As we remember and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country this Memorial Day, please enjoy time with your families while taking a moment to reflect with gratitude to those who made it possible.
Sunday’s 15-game slate featured six reliever wins, eight saves, and five losses, with only one blown save and one more postponed contest. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 407 saves this season, by 138 different pitchers.
As for the vulture options during today’s slate:
Vulture Save Options for 5.25.2026
- Will Klein (LAD): Scott has pitched in back-to-back games.
- Pierce Johnson (CIN): Has he risen to the top of the hierarchy?
- Anthony Nunez (BAL): Rico Garcia will face Junior Caminero and Yandy Díaz; if they do not hit in the ninth, it opens the door for the vulture save by Nunez.
- Michael Petersen (MIA): Fairbanks has pitched three times in the previous four days.
- Clayton Beeter (WSH): Lovelady has appeared in three consecutive contests, Ribalta in three of the prior four.
Vulture Save Stashes for 5.26.2026
- Will Vest (DET): If Kenley pitches today, and Vest does not, he would be in line for Tuesday.
- Mason Montgomery (PIT): If Soto gets used today, it’s back-to-back games.
- Joel Peguero (SF): If Kilian and Miller are used against Arizona tonight, it will be consecutive outings for both leverage relievers.
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Suggesting it’s been a tumultuous first year for Tony Vitello as a major league manager would be an understatement. With an underachieving star finally hitting home runs and a bullpen potentially taking form, things are looking up. On Sunday, Caleb Kliian finished off a three-run lead against the White Sox for his third save by striking out the side. He threw 16 pitches (62.5 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (25 SwStr%).
It’s his first save since May 12, and this outing snapped a two-game streak during which he allowed at least a run. Through 21 games, he owns a 1.075 WHIP with 25 strikeouts against 12 walks (14.3 K-BB%) across 22.1 innings. Erik Miller retired the side and recorded a strikeout for his sixth hold in the eighth. Matt Gage allowed a solo home run by Miguel Vargas during the seventh. Keaton Winn collected his first win, tossing two scoreless frames while giving up a hit and a walk with one strikeout.
Updated Hierarchy: Caleb Kilian | Erik Miller | Keaton Winn
Before delving into the takeaways, an update on how many relievers are recording saves. There have been 407 saves this season, by 138 different pitchers.
A recent uptick in saves has increased their occurrence during wins this season. However, the number of relievers getting saves in 2026 has reduced the number of relievers with at least 5 and 10 saves compared with the two previous years. It’s been easier to stream relievers daily than to find reliable save sources. Injuries have been a factor, but capturing saves has been challenging.
Three Takeaways
Is Kenley on the hot seat? Although he stranded two runners at the bottom of the eighth, with a one-run lead at the bottom of the ninth during Game 1, Kenley Jansen issued Jackson Holliday a one-out walk, allowed a stolen base, then walked Leody Taveras. After retiring Jeremiah Jackson on a flyout, Jansen served up a walk-off, three-run home run against Colton Cowser, resulting in his third loss and fourth blown save. He finished with a hit, three earned runs, and two walks over his combined inning. Here is his pitch chart with the home run pitch highlighted; it was center-cut:
Four of his nine hits allowed this season have been home runs, and baserunners are running at will when they get on base. His WHIP is at 1.186 after this appearance, but his current 13.6 percent walk rate represents his highest level since 2021. Hope for a rebound can be found in his quality of contact. His 3.32 xERA is below his current ERA, and his hard-hit percentage allowed is 10 percentage points below last season, despite his home run per fly ball rate currently at 20 percent, even though he has been an extreme fly-ball pitcher this season. Monitor his results closely moving forward.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Will Vest | Kyle Finnegan
14 by 11: This is not a football reference. Minnesota has converted 14 saves this season, with 11 different pitchers recording at least one. Summoned with two runners on and two outs, Travis Adams induced a game-ending flyout by Cedanne Rafaela, recording his first career save and becoming the 11th Twins pitcher with at least one this season. Yoendrys Gómez worked a scoreless eighth, stranding two runners with a strikeout and an inning-ending flyout. Returning for the ninth, he allowed a leadoff triple by Nick Sogard and a walk, followed by a strikeout, and an RBI double, with the second runner being thrown out at home. With two outs, he was called for a balk and hit Jarren Duran with a pitch, prompting his removal. He was credited with his fourth hold, giving up two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out two. Taylor Rogers created the mess in the eighth, yielding two hits and retiring one batter before being removed. He still gets credit for his sixth hold. Eric Orze fired a clean seventh, striking out two, and notching his sixth hold. Anthony Banda retired the side in the sixth for his fifth hold.
Arizona set an MLB record with 17 different pitchers securing a save last season, and the team had eight by May 24, putting the Twins well ahead of pace for setting a new one this year. New challenge, a reliever getting consecutive saves for the team. Only three have recorded multiple saves, and one was just designated for assignment (Luis García). Keep a go bag packed in this bullpen.
Hierarchy Remains: *Yoendrys Gómez | *Eric Orze | *Anthony Banda
*= closer-by-committee
We’re going streaking: Closing out a four-run lead in Milwaukee, Tanner Scott fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts on 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%).
This extended his personal scoreless streak to 10 games, during which he has posted a 0.484 WHIP with 16 strikeouts versus two walks (38.9 K-BB%) through 10.1 innings. Will Klein tossed a clean eighth, striking out two. The Dodgers bullpen has now recorded 38 consecutive scoreless innings, the second-longest streak all time, per Sarah Langs:
Los Angeles will face Colorado in a three-game set starting tonight.
Hierarchy Remains: Tanner Scott | Alex Vesia | Will Klein
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Sunday’s slate.
American League
Boston Red Sox
Through his first 19 games this season, Garrett Whitlock only entered a game before the eighth on three occasions, and zero before the seventh. Things changed on Sunday when he was called on with two runners on and two outs at the top of the sixth. He suffered his first blown save, allowing an RBI double by Austin Martin, then a two-RBI single by Brooks Lee before an inning-ending strikeout.
- Tyron Guerrero was charged with his first loss, while receiving credit for his first hold, giving up two hits, two earned runs, and striking out two during two-thirds of the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Justin Slaten
Chicago White Sox
As the first reliever in at the bottom of the fifth, Grant Taylor could not stifle the Giants’ rally. He let both inherited runners score, and two earned on his ledger, issuing a walk before serving up a grand slam by Rafael Devers. Taylor only recorded one out and was removed from the contest after throwing 16 pitches.
- Tyler Davis logged 1.2 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out one.
- Seranthony Dominguez worked a scoreless seventh, giving up a hit and striking out two on 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%) versus the 4-5-6-7 hitters.
- Brandon Eisert navigated around two hits and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Seranthony Domínguez | Grant Taylor | Bryan Hudson
Cleveland Guardians
Locking down his MLB-leading 18th save, Cade Smith fired a clean bottom of the ninth, including a game-ending strikeout of Trea Turner, preserving a two-run lead and a series win in Philadelphia. He threw 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) and induced one whiff. His WHIP has been lowered to 1.052 through 25.2 innings, during which he has 37 strikeouts versus five walks (31.4 K-BB%) while converting 18 of 20 save opportunities.
- Hunter Gaddis stranded a runner during the seventh and logged 1.1 clean frames, striking out two for his sixth hold.
- Tim Herrin gave up a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one for his fifth hold during two-thirds of the seventh.
- Colin Holderman stranded a runner despite issuing a walk during one-third of the sixth, securing his second hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Erik Sabrowski
Detroit Tigers
(Game 2) – Drew Anderson closed out his second save, logging two scoreless frames despite allowing a hit and two walks with four strikeouts. He threw 45 pitches (27 strikes – 60 Strike%) and produced six whiffs (13.3 SwStr%). Only three days removed from a start, he turned in a clutch performance for his team.
- Tyler Holton notched his fourth hold, stranding a runner in the sixth and retiring all four batters faced, two via strikeout.
(Game 1) – Kyle Finnegan gets credit for his sixth hold, giving up two hits and an earned run. And a walk during two-thirds of the eighth. Will Vest fired a clean seventh, striking out one for his fifth hold.
Houston Astros
In his second appearance this season, Nate Pearson earned his first save, working around a leadoff walk to Pete Crow-Armstrong with consecutive lineouts, followed by a game-ending flyout by Alex Bregman. He threw 20 pitches (55 Strike%) and induced one whiff in his outing.
- Bryan Abreu navigated around a hit and a walk for a scoreless eighth, securing his fourth hold. He has been scoreless across eight games in May, posting a 1.173 WHIP with five strikeouts and five walks over 7.2 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: *Bryan King | *Bryan Abreu | Enyel De Los Santos
Kansas City Royals
Appearing for the first time in a week, Lucas Erceg struggled during a non-save situation. He allowed four hits, resulting in three earned runs, and recorded a strikeout while finishing an eventual two-run margin against Seattle. He threw 32 pitches (22 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (9.4 SwStr%). He has allowed at least a run in three of his last four games.
- John Schreiber secured his second hold, giving up a hit and striking out one in a scoreless top of the eighth.
- Daniel Lynch IV let one of two inherited runners score on J.P. Crawford’s single and recorded two outs for his sixth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Lucas Erceg | Daniel Lynch IV | John Schreiber
Los Angeles Angels
After walking the tightrope at the top of the ninth, and wriggling out of a bases-loaded jam with an inning-ending strikeout against Jake Burger, Sam Bachman collected his first win on a wild walk-off at the bottom of the frame. He navigated around two hits and a walk with two strikeouts, throwing 27 pitches (66.7 Strike%) while generating seven whiffs (25.9 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in his last six outings, recording a 0.819 WHIP with six strikeouts versus one walk (17.9 SwStr%) across 7.1 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Kirby Yates | Ryan Zeferjahn | Sam Bachman
The Athletics
Forced into action at the bottom of the ninth with two runners on and one out, Scott Barlow secured his first save of the season, striking out Nick Castellanos and inducing a game-ending flyout by Fernando Tatis Jr. Barlow only needed eight pitches (62.5 Strike%) and generated three whiffs (37.5 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless over his last four outings, and this represents his first save since August 18, 2025.
- Hogan Harris began the ninth but issued two walks while retiring one batter via strikeout, getting credited with his eighth hold.
- Mark Leiter Jr. tossed a scoreless eighth despite issuing a walk for his second hold.
- Justin Sterner allowed Ty France’s solo home run and recorded a strikeout in the seventh, notching his ninth hold.
- Jacob Lopez collected his fourth win as the “bulk follower,” logging 4.2 innings while giving up six hits, an earned run, and a walk with three strikeouts.
Hierarchy Remains: *Hogan Harris | *Mark Leiter Jr. | *Joel Kuhnel
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Baltimore Orioles: (Game 1) – Benefiting from a walk-off rally, Dietrich Enns collected his second win, logging 1.1 clean frames and stranding three runners at the top of the eighth.
- New York Yankees: Working around a one-out walk and a two-out single, Tim Hill produced an inning-ending strikeout of Richie Palacios, keeping the game in a scoreless tie. He collected his first win courtesy of a walk-off home run by Aaron Judge. Hill threw 18 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and recorded two strikeouts at the top of the ninth. Fernando Cruz navigated around two hits and a walk for a scoreless eighth.
- Tampa Bay Rays: During a scoreless tie, Kevin Kelly retired the Yankees’ 7-8-9 lineup pocket in order during the eighth, but things changed when he returned for the ninth. Trent Grisham drew a lead-off walk, followed by Aaron Judge’s walk-off, two-run home run, resulting in his second loss.
- Texas Rangers: Suffering his first loss, Gavin Collyer allowed Jorge Soler’s one-out single and hit Jo Adell, then induced a ground ball, with a force out recorded at second, but an errant throw to first, plated the walk-off run. He finished with a hit against and an unearned run while striking out one during two-thirds of the ninth.
National League
Miami Marlins
Taking over a scoreless contest at the top of the ninth, Pete Fairbanks navigated around MJ Melendez’s leadoff single with a caught stealing on the pinch runner, and a two-out walk to Luis Torrens with an inning-ending strikeout against Carson Benge. He collected his second courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. He threw 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
- Michael Petersen stranded a runner in the seventh while logging 1.1 scoreless frames with two strikeouts.
- Anthony Bender walked one during a scoreless combined inning.
- John King retired two batters in the sixth and issued a walk before being removed.
- Calvin Faucher stranded two runners in the fourth, tossing 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding two hits and striking out one.
Updated Hierarchy: Pete Fairbanks | Michael Petersen | Anthony Bender
New York Mets
All good things must come to an end, and for Devin Williams, he not only had his 10-game scoreless streak snapped, but he also suffered his second loss in Miami. He took over a scoreless game, allowing Christopher Morel’s leadoff double, followed by a sacrifice bunt putting the winning run at third. Williams walked Liam Hicks, then intentionally walked Xavier Edwards before serving up a walk-off grand slam, torching his ratios. The terrific irony being that he allowed only two hits and two walks over his previous 9.2 innings, a mark he matched in this outing.
- Luke Weaver fired a clean bottom of the eighth, striking out one.
- Brooks Raley allowed two hits and a walk during two-thirds of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Devin Williams | Luke Williams | Brooks Raley
Pittsburgh Pirates
After retiring Ernie Clement via popout, Gregory Soto hit Andrés Giménez with a pitch, followed by a walk to Brandon Valenzuela, then bore down, inducing a popout by George Springer, followed by a game-ending strikeout of Daulton Varsho, securing his fifth save. He threw 22 pitches (10 strikes – 45.5 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (13.6 SwStr%). This was his first outing in four days, but command remains an issue for the high-octane reliever. He has been scoreless in seven of nine games in May, recording a win while converting four of five save opportunities with a 0.827 WHIP and 10 strikeouts against four walks (15.8 K-BB%).
- Mason Montgomery notched his sixth hold, stranding two runners and retiring all five batters, two via strikeout.
- Yohan Ramírez gets credit for his third hold despite giving up a hit and a walk during one-third of the seventh.
Updated Hierarchy: Gregory Soto | Mason Montgomery | Yohan Ramírez
Washington Nationals
Thrust into a bases-loaded situation with one out at the bottom of the ninth, Orlando Ribalta earned his second save, striking out Chadwick Tromp and inducing a game-ending groundout against Ronald Acuña Jr. He threw 10 pitches (70 Strike%) and produced two whiffs.
Richard Lovelady took over with two runners on at the top of the ninth, and retired Michael Harris II on a flyout, let Eli White reach on a fielder’s choice error, scoring one of the runners, and walked Ha-Seong Kim, to load the bases, prompting his removal. This was his third appearance in as many days, and he threw 15 pitches (8 strikes – 53.3 Strike%) with three whiffs.
- Gus Varland stranded a runner in the eighth, retiring both batters, then gave up consecutive singles at the top of the ninth before being removed. He was credited with his sixth hold and was charged with an earned run.
- Andrew Alvarez tossed 1.1 scoreless innings, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one for his second hold.
Updated Hierarchy: *Richard Lovelady | *Gus Varland | *Clayton Beeter
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Putting the final touch on an eight-run win over the Rockies, Taylor Clarke worked a clean top of the ninth while striking out one.
- Atlanta Braves: During an eventual loss, Carlos Carrasco retired the side at the top of the ninth. Reynaldo López allowed a hit, an earned run, and two walks while striking out two across two innings. Didier Fuentes stranded a runner and retired his only batter via strikeout in the sixth.
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Statistical Credits: