In this week’s edition of “As the high-leverage ecosystem turns,” the revolving door of injuries continues its rapid pace. Since my last update, Ryan Helsley (right elbow inflammation), Cole Sands (right forearm strain), Will Vest (right forearm inflammation) and Emilio Pagán (Grade 2 hamstring strain) have been placed on the 15-day injured list. Timelines for return will vary.

This has opened the door for the fantasy baseball community to realize how well Rico Garcia has pitched for Baltimore. He has taken over as the preferred closing option for the Orioles and has recorded a win and a save this scoring period.

As for Pagán, not only was he struggling, but the entire Reds bullpen has been ineffective since a strong start. Tony Santillan will get the first chance at saves with Pagán out, and he secured five last season. However, if his batted ball results do not improve, he will put fantasy managers’ ratios at risk.

There is also good news: Daniel Palencia (CHC), Jhoan Duran (PHI), and Raisel Iglesias (ATL) have returned from their injured-list stints, providing more stability for their leverage ladders.

It’s been a mixed bag on the minor league rehab front. The Angels’ Kirby Yates has been activated, though he has not made an appearance yet. He was working with reduced velocity, which may impact his outcomes moving forward. Houston’s Josh Hader worked a scoreless inning during his Triple-A debut, but he cannot be activated until the last week of May. Kansas City’s Carlos Estévez also logged his first rehab appearance but left with an injury after recording two outs and issuing a walk. His return remains as mysterious as his drop in velocity this year.

Stock reports and situations worth monitoring will be covered by their respective leagues below. I define the high-leverage pathways by assigning each team one of the following labels:

• Mostly Linear: This is a more traditional approach, with a manager preferring one reliever in the seventh inning, another in the eighth, and a closer (when rested) in the ninth. There are shades of gray, but it usually follows a predictable pattern in high-leverage situations.
• Primary save share: The team prefers one reliever as the primary option for saves. However, the player may also be used in matchup-based situations, whether dictated by batter-handedness or batting order, especially in the late innings, providing multiple relievers with save chances each series or week throughout the season.
• Shared saves: Typically, two relievers share save opportunities, often based on handedness, rest or recent usage patterns that keep them fresh. While these situations typically involve a primary and ancillary option, others may be used. Some teams also prefer a matchup-based option, which creates fluid save opportunities.
• Fluid: The manager has not named a closer, and usage patterns regarding the leverage roles remain unclear.

American League leverage pathways

Stock Up

Rico Garcia (BAL): Having faced 57 hitters this season, he’s allowed just one hit and recorded 19 strikeouts versus six walks (22.8 K-BB%), resulting in a 0.41 WHIP across 17 innings.

Daniel Lynch (KC): He’s allowed an earned run in just one of his past 12 appearances, posting a 0.40 WHIP with 15 strikeouts against one walk (31.8 K-BB%). In these outings, he’s recorded a win, a save, and three holds.

Ryan Zeferjahn (LAA): He’s emerged as the most trusted option for save chances, but can he remain there once Ben Joyce returns? His command will be the deciding factor.

Watch list

Andrés Muñoz (SEA): Although his underlying data does not cause too much concern, Seattle’s closer has allowed four barrels (11.8%) and a 50% hard-hit rate through his first 34 batted ball events this season, resulting in a 4.48 xERA and 1.40 WHIP. It’s perplexing since he’s posted a 2.35 SIERA with 25 strikeouts against seven walks (27.3 K-BB%). Even more confusing, he’s producing more swinging strikes this year compared to last season, while allowing less contact.

The culprit may be his four-seam fastball. He has a .596 weighted on-base average with the pitch and a .588 xSLG. Referencing count leverage, when he’s behind in counts, hitters have a .667 wOBA and a .612 xSLG. Although two of his three home runs have been against his slider, when he has to throw it for strikes, it’s not as effective. Better days should lie ahead, which is backed up by his SIERA, but fantasy managers cannot ignore his 4.99 xERA, which factors in quality of contact.

Kenley Jansen (DET): He has missed time with a groin issue, and three of his eight hits allowed have been home runs. His sample size remains small, but a 5.33 xERA and a 13.5% walk rate represent risk to his ratios. Monitor his outings closely.

Stash list

*For keeper league players or those trying to mine saves later this month/season

• Ben Joyce (LAA)
• Kyle Finnegan (DET)
• Carlos Lagrange (NYY)
• John Klein; David Festa (MIN)

National League leverage pathways

Stock up

Devin Williams (NYM): He’s retired seven of his past 15 batters faced via strikeout (46.7 K%) without a walk, allowing one hit (0.21 WHIP) across 4.2 innings. His opponents in this stretch have been the Rockies, Angels, and Nationals, which is a contributing factor. However, in these outings, he has thrown 59 pitches (42 strikes — 71.2%) while producing 16 whiffs (27.1% swinging strike rate) — that includes a 24% swinging strike rate with his four-seam fastball and a 33.3% swinging strike rate with his change-up.

Caleb Kilian (SF): He recorded his first career save and has produced a 14.2% swinging strike rate while recording 18 strikeouts versus five walks (15.6 K-BB%). If he maintains his strong start, he will be in the mix for saves going forward.

Watch list

Dennis Santana (PIT): He’s allowed multiple runs in two of his past three appearances. Through 16 games, he owns a 1.28 WHIP with 10 strikeouts against eight walks (3 K-BB%) across 15.2 innings. Santana is allowing more contact (up 5%) and inducing fewer swinging strikes (down +3%) compared to 2025. His 5.31 SIERA and 5.43 xERA are almost identical, confirming he’s struggling. His slider is producing a .422 wOBA this season, up from .212 in 2025, exacerbating his rough outings. If he does not improve his results with his most used pitch, his save chances will wane.

Ryan Walker (SF): Through 15 games, he owns a 1.71 WHIP and has allowed at least a run in each of his past four appearances. His swinging strike percentage has cratered, and he is allowing more contact, not the recommended recipe for a reliever vying for save chances.

Stash list

*For keeper league players or those trying to mine saves later this month/season

• Tony Santillan (CIN)
• Joel Peguero; Erik Miller (SF)
• Clayton Beeter (WSH)
• A.J. Puk (ARI) — projected return in late May
• Josh Eckness (MIA)
• Tejay Antone (CIN)

Leaderboards

Saves leaders through May 6

SOLDS leaders through May 6

My rankings are a blend of in-season performance and rest-of-season expectations. If you feel strongly about a player, by all means, roster him.

Ratio relievers

*Multi-IP/bridge relievers who can vulture wins and help protect ratios.

• Aaron Ashby (MIL)
• Antonio Senzatela (COL)
• Ben Brown (CHC)
• Daniel Lynch IV (KC)
• Brant Hurter (DET)
• Mitchell Parker (WSH)
• Reynaldo López (ATL)

Statistical Credits: FanGraphs, Baseball-Reference.com, Baseball Savant, BrooksBaseball.net. Check out my work at Reliever Recon and Closer Monkey for daily updates.