Week 12 of the 2025 fantasy baseball season highlights the volatility at the closer position, prompting savvy fantasy managers to consider stashing backup options for potential saves down the stretch. With injuries and performance issues affecting several bullpens, including those of the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners, identifying closers who may be on a shorter leash becomes crucial.

Jason Adam of the San Diego Padres, who boasts a 1.54 ERA and 17 holds, is a prime candidate to take over if Robert Suarez falters. Similarly, Randy Rodríguez of the San Francisco Giants is positioned to leapfrog Camilo Doval, who has struggled recently. Other noteworthy mentions include Lucas Erceg of the Kansas City Royals and Bryan Abreu of the Houston Astros, both of whom have shown promise in their respective bullpens. Staying alert in this fluid environment can unlock hidden value in your fantasy roster as the season progresses.

The fantasy baseball landscape is shifting rapidly with Week 11 of the season seeing significant changes in closer roles across the league. Camilo Doval of the San Francisco Giants is now the primary closer, having secured eight saves despite a recent setback. In Texas, Robert Garcia has replaced Luke Jackson in the ninth inning, showcasing his potential by delivering scoreless outings. The Arizona Diamondbacks are caught in a confusing bullpen dynamic, with Justin Martinez emerging as the likely closer after a string of impressive performances, while Shelby Miller remains a relevant option. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Braves face a closer crisis, with Raisel Iglesias struggling significantly this season, leading to a potential resurgence from Craig Kimbrel after his call-up from Triple-A. The Chicago Cubs have found their closer in Daniel Palencia, who has locked down five consecutive saves without allowing a run. The Detroit Tigers' bullpen features a tandem of Will Vest and Tommy Kahnle, both proving effective. Lastly, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins continue to grapple with murky closer situations, making strategic pickups critical for fantasy players.

Ronald Acuña Jr. has publicly apologized to Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker and his teammates for a social media post where he accused Snitker of a double standard regarding player discipline. Acuña, the 2023 NL MVP, expressed his frustrations stemming from his recovery from ACL surgery, highlighting the disappointment of being sidelined while the team struggled. He clarified his intention was not to create a distraction and emphasized his desire to remain with the Braves for his entire career.

The incident occurred in April when Acuña criticized Snitker's decision to leave Jarred Kelenic in a game despite a lack of hustle, contrasting it with a past incident where he was benched for similar reasons. Acuña's return is highly anticipated as the Braves, who started the season 0-7, have shown improvement with a 21-15 record since then.

As the 2025 MLB season enters its seventh week, fantasy managers find themselves scouting waiver wire hitters to enhance their rosters across various offensive categories. The ongoing injury crisis has intensified this search, making it crucial to identify under-the-radar talent that can provide significant boosts in runs scored, home runs, RBIs, stolen bases, and batting average.

Among notable names, Trent Grisham of the New York Yankees has emerged as a surprising contributor, boasting 12 home runs and remarkable run-scoring ability with 23 runs this season. Jake Cronenworth from the San Diego Padres is also shining, showing promise with a healthy return to the lineup. For deeper leagues, Addison Barger of the Toronto Blue Jays is a must-watch, demonstrating strong underlying metrics and potential for growth.

Additionally, power hitters like Jake Burger from the Texas Rangers and Colt Keith from the Detroit Tigers are making waves with their recent performances, while Rhys Hoskins of the Milwaukee Brewers is proving to be a reliable source of RBIs. Keep an eye on prospects such as Jordan Lawlar from the Arizona Diamondbacks, who is expected to soon gain more playing time and showcase his speed on the base paths. As fantasy playoffs approach, these players could be key additions.

The Chicago Cubs face a significant challenge as star pitcher Shota Imanaga has been sidelined with a hamstring injury, leaving the team to contemplate their immediate future on the mound. With Imanaga's status uncertain pending further evaluation, Chris Flexen has been named the likely short-term replacement. However, Sahadev Sharma from The Athletic suggests that Cade Horton, a promising young prospect, could be a more intriguing option given his impressive Triple-A performance this season, boasting a 1.17 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 23 innings. Although Horton has some command issues, his strikeout potential could make him an asset if called up. The Cubs' decision-making will be closely monitored as they navigate through this pivotal moment in their season.