In the latest Closer Report, the situation around Ryan Pressly as the Cubs' closer appears precarious following a disastrous outing where he allowed nine runs without recording an out. Meanwhile, Jhoan Duran of the Minnesota Twins is experiencing a career resurgence with a total of five saves this week, highlighting his potential reliability in fantasy rotations. Emilio Pagán is making strides, gaining trust within the Cincinnati Reds' bullpen, marking him as a rising star to watch.

Andrés Muñoz remains a top-tier closer for the Seattle Mariners, showcasing remarkable stats including a 0.00 ERA. His recent performances have solidified his status. Mason Miller's performance has been erratic, while Josh Hader and Edwin Díaz continue to hold their ground despite fewer save opportunities. The report rounds up promising relievers and potential stash candidates, emphasizing their importance in fantasy leagues as the season progresses.

Jhoan Duran, the Minnesota Twins' closer, recently introduced a new pitch to his repertoire: the sweeper. During a game against the Houston Astros, Duran struck out Jake Meyers with this pitch, which he had been developing over the past two years. His fastball can peak at 104 mph, and while his splinker has become popular among pitchers for generating ground balls, the sweeper adds a new dimension. This pitch moves away from right-handed hitters and can be thrown at 87 mph, similar to his curveball.

Initially, Duran faced challenges integrating the sweeper into his game, having shelved it after its first attempt last season went awry. He worked on refining it during the offseason with assistant pitching coach Luis Ramírez, focusing on grip and arm slot adjustments. Feedback from teammates and coaches has been encouraging, suggesting that the sweeper could be a valuable weapon in Duran's arsenal for the upcoming season.

As the 2024 MLB season kicks off, the closer landscape is filled with intriguing options for fantasy baseball enthusiasts. Emmanuel Clase, who had an impressive 0.61 ERA and 40-plus saves last season, leads the pack for the Cleveland Guardians, solidifying his position as the favorite to lead the American League in saves once again. Following him is Mason Miller from the Oakland Athletics, who showcased his skills with a league-leading 41.8% strikeout rate last season. Meanwhile, Devin Williams is poised to bring his dominant form to the New York Yankees after a stellar finish to last season, making him a valuable asset in fantasy lineups. Josh Hader, now with the Houston Astros, remains a top-tier option despite past inconsistencies.

Further down the rankings, Ryan Helsley of the St. Louis Cardinals and Edwin Díaz of the New York Mets represent elite choices, albeit with some injury concerns and performance fluctuations. Andrés Muñoz is expected to step up in Seattle, while Raisel Iglesias continues to be a reliable veteran for the Atlanta Braves. Rookies and less-established players like Jhoan Duran and Ryan Walker are also making noise, presenting potential hidden gems for savvy fantasy managers. As the season unfolds, monitoring these closers' performances will be crucial for fantasy success.

The Minnesota Twins have finalized their 2025 Opening Day roster, showcasing a mix of returning talent and new names. Key contributors include first baseman Ty France, who is looking to rebound after a successful All-Star season in 2022, and Willi Castro, the team MVP from the previous year. Castro's versatility was evident as he played multiple positions last season.

Star shortstop Carlos Correa is back, despite injury concerns limiting him to 86 games last season while still posting a solid OPS. Fellow infielder José Miranda aims to recover from a dramatic second-half slump. The outfield positions have strong contenders, including Byron Buxton, who finally played over 100 games last season, and Trevor Larnach, who showed promise with 15 home runs in 2024. In the pitching lineup, Pablo López leads the rotation, supported by the emerging talents of Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober, alongside established closer Jhoan Duran.