Saturday’s slate featured four reliever wins, though one was accompanied by a blown save and one was a bulk effort, nine saves, including two career firsts, and three losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 349 saves this season, by 125 different pitchers.
As for the vulture options during today’s slate:
Vulture Save Options for 5.17.2026
- Bryan Abreu (HOU): If you picked him up yesterday, hang on to him. King has pitched in back-to-back games.
- Tyler Rogers (TOR): Varland logged two innings and threw 26 pitches during Saturday’s win. He did work in consecutive games after throwing 27 in the previous contest on May 9 and 10, so it’s up to John Schneider.
- Garrett Whitlock (BOS): Chapman has worked in back-to-back games and in three of the last four.
- Kyle Finnegan (DET): Jansen has appeared in consecutive contests. The only caveat here is that if the team activates Will Vest, he will be in play.
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After retiring the first two batters, a throwing error increased the level of difficulty for Aroldis Chapman when he loaded the bases on consecutive four-pitch walks. However, he bore down, and despite a comebacker hitting his heel, he made the throw to first, retiring Ha-Seong Kim for his tenth save. Not only did this extend his consecutive save streak to 25, dating back to July 25, 2025, but it also marked his 377th career save, tying him for 10th all-time with Joe Nathan. Chapman threw 20 pitches (50 Strike%) without a whiff in this outing.
It’s the second time in his last three games that he has allowed multiple walks, and in this game, he did so on eight straight pitches, and his pitch description chart illustrates, many of them were not competitive offerings:
He’s posted a 0.893 WHIP with 21 strikeouts against seven walks (23 K-BB%) across 15.2 innings. However, his 0.57 ERA is accompanied by a 2.72 SIERA and a 3.72 xERA. Last year, his four-seam fastball never averaged below 98 miles per hour in a single month, whereas this season it has not reached that mark:
For perspective, he recorded a 73.1 strike percentage with his four-seamer in 2025 but has posted only a 63.1 percent strike rate with the pitch this year, with a weighted on-base average of .315, up 83 percentage points. Last but not least, his quality of contact has increased, as reflected in his xERA cited above. Of his 32 batted ball events, five have been barrels (15.6%) and 15 are rated as hard hits (46.9%). Chapman has not reached a cliff by any means; he’s converted all ten save chances. But fantasy managers must monitor his walk rate and contact allowed if his fastball velocity does not rebound to past levels.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Justin Slaten
Three Takeaways
Senzatela’s first traditional save: There is a learning curve taking over at the top of the ninth, and Antonio Senzatela secured his third save, closing out a two-run lead against Arizona’s 8-9-1-2-3 hitters. He allowed a one-out single by Ryan Waldschmidt and walked Ketel Marte before striking out Corbin Carroll and inducing a game-ending flyout by Geraldo Perdomo. He threw 27 pitches (15 strikes – 55.6 Strike%) and produced one whiff during his scoreless top of the ninth. All 12 of his previous appearances required four or more outs. Through 13 games, spanning 28.1 innings, he’s posted a 0.812 WHIP with 25 strikeouts versus eight walks (16.2 K-BB%).
After the game, Warren Schaefer did not address any role change, other than that Senzatela will remain in the bullpen, according to this post by Patrick Saunders for the Denver Post:
Senzatela has leaned into his cutter while tweaking his pitch mix as a reliever:
Now, fantasy players await how he’s deployed for the remainder of the season. Has he made the jump into the Rockies’ preferred save option, or will he be the highest-leveraged reliever with patterns based on game situations to secure a win? Entering game action on Sunday, he’s fifth among all qualified relievers in Win Probability Added, but it’s based partly on his multiple-inning efforts previously this year.
Adjusted Hierarchy: Antonio Senzatela | Jaden Hill | Juan Mejia
Is Abreu turning a corner? Taking over at the top of the eighth, Bryan Abreu stranded two inherited runners by inducing an inning-ending flyout. Returning for the ninth, he navigated around a leadoff walk and a two-out single by Andrew McCutchen, and he secured his second save by inducing a game-ending groundout by Ezequiel Duran, sealing a three-run lead against Texas. He threw 24 pitches (14 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) without a whiff. It’s his first save since April 1, and this outing extended his modest scoreless streak to five games, during which he has collected two wins and this save. He has not found his past dominant form, but with three shut-downs this month and no meltdowns, things are looking up.
Hierarchy Remains: *Bryan Abreu | *Bryan King | Enyel De Los Santos
*= closer-by-committee
Vitello’s late-inning variability: Although fantasy managers prefer clarity during save situations, first-year manager Tony Vitello may be making his bullpen one worth avoiding. Erik Miller returned from the injured list and stranded an inherited runner after striking out Jeff McNeil, ending the bottom of the seventh with a five-run lead. Returning for the eighth, he issued consecutive walks against Nick Kurtz and Shea Langeliers before retiring Tyler Soderstrom, prompting his removal. His matchup was the top third of the A’s lineup. Caleb Kilian replaced him and served up Brent Rooker’s three-run home run, putting two earned runs on Miller’s ledger and one on his own:
Kilian retired the next two batters via strikeout, but he has given up a run in three of his last five outings. This left the bottom third of the A’s lineup for the ninth, leading by two. Enter Matt Gage? He recorded his first career save, retiring the side on 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) without a whiff. He’s been scoreless in eight of nine outings this month, posting a 1.199 WHIP with five strikeouts versus four walks through 6.2 innings. Hardly dominant, and a byproduct of the usage patterns previously in this contest. Miller and Kilian will get save chances, but no one can be assured of a defined role by inning on this leverage ladder. Plan accordingly.
Adjusted Hierarchy: *Caleb Kilian | *Erik Miller | *Keaton Winn
*= closer-by-committee
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Saturday’s slate.
American League
Cleveland Guardians
Securing his 14th save, Cade Smith worked around a two-out walk with an inning-ending catch by Steven Kwan, preserving a three-run win over the Reds. He threw 17 pitches (9 strikes – 52.9 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (17.6 Strike%) while recording two strikeouts. Through 21.2 innings, he owns a 1.108 WHIP with 31 strikeouts versus five walks (29.9 K-BB%) and has converted his last 11 save chances.
- Hunter Gaddis notched his fourth hold, tossing a clean top of the eighth.
- Erik Sabrowski retired his only batter, Elly De La Cruz, via strikeout and was awarded his second win during one-third of the seventh.
- Colin Holderman logged 1.2 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Erik Sabrowski | Colin Holderman
Detroit Tigers
Tasked with the top of the tenth, Tyler Holton allowed a one-out, go-ahead RBI single by Daulton Varsho, and a two-out double, resulting in his second loss. Kenley Jansen fired a clean ninth, retiring Toronto’s top of the lineup on 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) with one whiff. Through five outings in May, he’s been scoreless with nine strikeouts against zero walks across five innings.
- Connor Seabold tossed a clean eighth, striking out one.
- Kyle Finnegan suffered his third blown save, giving up Yohendrick Piñango’s first career MLB home run and a walk at the top of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Kyle Finnegan | Brant Hurter
Tampa Bay Rays
Things went from bad to worse as the game progressed. Bryan Baker ended up with a no-decision, but he gave up a blooped two-out single to left field by Jakob Marsee, followed by a go-ahead RBI double, while recording all three outs via strikeout during the top of the ninth. He threw 18 pitches (14 strikes – 77.8 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (33.3 SwStr%).
His teammates tied the game at the bottom of the frame. Hunter Bigge had a rough tenth, allowing six hits, eight runs (seven earned), and two walks, resulting in his first loss.
- Also from this contest, Kevin Kelly worked a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and striking out one.
- Garrett Cleavinger suffered his first blown save, serving up Heriberto Hernández’s game-tying solo home run in the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Bryan Baker | Cole Sulser | Ian Seymour
Toronto Blue Jays
Preserving a tie at the bottom of the ninth, and returning with a one-run lead for the tenth, Louis Varland earned his second win, working two scoreless frames. He navigated around consecutive one-singles by Rile Greene and Spencer Torkelson with a groundout, followed by an inning-ending strikeout. During the tenth, Varland stranded the “courtesy runner,” producing back-to-back groundouts and a game-ending strikeout of Dillon Dingler. He threw 26 pitches (19 strikes – 73.1 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (11.5 SwStr%). He’s allowed more traffic since becoming the closer, but owns a 1.183 WHIP with 34 strikeouts versus nine walks (26.3 K-BB%) through 23.2 innings.
- Tyler Rogers allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers | Jeff Hoffman
Quick Hits
- Baltimore Orioles: Rough outing alert for Keegan Akin. He only recorded one out while giving up three hits, six earned runs, and two walks at the bottom of the seventh.
- Minnesota Twins: Keeping his team within one run at the top of the ninth, Yoendrys Gómez worked around a hit batter by retiring the next three Brewers. Eric Orze tossed two scoreless innings, giving up two hits and a walk while striking out one.
- Texas Rangers: Tossing two scoreless frames in an eventual loss, Cal Quantrill issued a walk and recorded a strikeout in Houston.
National League
Cincinnati Reds
Despite allowing a hit, two earned runs, and two walks while striking out one during one-third of the bottom of the sixth, Luis Mey was credited with his first hold. Sam Moll let one of two inherited runners score on a sacrifice fly and was tagged with his third loss with a second blown save, after his 1.1-inning outing. He finished with a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out two.
Pierce Johnson let his only inherited runner score, charged to Moll, serving up a home run by Angel Martinez at the bottom of the seventh. The struggles for this bullpen continue.
Adjusted Hierarchy: *Graham Ashcraft | *Tony Santillan | *Brock Burke
*= closer-by-committee
Miami Marlins
Wrapping up a victory at the bottom of the tenth, Lake Bachar allowed two hits, three runs (two earned), and two walks. Pete Fairbanks made his first appearance back from the injured list but was tagged with his second blown save, giving up a one-out walk to Cedric Mullins, followed by a stolen base with a throwing error moving him to third. Nick Fortes followed with an RBI single, tying the game. Fairbanks collected his first win courtesy of an eight-run explosion at the top of the tenth. He threw 24 pitches (50 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (8.3 SwStr%). His velocity was in line with his season averages, but his command was spotty:
- Anthony Bender fired a clean eighth, striking out one.
- Andrew Nardi retired the side in the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Pete Fairbanks | Calvin Faucher | Anthony Bender
Milwaukee Brewers
Taking the baton from Logan Henderson and recording his first career save, Chad Patrick logged four scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out three. He threw 52 pitches (35 strikes – 67.3 Strike%) and produced seven whiffs (13.5 SwStr%), finishing a one-run margin against the Twins. He has been scoreless over his last three relief appearances, scattering three hits and issuing a walk while recording nine strikeouts over eight innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Abner Uribe | Trevor Megill | Aaron Ashby
New York Mets
Handed a three-run lead at the top of the ninth, Devin Williams retired Cody Bellinger on a strikeout, Paul Goldschmidt on a lineout to left, and a game-ending groundout by Jazz Chisolm Jr. to first for his sixth save. He threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
He’s been scoreless in his last eight games, posting a 0.261 WHIP with 10 strikeouts versus one walk (37.5 K-BB%) over his last 7.2 innings.
- Luke Weaver provided a Herculean effort, stranding the bases loaded at the top of the seventh, and logging two scoreless frames while yielding a hit and striking out two for his fifth hold.
- Brooks Raley allowed two hits, an unearned run, and recorded a strikeout during two-thirds of combined innings.
- David Peterson collected his second win, giving up six hits, two earned runs, and three walks while striking out eight across four innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Devin Williams | Luke Weaver | Brooks Raley
San Diego Padres
Presented a three-run lead at the bottom of the ninth, Jeremiah Estrada issued a one-out walk to Connor Joe, followed by J.P. Crawford’s single, then bore down getting consecutive groundouts against Julio Rodríguez and Josh Naylor, closing out his first save of the season. He threw 17 pitches (52.9 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (11.8 SwStr%).
- Adrian Morejon was forced into action during the eighth, letting one of two inherited runners score while retiring all three batters, one via strikeout for his ninth hold.
- Alek Jacob allowed two hits, two earned runs, and a walk without recording an out in the eighth.
- Jason Adam tossed a clean seventh, striking out one.
- Wandy Peralta notched his second hold with a clean sixth and recorded a strikeout.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Jason Adam | Jeremiah Estrada
St. Louis Cardinals
It was not pretty, but George Soriano recorded his second save, working around Jac Caglianone’s leadoff home run, followed by Isaac Collins’ single, then bore down, with a flyout and a game-ending double play grounder against Kyle Isbel. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
- Justin Bruihl retired the side for his sixth hold in the eighth.
- Gordon Graceffo gave up a hit during a scoreless seventh, securing his third hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Riley O’Brien | JoJo Romero | George Soriano
Quick Hits
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Appearing in an eventual loss, Kevin Ginkel retired all three batters faced and recorded a strikeout at the bottom of the eighth, stranding three inherited runners. Brandyn Garcia allowed two hits, hit a batter, and issued a walk, resulting in an earned run without registering an out.
- Chicago Cubs: Deployed during a loss against the White Sox, Ryan Rolison worked a clean bottom of the eighth, striking out one. Ethan Roberts worked two scoreless frames, walking one and striking out three.
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