Some closing news dots this week’s waiver wire with Brad Brach likely getting another chance and oh yeah, Zach Britton getting closer to a return.  How can he only be owned in 49% of CBS Leagues?  Also, Hector Neris is struggling, who might be his replacement.  Read on to find out.  Finally, Manny Banuelos makes an appearance this week after just missing our Hot Prospect list, even though at 27 years-old, he’s far from an emerging prospect but there could be something there.

Enjoy the list and please click on the baseball card to visit our partner amazon.com to explore additional information on each player. 

Manny Banuelos, SP, LAD (CBS: unowned): Remember when the big debate was who would be the better pitcher, Dellin Betances or Manny Banuelos. Injuries derailed the career of Banuelos, but the Dodgers signed him to a Minor League deal in the off-season and so far he has been pitching extremely well at Triple-A Oklahoma City.  In seven starts he has four wins while sporting a 2.829 ERA, 1.086 WHIP and has accumulated 38 strikeouts in 35 IP. It’s only a matter of time before he gets the call.

Brad Brach, RP, BAL (CBS: 31% owned) Darren O’Day looked to have wrestled the interim closer job from Brad Brach, only to have a hyperextended right elbow send him to the 10-Day DL. Brach now has the interim-interim closer gig, but be aware that Zach Britton will be likely returning at the end of the month.

Zach Britton, RP, BAL (CBS: 51% owned): If you happen to be playing in one of the 49% of the CBS Leagues where Britton is a free agent, it’s worth the time to be investing. A return at the beginning of June is in the cards and he will assume the ninth inning role upon his return.

Tyler Clippard, RP, TOR (CBS: 35% owned): The suspension of Roberto Osuna has cast the Jays pen, one of the best in baseball this year, into a state of chaos. Who is going to be manning the ninth inning until the return of Osuna? First up was Tyler Clippard and he recorded a successful save on Wednesday against the Mariners. That puts him in the driver’s seat, but don’t rule out former Cards closer Seung-hwan Oh as a potential option.

Zach Eflin, SP, PHI (CBS:  42% owned): Since returning to the rotation at the beginning of May, Eflin has now tossed two very impressive outings, holding the Marlins and Giants to one earned run over 12 1/3 total IP. The O’s and Cards in a potential two-start week will be a much better test, but shouldn’t discourage one from investing in the Phillies young righty.

Dustin Fowler, OF, OAK (CBS: 27% owned): Back in Week Three we mentioned Fowler as a future call up and the A’s finally agreed, calling up the young outfielder last week. At Triple-A Nashville he hit three homers, drove in 15 runs, and stole seven bases. That’s not a bad resume to be bringing to the show. It’s time to add Fowler in all formats.

Seranthony Dominguez, RP, PHI (CBS: 4% owned) Incumbent, Hector Neris, has been struggling lately, taking two losses in his past four appearances and is skating on thin ice. Dominguez has gotten off to a great start, and in three appearances is yet to allow a hit or a walk.  Make that four scoreless appearances after today’s eighth-inning appearance against the Mets. Short-term, Edubray Ramos or Tommy Hunter are fine speculative picks for saves, but long-term I’m betting on Sir Anthony.

Travis Jankowski, OF, SD (CBS: 5% owned): Jankowski is doing something that most of the Padres regulars haven’t been doing. He’s getting on base. In his past seven games he has gone 11-for-26, and on the season in limited at-bats is currently sporting a .455 OBP. That will keep him in the lineup and as we’ve seen by that fine 2016 season (30 stolen bases in 355 AB), he can be a huge asset in the stolen base category.

Mikie Mahtook, OF, DET (CBS: 2% owned): Since being recalled on May 8, Mahtook has gone 6-for-20 with 5 RBI and a stolen base. The Tigers have some holes to fill in that outfield and a steady diet of at-bats could be in his future until the return of Leonys Martin.

Mitch Moreland, 1B, BOS (CBS: 37% owned): Mitch Moreland just keeps on a keeping on. He now has quietly hit six homers and contributed 20 RBI in 84 at-bats with a mind-blowing 1.009 OPS. It’s time to scour your League free agent pool and if available, find a home for him.

Freddy Peralta, SP, MIL (CBS: 4% owned): The 21-year-old made his debut this afternoon in of all places Coors Field, and what a debut it was. 5 2/3 scoreless innings of one-hit ball with 13 strikeouts should be getting our attention and a good chunk of our FAAB cash tonight. If today is any indication, he’ll be more wily than the last Peralta who pitched in Milwaukee.

Alex Reyes, SP, STL (CBS: 59% owned): He’s getting close to a return from the TJS that sidelined him for the past year and it looks like the Cards will be using him out of the pen in 2018. Bud Norris has been effective thus far in 2018, but based on his past history, a little Reyes insurance could be a prudent investment.

Kirby Yates, RP, SD (CBS: 6% owned): In nine appearances, Yates has allowed only one earned run and is sporting a 0.73 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 12 1/3 IP. He is firmly entrenched in the setup role in San Diego and in Leagues that count holds should be owned and rostered.