Wednesday’s full slate resulted in three wins and five losses by relievers, with eight saves converted. Of those eight, seven were a reliever’s first of the season, and a hat trick were their career-first saves, highlighted in yellow. Here are the saves in condensed form:
Today’s three takeaways cover Houston, Texas, and the A’s. As for the vulture options across today’s slate:
Vulture Save Options for 4.9.2026
- Tony Santillan (CIN): He’s on two days’ rest, and Pagán has pitched four times in five days between last Thursday and his save on Tuesday.
- Camilo Doval (NYY): Bednar has appeared in consecutive contests.
- Elvis Alvarado (ATH): Kuhnel has pitched in back-to-back games, Barlow logged 1.2 innings, and Leiter Jr. threw 28 pitches on Tuesday, leaving the flamethrower in line for a save chance in today’s contest.
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Contact and traffic have been a recurring theme for David Bednar early this season. Taking over a tied game at the top of the ninth, he allowed a lead-off single by Nick Kurtz, followed by Shea Langeliers’ double, and after a strikeout, yielded a go-ahead sacrifice fly by Brent Rooker. Bednar suffered his first loss, giving up two hits and an earned run while striking out two on 21 pitches (17 strikes – 81 Strike%) with three whiffs (14.3 SwStr%). Both hits were on 1-2 counts, which points toward his struggles with putting hitters away for strikeouts this season:
Across six games this season, he owns a 1.896 WHIP with seven strikeouts versus three walks (13.3 K-BB%). Of more concern, he’s allowed multiple hits in three of his four outings in April. His swinging strike percentage is 8.8 percent, over five percentage points below last year’s result and he’s allowing more contact, currently at 83.1 percent, up by more than 13 percent while working with reduced velocity:
It’s a limited sample, and there is time for improved results, but the lack of depth in this leverage ladder requires the closer to be effective. The good news is that he’s converted all five save chances; his velocity and ratios should be monitored closely for the remainder of April.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Camilo Doval | Fernando Cruz
Three Takeaways
Houston, we still have a problem: Getting in work during a non-save outing in Coors Field may not be the required recipe for Bryan Abreu. Entering against the 3-4-5 lineup pocket, he issued consecutive one-out walks to Hunter Goodman and Jake McCarthy, recorded a strikeout against Ezequiel Tovar, followed by Troy Johnston’s RBI single, and an inning-ending strikeout. Abreu finished with a hit, an earned run, and two walks while striking out two, throwing 22 pitches (50 Strike%) with only one whiff.
He has made five appearances, lasting only 3.2 innings, resulting in eight strikeouts against seven walks (4.5 K-BB%) and a 3.27 WHIP, which fantasy players would tolerate if it were his ERA, but that’s at 19.64 with a 6.08 SIERA, and 12.78 xERA. Abreu clearly does not trust his fastball, working with slightly reduced velocity:
His strike percentage for the season is a paltry 48.9 percent, and with the four-seam, it dips to a 37 percent strike rate. All of this manifests in more contact (up over six percentage points versus 2025) and traffic on the bases. In this small sample, his slider has a .685 weighted on-base average (wOBA), and his fastball sits at a .518 wOBA. Worst, his batted ball results. He’s only allowed seven batted ball events with two barrels (28.6 percent barrel rate) and an 85.7 hard-hit percentage. There have been zero signs of improvement, though he does have a save, but Bryan King may be needed for a save chance this weekend in Seattle, if this bullpen can get a lead into the ninth inning.
Hierarchy Remains: *Bryan Abreu | *Bryan King | Kai-Wei Teng
*= closer-by-committee
Are the Rangers restructuring leverage roles? Cole Winn recorded his first MLB save with a scoreless top of the ninth against the Mariners’ 9-1-2-3 hitters, giving up a leadoff single by Cole Young, then retiring the next three batters, two on strikeouts. Winn threw 16 pitches (62.5 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
This marked his seventh appearance, during which he’s posted a 1.106 WHIP with six strikeouts versus two walks (15.4 K-BB%) across 6.1 scoreless frames.
Luis Curvelo logged two clean innings and recorded two strikeouts for his first hold. He could carve out more leverage work with continued success. Chris Martin fired a clean sixth, striking out one for his first hold. Robert Garcia was not used, but he and others may have been unavailable:
This weekend should reveal how Skip Schumaker maps out save opportunities going forward, though roles may remain fluid.
Updated Hierarchy: *Jakob Junis | *Cole Winn | *Jacob Latz
*=closer-by-committee
Who had the A’s save? On a random reliever gets a save day, Joel Kuhnel retired the side and recorded a strikeout at the bottom of the ninth, shutting the door on his first save of the season, and first since June 14, 2022. He threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (25 SwStr%) versus the Yankees’ 7-8-9 lineup pocket.
Elvis Alvarado took over in the eighth, retiring both batters, including an inning-ending strikeout of Jazz Chisolm Jr., resulting in his second win. He threw 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%).
He remains a work in progress, but outings like this hint at an eventual higher-leverage role in this bullpen. Hogan Harris recorded an out in the seventh and eighth innings, issuing two walks and striking out two. Scott Barlow logged 1.2 scoreless frames, striking out four. For now:
Hierarchy Remains: *Mark Leiter Jr. | *Hogan Harris | *Elvis Alvarado
*= closer-by-committee
Wednesday’s slate featured eight saves, with seven relievers recording their first of the season, and three career-firsts. Here are the remaining events of interest.
American League
Baltimore Orioles
Attempting his first MLB save opportunity, Rico Garcia issued a four-pitch lead-off walk, then recorded consecutive strikeouts, walked Miguel Vargas with two outs, and then bore down, inducing a game-ending groundout against Colson Montgomery for his first save. He threw 22 pitches (10 strikes – 45.5 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (18.2 SwStr%). He allowed one walk against his first 15 batters this season, then two in this outing, considering it a learning curve.
- Anthony Nunez fired a clean eighth and recorded a strikeout for his first hold.
- Grant Wolfram notched his third hold, giving up a hit and striking out one in a scoreless seventh.
- Tyler Wells tossed a scoreless sixth, walking and striking out one for his fourth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Helsley | Rico Garcia | Grant Wolfram
Boston Red Sox
Completing a combined shutout, Ryan Watson retired the side at the top of the ninth. Tyler Samaniego issued a walk and recorded a strikeout in the eighth during his MLB debut.
Aroldis Chapman warmed up to face the Brewers’ top of the lineup, but stopped when the save situation evaporated.
However, fantasy managers must account for the fact that there will be games he’s not used strictly as the closer.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Justin Slaten
Cleveland Guardians
Although the lead expanded by five runs at the bottom of the inning, Matt Festa was credited with his first save, stranding two runners at the top of the eighth. He finished with 1.1 scoreless innings, walking and striking out one.
- Erik Sabrowski gave up two hits and recorded a strikeout during two-thirds scoreless in the eighth.
- Connor Brogdon worked 1.1 clean frames and struck out three for his first hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Shawn Armstrong | Erik Sabrowksi
Minnesota Twins
Derek Shelton’s wheel of save opportunities landed on Kody Funderburk at the top of the ninth against Detroit. He navigated around a one-out walk and a hit batter with a fielder’s choice groundout, followed by a game-ending lineout, recording two outs for his first save of the season, third of his career.
- Cody Lawyerson logged 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out two for his first hold.
- Cole Sands let his only inherited runner score, allowing a single and throwing a wild pitch, then recording an inning-ending strikeout for his third hold.
- Anthony Banda gave up four hits and four earned runs while striking out one over two-thirds of the seventh.
- Justin Topa stranded two runners in the sixth, giving up a hit and retiring one batter.
The Twins have produced four saves in their first six wins, with four different relievers recording them; less than optimal from a fantasy perspective.
Hierarchy Remains: *Cole Sands | *Justin Topa | *Kody Funderburk
*= closer-by-committee
Toronto Blue Jays
Though the ride was bumpy, Jeff Hoffman secured his second save, closing out a one-run lead against the Dodgers, taking over against the top of the lineup. He recorded a strikeout against Shohei Ohtani, allowed a single (Kyle Tucker), and a walk (Will Smith) before striking out Freddie Freeman, and inducing a game-ending groundout by Max Muncy. Hoffman threw 21 pitches (12 strikes – 57.1 Strike%) and produced two whiffs.
Through seven games, he owns a 1.50 WHIP with 15 strikeouts against two walks (41.9 K-BB%) over 6.2 innings.
- Tyler Rogers collected his first win, logging 1.2 scoreless frames, though he let one of two inherited runners score in the seventh. He gave up a hit and a walk while striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Jeff Hoffman | Tyler Rogers | Louis Varland
Quick Hits
- Detroit Tigers: Appearing in an eventual loss, Will Vest fired a clean bottom of the eighth, striking out one on 15 pitches (8 strikes – 53.3 Strike%) with one whiff. Kyle Finnegan issued two walks during a scoreless seventh.
- Houston Astros: A.J. Blubaugh was tagged with his first loss, allowing four hits, five earned runs, and three walks at the bottom of the second.
National League
Miami Marlins
Earning his first career save, Michael Petersen navigated around consecutive hits leading off the ninth by Tyler Stephenson and Noelvi Marte with two strikeouts and a groundout. He threw 22 pitches (17 strikes – 77.3 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
- Lake Bachar tossed a clean eighth, striking out two for his first hold.
- Andrew Nardi allowed a hit during a scoreless seventh, securing his second hold.
- Ryan Gusto notched his first hold, retiring the side and striking out one in the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Pete Fairbanks | Calvin Faucher | Anthony Bender
San Diego Padres
Appearing in his hometown ballpark, Mason Miller fired a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out two on 10 pitches (90 Strike%) while generating five whiffs.
Through 5.1 scoreless frames, he’s retired 13 of 18 batters via strikeout (72.2 K%) against one walk (66.6 K-BB%) with a minuscule 0.375 WHIP.
- Jeremiah Estrada notched his third hold, allowing a hit during a scoreless eighth.
- Kyle Hart worked around a hit and a walk, securing his second hold in a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Jeremiah Estrada | Adrian Morejon
San Francisco Giants
Closing out a combined shutout, Erik Miller retired the side and recorded two strikeouts at the top of the ninth, facing the Phillies’ 7-8-9 lineup pocket.
- Blade Tidwell notched his first hold, working a clean eighth.
- Caleb Kilian stranded a runner while walking and striking out one in two-thirds of the seventh for his first hold.
- Matt Gage collected his first win, stranding a runner in the sixth while allowing a hit and striking out one, recording an out in the sixth and seventh innings.
As for roles moving forward, this article by Alex Pavlovic for NBC Sports Bay Area shared these thoughts by manager Tony Vitello:
Not exactly music to fantasy managers’ ears.
Hierarchy Remains: *Ryan Walker | *Caleb Kilian | *Keaton Winn
*= closer-by-committee
St. Louis Cardinals
In a non-save appearance, Riley O’Brien retired the side at the bottom of the ninth against the Nationals. He threw 15 pitches (8 strikes – 53.3 Strike%) and two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%).
This marked his fourth game finished in his last five games, during which he’s converted all three save chances with five strikeouts and no walks (29.4 K-BB%).
- Justin Bruihl notched his first hold, retiring his only batter in the eighth.
- Matt Svanson worked 1.2 scoreless frames, walking and striking out one, securing his first hold.
Hierarchy Remains: *Riley O’Brien | *JoJo Romero | Ryne Stanek
*= closer-by-committee – but if O’Brien gets the next save, this will no longer be a committee.
Washington Nationals
Another rough day for this leverage ladder, resulting in a combined four earned runs over the last six innings. Brad Lord was the first reliever in, tossing three innings, giving up a solo home run, and striking out two.
- Cionel Pérez gave up a hit, an earned run, and two walks while striking out one in the seventh.
- Cole Henry worked 1.2 innings, resulting in two earned runs on a walk and a hit batter, while striking out three.
- PJ Poulin let both inherited runners score after issuing a walk, and Yohel Pozo’s two-RBI single during one-third of the ninth.
Hierarchy Remains: *Clayton Beeter | *Cole Henry | PJ Poulin
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Chicago Cubs: In a non-save capacity, Hunter Harvey allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout during a scoreless bottom of the ninth, finishing a four-run win over the Rays. Ben Brown worked two innings, giving up two hits and an earned run while striking out three.
- Colorado Rockies: For a second straight game, and in a sweep of the Astros, a Rockies reliever finished a win with a multi-inning outing. Zach Agnos notched his first save, logging 3.1 innings, yielding a hit and striking out two on 44 pitches (29 strikes – 65.9 Strike%) with six whiffs (13.6 SwStr%).
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Suffering his first loss, Ben Casparius issued a one-out walk, followed by a single, and a run on a stolen base with a throwing error, breaking the tied score.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Taking over a scoreless tie at the top of the seventh, Justin Lawrence suffered his first loss, giving up three hits, inducing a two-run home run (Jake Cronenworth), and four runs (three earned) with two strikeouts.
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