Week 21 closes the door to steady saves but opens multiple holds and bullpen plays. Dennis Santana remains the Pirates closer, with a chance at multiple save chances in a week. Jose A. Ferrer grabbed his first Nationals save and looks locked into late-inning work, even if not a high-volume shooter. Houston’s Bryan Abreu steps into the closer role while Josh Hader recovers, creating immediate fantasy value for saves. Randy Rodríguez lands in a true closer role with the Giants, and Phil Maton is the Rangers’ late-inning option, both solid adds in holds leagues and possible saves. Keegan Akin and Yennier Cano inherit ninth-inning chances in Baltimore, while Justin Topa and Cole Sands offer speculative saves in Minnesota. Michael Kelly and Sean Newcomb give Athletics and Boston some late-game leverage, and JoJo Romero and Riley O’Brien share ninth-inning duties for St. Louis. Kenley Jansen tops the saves leaders this week, with Matt Strahm handling holds for Philadelphia, and Detroit’s closer scene showing a committee with Kyle Finnegan and Will Vest. The Rockies’ bullpen era sees Seth Halvorsen in late-inning scenarios with potential saves, while Victor Vodnik lurks in the back of the bullpen. In short, plan for more one-off saves and a handful of holds as teams navigate post-deadline roles and injuries.

This week's waiver wire is particularly intriguing as MLB teams maneuver through post-trade deadline adjustments. New closers are stepping into the spotlight while others falter in their new roles. Dennis Santana of the Pittsburgh Pirates, despite a rough start, remains the primary option for saves following David Bednar's trade. Jose A. Ferrer is poised to be the Nationals' go-to closer after Kyle Finnegan's departure, while the San Francisco Giants’ Randy Rodriguez could also become an elite closer given his strikeout potential. Phil Maton of the Texas Rangers is stepping into a lead role as the team’s bullpen undergoes changes. In deeper leagues, Blake Treinen and Alex Vesia of the Dodgers are sharing save opportunities, while the Orioles' Keegan Akin and Yennier Cano are both vying for ninth-inning duties. With various committees forming, fantasy managers should stay alert.

Josh Hader continues to dominate as the best closer in baseball, securing his 24th save this week for the Houston Astros with a stellar performance against the Cubs and Rockies. His setup man, Bryan Abreu, is also excelling with 21 holds and a remarkable K/BB ratio. Andrés Muñoz returned for the Seattle Mariners, claiming his first save since June 8 after a rough patch, while Edwin Díaz's consistent scoring adds to his impressive season stats. Aroldis Chapman remains a formidable force for the Boston Red Sox, boasting 15 consecutive appearances without an earned run. Meanwhile, rising star Randy Rodríguez is emerging as a potential closer-in-waiting for the San Francisco Giants, leading middle relievers in WAR.

This week's Closer Report highlights key changes in the fantasy baseball landscape. Jordan Romano's recent struggles have led him to step back from high-leverage situations, potentially opening the door for other closers to emerge. On the other hand, Andrés Muñoz has proven himself as an elite closer, maintaining a dominant start with multiple scoreless appearances, making a strong case for inclusion in the top tier of closers. Meanwhile, Emmanuel Clase's early season form raises questions about his reliability, as he just recorded his first save after some initial struggles.

Among the rising stars, Randy Rodríguez is gaining attention due to his impressive performance as a middle reliever, showcasing the potential to become a closer. The fantasy baseball community is closely monitoring changes in bullpens, especially with players like Mason Miller and Josh Hader also in the spotlight for their recent performances that solidify their positions in the top tier. The evolving situations for these pitchers could greatly impact fantasy lineups, making it crucial for managers to stay updated.