Saturday’s full slate resulted in five wins and three losses by relievers, with six saves converted. Here are the saves in condensed form:
As for the vulture options across today’s slate:
Vulture Save Options for 4.12.2026
- Matt Strahm (KC): With his team seeking a sweep, and Erceg having pitched the two previous games, the southpaw would match up against the 2-3-4 hitters on the White Sox, all left-handed.
- José Urquidy (PIT): All four high-leverage relievers have pitched in back-to-back games, with the caveat that Gregory Soto only faced one batter, throwing one pitch yesterday, which may leave him available for a potential save situation today.
- Gabe Speier (SEA): Muñoz and Speier have appeared in consecutive contests, leaving Speier atop the hierarchy of available relievers. But he will face Yordan Alvarez in the late innings. If this happens in the eighth, the save opportunity may go to Cooper Criswell.
- Bryan King (HOU): If the team provides a save chance to a reliever other than Abreu, King should be in line.
- Will Klein (LAD): There are reports that the team could place Edwin Díaz on the injured list. If this happens, Vesia and Scott have appeared in consecutive games, making them unavailable today.
- Kevin Kelly (TB): He leads the team in saves, and with Baker, Jax, Seymour, and Bigge unavailable after working in back-to-back games, he’s one of the last men standing.
- Cole Henry (WSH): Beeter has appeared in consecutive games.
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What was supposed to be a coronation of Bryan Abreu as the closer, setting his market as a pending free agent, has been a disaster for the Astros and fantasy managers alike. Taking over a tied game at the bottom of the ninth in Seattle, he suffered his second loss, allowing a walk-off RBI single by J.P. Crawford. His outing began with a strikeout, followed by three consecutive walks against Seattle’s 7-8-9 hitters. He threw 23 pitches (10 strikes – 43.5 Strike%) and induced two whiffs while facing five batters. First, his illustrator, noting his average fastball velocity in this outing was 94.9 miles per hour with a maximum of 96.9:
And, his results:
Of a larger concern, Abreu has allowed at least a run in all six outings this season, resulting in a 4.00 WHIP with more walks (10) than strikeouts (9) and a strike rate less than 50 percent (47.9). His manager remains confident in his reliever:
Fantasy players should remain skeptical based on his trends early on this season:
Maybe he’s more comfortable in the eighth inning. Time will tell.
- A.J. Blubaugh tossed a scoreless bottom of the eighth, retiring the 3-4-5 lineup pocket in order. His role in leverage may grow moving forward.
- Bryan King tossed 1.1 scoreless frames, stranding a runner in the sixth while walking and striking out one. He will be a popular target on Sunday’s FAAB and waiver wires.
Updated Hierarchy: *Bryan Abreu | *Bryan King | *A.J. Blubaugh
*= closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Dodgers
Preserving a three-run lead and stranding two inherited runners, Alex Vesia recorded a game-ending strikeout of Danny Jansen on six pitches (50 Strike%) with two whiffs (33.3 SwStr%) en route to his first save of the season, facing only one batter. He’s secured five saves in each of the two previous seasons, and now he’s one-fifth of the way toward a repeat this year.
- Blake Treinen could not finish the ninth, allowing a walk and a hitter to reach on an error while striking out one over his two-thirds of the inning, but was removed when his pitch count reached 21. He was credited with his third hold.
- Tanner Scott also notched his third hold, tossing a clean top of the eighth on nine pitches.
- Jack Dreyer fired a clean seventh, striking out the side, and secured his second hold.
After the game, it was reported that Edwin Díaz was unavailable for this game:
He’s been working with reduced velocity this season, which was reported as a slow ramp up, but as we know, teams lie:
It feels like Scott should be the primary save share if Díaz lands on the 15-day injured list, but as this game’s usage pattern implies, saves may be split between him, Treinen, and Vesia based on lineup lanes.
For now:
Hierarchy Remains: Edwin Díaz | Tanner Scott | Alex Vesia
If an IL-stint happens:
*Tanner Scott | *Alex Vesia | *Blake Treinen
*= closer-by-committee
Three Takeaways
Sleepless in Seattle? Not yet: Preserving a tied score with a scoreless top of the ninth, Andrés Muñoz earned his second win when his team walked off the Astros at the bottom of the inning. However, the closer dealt with traffic, giving up a hit and two walks while striking out one during his outing, throwing 24 pitches (10 strikes – 41.7 Strike%) with three whiffs (12.5 SwStr%).
After this appearance, his WHIP rose to 1.33, and he’s allowed two walks in each of his last two games while recording a 44.9 percent strike rate (22 strikes of 49 pitches), resulting in a 9:4 K:BB (19.2 K-BB%) through six innings. He’s mitigating the lack of command with more swinging strikes (19.5 SwStr%) and more whiffs on pitches out of the strike zone, but can this be sustained? Yes, but if his WHIP finishes closer to 2023’s 1.27, it affects his fantasy impact.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Matt Brash | Gabe Speier
Like Sands through the hourglass: Encapsulating how frustrating this bullpen has been, Cole Sands entered in the ninth inning for the first time since his save on March 28, during a non-save situation in Toronto. He allowed Vlad Guerrero Jr.’s lead-off single, followed by a two-run home run by Jesús Sánchez, then retired the next three batters. He threw 22 pitches (16 strikes – 72.7 Strike%) without a whiff. His WHIP rose to 1.689 after this outing, and he’s posted four strikeouts against three walks through 5.1 innings. If he’s not the primary save share, which he’s not, having him active, hoping for saves, is not advisable.
Hierarchy Remains: *Cole Sands | *Justin Topa | *Kody Funderburk
*= closer-by-committee
Rays reliever roulette: Entering at the top of the tenth, Cole Sulser allowed José Caballero’s RBI single, scoring an unearned run, but collected his first win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the frame. Hunter Bigge worked around two walks (one intentional) for a scoreless ninth. Bryan Baker suffered his first blown save after issuing a one-out walk, followed by a fortuitous Jazz Chisolm Jr. double, and a two-out, two-RBI Caballero double, despite securing the save in Friday’s game. Griffin Jax worked around a walk and recorded a strikeout during his one-third of the seventh for his second hold. Ian Seymour fired 1.2 clean innings while striking out three. Kevin Cash told fantasy players he will not designate a closer this season, so it’s not a surprise. Plus, Edwin Uceta will shift his rehab protocols to Triple-A and may be in the high-leverage mix at some point before May. There is value in streaming Baker, but he should be a third reliever in team builds, not a reliable second closer for fantasy purposes.
Hierarchy Remains: *Bryan Baker | *Griffin Jax | *Ian Seymour
*= closer-by-committee
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Saturday’s slate.
American League
Baltimore Orioles
Tasked with the top of the ninth and a four-run lead, Ryan Helsley navigated around consecutive hits leading off the inning with a double play groundout and a game-ending groundball by Harrison Bader. He threw 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%) in a scoreless outing. Across six appearances this season, he owns a 2.064 WHIP with seven strikeouts against four walks through 5.1 innings. Will his batting average on balls in play improve? It better, because a .438 BABIP wreaks havoc with ratios.
- Anthony Nunez secured his third hold, yielding a hit and striking out two in a scoreless eighth.
- Rico Garcia notched his third hold, firing a clean seventh and striking out one.
- Yennier Cano retired his only batter in the sixth for his second hold.
- Grant Wolfram collected his first win, stranding two runners in the fifth and tossing a clean combined inning, striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Helsley | Rico Garcia | Grant Wolfram
Kansas City Royals
Sealing his team’s combined shutout and securing his fifth save, Lucas Erceg retired the side against the 2-3-4 lineup pocket of the White Sox while striking out one. He threw 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) without a whiff. He has made seven appearances this season, producing a 1.049 WHIP with four strikeouts versus two walks (8.3 K-BB%) across 6.2 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Lucas Erceg | Matt Strahm | Nick Mears
New York Yankees
It was partly bad luck facing the bottom of the lineup loaded with speed when David Bednar entered for his save chance at the bottom of the tenth with a one-run margin. Chandler Simpson led off with a bunt single, stole second, and the Rays tied the game on a bunt single, compounded by Jazz Chisolm Jr. not covering first base. Bednar intentionally walked Yandy Díaz, loading the bases, recorded a strikeout, then allowed a walk-off RBI fielder’s choice groundout against Jonathan Aranda, resulting in his second loss and a first blown save. He finished with two hits, two runs (one earned), and a walk while striking out one over one-third of the tenth. He gets a pass for this outing because of his team’s defense, but his swinging strike rate remains down (10 SwStr%) while his contact rate allowed resides over 80 percent through seven outings this season.
- Tim Hill retired his only batter in the eighth, stranding a runner.
- Fernando Cruz gave up a hit and struck out one during his two-thirds of the ninth.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Camilo Doval | Fernando Cruz
The Athletics
Finishing a five-run lead against the Mets, Luis Medina tossed a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded a strikeout on 10 pitches (60 Strike%) with two whiffs.
- Mark Leiter Jr. fired a clean eighth, striking out the side.
- Justin Sterner gave up Jorge Polanco’s solo shot among his two hits and issued a walk while striking out one in the seventh, getting credit for his fourth hold.
- Joel Kuhnel let his only inherited runner score, allowing a single and a sacrifice fly during a scoreless sixth, securing his first hold.
Hierarchy Remains: *Hogan Harris | *Justin Sterner | *Elvis Alvarado
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Boston Red Sox: When the save chance passed, Aroldis Chapman stopped warming up for the ninth inning. Ryan Watson was summoned instead, giving up a hit while closing out a six-run lead in St. Louis. Garrett Whitlock allowed Jordan Walker’s solo home run and recorded two strikeouts for his third hold.
- Cleveland Guardians: Completing a combined shutout in Atlanta, Shawn Armstrong worked around a hit and a walk while striking out two at the bottom of the ninth. Erik Sabrowski secured his American League-leading sixth hold, retiring the side and striking out two in the eighth. Connor Brogdon stranded a runner and retired one batter in the seventh for his second hold.
- Detroit Tigers: Recording his first major league save, Drew Anderson closed out a five-run lead while logging 3.1 scoreless frames against the Marlins. It marks the 11th save requiring eight or more outs this season. He allowed two walks and struck out two, throwing 61 pitches (39 strikes – 63.9 Strike%) with four whiffs (6.6 SwStr%).
- Texas Rangers: Noting these three relievers all appeared in an eventual loss, Chris Martin allowed two hits and an earned run while striking out two at the bottom of the eighth against the Dodgers. Robert Garcia issued a walk during a scoreless seventh. Tyler Alexander logged 2.1 scoreless innings, scattering two hits and issuing a walk while striking out two. It seems the former “co-closers” are now the B-side of the leverage ladder.
National League
Chicago Cubs
A tough luck second loss for Caleb Thielbar. He took over at the bottom of the 11th, recorded two strikeouts, intentionally walked Oneil Cruz, then allowed Brandon Lowe’s go-ahead RBI single, scoring the “ghost runner.” Thielbar finished with a hit, an unearned run, and a walk while striking out three.
Daniel Palencia worked a scoreless tenth despite issuing a walk, throwing 17 pitches (9 strikes – 52.9 Strike%) without a whiff.
Hierarchy Remains: Daniel Palencia | Hunter Harvey | Caleb Thielbar
Cincinnati Reds
Although he warmed up for a save chance, Emilio Pagán worked the ninth inning and protected the four-run lead with a scoreless outing while issuing Mike Trout a one-out walk. Pagán threw 14 pitches (50 Strike%) without a whiff. He lowered his WHIP to 1.441 but has allowed six walks while recording eight strikeouts (5.4 K-BB%) through 8.1 innings, resulting in a 4.80 SIERA and a 5.23 xERA.
- Tony Santilan notched his fifth hold with a clean eighth, striking out one.
- Graham Ashcraft worked a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and securing his fourth hold.
- Pierce Johnson collected his first win, logging 1.1 scoreless frames, allowing a hit and striking out three.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Tony Santillan | Graham Ashcraft
Philadelphia Phillies
Shutting the door on his fifth save while preserving a one-run lead, Jhoan Duran retired the side and recorded one strikeout, throwing 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) without a whiff. Through seven games, he owns a 0.75 WHIP with eight strikeouts and no walks (33.3 K-BB%).
- Brad Keller earned his fourth hold despite giving up two hits, an earned run, and a walk with two strikeouts in the eighth.
- José Alvarado retired his only batter in the eighth, securing his third hold.
- Orion Kerkering notched his first hold, working a clean combined innings and striking out one.
- Tim Mayza gave up a hit and struck out one over two-thirds scoreless in the sixth for his first hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Duran | Brad Keller | José Alvarado
Pittsburgh Pirates
Pulling a “Houdini” during both extra innings, Yohan Ramírez earned his second win, stranding both “ghost runners,” despite issuing three walks (two intentional) and recording two strikeouts, navigating around traffic throughout his outing.
Dennis Santana suffered his first blown save, walking Dansby Swanson with one out, a two-out passed ball moved him to second ahead of Carson Kelly’s walk, and with a two-strike count and two outs, Alex Bregman produced a game-tying RBI single. Santana finished with a hit, an earned run, and two walks on his ledger while throwing 27 pitches (15 strikes – 55.6 Strike%) with two whiffs.
He owns a 0.75 WHIP across his first eight innings, though which indicator his results trend toward may decide his fate this season. Currently, he has a 2.29 xERA and a 4.31 SIERA.
- Isaac Mattson gave up two hits and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless eighth for his fourth hold.
- Gregory Soto stranded a runner, retiring his only batter on one pitch, pinch-hitter Kelly, on a popout. Though he campaigned to remain in the game, Don Kelly disagreed. Justin Lawrence allowed a hit, an earned run, and a walk during two-thirds of the seventh, getting credit for his second hold.
- Mason Montgomery tossed a scoreless sixth, giving up a hit and striking out two for his third hold.
Soto may be used again today, despite appearing in two straight, but the options may be limited with a lead in today’s contest:
Hierarchy Remains: *Dennis Santana | *Gregory Soto | Isaac Mattson
*= closer-by-committee
San Diego Padres
Summoned with the bases loaded, two outs, and ahead by four, Jason Adam induced a game-ending popout against Ezequiel Tovar, throwing four pitches (75 Strike%) with two whiffs, to secure his first save of the season in only his second game back from the injured list.
- Bradgely Rodriguez made the mess, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out one during two-thirds of the ninth.
- Ron Marinaccio gave up two hits and an earned run while striking out over his 1.2 innings.
- Wandy Peralta was credited with his first hold, logging 1.1 scoreless frames, giving up a hit and a walk with two strikeouts.
Updated Hierarchy: Mason Miller | Jason Adam | Adrian Morejon
Washington Nationals
Hanging on for his second save, Clayton Beeter was greeted by a William Contreras solo home run, then produced a strikeout against Christian Yelich, but a wild pitch let him reach second base. With one out, Beeter issued a walk, recorded a strikeout, but another wild pitch moved the runners up a base, resulting in an intentional walk, then he bore down, inducing a game-ending groundout against Joey Ortiz. He threw 24 pitches (50 Strike%) and only produced one whiff.
Through seven appearances, he’s posted a 1.173 WHIP with six strikeouts and six walks over 7.2 innings. Concern lies in his command. He’s posted a 60.7 strike percentage this season, but his four-seamer has a .324 weighted on-base average (wOBA) and a .370 career rate.
- Cionel Pérez notched his second hold, retiring the side and striking out one in the eighth.
- Brad Lord stranded two runners in the sixth, logging 1.2 scoreless frames, issuing a walk and striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: *Clayton Beeter | *Cole Henry | *PJ Poulin
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Colorado Rockies: During a loss, Jimmy Herget allowed a hit in a scoreless bottom of the eighth. Michael Lorenzen got work in, retiring the side in the seventh.
- New York Mets: Another sullied outing for Luke Weaver. He allowed three hits, including a three-run home run by Tyler Soderstrom, and a walk while striking out one at the top of the eighth inning of an eventual loss. Craig Kimbrel made his team and season debut, giving up a hit and striking out two in a scoreless seventh.
- San Francisco Giants: All good things must come to an end, illustrated by Caleb Kilian allowing his first hit of the season, a solo home run by Jeremiah Jackson at the bottom of the seventh. Kilian finished with a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out two over two-thirds of the inning.
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