Fantasy Baseball Closer Report (August 23): Good Health Highlights Position

Some winning and losing streaks have put a damper on the closer position. Not much has changed, and we also have seen good news on the injury front since we last convened.

Locked In

Matt Barnes – Boston Red Sox

Liam Hendriks – Chicago White Sox

Emmanuel Clase – Cleveland Indians

The committee is over as Clase has each of the last six saves for Cleveland. He has also not allowed an earned run since July 16.

Gregory Soto – Detroit Tigers

Ryan Pressly – Houston Astros

Raisel Iglesias – Anaheim Angels

Lou Trivino – Oakland Athletics

Alex Colome – Minnesota Twins

Aroldis Chapman – New York Yankees

Odd choice by the Yankees to throw Chapman into the fire without a rehab appearance. It showed August 18 when he allowed an earned run (home run), walk, and strikeout in 1 2/3 of an inning pitched. I am not ready to say the Yankees will be in a committee. I will say a weekend trouncing of the Twins was welcomed as Chapman got the weekend off and more time to get ready for closing duties.

Spencer Patton – Texas Rangers

Jordan Romano – Toronto Blue Jays

Tyler Clippard – Arizona Diamondbacks

Will Smith – Atlanta Braves

Daniel Bard – Colorado Rockies

Kenley Jansen – Los Angeles Dodgers

Dylan Floro – Miami Marlins

Josh Hader – Milwaukee Brewers

Hader has allowed three of five inherited runners to score in 2021. He has only had them in three appearances.

Edwin Diaz – New York Mets

Ian Kennedy – Philadelphia Phillies

David Bednar – Pittsburgh Pirates

Mark Melancon – San Diego Padres

Jake McGee – San Francisco Giants

Alex Reyes – St. Louis Cardinals

Kyle Finnegan – Washington Nationals

Closer Committees

Cole Sulser and Tyler Wells – Baltimore Orioles

An Orioles relief pitcher has not collected a save since July 31.

Scott Barlow and Josh Staumont – Kansas City Royals

Paul Sewald and Drew Steckenrider – Seattle Mariners

Diego Castillo falls out of the closer rotation with shoulder inflammation.

Drew Rasmussen, Collin McHugh, J.T. Chargois and Andrew Kittredge – Tampa Bay Rays

If you can throw in the Rays bullpen, you could get a save. This is frustrating because one closer for this team could be extremely valuable as the fantasy season winds down.

Codi Heuer and Manuel Rodriguez – Chicago Cubs

Mychal Givens and Michael Lorenzen – Cincinnati Reds

With both options being right-handed, it is dealer’s choice each save opportunity.

Injury Opportunities

None to report.

Next Man Up Adds

Craig Kimbrel (CHW)

James Karinchak (CLE)

Kendall Graveman (HOU)

Juan Minaya and Caleb Thielbar (MIN)

I do not trust Alex Colome. I honestly do not trust much of the Twins bullpen.

Tim Mayza (TOR)

Health and consistency are the name of the game for Toronto’s bullpen, and Mayze is healthy and the next best option behind Romano.

Blake Treinen (LAD)

Anthony Bass (MIA)

The other Anthony – Bender – has been an adventure throughout August, and I would not be surprised if Bass gets the next look for a save when Floro is unavailable.

Luke Jackson (ATL)