Anthony Bender

Bender stepped in as the Marlins closer to open the 2022 season with Dylan Floro beginning the year on the IL. The 27-year-old racked up six saves in April, but scuffled a bit out of the gates and took a step back from closing duties in early May. A few weeks later, he suffered a back strain that held him out for more than two months. He'd only make six more appearances in August before suffering an elbow strain that required Tommy John surgery, ending his season. Bender is expected to be sidelined for the full 2023 campaign as well.

Bender did not break camp with the Marlins despite a strong spring, but he was called up in early May and began his career with 21 straight appearances without allowing an earned run. July wasn't as kind to the rookie, but he still flashed his upside with a 23:2 K:BB over 14.2 innings during the month despite a 4.30 ERA. The right-hander earned his first-career save on July 5 and had fantasy managers speculating that he'd take over as Miami's closer once Yimi Garcia was traded. The job ultimately went to veteran Dylan Floro, but Bender certainly has the stuff to close with 97-mph heat on his sinker and a filthy slider that propelled him to the 78th percentile in whiff rate. He finished 2021 with three wins, three saves, 12 holds and outstanding ratios (2.79 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 10.4 K/9) over 61.1 innings. Bender should be in the mix for saves moving forward, but don't expect a full share of the closer role just yet.