Monday’s 8-game slate featured three wins by relievers, four saves, and five losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
As for the vulture options across today’s slate:
Vulture Save Options for 4.28.2026
- Kevin Kelly (TB): Baker has worked in consecutive contests.
- Anthony Bender (MIA): If Fairbanks is unavailable, Faucher and Nardi have pitched in back-to-back games. Keep tabs on Michael Petersen.
- Gregory Soto (PIT): Santana threw 27 pitches last night.
- Corbin Martin (CHC): Maton was used in a non-save capacity and may not be ready for working in two straight games.
- Ryan Zeferjahn (LAA): If you must stream an Angel, he’s my preferred option.
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Pressed into action at the top of the ninth, Cam Sanders stranded two runners while striking out his only batter. Dennis Santana had a rough outing, giving up four hits, including back-to-back solo home runs, four earned runs, and two walks during two-thirds of the ninth. He suffered his second loss and a second blown save, throwing 27 pitches (15 strikes – 55.6 Strike%) with only one whiff.
And, his results:
This snapped a modest three-game scoreless streak, and he owns a 1.244 WHIP with 10 strikeouts against eight walks through 13.2 innings, converting two of four save chances. Preventing quality contact has never been his strength, but adding traffic, illustrated by his walk rate this year more than doubling (6.3 percent in 2025 vs. 13.8 in 2026) has created a conundrum for fantasy managers. His 4.63 xERA and 5.22 SIERA do not predict positive migration to the mean, leaving us with questions about his role moving forward.
For now, his manager remains in his corner, according to this post by Colin Beazley for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Gregory Soto allowed a hit during a scoreless eighth for his sixth hold. Isaac Mattson recorded a strikeout and stranded a runner in one-third of the seventh, securing his sixth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: *Dennis Santana | *Gregory Soto | Isaac Mattson
*= closer-by-committee
Three Takeaways
Fairbanks in flux: As previously covered in this Rapid Reaction, Pete Fairbanks may require a stint on the injured list after leaving his outing last night with numbness in his thumb. He’s been an intriguing reliever this year; five of his six scoreless appearances have been clean, but he’s allowed at least a run on four occasions and three runs in three. Through his first nine innings, his 10 ERA and 1.44 WHIP accompany a 22 K-BB percentage (13:4 K:BB), a 3.44 SIERA, and a 3.47 xERA. He will improve, but can he overcome his Raynaud’s? If he misses time:
Projected Hierarchy: *Calvin Faucher | *Anthony Bender | *Tyler Phillips
*= closer-by-committee
Avoid the Angels: As the first reliever in, Nick Sandlin suffered his first loss, allowing two hits and hitting a batter, resulting in three earned runs without recording an out at the bottom of the seventh. He also permitted both inherited runners to score. Drew Pomeranz replaced him and put fuel on the fire, serving up Munetaka Murakami’s three-run home run, followed by a Miguel Vargas solo shot, getting charged with his second blown save. He’s allowed three home runs among his last seven batters faced over the last two days. José Fermin retired the side and recorded two strikeouts during the bottom of the eighth. Here is the team’s updated Win Probability Added chart:
As a bullpen, the team ranks dead last in this metric with a -4.14 and owns the third-highest WHIP (1.59) in the majors. Ryan Zeferjahn or Chase Silseth could secure a save, or Kirby Yates may round into form, but trusting anyone in this leverage ladder remains a challenge.
Hierarchy Remains: *Ryan Zeferjahn | *Drew Pomeranz | *Chase Silseth
*= closer-by-committee
Lineup lanes with LA: Tossing a scoreless top of the ninth while allowing a one-out single by Jakob Marsee, Jake Eder collected his first win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the frame. Edgardo Henriquez retired the side in the eighth. Tanner Scott faced the 2-3-4-5 hitters in the seventh, walking one and striking out three on 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) with seven whiffs (41.2 SwStr%). Alex Vesia matched up against the 7-8-9-1 batters, issuing a walk and striking out three on 23 pitches (12 strikes – 52.2 Strike%) with four whiffs (17.4 SwStr%). The good news is that Scott’s displaying past dominant form; here’s hoping he starts racking up saves, if Dave Roberts lets him.
Hierarchy Remains: *Tanner Scott | *Alex Vesia | *Blake Treinen
*= closer-by-committee
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Monday’s slate.
American League
Chicago White Sox
Well, fantasy players were excited by Grant Taylor getting a save opportunity. However, it did not go as planned. Called upon with runners at second and third with two outs ahead by one run, Bryan Hudson induced a game-ending groundout by Adam Frazier, preserving the win for his first career save.
Taylor was removed after throwing 35 pitches (71.4 Strike%) across 1.1 innings. He entered at the top of the eighth with two runners on and retired Yoán Moncada on a lineout, then struck out Zach Neto. Returning for the ninth, Mike Trout reached on a throwing error, and Vaughn Grissom hit an RBI double, Jo Adell singled, and a two-out opposite field flare by Nolan Schanuel resulted in an RBI, prompting his removal. Taylor finished with three hits and two earned runs while striking out two, credited with his second hold.
- Jordan Hicks gave up two hits during one-third of the eighth for his second hold.
- Osvaldo Bido collected his second win, logging three innings, giving up two hits and an earned run while striking out two.
Updated Hierarchy: Seranthony Domínguez | Grant Taylor | Jordan Leasure
Cleveland Guardians
In order of appearance, Matt Festa stranded a runner while retiring his only hitter faced in the sixth for his first hold. Erik Sabrowski allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one in the seventh, getting credit for his American League-leading 11th hold.
Hunter Gaddis stranded both runners in the seventh, but struggled after his up-down. At the top of the eighth, he allowed Jonathan Aranda’s game-tying solo home run, finishing with three hits and two earned runs, resulting in his first loss and a blown save, without recording an out. Colin Holderman stranded a runner and logged two clean frames, striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Erik Sabrowski
New York Yankees
Despite some spotty defense, David Bednar closed out an eventual two-run win over Texas. He allowed Jake Burger’s lead-off single at the bottom of the ninth, retired Joc Pederson on a fielder’s choice groundout, and recorded a strikeout. However, with two outs, Josh Smith reached on Jazz Chisolm’s error, and Alejandro Osuna produced an RBI single, scoring an unearned run, followed by a game-ending groundout. Bednar threw 18 pitches (13 strikes – 72.2 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (11.1 SwStr%) while allowing two hits. His illustrator:
And, his results, which one can see, there was some bad BABIP luck:
He owns a 1.628 WHIP with 14 strikeouts versus five walks (16.4 K-BB%) across 11.2 innings.
- Tim Hill navigated around two walks during a scoreless eighth, securing his fourth hold.
- Camilo Doval served up a solo home run and recorded two strikeouts in the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Camilo Doval | Fernando Cruz
Tampa Bay Rays
Walking the tightrope after allowing a one-out pinch-hit single and a double, Bryan Baker recorded consecutive strikeouts, preserving the one-run lead while securing his seventh save. He threw 23 pitches (15 strikes – 65.2 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (21.7 SwStr%).
He’s converted seven of nine save opportunities with a 1.059 WHIP and 13 strikeouts versus three walks (21.7 K-BB%) through 11.1 innings.
- Ian Seymour worked around a walk and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless eighth, notching his fifth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Bryan Baker | Ian Seymour | Kevin Kelly
Quick Hits
- Boston Red Sox: Completing a combined shutout, Greg Weissert gave up Daulton Varsho’s two-out double before a game-ending pop-out by Ernie Clement.
- Minnesota Twins: Wrapping up a seven-run lead against Seattle, Taylor Rogers issued a walk during a scoreless top of the ninth. Andrew Morris was credited with his second hold, giving up four hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out two over three innings.
- Texas Rangers: Appearing in a loss, Gavin Collyer hit a batter (José Caballero), who was caught stealing, then retired Trent Grisham and Ben Rice for a scoreless ninth.
National League
Chicago Cubs
Taking over at the bottom of the fifth, Ben Brown suffered his first loss, allowing two hits, an unearned run, and a walk while striking out one. Phil Maton returned from the injured list and looked rusty. He gave up three hits and two earned runs while striking out two at the bottom of the seventh. Jacob Webb served up a solo shot by Gavin Sheets and recorded a strikeout in the eighth.
Updated Hierarchy: Phil Maton | Corbin Martin | Ben Brown
San Diego Padres
All good things must come to an end, and Mason Miller proved he’s human during a dreaded non-save appearance while losing his scoreless streak. He took over with a four-run lead at the top of the ninth, allowing three consecutive singles by the Cubs’ 7-8-9 hitters, then induced an RBI fielder’s choice groundout, followed by letting a second run score on a wild pitch. Miller bore down, getting a groundout against Michael Busch and a game-ending strikeout of Alex Bregman. He finished with three hits and two earned runs, throwing 21 pitches (71.4 Strike%) with two whiffs. His WHIP sits at 0.33 through 14.1 innings with 28 strikeouts against two walks (52 K-BB%). He’s still pretty, pretty, pretty good.
- Jason Adam notched his sixth hold, retiring all four batters and striking out one.
- Adrian Morejon worked 1.2 scoreless frames, walking one and striking out two for his fifth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Jason Adam | Adrian Morejon
St. Louis Cardinals
Capping his team’s come-from-behind rally at the top of the ninth, George Soriano worked around a two-out single by Nick Gonzales with a game-ending flyout, sealing the two-run lead for his first save of the season. He threw 21 pitches (85.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (9.5 SwStr%), providing his teammates with a much-needed night off.
- Ryan Fernandez logged two clean frames and recorded four strikeouts, picking up his first win via the lead-change at the top of the ninth.
Hierarchy Remains: Riley O’Brien | JoJo Romero | Ryne Stanek
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Statistical Credits: