Rico Garcia

With Helsley back on the IL, Garcia is Baltimore's most logical save option — and possibly the most underowned reliever in all of fantasy baseball. He is the only pitcher since 1900 to allow one hit or fewer through his first 19 appearances. The secret weapon is a changeup with just 22.4 inches of vertical drop (third-fewest in baseball) that hitters whiff on at a 75% clip. The xERA of 1.84 confirms the dominance is real. At 18% ownership heading into a closer vacancy on a Wild Card contender, this is as obvious an add as you'll see all season.

Ryan Helsley targeting a late June return from elbow inflammation. Garcia has a 0.66 ERA in the vacancy. The role reverts once Helsley is activated — but Helsley's elbow history makes that anything but guaranteed. Ride Garcia now; reconsider when an IL-activation date is confirmed.

Garcia and Anthony Nunez continue splitting saves while Ryan Helsley finishes his rehab from right elbow inflammation. Helsley's most recent outing was strong (3 Ks, 1 IP, 14 pitches) and a late-June return remains the target. Hold the bridge pieces but do not acquire Garcia at premium FAAB.

Bridging with Ryan Helsley (4 saves, 3 saves from Nunez) through Helsley's rehab. Hold Garcia for the bridge saves but be ready to flip your roster spot back to Helsley the moment he's activated — likely late June. Do not acquire Garcia at FAAB premium.

Sharing save opportunities in Baltimore with Andrew Kittredge and Yennier Cano while Ryan Helsley (right elbow inflammation) remains on the IL since May 1. MRI showed no structural damage for Helsley, but no return date has been set. Garcia has the slight edge in the committee, but this is unpredictable save volume — treat it as a streaming option, not a closer to own.

Picked up his 2nd save Thursday — 0.412 WHIP across 17 IP is genuinely elite. Andrew Kittredge is the alternative if Hyde shifts; Garcia is the priority Baltimore add for saves chasers. Top-30 RP rest of season.

Closer Monkey notes Garcia continues to be deployed against elite hitters in non-9th high-leverage spots — Hyde won't save him for save situations during this Yankees series. Still the top BAL save candidate when matchups normalize.

Still the top save candidate in Baltimore with Helsley out, but the Yankees series puts him in non-9th high-leverage spots. The risk: Hyde may not save him for save situations until BAL is out of NYY. Hold and add Yennier Cano as backup.

Closer Monkey now lists Garcia as the top save candidate in Baltimore with Helsley on the IL. The risk: he's the team's best high-leverage RHP, so Hyde might use him in the 7th-8th vs. Aaron Judge instead of saving him for the 9th. Still the best speculative add of the day in saves-needy formats.