Monday’s slate featured six reliever wins, six saves, and three losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 360 saves this season, by 127 different pitchers.
As for the vulture options during today’s slate:
Vulture Save Options for 5.19.2026
- Camilo Doval (NYY): Bednar has appeared in back-to-back games and thrown 59 pitches in them. He may need two days of rest.
- Luis García (MIN): With the Twins’ bullpen vastly overworked, he could be in line for a vulture save tonight, but make sure your ratios can absorb the risk.
- Richard Lovelady (WSH): One of the only RPs getting an off day during a 12-inning game against the Mets. Orlando Ribalta could also be in play depending on the matchups in the late innings.
Vulture Save Stashes for 5.20.2026
- Boston Red Sox: If Chapman pitches today, it will be consecutive contests. Whoever does not pitch between Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten will be in line for Wednesday.
- Jeremiah Estrada (SD): If Miller pitches against tonight, it’s back-to-back games, putting Estrada on the radar for Wednesday.
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It feels strange typing this, but are parts of the Rockies’ bullpen good? Preserving a one-run lead at the top of the ninth, Juan Mejia worked around Jake Burger’s two-out single for a scoreless ninth and secured his third save of the season. He threw 16 pitches (13 strikes – 81.3 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (18.8 SwStr%) while recording one strikeout. He’s been scoreless in his last six appearances and converted two saves with a 0.782 WHIP across 7.2 innings.
Brennan Bernardino let all three inherited runners score at the top of the eighth, giving up a hit and a walk. He was awarded his second hold. Victor Vodnik did not retire a batter, giving up a hit, three earned runs, and two walks.
Jaden Hill notched his ninth hold, firing 1.1 clean frames with three strikeouts. He stranded an inherited runner at the top of the sixth and owns a modest six-game scoreless streak during which he’s posted a 0.529 WHIP with eight strikeouts versus zero walks (40 K-BB%).
Over the last 14 days, three Rockies’ relievers have spots in the Win Probability Added top 35:
- Mejia (10th), Hill (tied for 24th), Antonio Senzatela (31st)
Understanding fantasy managers prefer clarity in the late innings, Warren Schaefer is trying to keep his relievers fresh by managing workloads, as covered in the game recap for The Denver Post by Patrick Saunders:
Here are the usage patterns in the last seven days:
With Senzatela remaining in the bullpen, his long relief role may be filled by Tanner Gordon, leaving him available for more save chances, but a traditional closer may not be in Colorado’s plans. There is value in him as a reliever, but it’s his first year as one, so he may not be forced into back-to-back outings until later this season. The biggest takeaway from this contest, fantasy players can move on from Vodnik.
Updated Hierarchy: *Antonio Senzatela | *Juan Mejia | Jaden Hill
*= closer-by-committee
Three Takeaways
Bednar hangs on, barely: It was a white-knuckle ride, but David Bednar closed out his 11th save during an eventual one-run margin against Toronto. His outing began with a leadoff walk to Ernie Clement, a leverage mortal sin, followed by Jesús Sánchez’s RBI double, a strikeout, another walk putting two on, a strikeout of George Springer, then a game-ending groundout by Vlad Guerrero Jr. Bednar finished with a hit, an earned run, and two walks while striking out two, throwing 36 pitches (19 strikes – 52.7 Strike%) with seven whiffs (19.4 SwStr%). The good news is that he remains atop the hierarchy, but he has allowed at least a run in three consecutive appearances and in seven of his last nine (nine runs, seven earned) over his last 10.1 innings.
Command fuels his struggles. First, his illustrator:
And, his results with the double on a split-fingered fastball, in a spot where left-handed hitters love pitches:
Updating his underlying data, his current 5.14 ERA has a 3.08 SIERA and a 3.02 xERA, but the metrics are creeping up. Can he overcome his .377 BABIP? Time will tell, but his 1.619 WHIP makes his 11 saves less alluring.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Camilo Doval | Fernando Cruz
Zeferjahn struggled against the A’s: Entering a tied game at the top of the ninth, Ryan Zeferjahn struggled with his command. With one out, he allowed consecutive singles by Zack Gelof and Lawrence Butler, followed by consecutive walks, forcing in a run and prompting his removal. He threw 24 pitches (11 strikes – 45.8 Strike%) and induced two whiffs while giving up four baserunners during his one-third of an inning.
Chase Silseth replaced him, getting an inning-ending double play groundout against Nick Kurtz, preventing any further damage. He also collected his first win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the frame. Sam Bachman logged two scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out two across the seventh and eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Zeferjahn | Sam Bachman | Kirby Yates
Another Rogers’ save? Forced into a tough situation, Taylor Rogers took over with two runners on and one out at the top of the ninth. He recorded a strikeout against Yordan Alvarez and induced a game-ending groundout by Christian Walker for his first save of the season, throwing 11 pitches (54.5 Strike%) without a whiff. This marks his first save since September 17, 2023. His brother, Tyler, secured his first save of the season on Sunday for the Blue Jays. Yoendrys Gómez was credited with his first hold, issuing two walks and retiring one batter at the top of the ninth. Eric Orze collected his second win, logging 1.1 scoreless frames and striking out one. He also stranded two runners at the top of the seventh. Justin Topa gave up three hits, three earned runs, and a walk during two-thirds of the seventh. Andrew Morris worked around a hit and a walk for a scoreless sixth for his fifth hold.
Taylor’s save made Minnesota the first team with at least eight different pitchers to record a save this season.
Updated Hierarchy: *Luis García | *Eric Orze | *Taylor Rogers
*= closer-by-committee
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Monday’s slate.
American League
Boston Red Sox
Taking over tenth all-time in saves, Aroldis Chapman closed out his 11th save in Kansas City, and the 378th of his career, moving ahead of Joe Nathan. He retired the side on 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and induced one whiff while recording one strikeout.
This extended his scoreless streak to 13 games, during which he has posted a 0.868 WHIP with 19 strikeouts versus six walks (26.5 K-BB%) across 12.2 innings.
- Garrett Whitlock notched his ninth hold, yielding a hit and striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
- Justin Slaten fired a clean seventh, striking out two for his fourth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Justin Slaten
Seattle Mariners
After warming up for a potential save chance, Andrés Muñoz fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded a strikeout in a non-save situation, preserving his team’s five-run win over the White Sox. He threw 10 pitches (80 Strike%) and produced two whiffs against the 6-7-8 lineup pocket during his first outing in six days. Through his first 18 innings, he owns a 1.278 WHIP with 30 strikeouts versus seven walks (29.9 K-BB%).
- Jose A. Ferrer notched his fifth hold, giving up a hit and striking out one across 1.1 scoreless frames; he also stranded two runners in the seventh.
- Eduard Bazardo allowed two hits, including Tristan Peters’ solo home run, and a walk while striking out one in two-thirds of the seventh, getting credit for his eighth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Jose A. Ferrer | Eduard Bazardo
Toronto Blue Jays
During an eventual loss, Jeff Hoffman worked a scoreless bottom of the eighth, giving up a hit and striking out one. Yariel Rodríguez suffered his first loss and blown save, allowing three hits, including two home runs, four earned runs, and a walk while only recording one out at the bottom of the seventh.
- Adam Macko notched his first hold, retiring all three batters across the sixth and seventh innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers | Jeff Hoffman
Quick Hits
- Tampa Bay Rays: Closing out a lopsided win, Hunter Bigge retired the side and recorded a strikeout at the top of the ninth against the Orioles. Chase Solesky was awarded his first hold, logging three innings while giving up six hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out four.
- Texas Rangers: In a loss to Colorado, Jakob Junis tossed a clean bottom of the eighth, keeping his team within one run. Cole Winn retired the side and recorded a strikeout in the seventh.
National League
Cincinnati Reds
Another day, and another rough outcome for this leverage ladder. Tejay Antone stranded two runners despite issuing a walk during one-third of the sixth. Graham Ashcraft took over in the seventh and retired Brandon Marsh, Trea Turner, and Bryce Harper in order. However, returning for the eighth, he gave up Alec Bohm’s leadoff single, retired the next two batters, then served up Bryson Stott’s go-ahead two-run home run, resulting in his first loss. Ashcraft finished his 1.2 innings with two hits and two earned runs. Brock Burke retired his only batter, Justin Crawford, ending the bottom of the eighth. It would not be a surprise to see Tony Santillan get the next save chance. For now:
Hierarchy Remains: *Graham Ashcraft | *Pierce Johnson | *Brock Burke
*= closer-by-committee
New York Mets
Benefiting from the Nationals waving the white flag at the top of the 12th, Huascar Brazobán collected his third win, letting the “courtesy runner” score in the 11th after tossing a scoreless tenth. He logged two innings, giving up two hits, an unearned run, and two walks while striking out one.
- Craig Kimbrel worked the 12th, allowing two hits and an unearned run.
- Luke Weaver gave up a hit and a hit batter while recording two strikeouts in a scoreless bottom of the ninth, preserving the tie.
- Tobias Myers suffered his first blown save, yielding two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one across his 1.1 innings.
- Brooks Raley was credited with his seventh hold despite allowing a hit, an earned run, and two walks during two-thirds of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Devin Williams | Luke Weaver | Brooks Raley
Philadelphia Phillies
Capping his team’s come-from-behind rally, Jhoan Duran shut the door on his eighth save with a clean top of the ninth while striking two against the Reds. He threw 18 pitches (13 strikes – 72.2 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). I think he’s recovered from his oblique issue:
He’s converted a save in three consecutive appearances and registered multiple strikeouts in all six outings this month, retiring 13 of 26 batters via strikeout over his last six innings.
- Orion Kerkering stranded two runners and retired his only batter, Sal Stewart, on an inning-ending flyout, collecting his second win.
- José Alvarado allowed two hits, an earned run, and a walk during two-thirds of the eighth.
- Brad Keller suffered his first blown save, giving up a game-tying solo home run by Stewart in the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Duran | Brad Keller | José Alvarado
San Diego Padres
Taking over a 1-0 game at the top of the ninth, Mason Miller increased his level of difficulty by issuing consecutive walks to Freddie Freeman and Kyle Tucker. However, he bore down, retiring Will Smith on a flyout, followed by Max Muncy’s strikeout, and a game-ending grounder by Andy Pages, securing his MLB-leading 15th save. He threw 22 pitches (13 strikes – 59.1 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (9.1 SwStr%). He’s been a force of nature from a fantasy perspective, but has allowed two walks, two times in his last four appearances. Still, he owns a 0.818 WHIP with 45 strikeouts against eight walks (44 K-BB%) through 22 innings. And, not many relievers can recover from throwing one strike among their first ten pitches, but as the game recap on MLB.com from AJ Cassavell notes, Miller’s one of them:
- Jason Adam notched his ninth hold, navigating around a hit and a walk during the top of the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Jason Adam | Jeremiah Estrada
Washington Nationals
Suffering his first loss, Paxton Schutlz was left out to dry at the top of the tenth, appearing for a third straight game. He gave up five hits, seven runs (six earned), and a walk during one-third of the 12th inning.
- Gus Varland worked a scoreless tenth, but let the “courtesy runner” score in the 11th, yielding a hit and a walk during his two innings.
- Orlando Ribalta retired the side in the ninth.
- Mitchell Parker logged three innings, giving up two hits, including Bo Bichette’s solo home run, and recorded two strikeouts.
- PJ Poulin allowed a hit, an unearned run, and a walk while striking out one in the fifth.
A bigger issue for this unit is that it’s running on fumes:
Hierarchy Remains: *Gus Varland | *Richard Lovelady | *PJ Poulin
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Atlanta Braves: Rough outing alert for Aaron Bummer. He allowed three hits, two home runs, resulting in six earned runs, and issued five walks while striking out one at the bottom of the fifth in Miami. Didier Fuentes tossed a scoreless sixth, walking one and striking out two. Tyler Kinley retired the side and struck out one in the seventh.
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Keeping his team within one, Kyle Hurt worked a scoreless bottom of the eighth despite allowing a hit. This extended his scoreless streak to 12 games, during which he’s posted a 0.583 WHIP with 13 strikeouts versus two walks (26.2 K-BB%) through 12 innings.
- Miami Marlins: Finishing a combined shutout, Lake Bachar tossed a clean top of the ninth against Atlanta. Calvin Faucher worked around a hit and a walk with two strikeouts in the eighth. John King worked a clean seventh and recorded one strikeout.
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Statistical Credits: