2025 Fantasy Baseball: Bullpen Depth Charts Week 5
Each week, I’ll update the bullpen depth chart on Friday unless I have a schedule change for some reason. This year, I’ll focus more on the closing jobs that are more in flux than a run through all 30 teams. Here’s a link to the 2025 MLB Bullpen Depth Chart (click on yellow text - Google Sheet). I will make changes to this document during the week as well.
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks’ bullpen has been reshaped after A.J. Puk’s potentially season-ending elbow injury. Justin Martinez is expected to handle the ninth inning, though he’s been managing a right shoulder issue. He’s thrown eight scoreless innings with three hits, 11 strikeouts, and two saves.
Shelby Miller steps into a bigger role, posting 10.2 scoreless innings with two hits, three walks, and 12 strikeouts. In deep leagues, Miller is a strong handcuff option until Martinez’s shoulder concerns are resolved.
Atlanta Braves
Raisel Iglesias, with a 1.00 WHIP and prior closing experience, should be a reliable closer. However, he’s allowed four homers in four of his last eight outings, giving up six runs and nine baserunners over eight innings with eight strikeouts, four saves, and one blown save. His fastball velocity is down roughly 1 mph from 2024. Daysbel Hernandez, with a 1.08 ERA, 0.60 WHIP, and six strikeouts over 8.1 innings, is the closer-in-waiting.
Boston Red Sox
Justin Slaten has emerged as a closing option in deep formats, securing his second save on April 16 and third save two days later after pitching behind Aroldis Chapman. He’s been lights-out this month, allowing no runs, one hit, no walks, and seven strikeouts over seven innings.
Chapman remains stellar with a 1.93 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 14 strikeouts over 9.1 innings, going 4-for-4 in save chances. The Red Sox are using a matchup-based approach, making Slaten and Chapman co-closers. Liam Hendriks has allowed two runs and seven baserunners over three innings with two strikeouts, but his fastball, averaging over 95.0 mph, hints at future save potential.
Chicago Cubs
Ryan Pressly hasn’t pitched since April 20 due to a right knee issue but completed a throwing workout on Thursday, potentially avoiding the IL and returning this weekend. He’s thrown eight scoreless innings in April with eight baserunners, four strikeouts, two wins, one loss, and three saves.
Porter Hodge, after a rough patch (eight runs and 11 baserunners over five innings), has rebounded with three scoreless innings, no hits, no walks, and two strikeouts, earning a win and a save. He’s a closing option if Pressly’s knee issue persists.
Cleveland Guardians
Emmanuel Clase has struggled, allowing nine runs, 20 baserunners, and one homer over 10.1 innings with nine strikeouts, resulting in a 7.84 ERA and 2.23 WHIP. He’s 4-for-6 in save chances with three wins. After pitching three straight games last week, he had two clean saves but blew one with three runs allowed. His cutter velocity is slightly down (99.4 mph vs. 99.6 mph in 2024), and batters are hitting .371 against it (vs. .171 last year).
Cade Smith, with a 1.38 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 16 strikeouts over 13 innings, earned back-to-back saves and has closer potential.
Colorado Rockies
Tyler Kinley has seized the closer role, throwing eight scoreless innings with no hits, four walks, and nine strikeouts, converting his first save chance. He added two more scoreless innings with four baserunners and four strikeouts this week. Jake Bird has been sharp, allowing no runs over five innings with two hits, one walk, and seven strikeouts in his last three outings.
Detroit Tigers
Will Vest has emerged as a closer, handling two save situations and pitching in a four-run lead game after Tommy Kahnle. His scoreless streak is 9.2 innings with five baserunners, 10 strikeouts, one win, and two saves. He’s a must-add in all formats. Kahnle remains effective, allowing one run over 9.1 innings with four hits, one walk, and seven strikeouts while converting 4-of-5 save chances.
Miami Marlins
Calvin Faucher has thrown four scoreless innings with two baserunners, four strikeouts, one win, and two saves over the past two weeks. Jesus Tinoco converted two save chances, allowing no runs over four innings with three baserunners and one strikeout. The closer role remains fluid, with Anthony Bender (1.80 ERA, seven strikeouts over 10 innings) not factoring into save situations.
Pittsburgh Pirates
David Bednar, back from the minors, threw three scoreless innings with two hits and five strikeouts. His AAA stint was strong (no runs, one hit, six strikeouts over four innings), positioning him to reclaim the closer role. Dennis Santana has seven scoreless innings with three hits, four strikeouts, and a perfect 3-for-3 in save chances.
San Francisco Giants
Ryan Walker started strong over his first eight innings with one run, five baserunners, and six strikeouts, converting all five save chances. However, he allowed six runs and six hits in two-thirds of an inning over two outings, jeopardizing his role. Camilo Doval, after a rough patch (three runs, eight baserunners), has thrown 6.2 scoreless innings with one hit, two walks, and six strikeouts, earning three saves. Doval’s 97-for-118 career save rate makes him a likely part of the closer mix moving forward.