Sunday’s full slate resulted in five wins and four losses by relievers, with seven saves converted. Here are the saves in condensed form:
As for the vulture options across today’s slate, noting ten teams are on a bye:
Vulture Save Options for 4.13.2026
- Bryan King (HOU): Going to the well one more time, especially since Abreu has pitched in back-to-back games.
- Tanner Scott (LAD): If Díaz is unavailable, the veteran southpaw can fill in capably.
- Ben Brown (CHC): Palencia has appeared in back-to-back games, combined with Hunter Harvey and Phil Maton, both on the injured list.
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Preserving a three-run lead against the Dodgers, Jakob Junis navigated around a one-out walk with two strikeouts, including Shohei Ohtani, securing his third save. He threw 19 pitches (10 strikes -52.6 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (10.5 SwStr%) against the 8-9-1-2 batters.
He’s posted a 0.50 WHIP with six strikeouts versus one walk (14.3 K-BB%) over his first eight innings.
- Cole Winn notched his third hold, stranding two runners in the seventh, and tossing 1.1 scoreless innings, walking and striking out one.
- Jacob Latz gave up two hits, an earned run, and a walk during two-thirds of the seventh, getting credit for his second hold.
Skip Schumaker may not be willing to write Junis’ name in ink as the closer, but usage patterns suggest otherwise.
Updated Hierarchy: Jakob Junis | Cole Winn | Jacob Latz
Three Takeaways
Abreu’s scoreless in low leverage: Making an appearance during a loss, Bryan Abreu gave up a single by Julio Rodríguez, followed by a stolen base, induced a groundout against Josh Naylor, walked Randy Arozarena, and turned in a scoreless eighth, getting an inning-ending groundout by Luke Raley. He threw 27 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with three whiffs (11.1 SwStr%), with an increase in velocity despite working on consecutive days:
This outing represents his first scoreless one through his first seven this season. He owns a 3.60 WHIP with 11 strikeouts versus ten walks through five innings.
Hierarchy Remains: *Bryan Abreu | *Bryan King | *A.J. Blubaugh
*= closer-by-committee
What about Edwin? Following his team’s loss on Sunday, Dave Roberts would not comment about the status of his closer:
This left fantasy players in the dark ahead of Sunday night’s FAAB or waivers. Perhaps he needs another day or two of rest, but the team feels it’s not mechanical:
Stay tuned and remain flexible, as the Dodgers will during save chances if he misses more games without an injured-list stint. For now:
Hierarchy Remains: Edwin Díaz | Tanner Scott | Alex Vesia
In Kuhnel, Kotsay trusts? Sealing a combined shutout and a sweep of the Mets, Joel Kuhnel retired the side facing the 2-3-4 lineup pocket. He threw four pitches (75 Strike%) and did not induce a whiff. He’s recorded a save in two of his last three appearances. Elvis Alvarado stranded a runner while retiring his only batter, Francisco Lindor, on a groundout for his second hold. Scott Barlow worked a scoreless combined inning despite issuing a walk. Hogan Harris stranded two runners in the sixth and recorded two strikeouts of three batters faced, in a clean inning of work for his third hold.
As for the team on this road trip, the A’s went 5-1 in New York City:
Roles, like consistency, are fleeting for this leverage ladder. Hopefully, some clarity emerges by the end of the month; until then, it’s all hands on deck for this franchise.
Updated Hierarchy: *Joel Kuhnel | *Hogan Harris | *Elvis Alvarado
*= closer-by-committee
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Sunday’s slate.
American League
Chicago White Sox
Handed a one-run lead at the bottom of the ninth, Seranthony Domínguez worked around a two-out walk of Bobby Witt Jr. with a game-ending strikeout of Vinnie Pasquantino for his third save. He threw 15 pitches (60 Strike%) and recorded three whiffs (20 SwStr%) while striking out two in this outing.
He lowered his WHIP to 1.411 and has a 7:4 K:BB (11.5 K-BB%) through 5.2 innings.
- Lucas Sims worked a clean eighth, striking out one for his second hold.
- Jordan Leasure collected his first win, logging 1.1 scoreless frames while walking one.
- Grant Taylor recorded two clean frames, striking out two as the “opener.” His first multi-inning appearance as a starter this year.
Updated Hierarchy: Seranthony Domínguez | Lucas Sims | Jordan Leasure
Tampa Bay Rays
Working into and eventually out of trouble, Mason Englert held on for his first save. However, his outing began with Ben Rice’s lead-off single and a two-run home run by Aaron Judge. He settled in, striking out Cody Bellinger, retiring Jazz Chisolm Jr., but Amed Rosario doubled, followed by an intentional walk (Austin Wells), before a game-ending groundout by Ryan McMahon. Englert finished with three hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one.
- Kevin Kelly let one of two inherited runners score, giving up a hit during 1.2 scoreless frames for his second hold.
Hierarchy Remains: *Bryan Baker | *Griffin Jax | | *Ian Seymour
*= closer-by-committee
Toronto Blue Jays
Appearing during a six-run loss, Jeff Hoffman fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts. He threw 12 pitches (83.3 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (41.7 SwStr%) versus the Twins’ 9-1-2 hitters.
After eight appearances, he’s posted a robust 17:2 K:BB (44.1 K-BB%) with a 1.304 WHIP across 7.2 innings.
- Tyler Rogers worked a scoreless eighth, yielding a hit.
- Louis Varland tossed a clean seventh, striking out the side.
Hierarchy Remains: Jeff Hoffman | Tyler Rogers | Louis Varland
Quick Hits
- Baltimore Orioles: Finishing off a win over the Giants, Tyler Wells worked two innings, giving up a solo shot by Casey Schmitt and striking out one in a non-save appearance. Anthony Nunez stranded a runner while striking out his only batter in the seventh.
- Detroit Tigers: Taking over with a runner on and two outs in the seventh, Kyle Finnegan stranded him despite giving up two hits over 1.1 scoreless frames.
- Kansas City Royals: Pressed into action with the bases loaded and one out, Nick Mears was charged with his first blown save, letting one runner score on a walk while retiring two hitters, one via strikeout, resulting in his first blown save. John Schreiber suffered his first loss, giving up a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one in the seventh.
- Minnesota Twins: Closing out a six-run lead in Toronto, Justin Topa allowed a hit during a scoreless bottom of the ninth. Andrew Morris secured his first hold, logging three innings, giving up six hits and an earned run while striking out two.
- New York Yankees: During an eventual loss, Camilo Doval retired all three batters in the bottom of the seventh against the Rays, allowing a sacrifice fly by Junior Caminero, inducing a pop-out by Jonathan Aranda, and a Yandy Díaz lineout.
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks
Shutting the door on his fifth save, Paul Sewald fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts against the Phillies 7-8-9 lineup pocket. He threw 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) and induced one whiff (9.1 SwStr%).
Through 6.1 innings, he’s converted all five save chances with nine strikeouts against zero walks (39.1 K-BB%) and a 0.632 WHIP.
- Ryan Thompson stranded two runners while retiring both batters in the eighth for his third hold.
- Kevin Ginkel allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one in one-third of the eighth, credited with his second hold.
- Taylor Clarke collected his first win, allowing a hit during a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Paul Sewald | Juan Morillo | Jonathan Loáisiga
Chicago Cubs
It was not a save, but Daniel Palencia earned his first win, preserving a tied game at the top of the ninth. He worked around a walk and recorded two strikeouts facing Pittsburgh’s 8-9-1-2 hitters, throwing 16 pitches (9 strikes – 56.3 Strike%) and generating five whiffs (31.3 SwStr%).
He’s only made five appearances this season, posting a 1.00 WHIP with five strikeouts against two walks (15.8 K-BB%).
- Ethan Roberts stranded a runner while retiring both batters in the eighth, one via strikeout.
- Riley Martin gave up a hit and struck out two over his 1.1 scoreless innings.
Updated Hierarchy: Daniel Palencia | Ben Brown | Caleb Thielbar
Milwaukee Brewers
Entering at the top of the seventh, Abner Uribe suffered his first blown save, giving up two hits that resulted in two earned runs over two-thirds of the inning. Ángel Zerpa let his only inherited runner score, and struggled during his combined relief outing, allowing four hits, four earned runs, and a walk while only retiring two batters across the seventh and eighth innings, saddling him with his first loss.
- Aaron Ashby let both inherited runners score, yielding a hit and striking out one during his two-thirds of the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Ángel Zerpa
Washington Nationals
Recording his first MLB save, Gus Varland fired a clean bottom of the ninth while striking out one against the Brewers’ 9-1-2 lineup pocket. He threw eight pitches (87.5 Strike%) and induced one whiff (12.5 SwStr%). He had allowed at least a run in his two previous appearances.
- PJ Poulin collected his second win, working 1.1 scoreless frames while giving up a hit.
- Cole Henry was forced into action after an injury and struggled. He issued a walk to Brice Turang charged to Ken Waldichuk, walked William Contreras, and served up a go-ahead three-run home run by Gary Sánchez, putting two earned on his ledger, a second blown save, and prompting his removal.
Updated Hierarchy: *Clayton Beeter | *Gus Varland | *PJ Poulin
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Atlanta Braves: Taking the baton from Chris Sale and finishing a lopsided win, Dylan Dodd notched his first career major league save, logging three scoreless innings, allowing a hit and striking out two against Cleveland. He threw 33 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
- Colorado Rockies: Summoned for the bottom of the eighth in an eventual loss, Victor Vodnik issued a lead-off walk, recorded a strikeout, and induced an inning-ending double play groundout while facing the Padres’ 9-1-2 hitters. He threw 13 pitches (61.5 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). After six games, he owns a 1.571 WHIP with five strikeouts against three walks through seven innings.
- New York Mets: In an extended outing during a shutout loss, Sean Manaea fired three clean frames and recorded four strikeouts on 41 pitches (80.5 Strike%) with five whiffs (12.2 SwStr%).
- Philadelphia Phillies: Taking over at the top of the eighth, José Alvarado suffered his first loss and a first blown save, giving up two hits and two earned runs while retiring one batter versus Arizona. Jonathan Bowlan let his only inherited runner score, allowing a hit and a walk while recording both outs via strikeout in the eighth.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: With the bullpen running on fumes, José Urquidy was tasked with a tie score at the bottom of the ninth. He allowed Michael Conforto’s lead-off double, followed by Alex Bregman’s single, induced a groundout, walked Seiya Suzuki, then gave up Carson Kelly’s walk-off RBI single, resulting in his first loss.
- San Diego Padres: Called upon at the top of the sixth, David Morgan logged 1.2 scoreless innings, walking one and striking out four. He was awarded his second win as a result.
- San Francisco Giants: Getting in work at the bottom of the sixth, Ryan Walker let his only inherited runner score, giving up three hits and an earned run on his ledger while striking out two. He threw 20 pitches (65 Strike%) and produced three whiffs.
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