Although spring training continues for most MLB teams, the Tokyo Series provided the first save of 2025:
Los Angeles Dodgers – Registering the first save of 2025, Tanner Scott retired the side and recorded one strikeout against the Cubs 5-6-7 lineup pocket. He threw ten pitches (80 Strike%) with two whiffs (20 SwStr%):
- Blake Treinen fired a scoreless eighth, hitting a batter and striking out two on 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) with three whiffs (18.8 SwStr%).
- Ben Casparius notched his first hold with a clean seventh, striking out one.
- Anthony Banda also secured his first hold with a clean sixth, posting one strikeout.
Updated Hierarchy: Tanner Scott | Blake Treinen | Kirby Yates
It’s only one game, but Yates was passed over for a hold, with the team using Casparius instead. The bigger news is that Scott received the first chance of the year. If he exceeds his 25 projected saves from our Top 40 this weekend, his ranking will climb to the top of the second tier.
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Boston Red Sox
There has not been an official announcement about who Alex Cora will select as his closer, but multiple columns have been published on the topic. Ian Browne did not provide a lean in his column for MLB.com but felt that even if Liam Hendriks was the perceived leader before spring training, his performance has not helped him earn the role.
In a post for MassLive.com, Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam report that Aroldis Chapman is in the lead for the closer role. Cora maintains that it will be one person, not shared save situations, as he has done previously. Appearances through the weekend may make the decision easier, but fantasy managers await this decision.
Adjusted projected hierarchy: *Aroldis Chapman | *Justin Slaten | *Liam Hendriks
*= Closer competition ongoing
Here are the leverage events of interest from Tuesday’s spring contests.
American League
Minnesota Twins
- Jhoan Durán suffered his first loss and was credited with his third hold, allowing a hit, three runs (two earned, and two walks over one-third of the ninth. He threw 24 pitches (14 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) without a whiff. He’s posted a 1.11 WHIP with four strikeouts against three walks (3.9 K-BB%) over 6.1 innings. Assessing closers this spring has been challenging since many have adopted the Ryan Helsley template of not maxing out in their velocity during these games from last year. Here is Durán’s Statcast chart from this game:
Projected Hierarchy: Jhoan Durán | Griffin Jax | Cole Sands
Seattle Mariners
- Called upon at the top of the seventh, Andrés Muñoz retired the side and recorded one strikeout against the Brewers. He threw 12 pitches (7 strikes -58.3 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (25 SwStr%). He has a 1.00 WHIP with six strikeouts versus two walks (16 K-BB%) over six innings.
Projected Hierarchy: Andrés Muñoz | Gregory Santos | Collin Snider
National League
Philadelphia Phillies
- José Alvarado fired a clean bottom of the sixth, securing his third hold, striking out one on 10 pitches (70 Strike%) with two whiffs (20 SwStr%). He has a 0.71 WHIP with 16 strikeouts against three walks (48.2 K-BB%) through seven innings.
- Orion Kerkering logged 1.1 scoreless frames, allowing a hit and striking out three. He threw 26 pitches (19 strikes – 73.1 Strike%) and induced four whiffs (15.4 SwStr%).
Projected Hierarchy: Jordan Romano | José Alvarado | Orion Kerkering
Pittsburgh Pirates
- Posting a clean top of the fifth, David Bednar recorded two strikeouts on 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) with one whiff:
He has a 2.17 WHIP with eight strikeouts against three walks (16.1 K-BB%) over seven games, spanning six innings. This outing featured much better placement with his four-seam fastball, a key for success this season:
Projected Hierarchy: David Bednar | Dennis Santana | Colin Holderman
San Francisco Giants
- Although he recorded his third hold, Ryan Walker allowed three hits and an earned run while striking out two at the top of the eighth against the Padres. By my count, he threw 18 pitches (13 strikes – 72.2 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). He has a 1.50 WHIP with 11 strikeouts against one walk in 6.2 innings this spring.
Projected Hierarchy: Ryan Walker | Tyler Rogers | Camilo Doval
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Statistical Credits: