Closers aren’t the only relief pitchers that matter in the majors, and that’s certainly the case in fantasy baseball. Relief pitchers that tally strikeouts and holds can be incredibly valuable, especially in leagues that include holds as a category. Let’s dive into this week’s saves plus holds fantasy baseball league rankings and waiver wire pickups to target.

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Saves + Holds Rankings & Waiver Wire Targets

Closer Situations to Watch

These are bullpens we need to monitor.

Arizona Diamondbacks

We’re only keeping Arizona in this section until Paul Sewald returns. The closer is out for the next month with an oblique injury. Kevin Ginkel is filling in. Ginkel picked up two saves this week and is a worthy addition if he’s available on your waiver wire.

Colorado Rockies

I grew up watching the Rockies; they’re aging me quickly. I’ve watched this bullpen blow games for the last 20 years and that’s what we have again this season. Justin Lawrence has been in high-leverage situations but he’s got an 11.57 ERA and a 2.36 WHIP. Those gas station totals won’t get it done with Tyler Kinley looking like the next guy in line. Please don’t pick up anyone from this pen.

Chicago White Sox

The White Sox are nearly as bad as the Rockies. We have no clue who this team’s closer is but Michael Kopech has to be the best bet. He has two saves so far, striking out 12 batters across 7.2 innings. He’s undoubtedly the most talented arm in this pen and could run away with this gig if he continues to mow down batters at that rate.

Detroit Tigers

Alex Lange blew this job before he even had a chance. The 2023 closer has a 2.18 WHIP so far this season, while Jason Foley has been one of the best relievers in the game. That’s led to Foley recording three of the first four saves for this team, throwing 5.1 scoreless innings so far. He’s been added everywhere, and rightfully so.

Kansas City Royals

Will Smith was brought in to be the team’s closer but he hasn’t been getting the job done. The lefty has two losses and a blown save, no thanks to his 13.50 ERA and 2.75 WHIP. That’s forced James McArthur into the closer’s role, picking up a win and two saves in his last three appearances. Look for McArthur to be the guy as we advance.

Miami Marlins

Tanner Scott is the presumed closer but we won’t know until Miami wins a game. They have just one victory through the opening two weeks. Scott was a surprise with 10 saves over the final two months of last year and should get the first crack whenever that happens.

Milwaukee Brewers

I mistakenly thought Joel Payamps would be the closer filling in for Devin Williams because Abner Uribe has run away with the job. The righty blew a save over the weekend but has converted in three of his four chances. He luckily picked up a win in that blown save, so look for him to get the next few chances.

Minnesota Twins

We wish we had a better read on this situation because there’s a good option in this pen. Griffin Jax and Brock Stewart have been fantastic since last season, throwing four scoreless innings a piece so far this year. Jax had the first save chance, but Stewart also has two holds. There’s also some thought Jhoan Duran will return quicker than expected from his oblique injury. That would make both of these guys useless in saves leagues. They’re both excellent options in holds formats, though.

Oakland A’s

Fading the Rockies is the easiest thing to do in fantasy, with the A’s being an easy team to omit as well. Those two teams might barely reach 100 wins combined, with Oakland projected to finish with the worst record in MLB. Mason Miller has some nasty stuff at the backend of the pen and picked up this team’s first save just two days ago. He’s probably the guy, but the saves will be rare for this horrible team.

Texas Rangers

Jose Leclerc was the presumed closer but he’s losing his grip on this role. He’s allowed a run in all but one outing, taking two losses and one blown save through the opening two weeks. He wasn’t even announced as the closer before the season started. It could be time to give David Robertson a chance. Robertson is one of the best speculative adds right now.

Toronto Blue Jays

This will be the last week Toronto is included. Jordan Romano is starting a rehab assignment and could be back in action by the time next week’s article is published. Chad Green has been the fill-in in his absence, picking up two saves already. Many people assumed it would be Yimi Garcia but Green is the guy as long as Romano is out.

Washington Nationals

Kyle Finnegan is gaining a grip on this role. He’s produced a save in four of his five appearances this season, with the one dud being a blown save. That’s the true definition of a closer. A couple of more converted chances could get Washington out of this section moving forward.

My Saves/Holds Rankings

Relievers on the Rise

David Robertson (TEX)

Jose Leclerc has always struggled as the primary closer and is doing it again. He’s allowed a run in four of his five appearances, while Robertson has yet to surrender a run. Robertson has also been a dominant closer in the past, recording 175 career saves.

James McArthur (KC)

Will Smith has struggled as Kansas City’s closer, allowing McArthur to take over. He’s got three straight scoreless appearances, picking up two saves in that span. It’ll be hard for the Royals to remove McArthur from this role, especially if Smith continues to falter.

Potential Closers on the IL

Felix Bautista (BAL): The O’s closer is out for the year after Tommy John surgery.

Jhoan Duran (MIN): Duran is still rehabbing from an oblique strain but could be back within a month.

Jordan Romano (TOR): Romano is starting a rehab assignment and could return when the next article is published.

Devin Williams (MIL): Williams will be out 2-3 months because of back issues.

Paul Sewald (ARI): Sewald suffered a Grade 2 oblique strain and will miss at least another month.

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Joel Bartilotta is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @Bartilottajoel.