Fantasy baseball bullpen report featuring rising reliever Edwin Uceta and a rash of injuries

The high-leverage ecosystem undergoes constant changes. Variables like matchup-based bullpens, performance-based decisions, and injuries cause continual frustration for those chasing saves this season. Since my last post, which focused on Josh Hader missing the remainder of the regular season:

• Félix Bautista underwent significant shoulder surgery and will be sidelined for the next 12 months.
• Anthony Bender will not return this season after injuring his leg.
• Kenley Jansen suffered a rib injury while lifting, and his status may be fluid going forward. The veteran closer feels he will not require an injured list stint, but fantasy managers should monitor this closely.

This weekend will also mark the return of high-leverage relievers for two contenders:

Since the onset of August, and including games played on August 20, only four teams have had one reliever record all of their saves in this timeframe, 26 teams have had at least two relievers secure a save, and eight have had three or more relievers post a save:

With Arizona, Baltimore, St. Louis, and the Athletics joining the shared save bandwagon, pursuing saves in these bullpens becomes more challenging. Ask anyone mining saves from the White Sox or Marlins this year. As a frame of reference for these teams:

• Arizona Diamondbacks: Andrew Saalfrank has converted two of three save chances and may be emerging as the team’s preferred option. If Juan Morillo could improve his command, he has the velocity and arsenal for high-leverage success, but he’s a work in progress.
• Baltimore Orioles: Keegan Akin emerged as the potential closer in waiting but struggled with traffic and logged two innings in his last appearance. A wild card in this bullpen could be Rico Garcia. He has not recorded a save yet, but garnered his manager’s attention by striking out the side after inheriting a bases-loaded situation in the bottom of the eighth during an eventual win in Boston.
• St. Louis Cardinals: JoJo Romero has operated as the highest-leveraged reliever, not a closer. He has converted three of four save opportunities since the trade deadline. However, he also appeared in the eighth inning against Miami in consecutive games, facing the top of the batting order. He will face an opponent’s best left-handed hitter or lineup pocket in the late innings, not be reserved for the eighth inning. This puts Riley O’Brien on the radar of fantasy managers since he works in tandem with Romero in the late innings.
• The Athletics: Three different relievers have recorded the team’s three saves this month as Mark Kotsay runs auditions for roles in 2026. This number could increase if Osvaldo Bido and others get a save opportunity before the end of the season. Tread lightly if targeting saves in this leverage ladder.

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

Relievers on the rise

Angel Zerpa (KC): Over the past 14 days, he has recorded a win and three holds across six scoreless innings while posting a 0.67 WHIP with eight strikeouts versus two walks (28.6 K-BB percentage).

Edwin Uceta (TB): A repeat appearance for the Rays reliever in this portion of the post. However, it’s warranted. He has recorded two wins and a hold in his past five outings with eight strikeouts across 5.1 innings. His role may grow with any changes in his team’s hierarchy. Pete Fairbanks has already surpassed his career high in innings (45.1) and should be monitored closely for the remainder of the season.

National League leverage pathways

Relievers on the rise

Jose A. Ferrer (WSH): In his past seven innings, Ferrer has recorded a win, three saves and a hold. He relies on his sinker but can generate whiffs when needed. A strong finish will ensure a larger leverage role in 2026, but can he remain their closer? Time will tell, but hope lies in Shinnosuke Ogasawara emerging as a high-leverage option, freeing up Ferrer for the ninth.

Jimmy Herget (COL): While it’s challenging to trust a Rockies reliever, Herget has posted a win and three holds while recording 10 strikeouts against one walk (32.1 K-BB percentage) over his past 7.1 innings.

Matt Svanson (STL): For those in SOLDS leagues, the team will be transitioning Kyle Leahy into a “piggyback” role for multi-inning outings, stretching him out for a potential rotation spot next year. This opens the door for Svanson to gain a larger share of leverage opportunities for the remainder of the season. He has secured a win and a hold in his past nine innings, recording 11 strikeouts versus two walks (29 K-BB percentage) with a 0.67 WHIP.

2025 leaderboards through August 20

Save stashes/adds

• Tanner Scott (LAD) – if he was dropped in your league
• Rico Garcia (BAL)
• Andrew Saalfrank (ARI)
• Bobby Miller (LAD)
• Luis García/Reid Detmers (LAA) – in case Kenley Jansen misses time

Ancillary save options

• Mason Miller (SD)
• Riley O’Brien (STL
• Andrew Kittredge (CHC)
• Justin Slaten (BOS)
• Hogan Harris/Tyler Ferguson/Sean Newcomb (ATH)
• Hunter Gaddis (CLE)
• Matt Brash (SEA)

Ratio relievers

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

• Adrian Morejon (SD)
• Jeremiah Estrada (SD)
• Brad Keller (CHC)
• Matt Svanson (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 Edwin Uceta: Darren Yamashita-Imagn ImagesDarren Yamashita / Imagn Images)