In this week’s Closer Report, Devin Williams has been sidelined with a shoulder strain, giving Kodai Senga a chance to step up in a new role. Emilio Pagán has been lights out since his return in early July. And Jacob Webb has emerged as the go-to option for the Cubs. All that and more as we break down the last week in saves.
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2026 Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings
Who is stealing bases, who isn’t, why, and how?
▶ Tier 1
Mason Miller – San Diego Padres
Jhoan Duran – Philadelphia Phillies
Cade Smith – Cleveland Guardians
Bryan Baker – Tampa Bay Rays
Louis Varland – Toronto Blue Jays
Josh Hader – Houston Astros
Miller gave up a run, just his fifth run allowed all season, before holding on for a save against the Astros on Saturday. He then tossed a scoreless inning against the Brewers on Monday for his 30th save to go with a 0.88 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, and 93 strikeouts over 51 1/3 innings.
Duran made three scoreless appearances for the Phillies this week in non-save situations, twice keeping the game tied in the ninth. The newly acquired Caleb Kilian was placed on the 15-day injured list with a left oblique strain.
Smith pitched a clean inning in a non-save situation against the White Sox on Sunday. He then recorded the final four outs on Wednesday against the Tigers, striking out three for his first save in August after recording only four in July. Meanwhile, Baker extended his MLB-lead in saves with two more this week, giving him 34.
In Toronto, Varland gave up two runs on Thursday against the Cubs, taking his first blown save of the season. He bounced back with three scoreless outings to pick up a win and two saves, giving him 26 this season with a 1.30 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 76 strikeouts over 62 1/3 innings. The Blue Jays claimed Paul Sewald off waivers from the Diamondbacks after the 36-year-old right-hander was designated for assignment despite converting 24 saves for Arizona.
Hader recorded a save with a clean inning against the Padres on Friday, then pitched two perfect innings to fall in line for a win against the Giants on Monday before locking down his 17th save on Wednesday.
▶ Tier 2
David Bednar – New York Yankees
Trevor Megill – Milwaukee Brewers
Aroldis Chapman – Boston Red Sox
Raisel Iglesias- Atlanta Braves
Jacob Latz – Texas Rangers
Andrés Muñoz – Seattle Mariners
Riley O’Brien – St. Louis Cardinals
Bednar made three appearances for the Yankees, adding a win and two saves. He’s up to 27 saves with a 2.56 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 60 strikeouts over 52 2/3 innings. Behind Bednar, Brent Headrick has been one of the best middle relievers this season, recording 19 holds with a 1.47 ERA across 61 1/3 innings.
Megill pitched two clean outings, locking down his 21st save against the Twins on Saturday. He then recorded five outs against the Padres in a non-save situation on Wednesday as he continues his impressive season with a 2.49 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, and 53 strikeouts over 47 innings.
Chapman gave up a run in back-to-back outings, taking a loss against the Athletics on Sunday. And it wasn’t the best week for Iglesias, either. He gave up two runs to take a loss against the Yankees on Friday before bouncing back with two scoreless outings, earning a win on Sunday. Iglesias then gave up a run with a four-run lead on Wednesday against the Mets.
Latz completed a two-inning save against the Orioles on Friday, then tossed a scoreless inning on Monday against the Angels for his 23rd save of the season. Meanwhile, Muñoz tossed a clean inning with two strikeouts in a non-save situation against the Rays on Saturday.
O’Brien is back on the rise after an excellent week on the mound. He converted three saves with three scoreless appearances, extending his scoreless streak to eight outings. The 31-year-old right-hander has converted 30 saves with a 3.14 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 49 strikeouts over 48 2/3 innings.
▶ Tier 3
Grant Taylor – Chicago White Sox
Emilio Pagán – Cincinnati Reds
Edwin Díaz – Los Angeles Dodgers
Kenley Jansen – Detroit Tigers
Luke Weaver/Mason Montgomery – Pittsburgh Pirates
Taylor has made 11 appearances without allowing an earned run. Still, he was charged with a blown save on Tuesday, allowing an inherited runner to score in the eighth inning before cleaning up the frame and pitching a scoreless ninth to go to extras.
Pagán continues to pitch well, adding his 14th save with a clean outing against the White Sox on Tuesday. The 35-year-old right-hander has allowed two runs with an 18/2 K/BB ratio across 12 1/3 innings since returning from the injured list on July 1.
Díaz is still getting his feet under him since his return from elbow surgery. He blew back-to-back save chances against the Diamondbacks. Manager Dave Roberts went right back to him on Monday against the Royals, with Díaz pitching a clean inning for a save.
Jansen struck out the side against the Giants on Sunday, falling in line for a win. He then gave up a run against the Guardians on Tuesday before holding on for his 14th save. Meanwhile, no saves for the Pirates this week. Weaver made his Pittsburgh debut on Friday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning in a non-save situation.
▶ Tier 4
Yoendrys Gómez – Minnesota Twins
Pete Fairbanks – Miami Marlins
Jacob Webb – Chicago Cubs
Clayton Beeter – Washington Nationals
Jordan Romano – Colorado Rockies
Hogan Harris – Athletics
Kodai Senga – New York Mets
Despite the acquisition of Jeff Hoffman at the trade deadline, the Twins continue to go to Gómez in the ninth inning. He picked up three more saves this week, giving him 17 with a 3.38 ERA over 53 1/3 innings.
Fairbanks is in the middle of his best stretch, making seven straight scoreless appearances. He picked up his 18th save against the Pirates on Tuesday.
Someone is finally emerging in the Cubs’ late-inning situation, with Webb converting three straight saves. He locked down two this week with a pair of scoreless outings, including a four-out save against the Nationals on Tuesday. The 32-year-old right-hander is having an excellent season, posting a 2.38 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 60 strikeouts over 53 innings.
Beeter made back-to-back scoreless appearances against the Reds on Friday and Saturday, picking up a win and a save. And in Colorado, Romano gave up a run on Saturday against the Cardinals before holding on for a save, then pitched two scoreless outings for a pair of saves against the Diamondbacks, giving him 12 on the year with a 5.95 ERA over 19 2/3 innings.
Harris gave up a run on Saturday before holding on for a save, then came back on Sunday for a scoreless inning to give him back-to-back saves against the Red Sox. He’s converted 11 with a 3.63 ERA across 52 innings.
Devin Williams landed on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain. His absence opens the door for Senga to get some ninth-inning work. He picked up his first save with a scoreless inning against the Braves on Monday.
▶ Tier 5
Andrew Kittredge/Yennier Cano – Baltimore Orioles
Samy Natera Jr./Ben Joyce – Los Angeles Angels
Brandyn Garcia/Kevin Ginkel – Arizona Diamondbacks
Dylan Smith/Keaton Winn – San Francisco Giants
Steven Cruz/Nate Pearson – Kansas City Royals
These are all committees in some not-so-great situations. Just take your shots on the most skilled if hunting for saves. Natera has been impressive with the Angels. He converted two saves this week and has posted a 2.00 ERA with an impressive 40.4% strikeout rate over 27 innings.
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