National League Closer Report: Early 2026 Bullpen Breakdown

After looking over the closer situations for every American League team, let's now take a look at the National League.

We will go in order of record again. Let's dive right in!

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Brewers

Trevor Megill has the only Milwaukee save in the early going, but he also took a loss.

He looks like the go-to option for now, but Abner Uribe is there to take over the closer role if Megill ever falters, so don't put too much trust in Megill.

Marlins

Pete Fairbanks is the go-to closer for the surprising Marlins. He has two saves across three appearances.

He's up to 90% owned in fantasy leagues. If Miami keeps winning and Fairbanks is good, he could get to 100% soon.

Braves

Osvaldo Bido has the only Braves' save in 2026. He pitched three innings in a 15-run win for that save.

Raisel Iglesias is the preferred closer, and Robert Suarez is there if Iglesias ever struggles or is injured. Expect Iglesias to start earning some saves if the Braves keep winning.

Cardinals

Riley O'Brien and Ryne Stanek have a save each for the surprising Cardinals.

A closer committee between O'Brien, Stanek and JoJo Romero was expected this season. Usually teams with no clear closer don't have fantasy assets, but with St. Louis winning early on, it's making some of these guys good options.

It's a situation that needs to be monitored. Right now, O'Brien is the most rostered at 35%, with Romero at 27% and Stanek at 14%.

Dodgers

Edwin Diaz has two saves for the powerhouse Dodgers.

He's the go-to guy, without question, and LA will win plenty to support him as a fantasy asset. It'd be a surprise if Diaz wasn't a top-three fantasy reliever by the end of the year, and he has a great chance to be the top guy.

Cubs

Colin Rea has the only Chicago save early on. He earned that in a three-inning effort.

Daniel Palencia will get the traditional save opportunities. His 87% own mark won't increase until he starts earning some saves though.

Nationals

Clayton Beeter has a save for the somewhat surprising Nationals.

Beeter, Cole Henry and Brad Lord are candidates to close games this season, and with Washington winning more than expected early on, one could emerge as a good fantasy asset if they start getting most of the save chances.

Keep tabs on this situation as well. Beeter is the most rostered, sitting at 21% so far.

Phillies

Jhoan Duran has both of the Phillies' saves in the early going.

He's the clear No. 1 option for saves in Philly. Jose Alvarado is likely next in line in case of an injury or continued struggles.

Pirates

Jose Urquidy has the only save for Pittsburgh so far. That came in an extra-inning game.

Dennis Santana was thought to be the No. 1 closer option coming into the year, but Gregory Soto has been the one warming up for save chances. 

This is a situation to keep close tabs on, and hopefully we get some answers over the next week.

Reds

Connor Phillips and Emilio Pagan have a save each for Cincinnati. Pagan is the No. 1 option for now, with Phillips only getting his save after Pagan had pitched two days in a row.

I expect Cincinnati to be good enough to support Pagan and make him a good fantasy asset in 2026. He's rostered in 89% of fantasy leagues for the time being.

Diamondbacks

Paul Sewald has two saves for Arizona, while Jonathan Loaisiga has one. Loaisiga got his save after Sewald had pitched two straight days.

Sewald looks like the go-to guy, and if Arizona can win enough games, Sewald could be a good fantasy asset. He's at 50% owned, and growing.

Giants

Blade Tidwell and Ryan Walker have a save each in San Francisco. Walker is the preferred closer, with Tidwell getting his after pitching three innings.

Walker had a down 2025 season, so is looking to bounce back in 2026. He's rostered in 72% of leagues for now - that would grow if San Fran can win enough.

Mets

Devin Williams has the lone save for New York early on.

He's the clear closer for the Mets too. New York just has to win some more to help Williams re-emerge as a top-end fantasy reliever.

Padres

Mason Miller has both of the San Diego saves early on.

He's the go-to closer, and is a top-end fantasy option. It'd be surprising to see him outside the top-three fantasy relievers by the end of the season.

Rockies

Jimmy Herget has the only save for Colorado so far. I'm not sure he's the go-to guy, especially because he got his save in extra innings.

Victor Vodnik was the assumed closer coming into the year, and he's owned in 7% of leagues, the most of any Colorado reliever.

This is another situation to watch, but even a go-to closer likely won't have a good fantasy outlook on this bad team.