Wednesday’s full slate provided some rough late-night results on fantasy teams’ ratios. Relievers recorded eight wins and seven losses while converting eight saves. Here are the saves in condensed form:
As for the vulture options across today’s slate:
Vulture Save Options for 4.16.2026
- Will Vest (DET): Jansen has pitched in back-to-back games
- Tony Santillan (CIN): Pagán may avoid the IL, but game readiness remains in flux.
- Bryan King (HOU): De Los Santos has appeared in consecutive games.
- Ryan Zeferjahn (LAA): Two blown saves in three days probably translates into an off day for Romano.
- Ángel Zerpa (MIL): Uribe has been used in the two previous games.
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Death, taxes, and the dreaded non-save outings blowing up ratios reared their ugly head on Wednesday night. With a four-run lead, Andrés Muñoz was brought in to secure the win after last pitching on Saturday. First, he was missing arm side with his sinker, making his pitches predictable:
Things went sideways because of spotty command and soft contact. He walked Manny Machado leading off the inning, a leverage mortal sin, followed by an opposite field double against the shift by Gavin Sheets, a strikeout, an infield single by Ty Francie loading the bases, a sacrifice fly by Fernando Tatis Jr., and consecutive RBI singles, prompting his removal.
Jose A. Ferrer gave up a walk-off, two-RBI single by Jackson Merrill. Muñoz finished his second loss with four hits, five earned runs, and a walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning, spiking his WHIP to 1.95 through his first 6.2 innings.
The good news is that he was not giving up loud contact:
Beneath his current 9.45 ERA lies a 3.65 SIERA and a 3.86 xERA. His 59 percent strike rate does provide some concern, along with two barrels in his first 18 batted ball events this season. Hope can be found in his 18.8 percent swinging strike rate and 58.8 percent contact rate allowed. Better days should ensue, but this outing will be a bitter pill for a team’s ratios to swallow.
New York Mets
Making his first appearance in eight days during a non-save situation went as expected for Devin Williams. His outing started with a Teoscar Hernández single, followed by Max Muncy’s walk, and an Andy Pages single, loading the bases ahead of Dalton Rushing’s grand slam. That’s three hits and four earned runs before recording an out, nuking ratios. He did record a strikeout against Hyeseong Kim before being removed. Williams threw 19 pitches (10 strikes – 52.6 Strike%) and only induced one whiff, swelling his WHIP to 2.063 through his first 5.1 innings. First, his illustrator:
And, his results:
This outing, combined with his team’s recent struggles, make this hurt even more. However, he has a 3.19 SIERA and a 2.22 xERA after this game. Of his 15 batted ball events, there have not been any barrels and he owns a 26.7 hard-hit percentage. Positive regression lies in the offing, but it will not erase this rough outing.
Three Takeaways
Romano cannot escape from the Bronx: A tough luck second loss and second blown save in this series for Jordan Romano. After retiring Giancarlo Stanton on a lineout, Jazz Chisolm Jr. reached on a pop-up and was credited with a single, followed by a stolen base, and an Austin Wells walk. With the runners in motion, José Caballero hit a ball in the gap, scoring both. Romano finished with two hits, two earned runs, and a walk during his one-third of the ninth. He threw 21 pitches (12 strikes – 57.1 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (14.3 SwStr%). His WHIP rose again, this time to 1.887, and he’s produced seven strikeouts against five walks (7.7 K-BB%) through 5.1 innings. Focusing on his 3.76 xERA and 4.88 SIERA, these appearances have opened the door for role changes during save situations when Kirby Yates and Ben Joyce return.
Hierarchy Remains: Jordan Romano | Drew Pomeranz | Chase Silseth
Uribe states his case: Nailing down his first save of the season, Abner Uribe made a one-run lead stand up, firing a clean top of the ninth and recording one strikeout on 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with three whiffs (25 SwStr%). Seeing past his inflated BABIP (.364) in his early outings, he’s posted eight strikeouts against one walk (22.6 K-BB%) through 7.1 innings. This game may not be enough for a full hierarchical change by Pat Murphy, but given the chance, “El Pistolero” will be ready for more save opportunities. Also, Aaron Ashby collected his fourth win, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out three during a scoreless eighth. He’s tied with José Soriano for the major league lead in wins this season.
Updated Hierarchy: *Abner Uribe | *Ángel Zerpa | Trevor Megill
*= closer-by-committee
Colorado provides a spark for the Astros bullpen: The “Road Rockies” have helped Houston reset its leverage ladder in this series. Matching his career-high for saves in a season, Enyel De Los Santos secured his second save, retiring the side and striking out two against Colorado’s 9-1-2 lineup pocket. He threw 14 pitches (11 strikes – 78.6 Strike%) and induced one whiff. Bryan Abreu stranded a runner at the top of the seventh and logged 1.1 scoreless innings, yielding a walk and striking out two for his second hold. Steven Okert allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout during his two-thirds of the seventh, getting credit for his second hold. Plus, Josh Hader continues his rehab protocols, though it may be weeks, not days, reading between the lines in this update provided by Brian McTaggart for MLB.com:
Plan accordingly, and also for more matchup-based save chances in the interim.
Updated Hierarchy: *Enyel De Los Santos | *Bryan King | *Bryan Abreu
*= closer-by-committee
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Wednesday’s slate.
American League
Baltimore Orioles
Tasked with the top of the tenth, Tyler Wells suffered his loss, allowing three hits, including Adrian Del Castillo’s two-run home run, and three runs (two earned).
Ryan Helsley fired a clean ninth, striking out two on 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) and producing three whiffs (27.3 SwStr%).
He has retired his last six batters, four via strikeout, with a 26.1 percent swinging strike rate.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Helsley | Rico Garcia | Grant Wolfram
Detroit Tigers
Moving within 20 of his next goal, Kenley Jansen notched his fourth save, the 480th of his career, working around a two-out single and a passed ball with a game-ending flyout, preserving another one-run win over the Royals. He threw 20 pitches (75 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (15 SwStr%) while recording one strikeout. After six games, he owns a 0.857 WHIP with seven strikeouts versus one walk (33.3 K-BB%) across 4.2 innings.
- Kyle Finnegan collected his first win, allowing a hit during 1.1 scoreless innings.
- Tyler Holton gave up two hits during his two-thirds of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Will Vest | Kyle Finnegan
New York Yankees
Taking over with his team trailing by one at the top of the ninth, David Bednar retired the side and recorded two strikeouts, facing the Angels’ 7-8-9 lineup pocket. He collected his first win courtesy of a walk-off rally. Bednar threw eight pitches (87.5 Strike%) and generated three whiffs (37.5 SwStr%). This marked his eighth appearance, during which he owns a 1.956 WHIP with 10 strikeouts versus four walks (15.8 SwStr%) across 7.2 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Camilo Doval | Fernando Cruz
The Athletics
Forced into action at the top of the eighth, Joel Kuhnel locked down his third save, retiring all four Texas hitters faced and recording two strikeouts while preserving a one-run lead. He threw 24 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced four whiffs (16.7 SwStr%), facing the 6-7-8-9 batters.
- Mark Leiter Jr. created the save chance, allowing tw hits, including a pinch-hit three-run home run by Jake Burger, and a walk while striking out one during his two-thirds of the eighth inning.
- Scott Barlow notched his fourth hold, giving up a hit and striking out one in a scoreless seventh.
- Hogan Harris collected his first win, stranded a runner, and retired both batters in the sixth, one via strikeout.
Hierarchy Remains: *Joel Kuhnel | *Hogan Harris | *Mark Leiter Jr.
*= closer-by-committee
Toronto Blue Jays
Called upon with a 1-0 lead at the bottom of the eighth, Tyler Rogers suffered his first loss and a first blown save in Milwaukee. He allowed David Hamlton’s lead-off single, then Sal Frelick reached on an error by the catcher, and a William Contreras RBI single tied the game. Rogers induced a groundout against Brice Turang, but the go-ahead run scored. His line finished as two hits, two runs (one earned), and a walk during his inning of relief.
Hierarchy Remains: Jeff Hoffman | Tyler Rogers | Louis Varland
Quick Hits
- Cleveland Guardians: As the first reliever in, Connor Brogdon suffered his second loss, giving up two hits, three earned runs, and a walk during his 1.1 innings in St. Louis.
- Kansas City Royals: Entering a tied game at the bottom of the eighth, Eli Morgan allowed two hits, including Wenceel Pérez’s go-ahead solo home run, and a walk while striking out one en route to his first loss.
- Minnesota Twins: Appearing in a loss, Justin Topa allowed a walk during a scoreless top of the seventh. Kody Funderburk fired a clean eighth, striking out two. Eric Orze worked a scoreless ninth, yielding a hit and striking out one.
- Texas Rangers: Appearing in an eventual loss, Jacob Latz retired the side against the A’s 9-1-2 lineup pocket at the bottom of the eighth. Cole Winn allowed two hits, both home runs, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out two during his combined inning of relief. Jalen Beeks was charged with his first loss, giving up a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out two during his combined inning. Chris Martin and Luis Curvelo were placed on the 15-day injured list prior to this game.
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks
Securing his first save of the season and the second of his career, Juan Morillo bounced back from a rough outing on Monday with a clean bottom of the tenth, striking out one, closing out a three-run lead. He threw 10 pitches (70 Strike%) and induced two whiffs.
- Ryan Thompson collected his first win, firing a clean bottom of the ninth against Baltimore’s top of the lineup.
Hierarchy Remains: Paul Sewald | Juan Morillo | Jonathan Loáisiga
Atlanta Braves
Recording his fourth save, Raisel Iglesias worked around a two-out single with three strikeouts, closing out a three-run lead against the Marlins. He threw 12 pitches (91.7 Strike%) and generated an eye-popping seven whiffs (58.3 SwStr%).
He’s posted a 0.522 WHIP with 10 strikeouts versus no walks (38.5 K-BB%) through 7.2 innings.
- Robert Suarez stranded one of two inherited runners on a fielder’s choice groundout, followed by an inning-ending double play groundout for his third hold in the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Robert Suarez | Dylan Lee
Pittsburgh Pirates
Preserving a combined shutout and locking down his second save, Dennis Santana worked around hitting CJ Abrams with a pitch with one out by inducing consecutive lineouts. He threw 21 pitches (12 strikes – 57.1 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (9.5 SwStr%). Through nine innings, he owns a 0.67 WHIP with six strikeouts versus four walks (6.3 K-BB%).
- Gregory Soto fired a clean eighth, striking out two while facing Washington’s top of the lineup, the highest leveraged moment, throwing 15 pitches (60 Strike%) with two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%).
- Carmen Mlodzinski collected his first win as the “bulk follower,” scattering two hits and walking two while striking out five over six innings.
Hierarchy Remains: *Gregory Soto | *Dennis Santana | Isaac Mattson
*= closer-by-committee
St. Louis Cardinals
Shutting the door on his fifth save, Riley O’Brien retired the side and recorded two strikeouts against the Guardians’ 4-5-6 lineup pocket. He threw 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%).
Through 10 appearances, he’s posted a minuscule 0.387 WHIP with 11 strikeouts and no walks (31.4 K-BB%) across 10.1 innings, allowing one unearned run.
- JoJo Romero worked 1.1 scoreless frames, striking out one for his fifth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Riley O’Brien | JoJo Romero | Ryne Stanek
Quick Hits
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Things were progressing toward a potential save chance by Edwin Díaz, who was available, but he was not needed. Blake Treinen secured his fourth hold, allowing a hit and striking out one during a scoreless top of the seventh. Tanner Scott retired the side in the eighth while facing the Mets’ 9-1-2 hitters, securing his fourth hold.
- San Diego Padres: Working two scoreless innings while giving up a hit and a walk with three strikeouts resulted in a win for Alek Jacob courtesy of a walk-off rally.
- Washington Nationals: Logging three scoreless frames in an eventual shutout loss, Brad Lord allowed a hit and recorded two strikeouts versus the Pirates.
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