Here’s a rewritten version of the content:
This week in closer updates, the Astros face a setback as Josh Hader lands on the 15-day injured list with a shoulder injury, leaving their closer position uncertain. With Brian Abreu set to assume the closer role, the question remains where he will rank among updated closer standings. Reviewing last week’s saves offers insight into the current scenario.
Fantasy Baseball Rankings
Tier 1
Andrés Muñoz (Seattle Mariners) and Edwin Diaz (New York Mets) lead this tier. Muñoz had an active week, securing his 28th save against the Orioles, showcasing a stellar 1.34 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and a 60/23 K/BB ratio over 47 innings. In his absence, Matt Brash stepped in for two saves. Diaz, however, struggled lately, appearing once against the Brewers, where he suffered a loss and gave up a solo homer.
Tier 2
Trevor Megill (Milwaukee Brewers), Aroldis Chapman (Boston Red Sox), Joan Duran (Philadelphia Phillies), and Robert Suarez (San Diego Padres) make up this group. Megill continued his strong performance with two saves in back-to-back games, holding a 2.20 ERA and 28 saves in 41 innings. Chapman pitched only once, delivering a solid inning. Duran secured consecutive saves over the weekend, tallying four saves with impressive stats including a 1.11 ERA. Suarez’s save streak was interrupted with a blown save but rebounded quickly with his 33rd save. Mason Miller provided strong setup support, though his recent outings have been marred by hitting batters.
Tier 3
This tier includes Daniel Palencia (Chicago Cubs), Emilio Pagan (Cincinnati Reds), Randy Rodriguez (San Francisco Giants), Kenley Jansen (Los Angeles Angels), Pete Fairbanks (Tampa Bay Rays), Brian Abreu (Houston Astros), Kade Smith (Cleveland Guardians), Jeff Hoffman (Toronto Blue Jays), David Bednar (New York Yankees), Kyle Finnegan/Will Vest (Detroit Tigers), Carlos Estevez (Kansas City Royals), and Dennis Santana (Pittsburgh Pirates).
Palencia, Pagan, and others had various saves and clean innings. Rodriguez did not pitch this week due to the Giants’ struggles. Jansen recorded two saves but also gave up a homer to Shohei Ohtani. Fairbanks notched his 20th save, while Griffin Jacks stepped up in a setup role for Tampa Bay. Hader threw impressively but is sidelined with a shoulder injury, with Abreu stepping in as the Astros’ closer. Smith and Hoffman had mixed weeks with saves and blown saves. Bednar also experienced a blown save but picked up a win. The Tigers continue using a closer committee with Finnegan and Vest. Estevez saw a mixed week, while Santana secured another clean inning save.
Tier 4
Raisel Iglesias (Atlanta Braves), JoJo Romero (St. Louis Cardinals), Phil Mutton/Robert Garcia (Texas Rangers), Blake Trains/Alex Vesia/Ben Caprius (Los Angeles ), and Ronnie Henriquez/Calvin Faucher (Miami Marlins) struggle with consistency. Iglesias managed two clean saves, but with a higher ERA. Romero had four consecutive saves, but then blew a save and took a loss. The Rangers continue to struggle with blown saves from Garcia and Mutton. The ’ closer situation remains unstable with multiple blown saves while Tanner Scott recovers from injury. Miami’s closest options remain Faucher and Henriquez, with no saves recorded this week.
Tier 5
This tier contains Keegan Akin (Baltimore Orioles), Justin Topa/Cole Sands (Minnesota Twins), Jose Feller (Washington Nationals), Sean Newcomb (Athletics), Juan Morillo/Kyle Backhus (Arizona Diamondbacks), Grant Taylor (Chicago White Sox), and Victor Vodnik (Colorado Rockies).
Most of these are unstable or less desirable closer situations. Topa logged a second save this week for the Twins. Morillo earned a save shortly after recall. Akin had two blown saves but remains a main closer option for Baltimore.
Fan Take: This report highlights how injuries and performance fluctuations continue to reshape the closer landscape in baseball, affecting team strategies and fantasy leagues alike. Fans should watch closely as emerging arms like Brian Abreu step into big roles, potentially changing the dynamics of late-inning matchups and playoff races.
