Saturday’s 14-game slate featured seven wins by relievers, five saves, and six losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
As for the vulture options across today’s slate:
Vulture Save Options for 4.26.2026
- Tyler Rogers (TOR): Varland threw 30 pitches during his save on Saturday.
- Eduard Bazardo (SEA): Muñoz and Brash have worked in consecutive games.
- JoJo Romero (STL): If going on the other side of this contest, O’Brien threw 39 pitches during his loss on Saturday.
- Phil Maton (CHC): He may or may not be activated, but if he’s available, a save chance could be in his future.
- Jack Perkins (ATH): Yes, I still believe.
- Sam Bachman (LAA): Romano was torched while throwing 36 pitches, leaving the door open for Bachman to emerge as a high-leverage option.
Doubleheader Recommendations:
- Colorado Rockies: Preferred vulture: Antonio Senzatela; Long shot: Seth Halvorsen
- New York Mets: Preferred vulture: Huascar Brazobán; Long shot: Austin Warren
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Continuing his ascension in leverage status, Jacob Latz nailed down his first save of the season and the second of his career, firing a clean top of the ninth versus the A’s top of the lineup while striking out one. He threw 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%).
Across 12 appearances, he’s posted a 0.477 WHIP with 13 strikeouts against three walks (19.2 K-BB%) through 14.2 innings. Fantasy managers seeking defined roles will not be happy with this note by Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News:
Latz’s save should not be ignored; it means he’s firmly in the mix for more, but for now, he will share them based on lineup pockets:
Jakob Junis worked a scoreless eighth, giving up a one-out double for his fourth hold. Jalen Beeks tossed a clean seventh, striking out one for his fourth hold. Cole Winn collected his second win, retiring the side and striking out one at the top of the sixth.
Updated Hierarchy: *Jacob Latz | *Jakob Junis | Cole Winn
*= closer-by-committee
Three Takeaways
King Louis hangs on: It was baptism by fire forLouis Varland. In his first traditional save chance, he retired José Ramírez on a flyout, then allowed consecutive singles and an RBI double by Kyle Manzardo, almost caught by Daulton Varsho. After a walk to load the bases, Varland bore down, striking out Bo Naylor and Brayan Rocchio, notching his second career save. He threw 30 pitches (19 strikes – 63.3 Strike%) and produced five whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). First, his illustrator:
And, his results, which display the competitive at-bats the Guardians recorded in the ninth:
Although he lost his scoreless streak, his fortitude was on full display. He has appeared in 13 games, posting a 1.071 WHIP with 21 strikeouts versus four walks (32.1 K-BB%) across 14 innings. Tyler Rogers secured his fifth hold, striking out one during a clean eighth. Mason Fluharty retired his only batter via strikeout for his fourth hold in the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: *Louis Varland | *Tyler Rogers | Jeff Hoffman
*= closer-by-committee
Angels’ bullpen going awry: Getting in work during a lopsided loss, Jordan Romano allowed three hits, four earned runs, and a walk during two-thirds of the eighth. He was removed in favor of a positional player (Adam Frazier), who allowed two of three inherited runners to score. After this game, Romano has a 2.125 WHIP with 12 strikeouts versus six walks (14.3 K-BB%) over eight innings. We will always have those first two weeks, but he has not recorded a save since April 6.
Could help be on the way? Not so fast. Kirby Yates made his second rehab outing at Triple-A, and third overall, giving up four hits, including a three-run home run. Veterans will not go full tilt in the minors, but his velocity remains two ticks below his spring averages:
And, his results from Saturday’s appearance:
The good news is Ben Joyce will face hitters for the first time this week, though there is no defined target date for this return. Until then, Sam Bachman may get a look in the ninth inning. Through nine games, he’s notched three holds and suffered one blown save with 15 strikeouts versus eight walks (13 K-BB%) with a 1.10 WHIP. Hope lies in his 15.6 swinging strike percentage and 62.1 percent contact rate allowed, but any reliever in this leverage ladder presents risks to fantasy managers.
Updated Hierarchy: *Sam Bachman | *Drew Pomeranz | Jordan Romano
*= closer-by-committee
Walker, Giants’ closer? After warming up for a save opportunity, Ryan Walker took over at the top of the ninth, even though his team tacked on two runs to its lead, making it a non-save appearance. His outing began with a runner reaching on a throwing error, allowing him to reach second, and after a groundout, Jakob Marsee singled in an unearned run ahead of a game-ending double play grounder. Walker threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and did not produce a whiff.
Through 12 games, he owns a 1.33 WHIP with 12 strikeouts against six walks (11.8 K-BB%) across 12 innings. He has entered the ninth inning in his last four games. Can he remain successful during save situations with a 6.3 percent swinging strike rate and an 83.5 contact percentage allowed? Time will tell.
Erik Miller walked one and struck out two in a scoreless eighth for his third hold. Keaton Winn retired the side in the seventh, securing his fifth hold. Matt Gage collected his second win, navigating around a hit and a walk during a scoreless sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: *Ryan Walker | *Keaton Winn | *Erik Miller
*= closer-by-committee
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Saturday’s slate.
American League
Chicago White Sox
Tasked with the top of the tenth, Jordan Leasure issued a leadoff walk, followed by a single, and a wild pitch scoring the “courtesy runner.” After a strikeout and an intentional walk, he recorded a second strikeout, then walked in a run and gave up a two-RBI single, prompting his removal. He suffered his first loss, yielding two hits, four runs (three earned), and three walks over two-thirds of an inning.
- Osvaldo Bido stranded two runners by inducing an inning-ending groundout.
- Grant Taylor fired a clean ninth, striking out two on nine pitches (88.9 Strike%) with three whiffs (33.3 SwStr%).
- Tyler Davis worked a scoreless eighth, walking one and striking out two.
- Jordan Hicks tossed a scoreless seventh, issuing two walks and striking out one.
As for Taylor, this was a monitored appearance:
Figuring out his workloads and usage patterns has been challenging. The good news is that he’s recorded a strikeout against five of his last 10 batters faced across his last 2.2 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Seranthony Domínguez | Jordan Leasure | Jordan Hicks
Seattle Mariners
Capping his team’s rally in the eighth, Andrés Muñoz secured his fifth save, working around a lead-off walk to Nolan Gorman with a strikeout, followed by a game-ending double play groundout, preserving a two-run lead. He threw 14 pitches (50 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%).
Through 12 games, he owns a 1.455 WHIP with 18 strikeouts versus six walks (24.5 K-BB%) across 11 innings.
- Matt Brash collected his second win, tossing a scoreless eighth, hitting a batter, and recording a strikeout.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Matt Brash | Gabe Speier
Quick Hits
- Baltimore Orioles: A less-than-stellar season debut for Keegan Akin. He allowed six hits, six earned runs, and recorded two strikeouts during a combined inning of work.
- Houston Astros: As the first reliever in, Steven Okert retired the side at the top of the sixth. Kai-Wei Teng was tagged with his first loss, allowing two hits, inducing Austin Wells’ go-ahead solo home run during one-third of the seventh. Bennett Sousa had a rough season debut, giving up a hit, two earned runs, and four walks while retiring one batter in the seventh.
- Kansas City Royals: Extending his scoreless streak to 8.1 innings, Daniel Lynch IV retired the side at the top of the seventh against the Angels. He’s racked up 10 strikeouts with no walks (37 K-BB%) in this stretch while securing two holds.
- New York Yankees: Fernando Cruz collected his second win. He stranded an inherited runner despite issuing a walk and recorded two strikeouts at the bottom of the sixth.
- Tampa Bay Rays: In order of appearance, Kevin Kelly recorded his third hold, tossing two scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out one. Hunter Bigge fired a clean eighth, striking out two.
- The Athletics: Appearing in a loss, Mark Leiter Jr. tossed a clean bottom of the eighth while striking out one. Scott Barlow worked a clean seventh.
National League
Atlanta Braves
Entering at the top of the tenth, José Suarez let both inherited runners score, allowed three hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out three. Tyler Kinley suffered his first loss, giving up a hit, two runs (one earned), and a walk while striking out one during his combined inning. He worked a scoreless ninth and did not record an out in the tenth.
- Dylan Lee was charged with his first blown save, on a hard luck triple, resulting in an earned run, and recorded two strikeouts in the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Robert Suarez | Tyler Kinley | Dylan Lee
Milwaukee Brewers
Taking over at the top of the tenth, Ángel Zerpa suffered his second loss, allowing a hit, three runs (one earned), and a walk while striking out one during two-thirds of an inning. Grant Anderson let both inherited runners score, yielding a hit and retiring one batter.
- Abner Uribe fired a clean ninth and recorded a strikeout on eight pitches (87.5 Strike%) with one whiff (12.5 SwStr%).
- Aaron Ashby turned in two scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out four. He’s racked up 28 strikeouts through his first 17.2 innings (37.8 K%).
Hierarchy Remains: Abner Uribe | Ángel Zerpa | Trevor Megill
Philadelphia Phillies
Handed a four-run lead at the bottom of the tenth, Kyle Backhus allowed two hits and an unearned run, closing out a win over Atlanta. Brad Keller worked 1.1 scoreless frames and stranded an inherited runner in the eighth, resulting in his first win. He threw 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (12.5 SwStr%) while recording one strikeout in his outing.
- José Alvarado gave up a hit during 1.1 scoreless innings.
- Orion Kerkering also logged 1.1 scoreless innings, walking and striking out one.
- Tanner Banks was tagged with his first blown save, yielding three hits and two earned runs without recording an out in the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: *Brad Keller | *José Alvarado | *Orion Kerkering
*= closer-by-committee
Pittsburgh Pirates
Locking down his first save since 2024, Yohan Ramírez fired a clean bottom of the tenth, preserving his team’s three-run lead while striking out two in Milwaukee. He threw 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%).
Gregory Soto collected his second win, retiring the side and striking out one at the bottom of the ninth, facing the 8-9-1 lineup pocket, lined up against Brice Turang.
- Dennis Santana tossed a scoreless eighth, navigating around a hit and a walk while striking out one.
- Mason Montgomery worked a scoreless seventh, walking and striking out one.
- Isaac Mattson was tagged with his first blown save, letting one of two inherited runners score on a sacrifice fly. He retired all three batters faced.
Hierarchy Remains: *Dennis Santana | *Gregory Soto | Isaac Mattson
*= closer-by-committee
San Diego Padres
Becoming the first closer with 10 saves and setting a franchise record, Mason Miller retired the side against Arizona at the bottom of the ninth in Mexico. This extended his scoreless streak to 34.2 innings. Could another record be in the offing?
He’s posted a ridiculous 0.375 WHIP with 27 strikeouts versus two walks (56.8 K-BB%) in his 13.1 innings this season.
- Jason Adam recorded his fifth hold, tossing a clean eighth.
- Adrian Morejon allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless seventh, securing his fourth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Jason Adam | Adrian Morejon
St. Louis Cardinals
Summoned with two runners on and one out, Matt Svanson worked around a walk and recorded a strikeout while stranding both. Riley O’Brien took over at the top of the eighth with two runners on, and let both score on Connor Joe’s pinch-hit single, and a single by Julio Rodríguez while recording two outs. Returning for the ninth with the score tied, J.P. Crawford reached on a one-out bunt single, Cole Young was hit by a pitch, and Leo Rivas singled, driving in both runners, knocking O’Brien from the contest. He suffered his first loss and second blown save, giving up four hits, two earned runs, a walk, a hit batter, and recorded two strikeouts on 39 pitches (27 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) with only three whiffs (7.7 SwStr%). His illustrator:
And, his results:
- JoJo Romero gave up two hits, resulting in two earned runs during his two-thirds of the eighth.
- Ryne Stanek allowed a hit during two-thirds of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Riley O’Brien | JoJo Romero | Ryne Stanek
Washington Nationals
Finishing off a win at the bottom of the tenth, Brad Lord let the “courtesy runner” score on a sacrifice fly and allowed a two-out single before inducing a game-ending groundout in a non-save capacity.
- Cionel Pérez collected his second win, navigating around two walks and striking out one in a scoreless ninth, keeping the game tied.
- Gus Varland suffered his second blown save, letting both inherited runners score on an RBI single and a sacrifice fly. He was scoreless in the eighth and recorded a strikeout.
- Mitchell Parker was removed with two runners on, and was credited with his first hold despite allowing a hit, two earned runs, and two walks while striking out three across 1.1 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: *Clayton Beeter | *Gus Varland | *PJ Poulin
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Called upon with the bases loaded and no outs at the top of the seventh, Taylor Clarke let all three runners score, and gave up an unearned run on his ledger, giving up a hit and a walk, resulting in his first loss and a blown save.
- Cincinnati Reds: Finishing off a seven-run lead, Emilio Pagán worked a scoreless top of the ninth, giving up a one-out single and a wild pitch. He threw 11 pitches (54.5 Strike%) and induced one whiff (9.1 SwStr%).
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Called on at the top of the sixth, Jack Dreyer allowed a walk, then recorded consecutive strikeouts, stranding both inherited runners for his third hold. Will Klein logged 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out two, securing his second hold. Kyle Hurt worked a scoreless eighth, yielding a hit and striking out one. Jake Eder fired a clean ninth, striking out one while closing out an eight-run lead.
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