Tuesday’s slate produced eight wins (one accompanied by a blown save), eight saves, five losses, and four blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 1,221 saves this season by 254 different pitchers. For perspective, this season has already set an MLB record for the number of pitchers with at least one save; the previous record was 223 in 2024.
Here are the upcoming vulture save options:
Vulture Save Options for 9.23.2026
- Garrett Whitlock (BOS): Chapman may need one more day until he’s ready.
- Daniel Palencia (CHC): He was sharp last night, and Zeferjahn’s struggling.
Doubleheader
- Baltimore Orioles – Preferred: Andrew Kittredge
- Toronto Blue Jays – Preferred: José Rodriguez
Vulture Save Stash for 9.24.2026
- Edwin Díaz (LAD): If Scott pitches tonight, Díaz could get a postseason audition on Thursday.
- Seranthony Domínguez (SEA): If Muñoz pitches tonight, he’s not likely available on back-to-back games while nursing a knee issue.
In case you missed them, sneak previews of potential closer options for both leagues have been posted:
2027 Potential Closers | American League
2027 Potential Closers | National League
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Awarded his 12th win, Justin Wrobleski allowed a hit during a scoreless top of the second against the Padres in an eventual combined shutout.
- Blake Treinen walked one in the third. Roki Sasaki gave up two hits and struck out two in the fourth.
- Edwin Díaz fired a clean fifth while facing the top of the batting order, throwing 22 pitches (14 strikes; 63.6% strike rate) and producing three whiffs (13.6 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in his last three, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out six (45.5 K-BB%). It’s a small sample, but an encouraging one for the currently deposed closer. Could his role be changing soon?
Updated Hierarchy: Tanner Scott | Edwin Díaz | Kris Bubic
Today’s Takeaways
Atlanta will activate Robert Suarez today or tomorrow:
D-Will’s back too:
Aroldis in a day or two?
Now it’s time for the remaining leverage events of interest from Tuesday.
American League
Cleveland Guardians – Closing out a one-run lead over Boston, Cade Smith worked around Jarren Duran’s one-out walk with consecutive groundouts, locking down his 40th save. He threw 16 pitches (11 strikes; 68.8% strike rate) and induced one whiff while recording one strikeout. This extends his scoreless streak to 11 games, during which he owns a 0.45 WHIP with 22 strikeouts and three walks (40.4 K-BB%) across 13.1 innings.
- Hunter Gaddis allowed two hits, including Mickey Gasper’s game-tying solo home run, but collected his fifth win, courtesy of a go-ahead rally at the top of the ninth.
- Erik Sabrowski notched his 26th hold, walking one and striking out three in the seventh.
- Craig Yoho stranded a runner, walking and striking out one during one-third of the sixth inning for his fourth hold.
- Tim Herrin gave up a hit in two-thirds of the sixth, earning his 16th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Erik Sabrowski
Los Angeles Angels – Things went awry at the bottom of the seventh when José Fermin allowed three hits, which resulted in three earned runs and a walk without recording an out.
Tayler Saucedo let one of two inherited runners score, issuing a walk during his one-third of the seventh, and was credited with his tenth hold.
- Sam Bachman stranded three runners in the seventh, retiring two batters, but gave up three hits and three earned runs in two-thirds of the eighth, resulting in his third loss and a fourth blown save.
- Blake Weiman let his only inherited runner score, serving up Zack Gelof’s two-run home run, putting an earned run on his ledger during one-third of the eighth.
As for this usage pattern:
What has to be frustrating for fantasy players, he has not pitched since September 19:
Hierarchy Remains: Ben Joyce | Ryan Watson | Tayler Saucedo
Minnesota Twins – An initial bout of wildness put Jeff Hoffman in dire straits. His outing began with a leadoff walk by Brett Harris, followed by a hit-by-pitch (Andrew Knizner), and a sacrifice bunt putting both runners into scoring position. After another walk loaded the bases, he induced a fielder’s choice groundout, scoring a run, followed by a game-ending strikeout for his sixth save of the season, first with the Twins. He threw 24 pitches (11 strikes; 45.8% strike rate) and produced three whiffs (12.5 SwStr%).
- A.J. Minter notched his tenth hold, giving up a hit and striking out one while stranding a runner during his two-thirds of the eighth inning.
- Andrew Morris stranded two runners at the bottom of the seventh, and retired one batter in the eighth, walking and striking out one in his combined inning for his 24th hold.
- Kody Funderburk gave up two hits and struck out one in one-third of the seventh, getting credit for his 14th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: *Jeff Hoffman | *A.J. Minter | *Andrew Morris
*= closer-by-committee
New York Yankees – (Game 1) – David Bednar slammed the door on his 35th save while retiring the Rays’ 8-9-1 hitters in order, preserving a combined shutout. He threw 11 pitches (63.6% strike rate) and did not produce a whiff. He has been scoreless in five of seven outings in September, recording a win while converting four of five save chances, posting a 1.00 WHIP with nine strikeouts and no walks (30 K-BB%) over eight innings.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Paul Blackburn | Brent Headrick
Tampa Bay Rays – (Game 1) – Ty Johnson fired two clean frames and recorded four strikeouts during a shutout loss in the Bronx. He threw 23 pitches (16 strikes; 69.6% strike rate) and induced six whiffs (26.1 SwStr%).
(Game 2) – Bryan Baker closed out a split, preserving a 6-1 lead with a scoreless bottom of the ninth, working around an infield hit and an opposite-field bloop with a game-ending groundout.
- Cam Booser recorded his 12th hold, striking out one during a clean bottom of the eighth.
- Kevin Kelly let one of two inherited runners score on an RBI single by George Lombard Jr., and recorded an out in the seventh for his 32nd hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Bryan Baker | Kevin Kelly | Cam Booser
The Athletics – Capping his team’s come-from-behind rallies, Hogan Harris held on for his 16th save, allowing three hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one. He threw 28 pitches (17 strikes; 60.7% strike rate) and induced three whiffs (10.7 SwStr%). This was his first save since September 4 and snapped his two-game scoreless streak.
- Luis Medina earned his sixth win, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one at the top of the eighth. He has been scoreless in his last nine appearances, posting a 0.778 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and five walks (26.5 K-BB%) over nine innings.
Hierarchy Remains: *Hogan Harris | *Elvis Alvarado | Luis Medina
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Boston Red Sox: Entering a tied game at the top of the ninth, Erik Miller hit Chase DeLauter with a pitch leading off the inning, followed by Jo Adell’s single and Nathaniel Lowe’s go-ahead sacrifice fly, resulting in his second loss. He finished with two hits, an earned run, and a walk during his outing.
- Houston Astros: As the first reliever at the bottom of the fourth, Miguel Ullola collected his first win, tossing two scoreless innings, allowing a hit and striking out two in a combined shutout in Seattle.
- Texas Rangers: Taking over at the top of the sixth with a one-run lead, Nathan Eovaldi suffered his tenth loss and his first blown save, giving up three hits, three earned runs, and a walk while facing the Mets.
National League
Chicago Cubs – After stranding all three inherited runners at the top of the 11th, recording two outs, Caleb Thielbar struggled in the 12th, allowing two hits and three runs (two earned), resulting in his fourth loss. Edward Cabrera put gasoline on the fire, giving up two hits, three earned runs, and two walks while striking out one in his two-thirds of the 12th inning.
- Ryan Zeferjahn stranded a runner in the 10th, retiring one batter and also recording an out in the 11th, leaving after yielding a hit and a walk.
- Ryan Rolison gave up a hit during 1.1 scoreless innings.
- Daniel Palencia retired all four batters, one via strikeout.
Updated Hierarchy: *Ryan Zeferjahn | *Ryan Rolison | *Daniel Palencia
*= closer-by-committee
Miami Marlins – Following a six-run outburst at the top of the 12th, Victor Vodnik retired the side and recorded two strikeouts at the bottom of the inning, putting the bow on the victory.
Josh Ekness collected his third win, issuing Pete Crow-Armstrong an intentional walk and striking out two at the bottom of the 11th.
- Jack Ralston worked a scoreless tenth despite giving up two walks, one intentional.
- Tyler Zuber gave up a hit and struck out one in the ninth.
- Eury Pérez made his first career relief appearance, striking out the side in the eighth.
- Michael Petersen navigated around a hit and a walk while striking out one in the seventh.
- Calvin Faucher suffered his sixth blown save, letting one of two inherited runners score, yielding a hit and striking out two in a scoreless sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: *Michael Petersen | *Calvin Faucher | *Tyler Zuber
*= closer-by-committee
New York Mets – Despite his recent struggles, Kodai Senga allowed a baserunner, hitting Nicky Lopez with a pitch, during a scoreless bottom of the ninth, striking out two for his eighth save. He threw 19 pitches (11 strikes; 57.9% strike rate) and induced one whiff. He gave up multiple runs in his last appearance and had given up at least a run in three of his previous four before this save.
- Dedniel Núñez fired a clean bottom of the eighth, striking out two, securing his fifth hold.
- Nate Lavender worked a clean seventh and recorded two strikeouts for his 11th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Kodai Senga | Dedniel Núñez | Nate Lavender
Philadelphia Phillies – Beginning his outing with consecutive strikeouts, Jhoan Duran issued Christian Yelich a walk, followed by his advancing to second on defensive indifference, then scoring on Luis Lara’s RBI single, before a game-ending groundout, closing out his 33rd save. He threw 24 pitches (13 strikes; 54.2% strike rate) and produced one whiff. The good news is that he has converted his last three save chances, but he’s allowed at least a run in three of seven appearances this month.
- José Alvarado collected his fifth win, retiring his only batter faced at the top of the eighth ahead of his team’s go-ahead rally at the bottom of the inning.
- Alex McFarlane logged 1.2 clean frames, striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Duran | Jonathan Bowlan | José Alvarado
Pittsburgh Pirates – Although his outing started with six straight pitches out of the strike zone, Gregory Soto completed a combined shutout while securing his 16th save, striking out two of the next three batters. He threw 18 pitches (8 strikes; 44.4% strike rate) and induced two whiffs (11.1 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in his last three appearances, with a save in his last two.
- Luke Weaver allowed a walk and recorded three strikeouts in the eighth, notching his 23rd hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Montgomery | Luke Weaver | Gregory Soto
Washington Nationals – Sealing a two-run lead, Erik Tolman issued a walk and recorded three strikeouts in Detroit, notching his fourth save. He threw 22 pitches (13 strikes; 59.1% strike rate) and produced three whiffs (13.6 SwStr%). He had allowed a run in his two previous outings, each resulting in a blown save.
- Jack Sinclair stranded two runners at the bottom of the seventh and retired four of five batters faced, recording a hit-by-pitch and one strikeout for his second hold.
- Jackson Kent earned his second win, giving up six hits, an earned run, and two walks while striking out three over his three innings of bulk relief.
Updated Hierarchy: *Will Dion | *Jack Sinclair | *Erik Tolman
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Preserving a five-run margin in Coors Field, Kevin Ginkel allowed a hit during a scoreless bottom of the ninth. Juan Morillo tossed a scoreless eighth, hitting a batter and striking out two.
- Atlanta Braves: In a shutout loss, Didier Fuentes fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out one while facing the Reds’ top of the lineup.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Tuesday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: