RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 2 sourcesIn this week's Closer Report, Edwin Díaz made his Dodgers return on Wednesday after a three-month absence and stepped right back into the closer role for his first save since April 7. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks are giving Paul Sewald lower-leverage work as they search for more consistency in the ninth inning. All that and more as we break down the last week in saves.
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▶ Tier 1
Mason Miller - San Diego Padres
Jhoan Duran - Philadelphia Phillies
Cade Smith - Cleveland Guardians
Louis Varland - Toronto Blue Jays
Bryan Baker - Tampa Bay Rays
Josh Hader - Houston Astros
Miller made four perfect appearances this week, picking up three saves and a win. He's up to 28 saves with a 0.79 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, and 85 strikeouts over 45 2/3 innings. There continues to be speculation about a possible trade ahead of the deadline. Setup man Adrian Morejon is another target for competing teams. Jeremiah Estrada, fresh off the injured list, could slot in to fill the closer role if Miller is moved.
Duran struck out the side in a non-save situation against the Yankees on Saturday. He then had a rare bad day on the mound on Monday, giving up three runs against the Marlins for his second blown save of the season. With Brad Keller on the 60-day injured list, the Phillies could be a team looking to get a deal done for a high-leverage arm.
Smith entered in the eighth inning on Thursday against the Twins and allowed an inherited runner to score, charging him with a blown save. He bounced back on Tuesday with a scoreless ninth against the Reds. The 27-year-old right-hander leads baseball with 30 saves and a 2.52 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 70 strikeouts over 50 innings.
Varland picked up three more saves this week, giving him 23 with a 0.98 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 73 strikeouts over 54 innings, making him one of the most valuable relievers in baseball. Baker is right up there with 29 saves after locking down four more this week for the Rays, who could be looking to strengthen the back end of the bullpen as they lead the AL East. And Hader picked up two more saves for the Astros this week, giving him 14 since his season debut on June 3.
▶ Tier 2
David Bednar - New York Yankees
Aroldis Chapman - Boston Red Sox
Andrés Muñoz - Seattle Mariners
Raisel Iglesias- Atlanta Braves
Jacob Latz - Texas Rangers
Trevor Megill - Milwaukee Brewers
Edwin Diaz - Los Angeles Dodgers
Three more scoreless outings and three more saves for Bednar, who extended his scoreless streak to 22 appearances. That streak was broken on Tuesday against the White Sox as he surrendered two runs before holding on for his 22nd save. The Yankees will likely be in play for a high-end reliever and have been linked to Mason Miller.
Chapman has also been on a roll, converting two more saves this week for nine in July and 25 this season to go with a 1.77 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 47 strikeouts over 35 2/3 innings.
Muñoz is in the middle of his best stretch of the season, making 13 straight scoreless appearances. Like Bednar, he saw his streak come to an end on Tuesday, giving up one run against the Dodgers while converting his 19th save. The Mariners are another team linked to some of the top relievers available, including Miller.
Iglesias picked up a save against the Padres on Thursday, then was charged with a blown save, giving up an unearned run against the Orioles on Sunday. He bounced back with a scoreless inning on Wednesday against the Mets for his 22nd save. Setup man Robert Suarez still appears to be a few weeks away from returning. He's been sidelined since late June with right elbow inflammation.
Latz gave up one run in back-to-back outings this week, holding on for a save against the Mariners on Friday. He then tossed a scoreless inning against the Rays on Tuesday for his 21st save to go with a 1.80 ERA, 0.66 WHIP, and 51 strikeouts over 50 innings. At the top of the AL West standings, the Rangers are sure to be in the market for bullpen arms at the deadline.
Megill recorded the final out against the Rockies on Saturday for his 17th save of the season. He's had a strong season, posting a 2.97 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 49 strikeouts over 39 1/3 innings.
Scott picked up a save against the Mets on Friday, his 16th of the season to go with a 2.32 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, and 55 strikeouts over 42 2/3 innings. Diaz was activated from the injured list on Wednesday, ending a three-month absence after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow. He stepped right in for his first save chance, giving up a run before holding on for his fifth save against the Mariners. The most important development for Díaz was that his velocity was back in his first appearance, averaging 96.9 mph on his fastball.
Tier 3
Riley O'Brien - St. Louis Cardinals
Grant Taylor - Chicago White Sox
Emilio Pagán - Cincinnati Reds
Kenley Jansen - Detroit Tigers
Yoendrys Gómez - Minnesota Twins
Devin Williams - New York Mets
O'Brien wasn't used in a 5-3 extra-innings loss against the Reds on Sunday as he was held out due to an illness. He returned with a scoreless inning of work against the Cubs on Wednesday in a tie game.
Two of Taylor's last three appearances have come in the seventh inning. And he pitched both the ninth and tenth in an extra-inning contest against the Yankees on Wednesday. Despite being the favorite for saves right now, the team is still utilizing a committee approach, using their best reliever in...
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