Friday’s slate featured five wins by relievers, though one was accompanied by a blown save, nine saves, and four losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
At the end of April, there have been 242 saves recorded by 104 different pitchers.
As for the vulture option during today’s slate:
Vulture Save Option for 5.2.2026
- Rico Garcia (BAL): I can be wrong, and it will not be the first time, but Garcia could receive the first save opportunity with Helsley landing on the 15-day injured list. The only thing working against him is that he’s the best reliever in this leverage ladder, which may match him up against Aaron Judge, not reserved for the ninth inning.
- Ben Brown (CHC): If Palencia’s not active, Brown could be in line for the save or a multi-inning outing.
- Huascar Brazobán (NYM): Williams, Weaver, and Raley have all appeared in consecutive contests.
- Chase Shugart (PHI): Keller, Alvarado, and Kerkering have all pitched in back-to-back days.
- Jakob Junis (TEX): Latz has appeared in two of the last three, throwing 42 pitches.
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Despite two right-handed hitters lined up at the bottom of the ninth, Jacob Latz took over with a one-run lead and retired the side while striking out one for his third save. He threw 15 pitches (60 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (26.7 SwStr%), deployed like a closer.
He’s been scoreless over his last seven appearances, recording a 0.316 WHIP with five strikeouts and no walks (20.8 K-BB%) across 7.1 innings, converting three of four save opportunities. One notes the uptick in velocity during his transition into a full-time relief role this season:
With the training wheels off, he’s the target if available in this bullpen.
- Jakob Junis tossed a clean eighth for his fifth hold.
- Tyler Alexander collected his first win, giving up a hit during a scoreless seventh.
Updated Hierarchy: Jacob Latz | Jakob Junis | Cole Winn
Three Takeaways
Palencia lights up the radar during rehab: It’s apparent that Daniel Palencia does not want an extended stay with the Iowa Cubs. In his first appearance last night, he was throwing heat:
He allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout on 19 pitches (14 strikes – 73.7 Strike%) with one whiff:
Palencia could be activated by Sunday.
Projected Hierarchy: Daniel Palencia | Ben Brown | Phil Maton
Duran’s timeline: In this update provided by Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Jhoan Duran will not be activated during the Miami series, but may return shortly thereafter:
Fantasy managers will welcome his return, and can shed Phillies relievers in this weekend’s FAAB run, barring a setback.
Helsley’s timeline: According to Jake Rill, with quotes from manager Craig Albernaz, Ryan Helsley may only require a minimal stint on the injured list:
Rill suggests a matchups-based approach during save chances in the interim, which does not warm the hearts of fantasy managers.
Projected Hierarchy: Rico Garcia | Andrew Kittredge | Keegan Akin
Yes, Anthony Nunez could be involved, but:
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Friday’s slate.
American League
Boston Red Sox
Closing out his sixth save and maintaining a two-run margin, Aroldis Chapman worked around Carlos Correa’s two-out double with a game-ending groundout against Yordan Alvarez. Chapman threw 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (12.5 SwStr%) while striking out one.
Across 9.1 innings this season, he’s posted a 0.931 WHIP with 11 strikeouts versus three walks (21.6 K-BB%).
- Garrett Whitlock allowed two hits during a scoreless eighth, securing his fifth hold.
- Danny Coulombe gave up a hit during two-thirds scoreless in the seventh, notching his third hold.
- Zack Kelly tossed 1.1 scoreless frames, scattering two hits and striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Greg Weissert
Cleveland Guardians
Forced into action at the bottom of the eighth, Cade Smith stranded two runners while striking out Nick Kurtz, then retired the side in the ninth for his eighth save. He threw 22 pitches (13 strikes – 59.1 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (13.6 SwStr%).
He has been scoreless in five of his last six appearances, converting all five save chances with a 1.264 WHIP and seven strikeouts against one walk (24 K-BB%) through 6.1 innings.
- Connor Brogdon allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout during two-thirds scoreless in the eighth for his third hold.
- Erik Sabrowski collected his first win, stranding the bases loaded while retiring all three batters faced in the seventh.
- Hunter Gaddis had another rough outing, giving up two hits, an earned run, and two walks without recording an out during the seventh. His status in the hierarchy has been placed on watch.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Erik Sabrowski
Kansas City Royals
Nailing down his eighth save, Lucas Erceg fired a clean bottom of the ninth while facing Seattle’s 9-1-2 hitters, striking out one. He threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
Over his last five games, he has only allowed one unearned run while recording two wins and three saves with a 1.00 WHIP while issuing four walks and striking out six (10.5 K-BB%).
- Matt Strahm issued a walk and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless eighth for his eighth hold.
- Daniel Lynch IV gave up two hits, including a game-tying two-run home run by Julio Rodríguez, and recorded two strikeouts. He was charged with his first blown save and collected his first win.
- Nick Mears issued a walk and retired two batters in the sixth for his fourth hold.
Plus, an update regarding Carlos Estévez from MLB.com:
Hierarchy Remains (for now): Lucas Erceg | Matt Strahm | Daniel Lynch IV
Los Angeles Angels
In order of appearance, Brent Suter gets credit for his second hold despite giving up two hits, resulting in two earned runs, and striking out one during two-thirds of the sixth. Chase Silseth let both inherited runners score on Marcus Semien’s two-RBI single and retired one batter in the sixth, resulting in his second blown save. José Fermin was tagged with his first loss, allowing Ronny Mauricio’s go-ahead solo home run and striking out one in the seventh. Nick Sandlin logged two scoreless frames while walking one.
Kirby Yates and Ben Joyce are slated to appear in rehab outings on Saturday:
Windows to stash Joyce may be shortening.
Hierarchy Remains: *Ryan Zeferjahn | *Drew Pomeranz | *Sam Bachman
*= closer-by-committee
Tampa Bay Rays
Locking down his eighth save, Bryan Baker fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded a strikeout while preserving a combined shutout against the Giants. He threw 12 pitches (75 Strike%) without a whiff, extending his modest scoreless streak to four games, during which he’s converted a save in each. On the season, he owns a 0.973 WHIP with 14 strikeouts against three walks (22.5 K-BB%) across 12.1 innings.
- Cole Sulser secured his fourth hold, retiring the side and striking out one in the eighth.
- Ian Seymour allowed a hit during a scoreless seventh, notching his seventh hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Bryan Baker | Cole Sulser | Ian Seymour
The Athletics
Working during an eventual loss, Joel Kuhnel logged 1.2 scoreless frames, walking and striking out one. Brady Basso allowed three hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one across two-thirds combined innings. Justin Sterner gave up two earned runs on Rhys Hoskins’ home run and allowed a walk while striking out one during his combined inning. Hogan Harris tossed 1.1 scoreless innings, scattering two hits and striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: *Jack Perkins | *Hogan Harris | *Mark Leiter Jr.
*= closer-by-committee
Toronto Blue Jays
Although he dealt with traffic on the basepaths, Louis Varland turned in a scoreless bottom of the ninth, closing out a four-run lead in Minnesota. He allowed a two-walk to Byron Buxton, followed by Austin Martin’s single, then induced a game-ending strikeout of Ryan Jeffers. Varland threw 27 pitches (16 strikes – 59.3 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (18.5 SwStr%).
He’s posted a 1.059 WHIP with 28 strikeouts versus five walks (35.4 K-BB%) through 17 innings.
- Tyler Rogers fired a clean eighth, striking out two.
- Jeff Hoffman gave up three hits and an earned run while striking out one in the seventh.
- Braydon Fisher stranded two runners, retiring both batters, one via strikeout, in the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers | Jeff Hoffman
Quick Hits
- Detroit Tigers: Suffering his first loss, Burch Smith allowed three hits, including Alejandro Osuna’s go-ahead RBI double, and recorded three strikeouts during his two innings of relief. Brant Hurter fired a clean seventh, striking out two.
- Seattle Mariners: With the score tied at the top of the eighth, Jose A. Ferrer allowed three hits, including a go-ahead RBI single by Lane Thomas, and recorded a strikeout while suffering his first loss.
National League
Atlanta Braves
Protecting a two-run lead at the bottom of the ninth, Robert Suarez navigated around Brenton Doyle’s two-out single with a game-ending groundout against Mickey Moniak, securing his fourth hold. He threw 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (17.6 SwStr%) while recording one strikeout.
This outing extended his scoreless streak to seven games, during which he’s converted all four save opportunities while recording a 0.60 WHIP with six strikeouts versus one walk (20.8 K-BB%) across his last 6.2 innings.
- Didier Fuentes collected his first MLB win, retiring the side in the eighth.
- Anthony Molina logged two scoreless frames, yielding a walk.
Hierarchy Remains: Robert Suarez | Tyler Kinley | Dylan Lee
Chicago Cubs
Preserving a one-run lead while logging two scoreless frames, Jacob Webb recorded his first save of the season. He threw 36 pitches (23 strikes – 63.9 Strike%) and produced six whiffs (16.7 SwStr%), striking out three and walking one. It’s his first save since May 12, 2025, and the eighth of his career.
- Phil Maton notched his first hold, firing a clean seventh and striking out two against Arizona’s 5-6-7 lineup pocket.
Colorado Rockies
Sidled with his third loss, Juan Mejia took over a tied contest at the top of the ninth, giving up Jonah Heim’s leadoff walk, followed by Michael Harris II’s go-ahead two-run home run. Jaden Hill allowed a hit, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one, resulting in his first blown save. Zach Agnos worked 1.1 innings, yielding a hit, three runs (two earned), and two walks while striking out one across 1.1 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: *Victor Vodnik | *Antonio Senzatela | Brennan Bernardino
*= closer-by-committee
New York Mets
Shutting the door for his third save, Devin Williams fired a clean bottom of the ninth while striking out two, preserving a one-run lead against the Angels. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (28.6 SwStr%).
It’s his first save since April 5 and his third straight scoreless outing, with two being clean. Through 10 innings, there is room for improvement in his 2.10 WHIP, with hope lying in his 17 strikeouts versus six walks (22 K-BB%) across 10 innings.
- Luke Weaver notched his third hold, retiring the side and striking out two in the eighth.
- Brooks Raley secured his fifth hold with a clean seventh, striking out one.
- Huascar Brazobán collected his second win with a clean sixth and recorded one strikeout.
Hierarchy Remains: Devin Williams | Luke Weaver | Brooks Raley
Philadelphia Phillies
Working into and then out of trouble, Brad Keller recorded his first save of the season, closing out a one-run margin. However, his outing began with a leadoff walk, a leverage no-no, followed by consecutive strikeouts, an RBI single by Otto Lopez, and a game-ending flyout. He threw 26 pitches (12 strikes – 46.2 Strike%) and only induced one whiff.
- José Alvarado was credited with his fourth hold, letting his only inherited runner to score, yielding two hits and retiring one batter via strikeout in the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains (for now): *Brad Keller | *José Alvarado | *Orion Kerkering
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Getting in work during an eventual loss, Kyle Hurt fired a clean bottom of the eighth while recording two strikeouts.
- Milwaukee Brewers: Forced into action at the bottom of the sixth, Aaron Ashby logged 2.2 innings, giving up two hits, an earned run, and two walks while striking out four. Easton McGee closed out a five-run margin with a scoreless ninth, walking and striking out one.
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