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Fantasy baseball bullpen report featuring Baltimore’s Yennier Canó, San Diego’s Robert Suarez and more

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Fantasy baseball bullpen report featuring Baltimore’s Yennier Canó, San Diego’s Robert Suarez and more


Although fantasy players expect volatility in the high-leverage ecosystem, 2025 has arrived like a hurricane. There have been tumultuous outings, pathway adjustments, closers demoted and varied results by last year’s top relievers.

With this in mind, my latest bullpen report will highlight interesting results and updated tiered rankings, which will fluctuate as sample sizes expand. Try not to overreact, but waiting too long can hurt a team’s ratios, causing frustration for the save chasers.

Recognizing how a manager prefers handling high-leverage innings can create a competitive advantage. Here are high-leverage pathway identifiers. Each team will receive 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’s usually a predictable leverage pathway.

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Primary save share: The team prefers one reliever as the primary option for saves. However, he may also be used in match-up-based situations, whether dictated by batter-handedness or batting order pockets in the late innings. This provides multiple relievers with save chances each series or week throughout the season.

Match-up-based: Usually, two relievers split save opportunities, so    metimes based on handedness, rest, or recent usage patterns to keep them fresh. While these situations usually rely on a primary and ancillary option, others can get into the mix. Some teams also prefer a match-up-based option, assigning pitchers a hitter pocket for a series, causing fluid save opportunities.

In-flux: The manager has not confirmed the projected closer based on past struggles or rough spring appearances.

Access The Athletic’s guide for abbreviations used in fantasy baseball. 


American League leverage pathways

2025 American League Pathways (updated)

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Team Leverage Pathway Closer (Primary) Stopper/HLR Stealth/Ancillary

Mostly Linear

Félix Bautista

Yennier Cano

Keegan Akin

Primary Save Share

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Aroldis Chapman

Justin Slaten

Garrett Whitlock

Match-up Based

Jordan Leasure

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Cam Booser

Fraser Ellard

Mostly Linear

Emmanuel Clase

Cade Smith

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Paul Sewald

Match-up Based

Tommy Kahnle

Will Vest

Tyler Holton

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Mostly Linear

Josh Hader

Bryan Abreu

Bryan King

Primary Save Share

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Carlos Estévez

Lucas Erceg

Hunter Harvey

Mostly Linear

Kenley Jansen

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Ben Joyce

Brock Burke

Primary Save Share

Jhoan Durán

Griffin Jax

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Cole Sands

Mostly Linear

Devin Williams

Luke Weaver

Mark Leiter Jr.

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Mostly Linear

Andrés Muñoz

Trent Thornton

Gregory Santos

Mostly Linear

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Pete Fairbanks

Edwin Uceta

Mason Montgomery

Mostly Linear

Luke Jackson

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Chris Martin

Robert Garcia

Mostly Linear

Mason Miller

José Leclerc

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Tyler Ferguson

Mostly Linear

Jeff Hoffman

Yimi García

Chad Green

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Notes and observations

Baltimore Orioles: It’s a limited sample, but Yennier Canó has been terrific. He’s posted six strikeouts (46.2 K/BB%) in his first four appearances with a 19% swinging strike rate and a minuscule 0.25 WHIP.

Chicago White Sox: Mike Clevinger has not received a save chance, and his negative 27.8 K/BB% through his first three appearances and a strike percentage below 50 have removed him from the leverage ladder.

Cleveland Guardians: Emmanuel Clase allowed three hits and an earned run while securing his first save of the season. He has been affected by some early batting average on balls in play regression, illustrated by his 1.40 WHIP across his first five innings this year.

Detroit Tigers: Through the Tigers’ first 11 games, Brant Hurter leads with two saves, with Tommy Kahnle recording one. This remains a match-up-based approach, but fantasy managers would benefit from seeing the leverage plan over a larger sample.

Houston Astros: Josh Hader recorded more than three outs in seven of his 71 outings last year. During the preseason, his manager intimated he would prefer Hader not being used in this manner in 2025. However, Hader has already logged two two-inning appearances in the team’s first 12 games. A more significant issue could be Bryan Abreu. He has started slowly, posting a 2.25 WHIP with seven strikeouts versus six walks across 5.1 innings.

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Kansas City Royals: As his velocity chart illustrates, Carlos Estévez has been a slow starter in terms of his velocity and has converted three of four save opportunities this year. But his 4.5 K/BB% and 5.6 SwStr% sit well below past results:


National League leverage pathways

2025 National League Pathways (updated)

Team Leverage Pathway Closer (Primary) Stopper/HLR Stealth/Ancillary

Match-up Based

Justin Martinez

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A.J. Puk

Shelby Miller

Mostly Linear

Raisel Iglesias

Daysbel Hernández

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Aaron Bummer

Mostly Linear

Ryan Pressly

Porter Hodge

Julian Merryweather

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Primary Save Share

Emilio Pagán

Tony Santillan

Graham Ashcraft

Primary Save Share

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Seth Halvorsen

Victor Vodnik

Tyler Kinley

Match-up Based

Tanner Scott

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Blake Treinen

Kirby Yates

Mostly Linear

Anthony Bender

Calvin Faucher

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Anthony Veneziano

Mostly Linear

Trevor Megill

Joel Payamps

Abner Uribe

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Mostly Linear

Edwin Díaz

A.J. Minter

Ryne Stanek

Match-up Based

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José Alvarado

Orion Kerkering

Matt Straham

In Flux

Dennis Santana

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Caleb Ferguson

Justin Lawrence

Mostly Linear

Ryan Helsley

Phil Maton

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JoJo Romero

Mostly Linear

Robert Suarez

Jason Adam

Jeremiah Estrada

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Mostly Linear

Ryan Walker

Camilo Doval

Tyler Rogers

Mostly Linear

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Kyle Finnegan

Jorge López

Jose A. Ferrer

Notes and observations

Arizona Diamondbacks: Although fantasy managers prefer clarity, Tory Lovullo’s match-up-based approach has been effective since the season’s onset. Justin Martinez has converted both save chances and a hold with a 0.64 WHIP and a 38.9 K/BB%. A.J. Puk has two saves and two holds with a 28.6 K/BB% and 1.20 WHIP through his first five outings, spanning five innings.

Atlanta Braves: As noted in the leverage pathway, the team has changed its bridge relievers ahead of Raisel Iglesias, which remains fluid based on performance.

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Chicago Cubs: On the one hand, Ryan Pressly has converted all three save chances. However, his underlying statistics provide fantasy players a cautionary tale. Through his first seven games, he has a 5.98 SIERA, 2.43 WHIP, and negative 11.9 K/BB% (six walks versus two strikeouts). His contact rate of 85.5% is almost 10 percentage points higher than last year, and he’s only produced a 6.1 SwStr%. Can he stave off Porter Hodge for save chances without improved results? Time will tell.

Cincinnati Reds: There will be good days for this leverage ladder and bad ones, as the series in San Francisco illustrated. Tony Santillan secured his first save in a shutout win, and Emilio Pagán notched one in a one-run win. But in the series finale, Santillan suffered a blown save, allowing a game-tying home run, and Pagán was tagged with a loss, giving up a walk-off home run. Meanwhile, Alexis Díaz had his minor league rehab assignment extended, but he has a 4:4 K:BB with a 2.333 WHIP through three innings at Triple-A.

Colorado Rockies: It feels like Seth Halvorsen will emerge as the closer, but this leverage ladder lacks stability despite its improved velocity. Tread lightly, mining saves from the Rockies.

New York Mets: Assessing small samples remains challenging, and Edwin Díaz fits this perfectly. He has converted both save chances this season but struggled in a recent non-save appearance working with reduced velocity (he averaged 94.7 miles per hour on April 9), resulting in three earned runs. This may be a blip, but he has a 1.50 WHIP with six strikeouts versus two walks (18.2 K/BB%) in 4.2 innings. Here are his four-seam velocity results since 2019:

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Philadelphia Phillies: Jordan Romano represents another reliever struggling with velocity this year. He has recorded a save, a hold and a blown save with an inflated 2.50 WHIP and a 9.1 K/BB%. Of more concern is his recent dip in velocity:

Pittsburgh Pirates: Just when it seemed like Dennis Santana would emerge as the preferred save share, he has only received one save chance since David Bednar’s demotion. Manager Derek Shelton has not named a closer this year, and this feels like a fluid leverage ladder until clearer roles emerge.

San Diego Padres: Robert Suarez has quelled any fears about his second-half struggles last season by converting an MLB-leading six saves with a 0.33 WHIP with seven strikeouts against two walks (25 K/BB%) over six shutout innings.

San Francisco Giants: Camilo Doval has struggled in recent appearances after a strong start, which could be tied to an increased workload. Still, he could be replaced if challenges continue. Keep tabs on Randy Rodríguez in this bullpen.


Relievers on the rise and leaderboards

Updated Tiered Rankings for Saves and SOLDS

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2025 saves leaders through April 9


2025 SOLDS leaders through April 9


2025 holds leaders through April 9

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Save stashes

  • Graham Ashcraft (CIN)
  • Mason Montgomery (TB)
  • Abner Uribe (MIL)
  • Ryne Stanek (NYM)

Ancillary save options

  • Blake Treinen (LAD)
  • Yennier Canó (BAL)
  • Orion Kerkering (PHI)
  • Justin Slaten (BOS)
  • Will Vest (DET)

Ratio Relievers

*Multi-inning or bridge relievers who can vulture wins and help protect ratios.

  • Garrett Whitlock (BOS)
  • Ben Casparius (LAD)

Statistical Credits (through games played on April 9): Fangraphs.com, Baseball-Reference.com, BaseballSavant.com, BrooksBaseball.net

Check out my work at Reliever Recon and Closer Monkey for daily updates.

(Photo of Yennier Canó: Patrick Smith / Getty Images)



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San Diego, CA

Alleged San Diego Gunman Had Violent Obsessions

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Alleged San Diego Gunman Had Violent Obsessions



Police were so unsettled by one of the teens later accused in the deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego that they took his guns away more than a year before the attack. Court records show Chula Vista police secured a gun violence restraining order against then-high school student Caleb Vazquez in January 2025 after classmates and staff reported he idolized mass shooters, talked about a “day of retribution,” and came to school dressed as mass murderers and the TV serial killer Dexter, per NBC News and KGTV. The school had shared social media posts in which Vazquez praised killers, including those behind a 2011 attack in Norway and a 2019 shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, NBC reports.


Vazquez allegedly admitted an infatuation with mass killings and an idolization of Adolf Hitler and was put on a 72-hour psychiatric hold. His father—initially uncooperative, according to a police affidavit—removed 26 weapons from the home and arranged for therapy before the restraining order was dismissed that March. Just over a year later, police say Vazquez, 18, and a 17-year-old he’d met online killed three people at the mosque—security guard Amin Abdullah, caretaker Mansour Kaziha, and neighbor Nadir Awad—before wounding a landscaper and dying by suicide. FBI officials say writings left behind were steeped in extremist hatred. In the aftermath, community members are questioning how so many warnings failed to prevent the attack and calling for stronger, earlier interventions on mental health and homicidal ideation.

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A South San Diego Mother questions SDPD’S response to her teenage son’s death

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A South San Diego Mother questions SDPD’S response to her teenage son’s death


SOUTH BAY (KGTV) — The funeral for Julian Guerrero, the 15-year-old boy found dead inside Otay Valley Regional Park on Friday, May 15, is set for this Saturday at noon at Funeraria del Angel Chula Vista.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family with funeral expenses.

As his family prepares to lay him to rest, Julian’s mother said she is still waiting for answers about whether more could have been done to save him.

Julian was first reported missing on Thursday, May 14. The following morning, his missing persons flyers circulated across social media.

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Neighbors were seen scouring the South Bay looking for him.

Then on Friday morning, San Diego police reported a body was discovered inside Otay Valley Regional Park in Fenton Pond, and it appeared to be a Hispanic, teenage male.

Julian’s mother, Laura Guerrero Gomez, said she was the one who ultimately led authorities to her son.

Guerrero Gomez said a homeless man was seen riding Julian’s bike on Friday, and after she asked where he got it, he led her to the area where Julian’s body was recovered.

Guerrero Gomez said when she first reported Julian missing, she told police her son was autistic, had a mental disability, and was taking medication — factors that made him especially vulnerable.

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Jose, Guerrero Gomez’s other son, translated for ABC 10News from Spanish to English, and said that his mother still has many questions.

“She wants to know why there was no urgency, and looking for him, there was no Amber Alert. There was no helicopter trying to look for him. She had to do everything herself.”

Guerrero Gomez also questioned how her son’s missing case was overall handled.

Jose said, “The officer who took the initial report is the same officer who showed up [at Fenton Pond]. She was begging the officer, and there was no help whatsoever. He didn’t want to go into the park. They didn’t want to question the person who had the bike.”

The family also has questions about how Julian ended up in the water.

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“He doesn’t know that area, he doesn’t like water, and he doesn’t know how to swim,” Jose said.

Guerrero Gomez also added that when she found her son, he was naked in the pond.

“She definitely thinks that it wasn’t accidental that something somebody did to him,” Jose said. “She’s pretty much feeling destroyed at this point because we weren’t taken seriously from the beginning. Julian didn’t deserve all that.”

Jose said his mother wants justice and hopes another family who has a child with a disability doesn’t have to face the same experience with SDPD as she did.

Julian was positively identified by the Medical Examiner’s Office days after he was found dead.

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ABC 10News reached out to The San Diego Police Department for explanations on how they handled Julian’s case.

A spokesperson told ABC 10News their hearts go out to Julian’s family in the following statement:

Our hearts go out to Julian’s family for their loss. We understand there may be questions about what led to his death. At this time, the case is not being treated as a homicide, so it is not under SDPD’s purview. It is being handled by the Medical Examiner’s Office. If their investigation shows indications of a crime, then SDPD’s Homicide Unit would take over responsibility for the investigation. Based on the information officers received at the time of the report, SDPD’s initial response was for a runaway juvenile. Officers were told where he normally frequents and began checking several locations; however, they were unable to locate him. A report was taken, and his name and picture were added to the log for missing juveniles. SDPD did additional follow-up with the family on the morning of May 15, prior to him being found in the Otay Valley Regional Park. The decision to identify the body was in the hands of the Medical Examiner’s Office that day. Any further questions about the investigation can be directed to them.

ABC 10News has requested an autopsy, investigative and toxicology report from the Medical Examiner’s office in Julian’s cause of death.





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San Diego Wave poaches Leeds United executive Morrie Eisenberg as new CEO

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San Diego Wave poaches Leeds United executive Morrie Eisenberg as new CEO


NWSL team San Diego Wave have poached Leeds United’s chief business officer Morrie Eisenberg to be its new chief executive officer.

Eisenberg, who joined Premier League club Leeds as chief operating officer in October 2023, is credited internally with leading the push on its stadium redevelopment at Elland Road, which gained full planning permission earlier this year.

During Eisenberg’s time at the club, Leeds secured promotion back to the Premier League and, after his promotion last May, avoided relegation this season to maintain their place in English football’s top flight.

Eisenberg will begin his new role at the Wave in August, having previously held leadership positions at LinkedIn, Tesla and with the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL. He remained as a senior advisor to 49ers Enterprises while working at Leeds, with the two teams sharing the same ownership.

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An announcement will be made by the two teams later on Wednesday.

In a statement, San Diego Wave governor Lauren Leichtman welcomed Eisenberg as a “transformative leader.”

“His vision, collaborative leadership style and commitment to building world-class organizations make him the ideal person to lead this club into its next chapter,” she added.

Eisenberg said: “The Wave has already established itself as a global brand with an exceptional fan base, ambitious vision and strong foundation. I’m excited to work alongside the players, staff, supporters and community to continue building a club that sets the standard on and off the pitch.”

The Wave are third in the NWSL standings (Leonardo Fernandez / Getty Images)

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Leeds United managing director Robbie Evans added: “While I am disappointed to see Morrie leave, I am grateful for his effort and impact over the last three years. Much as with players, when you employ excellent people who produce excellent results, sometimes the unfortunate effect is that they will attract interest elsewhere.

“Morrie and I first met three years ago in discussing if we should leave our old lives behind to try and help Leeds United return to its rightful place in English football. Three seasons later, he leaves with the club on an excellent trajectory. I hope Morrie is especially proud of his tireless work on the stadium expansion, which will benefit the club, supporters, and the community for generations to come.

“Morrie and his wonderful family depart with the best wishes of the club. He is welcome anytime if he tires of California sunshine and misses the Yorkshire weather!”


The Wave is building influence

Analysis by soccer writer Asli Pelit 

Lauren Leichtman, the first woman to become a billionaire from private equity, bought the Wave from billionaire businessman Ron Burkle for a record $120 million in 2024. Less than three years earlier, Burkle bought the franchise for $2m. Leichtman’s arrival in the NWSL marked the entry of institutional-caliber capital from one of private equity’s most accomplished operators.

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Through Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, which manages more than $12bn in assets, Leichtman brought a new level of financial sophistication to women’s soccer just as franchise valuations, sponsorship revenue and infrastructure spending across the NWSL continue to surge.

The acquisition also underscored the increasing importance of relationships in women’s soccer. Former Wave president and ex-USWNT coach Jill Ellis played a pivotal role in connecting the parties, leveraging a relationship with Leichtman that dates back two decades to UCLA. Though Ellis’ exit to join FIFA was quite contentious.

Bringing USWNT legend Alex Morgan into the ownership group only deepened the club’s alignment between business credibility and player influence, a growing trend across the NWSL’s new ownership era.

Having only launched in 2022, the Wave have never won the NWSL Championship, though they did capture the 2023 NWSL Shield after finishing with the league’s best regular-season record and added the 2024 Challenge Cup to the trophy case.

In just a few seasons, the Wave have packed stadiums, landed superstar talent, shattered franchise valuation records and behaved like an established giant; the only thing still missing is the championship confetti.

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The Wave are navigating a transitional 2026 season, balancing strong results with clear growing pains both on and off the field. Under second-year head coach Jonas Eidevall, San Diego remains in the playoff run, consistently hovering around the league’s top four to six spots, but performances have often highlighted unresolved issues within the squad. The club is still searching for consistency, but the potential arrival of USWNT star Catarina Macario after the summer break could significantly raise the team’s ceiling and strengthen their chances of bringing home a trophy this season.

Eisenberg is coming to Wave after his stint with one of the most successful American ownership groups, the 49ers Enterprises, the investment arm linked to the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers, which completed a full takeover of the club in 2023 after first purchasing a minority stake five years earlier. Led by chairman Paraag Marathe and backed by the York family, the ownership group has reshaped Leeds with an American-style approach centered on commercial expansion, infrastructure investment and data-driven operations.



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