Saturday was overwhelming at times. Of the 15 games, only one did not have a reliever record at least a win or a save: the Yankees’ win over Kansas City. Otherwise, relief pitchers recorded seven wins and seven losses while converting 11 saves. Here are the saves in condensed form:
As for the vulture options across today’s slate:
Vulture Save Options for 4.19.2026
- Robert Suarez (ATL): Iglesias was unavailable because of a stiff shoulder, and one more day of rest makes sense.
- Louis Varland (TOR): Yes, the manager still trusts Hoffman as the closer, but his elevated pitch count yesterday may necessitate a day off today.
- Erik Miller (SF): The Giants intentionally walked James Wood two times during an extra-inning win. If he hits in the ninth, plan on Miller facing him. If he pitches earlier, then Keaton Winn may be in line for his first save chance.
- Hunter Bigge (TB): His leverage ladder is running on fumes after a 13-inning win in Pittsburgh. Baker threw 31 pitches, and Jax has appeared in three-straight contests.
Vulture Save Stashes for 4.20.2026
- Will Vest (DET): If Jansen pitches again today, it will be back-to-back appearances.
- Orion Kerkering (PHI): If Keller is used in today’s game, he will have pitched in consecutive contests.
- JoJo Romero (STL): If O’Brien receives a save opportunity today, he will have worked in both games this weekend.
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Taking over a tied game at the bottom of the eighth, Jeff Hoffman allowed consecutive singles, issued Ketel Marte a walk, loading the bases, then served up a go-ahead grand slam by Corbin Carroll, resulting in his second loss. He retired the next three batters, two via strikeout, but the damage had been done. His illustrator:
Acknowledging he needed to throw fewer four-seam fastballs after allowing 10 of his 15 home runs last year with them, he grooved one to Carroll behind in the count:
This marks consecutive outings allowing multiple runs, and his WHIP has ballooned to 2.036 with 20 strikeouts versus six walks (29.2 K-BB%) across 9.1 innings. On the one hand, only two qualified relievers have a higher strikeout percentage than Hoffman’s 41.7:
- Mason Miller – 71.4 percent
- Mason Montgomery – 45 percent
He’s also fourth in swinging strike rate (20.9 percent), and tied for 17th in SIERA (2.17). However, in save situations this season, not including last night’s outing, which does not count, he has a 6.23 ERA, a 2.538 WHIP, an inflated .600 BABIP allowing seven hits while facing 25 hitters, and a 10:4 K:BB (24 K-BB%). Both home runs he’s allowed are against his four-seam fastball, despite using the pitch less:
Publicly, his manager has his back, with quotes from the game recap by Keegan Matheson for MLB.com:
His teammates, specifically Max Scherzer, also supports his teammate:
It’s John Schneider’s job to support his players in post-game interviews, as Matheson shares in this Twitter video. There is a fine line between being supportive of a player and putting him in the best situation to succeed.
Although there may not be a formal announcement, Louis Varland has earned a chance to close out games, whether he’s eased into them or eventually takes over the ninth inning. He’s posted a 1.00 WHIP with 16 strikeouts against three walks (31.7 K-BB%) and a 12.1 swinging strike percentage through ten games, spanning 11 innings. He’s a worthy stash by teams with space on their roster. For now:
Hierarchy Remains: Jeff Hoffman | Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers
Three Takeaways
Counsell called on Caleb: Handed a two-run lead at the top of the ninth, Caleb Thielbar retired the side and recorded two strikeouts, nailing down his first save of the season, almost a year to the date of his last save on April 18, 2025. He threw 14 pitches (11 strikes – 78.6 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%) against a pinch-hitter (Tommy Pham), Marcus Semien, and Tyrone Taylor (also pinch-hitting).
He’s been scoreless in his last three appearances, with seven strikeouts against two walks over 2.2 innings. Ben Brown notched his first hold, working two innings, giving up two hits, an unearned run, and a walk while striking out one. His pattern remains: two innings pitched, then two days off, which translates into fewer opportunities for a potential save. Phil Maton can be activated on April 22, though he’s not being rushed into action. He will be part of the saves matrix when he returns. For now, ride the wave with Thielbar with an eye on pending migration toward the mean.
Updated Hierarchy: *Caleb Thielbar | *Ben Brown | Hoby Milner
*= closer-by-committee
Suarez notched his first for Atlanta: Locking down his first save with his new team, Robert Suarez fired a clean bottom of the ninth, recording strikeouts against Bryce Harper and Adolis García, followed by a game-ending flyout against Rafael Marchán. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (28.6 SwStr%).
This felt like a matchups-based decision since Raisel Iglesias has allowed four home runs among his six hits when facing Harper, but this was not the reason he was not used:
Fantasy managers remember Michael King sleeping incorrectly last year, then missing an extended period of time. Giving the veteran closer one more day off makes sense, but it’s worth monitoring the news cycle despite his strong start this season.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel iglesias | Robert Suarez | Dylan Lee
Vitello summoned Walker? In his previous four games, Ryan Walker entered in the seventh, sixth, eighth, and seventh innings respectively:
So naturally, with a one-run lead at the bottom of the ninth in Washington, it was Walker for the save chance. He suffered his first blown save, giving up a lead-off double, intentionally walking James Wood, retired a batter on a fielder’s choice grounder, but with two outs, gave up a bloop RBI single, tying the game. He also worked into and out of trouble in the tenth, finishing with two scoreless innings, yielding three hits, an earned run, and two walks with two strikeouts. If Nasim Nuñez does not strike out on ball four with the bases loaded or Jorbit Vivas runs out his inning-ending groundout in the tenth, Walker would have been tagged with the loss.
The good news is that Caleb Kilian stranded both “ghost runners” while logging two scoreless frames, issuing a walk (intentional – James Wood), and striking out two. He collected his first career win courtesy of a one-run rally at the top of the 12th. Kilian threw 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) and induced one whiff. As for this leverage ladder, it remains open for debate as Vitello figures out lineup lanes during the late innings.
Hierarchy Remains: *Erik Miller | *Keaton Winn | *Caleb Kilian
*= closer-by-committee
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from a voluminous Saturday slate.
American League
Chicago White Sox
Called upon at the bottom of the 11th, Lucas Sims suffered his second loss, giving up a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly, scoring the “ghost runner.” Jordan Hicks tossed a scoreless tenth, allowing a hit and an intentional walk (Nick Kurtz). Seranthony Domínguez navigated around two walks, one intentional (Lawrence Butler), and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless ninth, preserving the tie score. He threw 16 pitches (50 Strike%) and induced one whiff. Through eight games, he owns a 1.856 WHIP with nine strikeouts against seven walks (5.6 K-BB%) across seven innings.
- Bryan Hudson worked a scoreless eighth, yielding two hits and two walks while striking out two.
- Jordan Leasure was charged with his second blown save, giving up two hits, including a two-run home run by Kurtz, and a walk in the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Seranthony Dominguez | Jordan Leasure | Jordan Hicks
Cleveland Guardians
Slamming the door on his fifth save, Cade Smith fired a clean top of the ninth while striking out the side against the Orioles. He threw 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3 Strike%) and racked up five whiffs (33.3 SwStr%).
He’s posted a 1.273 WHIP with 14 strikeouts against three walks (22.9 K-BB%) through 11 innings. This represents only his third clean appearance this season, but a performance he can build on.
- Hunter Gaddis notched his first hold, giving up a solo home run (Gunnar Henderson) and striking out two in the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Erik Sabrowski
Detroit Tigers
Closing out a three-run lead, Kenley Jansen worked around a leadoff single by Willson Contreras with a fielder’s choice groundout, a lineout, and a game-ending pop-up against Cedanne Rafaela for his fifth save. He threw 14 pitches (8 strikes – 57.1 Strike%) without a whiff. Through seven games, he’s posted a 0.882 WHIP with seven strikeouts versus one walk (27.3 K-BB%) across 5.2 innings.
- Tyler Holton fired two clean frames and recorded two strikeouts for his second hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Will Vest | Kyle Finnegan
Seattle Mariners
A fantasy favorite, the one-out save. Andrés Muñoz was pressed into duty with the bases loaded and two outs against the Rangers. He answered the bell, recording a game-ending strikeout of Brandon Nimmo on four pitches, all strikes, while producing two whiffs (50 SwStr%). Coming off one of the worst outings of his career, this was a much-needed performance. Still, through eight games, he owns a 1.857 WHIP with 11 strikeouts versus five walks (17.6 K-BB%) across seven innings.
- Cole Wilcox made the mess, allowing three hits, two earned runs, and two walks with one strikeout over two-thirds of the ninth.
- Jose A. Ferrer gave up a hit and retired one batter for his second hold.
- Eduard Bazardo (2), Gabe Speier (2), and Matt Brash (3) all secured holds with scoreless appearances.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Matt Brash | Gabe Speier
Tampa Bay Rays
Wrapping up the first 13-inning game of the season, Yoendrys Gómez held on for his first save of the season and second of his career, allowing an RBI single by Konnor Griffin and a walk while striking out one. Griffin Jax collected his first win, walking one and striking out two at the bottom of the 12th.
- Kevin Kelly gave up an unearned run and a walk while striking out two over 1.2 innings.
- Cole Sulser logged 1.1 scoreless innings, walking and striking out one.
- Bryan Baker suffered his second blown save, giving up two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out two at the bottom of the eighth, entering against the 2-3-4 lineup pocket.
- Hunter Bigge (2) and Ian Seymour (4) recorded holds with scoreless outings.
Hierarchy Remains: Bryan Baker | Griffin Jax | Ian Seymour
The Athletics
Forced into action at the top of the ninth with two runners on and two outs, Jack Perkins issued a walk before inducing an inning-ending groundout. He returned for the tenth, and stranded both “ghost runners” before collecting his second win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the 11th. He threw 2.1 scoreless innings, giving up a hit and two walks, while striking out three on 44 pitches (27 strikes – 61.3 Strike%) with six whiffs (13.6 SwStr%). At some point, his talent should enable a share of save chances this season.
- Mark Leiter Jr. issued two walks, one intentional, and recorded a strikeout over two-thirds of the ninth before being lifted.
- Joel Kuhnel logged 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit, across the seventh and eighth innings.
- Hogan Harris gave up a solo home run during his 1.1 innings.
Updated Hierarchy: *Joel Kuhnel | *Hogan Harris | *Jack Perkins
*= closer-by-committee
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks
Working in a non-save capacity, Kevin Ginkel finished off a four-run margin against Toronto, allowing a hit and striking out two at the top of the ninth. Juan Morillo tossed 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out two. He collected his first win courtesy of a four-run rally at the bottom of the eighth.
- Ryan Thompson stranded a runner in the sixth, gave up a hit, and recorded a scoreless combined inning of relief.
Hierarchy Remains: Paul Sewald | Juan Morillo | Jonathan Loáisiga
Cincinnati Reds
With the score tied at the top of the ninth, Tony Santillan was already warming up and deployed with a one-run lead at the bottom of the frame. He locked down his first save of the season, retiring the side and recording two strikeouts against the Twins’ 4-5-6 hitters. Santillan threw 12 pitches (75 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). He’s posted a 0.90 WHIP with 14 strikeouts versus six walks (21.6 K-BB%) through 10 innings.
- Kyle Nicolas collected his first win, striking out the side in the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Tony Santillan | Graham Ashcraft
Colorado Rockies
After recording two quick outs at the top of the ninth, Victor Vodnik allowed consecutive hits by pinch-hitter Will Smith and Shohei Ohtani before inducing a game-ending flyout by Kyle Tucker for his third save. He threw 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced one whiff. His 1.556 WHIP accompanies a 5:4 K:BB (2.5 K-BB%) through nine innings.
- Jaden Hill worked around a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless eighth for his third hold.
- Brennan Bernardino collected his second win, tossing 1.1 clean frames and striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Victor Vodnik | Jimmy Herget | Brennan Bernardino
Milwaukee Brewers
Pressed into action with three runners on and one out at the bottom of the ninth, Abner Uribe induced an RBI fielder’s choice grounder, followed by a game-ending groundout, shutting the door on his second save. He only threw four pitches (75 Strike%) and did not produce a whiff. He’s made ten appearances, posting a 1.222 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus three walks (16.2 K-BB%) over nine innings.
- Jake Woodford created the save chance, giving up five hits and an earned run during his 1.1 innings.
Updated Hierarchy: Abner Uribe | Ángel Zerpa | Trevor Megill
San Diego Padres
Despite two baserunners reaching for the first time during an appearance this season, Mason Miller extended his scoreless streak to 31.2 innings, moving within two innings of tying a franchise record while securing his seventh save. His outing began with Yoán Moncada’s lead-off single, followed by a strikeout and a walk, before he retired the next two batters, preserving the three-run lead. He threw 20 pitches (70 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (30 SwStr%).
He’s produced multiple strikeouts in nine of his ten games this season, striking out the side in five, resulting in a robust 25:2 K:BB (65.7 K-BB%) and a minuscule 0.387 WHIP across 10.1 innings this season.
- Jason Adam allowed three hits and an earned run while striking out one for his third hold.
- Adrian Morejon collected his second win, stranded a runner, and tossed 1.1 scoreless frames, walking one while striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Jason Adam | Adrian Morejon
St. Louis Cardinals
Summoned with one out at the bottom of the ninth in Houston, Riley O’Brien induced a groundout by Jose Altuve and recorded a game-ending strikeout of Yordan Alvarez for his sixth save. He threw seven pitches (85.7 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (28.6 SwStr%). He’s matched his career high in saves and posted a 0.364 WHIP with 12 strikeouts versus zero walks (32.4 K-BB%) through 11 innings.
- George Soriano issued two walks and allowed a three-run home run by Shay Whitcomb during one-third of the ninth, prompting his removal.
Hierarchy Remains: Riley O’Brien | JoJo Romero | George Soriano
Quick Hits
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Tagged with his first loss, Yohan Ramírez worked three innings, allowing four hits, three runs (one earned), and two walks while striking out one. Isaac Mattson retired the side at the top of the tenth. Gregory Soto worked a scoreless ninth, walking and striking out one on 17 pitches (9 strikes – 52.9 Strike%) with two whiffs, facing the Rays’ top of the lineup.
- Washington Nationals: After turning in a scoreless top of the 11th, Cionel Pérez was tagged with his second loss, allowing a lead-off single, scoring the “ghost runner” by Matt Chapman. He finished with two hits and an unearned run during his two innings.
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