In the realm of fantasy baseball, the art of managing relievers is a delicate dance, and the 6th of June brought forth a myriad of updates that could shape the strategies of managers across the globe. The injured list, a constant companion for fantasy managers, has seen its share of additions and adjustments, with players like Edwin Diaz and Kenley Jansen facing extended layoffs due to injuries. The prospect of a post-All-Star break return for Diaz, however, offers a glimmer of hope for those who have been eagerly awaiting his return to the mound.
Among the injured, the TJS surgery victims, A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez, are making steady progress, with Puk promoted to Triple-A Reno and Martinez throwing his first post-surgery bullpen. The latter's return, however, is shrouded in uncertainty, with a best-case scenario of an end-of-August reappearance, but a more likely timeline pushing into 2027.
The elbow injuries continue to plague the game, with Ryan Helsley and Erik Sabrowski also dealing with inflammation. Helsley, who threw a 15-20 pitch bullpen on May 30th, is targeting a June return, while Sabrowski, who had an MRI confirming no structural damage, is awaiting a firm timetable. The latter's results were eerily similar to an elbow inflammation he dealt with in spring training 2025, raising questions about the long-term implications.
The shoulder injuries, too, have not spared the relievers, with Carlos Estévez and Ben Joyce both facing extended layoffs. Estévez, who began playing catch on May 28th, will need another minor-league rehab assignment before returning, while Joyce, who resumed his throwing program in Arizona, has been moved to the 60-day IL.
The knee and foot injuries have also taken their toll, with Garrett Whitlock and Brock Stewart both placed on the 15-day IL. Whitlock, who received a pain-killing injection on May 27th, is awaiting further imaging to determine the extent of his injury, while Stewart, who faced hitters for the first time on May 26th, is still feeling discomfort and has yet to receive a formal rehab assignment.
The fantasy baseball rankings, particularly for closers, holds, and SOLDs, are a testament to the ever-shifting landscape of the game. Mason Miller, Cade Smith, and Aroldis Chapman top the closer rankings, with their strikeout upside and role bonuses shaping their value. The holds rankings, on the other hand, are a different story, with Dylan Lee, Adrian Morejon, and Tanner Scott leading the way, their ratio-focused approaches and strikeout upside making them attractive options for managers.
In the realm of holds leagues, the rankings take on a different flavor, with Dylan Lee, Adrian Morejon, and Alex Vesia leading the way. Their strikeout upside and role bonuses make them attractive options for managers looking to maximize their holds. The SV+HLD leagues, meanwhile, are a different beast altogether, with Mason Miller, Cade Smith, and Tanner Scott topping the rankings, their strikeout upside and ratio-focused approaches making them must-have assets for managers.
As the fantasy baseball season unfolds, the injured list remains a constant source of concern, with managers constantly adjusting their strategies to account for the ever-shifting landscape of injuries. The rankings, meanwhile, offer a glimpse into the ever-evolving world of fantasy baseball, where the strikeout upside, role bonuses, and ratio-focused approaches of relievers shape the strategies of managers across the globe.
