Aroldis Chapman Becomes Ninth Pitcher in History to Reach 400 Career Saves

September 7, 2026

Cuban closer Aroldis Chapman became the ninth pitcher in Major League Baseball history to reach 400 career saves on Sunday, September 6, 2026, closing out a 3-1 Boston Red Sox win over the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards that also completed a four-game sweep.

The 38-year-old Holguín native sealed the game with a 101-mph fastball that struck out Christian Encarnacion-Strand, marking his 33rd save of the 2026 season. With the milestone, Chapman joined an elite group of relievers that includes Mariano Rivera (652), Trevor Hoffman (601), Kenley Jansen (493), Lee Smith (478), Craig Kimbrel (441), Francisco Rodríguez (437), John Franco (424) and Billy Wagner (422).

Of the eight pitchers ahead of Chapman on the all-time list, four are Hall of Famers — Rivera, Hoffman, Smith and Wagner — while two, Jansen and Kimbrel, remain active. Chapman reflected on the achievement through an interpreter: "A few years back, I lost my role as a closer... when I came here to this team, they gave me an opportunity... I was able to get to 400."

Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy praised the Cuban closer's staying power: "It's impressive, doing what he's doing for as long as he's been doing it, and the work he puts in to keep himself in shape." Nicknamed "El Misil Cubano" for his record 105.8-mph fastball, Chapman was born February 28, 1988, in Holguín and debuted in the majors in 2010.