Jakob Junis Fantasy Stats

Across seven innings pitched in 2026, Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jakob Junis has recorded a 0.00 ERA and 0.43 WHIP while going 2-for-2 in save chances. The 33-year-old has recorded just four strikeouts, but he's also allowed just three hits and has yet to walk a batter. With an average fastball velocity of 92.4 mph and four career saves across 854 MLB innings, Junis does not have the profile of a typical closer. However, he was quietly effective across 66 2/3 innings for the Cleveland Guardians in 2025, recording a 2.97 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with 55 strikeouts. Perhaps most importantly, the Rangers do not have an established closer in their bullpen. While Cole Winn, Robert Garcia, and Jacob Latz could also get chances in the ninth inning, Junis has a chance to hold the role if he continues to be effective. For fantasy managers in deeper leagues, Junis could be worth targeting on the waiver wire.

Texas Rangers reliever Jakob Junis earned his second save of the season in a 3-2 win over the division-rival Seattle Mariners on Tuesday. Junis allowed two hits but minimized damage and induced weak contact, throwing 11 strikes out of 15 pitches. The 33-year-old has yet to allow a run or a walk in seven innings pitched this year, and has looked effective in late-game situations. He has progressed steadily over his 10-year career and is expected to earn more high-leverage opportunities if the success continues. Junis is in his first year with Texas after coming over from Cleveland, where he posted a 2.97 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 66 innings.

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jakob Junis earned his first save of the season on Monday by shutting down Seattle in the ninth inning of a close, 2-1 victory. Junis faced the middle of the Mariners' order and got Cal Raleigh to ground out to start the inning and Josh Naylor to hit into a game-ending double play after he hit Julio Rodriguez with a pitch. Junis only needed four pitches to get through the inning after Robert Garcia worked the eighth inning and earned a hold against the bottom of the order. Garcia and Chris Martin have had some early-season struggles, while Junis has worked six scoreless innings with just one hit allowed. He could continue to get opportunities, and he makes sense as a speculative addition if you're searching for saves on the waiver wire. He isn't the primary closing option yet, but with more outings like Monday's, he could secure that role soon.

The Texas Rangers signed free-agent relief pitcher Jakob Junis to a deal on Sunday. They've agreed on a one-year, $4 million deal for the 2026 season. Junis played a critical role in the Cleveland Guardians bullpen last season. He registered a 2.97 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and a 55/18 K/BB ratio across 57 appearances. The expectation is that Junis will function as a middle reliever, which is going to limit his ceiling for fantasy purposes. The Rangers don't have a lockdown closer at the moment, but it's unclear if Junis will be used in that role. The 33-year-old has only two career saves during his nine-year MLB career. For now, the assumption is that Junis will function as a viable middle reliever.

According to Kiley McDaniel of ESPN, the Cleveland Guardians have signed right-handed pitcher Jakob Junis to a one-year contract worth $4.5 million. McDaniel noted that Junis could work as both a starter and a reliever for the Guardians. Last season, Junis logged 67 innings with the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds. During the season, he appeared in 24 games and started six of them. He held a 2.69 ERA with a strong 0.85 WHIP. He showed elite command of his pitches with a 3.2 percent walk rate. However, he generated a modest 3.80 xERA, which suggests he will likely face some regression during the 2025 campaign. During spring training, fantasy managers should expect Junis to compete for the final spot in the rotation.

According to James Fox of FutureSox, the Chicago White Sox are showing interest in free-agent right-handed pitcher Jakob Junis. The 32-year-old has been deployed as both a reliever and starter throughout his big-league career. Last season, Junis spent time with both the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds. Across 67 frames, the 32-year-old held a solid 2.69 ERA and a 0.85 WHIP. He showed elite command with a stellar 3.2% walk rate but struggled to generate whiffs as he held an underwhelming 20.2% strikeout rate. In addition, he posted a poor 42.4% hard-hit rate and 38.7% ground-ball rate, which suggests he could be due for some regression during the 2025 campaign. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should continue to monitor his status, as he could be a viable low-end starting pitcher in AL/NL-only formats if he can sign a 2025 contract.

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Jakob Junis (personal) has been scratched from his scheduled start on Tuesday against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field due to personal reasons and is now expected to start on Wednesday. Right-hander Carson Spiers will make a spot start on Tuesday in Cleveland as a result. Junis will now have an extra day of rest before facing the Guardians on the road in the final week of the 2024 regular season. The 32-year-old has been great all year, but especially of late, allowing only three earned runs on eight hits while walking just one and fanning 15 over 19 2/3 innings in his last four starts against the Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves. Junis has only thrown 62 innings in 2024 due to injury, but he's posted a nice 2.61 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in 23 outings (five starts) when healthy.

The Cincinnati Reds acquired outfielder Joey Wiemer and right-hander Jakob Junis from the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night in exchange for right-hander Frankie Montas, according to a source. Wiemer was caught in a roster crunch in Milwaukee in a crowded outfield picture and hit just .154/.185/.154 with a stolen bases in 19 games played after appearing in 132 games in 2023 in his rookie season. The 25-year-old has also disappointed with a .224 average, three homers, 20 RBI and six steals in 53 games at Triple-A Nashville in 2024. Wiemer will operate as minor-league outfield depth for Cincy. Junis, 31, has only made 10 appearances in the big leagues this year due to injury but has been sharp in his 26 innings, posting a career-best 2.42 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, one save and 19 K's. He could be moved to a starting role in Cincy, though, and Junis does have 111 starts in his eight years in the big leagues, potentially making him a deep-league pickup off the waiver wire.

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Jakob Junis (head, shoulder) was moved to the 60-day injured list on Monday, meaning he won't be eligible to come back until June 2 now, at the earliest. Junis' comeback from a right-shoulder injury in early April was interrupted when he was stretchered off the field on April 22 after being hit in the neck by a batting practice ball. He was alert and responsive when he was sent to a local hospital and was able to resume playing catch by April 26. It's a tough break for the 31-year-old veteran, who allowed just one earned run on three hits while walking one and striking out four in a four-inning no-decision in his lone start of the year on April 2 against the Minnesota Twins. When healthy, Junis should be a candidate to return to Milwaukee's starting rotation next month.

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Jakob Junis (head, shoulder) was hit in the head by a line drive during pre-game batting practice before Monday's contest against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Junis is currently on the 15-day injured list with a right-shoulder injury. He was alert and responsive and was taken for more observation by an ambulance at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. The 31-year-old will surely be put through the league's concussion protocol, and it's unclear right now if his head injury will affect how quickly he'll be able to return from the IL for the Brewers. Junis made just one start on April 2 against the Minnesota Twins before going on the shelf with his shoulder injury. In his lone start, he gave up just one earned run on three hits while walking one and striking out four in four innings for a no-decision.