Despite one game being postponed, it was a volatile news cycle for high-leverage relievers. In the games, relievers recorded five wins and ten saves while suffering six losses and five blown saves. Today’s takeaways feature a closer competition potentially brewing in San Francisco, Edwin Díaz leaving his outing because of cramping in his hip, and the return of a Diamondbacks reliever.
Three Takeaways
(1) Walker removed during a non-save appearance: Called upon to protect a 4-0 lead at the top of the ninth, Ryan Walker only retired one batter via strikeout and allowed three hits, scoring two earned runs before being lifted. He threw 22 pitches (12 strikes – 54.5 Strike%) and hit a batter in this outing. First, his illustrator:
And his results, which show what happens when he has to throw strikes:
He’s given up six earned runs in his last two outings, spiking his WHIP to 1.38 in his first 8.2 innings. Walker has been Bob Melvin’s preferred closer since last August, but he’s struggled in recent contests, recording two outs while allowing six hits and a walk.
As for this game, with runners on second and third with one out at the top of the ninth, Camilo Doval recorded a strikeout against Jackson Chourio and a game-ending groundout against Christian Yelich for his fourth save. He threw five pitches, all strikes, and produced two whiffs (40 SwStr%).
Since April 12, he has posted six scoreless appearances with two saves, a hold, and six strikeouts against one walk (29.4 K-BB%) with a 0.18 WHIP over 5.2 innings. Until Melvin indicates any changes in his reliever’s roles, the hierarchy will be unchanged, but if Doval’s a free agent in your league and space allows, stashing him makes sense, just in case:
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Walker | Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers
(2) Hip cramps for Díaz: Edwin Díaz fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out one. With the bullpen running on fumes, he returned for the tenth, recording a strikeout, followed by Bryce Harper stealing third and a Nick Castellanos RBI single, before leaving the game with cramping in his hip. He threw 18 pitches (11 strikes – 61.1 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
It sounds like nothing major, but fantasy managers must monitor it closely. Here are his postgame quotes about the injury. Forced into action at the top of the tenth with a runner on first and one out, Max Kranick navigated around a walk and a J.T. Realmuto single with an inning-ending flyout, then collected his second win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the frame.
Hierarchy Remains: Edwin Díaz | A.J. Minter | José Buttó
(3) Martinez returns: Justin Martinez fired a clean ninth and recorded one strikeout on 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) with two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
His velocity remained stable; now, fantasy managers await how his workload adjusts moving forward. Martinez kept the game tied during the ninth, but Drey Jameson suffered his first loss. He gave up a lead-off double, scoring the “place” runner, issued a walk, then a one-out Yandy Díaz RBI double, finishing with three hits against, two runs (one earned), and one walk. Juan Morillo worked a clean tenth, striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Justin Martinez | Shelby Miller | Jalen Beeks
Vulture Save Options for April 24
- Lucas Erceg (KC): With a doubleheader on tap, he could record an ancillary save or provide Carlos Estévez another day off.
- Justin Lawrence (PIT): Santana and Bednar have appeared in back-to-back games.
Vulture Save Stashes for April 25
- Griffin Jax (MIN): If Jhoan Durán pitches today, he may need Friday off since he threw 32 pitches on Tuesday.
- Yennier Cano (BAL): If Félix Bautista pitches in today’s game, he will be unavailable on Friday.
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Wednesday’s split slate.
Closer CliffsNotes
Atlanta Braves
After taking over at the top of the eighth, Daysbel Hernández stranded two runners on an inning-ending Jordan Walker strikeout, then returned for the ninth and worked around two-out single for 1.1 scoreless frames for his third win. He threw 18 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%) while recording two strikeouts. He has a 0.71 WHIP with seven strikeouts against three walks (10 K-BB%) over 11.1 innings.
- Rafael Montero allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one in two-thirds of the eighth before being removed.
- Pierce Johnson retired the side in the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Daysbel Hernández | Dylan Lee
Chicago Cubs
Preserving a one-run margin, Porter Hodge faced the Dodgers’ 9-1-2 hitters and fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out one for his first save. He threw 14 pitches (64.3 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%) facing Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts.
Ryan Pressly has not pitched since Sunday and this report surfaced after the game:
- Julian Merryweather notched his sixth hold, retiring the side and striking out two in the eighth.
- Daniel Palencia worked a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and striking out one for his first hold.
Pressly should be back on Friday, but Hodge may earn more ancillary save chances and a larger leverage share as the season progresses.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Pressly | Porter Hodge | Julian Merryweather
Cincinnati Reds
Shutting the door on his fifth save, Emilio Pagán fired a clean bottom of the ninth against the Marlins’ 4-5-6 lineup pocket on nine pitches (88.9 Strike%) and induced one whiff (11.1 SwStr%).
He has a 0.44 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus one walk (20.5 K-BB%) across 11.1 innings.
- Tony Santillan worked around a lead-off single by retiring the next three batters for his sixth ohld.
- Ian Gibaut tossed a scoreless seventh, giving up a hit and striking out one, securing his second hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Tony Santillan | Graham Ashcraft
Detroit Tigers
Completing a combined shutout, Will Vest retired the side and recorded two strikeouts at the top of the ninth against three Padres’ pinch hitters. He threw 12 pitches (75 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (25 SwStr%).
Tommy Kahnle took over at the top of the eighth with two runners on and one out. He notched his first hold, retiring both batters on ten pitches (50 Strike%) without a whiff. He owns a 0.56 WHIP with 12 strikeouts versus three walks (17.7 K-BB%) through 9.1 innings.
It’s not a significant concern, but Kahnle has been the highest-leveraged reliever during the eighth inning in his last two appearances, which keeps Vest on the periphery of mixed-league relevance.
Hierarchy Remains: Tommy Kahnle | Will Vest | Tyler Holton
Houston Astros
Recording his seventh save, Josh Hader navigated around a one-out walk of George Springer, followed by Ernie Clement’s pinch-hit double, with a strikeout and a game-ending flyout. Hader threw 23 pitches (16 strikes – 69.6 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (26.1 SwStr%).
He’s posted a 0.69 WHIP (nice) while recording 17 strikeouts against three walks (29.1 K-BB%) through 13 innings.
- Bryan Abreu tossed a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and striking out one for his eighth hold.
- Bryan King stranded a runner and recorded four outs, securing his seventh hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Bryan King
Minnesota Twins
In order of appearance, Justin Topa collected his first win, giving up a hit during a scoreless top of the sixth.
- Griffin Jax fired a clean seventh and recorded two strikeouts on 14 pitches (64.3 Strike%) with two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%), securing his seventh hold. After a rough start this season, he’s been scoreless in two consecutive contests.
- Brock Stewart notched his first hold, walking one and striking out two in a scoreless eighth.
- Danny Coulombe retired the side against the White Sox 8-9-1 lineup pocket on 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) with one whiff for his first save.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Durán | Louis Varland | Griffin Jax
Philadelphia Phillies
Handed a one-run at the bottom of the tenth, Jordan Romano induced a groundout by Juan Soto, then gave up a game-tying Pete Alonso double, intentionally walked Brandon Nimmo, and allowed a walk-off flare single by Sterling Marte, resulting his his first loss and a second blown save. Romano threw 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (36.4 SwStr%) but has 2.25 WHIP through his first 9.1 innings.
- José Alvarado logged two scoreless frames, giving up two hits and striking out two on 28 pitches (75 Strike%) with three whiffs (10.7 SwStr%). This marked his fifth outing, recording six outs in a contest, and his first since June 16, 2021.
- Matt Strahm tossed a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: *José Alvarado | *Orion Kerkering | Matt Strahm
*= floating closer concept
Pittsburgh Pirates
Closing a combined shutout, Dennis Santana worked around Jorge Soler’s one-out double by retiring the next two Angels for his third save. He threw 17 pitches (10 strikes – 58.8 Strike%) and produced one whiff. He has a 0.88 WHIP with seven strikeouts versus three walks (7.1 K-BB%) in 11.1 innings.
- Caleb Ferguson retired the side for his fourth hold in the eighth.
- David Bednar fired a clean seventh and recorded two strikeouts on 13 pitches (10 strikes – 76.9 Strike%) with four whiffs (30.8 SwStr%). Since his return, he’s posted three scoreless appearances with a 0.67 WHIP and five strikeouts (45.5 K-BB%).
Updated Hierarchy: Dennis Santana | David Bednar | Caleb Ferguson
Seattle Mariners
Securing his eighth save, Andrés Muñoz fired a clean bottom of the ninth against the Red Sox 8-9-1 hitters and recorded one strikeout on 15 pitches (60 Strike%) with three whiffs (20 SwStr%). He owns a 0.83 WHIP with 15 strikeouts against five walks (22.7 K-BB%) in 12 scoreless innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Trent Thornton | Gabe Speier
Tampa Bay Rays
Recording his first career save, Eric Orze allowed an infield single with a throwing error scoring the “place” runner, a walk, induced a lineout, followed by another walk, before a game-ending groundball double play in Arizona. He only threw nine of 19 pitches for strikes (47.4 Strike%).
- Pete Fairbanks collected his second win, stranding a runner and retiring his only two batters in the tenth.
- Garrett Cleavinger retired all four batters faced across the ninth and tenth innings.
- Edwin Uceta escaped with a scoreless eighth despite giving up a hit and two walks.
- Mason Montgomery suffered his first blown save on a one-out walk, followed by Corbin Carroll’s go-ahead two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Pete Fairbanks | Edwin Uceta | Mason Montgomery
The Athletics
Capping a three-run win, Mason Miller navigated around Joc Pederson’s two-out double with three strikeouts in a scoreless ninth. Miller threw 13 pitches (10 strikes – 76.9 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (38.5 Strike%).
He’s posted a 0.625 WHIP with 17 strikeouts and one walk (57.1 K-BB%) across eight scoreless frames.
- Tyler Ferguson notched his fifth hold, retiring the side and striking out two in the eighth.
- Mitch Spence gave up a hit and struck out one for his first hold in a scoreless seventh.
- Justin Sterner retired the side in the sixth, securing his fourth hold.
Adjusted Hierarchy: Mason Miller | Tyler Ferguson | Justin Sterner
Washington Nationals
Presented with his ninth save opportunity in his tenth appearance, Kyle Finnegan navigated around two singles and recorded a strikeout for his ninth save. He entered this contest with 300 strikeouts in 300 innings over 300 games. In this outing, he threw 14 pitches (11 strikes – 78.6 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%) while posting a 1.41 WHIP with 13 strikeouts against six walks (15.3 K-BB%) in 10.2 innings.
- Jorge López stranded two of three runners at the top of the seventh and logged 1.2 innings, allowing a hit, an earned run, and striking out one. He collected his first win and a blown save.
- Jose A. Ferrer gave up a hit, an earned run, hit a batter, and a walk during one-third of the seventh, getting credit for his sixth hold.
- Jackson Rutledge notched his first hold, walking and striking out one.
Updated Hierarchy: Kyle Finnegan | Jose A. Ferrer | Jorge López
Quick Hits
- Baltimore Orioles: Entering a tied game at the bottom of the eighth, Gregory Soto suffered his first loss, giving up a hit, an earned run on a go-ahead sacrifice fly, and a walk on 22 pitches (14 strikes – 63.6 Strike%) with three whiffs.
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Jack Dreyer suffered his first loss and a blown save, allowing two hits, four earned runs, and three walks in the fifth.
- New York Yankees: Finishing a four-run win, Luke Weaver worked around a one-out single during a scoreless ninth, throwing 11 pitches (54.5 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s posted a 0.62 WHIP with 13 strikeouts versus five walks (17.1 K-BB%) over 13 innings. Fernando Cruz fired a clean eighth and recorded two strikeouts. He’s been scoreless in his last five appearances and registered multiple strikeouts in four.
- St. Louis Cardinals: Called upon with runners on second and third with one out, Ryan Fernandez allowed Eli White’s go-ahead three-run home run before recording consecutive strikeouts. JoJo Romero gets tagged with his first loss, giving up two hits and two earned runs during one-third of the eighth.
- Toronto Blue Jays: Appearing in a loss, Jeff Hoffman recorded a scoreless bottom of the eighth, allowing a hit and striking out two. He owns a 0.65 WHIP with 18 strikeouts versus one walk (30.6 K-BB%) across 12.1 innings.
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