The 2016 baseball season is still in its infancy, but already a premier closer has been placed on the disabled list, a team is on their third option for the ninth inning, and an oft-maligned closer leads the league in saves. If this is what the season has in store for us, Closer Report is in for a wild ride that will last until October.

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Closer News from Around the League

Minnesota Twins

Twins closer Glen Perkins has never been elite. His name isn’t mentioned along with the Chapmans, Millers, Kimbrels, or Rosenthals. But, what Perkins has been is solid. Since 2013, he’s saved 102 games, never posting an ERA higher than 3.65. That’s not a top-of-the-line closer, but that’s a closer that is owned and has value in every fantasy league. Perkins has had injury issues recently, missing time last season with a neck ailment and heading to the disabled list already this year with a left shoulder strain. Kevin Jepsen, who stepped in for Perkins last season, will likely get the bulk of the save chances while Perkins recovers. He doesn’t come with much upside, but since any closer has fantasy value, he can be picked up off most waiver wires.

Philadelphia Phillies

When the Philadelphia Phillies signed David Hernandez in the offseason, it was assumed he would serve as the team’s closer. As Spring Training began to wrap up, word from the organization was that they would like to see Dalier Hinojosa take the bulk of the save chances. Then the season began and both Hernandez and Hinojosa had awful outings, leading manager Pete Mackanin to already go to his third choice at closer; Jeanmar Gomez. Gomez began his major league career as a starter for the Cleveland Indians, then he moved to the Pittsburgh Pirates where he was converted to a full-time reliever. He appeared in 65 games for the Phillies last season, mostly in middle relief, posting a 3.01 ERA/3.25 FIP, but only 6.03 K/9. He should be solid enough as a closer to hold down the job for a while, but he won’t help in strikeouts. There’s also the issue that the Phillies most likely won’t have enough save chances to allow Gomez to be a difference maker in fantasy. Still, like Jepsen above, any closer who holds the full-time gig is worth owning, so take a look at your wire and see if you can still snag Gomez.

Washington Nationals

Despite all of the controversy surrounding Jonathan Papelbon at the end of the 2015 season, the Washington Nationals traded away Drew Storen to the Toronto Blue Jays, guaranteeing Papelbon’s place in the ninth inning. How has Papelbon responded? By leading the league in saves with five and by not walking a single batter yet. He’s allowed one run and five hits with four strikeouts in his five innings so far. While he hasn’t been dominant, he’s been good enough to save every game he’s been in. He won’t keep up the save-every-appearance pace, but Papelbon should be set for a season where he racks up plenty of saves and doesn’t hurt in any other category. He shouldn’t be on any waiver wires, but current owners can be happy they took a chance on him on draft day.

Injury Updates

Nothing new to report besides Glen Perkins of the Minnesota Twins (discussed above). Aroldis Chapman of the New York Yankees is still serving his domestic violence suspension and Will Smith of the Milwaukee Brewers still has no clear timetable for a return. Chapman may have a hard time convincing manager Joe Girardi to give him the ninth inning after Andrew Miller continues to prove he can be an elite closer. Smith may not get the ninth inning if he returns after a hot start by Jeremy Jeffress.

Top Performers of the Season

(This section will usually be Top Performers of the Week, but for this first one, we’ll go with the top closers of the season so far.)

As mentioned earlier, Papelbon has started the season hot, saving five games in five appearances and allowing just one run. He should be a solid, middle-tier closer for the remainder of the season with plenty of opportunities to lock down wins for his club.

David Robertson is an excellent closer and could sneak into the top tier this season if the White Sox can win some more close games. He’s allowed only one walk this season and notched a save in each of his outings. He’s a great arm to own in fantasy.

It’s extremely early in the season, but Jeanmar Gomez has made a list of top closers for the season to date. Not even Gomez would have predicted that on Opening Day. Still, the Phillies new closer-for-now has four saves and has only allowed one run. He’s unlikely to hold onto the job all season, but why not jump aboard while the train is still moving?

Jeremy Jeffress earned the Brewers’ closer job when Will Smith tore his knee apart taking off his shoe. Jeffress has responded with four saves in five innings and no runs allowed. He should be able to hold onto the job all season, but his extreme ground ball tendencies limit his strikeout upside a bit.

Blowups and Breakdowns

Craig Kimbrel (BOS)

Kimbrel had a rough inning against the Baltimore Orioles, tossing one inning but not before allowing three runs on two walks and a Chris Davis blast. He responded with a perfect three-strikeout save (a “Kimbrel”) on 14 pitches two days later against the same team, though. There is no need to worry about one of the best closers in the game.

Trevor Rosenthal (STL)

Rosenthal came into a non-save situation (a 4-4 tie) but gave up the tie, allowing a two-run home run. Like Kimbrel, Rosenthal is one of the elite closers in baseball and this is only a blip on what should be another excellent season.

For more advice, check out Week 3 waiver wire suggestions:

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

