With a new week upon us, there are diverging outlooks for two closers during their rehab pathways back to the majors. First, the good news is that Emlilo Pagán turned in two scoreless outings at Triple-A on Friday and Sunday and could be activated during his team’s series in Milwaukee this week. Here is the latest update from Mark Sheldon of MLB.com:
It should be noted that his velocity was still just a hair below 95 miles per hour, aligning with his season results before his hamstring injury, at 94.3 miles per hour on average:
The hope is that he could surpass 95 miles per hour once the adrenaline of being back hits and he builds up his arm strength. Here was his Statcast data from his outing on Sunday, noting his maximum velocity in this outing was 96 miles per hour:
Things may be looking up for the Reds’ closer. However, the latest update on Carlos Estévez may be foreboding. From MLB.com’s injury and transactions page for the Royals:
Every shutdown restarts his return-to-play protocols, and this last setback to his shoulder should prod fantasy players to move on unless he’s on a roster with unlimited injured list designations.
Because teams continue using matchup-based approaches and managed workloads, 181 relievers have already recorded a save this season, well ahead of the pace from the two previous seasons:
There has been movement in recent games, putting five relievers over the 20-save threshold, though relievers with at least 10 and 15 saves remain behind last year’s paces. The largest gap is still the number of pitchers with a save this season, ahead of the previous two years by almost 40.
Delving into data by teams, only one team has three relievers with at least five saves: Houston. The following teams have two relievers with at least five:
- Cincinnati, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Texas, Toronto, Washington
On the other end of the spectrum, these three teams do not have a reliever with at least five saves through the first half of their games:
- Chicago Cubs, Colorado, Los Angeles Angels
One can be attributed to multiple injuries (Daniel Palencia). As for the Rockies and the Angels, they have recorded below-league-average conversion rates. Colorado has produced 32 save opportunities (saves plus blown saves) while recording 18 saves (56.3 save percentage). The Angels are worse, generating 26 save chances while posting an MLB-low 10 saves (38.5 save percentage). Keep this in mind when seeing their relievers in the stock-up list below. It’s more about opportunity than production.
When assessing the rankings, understand that they remain fluid as sample sizes grow. They are a mix of in-season results and rest-of-season potential. Rankings should be part of a fantasy player’s toolkit, not the sole source of evaluation. This week may look different. I have continued to use updated SGPs (standard gains points) for the season and the last two weeks, with an eye on rest-of-season potential.
Each category will have an updated leaderboard, featuring the leaders for the season and in June through games played on June 21.
Stock Up for Saves
- Kirby Yates (LAA): With a new general manager, the veteran’s recent hot streak may coincide with an audition as the closer while the team showcases him for contenders. Yates converted his second save of the season and has been scoreless over his last 5.1 innings, producing a 9:2 K:BB (35 K-BB%) with a surprisingly strong 23.1 swinging strike percentage.
- Jimmy Herget (COL): The return of the “Glitch” can be heartwarming, but it’s also tempered by his team and home ballpark. He has recorded two saves in his last three appearances. Through his last four innings, he owns a 1.25 WHIP with six strikeouts against two walks (25 K-BB%). For those desperate for saves, he’s the latest wild ride; hang on until he knocks you off.
Saves Leaderboards
Updated RP Rankings for Saves
| Rank | Reliever |
| 1 | Jhoan Duran |
| 2 | Mason Miller |
| 3 | Louis Varland |
| 4 | Josh Hader |
| 5 | Cade Smith |
| 6 | Bryan Baker |
| 7 | David Bednar |
| 8 | Jacob Latz |
| 9 | Andrés Muñoz |
| 10 | Tanner Scott |
| 11 | Trevor Megill |
| 12 | Raisel Iglesias |
| 13 | Pete Fairbanks |
| 14 | Paul Sewald |
| 15 | Aroldis Chapman |
| 16 | Devin Williams |
| 17 | Riley O’Brien |
| 18 | Ryan Helsley |
| 19 | Emilio Pagán |
| 20 | Alex Lange |
| 21 | Yoendrys Gómez |
| 22 | Kirby Yates |
| 23 | Kenley Jansen |
| 24 | Jimmy Herget |
| 25 | Jacob Webb |
| 26 | Hogan Harris |
| 27 | Elvis Alvarado |
| 28 | Mason Barnett |
| 29 | Caleb Kilian |
| 30 | Gregory Soto |
| 31 | Grant Taylor |
| 32 | Clayton Beeter |
| 33 | Will Vest |
| 34 | Garrett Whitlock |
| 35 | Adrian Morejon |
| 36 | Bryan Hudson |
| 37 | Luke Weaver |
| 38 | Andrew Morris |
| 39 | Jakob Junis |
| 40 | Abner Uribe |
| 41 | Antonio Senzatela |
| 42 | Trent Thornton |
| 43 | Seranthony Domínguez |
| 44 | Caleb Thielbar |
| 45 | Orion Kerkering |
| 46 | Bryan Abreu |
| 47 | Ryan Zeferjahn |
| 48 | Carmen Mlodzinski |
| 49 | Chase Petty |
| 50 | Aaron Ashby |
| 51 | Kevin Kelly |
| 52 | Bryan King |
| 53 | Garrett Cleavinger |
| 54 | PJ Poulin |
| 55 | Anthony Banda |
| 56 | Tyler Alexander |
| 57 | George Soriano |
| 58 | Edgardo Henriquez |
| 59 | Chad Patrick |
| 60 | Justin Lawrence |
Stock Up for SOLDS
- Steven Okert (HOU): Although he’s only recorded two SOLDS in the last two weeks, he’s also collected a win while recording 10 strikeouts versus two walks (27.6 K-BB%) with a 0.78 WHIP across 7.2 innings.
- Abner Uribe (MIL): Finding his stride in recent appearances, he’s racked up four SOLDS with seven strikeouts versus one walk (24 K-BB%) while posting a 1.23 ERA with a 0.55 WHIP over his last 7.1 innings.
SOLDS Leaderboards
Updated RP Rankings for SOLDS
| Rank | Reliever |
| 1 | Jhoan Duran |
| 2 | Mason Miller |
| 3 | Louis Varland |
| 4 | Dylan Lee |
| 5 | Josh Hader |
| 6 | Adrian Morejon |
| 7 | Bryan Baker |
| 8 | Cade Smith |
| 9 | Jacob Latz |
| 10 | David Bednar |
| 11 | Tanner Scott |
| 12 | Andrés Muñoz |
| 13 | Fernando Cruz |
| 14 | Kevin Kelly |
| 15 | Alex Vesia |
| 16 | Raisel Iglesias |
| 17 | Trevor Megill |
| 18 | Pete Fairbanks |
| 19 | Luke Weaver |
| 20 | JoJo Romero |
| 21 | Bryan King |
| 22 | Eduard Bazardo |
| 23 | Abner Uribe |
| 24 | Riley O’Brien |
| 25 | Garrett Whitlock |
| 26 | Jason Adam |
| 27 | Michael Petersen |
| 28 | Yoendrys Gómez |
| 29 | Will Vest |
| 30 | Paul Sewald |
| 31 | Aroldis Chapman |
| 32 | Garrett Cleavinger |
| 33 | Emilio Pagán |
| 34 | Kenley Jansen |
| 35 | Alex Lange |
| 36 | Hunter Gaddis |
| 37 | Grant Taylor |
| 38 | Jakob Junis |
| 39 | Ryan Helsley |
| 40 | Huascar Brazobán |
| 41 | Devin Williams |
| 42 | Orion Kerkering |
| 43 | Tyler Rogers |
| 44 | Gabe Speier |
| 45 | Daniel Lynch IV |
| 46 | Gregory Soto |
| 47 | A.J. Minter |
| 48 | Anthony Bender |
| 49 | Steve Okert |
| 50 | John King |
| 51 | Hogan Harris |
| 52 | Erik Sabrowski |
| 53 | Aaron Ashby |
| 54 | Bryan Hudson |
| 55 | Caleb Kilian |
| 56 | Colin Holderman |
| 57 | Seranthony Domínguez |
| 58 | Peyton Gray |
| 59 | Ryan Zeferjahn |
| 60 | Andrew Morris |
| 61 | Anthony Banda |
| 62 | Kevn Ginkel |
| 63 | Will Klein |
| 64 | Tyler Wells |
| 65 | Jacob Webb |
| 66 | José Alvarado |
| 67 | Yennier Cano |
| 68 | Calvin Faucher |
| 69 | Brock Burke |
| 70 | Yennier Cano |
| 71 | Bryan Abreu |
| 72 | Jeff Hoffman |
| 73 | Erik Miller |
| 74 | Dylan Smith |
| 75 | Tyler Kinley |
Stock Up for Holds
- Peyton Gray (TEX): Over the last 14 days, he has only recorded one hold, but he’s recorded a minuscule 0.16 WHIP with 11 strikeouts and no walks (52.4 K-BB%) across 6.1 scoreless frames.
- Tyron Guerrero (BOS): Will the Red Sox be sellers? It’s hard to say, but if the team decided to move Aroldis Chapman and/or Garrett Whitlock, the veteran could see a larger leverage role. He has secured three holds in the last two weeks, posting a 0.60 WHIP with six strikeouts and no walks (30 K-BB%) through five innings.
Holds Leaderboards
Updated RP Rankings for Holds
| Rank | Reliever |
| 1 | Adrian Morejon |
| 2 | Dylan Lee |
| 3 | Luke Weaver |
| 4 | Jason Adam |
| 5 | Eduard Bazardo |
| 6 | Bryan King |
| 7 | Abner Uribe |
| 8 | Kevin Kelly |
| 9 | Fernando Cruz |
| 10 | JoJo Romero |
| 11 | Michael Petersen |
| 12 | Alex Vesia |
| 13 | Hunter Gaddis |
| 14 | Orion Kerkering |
| 15 | Garrett Whitlock |
| 16 | Jakob Junis |
| 17 | Erik Sabrowski |
| 18 | Garrett Cleavinger |
| 19 | Peyton Gray |
| 20 | Steven Okert |
| 21 | Tyler Rogers |
| 22 | Will Vest |
| 23 | Aaron Ashby |
| 24 | Huascar Brazobán |
| 25 | Jose A. Ferrer |
| 26 | Gabe Speier |
| 27 | Anthony Bender |
| 28 | Kevin Ginkel |
| 29 | A.J. MInter |
| 30 | Daniel Lynch IV |
| 31 | Andrew Morris |
| 32 | Anthony Banda |
| 33 | Kyle Finnegan |
| 34 | Calvin Faucher |
| 35 | Ryan Zeferjahn |
| 36 | Brock Burke |
| 37 | Colin Holderman |
| 38 | Tyron Guerrero |
| 39 | Will Klein |
| 40 | Tyler Kinley |
Updated Rankings for AL-Only Saves
| Rank | Reliever |
| 1 | Louis Varland |
| 2 | Josh Hader |
| 3 | Cade Smith |
| 4 | Bryan Baker |
| 5 | David Bednar |
| 6 | Jacob Latz |
| 7 | Andrés Muñoz |
| 8 | Aroldis Chapman |
| 9 | Ryan Helsley |
| 10 | Alex Lange |
| 11 | Yoendrys Gómez |
| 12 | Kirby Yates |
| 13 | Kenley Jansen |
| 14 | Hogan Harris |
| 15 | Elvis Alvarado |
| 16 | Mason Barnett |
| 17 | Grant Taylor |
| 18 | Will Vest |
| 19 | Garrett Whitlock |
| 20 | Bryan Hudson |
| 21 | Andrew Morris |
| 22 | Jakob Junis |
| 23 | Seranthony Domínguez |
| 24 | Bryan Abreu |
| 25 | Tyler Alexander |
Updated Rankings for NL-Only Saves
| Rank | Reliever |
| 1 | Jhoan Duran |
| 2 | Mason Miller |
| 3 | Tanner Scott |
| 4 | Trevor Megill |
| 5 | Raisel Iglesias |
| 6 | Pete Fairbanks |
| 7 | Paul Sewald |
| 8 | Devin Williams |
| 9 | Riley O’Brien |
| 10 | Emilio Pagán |
| 11 | Jimmy Herget |
| 12 | Jacob Webb |
| 13 | Caleb Kilian |
| 14 | Gregory Soto |
| 15 | Clayton Beeter |
| 16 | Adrian Morejon |
| 17 | Abner Uribe |
| 18 | Antonio Senzatela |
| 19 | Trent Thornton |
| 20 | Caleb Thielbar |
| 21 | Orion Kerkering |
| 22 | Carmen Mlodzinski |
| 23 | Chase Petty |
| 24 | PJ Poulin |
| 25 | George Soriano |
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe and be well.
Statistical Credits: