Wednesday’s full slate plus one doubleheader yielded nine wins and nine saves by relievers against three losses and only one blown save. However, there were some rough outings, notably by a Diamondbacks’ reliever who maintains he’s healthy but will undergo an MRI after being removed from a save chance in New York. This will be in our takeaways, along with Cleveland’s closer back in the saddle and Félix looking great against the Yankees.
Three Takeaways
(1) J-Mart’s getting an MRI: Working with reduced velocity, again, Justin Martinez could not close out a three-run lead at the bottom of the ninth. He allowed Tyrone Taylor’s lead-off home run, then issued consecutive walks (Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto) before being removed. He finished with a hit against, two earned runs, and two walks.
According to Nick Piecoro on X, Martinez will undergo an MRI and may be placed on the injured list. Those stashing for saves: Shelby Miller in the near-term, but Kevin Ginkel once he’s deemed ready by Torey Lovullo as the preferred save option. He was in the running for the closer role this spring before landing on the injured list before the start of the season. In this contest, Ryan Thompson took over, hitting Pete Alonso with a pitch and loading the bases. Following a strikeout, he allowed an inherited runner to score on a fielder’s choice groundout, intentionally walked Jeff McNeil, and induced a game-ending groundout for his first save.
Updated Hierarchy: *Justin Martinez | *Shelby Miller | *Kevin Ginkel
*= roles in flux
(2) Clase secures his fifth: Another white-knuckle leverage ride with Emmanuel Clase ended in his fifth save. However, he allowed Trevor Larnach’s one-out single, recorded his second strikeout, gave up Ryan Jeffers’ single, putting runners on the corners, then spiked a slider, scoring an earned run before recording a game-ending strikeout. Clase threw 19 pitches (13 strikes – 68.4 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (21.1 SwStr%) while recording three strikeouts.
He’s posted a 1.95 WHIP with 14 strikeouts versus three walks (17.2 K-BB%) in 13.1 innings. Hunter Gaddis worked around Brooks Lee’s solo home run with three strikeouts in the eighth. Cade Smith collected his first win, stranding a runner while retiring both batters via strikeout on 10 pitches (80 Strike%) with two whiffs at the top of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Emmanuel Clase | Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis
(3) “The Mountain” shoved: Shutting the door on his fifth save and finishing a one-run win over the Yankees, Félix Bautista retired the side and recorded a strikeout. He threw 10 pitches (80 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (20 SwStr%).
Through nine innings, he’s posted a 1.22 WHIP with 11 strikeouts against six walks (13.1 K-BB%). He’s retired 12 of 13 batters across his last four outings with five strikeouts and no walks, with a save in each.
Updated Hierarchy: Félix Bautista | Yennier Cano | Gregory Soto
For the save streamers, a potentially busy slate:
Vulture Save Options for May 1
- Shelby Miller (ARI): Based on usage patterns, he could be in line for the save chance if provided today.
- Hunter Gaddis (CLE): Clase and Smith have pitched on consecutive days.
- John Schreiber (KC): Estévez and Erceg have appeared in back-to-back games.
- Yimi García (TOR): Hoffman logged two innings and threw 27 pitches last night.
- Kyle Nicolas (PIT): Deep league flier, but Bednar has worked in two straight contests, and Dennis Santana is on the bereavement list.
Vulture Save Stashes for May 2
- Kevin Ginkel (ARI): If he gets today off and Miller pitches, his first chance could be Friday.
- Liam Hendriks (BOS): If Chapman and Slaten pitch today, it’s back-to-back appearances.
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Wednesday.
Closer CliffsNotes
Boston Red Sox
Taking over at the bottom of the tenth, Justin Slaten was tagged with his first loss. He induced a lineout to center, but Vlad Guerrero Jr. moved to third as the “place” runner, prompting consecutive intentional walks before Alejandro Kirk’s walk-off single.
- Aroldis Chapman fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded one strikeout on 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) with two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%). He has a 0.97 WHIP with 17 strikeouts against four walks (28.9 K-BB%) in 11.1 innings.
- Garrett Whitlock suffered his first blown save, giving up four hits and three earned runs on Anthony Santander’s game-tying home run during his two innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Justin Slaten | Garrett Whitlock
Colorado Rockies
Preserving a one-run lead and recording his first career save, Zach Agnos worked around Ozzie Albies’ two-out single during a scoreless ninth. He faced Atlanta’s 3-4-5-6 hitters, throwing 14 pitches (8 strikes – 57.1 Strike%) and producing three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%).
- Seth Halvorsen retired the side and recorded two strikeouts versus the 9-1-2 lineup pocket on 15 pitches (80 Strike%) with four whiffs (26.7 SwStr%).
- Jake Bird notched his third hold, tossing 1.1 clean frames and striking out two.
Updated Hierarchy: Seth Halvorsen | Zach Agnos | Tyler Kinley
*= closer-by-committee
Detroit Tigers
Taking over with a runner and two outs at the bottom of the eighth, Tommy Kahnle stranded him while logging 1.1 scoreless innings for his fifth save. He allowed a walk, recorded two strikeouts on 22 pitches (50 Strike%), and induced three whiffs (13.6 SwStr%).
This marked his first save since April 18, and he’s posted a 0.60 WHIP with 10 strikeouts versus three walks (16.3 K-BB%) across 11.2 innings this season.
- Tyler Holton worked 1.2 innings, giving up three hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out three.
- Brenan Hanifee collected his second win, scattering two hits and walking one while recording three strikeouts over two scoreless frames.
Updated Hierarchy: *Will Vest | *Tommy Kahnle | Tyler Holton
*= match-up-based approach
Milwaukee Brewers
Securing his third save, Trevor Megill navigated around a one-out bunt single and a two-out walk with a game-ending groundout, preserving a two-run win over the White Sox. He threw 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (26.7 SwStr%).
He’s posted a 1.44 WHIP with 11 strikeouts (16.2 K-BB%) through 8.1 innings.
- Abner Uribe let his only inherited runner score while scattering two hits during a scoreless eight and recorded two strikeouts for his eighth hold.
- Jared Koenig collected his second win, giving up two hits and an earned run during a combined inning of relief.
- Nick Mears stranded two runners and retired both batters, including an inning-ending double play.
Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Jared Koenig
Pittsburgh Pirates
Raise the Jolly Roger. David Bednar secured his third save, and since his recall, he has been working around Dansby Swanson’s two-out single with a game-ending strikeout, preserving a one-run win. He threw 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
He’s been scoreless in five of his six appearances since April 19, with eight strikeouts against one walk (30.5 K-BB%) and a 1.00 WHIP through six innings.
- Caleb Ferguson collected his first win, tossing 1.1 clean frames.
- Chase Shugart allowed a hit and recorded one strikeout across 1.1 scoreless innings.
Updated Hierarchy: *David Bednar | *Dennis Santana | Caleb Ferguson
San Diego Padres
Locking down his MLB-leading 12th save, Robert Suarez issued a one-out walk before recording consecutive game-ending strikeouts, finishing a two-run win over the Giants. He threw 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (11.8 SwStr%).
During the season, he has a 0.57 WHIP with 16 strikeouts against three walks (26 K-BB%) in 14 innings.
- Jason Adam was credited with his 11th hold, giving up a solo home run (Mike Yastrzemski), a walk, and recorded a strikeout in the eighth.
- Adrian Morejon retired both batters, one via strikeout, in the seventh for his fourth hold.
- Jeremiah Estrada stranded two runners at the top of the sixth, then gave up a solo home run and recorded two strikeouts in the seventh, securing his seventh save.
Hierarchy Remains: Robert Suarez | Jason Adam | Jeremiah Estrada
Texas Rangers
Returning for one batter at the top of the ninth, Robert Garcia allowed a lead-off single by Tyler Soderstrom after recording two outs in the eighth. Luke Jackson took over and allowed Brent Rooker’s two-run home run, followed by a single and two walks, forcing his removal from the contest. He only retired one batter.
- Shawn Armstrong inherited a bases-loaded situation and gave up a two-out Lawrence Butler grand slam, putting an earned run on his ledger. Jackson finished with two hits, four earned runs, and two walks while striking out one in one-third of the ninth. Garcia gets tagged with his first loss and an earned run.
- Chris Martin tossed 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit.
Hierarchy Remains: Luke Jackson | Chris Martin | Robert Garcia
Toronto Blue Jays
After firing two clean frames across the ninth and tenth innings, Jeff Hoffman collected his third win on a walk-off rally. He threw 27 pitches (17 strikes – 63 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (22.2 SwStr%).
He owns a minuscule 0.59 WHIP with 22 strikeouts (38.8 K-BB%) through 15.1 innings.
- Brendon Little worked a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and striking out two.
- Yimi García worked a clean seventh, striking out one.
- Chad Green issued a walk and allowed a two-run home run at the top of the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Jeff Hoffman | Yimi García | Chad Green
Quick Hits
- Chicago Cubs: Caleb Thielbar let his only inherited runner score and an earned run on his ledger, giving up Andrew McCutchen’s go-ahead two-RBI double, suffering his first loss and second blown save.
- Chicago White Sox: Cam Booser suffered his second loss, allowing two hits, three earned runs, and two walks, recording one out between the sixth and seventh innings.
- Cincinnati Reds: Another meltdown for Alexis Díaz. He entered at the top of the ninth in Game 1, allowed four hits, including three home runs, resulting in five earned runs, and issued a walk. He has a 2.17 WHIP with three strikeouts against five walks (-6.1 K-BB%) through six innings.
- Los Angeles Angels: Entering at the bottom of the seventh, Reid Detmers gave up five hits, resulting in five earned runs and his first loss without recording an out against the Mariners.
- Miami Marlins: Anthony Bender allowed two hits, an earned run, and a walk over a combined inning of relief. Jesús Tinoco let his only inherited runner score, allowed three hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out one in one-third of the sixth. This spiked his WHIP to 1.56 through 8.1 innings this season.
- New York Mets: With a one-run lead, Ryne Stanek was summoned with one out at the top of the seventh. He induced a groundout, then gave up a single, a Jorge Barrosa double, and Geraldo Perdomo’s pinch-hit two-RBI go-ahead single before an inning-ending lineout. Stanek suffered his third loss and third blown save over his last three appearances—less than optimal.
- New York Yankees: Devin Williams worked a scoreless seventh, walking and striking out one. He threw 12 pitches (41.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%) while facing the Orioles’ 3-4-5 hitters. It’s tough getting count leverage in outings like this.
- San Francisco Giants: Appearing in an eventual loss, Camilo Doval retired the side against the Padres’ 4-5-6 hitters on 13 pitches (61.5 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He owns a nine-game scoreless streak with a win, three holds, and an 8:2 K:BB (21.5 K-BB%) across 8.2 innings.
- Seattle Mariners: Casey Legumina collected his second win, navigating around a hit and a walk in a scoreless seventh ahead of his team’s six-run outburst at the bottom of the inning.
- St. Louis Cardinals: As the “bulk follower,” Gordon Graceffo collected his first major league win during Game 2. He logged five innings, allowing two hits and an earned run while striking out five.
- The Athletics: Grant Holman collected his third win, tossing two scoreless frames and giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two. Justin Sterner worked a scoreless sixth, walking one and striking out two.
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