In the evolving landscape of MLB bullpens, Justin Martinez has emerged as a strong candidate for saves with the Arizona Diamondbacks, especially in the wake of A.J. Puk's injury. However, Martinez's recent fatigue raises questions about his durability. Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox's Aroldis Chapman remains in the driver's seat for saves even as high-leverage scenarios challenge his availability.

In Chicago, Ryan Pressly’s grip on the closer role appears secure despite recent struggles from his teammate Porter Hodge. Meanwhile, the White Sox remain a team to avoid for saves, having yet to record one this season. The Cincinnati Reds’ closer situation is murky with Emilio Pagán competing against Alexis Díaz, who has had setbacks since returning from the IL, giving Pagán an edge.

For the Cleveland Guardians, Emmanuel Clase’s struggles signal potential buy-low opportunities, while Tommy Kahnle continues to dominate the ninth inning for the Detroit Tigers despite recent heavy usage. Lastly, Devin Williams’ recent performance with the New York Yankees raises concerns, making him a player worth monitoring closely in fantasy leagues.

The Texas Rangers’ relief pitching situation has taken fantasy players by surprise this season. While Chris Martin and Robert Garcia seemed poised to claim the closer role, manager Bruce Bochy has shown unwavering trust in Luke Jackson, who currently leads the team with five saves. Jackson's performance has been impressive, allowing no runs in his last five outings, while Martin, despite his better overall fantasy numbers, has seen fewer opportunities. Historical performance suggests Jackson may continue his success as a closer, even amid the skepticism surrounding his past struggles.

In contrast, the Pirates’ David Bednar has been demoted from his closer role due to poor performance, making Dennis Santana a top candidate for saves moving forward. Meanwhile, other teams like the Tigers and Red Sox are also experiencing shakeups in their bullpens, with Tommy Kahnle and Aroldis Chapman stepping into closing roles. As the season progresses, how these evolving situations will impact save opportunities remains a key point of interest for fantasy managers.

A.J. Puk has quickly established himself as the primary closer for the Arizona Diamondbacks, successfully converting both of the team's saves early in the season. Despite some career challenges against right-handed hitters, his impressive stats from last season (1.72 ERA, 0.75 WHIP) suggest he has the potential to dominate the role alongside Justin Martinez, who is also making waves with a 45.0 K-BB% thus far. The Atlanta Braves, meanwhile, are struggling despite their expected positive regression, with Rasiel Iglesias emerging as a potential buy-low candidate in fantasy leagues.

In the Boston Red Sox's bullpen, Aroldis Chapman is stepping into the closer's role, especially with Liam Hendriks sidelined. Chapman showed an uptick in performance post-All-Star break last year, making him a valuable fantasy asset. In contrast, the Chicago Cubs face uncertainty with Ryan Pressley leading saves but his high SIERA raises concerns. The White Sox, still without a save this season, are leaning towards Mike Clevinger, who has yet to prove effective.

Over in Cincinnati, Emilio Pagán is taking charge as the preferred ninth-inning option, but concerns about Alexis Díaz's performance when he returns from injury linger. The Colorado Rockies’ Seth Halvorsen has managed to get a save, though Coors Field remains a variable. The Detroit Tigers are also navigating murky waters with Tommy Kahnle likely to secure the closer's job, while the Los Angeles Angels, surprisingly leading the league in save opportunities, are getting solid returns from Kenley Jansen.

As the season progresses, keep an eye on the Miami Marlins' Anthony Bender, who has already notched a save, and the Milwaukee Brewers, who are still searching for their first save opportunity. With the season only just beginning, the evolving closer landscape will be crucial for fantasy players looking to fill key roster spots.

Rafael Devers is slowly emerging from a rough start to the 2025 season, finally securing his first hits as the Boston Red Sox took a 3-0 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. After beginning the season with a dismal 0-for-19 stretch accompanied by 15 strikeouts, Devers managed to pull a double in the fifth inning, driving in Ceddanne Rafaela, and followed up with a single in the seventh. This performance hints at a potential turnaround, especially as he adjusts to a new role after the acquisition of Alex Bregman, who now occupies third base.

Garrett Crochet's stellar eight-inning performance, allowing only four hits and striking out eight, cemented the win, while Aroldis Chapman secured the save in a clean ninth inning. The Red Sox improved to 2-4, keeping their hopes alive in the AL East. Manager Alex Cora's support for Devers has been crucial as he works through his mechanics and timing issues, which have plagued him since his shoulder injury last season.

Rafael Devers has finally broken through in his dismal start to the 2025 season, logging his first hit and run batted in during the Red Sox's 3-0 victory against the Orioles. After struggling with a record 15 strikeouts in his first five games, Devers pulled a crucial double off Zach Eflin in the fifth inning, helping Boston secure the win. This performance comes after Devers signed a lucrative six-year, $170 million extension.

On the mound, Garrett Crochet was stellar, pitching eight scoreless innings, while Aroldis Chapman notched his first save. Despite the early-season woes for Devers, Red Sox manager Alex Cora has expressed confidence that the slugger is on the path to recovery, emphasizing the need for tweaks in his swing mechanics.