Sunday began with limited-leverage events of interest and finished with a flurry during the late afternoon contests. Relievers recorded six wins and five saves while suffering four losses with zero blown saves. Arizona used Justin Martinez on consecutive days, Seattle’s closer moved into a tie for the major league lead in saves, and the Yankees made a temporary change at closer, which are featured in our takeaways.
Three Takeaways
(1) J-Mart works in consecutive games, but: Working with reduced velocity and spotty command, Justin Martinez held on for his third save, but it was a traffic-induced outing. It began by hitting Nick Allen with a pitch, followed by a walk, before inducing a double play groundout by Austin Riley. However, Marcell Ozuna produced an RBI double with two outs, and Matt Olson walked before a game-ending Ozzie Albies flyout. Martinez finished with a hit, an earned run, a hit batter, and two walks while throwing 26 pitches (15 strikes – 57.7 Strike%) with one whiff.
His 0.80 WHIP comes with 11 strikeouts against four walks (17.9 K-BB%) across ten innings. His hold on save situations remains shaky, especially seeing his maximum velocity with his sinker in this contest was 98.2 miles per hour, reflected in this chart from Statcast, displaying his average velocity by appearance this season:
While his indicators do not portend a collapse, he’s produced a 61.3 strike percentage with an 11.3 percent swinging strike rate. Monitor his average pitch velocity and usage patterns closely this week. If Kevin Ginkel gets activated for the team’s road trip, he may factor into save situations quickly based on being in Torey Lovullo’s circle of trust. Those seeking saves on the wire should stash him now, just in case. For now:
Hierarchy Remains: Justin Martinez | Shelby Miller | Jalen Beeks
(2) Muñoz remains scoreless: Calming a tense situation, Andrés Muñoz nailed down his American League-leading tenth save with a clean ninth while striking out during a one-run win over Miami. He threw nine pitches (77.8 Strike%) and induced one whiff (11.1 SwStr%).
He remains scoreless through 14 innings with 18 strikeouts against six walks (23.5 K-BB%) and a 0.79 WHIP. His strong start has flown under the radar after he struggled with a back injury last season. He’s produced an 18 percent swinging strike rate, tied for 12th best in the majors with Jeff Hoffman, and a 59.8 contact allowed percentage, ranking sixth best among his peers. The best news is that he will receive reinforcements when the team activates Matt Brash. Muñoz tied Robert Suarez for the most saves, requiring four or more outs last year. Keeping him fresh through one-inning outings ensures better results for the talented closer.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Trent Thornton | Gabe Speier
(3) D-Will demoted as the closer: It’s one thing when we think a change may occur and another when a team announces the switch. Aaron Boone named Luke Weaver the Yankees’ interim closer, while Devin Williams will work in lower-leveraged outings until he’s ready for save situations from Bill Ladson’s post for MLB.com:
During the second game of Sunday’s doubleheader, Luke Weaver was warming for the save opportunity, but an eighth-inning home run extended the lead to four runs, making it a non-save appearance. Weaver retired the side and recorded a strikeout on 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) without a whiff. He will remain the closer until further notice:
Before Weaver entered, Fernando Cruz allowed a hit and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless eighth, securing his fourth hold. Mark Leiter Jr. notched his fifth hold, striking out the side in the seventh. Tim Hill collected his third win, giving up a hit during a scoreless sixth.
Updated Hierarchy: Luke Weaver | Fernando Cruz | Mark Leiter Jr.
With only eight games on tap today, it’s a light forecast for vulture saves:
Vulture Save Options for April 28
- Cade Smith (CLE): How much longer Emmanuel Clase works in lower leveraged outings remains to be seen, but fantasy managers may be able to squeeze another save or two from Smith this week.
- Reed Garrett (NYM): If Edwin Díaz is not available, Garrett will be in line for the save, but this bullpen is running on fumes. Plus, if Edwin pitches, you will have Garrett for tomorrow.
Vulture Save Stashes for April 29
- Mitch Spence (ATH): If Miller and Ferguson pitch tonight, he could get a multi-inning save chance on Tuesday.
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Sunday.
Closer CliffsNotes
Chicago Cubs
Forced into action at the top of the tenth with the bases loaded, Caleb Thielbar retired Bryce Harper via strikeout, stranding all three runners. However, the damage had been done; Julian Merryweather allowed a hit, two runs (one earned), and three walks over his two-thirds of the tenth, resulting in his first loss.
- Ryan Pressly worked a scoreless ninth and issued a walk while facing the Phillies’ 2-3-4-5 hitters. This extended his scoreless streak to six games, during which he’s recorded three strikeouts against one walk with a 0.67 WHIP through six innings.
- Porter Hodge also worked a scoreless eighth, allowing one walk. He owns a modest four-game scoreless streak.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Pressly | Porter Hodge | Julian Merryweather
Chicago White Sox
Entering at the bottom of the tenth with a one-run lead, Jordan Leasure suffered his second loss and a second blown save, allowing a one-out walk-off Luis Urías two-run home run. He threw six pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff (16.7 SwStr%) while striking out one.
- Steven Wilson tossed a scoreless ninth, walking and striking out one.
- Cam Booser fired a clean eighth, striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: *Steven Wilson | *Cam Booser | *Jordan Leasure
*= closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Dodgers
Pressed into action at the top of the second, Ben Casparius worked 3.2 scoreless frames, allowing two hits and striking out five while collecting his third win.
- Alex Vesia notched his ninth hold, giving up a hit and striking out two in two-thirds scoreless innings.
- Luis García stranded a runner, gave up a hit, and struck out two in two-thirds scoreless.
- Yoendrys Gómez recorded his first career save, logging three scoreless frames, scattering four hits, and striking out four.
Hierarchy Remains: *Tanner Scott | *Kirby Yates | Evan Phillips
*= match-up-based with a preferred save share
New York Mets
Handed a one-run lead at the top of the ninth, Ryne Stanek suffered his second blown save in the last three days. His outing began with Alex Call’s lead-off double, followed by Keibert Ruiz’s groundout, moving him to third, then CJ Abrams singled in the game-tying run. Stanek walked James Wood and covered first base late on a grounder to Pete Alonso, and the throwing error scored the game-winning run. He gets charged with two hits, two runs (one earned), and a walk during one-third of an inning.
- Huascar Brazobán navigated around a hit, a hit batter, and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless eighth for his fourth hold.
- José Buttó let his only inherited runner score, allowing three hits, including a three-run home run, and struck out one in two-thirds of the seventh.
There have been some heavy usage patterns over the last seven days:
But Edwin Díaz needing two days in between outings after the 23rd and not being available yesterday makes it even thinner during leverage events. His availability and effectiveness should be monitored closely. With A.J. Minter landing on the 15-day injured list, Reed Garrett and Max Kranick may earn larger leverage roles.
Updated Hierarchy: Edwin Díaz | Reed Garrett | Huascar Brazobán
Philadelphia Phillies
It only took 28 games this season, but Jordan Romano recorded his first save for the Phillies, working a clean bottom of the tenth against the Cubs’ 4-5-6 lineup pocket. He threw 13 pitches (10 strikes – 76.9 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
José Alvarado collected his third win, tossing a clean ninth and striking out one on 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) with one whiff. He owns a 1.10 WHIP with 18 strikeouts versus two walks (28.5 K-BB%) across 13.2 innings.
- Orion Kerkering retired the side in the seventh.
Updated Hierarchy: *José Alvarado | *Orion Kerkering | Jordan Romano
*= floating closer concept
San Francisco Giants
Facing Texas’ 6-7-8 hitters, Camilo Doval fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts on 10 pitches (90 Strike%) with three whiffs (30 SwStr%).
He collected his second win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. He’s riding an eight-game scoreless streak with eight strikeouts against two walks (24 K-BB%) and a 0.40 WHIP across 7.2 innings.
- Hayden Birdsong logged three scoreless frames, scattering three hits and striking out five. He’s recorded six scoreless appearances, recording at least six outs this season.
Hierarchy Remains: *Ryan Walker | *Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers
*= closer-by-committee
Tampa Bay Rays
Slamming the door on his sixth save, Pete Fairbanks retired the side and preserved a two-run win in San Diego. He threw 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3 Strike%) and induced one whiff against the 4-5-6 lineup pocket.
He’s posted a 1.32 WHIP with ten strikeouts versus six walks (8.5 K-BB%) through 11.1 innings.
- Edwin Uceta stranded a runner in the seventh and retired all four batters, two via strikeout, for his fourth hold.
- Mason Montgomery walked one and struck out one over two-thirds of the seventh, securing his third hold.
- Manuel Rodriguez worked a scoreless sixth and walked one, recording his fourth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Pete Fairbanks | Edwin Uceta | Mason Montgomery
Texas Rangers
From the “you cannot make this up” department, Luke Jackson suffered his third loss on Heliot Ramos’ infield single on his errant throw to first, followed by Jake Burger overthrowing third on the same play, scoring him on a Little League home run. Jackson gets a hit and an unearned run on his line. He has a 1.22 WHIP with eight strikeouts versus three walks (11.1 K-BB%) across 10.2 innings.
- Chris Martin retired both batters in the eighth, one via strikeout. Robert Garcia allowed a hit over two-thirds of scoreless combined innings.
- Caleb Boushley worked two scoreless frames despite hitting a batter.
Hierarchy Remains: Luke Jackson | Chris Martin | Robert Garcia
The Athletics
Despite allowing two hits and an unearned run at the top of the tenth, Grant Holman collected his second win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. Mason Miller fired a clean ninth, striking out the side on 11 pitches (90.9 Strike%), generating five whiffs (45.5 SwStr%).
He’s posted a 0.70 WHIP with 21 strikeouts against one walk (55.5 K-BB%) through ten innings.
- Tyler Ferguson worked around a walk for a scoreless eighth.
- Justin Sterner navigated around a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Tyler Ferguson | Justin Sterner
Quick Hits
- Boston Red Sox: Recording his first game-finished of the season, Liam Hendriks closed out a ten-run win in Cleveland with a scoreless bottom of the ninth, issuing a walk and striking out two. He threw 18 pitches (11 strikes – 61.1 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). He has a 2.00 WHIP with four strikeouts versus four walks through four innings.
- San Diego Padres: In a non-save capacity, Robert Suarez had his 11-game scoreless streak since the start of the season, allowing two hits, including Chandler Simpson’s RBI single, and recording a strikeout. He threw 18 pitches (13 strikes – 72.2 Strike%) without a whiff. He has a 0.58 WHIP with 14 strikeouts (27.9 K-BB%) in 12 innings. It may have been the situation, but his velocity was down in this appearance:
- Washington Nationals: Benefiting from a walk-off rally, Jorge López collected his third win after stranding two runners while throwing five pitches (80 Strike%) and retiring Brandon Nimmo on an inning-ending groundout, his only batter faced.
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