American League Closer Report: Weekly Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Breakdown

It's time for our weekly check-in on MLB closers. Let's go over American League teams and closers first.

Here's the last AL update we did on closers. Check back in a bit for the National League closer check-in.

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Yankees

David Bednar is still locked in as the Yankees' closer. He has earned two saves since last Saturday, getting them on Monday and Tuesday.

Fernando Cruz got a win and hold over three appearances, while Tim Hill, Brent Headrick and Jake Bird earned holds. For now though, Bednar is the clear closer, and he's not in danger of losing his job.

Rays

Bryan Baker appears to be the team's clear closer. He earned saves on Sunday and Monday, then didn't pitch Tuesday, when Cole Sulser got the save.

Baker is on the rise as a fantasy asset, so add and utilize him while he's the team's No. 1 option for saves.

Athletics

There has been change with the Athletics, who had been rolling with a committee.

Jack Perkins got saves on Sunday and Thursday across three outings this week. Mark Leiter Jr. got a save on Wednesday across three appearances. Hogan Harris and Joel Kuhnel are other options for saves.

This is a situation to monitor daily, but for now, I like Perkins of the bunch. They are all just deep-league fantasy assets until a clear No. 1 option emerges.

Guardians

Cade Smith is the team's closer, and there's no question about it. He pitched just once since Saturday, earning a save on Wednesday.

Hunter Gaddis and Erik Sabrowski are the next in line for saves if Smith is ever unavailable or hurt. Smith is the go-to guy for now though.

Mariners

Andres Munoz is the team's closer, and he earned saves on Saturday and Wednesday over the past week. Jose A. Ferrer got a save on Sunday, so he could be next in line if Munoz is ever unavailable.

Matt Brash is another option, but after Munoz, Ferrer and Brash are next in line. The Mariners have a very good bullpen, led by these three.

Tigers

Kenley Jansen is the team's closer, but his lone appearance over the past six days ended in a blown save and loss.

The next save chance then went to Kyle Finnegan, who earned a save on Thursday. Will Vest is another option if Jansen is ever struggling or unavailable.

For now, Jansen is the go-to closer, and I'm not sure that will change unless Jansen is injured.

Orioles

Ryan Helsley is the Orioles' closer. He was on the bereavement list through Saturday, and has pitched once since, earning a save on Tuesday.

Helsley is the go-to guy in Baltimore, and only an injury is likely to take that role away from him. Andrew Kittredge and Rico Garcia would be next in line for saves if Helsley is unavailable.

Rangers

Jacob Latz earned both of the team's saves since Saturday, getting one on Saturday and then Wednesday. Jakob Junis was in line for saves too, but got a hold only across two appearances.

Latz appears to be the leader for saves right now, but this is a situation to monitor, as things can change daily.

Texas has given save chances to several guys this season, and until something changes, everyone is just a deep-league fantasy asset.

Blue Jays

Louis Varland took over the closer role for Jeff Hoffman last week, and Varland earned three saves this week. He got saves on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday.

For now, Varland is the go-to guy, so he's worth adding and utilizing while he's getting every save chance. 

Hoffman and Tyler Rogers could be next in line for saves if Varland ever struggles or loses the closer role. Keep tabs on things, but Varland is the guy for now. 

White Sox

Seranthony Dominguez is the Chicago closer, and he had an eventful week. He got a loss on Sunday, save on Tuesday and win on Wednesday.

Bryan Hudson earned a save on Monday, but the closer role still belongs to Dominguez. Keep tabs on things, but Dominguez is the guy until further notice.

Twins

No Minnesota reliever earned a save this week. Eric Orze blew a save and took a loss on Wednesday.

Cole Sands and Justin Topa are other options for saves in Minnesota. Until someone is actually earning saves though, this is a situation to keep monitoring.

They are all deep-league fantasy assets in the meantime.

Red Sox

Aroldis Chapman is the Boston closer. He had just one appearance since Saturday, earning a save on Sunday.

Boston isn't winning enough to support a fantasy closer, but Chapman has too high an upside to drop in all leagues. Keep tabs on Chapman, but if the Red Sox don't win enough, then Chapman can only be a deep-league asset.

Royals

Carlos Estevez is still on the injured list, so Lucas Erceg is still the closer in Kansas City. Erceg has a win and a save since last Saturday.

Erceg is the guy until further notice, but watch things daily, as the return of Estevez could change things. 

Angels

No LA reliever earned a save over the past week. Ryan Zeferjahn was charged with a blown save across two appearances.

Sam Bachman and Chase Silseth are other options for saves in LA. Things need to be monitored daily, as this situation isn't set in any way.

Astros

No Houston reliever earned a save over the past six days. Nobody even got a hold, win or loss either.

Josh Hader is still out through at least late May, so Enyel De Los Santos and Bryan King look like the top options for saves. Bryan Abreu used to be an option, but has been working as a middle relief guy of late.

Keep tabs on things until Hader is back.