Sunday proved volatile, not only in close contests but also because two closers will be unavailable over the next two weeks. Today’s Three Takeaways segment will cover these two relievers and their bullpens. As for the games, there were five wins by relievers and ten saves, though one was a three-inning outing by a Texas reliever. Without further delay, here are the updates for Edwin Díaz (sticky substance suspension) and David Bednar (oblique):
Three Takeaways
- Mets back into a match-up-based bullpen: After being ejected from Sunday’s night contest, a transgression that requires an automatic 10-game suspension, the Mets will be without the services of Edwin Díaz until July 6. This puts Reed Garrett back atop the hierarchy, though save situations will be treated on a game-by-game, inning-by-inning basis based on hitter-handedness and workloads. As Carlos Mendoza put it, the team will have to be creative during this 10-game stretch since no replacement reliever is allowed on the roster. During Díaz’s injured list stint between May 29 and June 12, the Mets recorded three saves by three different relievers, representing our updated hierarchy for the team (Garrett, Jake Diekman, Drew Smith).
- Bednar lands on the injured list: From unavailable on Saturday to the injured list on Sunday, backdated to June 20, Pittsburgh will restructure its hierarchy without David Bednar. Although Aroldis Chapman received the first save opportunity with Bednar sidelined by an oblique injury, manager Derek Shelton hinted at shared saves with match-ups playing a part in who gets the ninth inning over the next two weeks:
- Taking the long view if Toronto sells: In a blunt column for the Toronto Star, Mike Wilner suggests the team become a seller sooner rather than later if it struggles against Boston and the Yankees this week. Chad Green sits atop the bullpen hierarchy but has not recorded a save with Jordan Romano and Yimi García on the injured list. He’s a consummate pro but also missed most of last year while rehabbing from surgery. Over the previous 30 days, Nate Pearson has posted 17 walks against three walks (26.4 K-BB percentage) with a 0.98 WHIP and a 2.41 SIERA. He’s also recorded a save and five holds. If the team faces a retooling on the fly, he should receive an audition as the primary save share if Romano misses an extended period. If it happens, García’s on the precipice of free agency and would be part of the pending roster purge, leaving the door open for Pearson. He’s a stash option right now, but he could pay dividends in the second half.
Our condensed and full game recaps cover Sunday’s high-leverage events of interest.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
(RP | BOS): Finishing a two-run win over the Reds, Kenley Jansen allowed a hit during a scoreless ninth for his 15th save.
(RP | CLE): Appearing for the fourth time in five days, Emmanuel Clase held on for his 24th save, navigating around a walk and a hit for a scoreless ninth, preserving a one-run win over Toronto.
(RP | MIN): After warming up in the eighth, Griffin Jax took over the ninth and recorded his seventh save. He worked around a two-out infield single with a game-ending strikeout, preserving a combined shutout in Oakland. He threw 16 pitches (62.5 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (25 SwStr%). He’s allowed an unearned run and notched two saves over his last four games. He remains an upside play for ancillary saves in deeper formats.
Hierarchy remains: Jhoan Durán | Griffin Jax | Jorge Alcala
(RP | NYY): Appearing during a loss, Clay Holmes fired a clean top of the ninth, recording two strikeouts against Atlanta’s 5-6-7 lineup pocket. He threw 19 pitches (14 strikes – 73.7 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (26.3 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: Clay Holmes | Luke Weaver | Michael Tonkin
(RP | TBR): Capping his team’s rally in the eighth, Pete Fairbanks secured his 11th save, retiring the side and striking out one during a win in Pittsburgh.
(RP | TEX): Taking the baton from Max Scherzer, José Ureña logged four scoreless frames, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one for his first save, and first since 2019. He threw 42 pitches (23 strikes – 54.8 Strike%) and induced three whiffs, finishing a combined shutout against the Royals.
Hierarchy remains: Kirby Yates | David Robertson | José Leclerc
National League
(RP | ATL): Shutting the door on his 20th save, Raisel Iglesias mowed down the Yankees’ 3-4-5 lineup pocket during a clean ninth and recorded two strikeouts.
(RP | COL): One day removed from recording a win, Jalen Beeks could not close out his save chance on Sunday. He allowed a lead-off single by Jacob Young, induced a fielder’s choice groundout, but advanced the runner with a wild pitch, followed by a game-tying RBI double by Lane Thomas, who promptly stole third. After a strikeout, Beeks gave up a go-ahead RBI single by Joey Meneses before inducing an inning-ending flyout by Eddie Rosario. His final line, three hits against and two earned runs with two strikeouts resulted in his fourth loss and a fifth blown save.
Hierarchy remains: *Jalen Beeks | *Tyler Kinley | Justin Lawrence
*= closer-by-committee (match-up-based)
(RP | MIA): Despite loading the bases, Tanner Scott induced a game-ending lineout by Julio Rodríguez, closing out his ninth save. He gave up two hits and a walk while striking out one.
(RP | NYM): Forced into action after Edwin Díaz‘s ejection, Drew Smith took over and recorded two outs before allowing a hit. Jake Diekman replaced him, securing his third save while striking out his only batter faced, preserving a three-run win over the Cubs.
(RP | PIT): Entering a tied game in the eighth, Colin Holderman gave up three hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one. He suffered his first loss and matched his runs allowed all season in this outing.
Updated Hierarchy: Aroldis Chapman | Colin Holderman | Kyle Nicolas
(RP | STL): Locking down his MLB-leading 26th save, Ryan Helsley retired the side and recorded two strikeouts while closing out a two-run win over the Giants. He’s converted 26 straight saves, matching Edwin Díaz‘s (2022-2024) streak. This also marked his 12th save with a clean inning.
(RP | WSH): Although he allowed consecutive singles in the bottom of the ninth, Kyle Finnegan bore down and retired the next three batters, two via strikeout for his 22nd save.
Vulture Save Options for Monday, June 24
- Hunter Harvey (WSH): Finnegan appeared on consecutive days in Coors Field and will receive tonight off.
- Hunter Gaddis (CLE): Clase has pitched in back-to-back games and appeared in four of the last five.
- Justin Slaten (BOS): Jansen and Martin have worked in the previous two games, placing Slaten atop the hierarchy for tonight’s game against Toronto.
Vulture Save Options for Tuesday, June 25
- Nate Pearson (TOR): If Green pitches tonight, it will be two in a row.
American League – Full Recaps
Boston Red Sox – With a three-run lead facing the Reds’ 9-1-2 lineup pocket, Kenley Jansen secured his 15th save, working around a two-out single by Elly De La Cruz with a game-ending flyout by Jeimer Candelario. Jansen threw 12 pitches (91.7 Strike%) and did not induce a whiff. He’s converted a save in his last six appearances and been scoreless in five. Justin Slaten worked a scoreless eighth, hitting a batter and recording a strikeout for his eighth hold. Chris Martin notched his eighth hold, retiring the side in the seventh. Greg Weissert was awarded his third win, tossing a scoreless fourth, giving up a hit, and striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: Kenley Jansen | Chris Martin | Justin Slaten
Cleveland Guardians – Clase closed on save number 24. Emmanuel Clase preserved a sweep of Toronto with a scoreless ninth. He navigated around a one-out walk and a two-out single with a game-ending fielder’s choice groundout. He threw 25 pitches (76 Strike%) and induced two whiffs while making his fourth appearance in five days. Cade Smith notched his 12th hold, retiring his only batter in the eighth. Sam Hentges logged 1.2 scoreless frames, yielding a hit during his seventh hold. Darren McCaughan worked two innings, allowing four hits, two earned runs, and two walks for his first hold. Tim Herrin collected his third win, firing a clean fourth and striking out one following a rain delay.
Hierarchy remains: Emmanuel Clase | Hunter Gaddis | Cade Smith
Tampa Bay Rays – Slamming the door on his 11th save, Pete Fairbanks fired a clean bottom of the ninth, preserving a two-run win and striking out one in Pittsburgh. He threw 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%). He’s converted six of seven save opportunities in June despite allowing a run in three of his last five appearances. Jason Adam issued two walks and recorded a strikeout during a scoreless eighth, securing his 12th hold. Kevin Kelly allowed a walk and retired two batters in the seventh. He was awarded his second as a result. Garrett Cleavinger logged 1.1 clean frames, keeping the game tied.
Hierarchy remains: Pete Fairbanks | Jason Adam | Colin Poche
National League – Full Recaps
Atlanta Braves – Nailing down his 20th save, reaching the threshold for the sixth time in his career, Raisel Iglesias retired the side and recorded two strikeouts during a two-run win over the Yankees. He only needed 10 pitches (70 Strike%) and generated three whiffs (30 SwStr%) while facing the 3-4-5 lineup pocket. Joe Jiménez notched his 16th hold, firing a clean eighth and striking out two, including an inning-ending pitch-clock one against Juan Soto. Pierce Johnson secured his eighth hold, allowing a hit and striking out one in a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Raisel Iglesias | Joe Jiménez | Pierce Johnson
Miami Marlins – Hanging on for his ninth save, Tanner Scott worked himself into and out of trouble. He allowed a lead-off single, followed by a walk, before retiring Ryan Bliss on a first-pitch flyout. This settled Scott in. He recorded a strikeout, gave up a bloop single by Dylan Moore, loaded the bases, and coaxed a game-ending lineout by Julio Rodríguez, preserving the two-run win. He threw 22 pitches (16 strikes – 72.7 Strike%) and produced five whiffs (22.7 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in eight of nine games this month with 12 strikeouts against five walks. Calvin Faucher fired a clean eighth and recorded two strikeouts for his sixth hold. Andrew Nardi let his only inherited runner score, allowing a hit and striking out one over one-third scoreless while securing his seventh hold. A.J. Puk collected his first win, firing two clean frames between the fifth and sixth while striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: Tanner Scott | Calvin Faucher | Andrew Nardi
New York Mets – Sunday night baseball came with a side of controversy. Summoned for the ninth inning with a three-run lead, Edwin Díaz was ejected before tossing a warm-up pitch upon inspection from the bullpen. This will result in a 10-game suspension. Drew Smith took over and recorded two outs, one via strikeout, and allowed a hit before being lifted, getting credit for his sixth hold. Jake Diekman entered to face Pete Crow-Armstrong, but the Cubs countered with Patrick Wisdom, who struck out looking, resulting in his third save. Reed Garrett tossed a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and striking out one. Dedniel Núñez gave up two hits, including a two-run home run by Christopher Morel.
Because an ejection for a “sticky” substance carries an automatic 10-game suspension, it appears the Mets will be without their closer through July 5 if he starts serving it this Tuesday. Manager Carlos Mendoza said the team must be “creative” working a man down in the bullpen with no days off from June 28 through the end of his closer’s suspension.
Adjusted Hierarchy: *Reed Garrett | *Jake Diekman | Drew Smith
*= match-up-based approach
St. Louis Cardinals – Converting his 26th consecutive save chance, Ryan Helsley fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts, preserving a two-run win over the Giants. He threw nine pitches (88.9 Strike%) and generated three whiffs (33.3 SwStr%) versus the 3-4-5 lineup pocket. After a much-needed respite, he’s been dominant over his last two outings and scoreless in his last five. Andrew Kittredge let both inherited runners score on a ground-rule double and a sacrifice fly. He was credited with his 22nd hold, giving up a hit and a walk over two-thirds scoreless in the eighth. JoJo Romero retired a batter and issued two walks, resulting in two earned runs during his 22nd hold.
Hierarchy remains: Ryan Helsley | Andrew Kittredge | JoJo Romero
Washington Nationals – Displaying a short memory and some fortitude, Kyle Finnegan allowed consecutive singles leading off the top of the ninth with a flyout sandwiched between two strikeouts, preserving a comeback win and his 22nd save. He threw 17 pitches (13 strikes – 76.5 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (17.6 SwStr%). He’s converted seven of eight save chances in June with 13 strikeouts against one walk across 10.1 innings. Dylan Floro collected his third win, logging 1.1 scoreless frames and issuing a walk. Robert Garcia recorded two outs, walked one, and struck out one in the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Kyle Finnegan | Hunter Harvey | Dylan Floro
Closer Monkey’s filthy pitch of the day was awarded to Ryan Helsley‘s slider – video courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
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