Fantasy Baseball Closer Report (June 14): Kenley Jansen Shines, While Héctor Neris Creates Uncertainty For Phillies

Fantasy Baseball Closer Report (June 14): Kenley Jansen Shines, While Héctor Neris Creates Uncertainty For Phillies article feature image
Credit:

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images. Pictured: Kenley Jansen.

Fantasy baseball players are always on the hunt for saves. So every other week during the Major League Baseball season, we’ll be checking in on the backends of those bullpens. Whose job is steady? Whose is uncertain? Who is waiting in the wings and ready to poach some saves?

We’ll break it all down below into different categories, ranging from those who have their job locked down to speculative adds worth keeping your eye on.

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Locked In

Liam Hendriks – Chicago White Sox

Ryan Pressly – Houston Astros

Raisel Iglesias – Los Angeles Angels

Aroldis Chapman – New York Yankees

The lefty has taken two consecutive losses, but they were more fluky than blown saves. The second was in extra innings, and the runner-on-second rule is garbage.

Will Smith – Atlanta Braves

Craig Kimbrel – Chicago Cubs

Kenley Jansen – Los Angeles Dodgers

Bases loaded. No outs. 5-3 lead preserved June 13. Jansen was nails in a game he had no business needing to pitch in.

Josh Hader – Milwaukee Brewers

Edwin Díaz – New York Mets

Matt Barnes – Boston Red Sox

Brad Hand – Washington Nationals

Hand's 4.4 Walks per nine innings are his highest since he became a full-time reliever in 2016.

Mark Melancon – San Diego Padres

Yimi García – Miami Marlins

Richard Rodriguez – Pittsburgh Pirates

Alex Reyes – St. Louis Cardinals

Jordan Romano – Toronto Blue Jays

Romano’s health brings stability to a closer situation that needed it after six weeks of injuries and inconsistent pitching.

Getting Save Opportunities, But No Lock

Héctor Neris – Philadelphia Phillies

A lot can happen over one weekend.

Daniel Bard – Colorado Rockies

Joakim Soria – Arizona Diamondbacks

Gambling with Soria, Stefan Crichton and/or Taylor Clarke is a losing bet.

Closer Committees

Gregory Soto and Jose Cisnero – Detroit Tigers

Paul Fry and Cole Sulser – Baltimore Orioles

Kendall Graveman and Rafael Montero – Seattle Mariners

Graveman got his first back-to-back days of work June 12-13 and struggled on day two. He is recovering from COVID, so this was a test of durability in his recovery. Keynan Middelton was demoted to Triple-A after consecutive poor outings.

Lucas Sims and Sean Doolittle – Cincinnati Reds

Tejay Antone is currently on the 10-day IL, allowing Doolittle to slot in as a left-handed option.

Hansel Robles and Taylor Rogers – Minnesota Twins

Tyler Rogers and Jake McGee – San Francisco Giants

Lou Trivino and Jake Diekman – Oakland Athletics

Jake Diekman blew a save in the eighth inning June 11, leading to a Lou Trivino win later in the game. Trivino also logged his 10th save of the season June 13.

Diego Castillo and Pete Fairbanks – Tampa Bay Rays

The two have recorded all of the Rays' saves in June.

Scott Barlow and Josh Staumont – Kansas City Royals

One of the biggest headaches in fantasy baseball is guessing who closes for the Royals.

James Karinchak and Emmanuel Clase – Cleveland Indians

Injury Opportunities

Josh Sborz and Joely Rodriguez – Texas Rangers

Ian Kennedy was placed on the 10-day IL last week with a mild hamstring strain. Kennedy will take over closer duties once he returns and hold the role until he is presumably traded prior to the trade deadline.

Next Man Up

Ryne Stanek (HOU)

Kyle Crick (PIT)

Aaron Bummer (CHW)

Mike Mayers (LAA)

Rafael Dolis (TOR)

Chris Martin (ATL)

Ryan Tapera (CHC)

Carlos Estévez (COL)

Blake Treinen (LAD)

Dylan Floro (MIA)

Caleb Baragar (SF)

Baragar is interesting because his first appearance off the injured list was a save situation. It was during a doubleheader against Washington, but that says a lot to me.

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