​In this week’s Closer Report, Bryan Baker earns his first All-Star nod after a standout first half, while Tyler Wells steps up in Baltimore and Jordan Romano settles into the closer role in Colorado, collecting two saves as he acclimates to his new setting. We break down the past week in saves across baseball, plus a quick look at the latest developments that affected bullpens around the league.
Baseball is back and the 2026 season brings MLB back to NBC and Peacock, with NBC Sports serving as the exclusive home for Sunday Night Baseball. The network will also televise MLB Sunday Leadoff, Opening Day primetime games, Labor Day primetime games, the first round of the MLB Draft, the entire Wild Card round of the postseason, and much more, marking a renewed commitment to showcasing bullpen battles and late-inning drama in prime time.
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Stolen Base Report highlights for the week feature these notable names:
– Mason Miller, San Diego Padres
– Jhoan Duran, Philadelphia Phillies
– Cade Smith, Cleveland Guardians
– Louis Varland, Toronto Blue Jays
– Josh Hader, Houston Astros
– Bryan Baker, Tampa Bay Rays
Miller opened with a non-save allowed run against the Dodgers on Saturday, then bounced back with a clean inning on Sunday to notch a save. He followed that with a flawless frame and two strikeouts on Tuesday against the Diamondbacks for his 23rd save. Setup man Jason Adam landed on the 15-day injured list with a shoulder injury, elevating Bradley Rodríguez, who carries a 2.15 ERA over 37 2/3 innings, into the upgraded right-handed setup role behind Miller.
Duran’s week included a dominant save against the Reds on Tuesday, where he struck out the side for his 22nd save of the season. His season totals to date highlight a stellar 1.47 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP, and 48 strikeouts over 30 2/3 innings. Smith regained his form after a short rough patch, delivering three straight scoreless appearances in non-save situations against the White Sox and Twins. The 27-year-old right-hander has posted a 2.83 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 59 strikeouts across 41 1/3 innings.
Varland added his 18th save with a strikeout in a scoreless inning against the Mariners on Friday. Behind Varland, veteran Tyler Rogers has been an indispensable asset, posting a 1.77 ERA over 40 2/3 innings and recording 18 holds.
Hader has returned to elite form since his early June comeback, logging a scoreless inning for a win against the Rays on Saturday, followed by two strikeouts in a Sunday appearance for his ninth save. He then earned his 10th save on Tuesday against the Nationals with a one-out frame, carrying a 25/8 K/BB ratio over 15 1/3 innings since his return.
Baker also delivered strong performance, recording back-to-back saves against the Royals and Astros on Thursday and Friday, then closing out against the Yankees on Wednesday with another save. At 31, Baker has tallied 25 saves with a 1.73 ERA, a 0.83 WHIP, and 41 strikeouts over 36 1/3 innings, a sustained run that has secured his first All-Star nod.
Other notable closers and bullpen names in the mix include:
– Aroldis Chapman, Boston Red Sox
– David Bednar, New York Yankees
– Raisel Iglesias, Atlanta Braves
– Andrés Muñoz, Seattle Mariners
– Jacob Latz, Texas Rangers
– Trevor Megill, Milwaukee Brewers
As we move deeper into the season, these bullpen personalities will continue to shape tight games in high-leverage moments. The next stretch of weeks will test who can sustain elite late-game efficiency and who might flip into closer-by-committee scenarios as teams balance rest, injuries, and performance.
This week’s close reads, saves breakdowns, and rotation shifts will help fantasy managers and real-life managers alike identify those who are positioned to thrive in late-inning opportunities. Whether you’re chasing the next breakout closer, monitoring a new closer in a bullpen overhaul, or tracking veterans who have rediscovered their form, the data points from these past seven days offer a clear view of who’s delivering saves and who might be next in line for a late-inning save chance.