Friday’s slate featured eight reliever wins, though one was accompanied by a blown save, seven saves, and six losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 340 saves this season, by 122 different pitchers. Here is the updated save trends tracker:
As for the vulture options during today’s slate:
Vulture Save Options for 5.16.2026
- Jeremiah Estrada (SD): Miller threw 34 pitches while logging his 1.1-inning save last night.
- Robert Suarez (ATL): Iglesias has pitched in three of the previous four days.
- Bryan Abreu (HOU): King worked 1.2 innings yesterday and has thrown 51 pitches in the last three days.
- Mason Montgomery (PIT): Could be matched up against Schwarber’s lineup pocket if there is a save opportunity today. Soto threw 30 pitches yesterday, and Santana has worked in back-to-back games.
- George Soriano (STL): Both O’Brien and Romero have appeared in consecutive contests, and in three of the previous four.
- Juan Mejia (COL): If the team has the lead in the ninth, he may get the call.
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Pressed into duty with two on and two out at the bottom of the eighth, Mason Miller quelled the rally despite allowing a broken bat infield single by Randy Arozarena with an inning-ending strikeout against Connor Joe. Returning for the ninth, he shut the door on his MLB-leading 14th save, working around a leadoff walk and a one-out single with consecutive strikeouts, completing the combined shutout. He finished with two hits and a walk while striking out four on 34 pitches (19 strikes – 55.9 Strike%) with seven whiffs (20.6 SwStr%).
As Ryan Divish noted, it was a rare outing for Miller:
This marked his 12th career save requiring four or more outs, and his third already this season. He leads all qualified relievers in strikeouts (44), strikeout percentage (55.7), K-BB percentage (48.1), SIERA (0.63), swinging strike rate (25.5%), and contact rate allowed (44.3%).
His team has reaped the benefits, winning 13 of 18 games decided by two runs or fewer, representing half of the team’s 26 wins this season. San Diego owns a 59.1 win percentage despite a run differential of negative one through its first 44 games.
Also from last night’s game, Jason Adam allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one over two-thirds of the eighth, getting credit for his eighth hold. Adrian Morejon tossed a scoreless seventh, walking and striking out one, securing his eighth hold. Jeremiah Estrada was warming during the ninth in case he was needed.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Jason Adam | Jeremiah Estrada
If a fantasy player shared Miller’s expression in the photo above, they may have had a reliever from the National League Central not named Riley O’Brien active during Friday’s slate.
Three Takeaways
Murphy’s Law: Pat Murphy is trying to win games, not the hearts of the fantasy community. After Aaron Ashby suffered a blown save, letting one of two inherited runners score in the sixth. He also allowed an earned run in the seventh, finishing with four hits and one strikeout across two innings. Milwaukee retook the lead on a controversial call during the top of the eighth, putting him in line for his eighth win. Abner Uribe secured his fifth hold, facing the top of the Twins’ lineup, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one during the bottom of the eighth. This usage pattern resulted in Trevor Megill getting his first save chance since April 17. He retired the side, including a game-ending strikeout of Royce Lewis for his fifth save. He threw 16 pitches (9 strikes – 56.3 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (18.8 SwStr%). Through 16 innings, he’s posted a 1.25 WHIP with 20 strikeouts versus six walks (20 K-BB%). Before overreacting, though it is frustrating, in Curt Hogg’s game recap for The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, this note was shared:
There will be games in which the lineup pockets decide who gets the save chance for the Brewers.
Hierarchy Remains: Abner Uribe | Trevor Megill | Aaron Ashby
Rock bottom at PNC Park? Forced into action with two runners on and no outs at the top of the tenth, Brandan Bidois recorded consecutive strikeouts against Adolis García and Trea Turner, then induced an inning-ending lineout by Kyle Schwarber. Dennis Santana gets tagged with his third loss, allowing four hits and three runs (two earned) without retiring a batter in the tenth. This marked his third time he’s given up multiple runs over his last seven games, and he has not recorded a strikeout in them. Gregory Soto suffered his second blown save, struggling with his command. His outing began with a batter reaching on an error, a wild pitch, a groundout, a walk, and a single by Turner, which loaded the bases. Schwarber drew an RBI walk, then Bryce Harper produced a two-RBI single, tying the game. Soto finished with two hits, three runs (two earned), and two walks on his ledger during the ninth. When he struggles, his command is spotty:
He only threw half of his 30 pitches for strikes, producing only two whiffs. It seemed like he was pressing, not attacking hitters. Mason Montgomery gave up a solo home run by Schwarber during his 1.1 innings. He and Soto have been the team’s best relievers in recent contests, but Friday was not one of them.
Don Kelly supported my thought about trying to be too fine in his postgame comments, shared by Colin Beazley for The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
How Soto responds in his next few outings may determine how roles evolve in this bullpen. Could Bidois be a sleeper for higher-leveraged work moving forward? He threw 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) with three whiffs (17.6 SwStr%):
His velocity is intriguing. Like his teammates, command and performance will determine his fantasy impact. Monitor him closely. For now:
Hierarchy Remains: Gregory Soto | Dennis Santana | Mason Montgomery
Tito’s late-inning predicament: Dire circumstances create alternate leverage pathways. With a two-run lead, Tejay Antone took over at the bottom of the ninth in Cleveland. He allowed Kyle Manzardo’s one-out triple and an earned run on a sacrifice fly, but secured his first save since May 30, 2021, on a game-ending groundout, benefiting from Matt McLain’s terrific play on Travis Bazzana’s game-ending groundout. He threw 19 pitches (11 strikes – 57.9 Strike%) and induced one whiff. Brock Burke was forced into action with the bases loaded and no outs in the eighth. He let all three score, issuing two walks and giving up a sacrifice fly while getting credit for his fourth hold. Graham Ashcraft had no command, giving up a hit, four earned runs, and three walks without retiring a batter in the eighth, entering against the Guardians’ 4-5-6 lineup pocket.
Tony Santillan notched his tenth hold, yielding a hit and striking out one in a scoreless seventh. Pierce Johnson gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless sixth for his third hold.
Francona’s plan was Ashcraft as the HLR against the Guardians’ heart of the order, followed by Burke against the bottom third, in case the game reached leadoff hitter Steven Kwan. However, when faced with tough decisions, he did what was necessary to win this game. Trusting any reliever in this bullpen proves challenging based on recent patterns and results. Tread lightly.
Updated Hierarchy: *Graham Ashcraft | *Pierce Johnson | *Brock Burke
*= closer-by-committee
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Friday’s slate.
American League
Chicago White Sox
It was not a banner night for this bullpen, but it started well when Trevor Richards stranded two runners while retiring both batters, one via strikeout at the top of the fifth. Grant Taylor fired a clean sixth, striking out two on 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with three whiffs (20 SwStr%). Things took a turn in the seventh.
Bryan Hudson allowed four hits, two earned runs, and hit a batter in the seventh, resulting in his first loss. Jordan Hicks gave up a hit, four earned runs, and four walks with one strikeout during two-thirds of the eighth. Tyler Schweitzer let two of three inherited runners score, yielding a hit and a walk while tossing 1.1 scoreless frames.
Hierarchy Remains: Seranthony Domínguez | Bryan Hudson | Grant Taylor
Detroit Tigers
Taking over a tied game at the top of the ninth, Kenley Jansen retired Toronto’s 2-3-4 hitters in order while recording two strikeouts, throwing 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) with five whiffs (31.3 SwStr%).
He collected his first win, courtesy of a walk-off at the bottom of the frame. He’s been scoreless in his last four outings and registered multiple strikeouts over his last three.
- Drew Anderson logged four scoreless innings, giving up a hit and striking out one.
- Burch Smith gave up a hit and struck out one across two scoreless innings.
On his rehab assignment, Will Vest fired a clean inning and recorded a strikeout for Toledo during a Triple-A tilt:
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Kyle Finnegan | Brant Hurter
Houston Astros
Taking over at the top of the eighth with two runners on and one out, Bryan King induced a flyout against Andrew McCutchen, followed by an inning-ending pickoff of the runner at first. He returned for the ninth and retired the side, completing the combined shutout while recording his fourth save. He threw 17 pitches (11 strikes – 64.7 Strike%) and produced one whiff while striking out one across 1.2 clean frames. Through his last five games, he’s converted three of four save opportunities despite allowing at least a run in two, posting a 1.119 WHIP with two strikeouts versus three walks across 6.2 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: *Bryan Abreu | *Bryan King | Enyel De Los Santos
*= closer-by-committee
Kansas City Royals
Summoned with the score tied at the bottom of the 11th, Steven Cruz suffered his first loss, recording an out on a sacrifice bunt, inducing a groundout, intentionally walking JJ Wehterholt, then giving up Yohel Pozo’s RBI single. Lucas Erceg was charged with his third blown save, allowing two hits and an unearned run while striking out two during the bottom of the tenth.
- John Schreiber retired his only batter in the ninth, stranding two runners.
- Matt Strahm navigated around a hit and a walk while striking out one across two-thirds of the ninth.
- Nick Mears gave up two hits and a walk with one strikeout in a scoreless eighth.
- Daniel Lynch IV worked a scoreless seventh, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Lucas Erceg | Matt Strahm | Daniel Lynch IV
New York Yankees
Logging a non-save appearance, David Bednar opened the bottom of the ninth by issuing Juan Soto a walk, a leverage no-no. He erased the runner with a double play groundout against Mark Vientos, but an MJ Melendez single, with an advance to second on defensive indifference, resulted in an earned run on Brett Baty’s two-out, RBI single, before a game-ending lineout by Marcus Semien. Bednar finished with two hits, an earned run, and a walk while throwing 21 pitches (13 strikes – 61.9 Strike%) with only one whiff.
Both singles were on centered four-seam fastballs:
He has given up at least a run in five of his last eight appearances, posting a 1.20 WHIP with nine strikeouts against one walk across 8.1 innings. All of his underlying metrics point toward better results going forward, but his elevated BABIP (.364) must improve if he’s going to reduce his current 1.421 WHIP.
- Fernando Cruz notched his seventh hold, stranding a runner in the seventh and tossing 1.1 scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Camilo Doval | Fernando Cruz
The Athletics
Preserving a three-run margin, Hogan Harris nailed down his third save, allowing a two-out single by Luis Arraez, followed by a game-ending groundout against Matt Chapman. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%). This marks his first save since May 8, and he has been scoreless over his last five contests.
- Luis “Funky Cold” Medina tossed a scoreless eighth, walking and striking out one.
- José Suarez tossed a scoreless seventh, walking and striking out one for his first hold.
- Joel Kuhnel worked a scoreless sixth, yielding a hit and striking out two, securing his third hold.
Hierarchy Remains: *Jack Perkins | *Hogan Harris | *Luis Medina
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Minnesota Twins: Summoned with two outs at the top of the ninth, Yoendrys Gómez retired his only batter, Jackson Chourio, via strikeout. Anthony Banda worked a clean combined inning of relief, stranding two runners at the top of the eighth. Andrew Morris was tagged with his first loss and his second blown save, giving up three hits and two earned runs during two-thirds of the eighth.
- Tampa Bay Rays: As the “bulk follower,” Jess Scholtens collected his fourth win, working five innings while giving up five hits and an earned run with four strikeouts. Casey Legumina finished the win with two clean frames.
- Toronto Blue Jays: Entering a tied game at the bottom of the ninth, Jeff Hoffman allowed Matt Vierling’s one-out single, a stolen base with two outs, and a walk-off Spencer Torkelson RBI single, resulting in his third loss. He recorded both outs via strikeout, throwing 23 pitches (15 strikes – 65.2 Strike%) with five whiffs (21.7 SwStr%). He’s given up multiple hits and at least a run in three consecutive appearances.
National League
Atlanta Braves
After working a scoreless top of the tenth, Didier Fuentes collected his third win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. He threw 10 pitches (60 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (20 SwStr%) while recording a strikeout and letting one batter reach on a hit-by-pitch.
Raisel Iglesias navigated around a hit and a walk while striking out two during a scoreless top of the ninth, keeping the game tied. He’s been scoreless over his last 26.1 innings since August 30, 2025.
- Robert Suarez fired 1.1 clean frames and recorded a strikeout.
- Tyler Kinley gave up two hits, including a game-tying solo home run by Marcelo Mayer during two-thirds of the seventh, resulting in his second blown save.
- Dylan Lee permitted his only inherited runner to score, yielding a hit and striking out one during two-thirds of the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Robert Suarez | Dylan Lee
Philadelphia Phillies
Handed a three-run lead at the bottom of the tenth, Orion Kerkering walked Marcell Ozuna, induced consecutive groundouts, scoring the “courtesy runner,” then bore down, producing a game-ending strikeout for his first save of the season. He threw 18 pitches (11 strikes – 61.1 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (11.1 SwStr%).
- José Alvarado collected his first win, giving up a hit and striking out three during the bottom of the ninth, keeping the game tied.
- Chase Shugart logged two scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Duran | Brad Keller | José Alvarado
St. Louis Cardinals
Despite issuing Kyle Isbel a leadoff walk at the top of the 11th, Gordon Graceffo stranded him and the “courtesy runner” with a flyout, a fielder’s choice grounder, and an inning-ending groundout. He collected his third win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the frame.
- Ryne Stanek allowed a hit, an unearned run, and a walk while striking out one in the tenth.
- Riley O’Brien kept the game tied, navigating around Isbel’s one-out single with an inning-ending double play by Maikel Garcia, throwing 10 pitches (60 Strike%) with one whiff.
- JoJo Romero stranded a runner while logging 1.1 scoreless innings, walking and striking out one.
- George Soriano gave up a hit and struck out one during two-thirds of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Riley O’Brien | JoJo Romero | George Soriano
Washington Nationals
Things were going smoothly for Andrew Alvarez until the ninth inning. He logged three scoreless frames prior, but let his only two batters reach on a single and a walk, resulting in his removal. He notched his first hold, giving up three hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out five.
Gus Varland replaced him, letting one of two inherited runners score on a sacrifice fly. He also issued a walk and recorded a strikeout for his fifth hold.
Richard Lovelady took over with two runners on and two outs at the top of the ninth. He allowed Gunnar Henderson’s RBI single, issued a walk, and recorded a game-ending strikeout against Adley Rutschman for his second save, throwing 11 pitches (54.5 Strike%) with one whiff.
Reinforcements may be on the way soon:
Hierarchy Remains: *Gus Varland | *PJ Poulin | *Richard Lovelady
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Chicago Cubs: Called upon at the bottom of the sixth, Trent Thornton logged two clean frames and recorded two strikeouts against the White Sox. He was awarded his second win.
- Miami Marlins: During an eventual loss, Andrew Nardi allowed a hit and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless bottom of the eighth. Michael Petersen stranded two runners in the sixth and retired all four batters, one via strikeout.
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Statistical Credits: