Jordan Romano #68 of the Los Angeles Angels delivers a pitch during the ninth inning at Wrigley Field on March 31, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. Getty Images The volatile nature of the ninth inning is the ultimate equalizer in fantasy baseball, turning discarded middle relievers into league-winning assets overnight. If you aren’t constantly monitoring the waiver wire for shifts in bullpen hierarchy, you are likely bleeding saves to your more attentive rivals.
This week, the most significant tremors are coming out of Kansas City, where a changing of the guard appears not just imminent but potentially permanent.
The spotlight has shifted directly onto Lucas Erceg, who has become the most urgent addition for any manager in need of late-inning stability.
The opportunity for Erceg arose following the unfortunate news regarding Carlos Estévez. The incumbent Royals closer was recently placed on the 15-day injured list with an ankle contusion after being struck by a comebacker.
Though an injury is never the preferred way for a hierarchy to shift, the underlying metrics suggest that Estévez was already skating on thin ice. More concerning than the bruised bone is a dramatic and unexplained drop in his average fastball velocity.
Before the injury, Estévez was struggling to touch the mid-90s, a sharp decline from the high-octane heat that defined his success in previous seasons. When a power pitcher loses his primary weapon, the “injured list” often becomes a convenient place to hide a guy who is no longer effective. Even when Estévez is physically cleared to return, there is a very real possibility that the Royals will stick with the hot hand, especially if Erceg continues to dominate.
And Erceg has wasted no time making his case for the permanent role. Unlike Estévez, Erceg’s velocity is trending in the right direction, consistently buzzing the tower with upper-90s heat and a devastating slider that generates elite whiff rates.
Lucas Erceg #60 of the Kansas City Royals pitches during the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on March 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. Getty Images Through his first few appearances this season, he has looked every bit the part of a high-leverage anchor. He isn’t just a temporary replacement, he is a talent upgrade. If he is still sitting on your waiver wire, he represents a rare chance to grab a potential 30-save arm for the cost of a bottom-of-the-roster bench bat.
Beyond the drama in Kansas City, Arizona’s Paul Sewald remains a perennial favorite for those who value consistency over raw speed. Though he doesn’t blow away hitters, his unique release point and savvy pitch-sequencing continue to result in low ERAs and high save totals. If a frustrated manager in your league dropped him during a brief cold stretch or a minor injury scare, he is a priority reclaim.
Similarly, Jordan Romano has found a new lease on life with the Angels. Often overlooked in recent drafts due to his injury history, Romano has looked sharp in the early going, reclaiming the closer role with a veteran poise that the young Angels bullpen desperately needs.
Chasing saves is always a tricky proposition each year, but it has proven to be a viable strategy. Whether you’re seeking the high-upside breakout of Erceg or the proven track records of Sewald and Romano, the message is clear: The waiver wire is where championships are won.
Howard Bender is the head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on X @rotobuzzguy, catch him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Ch. 87) weekdays from 6-8 p.m. and dominate your leagues with the latest baseball news and advice from Fantasy Alarm.
