Updating our saves tracker, one notices a spike in relievers with saves compared with last year, and, unfortunately, a slight reduction in concentrated saves by closers at the top. It’s what fuels frustration across the fantasy landscape:
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/y0z5Y/2/
Last week will go down as oblique week, two closers landed on the injured list as a result: Daniel Palencia (CHC) and Jhoan Duran (PHI). Multiple teams keep changing usage patterns, which affects teams chasing saves through waivers or FAAB pickups. Based on the news above, Brad Keller and Caleb Thielbar were popular speculative adds over the weekend, while those who took Riley O’Brien late in drafts are enjoying the ride.
Posting was delayed awaiting any news regarding Edwin Díaz, but nothing has materialized. If he, or any other reliever, gets placed on the injured list, the ranking will be updated.
Stock Up
- Jack Perkins (ATH): He may not become the closer, but his leverage role continues to grow, and his time may eventually come. Right now, he’s an upside stash play, but definitely worth tracking through the end of the month.
- Brad Keller (PHI): His manager, Rob Thomson, said he will get the majority of save chances, but he will also be deployed as the highest-leverage reliever when necessary, leaving José Alvarado or Orion Kerkering in line for an ancillary save or two while Duran’s on the injured list. So much for death to the “floating closer” concept.
- Louis Varland (TOR): It may not come to fruition, but his team’s closer is on the struggle bus, and Varland’s 16:3 K:BB (31.7 K-BB%) with a 1.00 WHIP and 1.75 xERA could earn him some save chances soon.
Stock Down
- Edwin Díaz (LAD): In his last two outings, he’s faced 12 batters, allowed seven hits, six earned runs, and two walks (one intentional) while retiring three batters, working with reduced velocity; less than optimal.
- Jeff Hoffman (TOR): He has allowed five hits, including a grand slam, six earned runs, and four walks while striking out three across his last 1.2 innings.
- Jordan Romano (LAA): His leash has shortened after suffering two blown saves against the Yankees. He may be in a save share situation as a result, with Kirby Yates a few rehab outings away from a return.
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.
**These were updated at 12:00 p.m. EST on 4.21.2026
Reliever Rankings for Saves
| 1 | Mason Miller |
| 2 | Riley O’Brien |
| 3 | Cade Smith |
| 4 | Andrés Muñoz |
| 5 | Aroldis Chapman |
| 6 | Paul Sewald |
| 7 | Robert Suarez |
| 8 | Devin Williams |
| 9 | Pete Fairbanks |
| 10 | David Bednar |
| 11 | Ryan Helsley |
| 12 | Kenley Jansen |
| 13 | Emilio Pagán |
| 14 | Abner Uribe |
| 15 | Seranthony Domínguez |
| 16 | Bryan Baker |
| 17 | Gregory Soto |
| 18 | Dennis Santana |
| 19 | Jeff Hoffman |
| 20 | Tanner Scott |
| 21 | Brad Keller |
| 22 | Caleb Thielbar |
| 23 | Alex Vesia |
| 24 | Victor Vodnik |
| 25 | Enyel De Los Santos |
| 26 | Lucas Erceg |
| 27 | Jordan Romano |
| 28 | Bryan King |
| 29 | Aaron Ashby |
| 30 | Joel Kuhnel |
| 31 | Jakob Junis |
| 32 | Will Vest |
| 33 | Trevor Megill |
| 34 | Matt Strahm |
| 35 | Louis Varland |
| 36 | Erik Miller |
| 37 | Ben Brown |
| 38 | Garrett Whitlock |
| 39 | Cole Winn |
| 40 | Jacob Latz |
| 41 | Clayton Beeter |
| 42 | Cole Sands |
| 43 | Griffin Jax |
| 44 | Gus Varland |
| 45 | JoJo Romero |
| 46 | Ángel Zerpa |
| 47 | Caleb Kilian |
| 48 | Keaton Winn |
| 49 | Drew Pomeranz |
| 50 | Jack Perkins |
| 51 | Tony Santillan |
| 52 | Kyle Finnegan |
| 53 | Juan Morillo |
| 54 | Orion Kerkering |
| 55 | Camilo Doval |
| 56 | Hogan Harris |
| 57 | José Alvarado |
Reliever Rankings for SOLDS
| 1 | Mason Miller |
| 2 | Riley O’Brien |
| 3 | Tony Santillan |
| 4 | Erik Sabrowski |
| 5 | Andrés Muñoz |
| 6 | Cade Smith |
| 7 | Paul Sewald |
| 8 | Robert Suarez |
| 9 | Rico Garcia |
| 10 | Gregory Soto |
| 11 | JoJo Romero |
| 12 | Dennis Santana |
| 13 | Alex Vesia |
| 14 | David Bednar |
| 15 | Tanner Scott |
| 16 | Aroldis Chapman |
| 17 | Ryan Helsley |
| 18 | Aaron Ashby |
| 19 | Kenley Jansen |
| 20 | Louie Varland |
| 21 | Bryan Baker |
| 22 | Abner Uribe |
| 23 | Hunter Gaddis |
| 24 | Emilio Pagán |
| 25 | Devin Williams |
| 26 | Will Vest |
| 27 | Matt Brash |
| 28 | Juan Morillo |
| 29 | Pete Fairbanks |
| 30 | Garrett Whitlock |
| 31 | Brad Keller |
| 32 | Jeff Hoffman |
| 33 | Graham Ashcraft |
| 34 | Jason Adam |
| 35 | Matt Strahm |
| 36 | Fernando Cruz |
| 37 | Ryan Thompson |
| 38 | Drew Pomeranz |
| 39 | Dylan Lee |
| 40 | Gabe Speier |
| 41 | Enyel De Los Santos |
| 42 | Seranthony Domínguez |
| 43 | Trevor Megill |
| 44 | Lucas Erceg |
| 45 | Jordan Leasure |
| 46 | Anthony Nunez |
| 47 | Isaac Mattson |
| 48 | Taylor Clarke |
| 49 | Griffin Jax |
| 50 | Tyler Rogers |
| 51 | Kyle Finnegan |
| 52 | Braydon Fisher |
| 53 | Cole Winn |
| 54 | Tyler Kinley |
| 55 | Jakob Junis |
| 56 | Jacob Latz |
| 57 | Joel Kuhnel |
| 58 | Grant Wolfram |
| 59 | Brock Burke |
| 60 | Tim Hill |
| 61 | Jordan Romano |
| 62 | Kevin Kelly |
| 63 | Brennan Bernardino |
| 64 | Ryne Stanek |
| 65 | Grant Anderson |
| 66 | Nick Mears |
| 67 | Hunter Bigge |
| 68 | Camilo Doval |
| 69 | Antonio Senzatela |
| 70 | Caleb Kilian |
| 71 | Mason Montgomery |
| 72 | Kody Funderburk |
| 73 | Orion Kerkering |
| 74 | Brooks Raley |
| 75 | Blake Treinen |
Stock Up
- Ryan Thompson (ARI)
- Hunter Gaddis (CLE)
Reliever Rankings for Holds
| 1 | Tony Santillan |
| 2 | Erik Sabrowski |
| 3 | Aaron Ashby |
| 4 | Rico Garcia |
| 5 | Matt Brash |
| 6 | Juan Morillo |
| 7 | Louis Varland |
| 8 | Hunter Gaddis |
| 9 | Jason Adam |
| 10 | Ryan Thompson |
| 11 | Dennis Santana |
| 12 | Gregory Soto |
| 13 | Garrett Whitlock |
| 14 | JoJo Romero |
| 15 | Tanner Scott |
| 16 | Alex Vesia |
| 17 | Isaac Mattson |
| 18 | Tyler Kinley |
| 19 | Cole Winn |
| 20 | Fernando Cruz |
| 21 | Will Vest |
| 22 | Anthony Nunez |
| 23 | Antonio Senzatela |
| 24 | Graham Ashcraft |
| 25 | Jordan Leasure |
| 26 | Braydon Fisher |
| 27 | Tyler Rogers |
| 28 | Brock Burke |
| 29 | Nick Mears |
| 30 | Tim Hill |
| 31 | Grant Wolfram |
| 32 | Kyle Finnegan |
| 33 | Taylor Clarke |
| 34 | Brooks Raley |
| 35 | Griffin Jax |
| 36 | Jonathan Loáisiga |
| 37 | Kevin Kelly |
| 38 | Brennan Bernardino |
| 39 | Hogan Harris |
| 40 | Scott Barlow |
Reliever Rankings for AL-Only Saves
| 1 | Cade Smith |
| 2 | Andrés Muñoz |
| 3 | Aroldis Chapman |
| 4 | David Bednar |
| 5 | Ryan Helsley |
| 6 | Kenley Jansen |
| 7 | Bryan Baker |
| 8 | Jeff Hoffman |
| 9 | Seranthony Domínguez |
| 10 | Enyel De Los Santos |
| 11 | Lucas Erceg |
| 12 | Jordan Romano |
| 13 | Bryan King |
| 14 | Joel Kuhnel |
| 15 | Jakob Junis |
| 16 | Will Vest |
| 17 | Matt Strahm |
| 18 | Louis Varland |
| 19 | Garrett Whitlock |
| 20 | Cole Sands |
| 21 | Griffin Jax |
| 22 | Drew Pomeranz |
| 23 | Jack Perkins |
| 24 | Hogan Harris |
| 25 | Cole Winn |
Reliever Rankings for NL-Only Saves
| 1 | Mason Miller |
| 2 | Riley O’Brien |
| 3 | Paul Sewald |
| 4 | Robert Suarez |
| 5 | Devin Williams |
| 6 | Pete Fairbanks |
| 7 | Emilio Pagán |
| 8 | Abner Uribe |
| 9 | Tanner Scott |
| 10 | Gregory Soto |
| 11 | Dennis Santana |
| 12 | Brad Keller |
| 13 | Alex Vesia |
| 14 | Caleb Thielbar |
| 15 | Victor Vodnik |
| 16 | Aaron Ashby |
| 17 | Trevor Megill |
| 18 | Erik Miller |
| 19 | Ben Brown |
| 20 | Clayton Beeter |
| 21 | Gus Varland |
| 22 | JoJo Romero |
| 23 | Caleb Killian |
| 24 | Keaton Winn |
| 25 | Juan Morillo |
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe, and be well.
Statistical Credits: