Playoffs are coming for most leagues and have already started for some. Unfortunately, that means the fantasy baseball season is ending for lots of teams. Hopefully, those of you who read Closer Report every week also read some other FantasyPros articles and are cruising into the playoffs, looking ahead to matchups and potential opponents. Not too much closer news this week, but let’s jump in.

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Closer News From Around The League

Los Angeles Angels/New York Mets

The Angels and Mets hooked up on a trade this week, sending reliever (and previously acting Angels closer) Fernando Salas to the Mets in exchange for minor leagues Erik Manoah. Salas won’t sniff the ninth inning as a Met, but he was doing a solid job in the role as an Angel. His 2016 numbers aren’t great (4.47 ERA/4.63 FIP), but he’s been much better since the All-Star Break (2.93 ERA/3.40 FIP). He’ll find a home in New York, likely in the seventh inning. That leaves the Angels in need of yet another closer, as Salas was their fourth of the season. Save situations in Anaheim will likely go to either Deolis Guerra or J.C. Ramirez. They will share the role for now, making them options in only the deepest of leagues, but each one would be worth a roster spot in a standard league if named the full-time closer.

Colorado Rockies

Rockies closer Adam Ottavino finally came off the disabled list and has been pitching well. He wears number “0” on his back, and he had an ERA to match up until the Washington Nationals decided to ruin everything. Yes, the same Washington Nationals that ended Orioles closer Zach Britton’s scoreless appearance streak as well. Ottavino has still been great, though, and he now has the chance to serve as the team’s closer for the first time in his career. He had four saves coming into the season, but a nice 3.50 career FIP with 9.01 K/9. He’s worth owning in all formats and is an especially good dynasty option.

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks gutted their bullpen before the trade deadline and manager Chip Hale scrambled to find a closer for a while before deciding on a two-headed monster of Daniel Hudson and Randall Delgado. Similar to the Angels’ situation mentioned above, neither is really worth an add outside of the deepest leagues, but either one cementing himself as full-time closer would be worthy of attention. Hudson has been looked at as a future closer by Arizona for a while now, so he may have a slight edge.

Injury Updates

Not quite an injury, but an update on a player who is “out for the season” anyway. Jonathan Papelbon will not pitch again in 2016. After being released by the Nationals, Papelbon reportedly had interest from several teams, including the Red Sox. He must not have liked the playing time being offered, because news recently came out that he would sit out the rest of the 2016 season. Still a decent relief pitcher with plenty of experience, Papelbon will certainly latch onto a team before Spring Training 2017.

Top Performers For The Week Of August 25 – September 1, 2016

Francisco Rodriguez (DET): 4 IP, 4 K, 3 SV, 0.00 ERA, 0.69 WHIP

“K-Rod” had an excellent week, saving three games for the Tigers while striking out a batter per inning. He allowed a hit and two walks in his four games, and he managed to pick up the win in the one game he did not save.

Kelvin Herrera (KC): 4 IP, 4 K, 3 SV, 0.00 ERA, 0.92 WHIP

Herrera, with Wade Davis likely breathing down his neck, saved three games this week, also striking out a batter per inning and allowing just four hits in his four games. Herrera might lose his spot once Davis comes back, but he has enough upside on his own to be worth hanging onto in deeper leagues.

Kenley Jansen (LAD): 4 IP, 8 K, 3 SV, 2.25 ERA, 0.50 WHIP

Jansen saved three games while allowing a run on two hits and striking out two batters per inning pitched. He had the most strikeouts of any closer this week, and he continues to be an elite but underappreciated option in real life and fantasy baseball.



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David A. Marcillo is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from David, check out his archive and follow him @DavidMarcillo77.

