Sunday featured a full slate and a bonus contest with a doubleheader in Minnesota for a total of 16 games. There were four wins by relievers, two of the “bulk follower” variety, and nine saves, including two by Twins relievers during a sweep.
However, the injury front was not quiet. Yimi García was pulled during a save chance in Cleveland. After the game, it was reported as “elbow soreness,” but nothing further was known this morning. Which segues well into our next segment:
Three Takeaways
- Toronto’s depleted leverage ladder: There have been no reports indicating García has been pitching through an injury, though when looking at his splits, he’s allowed more contact in June. Through the end of May, he logged 21 appearances spanning 22 innings with two saves, nine holds, a 26:7 K:BB, and 0.68 WHIP. He had one game with multiple hits allowed and gave up one home run. Through six games this month, he’s won two games and save three with 11 strikeouts versus zero walks. However, he’s had two games with multiple hits allowed, including Sunday’s, with a 1.17 WHIP and served up two home runs. Until more information emerges, there’s a chance he lands on the injured list and there should be some imaging performed. Jordan Romano has been throwing at 90 feet, but his return is not imminent. Leaving Chad Green atop the hierarchy in our projected run.
- Camilo’s meltdown: Closers appearing in lopsided contests do not usually end well, and things took a turn for Camilo Doval on Sunday against the Angels. Not only did he allow four earned runs, his emotions got the better of him on camera. Since the onset of May, he’s made 18 appearances, with six clean outings. However, he’s struggling with his command. He’s converted seven of nine save chances with a 1.94 WHIP, 4.70 SIERA, and 60.3 strike percentage over his last 17 innings with 21 strikeouts versus 15 walks. His in-and-out-of-zone chart from Brooks Baseball does not paint a pretty picture right now and if the walk rate spike continues, it could cost him save chances soon:
- Helsley tied the team record despite two walks again: First, the good news is that Helsley tied the Cardinals’ team record by converting his 24th consecutive save. However, through his first 24 appearances this season, he did not have an outing with more than one walk. He posted a 25:4 K:BB through these games with a 72 strike percentage and 66.7 first-pitch strike percentage. Over his last eight contests, since May 29, he’s produced four games with multiple walks, including yesterday’s resulting in an 11:8 K:BB. In this sample, he owns a 57.9 strike percentage with a 52.8 first-strike percentage, a 1.38 WHIP, and a 4.91 SIERA. It could be nothing more than fatigue, but one should note his velocity trends by game this season:
These takeaways are not intended to cause panic but trends one should note moving forward.
As for Sunday’s contests, our condensed and full-game recaps cover the high-leverage events of interest for relievers.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
(RP | BAL): Forced into duty with the bases loaded and two outs, Yennier Cano induced a game-ending strikeout for his third save.
(RP | HOU): Josh Hader could not preserve the combined shutout during a non-save appearance. He gave up two hits, including an RBI double by Andy Ibáñez, and struck out one in the top of the ninth. He threw 26 pitches (17 strikes—65.4 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). He’s allowed multiple hits and at least a run in two of his last four outings.
Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
(RP | MIN): A fantasy favorite, Jhoan Durán faced one batter, retiring him on a game-ending groundout while recording his 11th save in Game 1 against Oakland.
(RP | MIN): Finishing a sweep, Griffin Jax secured his sixth save, closing out a one-run win in Game 2. He allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout during a scoreless ninth.
(RP | OAK): Taking over a tied game in the bottom of the eighth during Game 2, Dany Jiménez gave up two hits, including a go-ahead solo home run by Jose Miranda, resulting in his second loss. Austin Adams logged 1.1 scoreless innings, allowing a hit and striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: Mason Miller | Lucas Erceg | Dany Jiménez
(RP | TBR): Despite allowing a lead-off walk, Pete Fairbanks worked a scoreless ninth while striking out two, recording his tenth save while closing out a win over Atlanta.
(RP | TOR): Pressed into action with two runners on and two outs, Nate Pearson recorded his second save, inducing a game-ending lineout while preserving a one-run win in Cleveland.
National League
(RP | ATL): After his teammates tied the game in the bottom of the eighth, Raisel Iglesias suffered his first loss. He allowed a lead-off walk and a two-run home run in the top of the ninth.
(RP | LAD): Matched up with the top of the Royals’ lineup, Evan Phillips navigated around a one-out walk of Bobby Witt Jr. for a scoreless ninth and his tenth save.
(RP | MIL): After issuing an intentional walk (Elly De La Cruz), Trevor Megill recorded his 13th save on a game-ending play at the plate after a single. He worked around a runner reaching on an error and struck out one during his scoreless outing in the ninth.
(RP | PIT): Entering the fifth with a one-run lead, Carmen Mlodzinski collected his first win after tossing two clean frames in Colorado. He threw 18 pitches (13 strikes – 72.2 Strike%) with three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: David Bednar | Colin Holderman | Aroldis Chapman
(RP | SDP): Migration toward the mean hits hard for fantasy managers. In this case, Jeremiah Estrada allowed five hits, including a solo home run, four earned runs, and a walk, while striking out one in one-third of the eighth against the Mets. As a result, his ERA rose from 1.23 to 2.82.
Hierarchy remains: Robert Suarez | Jeremiah Estrada | Yuki Matsui
(RP | SFG): During his major league debut, Spencer Bivens collected his first win operating as the “bulk follower,” tossing three innings, giving up a solo home run, and striking out four.
(RP | STL): Navigating around a lead-off walk, and a second with two outs, Ryan Helsley tied a team record with his 24th consecutive save. He tossed a scoreless bottom of the ninth, issuing two walks and striking out two while preserving a one-run win over the Cubs.
(RP | WSH): Closing out a two-run win against Miami, Kyle Finnegan secured his 20th save, allowing a hit and striking out one in a scoreless ninth.
Vulture Save Option for Monday, June 17
- Joel Payamps (MIL): Megill has appeared in two straight, and Payamps has retaken the second spot in the hierarchy.
- Chad Green (TOR): With Jordan Romano on the injured list and García pitching with elbow soreness, Green could benefit from save chances in the interim.
Vulture Save Options for Tuesday, June 18
- Joe Jiménez (ATL): If Iglesias pitches today, it will be consecutive outings and a day off for Tuesday.
- JoJo Romero (STL): Although the team has managed his workload recently, if Helsley and Kittredge pitch again today, Romero will have the save chance on Tuesday.
American League – Full Recaps
Baltimore Orioles – In a game that took an unexpected turn, Yennier Cano secured his third save during a five-run win over the Phillies. He inherited a bases-loaded situation with two outs and struck out Edmundo Sosa, securing the win for his team. He’s allowed one unearned run over his last 11 appearances. Jacob Webb recorded two outs, but two players reached via error, and he was removed from his outing with the game hanging in the balance. Nick Vespi allowed a hit and a walk with two strikeouts during his combined inning; he faced one batter in the ninth. Cionel Pérez gave up two hits and an earned run while striking out one in the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Craig Kimbrel | Yennier Cano | Cionel Pérez
Game 1
Minnesota Twins – Using the “B” side of the leverage ladder in Game 1 until the ninth, Jorge Alcala logged 1.2 scoreless innings, allowing a hit and striking out one. Cole Sands took over in the ninth with a five-run lead and gave up two hits, an earned run, and a walk with one strikeout over two-thirds before his removal. Jhoan Durán entered with two runners on and two outs. He secured his 11th save, inducing a game-ending groundout during a nine-pitch at-bat.
Game 2
Minnesota Twins – Handed a one-run lead in Game 2, Griffin Jax secured his sixth save, giving up a hit and striking out one in a scoreless ninth, preserving a one-run win and a sweep. He threw 12 pitches (91.7 Strike%) with two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). Josh Staumont fired 1.1 clean frames and struck out the side in the top of the eighth. He collected his first win courtesy of a go-ahead home run in the bottom of the inning.
Updated Hierarchy: Jhoan Durán | Griffin Jax | Josh Staumont
Tampa Bay Rays – Bouncing back in a save situation, Pete Fairbanks secured his tenth, tossing a scoreless bottom of the ninth. He allowed a lead-off walk but recorded two strikeouts, including a game-ending one from Ozzie Albies. He’s converted his last six save opportunities and been scoreless in 10 of his last 12 games. Jason Adam gave up two hits, including a two-run home run by Austin Riley, and struck out two in the bottom of the eighth. He collected his third win and suffered his third blown save. Colin Poche retired the side in the seventh for his sixth hold. Kevin Kelly stranded two runners while retiring his only batter via strikeout in the sixth.
Updated Hierarchy: Pete Fairbanks | Jason Adam | Colin Poche
Toronto Blue Jays – Following an injury delay, Nate Pearson was summoned with runners on the corners, two outs, and his team clinging to a one-run lead. He recorded his second save, inducing a game-ending lineout by Andrés Giménez. Yimi García entered with a three-run lead and allowed four hits, including a two-run home run by Brayan Rocchio. He left with “elbow soreness.” He received credit for his tenth hold, but the fantasy community awaits word on the severity of his injury. Brendan Little notched his first hold, retiring the side and striking out one in the eighth. Chad Green gave up a one-out single and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless sixth for his sixth hold.
If García requires an injured-list stint:
Projected Hierarchy: Chad Green | Nate Pearson | Brendan Little
National League – Full Recaps
Atlanta Braves – Taking over a tied game in the top of the ninth, Raisel Iglesias issued Randy Arozarena a lead-off walk, a leverage no-no, and allowed a go-ahead, two-run home run by Jose Siri. Although he recorded all three outs via strikeout, he suffered his first loss. He threw 22 pitches (17 strikes – 77.3 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (13.6 SwStr%). Making his major league debut, Grant Holmes logged three scoreless frames, giving up two hits and striking out two. Dylan Lee stranded a runner in the fourth and tossed 1.2 clean frames while striking out three.
Hierarchy remains: Raisel Iglesias | Joe Jiménez | Pierce Johnson
Los Angeles Dodgers – Preserving a combined shoutout, Evan Phillips recorded his tenth save, allowing a walk in a scoreless top of the ninth against the Royals. He faced the top of the lineup and worked around the Bobby Witt Jr. walk with a pop-out and a game-ending lineout by Salvador Perez. Phillips threw 18 pitches (11 strikes – 61.1 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. He’s been scoreless in four of five games off the injured list with two saves. Daniel Hudson notched his tenth hold, retiring the side and striking out two in the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Evan Phillips | Blake Treinen | Daniel Hudson
Milwaukee Brewers – Hanging on for his 13th save, Trevor Megill closed out a one-run win over the Reds. After recording a strikeout, things turned with a runner reaching on an error. He intentionally walked Elly De La Cruz with two outs before a game-ending play at the plate following a hit. Megill finished with a hit against and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless outing. Joel Payamps navigated around two hits and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless eighth for his ninth hold. Jared Koenig received credit for his second hold, serving up a solo home run (De La Cruz) and striking out one over two-thirds of the seventh. Enoli Paredes hit a batter and issued a walk during his one-third of the seventh. He was awarded his third hold.
Hierarchy remains: Trevor Megill | Joel Payamps | Bryan Hudson
San Francisco Giants – Brought into a lopsided contest for work, Camilo Doval struggled in a low-leverage situation. He allowed a lead-off single, followed by a double, and recorded his first out on a sacrifice fly. With a ten-run lead, he issued a walk, gave up a single, another walk, and a three-RBI double by Michael Stefanic, prompting his removal. His final line was four hits allowed, four earned runs, and two walks during one-third of the ninth. Ryan Walker stranded the runner and retired both batters via strikeout, closing out the seven-run win. Spencer Bivens earned his first major league win in his debut, logging three innings as the “bulk follower,” allowing a solo home run and striking out four.
Hierarchy remains: Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers | Ryan Walker
St. Louis Cardinals – Locking down his 24th save and tying a team record with his 24th straight this season, Ryan Helsley preserved a one-run lead with a scoreless ninth, working around a lead-off walk and a two-out walk with a game-ending lineout. Helsley recorded two strikeouts in his outing, throwing 23 pitches (11 strikes – 47.8 Strike%) and inducing one whiff. He’s been scoreless in six of seven appearances this month but has issued multiple walks in three of his last four. Andrew Kittredge secured his 19th hold, allowing a walk and striking out one in a scoreless eighth. Ryan Fernandez let his only inherited runner score on a Michael Busch RBI single and walked one during two-thirds scoreless in the seventh for his fourth hold.
Hierarchy remains: Ryan Helsley | JoJo Romero | Andrew Kittredge
Washington Nationals – Save number 20 for Kyle Finnegan. He navigated around a one-out double with a flyout and a game-ending strikeout, preserving a two-run win over Miami. He threw nine pitches (77.8 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s converted seven straight saves since May 25 with 14 strikeouts versus one walk with a 0.71 WHIP over his last 11.1 innings. Robert Garcia notched his ninth hold, striking out his only batter and stranding a runner in the eighth. Derek Law logged 1.2 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out one for his seventh hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Kyle Finnegan | Hunter Harvey | Dylan Floro
Closer Monkey’s filthy outing of the day features reliever Ben Joyce as the “opener” with two scoreless frames and a video courtesy of the Pitching Ninja. Texas used José Leclerc in multiple-inning outings last year before he took over as the closer down the stretch.
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