Saturday’s 14-game slate featured two reliever wins, eight saves, and two losses, with only one blown save, and two more postponed contests. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 399 saves this season, by 135 different pitchers in 2026.
As for the vulture options during today’s slate:
Vulture Save Options for 5.24.2026
- Brad Keller (PHI): Duran has pitched in consecutive contests.
- Bryan Abreu (HOU): King and De Los Santos have worked in back-to-back games.
- Kevin Ginkel (ARI) Sewald has been used in three of the previous four.
- Tyler Rogers (TOR): Varland threw 31 pitches across two innings on Friday; Hoffman has pitched in three of the last four.
- Sam Bachman (LAA): Yates and Zeferjahn have been deployed in three of the previous four contests.
Doubleheader Recommendations
- Baltimore Orioles – Preferred: Anthony Nunez; YOLO: Tyler Wells
- Detroit Tigers – Preferred: Kyle Finnegan; YOLO – Drew Sommers
Vulture Save Stashes for 5.24.2026
- Jeremiah Estrada (SD): If Miller pitches today, it will be back-to-back games.
- George Soriano (STL): If O’Brien is used today, it will be consecutive contests.
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It may not be the year of the aging veteran reliever rebound, but it feels like it lately. Three of the eight saves on Saturday were recorded by relievers aged 35 or older who had a combined five saves last year across a cumulative 129 appearances. Of these three, the Angels’ reliever takes the lead. Locking down his first save of the season while protecting a three-run lead, Kirby Yates retired the side and recorded a strikeout against the Rangers’ 2-3-4 lineup pocket. He threw 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%).
It’s his first save since July 21, 2025, and the 99th of his career. In his limited sample this season, he owns a 1.106 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus three walks (21.4 K-BB%) across 6.1 innings. Beneath his current 4.26 ERA lies a 2.80 SIERA, supported by his strong K:BB. However, his 4.52 xERA reflects the quality of contact he’s allowed in this season’s limited sample, with his contact rate up eight percentage points while his swinging strike rate is down almost five percent. His rest-of-the-season results may mirror Paul Sewald’s. There will be scoreless or clean save chances accompanied by multiple runs outings. If your team can absorb this risk and needs saves, it’s clear Yates has the pathway toward more opportunities based on recent usage patterns.
Updating the status of his future teammate, this note was shared by Jeff Fletcher for The Orange County Register:
The team can activate Ben Joyce from the 60-day injured list on Tuesday, though, as this update indicates, his inactivity in minor league rehab outings makes this inconceivable.
Updated Hierarchy: Kirby Yates | Ryan Zeferjahn | Sam Bachman
Three Takeaways
Still on Red alert in Cincinnati: It was strenuous, but the Reds earned a split in Saturday’s doubleheader against St. Louis. Pierce Johnson collected his second win, logging two scoreless frames and stranded both “courtesy runners,” while recording a strikeout across the 10th and 11th innings. He threw 23 pitches (18 strikes – 78.3 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (13 SwStr%).
Tony Santillan suffered his third blown save, allowing two hits, including a solo home run by José Fermin, and a game-tying RBI single by Jordan Walker, two earned runs, and two walks while striking out one. I am all about hubris by a high-leverage reliever, but an 0-2 fastball dead center with your team ahead by two?
He has allowed six home runs in his last 23 batters faced since May 5. Graham Ashcraft notched his tenth hold, working 1.2 scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out three. Brock Burke navigated around two walks for 1.1 scoreless innings and his sixth hold. It’s encouraging that the team won Game 2, but at what cost for the bullpen? Here are the pitch counts from yesterday:
After today’s game, the Reds will not have an off day until Thursday, with a three-game set against the Mets on tap for Monday.
Updated Hierarchy: *Pierce Johnson | *Graham Ashcraft | *Tony Santillan
*= closer-by-committee
No “Sugar,” no problem: Perhaps a lesson for all of us, the Dodgers are thriving without their closer, Edwin “Sugar” Díaz, illustrated by this tweet by Sarah Langs:
In order of appearance on Saturday, Alex Vesia secured his fifth hold, issuing a walk and recording two strikeouts during a scoreless bottom of the sixth. Kyle Hurt navigated around two walks, struck out one, and benefited from an inning-ending double play groundout for a scoreless sixth for his third hold. Tanner Scott allowed a one-out single by Gary Sánchez and recorded all three outs via strikeout, throwing 17 pitches (11 strikes – 64.7 Strike%) with four whiffs (23.5 SwStr%) at the bottom of the eighth.
He has been scoreless through all seven appearances this month and has posted multiple strikeouts across his last three. Jonathan Hernández finished off the eight-run margin with a clean ninth, striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Tanner Scott | Alex Vesia | Will Klein
Can the Blue Jays provide two valuable late-inning assets for fantasy purposes? Nailing down his fifth save, Jeff Hoffman fired a clean top of the ninth while striking out the side against the Pirates’ 7-8-9 lineup pocket. He threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (38.5 SwStr%).
He’s converted saves in his last two outings and been scoreless in his last four. There are no guarantees that Louis Varland will continue to log multiple-inning appearances, but recent usage patterns have put Hoffman back on the radar:
Compared with situations like the Reds, Twins, and the A’s, Hoffman’s recent performances make him a viable third reliever for those who stream that spot on their roster.
Hierarchy Remains: Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers | Jeff Hoffman
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Saturday’s 14-game slate.
American League
Houston Astros
Completing a combined shutout, Bryan King took over at the bottom of the ninth versus the Cubs’ 9-1-2 lineup pocket, allowing a two-out single by Alex Bregman before a game-ending lineout by Michael Busch, securing his sixth save. He threw 21 pitches (13 strikes – 61.9 Strike%) and induced two whiffs while recording one strikeout. This marked his fifth consecutive scoreless outing, during which he has converted three saves and two holds with a 0.529 WHIP across 5.2 innings.
- Enyel De Los Santos notched his fourth hold, retiring the side and striking out one in the eighth.
- Steven Okert worked a clean seventh and recorded a strikeout for his fifth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: *Bryan King | *Bryan Abreu | Enyel De Los Santos
*= closer-by-committee
Minnesota Twins
Forced into action at the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded and two outs, Taylor Rogers produced a game-ending strikeout of Jarren Duran and secured his second save, preserving a two-run lead. He threw six pitches (50 Strike%) and induced one whiff (16.7 SwStr%). He’s now tied for the team lead in saves and has been scoreless in his last six appearances.
- Andrew Morris could not close out his second save, issuing a bases-loaded walk, prompting his removal. He gets credit for his sixth hold, giving up a hit, an earned run, and three walks, throwing 32 pitches (15 strikes – 46.9 Strike%).
- Kendry Rojas worked three scoreless innings, yielding a hit and walking one while striking out three for his first hold.
Hierarchy Remains: *Yoendrys Gómez | *Eric Orze | *Anthony Banda
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Boston Red Sox: As the “bulk follower,” Brayan Bello allowed eight hits, two unearned runs, and a walk while striking out five across five innings. Tyler Samaniego retired the side in the seventh. Ryan Watson tossed two scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out three.
- The Athletics: During a shutout loss, Scott Barlow worked a scoreless bottom of the eighth despite issuing a walk. Joel Kuhnel tossed two scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out four. José Suarez logged 2.2 scoreless innings, allowing a hit and a walk with four strikeouts.
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks
Closing out a one-run lead and his 12th save, Paul Sewald fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded a strikeout against Colorado. He threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (33.3 SwStr%).
Through nine appearances this month, he has converted five of six save opportunities while recording a 0.72 WHIP with nine strikeouts against three walks (18.8 K-BB%) across 8.1 innings. He will turn 36 in two days, and if there is a path for success this year for Yates, following the trail blazed by Sewald is the way: throw strikes, rely on your best pitch, and dust yourself off after a blown save.
- Kevin Ginkel worked around a walk for a scoreless eighth, securing his third hold.
- Brandon Pfaadt was credited with his second hold, allowing two hits, including a home run by TJ Rumfield, scoring his only inherited runner, across his 1.2 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Paul Sewald | Kevin Ginkel | Taylor Clarke
Philadelphia Phillies
Revenge may be best served cold, but attaining it with a game-ending strikeout should be close. Jhoan Duran worked around Travis Bazzana’s lead-off double at the top of the ninth by retiring the next three batters, including a strikeout of Kyle Manzardo, completing the combined shutout while recording his ninth save. He threw 20 pitches (80 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. He’s been scoreless in seven of eight games since returning from the injured list, converting all four save chances while posting a 1.375 WHIP with 15 strikeouts against five walks (29.4 K-BB%) over eight innings.
- Brad Keller fired a clean eighth, striking out one for his fifth hold.
- Orion Kerkering worked a clean seventh and recorded two strikeouts, securing his second hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Duran | Brad Keller | José Alvarado
San Diego Padres
Slamming the door on his NL-leading 16th save and preserving a combined shutout, Mason Miller fired a clean top of the ninth while striking out two versus the A’s. He threw 13 pitches (61.5 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (23.1 SwStr%) facing the 6-7-8 lineup pocket.
This marked his 23rd appearance this season, during which he’s converted all of his save chances while posting a 0.803 WHIP with 47 strikeouts against nine walks (42.2 K-BB%) across 23.2 innings.
- Jason Adam allowed a hit and recorded three strikeouts for his 11th hold.
- Adrian Morejon notched his tenth hold by retiring the side in the seventh.
- Jeremiah Estrada worked around a walk, securing his sixth hold in the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Jason Adam | Jeremiah Estrada
St. Louis Cardinals
(Game 1) – Matt Svanson worked around a leadoff walk of JJ Bleday with a flyout and consecutive strikeouts, closing out a seven-run lead.
- George Soriano retired the side in the eighth.
- Ryne Stanek tossed a scoreless seventh, walking and striking out one.
(Game 2) – Taking over at the bottom of the tenth, Riley O’Brien stranded his first “courtesy runner” and an inherited runner, retiring all three batters with two strikeouts sandwiched around a groundout. However, returning for the 11th, he suffered his second loss, allowing a sacrifice bunt, a walk, and a walk-off RBI fielder’s choice grounder against Blake Dunn. O’Brien threw 20 pitches (55 Strike%) and produced five whiffs (25 SwStr%). Though this run was unearned, he has allowed at least a run in consecutive games, three of his last six, and in four of nine this month.
- JoJo Romero gave up a hit and a walk (intentional – Sal Stewart) while striking out one during his combined inning.
- Ryan Fernandez fired two clean frames and recorded four strikeouts as the 27th man in the doubleheader.
Hierarchy Remains: Riley O’Brien | JoJo Romero | George Soriano
Washington Nationals
Preserving a combined shutout and moving into a tie for the team lead in saves, Richard Lovelady fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded a strikeout against Atlanta’s 2-3-4 lineup pocket. He threw 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) and induced one whiff while locking down his fourth save. Through nine outings in May, he’s been scoreless in eight with a 1.33 WHIP and nine strikeouts versus five walks across nine innings.
- Brad Lord could not maintain the no-hit effort, but logged three scoreless frames, allowing a hit and striking out three on 47 pitches (32 strikes – 68.1 Strike%) with six whiffs (12.8 SwStr%).
Hierarchy Remains: *Clayton Beeter | *Gus Varland | *Richard Lovelady
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Colorado Rockies: Continuing to burn and churn its relievers on the roster, Seth Halvorsen stranded a runner, striking out his only batter faced, Corbin Carroll, at the bottom of the eighth. Keegan Thompson allowed three hits and two walks while striking out two across 2.2 innings.
- Miami Marlins: Although he spoiled the combined shutout, Andrew Nardi closed out an eventual three-run win over the Mets. He retired Juan Soto on a groundout, allowed Tyrone Taylor’s double, and an earned run on Mark Vientos’ RBI single, then induced a game-ending groundout. Anthony Bender fired 1.1 clean frames and recorded three strikeouts on 20 pitches (75 Strike%) with three whiffs.
- San Francisco Giants: Called upon at the top of the fifth with a runner on and two outs, Matt Gage produced an inning-ending strikeout against Colson Montgomery. He finished with a hit against during 1.1 scoreless frames while collecting his fourth win. Sam Hentges tossed a scoreless seventh, walking one and striking out two. Joel Peguero logged two scoreless frames, scattering two hits and striking out one, finishing off a seven-run lead.
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