Fantasy Baseball Closer Update: Who’s Locking Down Saves Across the American League?

After going over the closer situations for all National League teams, let's do the same for American League teams.

Here's the last AL closer update we did.

We are ordering the teams by record again. Let's get to it!

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Yankees

David Bednar is the go-to guy for New York. He had two saves, but also a loss, over the past week of action.

Camilo Doval and Fernando Cruz are the setup men for Bednar, and would presumably be next in line for saves.

Guardians

Cade Smith is the Cleveland closer. He earned a win and a save over the past week.

Shawn Armstrong and Erik Sabrowski are the setup men, and would likely take any saves that Smith couldn't.

Rangers

Jakob Junis and Cole Winn earned saves for Texas over the past week. Junis earned two saves, and Winn earned one the day after Junis got his two.

This is a situation to keep watching, as the save chances have been divvied out so far. Robert Garcia and Chris Martin appeared to be the leaders for saves coming into the year, and Tyler Alexander earned a couple saves early on.

I like Junis the most right now, but until one guy establishes himself as the go-to guy, then they are all better deep-league fantasy assets.

Twins

Four different pitchers earned a save for Minnesota over the past week, and only one of them were part of the projected three-reliever closer committee.

Justin Topa is part of the projected committee, and earned a save across three appearances. He also took a loss this week.

Kody Funderburk, Cody Laweryson and Eric Orze each earned a save as well. Cole Sands and Taylor Rogers are others who could earn saves for Minnesota.

Things are a mess right now, with no clear closer emerging yet. We'll have to keep close tabs on things and see if anyone ever emerges.

Orioles

Ryan Helsley is the go-to closer in Baltimore. He earned two saves, but also took a loss over the past week.

After earning saves back-to-back days, Rico Garcia earned a save, so he could be next in line for saves after Helsley. Tyler Wells is another setup man, and Grant Wolfram earned a trio of holds last week, so those are others to watch if Helsley is ever out.

Angels

Jordan Romano has established himself as the Angels' closer. He earned two saves in his only appearances of the week.

Chase Silseth and Drew Pomeranz are among the relievers helping set up Romano, but it's clearly Romano's job to lose right now. We'll see if LA can win enough to support him in all fantasy leagues.

Astros

The closer situation in Houston is up in the air as Josh Hader is still working his way back from an injury. Nobody earned a save over the past week.

Bryan Abreu was the guy to start the year, but has struggled and lost the closer role. Bryan King and Enyel De Los Santos are options for saves alongside Abreu until Hader is back in the mix.

Athletics

The Athletics' closer role is a mess right now. Mark Leiter Jr. blew two saves this week, and Hogan Harris and Joel Kuhnel each earned one save. Justin Sterner is another option, but just had two holds over the past week.

This is a situation to monitor closely, although I'm not sure the Athletics will win enough in the long run to support even a go-to closer.

Blue Jays

Jeff Hoffman is the closer for Toronto. He pitched twice this week, earning one save.

Tyler Rogers and Louis Varland are serving as setup men, and could be next in line for saves if needed.

Rays

Bryan Baker and Kevin Kelly earned a save each for the Rays over the past week. Each guy earned a win when the other earned the save as well.

Griffin Jax and Ian Seymour are other options to save games. I'm not sold on any one Tampa Bay reliever, and am not sure the team will win enough in the long run to support a go-to guy anyways.

Royals

Lucas Erceg is the closer while Carlos Estevez spends time on the injured list. Erceg earned a save over two appearances this week.

We'll have to watch this situation when Estevez is back to see who the Royals turn to in save chances. If it's a split role, then it will hold the fantasy outlooks for each guy back a bit.

White Sox

Seranthony Dominguez is the team's closer, and picked up two saves this week.

Chris Murphy had a win and save before landing on the injured list. That leaves Jordan Leasure and Grant Taylor as the top setup men for now.

I'm not sure Chicago will win enough to support Dominguez in all standard leagues.

Red Sox

Aroldis Chapman is the Boston closer. He lost a game about a week ago, but picked up a save in his other appearance.

Garrett Whitlock is likely next in line for saves, if Chapman is ever hurt or unavailable.

Mariners

Andres Munoz is the closer for the Mariners. He only got one appearance this week, and didn't earn a decision in it.

Matt Brash is the top setup man, but blew a save this week. Jose A. Ferrer is another option.

Tigers

Kenley Jansen is the Detroit closer to start the year. He had one appearance over the past week, and didn't earn a decision in it.

Will Vest and Kyle Finnegan are there if Jansen ever struggles or gets hurt.