Edwin Díaz Returns as Dodgers Closer; Latest Fantasy Baseball Insights

Edwin Díaz made a triumphant return to the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, stepping back into the closer role after a three-month hiatus. His first save since April 7 came as the Dodgers look to solidify their bullpen with Díaz’s velocity back to an impressive average of 96.9 mph on his fastball. Meanwhile, the Arizona Diamondbacks are experimenting with Paul Sewald in lower-leverage situations as they seek consistency in their ninth-inning performance.

This week, Mason Miller of the San Diego Padres continued to shine, delivering four flawless appearances that included three saves and a win. His season totals now stand at 28 saves, accompanied by a remarkable 0.79 ERA and 0.79 WHIP over 45 2/3 innings. Speculation about a potential trade involving Miller is heating up, especially with setup man Adrian Morejon also drawing interest from competing teams. Should Miller be moved, Jeremiah Estrada, recently off the injured list, could step into the closer role.

Jhoan Duran of the Philadelphia Phillies struck out the side in a non-save situation against the Yankees on Saturday but faced a setback on Monday, giving up three runs against the Marlins, marking his second blown save of the season. With Brad Keller on the 60-day injured list, the Phillies are likely to pursue a high-leverage arm to bolster their bullpen.

Cade Smith, who entered the eighth inning against the Twins on Thursday, allowed an inherited runner to score, resulting in a blown save. However, he rebounded with a scoreless inning against the Reds on Tuesday. The 27-year-old right-hander leads the league with 30 saves, holding a 2.52 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over 50 innings.

Louis Varland added three more saves to his tally this week, bringing his total to 23 with a stellar 0.98 ERA and 0.96 WHIP. Bryan Baker of the Tampa Bay Rays also had a strong week, securing four saves to reach 29 for the season. Josh Hader continued to impress for the Houston Astros, collecting two additional saves this week, totaling 14 since his season debut on June 3.

David Bednar of the New York Yankees extended his scoreless streak to 22 appearances, before it was snapped on Tuesday against the White Sox. He ultimately secured his 22nd save. The Yankees are reportedly looking for a high-end reliever, with Miller’s name surfacing in trade discussions.

Aroldis Chapman is enjoying a solid stretch, converting two more saves this week, bringing his total to 25 for the season, alongside a commendable 1.77 ERA. Andrés Muñoz is also on a roll, with 13 consecutive scoreless appearances before allowing one run against the Dodgers, securing his 19th save.

Raisel Iglesias picked up a save against the Padres and then faced a challenge against the Orioles, surrendering an unearned run. He regained his form with a scoreless inning against the Mets for his 22nd save. Jacob Latz of the Texas Rangers secured his 21st save this week, showcasing a solid 1.80 ERA.

Trevor Megill recorded his 17th save against the Rockies, maintaining a strong season with a 2.97 ERA. Meanwhile, Edwin Díaz’s return was marked by a successful save against the Mariners, a positive sign following his lengthy absence due to elbow surgery.

In other news, Riley O’Brien was held out due to illness but returned with a scoreless inning against the Cubs. Grant Taylor’s recent outings have seen him in high-leverage situations as the White Sox employ a committee approach. Emilio Pagán notched his 10th save against the Cardinals, while Kenley Jansen secured his 12th save for the Tigers.

As the trade deadline approaches, teams are assessing their bullpen options, and several players are expected to shift roles or locations in the coming days.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.