET)
- Ben Joyce (LAA)
- Carlos Lagrange (NYY)
- Grant Taylor (CHW)
National League leverage pathways
| Team | Leverage Pathway | Closer (Primary) | Stopper/HLR | Stealth/Ancillary Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mostly Linear | Paul Sewald | Juan Morillo | Jonathan Loáisiga | |
Mostly Linear | Robert Suarez | Tyler Kinley | Dylan Lee | |
Mostly Linear | Daniel Palencia | Ben Brown | Phil Maton | |
Mostly Linear | Emilio Pagán | Tony Santillan | Graham Ashcraft | |
Primary Save Share | Victor Vodnik | Antonio Senzatela | Brennan Bernardino | |
Fluid | Tanner Scott | Alex Vesia | Blake Treinen | |
Fluid | Tyler Phillips | Anthony Bender | Calvin Faucher | |
Primary Save Share | Abner Uribe | Ángel Zerpa | Trevor Megill | |
Mostly Linear | Devin Williams | Luke Weaver | Brooks Raley | |
Primary Save Share | Brad Keller | José Alvarado | Orion Kerkering | |
Shared Saves | Dennis Santana | Gregory Soto | Isaac Mattson | |
Mostly Linear | Riley O’Brien | JoJo Romero | Ryne Stanek | |
Mostly Linear | Mason Miller | Jason Adam | Adrian Morejon | |
Shared Saves | Ryan Walker | Erik Miller | Keaton Winn | |
Shared Saves | Gus Varland | Paxton Schultz | PJ Poulin |
Stock up
Erik Miller (SF): He may not be a “closer,” but there is value in anyone getting saves when matchups are in their favor. Miller has recorded two saves this season and will face an opponent’s best left-handed hitting pocket. He’s made 11 appearances and posted a 1.36 WHIP with 16 strikeouts against six walks (22.2 K-BB%) across 10.1 innings.
Ben Brown (CHC): Palencia will be returning, but for those in SOLDS leagues, Brown’s high-leverage role may be growing. On Wednesday, he notched his second hold, retiring all four batters, one via strikeout, against the Padres on 11 pitches. His knuckle-curve has produced an 18.3% swinging-strike rate this season, and he could be a ratio stabilizer as a stream option in leagues with starting pitcher designations.
Juan Morillo (ARI): His breakout season continues to fly below the radar. He’s tied for the NL lead in holds (8) with a 22.8 K-BB percentage, a 0.82 WHIP, and a 2.50 SIERA. If Paul Sewald struggles, Morillo would be in line for save chances.
Stash list
*For keeper leaguers or those trying to mine saves later this month/season
- Luke Weaver (NYM)
- Erik Miller; Gregory Santos (SF)
- Paxton Schultz (WSH)
- A.J. Puk (ARI) — projected return in late May
Leaderboards
Saves leaders through April 29
Holds leaders through April 29
SOLDS leaders through April 29
My rankings are a blend of in-season performance and rest-of-season expectations. If you feel strongly about a player, by all means, roster him.
Ratio relievers
*Multi-inning or bridge relievers who can vulture wins and help protect ratios.
- Aaron Ashby (MIL)
- Antonio Senzatela (COL)
- Ben Brown (CHC)
- Daniel Lynch (KC)
- Brant Hurter (DET)
Statistical Credits: FanGraphs, Baseball-Reference.com, Baseball Savant, BrooksBaseball.net. Check out my work at Reliever Recon and Closer Monkey for daily updates.
