Fantasy bullpen report featuring a problem in Houston and a timeshare in Detroit

It’s not a ripple effect but a tidal wave on the ever-evolving high-leverage ecosystem when a closer like Houston’s Josh Hader gets placed on the 15-day injured list. The senses of fantasy managers were triggered when the veteran closer did not warm up at the bottom of the eighth with his team leading by one run on Monday night against Boston. After the game, it was reported that he experienced shoulder discomfort and was subsequently placed on the injured list for only the second time in his career, although his first stint was due to a COVID-19 designation in 2021.

Manager Joe Espada would not commit to defined roles, but his best reliever not on the injured list, Bryan Abreu, should receive the majority of save chances going forward. He converted his first save of the season on Wednesday and hasn’t been scored upon through his first six outings in August, posting a 0.90 WHIP with five strikeouts across 6.2 innings. Bennett Sousa will remain in the mix for ancillary saves — he’s recorded four this year. However, if this bullpen will survive losing Hader, relievers like Bryan King, Enyel De Los Santos and Kaleb Ort must step up.

After being acquired at the trade deadline, Kyle Finnegan recorded a save in each of his first three appearances for the Tigers. However, in his past two outings, he has worked the eighth inning, securing a hold and a win, with Will Vest back into the mix for saves. Manager A.J. Hinch is playing matchups during the late innings between Vest and Finnegan. This keeps both relevant from a fantasy perspective, although fantasy managers may be frustrated by the fluid usage patterns.

Taking these changes into account, my leverage pathways have been updated. Here are my high-leverage pathway identifiers. 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 pitchers fresh. While these situations typically involve a primary and ancillary option, others may be used. Some teams also prefer a matchup-based option, assigning pitchers a hitter’s pocket for a series, which creates fluid save opportunities.
• In flux: The manager has not named a closer, and usage patterns regarding the leverage roles remain unclear.

American League leverage pathways

Team notes

Baltimore Orioles: Interim manager Tony Mansolino has been dealt a tough hand with his leverage ladder. The team traded away three veterans ahead of the deadline, and Félix Bautista will not pitch again this season, with updates pending regarding his status for spring training next year. Keegan Akin has been the preferred ninth-inning option, but keep tabs on Dietrich Enns and how the team uses Albert Suárez when he returns from his minor league rehab.

Chicago White Sox: Usage patterns have been beyond frustrating this season under first-year manager Will Venable, but Grant Taylor and Jordan Leasure are tied for the team lead with four saves each. While Taylor garners recognition based on his talent and potential upside, Leasure hasn’t yielded a run in six of his past seven appearances since July 28, recording a win, two saves and two holds while posting a 0.30 WHIP with 11 strikeouts versus one walk across 7.2 innings.

Minnesota Twins: It felt like Cole Sands would be the heir apparent for saves in this gutted leverage ladder. However, it’s been Justin Topa. He has converted both save chances in August while posting seven scoreless innings across six games with a 0.71 WHIP and six strikeouts versus one walk.

New York Yankees: From being demoted in April by Pittsburgh to taking over as the closer for the Yankees, it’s been quite the transformation for David Bednar. He recorded his first save with his new team on August 18 and has moved to the top of my leverage pathway designation as the Yankees’ preferred save option.

National League leverage pathways

Team notes

Arizona Diamondbacks: Not only did Andrew Saalfrank record his first save, but he also helped his team tie an MLB record, becoming the 14th pitcher with at least one save for his team this season. The Los Angeles Dodgers (2024) and Tampa Bay Rays (2021) have also achieved this feat. With 41 games remaining entering game play on Friday, the team will probably set the record for most relievers with a save in a single season. Stay tuned.

Colorado Rockies: After recording saves in back-to-back wins against the Cardinals, Victor Vodnik hasn’t been scored upon in three of four outings in August, filling in capably for Seth Halvorsen. Jimmy Herget has emerged as his eighth-inning setup option, helping stabilize a youthful bullpen.

Los Angeles Dodgers: With a litany of relievers on the injured list, could the team promote Bobby Miller? He has logged five consecutive scoreless appearances as a reliever at Triple A, allowing one baserunner via walk of his 19 batters faced, resulting in a minuscule 0.17 WHIP and four strikeouts. Through 121 games this season, the team has a 28-30 record in games decided by two runs or less.

St. Louis Cardinals: Although it’s not perfect, manager Oli Marmol has deployed JoJo Romero as his highest-leverage reliever, with Riley O’Brien proving capable as a secondary option for saves. Kyle Leahy has logged multi-inning outings and remains in the mix for ancillary saves or vulture wins.

2025 leaderboards through August 13

Save stashes/adds

• Joe Jiménez (ATL)
• Tanner Scott (LAD) — if he was dropped in your league
• Bobby Miller (LAD)

Ancillary save options

• Mason Miller (SD) — if he was dropped in your league
• Riley O’Brien (STL)
• Andrew Saalfrank/Andrew Hoffmann/Juan Morillo (ARI)
• Hunter Gaddis (CLE)
• Matt Brash (SEA)
• Garrett Whitlock (BOS)
• Alex Vesia (LAD)

Ratio relievers

*Multi-inning or bridge relievers who can vulture wins and help protect ratios.

• Adrian Morejon (SD)
• Jeremiah Estrada (SD)
• Garrett Whitlock (BOS)
• Brad Keller (CHC)
• Kyle Leahy (STL)

Statistical Credits: Fangraphs.com, Baseball-Reference.com, BaseballSavant.com and BrooksBaseball.net. Check out my work at Reliever Recon and Closer Monkey for daily updates.

(Photo of Josh Hader: Troy Taormina / Imagn Images)