The Washington Nationals faced a tough defeat against the Miami Marlins, losing 4-3 despite a spirited comeback in the final inning. However, the game also marked a celebratory moment as Bruce the Bat Dog made his much-anticipated MLB debut. After impressing during his time with the Rochester Red Wings, Bruce, a golden retriever, endeared himself to fans with his bat retrieval skills and playful demeanor. His promotion was hailed as historic by the Red Wings' GM, who emphasized Bruce's unique ability to uplift spirits. While the Nationals came close to winning, a final play with bases loaded fell short.

Week 12 of the 2025 MLB season highlights promising waiver wire pickups for fantasy baseball enthusiasts, particularly focusing on relief pitchers and potential closers. As All-Star voting begins, performances are starting to solidify, revealing which players are becoming reliable options for saves. Notably, Robert Garcia and Chris Martin of the Texas Rangers have emerged following their recent save opportunities, despite some inconsistency. Shelby Miller of the Arizona Diamondbacks, now back in a closing role due to injuries, showcases a strong scoreless streak, making him a worthwhile add. In Atlanta, Pierce Johnson and Dylan Lee are vying for saves amidst a closer committee situation. The Chicago Cubs continue to rely on Daniel Palencia and Ryan Pressly in their bullpen, while David Bednar of the Pittsburgh Pirates reestablishes himself. Meanwhile, deeper league options like Calvin Faucher from the Miami Marlins suggest a developing closer situation as well.

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.

Victor Robles has made headlines after his jaw-dropping catch at Oracle Park, resulting in a dislocated shoulder that will sideline him for at least 12 weeks. Despite the injury, Robles expressed no regrets, emphasizing his passion for the game. His manager, Dan Wilson, acknowledged the challenges posed by Robles’ absence in the leadoff spot but showed confidence in the team’s ability to adapt. Meanwhile, the Mariners face additional setbacks with rookie Ryan Bliss out for four to five months due to a biceps injury.

Robles was performing well at the start of the season, hitting .273 with three doubles and three stolen bases in ten games. As he begins his recovery, he remains optimistic, stating that his character won’t change during this setback. The Mariners will have to adjust their lineup as they navigate through injuries while hoping for quick recoveries.

As fantasy baseball enters Week 3, savvy managers are eyeing the waiver wire for relief pitchers who can help secure saves. Anthony Bender of the Miami Marlins, now a prominent closer after Calvin Faucher's struggles, has started strong with five scoreless innings and is widely available. Meanwhile, Dennis Santana of the Pittsburgh Pirates has stepped into the closer role following David Bednar's demotion, although his underlying metrics raise some red flags. Luke Jackson of the Texas Rangers is a must-add, boasting five saves despite a rocky start to the season. In deeper leagues, A.J. Minter of the New York Mets is a speculative pickup given Edwin Diaz's recent struggles, while Emilio Pagan fills in temporarily for the Cincinnati Reds during Alexis Diaz's rehab. The Colorado Rockies' closer situation remains murky with Seth Halvorsen, Victor Vodnik, and Jake Bird all vying for a chance, leaving fantasy managers in wait-and-see mode.