Saves continue to be dispersed at a high rate among multiple relievers, with fewer relievers being deployed as closers, contributing to fantasy managers’ growing frustrations with bullpens this season. Through the end of May, here are the league results compared with the two previous seasons:
Saves comparison through May since 2024
Year
Saves
Save% of Wins
RPs w/save
RPs > 4 Saves
RPs > 9 Saves
RPs > 14 Saves
2026
448
50.5
148
25
11
3
2025
447
51.4
120
32
17
4
2024
439
51
118
32
13
5
The number of pitchers with a save has grown by seven across the first three days of June, including some intriguing options in Keaton Winn and Justin Sterner. Since my last report, Trevor Megill has taken over the ninth inning in Milwaukee. Lucas Erceg has not been removed from the high-leverage mix in Kansas City, but manager Matt Quattraro will mix and match in the late innings based on matchups and availability.
Matt Quatraro says he will match up the 9th based on availability & situations short term, but still views Lucas Erceg as a ninth-inning option long term.
He says Maikel Garcia will be available off the bench tonight & hopes for a return to the lineup in Minnesota this weekend.
— Joel Goldberg (@goldbergkc) June 3, 2026
Some good news from Houston emerged when Josh Hader worked a scoreless ninth against the Pirates, securing his first save of the season. He averaged 95.8 mph with his sinker, assuaging some concerns regarding his delayed debut. His workload will be managed closely, which will mean fewer back-to-back appearances, and he does not plan on a multi-inning outing anytime soon. This limits his fantasy ceiling, but having the preferred option benefits the fantasy managers who had him stashed.
There are multiple teams without a “closer,” necessitating updated pathways with some caveats. My leverage pathways try to provide accurate team approaches for procuring saves despite the multitude of confusing usage patterns throughout the league. Each team will receive one of the following labels:
- Mostly Linear: This is a more traditional approach, with a manager preferring one reliever in the seventh inning, another in the eighth, and a closer (when rested) in the ninth. There are shades of gray, but it usually follows a predictable pattern in high-leverage situations.
- Primary save share: The team prefers one reliever as the primary option for saves. However, the player may also be used in matchup-based situations, whether dictated by batter-handedness or batting order, especially in the late innings, providing multiple relievers with save chances each series or week throughout the season.
- Shared saves: Typically, two relievers share save opportunities, often based on handedness, rest or recent usage patterns that keep them fresh. While these situations typically involve a primary and ancillary option, others may be used. Some teams also prefer a matchup-based option, which creates fluid save opportunities.
- Fluid: The manager has not named a closer, and usage patterns regarding the leverage roles remain unclear.
American League leverage pathways
TeamLeverage PathwayCloser (Primary)Stopper/HLRStealth/Ancillary Option
Primary Save Share
Rico Garcia
Andrew Kittredge
Yennier Cano
Mostly Linear
Aroldis Chapman
Justin Slaten
Jovani Móran
Primary Save Share
Seranthony Domínguez
Grant Taylor
Bryan Hudson
Mostly Linear
Cade Smith
Hunter Gaddis
Tim Herrin
Fluid
Will Vest
Kyle Finnegan
Drew Anderson
Mostly Linear
Josh Hader
Enyel De Los Santos
Bryan King
Fluid
Daniel Lynch IV
Lucas Erceg
Matt Strahm
Primary Save Share
Kirby Yates
Chase Silseth
Sam Bachman
Fluid
Yoendrys Gómez
Andrew Morris
Anthony Banda
Mostly Linear
David Bednar
Camilo Doval
Fernando Cruz
Mostly Linear
Andrés Muñoz
Jose A. Ferrer
Matt Brash
Primary Save Share
Bryan Baker
Kevin Kelly
Garrett Cleavinger
Mostly Linear
Jacob Latz
Jakob Junis
Chris Martin
Fluid
Hogan Harris
Justin Sterner
Scott Barlow
Primary Save Share
Louis Varland
Tyler Rogers
Jeff Hoffman
Stock up
Justin Sterner (ATH): He’s allowed one earned run across his past 10 appearances (9.2 IP), posting a 0.21 WHIP with four strikeouts (13.3 K-BB%). Will his first career save lead to more opportunities?
Yoendrys Gómez (MIN): Although his usage patterns have not been typical of a closer, Gómez continues getting pivotal outs for the Twins. He hasn’t been scored on in his past four contests and has recorded two saves in his past five. His improvements in May versus April have been notable:
MonthIPK%BB%SwStrk%WHIPSIERAContact%HH%
March/April
17.1
15.9
12.2
9.3
1.67
5.58
80.1
34.5
May
10.1
31.7
9.8
12.7
0.87
2.80
72.7
40.9
Closer concern
Lucas Erceg (KC): Repeating in this category does not bode well, and he’s been removed from the closer role until further notice. He has failed to convert his past three save chances and has converted only one of his past five chances since May 15. His six blown saves represent the most in the majors. His 4.65 SIERA and 4.42 xERA suggest better days lie ahead, but these are not optimal ratios for any closer.
Stash list
*For keeper-league managers or those trying to mine future saves
- Daniel Lynch (KC)
- Grant Taylor (CHW)
- Andrew Morris (MIN)
- Emiliano Teodo (TEX)
- Ben Joyce (LAA)
- Carlos Lagrange (NYY)
- Ty Madden(DET)
National League leverage pathways
TeamLeverage PathwayCloser (Primary)Stopper/HLRStealth/Ancillary Option
Mostly Linear
Paul Sewald
Kevin Ginkel
Juan Morillo
Mostly Linear
Raisel Iglesias
Robert Suarez
Dylan Lee
Mostly Linear
Daniel Palencia
Jacob Webb
Caleb Thielbar
Fluid
Brock Burke
Tejay Antone
Sam Moll
Fluid
Antonio Senzatela
Jaden Hill
Juan Mejia
Primary Save Share
Tanner Scott
Alex Vesia
Will Klein
Mostly Linear
Pete Fairbanks
Michael Petersen
Anthony Bender
Mostly Linear
Trevor Megill
Abner Uribe
Aaron Ashby
Mostly Linear
Devin Williams
Luke Weaver
Brooks Raley
Mostly Linear
Jhoan Duran
Brad Keller
Orion Kerkering
Primary Save Share
Gregory Soto
Mason Montgomery
Carmen Mlodzinski
Mostly Linear
Riley O’Brien
JoJo Romero
George Soriano
Mostly Linear
Mason Miller
Jason Adam
Adrian Morejon
Shared Saves
Keaton Winn
Erik Miller
Caleb Kilian
Fluid
Clayton Beeter
Gus Varland
Richard Lovelady
Stock up
Keaton Winn (SF): What a difference a week makes, right? His teammate, Caleb Kilian, was in this section in my last report, then had a rough outing at Coors Field, and now Winn has replaced him, securing his first save in Milwaukee. Winn has posted a 0.88 WHIP with a 14.7 K-BB rate (23:8 K:BB) through 27.1 innings this year and could be a viable pickup; just enter with eyes wide open, since usage patterns have been unpredictable. But at a time when saves are a precious commodity, it’s worth taking a chance.
Closer concern
Riley O’Brien (STL): Although he rebounded for his 15th save against the Rangers, he issued a leadoff walk before settling in. During the four games previously, O’Brien allowed at least a run in each, suffering a blown save and two losses while giving up seven runs (six earned). June will be a pivotal month for his status in St. Louis and among fantasy managers, especially when comparing his splits from the first two months:
MonthIPK%BB%SwStrk%WHIPSIERAContact%HH%
March/April
15.1
29.3
1.7
12.3
0.78
1.61
74.5
39.5
May
10
22.7
6.8
13.9
1.30
2.97
71.6
35.7
Regaining the vertical movement with his sinker will be paramount for a rebound. If not, he may lose his grip on the ninth inning.
Stash list
*For keeper-league managers or those trying to mine future saves
- George Soriano (STL)
- Carmen Mlodzinski (PIT)
- Zach Maxwell; Caleb Ferguson (CIN)
- A.J. Puk (ARI)
Leaderboards
Saves leaders through June 3
SOLDS leaders through June 3
My rankings are a blend of in-season performance and rest-of-season expectations. If you feel strongly about a player, by all means, roster him.
Ratio relievers
*Multi-inning or bridge relievers who can vulture wins and help protect ratios.
- Shane Drohan (MIL)
- Chad Patrick (MIL)
- Didier Fuentes (ATL)
- Wilber Dotel (PIT)
- Enmanuel De Jesus (DET)
Statistical Credits: FanGraphs, Baseball-Reference.com, Baseball Savant, BrooksBaseball.net. Check out my work at Reliever Recon and Closer Monkey for daily updates.
