Closers and Saves Report - Week 6 Waiver Wire

Another week gone by, and a lot went down in the AL bullpens while the NL bullpens mostly had a straightforward week. The Tigers and Reds bullpens are still their own messes. The Royals may have a new closer already. The Mariners may be moving to a new guy too. The Blue Jays bullpen might be taking shape, and things are changing in Minnesota.

It certainly seems like there have been a lot of really close matchups in a lot of head-to-head leagues already this season (shoutout to baseball's parity extended to fantasy baseball too!) The difference between a fantasy win and a loss could be a little as one save or one hold, a few ERA points, a couple of points in WHIP. Staying ahead of your league in terms of relief pitchers could make a much bigger difference this year than before.

Be sure to keep an eye on our RotoBaller Closers and Saves Bullpen Depth Charts. They're updated daily, or sometimes even more often in this already abnormal baseball season. With that being said, here are the closers, saves, and bullpen waiver wire pickups to consider for Week 6 - May 3 through May 9.

Bullpen News For The Week

Kansas City Royals

The Royals bullpen has (somewhat surprisingly) been a committee most of this young season. Greg Holland seemed to be the head of the committee, with Scott Barlow, Jesse Hahn, and Josh Staumont working alongside him. Holland spent a very short time on the injured list this week with no reason given (draw your own conclusions), and it looks like that small amount of time was all Staumont needed. Holland has now worked the eighth inning while Staumont has earned three saves. His 0.68 ERA is great as well. For now, this looks like Staumont's job to lose, and at the very least, he's taken over the role of head of the Royals committee. He's worth a roster spot in deeper mixed leagues and even shallower leagues for managers desperate for saves.

Risers: Josh Staumont

Fallers: Greg Holland

Cincinnati Reds

The Reds bullpen wasn't supposed to be this messy. But then again, when do things every really go as planned? Amir Garrett has been a total disaster this season (12.27 ERA and twice as many walks as strikeouts). He was supposed to be the Reds closer, or at least to lead the committee, but after too many chances, he's been relegated to mop-up duty and could be there for a while. Sean Doolittle earned a save this week, his first since the 2019 World Series as a member of the Washington Nationals. He has the most experience by far in the Cincinnati bullpen, but Lucas Sims figures to get save chances as well. Rookie Tejay Antone has been outstanding all season, but he's not expected to be a ninth inning option, as the Reds value his multiple inning ability. For now, it's a committee with Sims and Doolittle splitting the ninth inning, but Garrett could retake the job if he figures things out and starts pitching like he did in 2020.

Risers: Sean Doolittle, Lucas Sims

Fallers: Amir Garrett

Minnesota Twins

The Twins had a pretty good closer last season, but they went out and signed Alex Colome anyway. Not only did they sign him, they gave him the ninth inning right out of spring training. Colome responded to their trust by posting an 8.31 ERA and blowing three saves. Manager Rocco Baldelli said that Colome would move into a low-leverage role for a bit, leaving Taylor Rogers and Hansel Robles to form a ninth inning committee in Minnesota. Tyler Duffey also moves up into a higher leverage role and could be a holds league option. Colome could earn his spot back once he "gets right" but if Rogers pitches well, there's a chance he keeps the inning that belonged to him last season.

Risers: Taylor Rogers, Hansel Robles, Tyler Duffey

Fallers: Alex Colome

Short Relief

-Marlins manager Don Mattingly had said that Richard Bleier was a closer option when Anthony Bass was removed from the role, but the traditionally-minded manager has pigeonholed his relievers into innings again, with Yimi Garcia reserved for the ninth, Dylan Floro for the eighth, and Anthony Bass for the seventh.

-The Tigers bullpen is supposed to be a committee, but Gregory Soto could be making some space between himself and the other relievers. Bryan Garcia hasn't pitching in a save situation in two weeks.

-The Mariners are trying different things with their Opening Day closer, Rafael Montero. He pitched in the seventh inning the other day and fared well, but was then asked to pitch the eighth and struggled. Kendall Graveman has been excellent and could ascend to the closer's role on his own soon.

-The Dodgers lost Corey Knebel to the injured list, and he's not expected to be able to return any time soon. That'll quell any fears about Kenley Jansen's job being in jeopardy. Blake Treinen and Victor Gonzalez will work as Jansen's setup men.

-The Blue Jays pen is still a committee, even with Jordan Romano back and healthy. It'll be Rafael Dolis and Romano splitting the ninth inning for Toronto.

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