Following an 11-day refinement period after being demoted from save chances, Craig Kimbrel recorded his ninth save of the season but only his second this month. Could this be the template for Edwin Díaz? Only seven saves were secured on Sunday, including a two-inning save by Reed Garrett. Our condensed and full recaps cover these high-leverage events and those of interest.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
(RP | BAL): Back into the ninth inning, Craig Kimbrel notched his ninth save, retiring the side and striking out two against Seattle.
(RP | BOS): During a non-save outing, Chris Martin finished an eight-run win in St. Louis by striking out the side. He threw 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (28.6 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: Kenley Jansen | Chris Martin | Justin Slaten
(RP | CLE): Despite suffering his third blown save on a fielding error, Emmanuel Clase benefited from a walk-off rally in the bottom of the inning, collecting his third win.
(RP | DET): Entering in the bottom of the sixth of a tied contest, Tyler Holton retired the side. However, he suffered his first loss, allowing a lead-off single in the seventh. This prompted his removal, and the runner scored, putting an earned run on his ledger.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Andrew Chafin | Alex Lange
(RP | LAA): Logging 1.1 scoreless frames, and working around two hits, Luis García closed out his second save during a win in Texas.
(RP | MIN): Taking over a tied game in the bottom of the ninth, Jhoan Durán issued a one-out walk and then retired José Ramírez on a flyout. With two outs, a wild pitch moved up the runner, prompting an intentional walk of Josh Naylor. Before a walk-off three-run home run by Will Brennan handed the Twins reliever his second loss, both in this series. He’s allowed at least a run and a home run over his last two appearances.
Hierarchy remains: *Jhoan Durán (HLR/PSS) | *Griffin Jax | *Caleb Thielbar
*An HLR/PSS means he’s the preferred save option, but will be used in the highest-leverage moment in games when deemed necessary.
(RP | NYY): Forced into action during a non-save appearance, Clay Holmes stranded two inherited runners and retired both batters in the top of the ninth, preserving a five-run win over the White Sox. He threw four pitches (75 Strike%) and induced a lineout, followed by a game-ending fielder’s choice groundout.
Hierarchy remains: Clay Holmes | Luke Weaver | Victor González
(RP | OAK): Making his first appearance since May 14, Mason Miller fired a clean bottom of the eighth during a loss. He threw seven pitches (85.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff. This pushed his scoreless streak to 14 games, spanning 18.1 innings with 37 strikeouts against four walks and a 0.44 WHIP.
Hierarchy remains: Mason Miller | Lucas Erceg | Austin Adams
(RP | TEX): Suffering his first blown save, Jonathan Hernández let both inherited runners score in the top of the seventh, giving up three hits, two earned runs on his ledger, and a walk over two-thirds of an inning.
Hierarchy remains: Kirby Yates | David Robertson | José Leclerc
(RP | TOR): Recording a fantasy favorite one-out save, Jordan Romano retired his only batter via strikeout, preserving a three-run win and securing his seventh save.
National League
(RP | ARI): Shutting the door on his third save, Paul Sewald retired the side in the top of the ninth, preserving a two-run win over the Tigers.
(RP | CHC): During an eventual loss, Ben Brown worked two scoreless innings, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out three. He threw 42 pitches (26 strikes – 61.9 Strike%) and produced six whiffs (14.3 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: Héctor Neris | Mark Leiter Jr. | Ben Brown
(RP | CIN): Suffering his third loss, Alexis Díaz gave up a walk-off RBI hit by Shohei Ohtani in the bottom of the tenth.
(RP | LAD): Benefiting from a walk-off in the bottom of the tenth, Anthony Banda collected his first win, during his first appearance with the team. He retired the side in the top of the inning, stranding the “place” runner.
(RP | MIA): Appearing during a loss, A.J. Puk stranded a runner in the sixth and retired four of five batters, issuing a walk and striking out one. He threw 25 pitches (68 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: Tanner Scott | A.J. Puk| Anthony Bender
(RP | NYM): After striking out the side in the bottom of the eighth, Reed Garrett returned for the ninth and recorded his second save. He tossed two scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out four.
(RP | PIT): Despite issuing a walk, David Bednar worked a scoreless bottom of the ninth, securing his tenth save and preserving his team’s one-run win over the Cubs on the road.
(RP | SFG): Locking down his eighth save, Camilo Doval retired the side and recorded one strikeout while closing out a win over the Rockies.
(RP | WSH): Entering at the bottom of the fifth, Jacob Barnes suffered his first loss, letting his only inherited runner score, allowing two earned runs on his ledger, and giving up a hit and a walk during his one-third of an inning.
Hierarchy Remains: Kyle Finnegan | Hunter Harvey | Dylan Floro
Vulture Saves for Monday, May 20
ATL: If there’s a sweep, A.J. Minter or Pierce Johnson could be in play for a save chance.
MIN: Durán pitched in two of the last three and has not worked on consecutive days since returning from the injured list, putting Griffin Jax in line for the save tonight.
NYM: Garrett logged two innings, placing Adam Ottavino on the radar for the save opportunity this evening.
SDP: Noting his manager will use Robert Suarez against the top of Atlanta’s lineup, not exclusively in the ninth, Yuki Matsui or Jeremiah Estrada will be in play during today’s doubleheader.
Vulture Saves for Tuesday, May 21
Dependent on usage patterns from today’s slate.
Game Recaps – American League
Baltimore Orioles – Following an 11-day hiatus since his last save chance, Craig Kimbrel recorded his ninth save, and first since May 3, retiring the side while striking out two. He faced the Mariners’ 7-8-9 lineup pocket and threw 14 pitches (57.1 Strike%), inducing one whiff. This marked his fourth straight scoreless appearance. Cole Irvin logged two scoreless frames, yielding a hit for his first hold. Jacob Webb gave up a hit, two earned runs, and two walks without recording an out in the top of the seventh.
A second save chance in a row will remove the shared label, but this outing was encouraging.
Hierarchy remains: *Craig Kimbrel | *Yennier Cano | *Danny Coulombe
*= closer-by-committee
Cleveland Guardians – In an eventful ninth inning, Emmanuel Clase suffered his third blown save but collected his third win courtesy of a walk-off home run in the bottom of the inning. After recording two quick outs on a strikeout and a lineout, Clase hit Ryan Jeffers with a pitch, then Willi Castro reached base on a fielder’s choice, and the game-tying run scored on a dropped toss from first baseman Josh Naylor to the closer was missed. With two outs, Clase induced an inning-ending groundout. His final line was an unearned run and a strikeout on 19 pitches (13 strikes – 68.4 Strike%) with four whiffs (21.1 SwStr%). Hunter Gaddis notched his ninth hold, retiring the side in the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Emmanuel Clase | Scott Barlow | Nick Sandlin
Los Angeles Angels – Inheriting a messy situation in the bottom of the eighth, Luis Garcia took over with two runners on base. He gave up a hit by Josh Smith but induced an inning-ending flyout from Jonah Heim, stranding both. He navigated around a one-out single in the ninth with a game-ending double play, recording his second save and preserving the three-run win in Texas. He threw 16 pitches (13 strikes – 81.3 Strike%) without a whiff.
Hierarchy remains: Carlos Estévez | Luis García | Adam Cimber
Toronto Blue Jays – Pressed into action with a runner on and a three-run lead, Jordan Romano was credited with his seventh save after producing a game-ending strikeout of Jonny DeLuca. He only threw four pitches (75 Strike%) and generated two whiffs (50 SwStr%). Zach Pop allowed three hits, including a two-run home run by Isaac Paredes, and struck out one over two-thirds of the ninth before his removal. Trevor Richards retired the side in the eighth, striking out one.
Hierarchy remains (for now): Jordan Romano | Yimi García (HLR) | Erik Swanson
Game Recaps – National League
Arizona Diamondbacks – Making his first appearance in four days, Paul Sewald fired a clean top of the ninth, nailing down his third save while preserving a two-run over the Tigers. He threw ten pitches (90 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (20 SwStr%) against the 6-7-8 batters. He’s on a modest four-game scoreless streak. Ryan Thompson logged two scoreless innings, letting his only inherited runner score while scattering three hits and striking out three. He collected his second win and his second blown save in this contest.
Hierarchy remains: Paul Sewald | Kevin Ginkel | Ryan Thompson
Cincinnati Reds – Replacing Emilio Pagán in the bottom of the ninth, Alexis Díaz completed a strikeout of Jason Heyward. In the tenth, he issued a one-out walk, retired Mookie Betts on a lineout, and allowed a walk-off RBI single by Shohei Ohtani, resulting in his third loss. He threw 21 pitches (12 strikes – 57.1 Strike%) without a whiff. Although it’s an unearned run, he’s given up at least a run in three straight appearances with two losses. Pagán worked a scoreless combined inning, stranding a runner in the eighth. Sam Moll allowed two hits over two-thirds scoreless in the eighth. Fernando Cruz stranded a runner in the seventh, striking out one and retiring both batters.
Hierarchy remains (for now): Alexis Díaz | Lucas Sims| Fernando Cruz
Los Angeles Dodgers – As everyone planned, Anthony Banda collected his first win, tossing a clean top of the tenth and stranding the “place” runner while striking out one. Blake Treinen navigated around two hits for a scoreless ninth, recording one strikeout. Alex Vesia suffered his first blown save, letting one of three inherited runners score by issuing a bases-loaded walk, but he settled in and logged 1.2 scoreless frames with three strikeouts. Ryan Yarbrough allowed a hit, an earned run, and two walks while striking out one over 1.2 innings.
Hierarchy remains: *Daniel Hudson | *Blake Treinen | *Alex Vesia
*= closer-by-committee
New York Mets – Taking over in the eighth with a one-run lead, Reed Garrett retired the side, all via strikeout. After his teammates tacked on three runs in the ninth, he remained in the game, recording his second save. He logged two scoreless frames, allowing a hit and striking out four on 34 pitches (24 Strikes – 70.6 Strike%) with ten whiffs (29.4 SwStr%). Jake Diekman was credited with his fourth hold, giving up a solo home run and striking out one. Sean Reid-Foley navigated around a hit and a walk while striking out two during a scoreless sixth, securing his third hold.
Updated Hierarchy: *Adam Ottavino | *Reed Garrett | Edwin Díaz
*= closer-by-committee
Pittsburgh Pirates – Logging his third outing in four days, David Bednar notched his tenth save, navigating around a two-out walk for a scoreless ninth inning, persevering a one-run win. He threw 22 pitches (14 strikes – 63.6 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (13.6 SwStr%). He’s converted five straight save chances since May 5 with four strikeouts against two walks over 6.1 innings. Aroldis Chapman fired a clean eighth, striking out two for his tenth hold. Colin Holderman retired the side and struck out two while recording his fifth hold.
Hierarchy remains: David Bednar | Aroldis Chapman | Colin Holderman
San Francisco Giants – Save number eight for Camilo Doval. He fired a clean top of the ninth, recording one strikeout while throwing 17 pitches (10 strikes – 58.8 Strike%) and inducing three whiffs (17.6 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in six of seven games in May, converting three saves with ten strikeouts versus six walks over 7.1 innings. Taylor Rogers garnered his fourth hold, issuing two walks during a scoreless eighth. Luke Jackson notched his second hold, striking out the side in the seventh. Sean Hjelle retired the side in the sixth, securing his third hold.
Hierarchy remains: Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers | Ryan Walker
Closer Monkey’s filthy outing of the day, the ever-volatile but effective when he’s on, Aroldis Chapman racking up two strikeouts during a scoreless ninth versus the Cubs, courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
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