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2024 Closer Situations: Team Analysis
ARI
ATL
BAL
BOS
CHC
CIN
CLE
COL
CWS
DET
HOU
KC
LAA
LAD
MIA
MIL
MIN
NYM
NYY
OAK
PHI
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Arizona Diamondbacks
Team: Arizona Diamondbacks
Total Saves:
Closer: Paul Sewald 15-Day IL
(3/26) After several months of Torey Lovullo using various relievers to close games during the 2023 season, the Diamondbacks found their 9th-inning man, acquiring Paul Sewald at last season's trade deadline. Sewald posted a career-high 34 saves and 32.1 percent strikeout rate, thus entering the 2024 campaign with high stability as the D'Backs' closer. Unfortunately, Sewald was recently diagnosed with a Grade 2 oblique strain and will open the season on the IL. Kevin Ginkel emerged as Arizona's primary setup man last year and is the most likely candidate to close for the Diamondbacks in the interim. Scott McGough and Miguel Castro also have closing experience should Ginkel be unavailable, while Ryan Thompson moves up a spot in the hierarchy.
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Atlanta Braves
Team: Atlanta Braves
Total Saves:
Next in Line: A.J. Minter , Joe Jimenez
(3/4) Raisel Iglesias missed the first month of the 2023 season with a sore shoulder, but finished 8th in the league with 33 saves. His stability as Atlanta's closer remains high, while A.J. Minter has solidified his role as the team's primary setup man. Atlanta has made several offseason moves to address their bullpen, re-signing Pierce Johnson and trading for Aaron Bummer. Reynaldo Lopez was also signed as a possible starting pitcher with success in relief. Joe Jimenez remains to round out the high-leverage ladder in front of Iglesias. Keep an eye on Ken Giles as a possible high-leverage candidate as well, as he's been surging this spring.
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Team Notes
  1. 6/29:A.J. Minter, who logged his first save of the season Tuesday at Philadelphia, has appeared in 3 games in 4 days. This makes Will Smith the likeliest candidate for a save chance if one were to arise Wednesday.
Baltimore Orioles
Team: Baltimore Orioles
Total Saves:
(3/4) Felix Bautista (elbow) was the best reliever in baseball last season, racking up 33 saves, a 1.48 ERA and near-50% strikeout rate prior to his season-ending injury last August. The Orioles closer will miss the 2024 campaign as well after undergoing Tommy John surgery in October. While Baltimore will miss his production in the late innings, the team recently signed veteran closer Craig Kimbrel to a 1-year deal. 2023 breakout relievers - Yennier Cano and Danny Coulombe - could also be contributors in the 9th inning, while Dillon Tate could re-emerge in a leverage role after missing all of last season.
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Boston Red Sox
Team: Boston Red Sox
Total Saves:
(3/25) Kenley Jansen recorded his 400th career save last May and kept racking them up during his age-35 season, finishing with 29 across his 51 appearances. While he did show signs he's on the downswing of his career, expecting another 25+ saves from him in 2024 is not unreasonable. However, a trade is possible this season with Boston interested in moving on from Jansen's salary. Veteran setup man Chris Martin is in the same bucket, and if both pitchers are moved, the door would be wide-open for Rule 5 draft pick Justin Slaten, Isaiah Campbell or Greg Weissert to emerge and take over closing duties.
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Team Notes
  1. 6/27:Tanner Houck was placed on the restricted list Monday prior to Boston's three-game series at Toronto. Matt Strahm and John Schreiber are the likeliest candidates for save opportunities should any arise during the series.
  2. 10/11:Hansel Robles exited Game 3 of the ALDS on Sunday due to a stomach illness after allowing two runs in two-thirds of an inning. He should be considered day-to-day due to his illness. Assuming he tests negative for COVID-19, it wouldn't be surprising to see the right-hander available for Game 4 on Monday. It was the first earned run he's allowed since August 29.
  3. 10/5:Entering tonight's AL Wild Card game against the Yankees, Hansel Robles has not allowed an earned run in 15 consecutive outings. Both he and Adam Ottavino enter tonight's contest with two-days rest, while Garrett Richards and Garrett Whitlock have had one day of rest after both pitched on Sunday.
Chicago Cubs
Team: Chicago Cubs
Total Saves:
(3/25) New Cubs manager Craig Counsell has indicated he will not have defined bullpen roles this season. Adbert Alzolay enters 2024 as the favorite for closing duties after taking the reigns last summer with great success. Health has been Alzolay's biggest obstacle, however, so it's difficult to project him 20+ saves again. Hector Neris, Julian Merryweather and Mark Leiter are other candidates that are likely to receive save opportunities in 2024. Neris, in particular, has experience closing games from his time in Philadelphia, while Merryweather is coming off a strong campaign during which he posted nearly 100 strikeouts. With several strong candidates to close, saves may be fluid in Chicago.
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Cincinnati Reds
Team: Cincinnati Reds
Total Saves:
Closer: Alexis Diaz
Next in Line: Emilio Pagan , Lucas Sims
(3/25) Alexis Diaz emerged last season as one of the best closers for fantasy purposes, boasting nine wins and 37 saves with solid ratios and a 30% strikeout rate. While his save total was fourth highest in the majors, Diaz only accounted for 69.8% of the Reds' 53 saves. Cincinnati was more competitive last year, but led the league in one-run games and recorded a save in a league-leading 64.6% of their 82 wins. As such, expecting Diaz to approach the 40-save mark again in 2024 might be a mistake, especially given the 27-year-old's perennially high walk rate. The Reds also added Emilio Pagan (32 career saves) as a capable late-inning option, while Lucas Sims, Tejay Antone and Fernando Cruz are worth monitoring due to their strikeout upside.
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Cleveland Guardians
Team: Cleveland Guardians
Total Saves:
Next in Line: Scott Barlow , Sam Hentges Out
(3/25) Emmanuel Clase once again led the league with 44 saves, his second straight season with 40-plus. However, he also led the league in blown saves (12) and regressed in many categories. His ratios were not Clase-like and he posted a career-worst 21.2 percent strikeout rate. His upside in the save category remains high for his 2024 prospects, but his metrics may put him a tier below the game's elite closers. On the plus side, he doesn't have much competition for saves in Cleveland. Scott Barlow is new to the team with 56 career saves, but is coming off a down year. With Trevor Stephan (elbow) likely to miss the 2024 season, look for Eli Morgan and Sam Hentges to fill setup duties alongside Barlow.
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Team Notes
  1. 7/1:Emmanuel Clase has appeared in each of the last 3 games. It's likely that Eli Morgan or Trevor Stephan would receive a save chance if one were to arise tonight against the Yankees.
Colorado Rockies
Team: Colorado Rockies
Total Saves:
Closer: Committee
(3/26) Colorado was bottom five in the league last season with 32 saves. With no significant upgrades to the team this offseason, the Rockies are likely to finish on the bottom-half of the league in the category again in 2024. Tyler Kinley and Justin Lawrence enter the campaign as the favorites for closing duties. Kinley had a much better camp, but Lawrence has been 'penciled in' as the closer for Opening Day and has the strikeout upside that is often desired for a ninth-inning man. That said, it's probably best to avoid Colorado relievers when looking for saves. Even if someone emerges between the two, the odds of them holding the role all season aren't great.
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Chicago White Sox
Team: Chicago White Sox
Total Saves:
Closer: Committee
(3/16) With the White Sox declining Liam Hendriks' team option for the 2024 season, then trading Gregory Santos, it's difficult to project who will receive Chicago's first save opportunity of the 2024 season. John Brebbia (calf) may be the favorite for closing duties, but his status for Opening Day is in question. Jordan Leasure is impressing in White Sox camp and could seize the role and run with it. Newly acquired Prelander Berroa has closer-of-the-future upside, but may open 2024 in the minors while he works on his command. Perhaps Garrett Crochet finally realizes his potential that's been looming for years? Tanner Banks, Tim Hill and Steven Wilson are dark-horse candidates for saves in this otherwise lackluster bullpen.
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Detroit Tigers
Team: Detroit Tigers
Total Saves:
Closer: Alex Lange
(3/25) Alex Lange's 2023 might be best described as a roller coaster. He was dominant out of the gate and took over closing duties for the Tigers, but his control issues persisted, making it tough for Detroit to fully trust him in the role. Jason Foley got a decent share of save opportunities and figures to remain in the mix in 2024, though he doesn't have the swing-and-miss stuff that Lange possesses. Detroit recently added Shelby Miller and Andrew Chafin for depth, while Tyler Holton emerged in a multi-inning role last year.
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Houston Astros
Team: Houston Astros
Total Saves:
Closer: Josh Hader
Next in Line: Ryan Pressly , Bryan Abreu Suspension
(3/26) After losing Hector Neris, Phil Maton and Ryne Stanek in free agency and Kendall Graveman out for 2024 after shoulder surgery, the Astros' bullpen was left fairly thin beyond Ryan Pressly and Bryan Abreu. Enter Josh Hader. MLB's all-time leader in K/9 and opponent's batting average signed a 5-year, $95 million deal with Houston, returning to the organization he came up with before being traded to the Brewers in 2015. This relegates veteran Ryan Pressly back to a setup role, while also decreasing Bryan's Abreu's chances of closing anytime soon.
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Team Notes
  1. 7/1:Ryan Pressly has recorded a Save in each of the past 2 days. He has yet to work 3 games in a row this season, so it's likely a save chance would go to Rafael Montero on Friday.
  2. 9/29:Ryan Pressly is currently managing a knee issue and hasn't pitched since Saturday. Kendall Graveman was placed on the paternity list Tuesday. Look for Ryne Stanek or Yimi Garcia as the favorites to pitch in potential save opportunities for the next couple days if Pressley remains unavailable.
Kansas City Royals
Team: Kansas City Royals
Total Saves:
Closer: Committee
(3/26) Kansas City tied for a league-low with 28 saves last season. With Scott Barlow, Aroldis Chapman and Taylor Clarke no longer with the Royals, James McArthur stands as the team's most promising late-inning holdover. His strong performance last September makes him a strong candidate to close games early in 2024, but recently-added veterans Will Smith, John Schreiber, Nick Anderson and potentially Chris Stratton join him as competition for closing duties. Smith has the most experience with 113 career saves, and may be the favorite entering the season, but this may ultimately become a committee unless someone emerges from the pack.
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Los Angeles Angels
Team: Los Angeles Angels
Total Saves:
(3/26) Carlos Estevez was mostly effective as the Angels' primary closer during his first year pitching outside of Colorado. He tied for 11th in the league with a career-high 31 saves and posted a career-best 27.8 percent strikeout rate. However, Estevez struggled with his command, his 11 percent walk rate his worst mark since his rookie year. He's a wild card for fantasy purposes since he's in the final year of his contract with the Angels, but 20+ saves is not out of the question, even if he ends up traded. Newly signed Robert Stephenson stands to benefit if Estevez is not the Angels' closer, while Matt Moore recently re-signed with the Halos for much needed experience in the late innings.
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Los Angeles Dodgers
Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
Total Saves: 1
Next in Line: Brusdar Graterol 15-Day IL, Daniel Hudson
(3/26) Evan Phillips was outstanding for the second year in a row, converting a career-high 24 saves while once again leading qualified relievers with a 0.83 WHIP. The 29-year-old only accounted for 54.5% of the Dodgers' 44 saves, but he was clearly their top reliever. While he did go long stretches without recording a save, Phillips was still valuable for fantasy purposes. He boosted ratios while striking out batters at a respectable 28.2% clip. Phillips is establishing himself as one of the top high-leverage relievers in the game and is on the brink of top-5 closer status. That said, Los Angeles likely won't be exclusive with Phillips' usage in the 9th inning, as Brusdar Graterol (shoulder), Joe Kelly and Daniel Hudson could mix in for saves.
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Team Notes
  1. 10/14:Corey Knebel will serve as the opener for Thursday's NLDS Game 5 matchup against the Giants. Knebel filled the opener role four times during the regular season, allowing one run in a combined 5.2 innings of work. Julio Urias is expected to follow him in bulk relief.
  2. 10/6:The Dodgers' highest-leverage relievers are well rested, as Jansen, Treinen and Vesia enter Wednesday's NL Wild Card game against the Cardinals on 4 days rest.
Miami Marlins
Team: Miami Marlins
Total Saves:
Next in Line: Andrew Nardi , JT Chargois Out
(3/25) Tanner Scott had a terrible start to spring, issuing 7 walks across his first 1.2 innings, but appeared to stabilize towards the end. The southpaw enters 2024 as the favorite for saves in Miami, but if he loses his control during the regular season, look for Andrew Nardi to take over closing duties. Anthony Bender and Sixto Sanchez are worth monitoring as dark horse options for potential save chances based on their performance in 2024.
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Milwaukee Brewers
Team: Milwaukee Brewers
Total Saves:
Closer: Committee
(3/26) After finishing 5th in the league last season with 36 saves and winning his 2nd NL Reliever of the Year award, Devin Williams (back) is set to open the 2024 campaign on the IL. With two stress fractures in his back, the Brewers' closer will not throw for six weeks and is expected to miss approximately three months, leaving Milwaukee without a clear 9th inning man. Abner Uribe and Trevor Megill are the upside relievers to target while Williams is out. Uribe throws 100-mph plus and may be the best fit for the closer role, but needs to exhibit better control. Joel Payamps went from a journeyman reliever to a rock solid setup man last year, but if can he sustain his improved strikeout and walk rates, save chances are likely. Elvis Peguero and DL Hall are dark horse candidates for saves, but new manager Pat Murphy has not yet named a replacement closer.
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Minnesota Twins
Team: Minnesota Twins
Total Saves:
Closer: Jhoan Duran Out
(3/25) Jhoan Duran (oblique) is on the verge of becoming a top-5 closer in the league after recording 27 saves for Minnesota last season with a 71.1 percent team save share. The flamethrower averaged 102 mph on his 4-seamer while generating a 45.9% whiff percentage on his curveball. His 65.9% groundball percentage complemented his 96th percentile strikeout rate (32.9%), but Duran issued more free passes with a below-average walk rate that approached 10%. His stability as the Twins' closer remains high, but he will begin the 2024 season on the IL as he recovers from an oblique injury. Griffin Jax and Brock Stewart candidates to receive save chances while Duran is out. .
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New York Mets
Team: New York Mets
Total Saves:
Closer: Edwin Diaz
(3/25) After missing the 2023 season with a knee injury, Edwin Diaz was deemed healthy heading into spring training and looked dominant in limited Grapefruit League action. Diaz has the upside to be the one closer in 2024, especially with Devin Williams (back) and Jhoan Duran (oblique) opening the season on the IL. The Mets brought back Adam Ottavino to reprise setup duties, while Brooks Raley, Drew Smith and Jorge Lopez should also see late-inning work as the bridge to Diaz in the 9th.
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New York Yankees
Team: New York Yankees
Total Saves:
Closer: Clay Holmes
(3/25) Yankees manager Aaron Boone was true to his word when he said he'd use Clay Holmes in spots outside the 9th inning last season. Still, Holmes finished with a career-high 24 of the Yankees' 44 saves for a 54.5% team save share, which was an improvement over 2022. Holmes also posted a career-best 27.1% strikeout rate to go along with an elite 2.4% barrel rate (99th percentile) and 66.7% groundball percentage (100th percentile), making him a high-end CL2 target. Boone's fluid late-inning usage benefitted others in the saves category, including Ron Marinaccio, Tommy Kahnle and Ian Hamilton. Scott Effross (elbow) should also be back in 2024 as a viable closer candidate, while newcomers Victor Gonzalez and Cody Morris could also join the mix.
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Team Notes
  1. 7/1:Aroldis Chapman was activated from the 15-day IL. Clay Holmes has worked 3 games in the last 5 days, but did not pitch yesterday. Don't be surprised if the Yankees elect to give Holmes another day of rest with Chapman back. It's possible Chapman gets the call tonight if a save opportunity were to arise.
  2. 6/29:Aroldis Chapman is likely to return Friday.
  3. 10/5:Entering tonight's AL Wild Card game, Aroldis Chapman has a career 6.43 ERA and 2.07 WHIP in 14 innings at Fenway Park. However, he logged a 2.70 ERA against Boston this season with a 8:4 K:BB in 6.2 innings, albeit with two home runs allowed.
  4. 9/29:Jonathan Loaisiga (shoulder) will likely be activated Wednesday.
Oakland Athletics
Team: Oakland Athletics
Total Saves:
Closer: Committee
(3/24) Oakland was 28th in the league with 29 saves last season, with the majority of them going to the now-retired Trevor May. Dany Jimenez and Zach Jackson were both expected to be factors in the late innings, but missed extensive time with injuries. If health prevails, they should be late inning mainstays for the A's in 2024, with Jimenez one of the favorite candidates to close. Joining him is the far more attractive option for fantasy purposes, Mason Miller. Miller was dominant during spring training and could see work as the A's closer in 2024. However, with Oakland expected to be among the worst teams in the league again in 2024, this bullpen is ultimately one to avoid, with the exception of Miller.
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Philadelphia Phillies
Team: Philadelphia Phillies
Total Saves:
Closer: Committee
(3/26) Jose Alvarado has been the draft market's favorite to close in Philadelphia, but he's had trouble with consistency and staying healthy in recent years, making it difficult to project him for 20+ saves. A more likely scenario is Phillies manager Rob Thomson deploys a closer committee, with Jeff Hoffman, Orion Kerkering, Gregory Soto and Seranthony Dominguez all joining Alvarado in the competition for saves. Alvarado and Hoffman are the early-season favorites for closing duties, but if Kerkering handles high-leverage opportunities well early on, he could join that mix. Soto (53 career saves) and Dominguez (27) are capable of re-entering that conversation as well after previously handling closing duties earlier in their careers.
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Pittsburgh Pirates
Team: Pittsburgh Pirates
Total Saves:
(3/26) After recording 39 saves last season (T-2nd in the league), Pirates closer David Bednar enters 2024 with high security. The Pittsburgh native was sidelined for two weeks during spring training with a lat injury, though he downplayed the seriousness of the injury. Bendar recently made his spring training debut and his velocity was of no concern. Should Bednar miss any time this season, Aroldis Chapman would very clearly step into save chances.
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San Diego Padres
Team: San Diego Padres
Total Saves: 1
(3/26) New manager Mike Schildt declined to name a closer during spring training, but Robert Suarez tallied the Padres first save of the 2024 campaign, putting him in the driver's seat for the role. Suarez was limited to just 26 appearances (27.2 innings) last season and health has been his biggest obstacle since signing with San Diego. Yuki Matsui signed a five-year, $28 million contract with the Padres in December, a deal that suggests he has the chance to close this season. His first few appearances have come in middle relief, but if Suarez gets hurt, he's the most likely candidate to step into closing duties.
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Seattle Mariners
Team: Seattle Mariners
Total Saves:
Next in Line: Matt Brash Out, Gregory Santos Out
(3/4) Andres Munoz, who tallied 11 of the Mariners' 18 saves after Paul Sewald was traded last year, enters 2024 as the favorite for closing duties in Seattle - especially since his greatest competition, Matt Brash (elbow) and Gregory Santos (lat), status for Opening Day are in jeopardy. Munoz has demonstrated tremendous upside in the past, but health has been his biggest obstacle, making it difficult to project him for 30-plus saves in 2024. That mark is certainly achievable, though, if he can avoid the injury bug that has plagued him throughout his career. Brash has earned more high-leverage opportunities after demonstrating improved control with a 35% strikeout rate, but his draft stock has plummeted after reports suggested he was dealing with a serious elbow injury. The injury may not be as severe as initially thought, as he's set to resume a throwing program. If all goes well, a mid-April return may be in the cards for Brash. The newly-acquired Santos saved a handful of games last season, giving Seattle an alternate option to close games. Gabe Speier and Trent Thornton may be forced into setup roles until Brash and Santos are healthy.
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San Francisco Giants
Team: San Francisco Giants
Total Saves:
(3/26) Tied for 2nd in the majors with a career-high 39 saves, Camilo Doval cemented himself as one of the top closers in the game last season. After introducing a sinker to his arsenal during the second-half of 2022, the pitch wasn't as effective last year (.303 BAA), but Doval generated a career-best 49.3% whiff rate on his slider, while his 100-mph cutter was the best it has ever been. The 26-year-old struck out far more batters with his cutter than years past, with 36 of his career-high 87 strikeouts coming via the pitch. Still, Doval mixed his three pitches quite evenly, making it more difficult for opposing hitters to predict what was coming. Walks are still an issue for Doval, leading to a higher WHIP than you'd like to see for a closer, but he balances that out with a 50-plus percent groundball rate. Doval led qualified relievers with a 2.14 gmLI and he has little competition in San Francisco, thus making him a back-end top 10 closer for 2024. Tyler Rogers is likely next in line for saves, while the newly signed Jordan Hicks plans to start, but has not been successful in that role in the past. Don't discount the possibility of Hicks returning to a late-inning, high-leverage relief role in 2024.
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Team Notes
  1. 5/18:Camilo Doval has recorded a save in 3 straight games for San Francisco. The Giants are off on Thursday, but Doval may get a breather on Friday after his recent heavy usage.
  2. 10/4:The Giants bullpen gets a much-needed break after winning the NL West. Camilo Doval, in particular, pitched 4 times in 5 days during the final week.
  3. 10/1:Doval, Rogers and Leone have worked 2 out of the past 3 games, with Rogers throwing 47 pitches over that span. Strong possibility Rogers gets the night off against San Diego.
  4. 9/30:Doval earned his 2nd big-league save on Wednesday and may be the new closer in San Francisco.
  5. 9/29:The plans for Jake McGee (oblique) beyond Wednesday aren't entirely clear, but so long as he gets through mound work without any setbacks, a return to the Giants' bullpen for the final regular-season series against the Padres might not be out of the question.
St. Louis Cardinals
Team: St. Louis Cardinals
Total Saves:
(3/25) Helsley's velocity was inconsistent during spring training, but the oft-injured flamethrower ended 2023 on a high note, posting 7 of the Cardinals' final 8 saves with a 0.77 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 19 strikeouts over his final 11.2 innings. His upside is massive, but health continues to be Helsley's biggest obstacle. Since Helsley has yet to post a 20-save season, keep Giovanny Gallegos, newcomer Andrew Kittredge and JoJo Romero on your radar for possible saves. Gallegos and Kittredge had strong springs, while Romero battled control issues. Riley O'Brien is a dark horse to keep an eye on this season.
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Team Notes
  1. 10/6:The Cardinals' highest-leverage relievers are well rested, as Gallegos, Cabrera and Reyes enter Wednesday's NL Wild Card game against the Dodgers on 4 days rest, while Garcia is on 3 days rest.
  2. 10/1:Garcia earned his 2nd save of the season Thursday night as the Cardinals give Gallegos some much deserved rest before the playoffs. Gallegos has logged a new career-high 79.1 innings this season.
Tampa Bay Rays
Team: Tampa Bay Rays
Total Saves:
Next in Line: Jason Adam , Colin Poche
(3/26) No stranger to the injury bug, Pete Fairbanks hit the IL twice (forearm inflammation, hip inflammation) during the first half of 2023. However, once he returned in mid-June, he surprisingly stayed healthy for the rest of the season, establishing career-best marks in games played (49), innings (45.1) and strikeouts (68). He also converted a career-high 25 saves, as Rays manager Kevin Cash altered his late-inning approach. Quite simply, when Fairbanks was healthy, he was the Rays primary closer. Otherwise, Jason Adam received the majority of save opportunities. Fairbanks closed out 2023 in dominant fashion, striking out 51 batters in 28 innings after the All-Star break. He's a solid mid-tier closer as long as you plan for some likely time missed due to injury.
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Team Notes
  1. 10/11:Collin McHugh will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher Monday against the Red Sox as part of a bullpen day in Game 4 of the ALDS, Manager Kevin Cash hasn't appointed a primary pitcher to work behind McHugh, as the Rays will instead likely turn to a cadre of arms to fill innings out of the bullpen. Josh Fleming, JT Chargois, Pete Fairbanks, J.P. Feyereisen, Andrew Kittredge and Matt Wisler tossed 20 pitches or fewer in Sunday's 13-inning loss, so the Tampa Bay bullpen should be relatively fresh for Monday's contest.
Texas Rangers
Team: Texas Rangers
Total Saves:
(3/25) Despite 90 wins in the regular season and an eventual World Series title, the Rangers were 27th in the league last year with only 30 saves. The majority went to Will Smith, who is now in Kansas City, leaving Jose Leclerc, David Robertson and Kirby Yates as the most experienced closer candidates on the current roster. Leclerc enters 2024 as the favorite for closing duties, but consider his stability low since Robertson could quickly enter the mix if he struggles.
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Toronto Blue Jays
Team: Toronto Blue Jays
Total Saves:
Closer: Jordan Romano Out
Next in Line: Yimi Garcia , Chad Green
(3/26) Jordan Romano (elbow inflammation) and Erik Swanson (forearm tightness) are expected to open the 2024 campaign on the injured list, which likely leaves closing duties to Yimi Garcia (21 career saves) and Chad Green (11). The hope is Romano's stint in IL is a short one, as he's slated to play catch over the weekend and begin mound work during the first week of April. Swanson appears to be in a similar spot in his recovery, but Toronto will have to piece things together in the interim.
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Washington Nationals
Team: Washington Nationals
Total Saves:
Closer: Committee
(3/10) After finishing dead last in the majors with 28 saves in 2022, Washington played more competitive baseball last season and finished middle of the pack with 42 saves. Kyle Finnegan led the charge with 28, but Hunter Harvey racked up double-digit saves as well and proved to be the better pitcher when healthy. Harvey missed 4 weeks last year with an elbow strain and is a perennial injury risk, but finished with career-best marks in the innings pitched and the holds categories. If health prevails, he's the pitcher to target from this bullpen. Finnegan added a sweeper, which help him become less predictable since he throws his 4-seamer and splitter 95% of the time. Don't forget about Tanner Rainey, who made one relief appearance at the end of last season after recovering from 2022 Tommy John surgery. Dylan Floro has late-inning experience, while Matt Barnes and Richard Bleier signed minor-league deals with the Nats in hopes of breaking camp with the team.
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Team Notes
  1. 9/23:Tanner Rainey earned the save for the Nationals last night and has worked 3 out of the last 4 games. Expect Kyle Finnegan, who hasn't pitched since Sept. 19, to get the save chance if one presents itself against the Cardinals tonight.