Week 23 bullpen shakeups reshape fantasy closer plans. Milwaukee’s Uribe emerges as the top short-term fix after Megill lands on the IL with a flexor strain, giving Uribe elite closer upside in all formats. Baltimore’s Keegan Akin is a viable adds-now option, while Minnesota’s Justin Topa has carved out a late-inning role that’s worth chasing in 12-team and deeper leagues. In deeper adds, JoJo Romero and Riley O’Brien in St. Louis, Calvin Faucher in Miami, and Reid Detmers in Los Angeles provide leverage-shower paths as teams ride out the rest of the season. Dodgers’ Tanner Scott has reemerged as a saves option, with Kenley Jansen and others still in the mix.

Notes on the holds and saves landscape: Whitlock leads holds while Aroldis Chapman has a record-breaking season, and Ryan Walker’s late-inning work for San Francisco is back in focus after the injury news around Randy Rodríguez. The bullpen mosaic remains volatile, but urgency around adds for Week 23 is clear: target the next man up who can accumulate saves and holds in the coming weeks.

As the MLB trade deadline approaches, the Seattle Mariners have made a significant move by acquiring Josh Naylor from the Arizona Diamondbacks, indicating a potential shift in strategy for both teams. Mariners' GM Jerry Dipoto is proactive in enhancing Seattle's chances in the wild card race, reflecting a commitment to competing this season. In contrast, the Diamondbacks' decision to trade Naylor could signal their intent to start a sell-off of desirable players, as they reassess their roster amidst a challenging season.

In the latest Baseball Bar-B-Cast episode, hosts Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the implications of this trade. They ponder which players might be next to go from Arizona, highlighting the ongoing strategical moves clubs are making as the deadline looms. The episode also features a conversation with Josh Luber about the intersection of sports collectibles and MLB, along with commentary on players like Spencer Jones from the Yankees as they address their current roster challenges.

In a promising turn for the Minnesota Twins, reliever Justin Topa has made a swift return to the mound after a brief scare with shoulder tightness during spring training. After resting and undergoing precautionary measures, Topa reported feeling strong as he resumed pitching, demonstrating resilience after a previous injury-laden season.

Meanwhile, Zebby Matthews showcased his potential with an impressive performance against the Boston Red Sox, striking out five batters and maintaining a stellar record in spring training. With notable offensive contributions from players like Carlos Correa and Matt Wallner, the Twins are positioning themselves well as the season approaches.

Justin Topa, the Minnesota Twins pitcher, has turned his lifelong passion for baseball cards into a personal quest. After making his MLB debut in 2013, he finally received his own card in 2024 as part of the Topps series, which depicts Seattle Mariners players. This moment represents a full-circle achievement for Topa, who once stood along foul lines as a child collecting signatures.

His journey to complete the set has led him to seek specific cards with rare features, like the one matching his jersey number, 48. Despite being sidelined with a knee injury last season, Topa stayed active in the hobby, using social media to connect with fellow collectors. He’s received generous offers from fans and fellow players, all while reminiscing about his cherished memories of collecting with his father.