First and foremost, Happy Mother’s Day to all the great Moms in our midst.
Saturday’s slate featured six wins by relievers, five saves, and three losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
As for the vulture option during today’s slate:
Vulture Save Option for 5.10.2026
- Jason Adam (SD): Miller threw 29 pitches across 1.1 innings in yesterday’s save.
- Graham Ashcraft (CIN): Johnson has appeared in back-to-back games.
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Although Terry Francona runs a structured bullpen, with his closer on the injured list, usage patterns will be determined by matchups, not defined roles, according to this update provided by Charlie Goldsmith’s Substack:
This was shared on Twitter during the game; it was clear Graham Ashcraft was deployed as the highest-leveraged reliever to face Yordan Alvarez and confirmed by Francona:
This paved the way for Pierce Johnson to record his first save since May 13, 2025. He threw 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) without a whiff. He’s been scoreless over his last three, but has a 1.25 WHIP with 15 strikeouts versus five walks (14.9 K-BB%) across 16 innings.
Ashcraft fired a clean eighth and recorded two strikeouts versus the 9-1-2 lineup pocket, facing the team’s best hitter, Yordan Alvarez. He threw 19 pitches (12 strikes – 63.2 Strike%) and induced one whiff while posting his eighth hold.
He’s an imperfect reliever in a bullpen rife with opportunity. When he’s right, both of his pitches produce a ground ball rate over 50 percent, and his slider has generated a 17.9 percent swinging strike rate. He will be a viable target in tonight’s FAAB run, but he will not be the “closer” in the revamped Reds’ bullpen.
Updated Hierarchy: *Graham Ashcraft | *Pierce Johnson | Tony Santillan
*= closer-by-committee
Three Takeaways
J-Mart’s electric bullpen: Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports shared an update regarding the first bullpen session for Justin Martinez, described as “electric.”
It’s terrific news for the reliever working his way back from Tommy John surgery. However, the next part should temper fantasy managers’ appetites about immediately stashing him:
It’s a step forward, but the original timeline for the talented relievers remains intact.
Ashby the win “vulture” Despite letting the “courtesy runner” score at the top of the tenth following an intentional walk (Aaron Judge) and an RBI single by Ryan McMahon, Aaron Ashby assumed the major league lead in wins, earning his seventh on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the frame. He logged two innings, yielding a hit and a walk with three strikeouts on 27 pitches (17 strikes – 63 Strike%) with three whiffs (11.1 SwStr%). Currently:
It will not happen, but those streaming him for these wins are happy to bank them.
No longer willing to “Walker” the line: Amid a lopsided loss, Ryan Walker had another ineffective outing. He stranded a runner at the top of the fifth, though he allowed a hit, and the runner was caught stealing, ending the inning. Returning for the sixth, he issued Spencer Horwitz a walk, advanced him with a wild pitch, followed by Konnor Griffin’s RBI single, and Joey Bart’s RBI single, ending his night. Walker has allowed at least a run in five consecutive appearances, and his WHIP sits at 1.891 after this outing.
In the NFBC’s two overall formats, he’s rostered in 98 percent of Main Events, started by 53 percent of these teams, and on 90 percent of rosters in the Online Championship, while being active in 47 percent of lineups. He will be a popular drop this weekend, and there are no trends heading in the right direction:
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Saturday’s 14-game slate.
American League
Cleveland Guardians
Cleveland: Suffering his second loss, Peyton Pallette allowed Byron Buxton’s RBI double at the top of the 11th, scoring the “courtesy runner.” Palette logged two innings, allowing only one hit and a walk while striking out three.
Erik Sabrowski fired a clean ninth, striking out two on 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) with two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%). He’s posted a 0.808 WHIP with 29 strikeouts versus seven walks (33.3 K-BB%), and leads all MLB relievers with 14 holds.
- Colin Holderman retired the side and recorded two strikeouts in the eighth.
- Hunter Gaddis turned in a much-needed clean seventh, striking out one. He had yielded at least a run in three of his previous four appearances.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Erik Sabrowski | Colin Holderman
Minnesota Twins
Preserving a one-run lead at the bottom of the 11th, Luis García recorded his first save of the season, becoming the sixth Twins’ reliever with one of the team’s seven saves this season. He retired the 7-8-9 lineup pocket in order while stranding the “courtesy runner” on 13 pitches (69.2 Strike%) without a whiff.
- Eric Orze collected his first win while working 1.2 scoreless innings and issuing three walks (two intentional) across the ninth and tenth innings.
- Kody Funderburk allowed two walks during his one-third of the ninth, both stranded by Orze.
Updated Hierarchy: *Eric Orze | *Luis García | *Anthony Banda
*= closer-by-committee
New York Yankees
Handed a one-run lead at the bottom of the tenth, Fernando Cruz issued Luis Rengifo a leadoff walk, a leverage mortal sin, induced a flyout, then gave up a game-tying RBI single by Jackson Chourio, scoring the “courtesy runner,” prompting his removal. Tim Hill took over and let Brice Turang reach on a fielder’s choice, then gave up a walk-off sacrifice fly, resulting in Cruz’s first loss and a first blown save.
David Bednar fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded a strikeout, keeping the game tied. He threw 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (25 SwStr%). He did get a save chance because of the blown save before he entered, or a win, following the blown save after his outing. My concern is that he will be asked for more multi-inning appearances, which led to injuries during his time in Pittsburgh, unless the Yankees improve their leverage ladder. This can occur when Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón return, pushing current starters into the bullpen, along with a potential promotion of Carlos Lagrange.
- Camilo Doval was tagged with his third blown save, giving up two hits and an earned run during two-thirds of the eighth.
- Brent Headrick was credited with his fifth hold despite allowing a solo home run and a walk while striking out one across 1.1 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Camilo Doval | Fernando Cruz
The Athletics
Closing out a four-run lead in Baltimore, Joel Kuhnel retired the side against the top of the lineup on 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5 Strike%) without a whiff.
- Mark Leiter Jr. gave up three hits and two earned runs while striking out one in the eighth.
- Scott Barlow issued a walk and recorded two strikeouts during a scoreless seventh.
- Hogan Harris fired a clean sixth, recording two strikeouts.
Hierarchy Remains: *Jack Perkins | *Hogan Harris | *Joel Kuhnel
*= closer-by-commitee
Quick Hits
- Baltimore Orioles: Entering at the top of the ninth with his team down by three, Andrew Kittredge allowed two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one. He has given up at least a run in three consecutive outings and owns a 2.821 WHIP through his first 5.2 innings.
- Chicago White Sox: In order of appearance, Grant Taylor logged two scoreless frames, walking one and striking out three on 35 pitches (21 strikes – 60 Strike%) with three whiffs.
- Houston Astros: Appearing during an eventual loss, Enyel De Los Santos stranded a runner and retired all three batters faced, two via strikeout, across the sixth and seventh innings for a clean combined inning. Steven Okert worked a clean combined inning between the seventh and eighth innings. Bryan Abreu retired his only batter, Sal Stewart, on an inning-ending flyout during the bottom of the eighth. Has Abreu worked his way back into save chances?
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks
Nailing down his eighth save, Paul Sewald fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts against the Mets’ 3-4-5 lineup pocket. He threw 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (17.6 SwStr%).
It’s his first save since April 17, and he owns a 0.732 WHIP with 17 strikeouts versus four walks (25.5 K-BB%) across 13.2 innings.
- Taylor Clarke tossed a clean eighth, securing his seventh hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Paul Sewald | Juan Morillo | Taylor Clarke
Miami Marlins
With its lead evaporating, the Marlins called upon John King with the game-tying run on base and two outs. He responded by retiring CJ Abrams on a game-ending flyout, for his first career save in his 233rd career appearance on a tidy three pitches with one whiff. He has been scoreless across his last 11 outings since April 17, posting a 0.387 WHIP with nine strikeouts against three walks over 10.1 innings.
- Michael Petersen created the chaos, allowing four hits and three earned runs while retiring two batters.
- Andrew Nardi collected his third win after tossing a clean top of the seventh.
- Lake Bachar fired a clean sixth, striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: *Calvin Faucher | *Anthony Bender | *Tyler Phillips
*= closer-by-committee
San Diego Padres
Battling his command, Mason Miller shut the door on his 12th save, stranding a runner at the top of the eighth, then working around two walks with four strikeouts in the ninth, sealing a two-run win over the Cardinals. He logged 1.1 scoreless frames, walking two and striking out four on 29 pitches (58.6 Strike%) with eight whiffs (27.6 SwStr%).
Through 18.2 innings, he’s posted 0.643 WHIP with 38 strikeouts against five walks (48.5 K-BB%).
- Adrian Morejon was credited with his seventh hold, giving up a hit and an earned run while striking out one over two-thirds of the eighth.
- Jason Adam fired a clean seventh, securing his seventh hold.
- Jeremiah Estrada notched his fifth hold, retiring the side and striking out one in the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Jason Adam | Jeremiah Estrada
Quick Hits
- Atlanta Braves: Entering at the bottom of the seventh, Dylan Lee worked around Andy Pages’ one-out double for a scoreless appearance. Reynaldo López could not finish the combined shutout, giving up a double and a two-run home run by Pages in the ninth. López logged two innings, allowing four hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one.
- Philadelphia Phillies: Finishing a six-run lead against the Rockies, Orion Kerkering fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded a strikeout. Chase Shugart worked a clean eighth, striking out the side. Tanner Banks logged two clean frames while striking out two. Tim Mayza stranded two runners and retired his only batter in the fifth, collecting his first win.
- Washington Nationals: After turning in consecutive scoreless multiple-inning appearances, Mitchell Parker suffered his first loss and first blown save, allowing five hits, including two home runs, five earned runs, and a walk while striking out at the bottom of the seventh.
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