Friday resulted in six wins and losses by relievers, with six saves converted. Here are the saves in condensed form:
Today’s three takeaways include: Texas, Aroldis Chapman’s velocity, and San Francisco (yes, again). As for the vulture options across today’s slate:
Vulture Save Options for 4.4.2026
- Louis Varland (TOR): Hoffman has pitched three times in the previous four days, necessitating a day off.
There is a doubleheader in Kansas City, and the wild-card options are facing their former team.
- Kansas City: Preferred option; John Schreiber, Wild Card: Nick Mears
- Milwaukee: Preferred option: Abner Uribe, Wild Card: Ángel Zerpa
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Matched up against Gunnar Henderson’s lineup pocket, it was Gregory Soto at the top of the ninth with a two-run lead. After consecutive strikeouts, Soto allowed a solo home run by Henderson, only the eighth by a left-handed hitter in his career, then bounced back with a game-ending strikeout of Pete Alonso for his first save.
He threw 20 pitches (75 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (20 SwStr%).
Through five games, he’s posted a 0.75 WHIP with 11 strikeouts against two walks (42.9 K-BB%) over 5.1 innings. Perhaps the most impressive part of his strong start is his 68.2 strike percentage. It’s a small sample, but a pivotal one for his success as a leverage reliever.
- Dennis Santana retired the 6-7-8 lineup pocket in order on 10 pitches (70 Strike%) with two whiffs (20 SwStr%) while striking out one for his second hold.
- Mason Montgomery stranded two runners and retired both batters in the seventh, one via strikeout for his second hold.
- Yohan Ramírez gave up two hits, an earned run, and a walk during his one-third of the seventh, but was credited with his first hold.
In the game recap by Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, this note about shared saves going forward:
This was Soto’s third consecutive game finished. How Don Kelly distributes save chances determines the fantasy baselines and ceilings for his co-closers. Also, do not overreact if he’s not used today; he has pitched three times in the previous four days.
Updated Hierarchy: *Gregory Soto | *Dennis Santana | Justin Lawrence
*= closer-by-committee
Three Takeaways
Texas’ bullpen struggles continue: Only five teams had a worse save conversion rate than the Rangers’ 56 percent (37 saves during 66 save opportunities). The Angels were the only team with more blown saves than Texas in 2025. Understanding this dilemma, the team did not sign an established closer this off-season, opting for quantity, not quality. Chris Martin took a hometown discount and opened the year as a co-closer with Robert Garcia. However, only Tyler Alexander has recorded a save this season, though he’s far from a trusted source of them.
During Friday’s home opener, Martin took over a tied game at the top of the ninth, but could not put hitters away, allowing a lead-off double by Spencer Steer, followed by Tyler Stephenson’s go-ahead two-run home run on his eighth pitch of the at-bat after being ahead in an 0-2 count. He was tagged with his first loss, throwing 23 pitches (16 strikes – 69.6 Strike%) and only inducing one whiff.
Although the franchise keeps treating the bullpen like a half-measure, it’s concerning, as Evan Grant explored in this post for The Dallas Morning News:
Jakob Junis and Jacob Latz may get auditions for high-leverage innings this weekend; it’s not like things can get worse for this leverage ladder. Do not be surprised if Jalen Beeks also receives a larger leverage role with continued success.
Hierarchy Remains (for now): *Robert Garcia | *Chris Martin | *Jacob Latz
*= closer-by-committee
Chapman’s velocity: It’s not as appreciable a drop in velocity as some of his peers, but Aroldis Chapman has been sitting at 96 miles per hour this season:
During his second save of the season on Friday, he worked around a two-out walk with a game-ending flyout, preserving a three-run lead against the Padres. He threw 21 pitches (52.4 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (23.8 SwStr%) while recording a strikeout in this outing.
Through three games, he’s posted a 0.33 WHIP with two strikeouts versus one walk. However, command fueled his improved performance with Pittsburgh in the second half of 2024, and it carried over with Boston last season (70.1 strike percentage). Working with reduced velocity, he’s only thrown 23 of his 41 pitches this year for strikes (56.1 Strike%) with seven whiffs (17.1 SwStr%). These results and his velocity may improve, but it’s worth monitoring during his Age-38 season.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Justin Slaten
Vitello’s B-Side Relievers: Despite suggesting Erik Miller could be in the mix for ancillary saves this spring, he was used during a lopsided loss and did not perform well. He allowed two hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one during two-thirds of the ninth. Pressed into action at the top of the ninth, Caleb Kilian stranded a runner, striking out Francisco Alvarez, his only batter faced on five pitches (60 Strike%) with one whiff. Also appearing in this contest were J.T. Brubaker and Matt Gage. With Sam Hentges and Joel Peguero working their way back, this leverage ladder will change soon, and this may be a constant theme this season, including roles and usage patterns.
Updated Hierarchy: *Ryan Walker | *Keaton Winn | *Caleb Kilian
*= closer-by-committee
Here are the remaining results of interest from Friday’s slate.
American League
Chicago White Sox
Entering at the top of the ninth with a runner on and two outs, Seranthony Domínguez retired four of five batters faced, with an unearned run scoring on a throwing error at the top of the tenth. However, he collected his first win on a walk-off rally, logging 1.1 innings while striking out two on 22 pitches (14 strikes – 63.6 Strike%) with three whiffs (13.6 SwStr%).
- Sean Newcomb matched up against Toronto’s 4-5-6 lineup pocket that featured two left-handed hitters and was removed after giving up Daulton Varsho’s double.
- Jordan Leasure suffered his first blown save, giving up two hits, including a game-tying two-run home run by Andrés Giménez, and a walk while striking out one in the eighth.
- Grant Taylor was the “opener” and fired a clean first with one strikeout, throwing nine pitches, all strikes, and producing four whiffs (44.4 SwStr%).
Hierarchy Remains: Seranthony Domínguez | Grant Taylor | Jordan Hicks
Cleveland Guardians
Shutting the door on his second save, Cade Smith worked around Carson Kelly’s one-out single with consecutive strikeouts, preserving the three-run lead. He threw 22 pitches (16 strikes – 72.7 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (9.1 SwStr%) while recording all three outs via strikeout.
He owns a 1.40 WHIP with six strikeouts against one walk (22.7 K-BB%) through five innings.
- Shawn Armstrong secured his third hold, firing a clean eighth and striking out one.
- Connor Brogdon collected his second win, working a clean seventh ahead of his teammates’ three-run rally at the bottom of the frame.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Shawn Armstrong | Erik Sabrowski
Los Angeles Angels
Entering at the top of the tenth, Brent Suter suffered his first loss, giving up three hits, three runs (two earned), and a walk against Seattle. Jordan Romano fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts while facing the 6-7-8 lineup pocket. He threw 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (25 SwStr%).
- Drew Pomeranz navigated around a hit and a walk for a scoreless eighth.
- Chase Silseth stranded an inherited runner, striking out his only batter (Cole Young) in the seventh.
Updated Hierarchy: Jordan Romano | Drew Pomeranz | Chase Silseth
Seattle Mariners
Although he let the “ghost runner” score on a sacrifice fly, Gabe Speier recorded his first save, and first since 2023, retiring the side at the bottom of the tenth against the Angels, throwing 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with one whiff.
Andrés Muñoz collected his first win after firing a clean ninth, striking out the side against the 9-1-2 hitters on 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) and producing three whiffs (18.8 SwStr%) working with increased velocity:
He owns a 1.00 WHIP with six strikeouts versus zero walks (50 K-BB%) through his first three innings this season.
- Matt Brash tossed a clean eighth, striking out two.
Updated Hierarchy: Andrés Muñoz | Matt Brash | Gabe Speier
Toronto Blue Jays
Taking over at the bottom of the tenth with a one-run lead, Jeff Hoffman induced a groundout by Colson Montgomery and struck out Austin Hays. But Tyler Heineman, forced into the game because of an injury, fielded a safety squeeze bunt and made an errant throw, scoring the “ghost runner,” followed by a walk-off RBI single by Tristan Peters, resulting in a loss and a second blown save for Hoffman. He allowed two hits and two unearned runs while recording a strikeout during two-thirds of the tenth, throwing 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) with four whiffs (28.6 SwStr%).
- Tyler Rogers worked around a hit and a walk for a scoreless ninth.
- Louis Varland gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Jeff Hoffman | Tyler Rogers | Louis Varland
Quick Hits
- Baltimore Orioles: Appearing in an eventual loss, Rico García retired the side at the bottom of the eighth in Pittsburgh. Tyler Wells logged two clean frames and recorded two strikeouts, his best outing of the season.
- Detroit Tigers: Completing a combined shutout, Tyler Holton retired the side and recorded a strikeout while facing the Cardinals’ 7-8-9 lineup pocket. Kyle Finnegan worked around a hit and a walk while striking out one in the eighth. Will Vest allowed a hit and recorded two strikeouts in the seventh.
- Minnesota Twins: Justin Topa gave up two hits and recorded two strikeouts at the top of the seventh. Kody Funderburk took over with two runners on and induced an inning-ending groundout by pinch-hitter Jonny DeLuca, keeping the game tied. Funderburk collected his first win courtesy of a seven-run rally at the bottom of the inning.
- Tampa Bay Rays: An ugly loss for Kevin Kelly. Entering a tied contest in the seventh, he allowed two hits, six runs (five earned), a hit batter, and two walks while striking out one during his one-third of the inning. Hunter Bigge stranded two runners in the sixth, walking and striking out one, preserving the tied score.
- The Athletics: Finishing a blowout win over Houston, J.T. Ginn covered the final two innings, giving up two earned runs on three hits and a walk with one strikeout.
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks
A closer lives and dies by the sword. Paul Sewald suffered his first loss, giving up back-to-back solo home runs by Ozzie Albies and Matt Olson while recording a strikeout during his two-thirds of the ninth. He threw 16 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (18.8 SwStr%). He only threw four four-seam fastballs in this outing, and two resulted in home runs:
Sewald has converted two saves while posting a 0.67 WHIP with five strikeouts through four games, spanning three innings, but he cannot leave his four-seam in the middle third of the strike zone moving forward.
- Ryan Thompson recorded the last out of the ninth, retiring Mauricio Dubón via flyout.
- Juan Morillo tossed a clean top of the eighth, striking out one against Atlanta’s 9-1-2 lineup pocket.
Updated Hierarchy: Paul Sewald | Jonathan Loáisiga | Taylor Clarke
Atlanta Braves
Capping his team’s two-run rally at the top of the ninth, Raisel Iglesias nailed down his first save, retiring the side against Arizona’s 2-3-4 hitters on 16 pitches (62.5 Strike%) with one whiff.
He’s posted a 0.33 WHIP with one strikeout across three scoreless frames this season.
- Robert Suarez collected his first win, firing a clean eighth on eight pitches.
- Dylan Lee worked around a hit and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Robert Suarez | Dylan Lee
Cincinnati Reds
Handed a two-run lead at the bottom of the ninth, Emilio Pagán faced the Rangers’ 8-9-1 hitters and retired them in order, including a game-ending strikeout of Brandon Nimmo for his second save. He threw 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5 Strike%) without a whiff.
After this outing, his WHIP sits at 1.386, and he has a 4:1 K:BB across 4.1 innings.
- Tony Santillan collected his first win, tossing a clean eighth ahead of his team’s rally in the ninth.
- Graham Ashcraft suffered his first blown save, giving up two hits, including an RBI double by Wyatt Langford, and recording two strikeouts in the seventh.
- Sam Moll notched his first hold, tossing a scoreless sixth, walking and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Tony Santillan | Graham Ashcraft
Quick Hits
- Chicago Cubs: Taking over a tied game at the bottom of the seventh, Hunter Harvey suffered his first loss, giving up two hits, both home runs, three earned runs, and a walk during his two-thirds of an inning. Jacob Webb replaced him, logging 1.1 scoreless frames, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out one.
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Wrapping up a seven-run lead in Washington, Ben Casparius retired the 4-5-6 hitters in order and recorded one strikeout.
- New York Mets: Putting the finishing touches on a seven-run lead, Luis García allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout during a scoreless bottom of the ninth in San Francisco.
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