Wednesday’s slate featured six wins by relievers, seven saves, and five losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
As for the vulture options across today’s slate:
Vulture Save Options for 4.30.2026
- Will Vest (DET): He may get an audition for a larger leverage role, including shared saves with a strong outing.
- Gregory Soto (PIT): Santana pitched yesterday, providing Soto with a possible inside track to a save opportunity today.
Doubleheader Recommendations
- Baltimore Orioles: Preferred Option: Tyler Wells; Wild Card: Grant Wolfram
- Houston Astros: Preferred Option: Bennett Sousa; Wild Card: Bryan Abreu
- Philadelphia Phillies: Preferred Option: Brad Keller; Wild Card: Orion Kerkering
- San Francisco Giants: Preferred Option: Erik Miller; Wild Card: Gregory Santos
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For a second straight appearance, Kenley Jansen allowed a two-run home run, resulting in a loss. In this contest, he took over with a one-run lead in Atlanta and issued Ozzie Albies a lead-off walk, a leverage no-no, followed by a walk-off blast by Matt Olson without recording an out. He threw 11 pitches (6 strikes – 54.5 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%). The location on this 1-2 sinker was not optimal:
As a result of this outing, his WHIP has swelled to 1.637, and his 9:4 K:BB (14.7 K-BB%) could both use some improvement. His bigger issues lie in the quality of his contact, as reflected in his 5.22 xERA. Three of the eight hits he’s allowed this year have been home runs. He’s allowed less contact early this year than in 2025, but his walk rate has increased by over three percent. Fantasy players will accept shaky ratios as a tradeoff for saves, but if his three blown saves across nine save chances affect his usage patterns. He’s finished the game for Detroit in all 10 of his appearances, but A.J. Hinch may revert to past matchups based on lineup lanes if the veteran does not improve.
- Kyle Finnegan notched his fourth hold, walking two and striking out one during a scoreless eighth.
For now:
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Will Vest | Kyle Finnegan
Three Takeaways
Another Angels collapse: It was a curious approach in the late innings, and it shows Kurt Suzuki does not fully trust Drew Pomeranz right now, and it’s vindicated. The veteran southpaw took over at the top of the tenth, even though three consecutive left-handed hitters appeared in the ninth. His outing began with an intentional walk (Miguel Vargas), followed by a walk to Munetaka Murakami to load the bases, a fielder’s choice groundout cut down the “courtesy runner” at the plate, but then Colson Montgomery singled, resulting in Pomeranz’s third loss, spiking his WHIP to 1.885. Ryan Zeferjahn fired a clean eighth, striking out the side, and retired the first batter in the ninth. However, with a 0-2 count, he hit Tristan Peters, who stole second, and scored on Sam Antonacci’s game-tying RBI triple. Zeferjahn logged two innings, giving up a hit and an earned run while striking out four. He could be productive as a one-inning reliever, but he fatigues in multi-inning ones. Sam Bachman stranded two runners and retired both batters in the seventh for his fifth hold. Chase Silseth stranded a runner during the sixth, but issued two walks during the seventh, prompting his removal. The good news is that Ben Joyce logged his first rehab outing.
Updated Hierarchy: *Ryan Zeferjahn | *Drew Pomeranz | *Sam Bachman
*= closer-by-committee
More trouble for the Twins: Taking over with a one-run lead at the top of the ninth, Eric Orze began with a lead-off walk to Randy Arozarena, a leverage mortal sin, followed by a strikeout, then Dominic Canzone’s single, putting runners on the corners. Pinch runner, Leo Rivas, stole second, and both scored on Cole Young’s go-ahead two-RBI single, and after issuing another walk, Orze was removed. He was tagged with his first loss and second blown save, recording one out while allowing two hits, three earned runs, and two walks with one strikeout. Taylor Rogers let his only inherited runner score on a sacrifice fly and gave up a single while retiring two batters. Avoiding this bullpen from a fantasy perspective right now makes sense. If David Festa is used as a reliever during his rehab outings, he could be an intriguing option later this season.
Hierarchy Remains: *Cole Sands | *Justin Topa | *Kody Funderburk
*= closer-by-committee
Latz looks sharp. Is he the closer?: Completing the combined shutout and nailing down his second save, Jacob Latz only allowed a two-out single by Ben Rice and recorded one strikeout, retiring six of seven batters faced after entering against the 9-1-2 lineup pocket in the eighth. He threw 27 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
Through 16.1 innings, he’s posted a 0.48 WHIP with 14 strikeouts versus three walks (18.7 K-BB%). In this game recap by Evan Grant for The Dallas Morning News, it’s speculated the team feels Latz is the preferred option for saves:
Jakob Junis may be a factor when there is a right-handed heavy lineup pocket in the ninth inning, but fantasy managers can take a chance on Latz if saves are a priority.
Hierarchy Remains: *Jacob Latz | *Jacob Junis | Cole Winn
*= closer-by-committee
However, if Latz works after Junis this weekend, the committee designation will be removed.
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Wednesday’s slate.
American League
Chicago White Sox
After working a clean top of the tenth against the Angels’ 6-7-8 lineup pocket, Seranthony Domínguez collected his second win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the frame. He threw 16 pitches (62.5 Strike%) and induced one whiff while recording a strikeout.
He’s been scoreless in six of his last seven appearances, recording this win, a loss, and converting all four save chances with a 0.857 WHIP over seven innings.
- Tyler Davis stranded an inherited runner, inducing a double play groundout, and an inning-ending grounder on only four pitches.
- Bryan Hudson allowed a hit and recorded two strikeouts during his combined inning of relief.
Hierarchy Remains: Seranthony Domínguez | Grant Taylor | Jordan Hicks
Cleveland Guardians
Securing his seventh save, Cade Smith worked around a lead-off single by Yandy Díaz with two strikeouts sandwiched around a pop-out, preserving a two-run margin against the Rays. He threw 12 pitches (83.3 Strike%) and produced five whiffs (41.7 SwStr%).
Things are trending in the right direction for Smith; he lowered his WHIP to 1.429 after this appearance and improved his K-BB percentage to 21.3 (17:4 K:BB).
- Erik Sabrowski stranded two runners while striking out Jonathan Aranda for his MLB-leading 12th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Erik Sabrowski
Seattle Mariners
Capping his team’s rally at the top of the ninth, Andrés Muñoz slammed the door on his sixth save, retiring the side and striking out two. He threw 15 pitches (60 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (40 SwStr%).
He’s converted five of his last six chances and a win while racking up 10 strikeouts against one walk (47.4 K-BB%) with a 0.563 WHIP across his last 5.1 innings.
- Cooper Criswell was awarded his first win, stranding the bases loaded at the bottom of the eighth.
- Gabe Speier created the mess, giving up three hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out two during two-thirds of the inning.
- Matt Brash threw two pitches, then left with the team’s trainer.
- Jose A. Ferrer retired both batters, one via strikeout, during two-thirds of the seventh. He may leapfrog Speier as the highest-leveraged left-handed reliever, and Criswell will see a larger role if Brash’s injury is serious.
Updated Hierarchy: Andrés Muñoz | Matt Brash | Jose A. Ferrer
If Brash lands on the injured list, Eduard Bazardo or Criswell will enter the hierarchy.
The Athletics
With a runner on third and two outs, Mark Leiter Jr. took over and preserved a three-run lead, despite walking Isaac Collins, recording a game-ending strikeout of Jac Caglianone, notching his third save. Leiter Jr. threw 11 pitches (5 strikes – 45.5 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%) during his one-third of the ninth.
- Joel Kuhnel logged 1.2 innings, giving up two hits, an earned run, and a walk on 31 pitches.
Updated Hierarchy: *Jack Perkins | *Hogan Harris | *Mark Leiter Jr.
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Boston Red Sox: Continuing his recent struggles, Garrett Whitlock allowed a solo home run by Brandon Valenzuela at the bottom of the eighth during an eventual loss. He’s given up a run in consecutive outings, and at least a run in three of his last six games while serving up two home runs in them.
- New York Yankees: During a shutout loss, Fernando Cruz allowed a hit and recorded two strikeouts at the bottom of the eighth. Tim Hill stranded a runner and retired both batters in the seventh.
- Toronto Blue Jays: As the first reliever in, Braydon Fisher stranded all three inherited runners at the top of the fifth, and logged 1.2 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out one for his second win.
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks
Getting warmed up with a two-run lead, Paul Sewald was used with a four-run margin after not pitching in six days. He retired the side and recorded a game-ending strikeout, throwing 13 pitches (69.2 Strike%) with two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). He owns a 0.818 WHIP with 13 strikeouts versus three walks (23.8 SwStr%) through 11 innings.
- Taylor Clarke worked a clean eighth and recorded a strikeout for his sixth hold.
- Juan Morillo fired a clean seventh while facing the Brewers’ 2-3-4 lineup pocket on 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) with four whiffs (28.6 SwStr%). His breakout season continues to fly below the radar. He’s tied for the National League lead in holds (8) with a 22.8 K-BB percentage, a 0.82 WHIP, and a 2.50 SIERA.
- Kevin Ginkel stranded a runner at the top of the fifth and collected his first win, tossing 1.1 scoreless frames, allowing a hit, and striking out three.
Updated Hierarchy: Paul Sewald | Juan Morillo | Taylor Clarke
Chicago Cubs
Summoned with two outs when Gavin Sheets was announced, Hoby Milner recorded his first save of the season and first since 2024, with a game-ending strikeout. He only needed three pitches, all strikes, and recorded one whiff. This was purely a matchup play.
Ben Brown did the heavy lifting, stranding one of three inherited runners at the bottom of the eighth, inducing a sacrifice fly by Fernando Tatis Jr., then coaxing an inning-ending double play groundout. Returning for the ninth, he retired Xander Bogaerts via strikeout and Ty France on a groundout, then was removed. He fired 1.2 clean frames on 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) with two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%), providing a glimpse of his high-leverage potential.
- Corbin Martin issued three walks, resulting in an earned run, without retiring a batter. Proving that, he is, in fact, still the pitcher we thought he was.
However, the biggest news of the day for this leverage ladder was the potential return of its closer on Friday:
Projected Hierarchy: Daniel Palencia | Ben Brown | Phil Maton
Miami Marlins
Pulling the ultimate “Houdini” save, Calvin Faucher navigated around three walks with a game-ending, unassisted double play by Xavier Edwards, who displayed terrific baseball acumen. Freddie Freeman hit the infield chopper, and Shohei Ohtani was ruled out on a tag before Edwards stepped on first. As for Faucher, he threw 16 pitches (6 strikes – 37.5 Strike%) without a whiff, facing five hitters at the bottom of the ninth, preserving a one-run lead.
- John King notched his third hold, retiring the side and striking out one against the Dodgers’ 4-5-6 lineup pocket.
- Andrew Nardi collected his second win, walking and striking out one during a scoreless seventh, lined up against the 9-1-2-3 hitters.
Hierarchy Remains: *Tyler Phillips | *Calvin Faucher | *Anthony Bender
*= closer-by-committee
San Diego Padres
Appearing in a loss, Mason Miller issued Alex Bregman a one-out walk and recorded a strikeout during a scoreless top of the ninth. He threw 19 pitches (9 strikes – 47.4 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (15.8 SwStr%). Across 15 games, he owns a 0.587 WHIP with 29 strikeouts versus three walks (48.1 K-BB%) over 15.1 innings.
- Jason Adam gave up a solo shot by Matt Shaw and a walk while striking out one in the eighth.
- Bradgely Rodriguez stranded a runner in the sixth and tossed 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and a walk.
- Adrian Morejon suffered his first loss, giving up a hit, an earned run, and a walk during two-thirds of the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Jason Adam | Adrian Morejon
St. Louis Cardinals
Finishing off his eighth save and a one-run lead, Riley O’Brien allowed Ryan O’Hearn’s single with one out and benefited from a game-ending catch at the fence by Nathan Church. He threw 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) and induced one whiff (9.1 SwStr%) while recording a strikeout. This marked his 15th game this season, during which he owns a 0.783 WHIP with 17 strikeouts against one walk (27.6 K-BB%) through 15.1 innings.
- George Soriano allowed a hit, an unearned run, and a walk while striking out one in the eighth for his third hold.
- JoJo Romero let two of three inherited runners score on Nick Yorke’s two-RBI single and issued a walk before producing a strikeout and an inning-ending groundout for his seventh hold.
- Ryne Stanek gave up a hit, two earned runs, and two walks during one-third of the seventh.
Updated Hierarchy: Riley O’Brien | JoJo Romero | George Soriano
Quick Hits
- Atlanta Braves: Deployed as a reliever, Reynaldo López collected his second win, firing two clean frames and striking out two on 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) with one whiff, benefiting from a walk-off rally at the bottom of the ninth. Dylan Lee returned from paternity leave with 1.2 clean innings and four strikeouts.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: In an eventual loss, Yohan Ramírez worked around a hit and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless top of the ninth. Dennis Santana retired the side in the eighth, facing the Cardinals’ 6-7-8 hitters on nine pitches (77.8 Strike%) with two whiffs (22.2 SwStr%).
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