Sunday’s slate featured nine wins by relievers, five saves, and five losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
As for the vulture option during today’s slate:
Vulture Save Option for 5.4.2026
- 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.
- Bryan King (HOU): De Los Santos has appeared in back-to-back games, and Abreu logged two innings on Sunday.
- Caleb Kilian (SF): It’s a one-in-three chance, but hedging that he gets the next save chance.
- Calvin Faucher (MIA): He worked the ninth during a loss and may get the same inning with a lead.
- Ryan Zeferjahn (LAA): Emerging as one of the most trusted relievers by first-year manager Kurt Suzuki.
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Shutting the door on his second save, Tanner Scott carved up the Cardinals’ 6-7-8 hitters and recorded two strikeouts, preserving a three-run lead. He threw 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%).
It’s his first save since April 23, and he’s been scoreless in 11 of his last 12 appearances, posting a 0.686 WHIP with 11 strikeouts against two walks (21.4 K-BB%) over his last 11.2 innings. His usage patterns in previous games have been a source of frustration for the fantasy community, and this will continue until Edwin Díaz returns. Still, Scott should be the preferred option for the remainder of the first half.
Hierarchy Remains: *Tanner Scott | *Alex Vesia | *Blake Treinen
*= closer-by-committee
Three Takeaways
Changes by the Bay? Speaking of frustration, Ryan Walker continues to flummox fantasy managers, and his own, Tony Vitello. He suffered his third blown save, allowing a leadoff walk of Junior Caminero, a single by Jonathan Aranda, and consecutive sacrifice bunts, plating the game-tying run on a safety squeeze, before an inning-ending lineout. Walker’s ledger reads, one hit, one earned run, and one walk while throwing 14 pitches (8 strikes – 57.1 Strike%) without a whiff. He’s allowed at least a run in three consecutive contests, resulting in a spike in his WHIP (1.537) through his first 14 appearances. In save situations, per Baseball-Reference’s designation, he has a 1.667 WHIP with eight strikeouts against six walks (4.9 K-BB%). John Shea of The San Francisco Standard has seen enough and is calling for a change, naming a closer. From his post:
And, continues:
One candidate, Caleb Kilian, drew praise from Vitello in recent postgame comments. Even though he suffered the loss on Sunday, Kilian worked a scoreless ninth before returning for the tenth inning, during which he issued Caminero an intentional walk, followed by Aranda’s walk-off, RBI single over a drawn-in infield, scoring the “courtesy runner,” Chandler Simpson. Still, he and Erik Miller may share save chances based on lineup lanes. Keaton Winn may also be involved. There may be changes in roles, but will the team name a closer? Stay tuned.
Updated Hierarchy: *Caleb Kilian | *Erik Miller | *Keaton Winn
*= closer-by-committee
Kitty wears one in the Bronx: Things escalated quickly for Andrew Kittredge. He entered with his team down by one at the bottom of the eighth, allowing seven hits and seven earned runs while recording one out, nuking his ratios. Rico Garcia retired the Yankees’ 2-3-4 hitters and recorded a strikeout in the seventh. Yennier Cano stranded a runner, retiring both batters in the sixth. Grant Wolfram suffered his first loss, giving up three hits and an earned run, in the bottom of the sixth. It was not a stellar day for the leverage ladder. Garcia did his job against the toughest lineup pocket, which may be his role moving forward; whether it’s the eighth or ninth inning remains the issue for fantasy players.
Updated Hierarchy: *Rico Garcia | *Yennier Cano | *Keegan Akin
*= closer-by-committee
Miami’s patterns on Sunday: During an eventual loss, Calvin Faucher fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded a strikeout against the Phillies’ 3-4-5 lineup pocket. Josh Eckness made his MLB debut with a clean eighth, retiring the side on seven pitches (85.7 Strike%) versus the 9-1-2 hitters.
Tyler Phillips logged three scoreless frames, scattering four hits and striking out three. Even though Faucher has had a rough start to the season, he appears to be the preferred option for saves with Pete Fairbanks on the injured list, though Clayton McCullough will deploy his relievers based on matchups. Keep tabs on Eckness; he has swing-and-miss stuff, though he may need some seasoning against major league hitters.
Updated Hierarchy: *Calvin Faucher | *Anthony Bender | *Tyler Phillips
*= closer-by-committee
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Sunday’s slate.
American League
Boston Red Sox
Tasked with the top of the tenth, Zack Kelly suffered his second loss, allowing a hit, two earned runs, and two walks. Both runs scored with two outs, with the inning-ending out recorded at home plate.
Aroldis Chapman preserved the tie, giving up a leadoff single by Christian Vazquez and recording two strikeouts, including Yordan Alvarez. He threw 17 pitches (11 strikes – 64.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (11.8 SwStr%). He has posted a 0.937 WHIP with 13 strikeouts against three walks (24.4 K-BB%) across 10.2 innings.
- Garrett Whitlock logged 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Greg Weissert
Detroit Tigers
Running a chaos contest, the Tigers used six relievers against Texas. Taking over at the top of the third, Brant Hurter collected his fourth win, giving up two hits and a walk while striking out two across 3.1 scoreless frames.
- Ricky Vanasco logged 1.1 innings, allowing a hit, an earned run, and a walk with two strikeouts, getting credit for his first hold.
- Kyle Finnegan faced the Rangers’ 2-3-4 lineup pocket and worked around Corey Seager’s one-out single with a fielder’s choice groundout and an inning-ending lineout. He only threw 10 pitches (70 Strike%) and produced one whiff.
- Burch Smith closed out the six-run lead, yielding a hit during a scoreless ninth.
There was no word on whether Kenley Jansen was available, leaving him on a day-to-day basis due to his groin injury.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Kyle Finnegan | Brant Hurter
Houston Astros
Turning in his best outing this season, Bryan Abreu logged two scoreless frames and collected his first win in Boston. He navigated around a leadoff walk at the bottom of the tenth, recording an out on a sacrifice bunt, hit a batter, and induced a game-ending double play grounder by Cedanne Rafaela. He threw 22 pitches (15 strikes – 68.2 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (13.6 SwStr%).
It’s a step forward, not sold he’s ready for save chances based on this outing.
- Enyel De Los Santos tossed a scoreless eighth, yielding a hit and striking out one.
- Steven Okert allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: *Enyel De Los Santos | *Bryan King | *Kai-Wei Teng
*= closer-by-committee
Kansas City Royals
Summoned with two outs and a runner on at the bottom of the eighth, Daniel Lynch IV retired Josh Naylor via strikeout, ending the threat, then fired a clean ninth, recording two more strikeouts for his first save of the season, third of his career. He threw 17 pitches (13 strikes – 76.5 Strike%) and racked up five whiffs (29.4 SwStr%) versus the heart of the Mariners lineup.
He’s posted a minuscule 0.585 WHIP with 18 strikeouts versus three walks (29.4 K-BB%) through 13.2 innings.
- John Schreiber earned his first hold, walking one during two-thirds scoreless in the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Lucas Erceg | Matt Strahm | Daniel Lynch IV
Minnesota Twins
While recording his second save, Justin Topa turned in an ugly outing. He allowed four hits, including a two-run home run by Kazuma Okamoto, and worked around two runners on with a game-ending double play, preserving a one-run lead. He’s the first Twins reliever with two saves, but he will not be the last.
- Kody Funderburk stranded two runners and retired his only batter, Andrés Giménez, in the eighth for his sixth hold.
- Eric Orze logged 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out two for his fourth hold.
- Taylor Rogers was credited with his fourth hold, giving up four hits and an earned run while striking out three across 2.1 innings.
- Andrew Morris collected his first win, logging 3.2 innings, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out three, taking over for an injured Joe Ryan at the top of the first.
Hierarchy Remains: *Justin Topa | *Eric Orze | *Kody Funderburk
*= closer-by-committee
New York Yankees
Finishing off an eight-run lead, David Bednar allowed Jeremiah Jackson’s one-out single, then recorded consecutive strikeouts for a scoreless appearance. He threw 18 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (27.8 SwStr%).
On the season, he owns a 1.609 WHIP with 16 strikeouts versus five walks (16.9 K-BB%) through 13.2 innings.
- Brent Headrick gave up a hit and struck out one during 1.2 scoreless frames for his fourth hold.
- Fernando Cruz was awarded his third win, stranding two runners while yielding a hit across a scoreless combined inning.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Camilo Doval | Fernando Cruz
Quick Hits
- Chicago White Sox: Taking over at the bottom of the eighth, Bryan Hudson let his only inherited runner score on a two-out single by Xander Bogaerts. He was scoreless, yielding two hits and striking out two. Tyler Davis suffered his first loss, issuing a walk, which resulted in an earned run during his combined inning of relief. Jordan Leasure retired the side and recorded a strikeout in the sixth.
- Los Angeles Angels: Turning in a much-needed scoreless appearance, Drew Pomeranz retired the side and struck out one at the top of the ninth while facing the Mets’ 2-3-4 hitters. He had allowed at least a run in his five previous games.
- Texas Rangers: Another strong outing by Gavin Collyer during a loss. He retired the side and recorded two strikeouts versus Detroit’s 4-5-6 hitters, throwing 21 pitches (71.4 Strike%) with one whiff.
- The Athletics: Wrapping up a six-run lead, Joel Kuhnel issued a walk during a scoreless top of the ninth. Mark Leiter Jr. retired the side and recorded a strikeout in the eighth. Justin Sterner fired a clean seventh, striking out one.
- Toronto Blue Jays: Getting in work during an eventual loss, Jeff Hoffman allowed a hit during a scoreless bottom of the eighth, throwing 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
National League
Atlanta Braves
Despite his team tacking on three runs at the top of the ninth, Robert Suarez finished a win over Colorado in a non-sae appearance. He allowed two hits during a scoreless bottom of the inning, throwing 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) with two whiffs (12.5 SwStr%). Since April 15, he’s turned in eight consecutive scoreless games, recording a 0.782 WHIP with six strikeouts versus one walk (17.9 K-BB%) across 7.2 innings.
- Tyler Kinley allowed a solo home run and struck out two for his sixth save in the eighth.
- Reynaldo López worked around a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless seventh, securing his first hold.
- Dylan Lee fired a clean sixth, striking out two for his fifth hold.
- Didier Fuentes let one of two inherited runners score, retiring both batters in the fifth, getting his second hold.
- Aaron Bummer collected his first win as the first reliever, giving up three hits, two earned runs, and striking out two across his combined inning.
Also, it appears Raisel Iglesias will not need a minor league rehab appearance:
Hierarchy Remains (for now): Robert Suarez | Tyler Kinley | Dylan Lee
When Iglesias is activated, Kinley drops out of the hierarchy with Suarez replacing him as next in line.
San Diego Padres
Protecting a one-run lead, Mason Miller navigated around Tristan Peters’ two-out single and a stolen base by retiring the other hitters via strikeout. He threw 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (26.7 SwStr%).
This represents the seventh time across 16 appearances he’s recorded three strikeouts in an outing. Through 16.1 innings, he owns a 0.612 WHIP with 32 strikeouts versus three walks (50 K-BB%).
- Jason Adam worked a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and striking out one, collecting his first win.
- Adrian Morejon suffered his fourth blown save, allowing two hits, including a game-tying two-run home run by Derek Hill, and striking out four during his two innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Jason Adam | Jeremiah Estrada
Washington Nationals
Fluidity remains the prevailing theme for this leverage ladder, operated by Blake Butera. Summoned with a runner on first and one out at the top of the ninth, Richard Lovelady allowed a single by Jake Bauers and an RBI groundout, scoring the inherited runner, then induced a game-ending strikeout of Brandon Lockridge for his first save of the season, and the fifth Nationals’ reliever with at least one. He threw 12 pitches (75 Strike%) and produced one whiff during his two-thirds of the ninth.
- Gus Varland recorded an out in the eighth and ninth innings, but was removed. He absorbed an earned run while getting credit for his fourth hold.
- Mitchell Parker fired two clean frames, striking out two for his second hold.
- Zack Littell collected his first win as the “bulk follower,” tossing 3.2 innings, giving up a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one.
Updated Hierarchy: *Gus Varland | *Paxton Schultz | *Richard Lovelady
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Appearing during a loss, Paul Sewald faced two Cubs, Seiya Suzuki and Michael Busch. He recorded two strikeouts on eight pitches (75 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (37.5 SwStr%).
- Cincinnati Reds: Suffering his first loss, Tony Santillan allowed two hits, including Oneil Cruz’s RBI single, scoring the only run of the contest. He finished with two hits, an earned run, and two walks while throwing 21 pitches (9 strikes – 43.9 Strike%) with only one whiff.
- Colorado Rockies: Brought into an eventual loss, Jimmy Herget gave up three hits, three earned runs, and a walk at the top of the ninth. Victor Vodnik tossed a scoreless eighth, walking and striking out one. Antonio Senzatela allowed three hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one over 2.2 innings.
- New York Mets: Pressed into duty at the bottom of the seventh, Luke Weaver stranded a runner while working 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out three for his fourth hold. Brooks Raley gave up a hit and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth, finishing a four-run lead versus the Angels.
- Philadelphia Phillies: Closing out a five-run lead in Miami, Orion Kerkering retired the side on nine pitches. Chase Shugart logged 1.2 scoreless innings while allowing one hit.
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