Wednesday’s slate featured six wins by relievers, though two were accompanied by a blown save, six saves, and seven losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
As for the vulture options across today’s slate:
Vulture Save Options for 4.23.2026
- Will Vest (DET): Jansen threw 36 pitches in yesterday’s game.
- Keaton Winn (SF): Playing a hunch here, but Walker’s worked in back-to-back games. If Ohtani’s pocket lines up for the ninth, it will be Erik Miller. Flip a coin.
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Completing a combined shutout and recording his third save, second in as many days, Ryan Walker navigated around Max Muncy’s two-out walk with a game-ending groundout against Andy Pages. He threw 16 pitches (7 strikes – 43.8 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
It’s Tony Vitello’s job to win games, not appease the fantasy community. Walker worked against the Dodgers’ 4-5-6-7 hitters in this outing.
Caleb Kilian allowed a hit during a scoreless eighth, recording his second hold, lining up against the 9-1-2-3 batters. On the surface, it looks like Walker may be the preferred save option, but he was not used against the top of the lineup in either of his appearances, suggesting matchups over defined roles. He will be a popular pickup, and it can make sense, just be prepared for the possibility of volatility if the lineup lanes are not in his favor. As a frame of reference, his outings this season by inning of entry:
While his 2.47 xERA provides hope, his 82.2 contact percent allowed and a 6.7 swinging strike percentage (182nd of 206 qualified relievers) will result in some traffic-infused outings, reflected by his 1.364 WHIP through 11 innings. Over the last statistical year, he owns a 15.5 K-BB percentage with a 79 percent contact rate allowed and a nine percent swinging strike rate. These results will keep him in the mix for saves, but if he’s getting chances, that’s half the battle this year. Enter with eyes wide open.
Updated Hierarchy: *Ryan Walker | *Keaton Winn | *Erik Miller
*= closer-by-committee
Three Takeaways
Changes in Toronto? There has not been an official announcement by John Schneider, but as this post by Shi Davidi of Sportsnet shows, a conversation between the manager and his embattled closer may result in him working in lower-leveraged situations until further notice:
It’s very possible this is more mental than mechanical. Hoffman’s 2.063 WHIP is accompanied by a 31.6 K-BB percentage, a 60 percent contact rate allowed, and an impressive 21.2 swinging strike percentage. But he leads the majors in blown saves, and his .609 BABIP will not continue. In the short term, Louis Varland gets more opportunities for save chances, though he could be used in the highest-leverage moment:
Varland has been terrific and ranks fourth among qualified relievers in Win Probability Added. Yimi García is also working his way back, and when healthy, can be a force during high-leverage situations, but he has only logged 60 innings in the two previous seasons.
This leverage ladder will continue evolving as the season progresses; stay tuned. For now:
Updated Hierarchy: *Louis Varland | *Jeff Hoffman | Tyler Rogers
*= closer-by-committee
Sleepless in Seattle? Not yet: Handed a one-run lead at the top of the ninth, Andrés Muñoz was charged with his first blown save, giving up Nick Kurtz’s game-tying solo home run. Fortunately, he also collected his third win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the frame. Muñoz threw 17 pitches (11 strikes – 64.7 Strike%) and only induced one whiff. This tweet framed the slider that resulted in the home run:
It’s been a confounding start to the season for him, illustrated by his 1.556 WHIP with eight earned runs across nine innings, including two home runs against. Weighing his current 8.00 ERA against his 2.66 SIERA and 3.99 xERA, one notices he has improved his swinging-strike rates and allowed less contact compared with last year, but his hard-hit percentage (50 percent through 22 batted-ball events) must improve. If this happens with improved locations, his ratios will trend back toward his career rates.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Matt Brash | Gabe Speier
Kuhnel and contact: As a waiver-wire find, fantasy players will give Joel Kuhnel grace if he’s recording saves, a precious commodity this season. However, he suffered his first loss, giving up four hits, including a walk-off RBI single by Josh Naylor. He threw 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) and did not produce a whiff. Can he keep threading the needle during high-leverage events with a 10 percent strikeout rate? Time will tell, but his 2.35 ERA will start regressing toward his 3.67 SIERA and 4.76 xERA. It’s tough being a preferred save share with an 84 percent contact rate allowed and a 9.2 swinging strike percentage with only three strikeouts through 7.2 innings. Keep stashing Jack Perkins. He’s one of the three relievers with a higher WPA than Varland.
Hierarchy Remains: *Joel Kuhnel | *Hogan Harris | *Jack Perkins
*= closer-by-committee
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Wednesday’s slate.
American League
Baltimore Orioles
Converting his first MLB save in style, Anthony Nunez tossed a scoreless bottom of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts against the Royals’ 8-9-1-2 hitters; only Nick Loftin reached base on an error. He threw 22 pitches (14 strikes – 63.6 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (13.6 SwStr%).
He’s been a revelation for this leverage ladder.
- Tyler Wells notched his fifth hold, logging 1.2 scoreless frames, yielding a hit, on an efficient 10 pitches.
- Yennier Cano let his only inherited runner score while giving up a two-run home run by Kyle Isbel during his combined inning of relief.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Helsley | Rico Garcia | Grant Wolfram
Detroit Tigers
Hanging on for his sixth save, Kenley Jansen escaped a bases-loaded situation by inducing a game-ending groundout against Brice Turang, preserving a three-run lead. However, he was working with an elevated pitch count, surpassing 35 pitches for the first time since the 2016 NLDS. He allowed a hit and two walks while striking out one on 36 pitches (22 strikes – 61.1 Strike%) with two whiffs (5.6 SwStr%).
- Will Vest gave up two hits and an earned run in the eighth, getting credit for his third hold.
- Kyle Finnegan fired a clean seventh, striking out one for his third hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Will Vest | Kyle Finnegan
Houston Astros
Called upon at the bottom of the eighth, Enyel De Los Santos stranded a runner with an inning-ending strikeout against Rhys Hoskins and returned for the ninth. He worked into and out of trouble, giving up a one-out single, and a two-out walk, then induced a game-ending flyout, preserving the combined shutout and securing his third save. He threw 24 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced five whiffs (20.8 SwStr%). It was a nice rebound appearance after his rough outing yesterday. On the season, he owns a 1.179 WHIP with eight strikeouts versus three walks (12.8 K-BB%) across 9.1 innings.
- Steven Okert allowed a hit and recorded two outs in the eighth for his third hold.
- A.J. Blubaugh fired a clean seventh, striking out one, recording his second hold.
Hierarchy Remains: *Enyel De Los Santos | *Bryan King | Bryan Abreu
*= closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Angels
In a non-save capacity, Jordan Romano navigated around Kazuma Okamoto’s leadoff single and Eloy Jiménez’s one-out single with a strikeout and a game-ending groundout, preserving a four-run lead. He threw 20 pitches (80 Strike%) and induced two whiffs while striking out two. Through 10 appearances, he owns a 1.774 WHIP with 12 strikeouts versus five walks (20 K-BB%) across 7.1 innings.
- Brent Suter collected his first win, retiring the side and striking out two at the top of the eighth.
- Chase Silseth suffered his first blown save, giving up two hits and an earned run, while also letting both inherited runners score during two-thirds of the seventh.
- Ryan Zeferjahn was credited with his first hold, allowing a hit, two earned runs, and a walk with a strikeout over 1.1 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: *Jordan Romano | *Drew Pomeranz | Chase Silseth
*= closer-by-committee
Texas Rangers
Forced into action with two runners on and one out at the top of the ninth, Jalen Beeks let both inherited runners score on Oneil Cruz’s titanic three-run home run off the right field foul pole, putting an earned run on his ledger during two-thirds of the ninth.
Cole Winn began the ninth, giving up consecutive singles, recorded a strikeout, then the go-ahead run scored on a fielder’s choice grounder, prompting his removal. He suffered his first loss with two hits, three earned runs, and a strikeout during one-third of an inning.
- Gavin Collyer worked a clean eighth.
- Tyler Alexander logged two scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Jakob Junis | Jacob Latz | Cole Winn
Quick Hits
- Minnesota Twins: Entering a tied game at the bottom of the eighth, Taylor Rogers allowed Juan Soto’s lead-off single, induced a flyout, then retired Soto on a pickoff. However, he issued a two-out walk to Brett Baty and was removed. Justin Topa took over with two outs and walked Francisco Alvarez, followed by a bloop RBI single by Mark Vientos, scoring the go-ahead run. Rogers was tagged with his first loss as a result.
- New York Yankees: Although he could not complete the combined shutout, Brent Headrick closed out a three-run margin, allowing two hits and an earned run at the bottom of the ninth in Boston. David Bednar was not called upon, but was warming up during the ninth.
- Toronto Blue Jays: With the score tied at the bottom of the seventh, Tommy Nance issued a one-out walk to Mike Trout, followed by Jo Adell’s single, prompting his removal. But he was tagged with his second loss when Braydon Fisher let both inherited runners score, and two earned runs on his own ledger during one-third of the seventh.
National League
Atlanta Braves
Securing his second save, Robert Suarez finished off a two-run lead with a scoreless bottom of the ninth, working around Brady House’s lead-off single by retiring the next three batters. He threw eight pitches (87.5 Strike%) and induced one whiff (12.5 SwStr%).
He’s recorded a 0.843 WHIP with 11 strikeouts versus one walk (25 K-BB%) over 10.2 innings.
- Tyler Kinley navigated around two walks and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless eighth, notching his third hold.
- Dylan Lee collected his first win, retiring the side in the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Robert Suarez | Tyler Kinley | Dylan Lee
Miami Marlins
Forced into action, Pete Fairbanks took over with a runner on and one out, protecting a three-run lead. He retired both batters, including a game-ending strikeout, recording his fifth save. He threw 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s posted a 1.038 WHIP with 13 strikeouts against one walk (33.3 K-BB%) through 8.2 innings.
- Lake Bachar created the save chance, serving up a solo home run and issuing a walk while retiring one batter at the top of the ninth.
- Michael Petersen fired a clean eighth, striking out the side.
- Anthony Bender worked a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and striking out one.
- Andrew Nardi allowed a hit and recorded two strikeouts in the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Pete Fairbanks | Anthony Bender | Calvin Faucher
New York Mets
Helping snap his team’s 12-game winless streak, Luke Weaver kept the game tied despite issuing a walk with two outs at the bottom of the eighth with an inning-ending popout. After his team plated a run at the bottom of the inning, he recorded two strikeouts, allowed a two-out single, and a game-ending strikeout, for his second win. He threw 30 pitches (70 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (20 SwStr%).
- Brooks Raley recorded two outs in the eighth, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one before being removed.
Hierarchy Remains: Devin Williams | Luke Weaver | Brooks Raley
Pittsburgh Pirates
Capping his team’s four-run rally at the top of the ninth, Dennis Santana fired a clean bottom of the frame, with a flyout sandwiched between two strikeouts. He threw nine pitches (77.8 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (22.2 SwStr%). He’s posted a 0.75 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus five walks (8.9 K-BB%) across 12 innings.
Gregory Soto suffered his first blown save, allowing three hits and two earned runs while striking out three at the bottom of the eighth, lined up against the top of the Rangers’ lineup. He also collected his first win, courtesy of the official scorer, throwing 27 pitches (55.6 Strike%) with five whiffs (18.5 SwStr%). This snapped his seven-game scoreless streak.
Hierarchy Remains: *Dennis Santana | *Gregory Soto | Isaac Mattson
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Wrapping up a four-run lead, Paul Sewald worked around a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless top of the ninth against the White Sox, throwing 16 pitches (62.5 Strike%) with one whiff. Through 11 games, he owns a 0.64 WHIP with 12 strikeouts versus one walk (32.4 K-BB%) across 9.1 innings.
- Chicago Cubs: Summoned at the top of the fifth with two outs, Ben Brown allowed Trea Turner’s ground rule double, then retired Bryce Harper. He collected his first win, logging 2.1 scoreless frames, scattering three hits, and striking out five. He threw 37 pitches (75.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs.
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Entering a tied game at the bottom of the seventh, Jack Dreyer suffered his first loss, giving up three hits, including a three-run home run by Patrick Bailey. Kyle Hurt worked a clean bottom of the eighth, striking out one.
- Milwaukee Brewers: Entering after an opener, Chad Patrick suffered his first loss, giving up six hits, four earned runs, and a walk while striking out two across four innings.
- Philadelphia Phillies: Operating as the “bulk follower,” Taijuan Walker suffered his fourth loss, allowing eight hits, five runs (four earned), and a walk while striking out one across four innings.
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