Before the games began on Saturday, Toronto placed Jordan Romano on the 15-day injured list with elbow inflammation. He will be shut down from throwing for a few days and then begin his throwing regimen for a return. Per manager John Schneider, Yimi García will be the preferred option for saves in the interim, though Chad Green will also be in the mix based on usage patterns in the high-leverage innings.
Our Month in Review for May was posted on Saturday. It includes underlying statistics combined with statistics by relievers accrued during the month, with easily digestible charts and information.
During Saturday’s games, relievers recorded six wins and six saves, detailed in our condensed and full game recaps of key events.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
(RP | BAL): Entering in the top of the third, Jacob Webb stranded all three inherited runners and tossed 2.1 scoreless innings, giving up a walk and striking out one. He collected his first win, pitching ahead of his team’s rally in the bottom of the inning.
Hierarchy remains: Craig Kimbrel | Yennier Cano | Danny Coulombe
(RP | CWS): After working a scoreless ninth, keeping the game tied, Michael Kopech returned for the tenth. However, things did not go smoothly. He issued an intentional walk then gave up a walk-off, RBI single, resulting in his fifth loss.
(RP | CLE): Securing his American League-leading 18th save, Emmanuel Clase fired a clean top of the ninth, preserving a one-run win over the Nationals.
(RP | DET): Making his first appearance since May 26, Jason Foley allowed a two-out single and produced an inning-ending strikeout during an eventual loss in Boston. He threw 22 pitches (16 strikes – 72.7 Strike%) and produced five whiffs (22.7 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley (HLR|PSS) | Tyler Holton | Alex Faedo
*An HLR/PSS means he’s the preferred save option, but will be used in the highest-leverage moment in games when necessary.
(RP | HOU): Shutting the door on his eighth save, Josh Hader fired a clean top of the ninth and struck out one.
(RP | NYY): Closing a four-run win in San Francisco, Clay Holmes worked a scoreless bottom of the ninth, navigating around a lead-off walk (Matt Chapman) and a two-out double (Jorge Soler). He threw 20 pitches (75 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. He’s on a six-game scoreless streak but owns a 1.70 WHIP (six hits and two walks) over these 4.2 innings.
Hierarchy remains: Clay Holmes | Luke Weaver | Tommy Kahnle
(RP | OAK): Replacing Lucas Erceg on the roster, Dany Jiménez turned in his first save of the season, navigating around a lead-off double by retiring the next three hitters, finishing a two-run win in Atlanta.
National League
(RP | ARI): Kevin Ginkel collected his third win, retiring his three batters faced and stranding a runner in the bottom of the fifth. He threw eight pitches (75 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
Hierarchy remains: Paul Sewald | Ryan Thompson | Joe Mantiply
(RP | CHC): Capping an eighth-inning rally, Héctor Neris notched his seventh save, and first since May 4. He allowed a hit and struck out one, preserving a two-run win over the Reds.
(RP | CIN): Taking over a tied game in the bottom of the eighth, Lucas Sims suffered his second loss, giving up two hits, including a go-ahead two-run home run by Dansby Swanson, issued a walk, and recorded two strikeouts over two-thirds of an inning.
Hierarchy remains: Alexis Díaz | Lucas Sims| Fernando Cruz
(RP | LAD): In his first appearance back from the injured list, Evan Phillips fired a clean ninth, striking out one and securing his ninth save during a win over the Rockies.
(RP | MIL): After retiring the side in the top of the tenth, and stranding the “place” runner, Hoby Milner collected his third win courtesy of a walk-off in the bottom of the inning.
(RP | PHI): Providing three strong innings, Spencer Turnbull collected his third win, filling in affably for Ranger Suárez, who left after being hit by a comebacker on his hand. Turnbull racked up six strikeouts over three scoreless frames on 49 pitches (32 strikes – 65.3 Strike%) and induced four whiffs.
Hierarchy remains: *José Alvarado | *Jeff Hoffman | Orion Kerkering
(RP | PIT): Recording an old-school save, Luis L. Ortiz logged three scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out three, to finish a seven-run win over Toronto. He threw 36 pitches (25 strikes—69.4 Strike%) and induced two whiffs.
Hierarchy remains: David Bednar | Colin Holderman | Aroldis Chapman
(RP | SDP): In a non-save outing, Robert Suarez closed out a four-run, navigating around a lead-off walk by retiring the next three batters in order.
Vulture Save Options for Sunday, June 2
- Ryan Pressly (HOU): Hader has pitched in three of the last four days placing Pressly atop our vulture list for Sunday.
- Yuki Matsui (SDP): Suarez and Estrada have appeared on consecutive days this weekend.
- Cade Smith (CLE): There’s a chance Clase will work for a third straight game; he’s done it once already this year. If he gets the day off, we prefer Smith for the ancillary save opportunity.
- Hayden Wesneski (CHC): Neris has appeared in back-to-back games, and the team prefers that Leiter Jr. set up, which may result in a save chance for Wesneski.
Vulture Save Options for Monday, June 3
- Ryan Pressly (HOU): If Hader pitches on Sunday, Pressly remains the preferred option for Monday.
- Enoli Paredes (MIL): Milwaukee used its high-leverage relievers on Saturday, and if they pitch again on Sunday, Paredes could benefit with the vulture save on Monday.
American League – Full Recaps
Cleveland Guardians – Locking down his 18th save, Emmanuel Clase retired the side against the Nationals; 4-5-6 lineup pocket. He threw eight pitches (62.5 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s allowed one unearned run over his last 15 outings, converting 10 of 11 save chances with 14 strikeouts against one walk through 15 innings. Hunter Gaddis notched his 12th hold, issuing a walk during a scoreless eighth. Scott Barlow worked a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and striking out two for his 14th hold. Tim Herrin stranded a runner while retiring his only batter in the sixth, securing his sixth hold.
Hierarchy remains: Emmanuel Clase | Hunter Gaddis | Cade Smith
Chicago White Sox – Although he kept the game tied in the ninth, things turned in the bottom of the tenth. Michael Kopech issued Christian Yelich an intentional walk, uncorked a wild pitch moving up both runners, and allowed a walk-off RBI single by Willy Adames, resulting in his fifth loss. He only allowed one hit, an unearned run, and a walk while striking out one over his combined inning. He threw 19 pitches (14 strikes – 73.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. Jordan Leasure suffered his second blown save, letting both inherited runners score in the seventh on a two-RBI single by Adames. Leasure finished with 1.1 scoreless innings, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out two. Justin Anderson was credited with his first hold despite allowing two earned runs and two walks while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning.
Hierarchy remains: Michael Kopech | John Brebbia | Jordan Leasure
Houston Astros – Firing a clean top of the ninth, Josh Hader nailed down his eighth save and recorded one strikeout, preserving a three-run win over the Twins. He threw 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s been scoreless in nine of his last 10 with 20 strikeouts versus three walks over 12.1 innings while converting all five save opportunities. Bryan Abreu allowed two hits, an earned run, and two walks while striking out one in the eighth. Ryan Pressly was warming in case he was needed.
Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
Oakland A’s – Back from the minors, Dany Jiménez recorded his first save of the season, working around a lead-off double by Matt Olson with a pop-out, a flyout, and a game-ending strikeout of Adam Duvall. He threw 12 pitches (75 Strike%) without a whiff. Austin Adams stranded a runner and retired Marcell Ozuna via strikeout for his 14th hold. Scott Alexander tossed a scoreless combined inning, yielding a hit. Michael Kelly collected his third win, turning in a scoreless combined inning and walking two. Jack O’Loughlin notched his first hold, allowing two hits over two-thirds of a scoreless inning.
Hierarchy remains: Mason Miller | Austin Adams | Scott Alexander
National League – Full Recaps
Chicago Cubs – Save number seven for Héctor Neris, capping a rain-soaked contest. He tossed a scoreless top of the ninth, allowing a one-out single by Spencer Steer, and recorded a game-ending strikeout of Jonathan India. Neris threw 22 pitches (14 strikes – 63.6 Strike%) and produced one whiff. This represents his first save since May 4, and he’s converted seven of nine chances this season. Mark Leiter Jr. collected his second win after firing a clean eighth while striking out one ahead of a two-run rally in the bottom of the inning. Porter Hodge tossed a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit. Hayden Wesneski turned in a scoreless sixth, giving up a hit and striking out three.
Hierarchy remains: Héctor Neris | Mark Leiter Jr. | Hayden Wesneski
Los Angeles Dodgers – Back in the saddle, Evan Phillips locked down his ninth save during his first appearance since being activated off the injured list. He turned in a clean top of the ninth and recorded a strikeout while preserving a three-run win over Colorado. He threw 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) and generated two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%). Blake Treinen navigated around two hits and struck out one in a scoreless eighth, securing his fourth hold. Daniel Hudson retired the side and recorded a strikeout, notching his ninth hold in the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Evan Phillips | Blake Treinen | Daniel Hudson
Milwaukee Brewers – Benefiting from a walk-off rally in the bottom of the tenth, Hoby Milner collected his third win. He fired a clean top of the inning, recording one strikeout. Elvis Peguero worked a clean ninth, striking out one. Joel Payamps retired the side in the eighth. Trevor Megill made his first appearance since being struck on the arm by a comeback line drive, tossing a clean seventh and striking out the side. He threw 14 pitches (64.3 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%). Jared Koenig turned in a scoreless sixth, giving up a hit and striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: Trevor Megill | Elvis Peguero | Bryan Hudson
San Diego Padres – After warming for a save chance, Robert Suarez closed out a four-run win in Kansas City. He allowed a lead-off walk (Adam Frazier), then retired the first three hitters in the lineup. He threw 18 pitches (50 Strike%) without a whiff. He owns a 0.73 WHIP through his first 25 games while converting all 17 save chances. Wandy Peralta notched his eighth hold, retiring his only batter and stranding two runners in the eighth. Jeremiah Estrada gave up two this and a walk while striking out two over a combined inning of relief. He secured his third hold in the process. Adrian Morejon logged 1.2 scoreless frames, allowing two hits and striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: Robert Suarez | Jeremiah Estrada | Yuki Matsui
Closer Monkey’s filthy outing of the day goes to Trevor Megill. He struck out the side in his first outing since being struck by a comeback line drive—video courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
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