A bullpen shakeup is underway as Houston closer Josh Hader hits the 15-day injured list with shoulder discomfort, a move that has fantasy managers buzzing and managers rethinking late-inning plans. Hader’s absence comes after a moment that caught the eye Monday night when he didn’t warm up in the bottom of the eighth while his team held a one-run lead against Boston.
In the short term, Bryan Abreu is positioned to absorb the bulk of save chances while Hader is out. Abreu notched his first save of the season on Wednesday and has been spotless in August, posting a 0.90 WHIP across 6.2 innings with five strikeouts. Bennett Sousa will remain a part of the late-inning mix as an ancillary option, having recorded four saves on the year. If the bullpen is forced to function without Hader for an extended stretch, other relievers—Bryan King, Enyel De Los Santos and Kaleb Ort—will need to rise to the occasion.
Meanwhile, a different late-inning dynamic is playing out in Detroit. Kyle Finnegan, acquired at the trade deadline, started strong with a save in each of his first three appearances for the Tigers. In his last two outings, however, he has been used in the eighth inning, earning a hold and a win in the process, with Will Vest back in the mix for saves. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch has been balancing matchups in the late innings between Vest and Finnegan, keeping both options in play for fantasy managers while the usage pattern remains fluid.
The article also updates “leverage pathways”—a framework used to categorize how teams deploy high-leverage relievers. The pathways include Mostly Linear, Primary Save Share, Shared Saves, and In Flux. Each pathway describes how teams generally approach late-inning leverage, whether through a primary closer, a committee, or shifting roles based on matchups and rest.
American League leverage notes highlight several teams:
– Baltimore Orioles: Interim manager Tony Mansolino faces a tough hand after trading three veterans. Félix Bautista won’t pitch this season; Keegan Akin appears to be the preferred ninth-inning option, with Dietrich Enns and Albert Suárez returning from rehab under watchful eyes.
– Chicago White Sox: Usage has been erratic under Will Venable, but Grant Taylor and Jordan Leasure lead with four saves each. Leasure has been nearly flawless recently, with a 0.30 WHIP and strong results across multiple appearances.
– Minnesota Twins: Cole Sands was expected to take over, but Justin Topa has seized the moment, converting both August saves while delivering clean innings with strong ratios.
– New York Yankees: David Bednar has transformed into the team’s preferred save option after a high-profile move, delivering the team’s first save since joining the Yankees.
National League leverage notes highlight several teams:
– Arizona Diamondbacks: Andrew Saalfrank recorded his first save and helped the team tie an MLB record for most relievers with a save this season. With 41 games remaining at the time, the team seemed poised to set that record, adding to the season’s bullpen intrigue.
– Colorado Rockies: Victor Vodnik has stepped in for Seth Halvorsen, posting clean results in three of four August outings. Jimmy Herget has emerged as an important eighth-inning option.
– Los Angeles Dodgers: With multiple relievers sidelined, the Dodgers considered promoting Bobby Miller, who has impressed at Triple-A with five straight scoreless appearances and a sub-0.20 WHIP in that stretch. The Dodgers’ late-game record remains a mosaic as they approach the stretch run.
– St. Louis Cardinals: JoJo Romero has become Marmol’s go-to high-leverage arm, with Riley O’Brien serving as a capable secondary option for saves. Kyle Leahy remains in the mix for ancillary saves and vulture wins.
2025 leaderboards through August 13 show a few names continuing to populate the save column:
– Save stashes/adds: Joe Jiménez (ATL), Tanner Scott (LAD), Bobby Miller (LAD)
– Ancillary save options: Mason Miller (SD), Riley O’Brien (STL), Andrew Saalfrank/Andrew Hoffmann/Juan Morillo (ARI), Hunter Gaddis (CLE), Matt Brash (SEA), Garrett Whitlock (BOS), Alex Vesia (LAD)
– Ratio relievers: a group of multi-inning arms who can vulture wins and protect ratios, including Adrian Morejon, Jeremiah Estrada, Garrett Whitlock, Brad Keller, and Kyle Leahy
Statistical credits for the analysis come from Fangraphs, Baseball-Reference, BaseballSavant, and BrooksBaseball, with ongoing updates from Reliever Recon and Closer Monkey.
What this means going forward for fantasy managers and real-world teams
– Hader’s injury creates an open runway for Abreu to cement himself as a top-tier closer in the near term, with Sousa offering a reliable secondary option. Managers should monitor any late-inning shifts closely, especially if Hader’s return timeline changes.
– The Tigers’ late-inning setup situation remains fluid, underscoring the value of keeping a close watch on matchup-based usage patterns for saves and holds.
– Across both leagues, leverage pathways emphasize that committees and matchup-driven usage are common, and rosters with flexible relievers who can handle multiple innings will stay relevant in both fantasy and real-world bullpen management.
Summary
The injury to Josh Hader has thrust the Astros’ bullpen into a test of depth. Bryan Abreu has taken the early lead on saves in his stead, with Bennett Sousa and other relievers providing secondary support. As teams adjust, the latest leverage framework shows a shift toward more nuanced, matchup-based late-inning plans, a trend that will shape saves and holds as the season progresses. For fantasy managers, the key is watching usage patterns to identify which relievers are best positioned to benefit from early opportunities in high-leverage situations.
Positive note
The shakeup also highlights the strength and depth of bullpens around the league, giving opportunities to emerging relievers to prove themselves on big stages and potentially reshape late-inning plans for the rest of the season. If Hader’s absence extends, this could accelerate the rise of a new closer-by-committee dynamic that keeps teams competitive down the stretch.