Potential Closers Among Top Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Targets For Week 6

The news on Diaz isn’t good. He underwent surgery on his throwing elbow earlier this week and should be out at least through the All-Star break. The good news for the Dodgers is that they have viable options to fill in for him. They could split the ninth inning between Vesia and Tanner Scott, who is rostered in 45% of Yahoo leagues. I’ll take a chance on Vesia, who already has two saves this season and has not finished with a WHIP over 0.99 since 2023. He also misses a lot of bats. Per Fangraphs, he has a career 32.6% strikeout rate.

Louis Varland, RP, Toronto Blue Jays (30% rostered)

Jeff Hoffman’s grip on the closer job appears to be slipping. Earlier this week, Blue Jays manager John Schneider would not commit to keeping Hoffman in the role. Hoffman has been bad, posting a 2.06 WHIP and blowing three saves. Varland has been much more effective, recording a 0.85 WHIP and a 41.3% strikeout rate. He saved Tuesday’s win over the Angels and could receive more opportunities in the ninth inning moving forward.

Ildemaro Vargas, 1B/2B, Arizona Diamondbacks (30% rostered)

Vargas has appeared in 18 games this season. He has at least one hit in all of them, leaving him with a .357 batting average. He’s not just slapping singles, either, recording five home runs and five doubles. He has been playing regularly with Carlos Santana (thigh) out and has performed so well that it’s difficult to believe he will be taken out of the lineup when Santana does eventually return. At least for now, Vargas can help fantasy managers in need of a bat.

Dalton Rushing, C, Los Angeles Dodgers (27% rostered)

The Dodgers already have one of the best catchers in baseball in Will Smith. Their DH spot is filled by Shohei Ohtani, so there isn’t playing time to be had there, either. However, it’s going to be difficult to keep Rushing out of the lineup with how well he is hitting. In 35 plate appearances, he has seven home runs and a .486 OBP. He had a .953 OPS at Triple-A last year and did a good job of getting on base throughout his time in the minor leagues. He’s not someone to add in shallow leagues, but those who play in 14-team and deeper formats should have him on their radar. He also makes sense in two-catcher formats.

Takeaway

Vesia and Varland are two players to consider adding who can help with saves. Stanton is worth rostering when he is healthy, while the hot-hitting Vargas and rushing are worth adding in deeper formats. Be sure to check back throughout the season as we provide the top waiver wire options to help you win your fantasy baseball league.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com