Thursday’s slate featured five wins by relievers, though one was accompanied by a blown save, five saves, and four losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
As for the vulture option during today’s slate:
Vulture Save Option for 5.8.2026
- Colin Holderman (CLE): Smith and Sabrowski have appeared in consecutive contests.
- Dennis Santana (PIT): If he has been dropped in your league, Soto has pitched in back-to-back games.
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For a second straight day, Gregory Soto was deployed as the closer, and he rewarded his manager’s trust, firing a clean bottom of the ninth while striking out one for his third save. He threw 14 pitches (11 strikes – 78.6 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%).
He’s posted a 0.684 WHIP with 25 strikeouts versus seven walks (25.7 K-BB%) across 19 innings. His 1.87 xERA and 2.47 SIERA suggest his strong start has not been a fluke, and his splits by hitter-handedness may signal more save chances, not being deployed as a match-ups-based reliever:
- Soto vs. LHH 2026: .239 wOBA, 6:2 K:BB (20 K-BB%), 0.75 WHIP
- Soto vs. RHH 2026: .158 wOBA, 19:5 K:BB (28 K-BB%), 0.66 WHIP
In the game recap by Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, there was no confirmation about role changes, but it did cover the usage patterns in this series:
This happened previously when Soto secured his first save on April 3, making him a popular target in fantasy leagues, and then it took over a month for his next one. Long story short, he’s in the mix for saves, but calling him a closer may be premature unless Don Kelly announces otherwise. Also from this contest:
- Isaac Mattson stranded two runners while striking out Nolan Arenado at the bottom of the eighth, securing his seventh hold.
- Mason Montgomery allowed a hit and a walk during two-thirds of the eighth for his fifth hold.
- Dennis Santana issued a walk during a scoreless seventh, facing Arizona’s 5-6-7-8 hitters, throwing 13 pitches (7 strikes – 53.8 Strike%) with one whiff.
Hierarchy Remains: *Gregory Soto | *Dennis Santana | Isaac Mattson
*= closer-by-committee
Three Takeaways
Another Estévez update: After undergoing an MRI, Carlos Estévez has been diagnosed with a right rotator cuff strain in his shoulder, which rates as less than optimal from a fantasy perspective. From Anne Rogers’ post for MLB.com:
In the best-case scenario, he could be back by mid-to-late June. However:
This provides Lucas Erceg more runway as the closer, and he may not cede it unless he struggles.
Reds’ alert: Things are going from bad to worse in Cincinnati’s bullpen. Amid a seven-game losing streak, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com shared some of the recent issues affecting the unit:
As one would anticipate, the Reds’ relievers rank last in Win Probability Added over the last seven days with a -1.87 while suffering eight meltdowns as defined by Fangraphs, a negative K-BB percentage, and a 2.38 WHIP. This leverage ladder needs a hero without its closer. Can Tony Santillan fill the void and stabilize it? Will Tejay Antone earn more leverage work? Does Graham Ashcraft rebound? Time will tell, but opportunity knocks; which reliever steps up may benefit fantasy players.
Senzatela continues being a multi-inning option: Although he has not been used like a closer, Antonio Senzatela has been a worthwhile streaming option in deeper formats or in leagues with starting pitcher designations (SPARP). Entering a tied game at the top of the eighth, he allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two across two scoreless frames. He collected his second win courtesy of a four-run rally at the bottom of the eighth. He threw 23 pitches (13 strikes – 56.5 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (13 SwStr%). He has recorded four or more outs in each of his 11 appearances this year, eight of which have been scoreless, resulting in two wins and two saves. Through 24.1 innings, he’s posted a 0.822 WHIP with 22 strikeouts versus seven walks (16.7 K-BB%). There is fantasy relevance in his transition to this role for the Rockies.
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Thursday’s 10-game slate.
American League
Baltimore Orioles
After retiring the first two batters during the bottom of the ninth of a tied contest, Andrew Kittredge gave up Joe Mack’s double and an unearned run on a throwing error by Coby Mayo, scoring the game-deciding unearned run. Kittredge was charged with his first loss, allowing a hit and striking out one.
- Keegan Akin allowed two hits and recorded a strikeout at the bottom of the eighth.
- Dietrich Enns tossed two scoreless frames, walking and striking out one.
- Yennier Cano retired all six batters on 23 pitches (16 strikes – 69.6 Strike%) with one whiff.
Hierarchy Remains: Rico Garcia | Andrew Kittredge | Anthony Nunez
Cleveland Guardians
Locking down his tenth save, Cade Smith fired a clean bottom of the ninth while striking out two. He threw 16 pitches (50 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (25 SwStr%).
He extended his scoreless streak to five games and has whittled down his WHIP to 1.188, posting 23 strikeouts against four walks (26.4 K-BB%) through 17.1 innings this season.
- Erik Sabrowski stranded two runners, striking out Vinnie Pasquantino at the bottom of the eighth for his MLB-leading 14th hold.
- Hunter Gaddis struggled once again, giving up three hits and an earned run while recording two outs in the eighth.
Updated Hierarchy: Cade Smith | Erik Sabrowski | Colin Holderman
Minnesota Twins
As the first reliever in, Anthony Banda let his only inherited runner score, issuing a walk and hitting a batter, then getting a fielder’s choice RBI out, and an inning-ending flyout by CJ Abrams. Entering at the bottom of the sixth, John Klein worked around a walk for a scoreless frame. However, he returned for the seventh, giving up Keibert Ruiz’s solo home run and James Wood’s one-out double, prompting his removal. Taylor Rogers let his only inherited runner score, allowing consecutive singles upon entry. He finished 1.2 scoreless innings, yielding two hits and striking out two. Avoiding this unit remains in effect until further notice.
Hierarchy Remains: *Eric Orze | *Kody Funderburk | *John Klein
*= closer-by-committee
Tampa Bay Rays
In order of appearance, Hunter Bigge took over at the bottom of the fifth and logged two clean frames with one strikeout. He was awarded his first win for his efforts as the first reliever in.
- Kevin Kelly allowed a hit during a scoreless seventh, securing his seventh hold.
- Garrett Cleavinger gave up two hits and an earned run while striking out one in the eighth, getting credited with his fifth hold.
- Cole Sulser fired a clean ninth and struck out one, preserving a four-run lead.
Hierarchy Remains: Bryan Baker | Cole Sulser | Ian Seymour
Quick Hits
- Kansas City Royals: Turning in another clean frame, Daniel Lynch IV recorded two strikeouts while throwing 15 pitches (8 strikes – 53.3 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s been scoreless in six of his last seven.
- New York Yankees: Finishing a seven-run margin, Camilo Doval allowed two hits and recorded a strikeout during a scoreless top of the ninth. Jake Bird issued a walk, recording a scoreless top of the eighth. Brent Headrick collected his third win, working 1.1 scoreless frames, walking and striking out one.
National League
Chicago Cubs
Pressed into action with the bases loaded and two outs, Daniel Palencia recorded a game-ending strikeout of Nathaniel Lowe, requiring seven pitches without inducing a whiff, resulting in his second save despite the five-run lead. It’s his first save since April 5. Dealing with an injury and terrible timing for save opportunities, those with Palencia on their roster feel like the universe owed them this one-out save, and I cannot argue.
Updated Hierarchy: Daniel Palencia | Phil Maton | Trent Thornton
Miami Marlins
With the game tied at the top of the ninth, Calvin Faucher allowed a two-out single by Jeremiah Jackson and recorded a strikeout during a scoreless appearance. He collected his third win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the frame. He threw 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (23.1 SwStr%).
- Josh Eckness suffered his first blown save, giving up two hits, including Pete Alonso’s game-tying RBI single, and issued a walk during the top of the eighth. But this usage pattern is encouraging; high leverage is a learning process in the majors.
- Michael Petersen notched his fourth hold with a clean seventh while striking out one.
- Andrew Nardi worked a clean sixth and recorded a strikeout for his fifth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: *Calvin Faucher | *Anthony Bender | *Tyler Phillips
*= closer-by-committee
St. Louis Cardinals
Shutting the door on his 11th save, Riley O’Brien fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded a strikeout, sealing a one-run lead in San Diego. He threw 10 pitches (80 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
Through 18 innings, he owns a 0.889 WHIP with 20 strikeouts versus one walk (27.1 K-BB%).
- JoJo Romero notched his 11th hold with a clean eighth while striking out one.
- George Soriano allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless seventh for his sixth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Riley O’Brien | JoJo Romero | George Soriano
Washington Nationals
Taking over with two outs at the top of the eighth, Gus Varland allowed Byron Buxton’s single, followed by an inning-ending popout by Trevor Larnach. Returning for the ninth, he retired the side while striking out two. He threw 16 pitches (75 Strike%) and induced one whiff while working 1.1 scoreless frames.
- PJ Poulin was awarded his third win, despite getting charged with his second blown save. He let his only inherited runner at the top of the seventh on Josh Bell’s RBI double, issued an intentional walk, and recorded an inning-ending strikeout. He gave up a hit and a walk during his scoreless combined inning.
- Orlando Ribalta was credited with his first hold, allowing a hit, an earned run on Bel’s double, and striking out one.
- Richard Lovelady earned his third hold, walking two and striking out one during two-thirds of the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: *Gus Varland | *Richard Lovelady | *Paxton Schultz
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Getting in work during an eventual loss, Paul Sewald navigated around a two-out walk and a stolen base for a scoreless top of the ninth. He has not recorded a save since April 17. He’s produced a 0.789 WHIP with 15 strikeouts versus four walks (22.9 K-BB%) through 12.2 innings.
- Cincinnati Reds: Rough outing alert for Connor Phillips. He allowed four hits, five earned runs, and a walk during the bottom of the fourth. Luis Mey gave up a hit and a walk while striking out one across two scoreless frames. Jose Franco logged two scoreless innings, giving up a hit and a walk with one strikeout.
- New York Mets: Things escalate quickly in Coors Field, and Craig Kimbrel felt the wrath while suffering his second loss. He allowed three hits, including Jake McCarthy’s grand slam, a walk, and recorded two strikeouts during the bottom of the eighth.
- San Diego Padres: As the first reliever in during a tied game, Bradgely Rodriguez suffered his second loss, allowing two hits, including Masyn Winn’s go-ahead RBI triple, and recorded two strikeouts during the top of the seventh.
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