What happened: Aroldis Chapman became MLB’s career strikeout leader among relief pitchers on July 4 with No. 1,364. His 2026 selection raised his career total to nine All-Star appearances.
Why it matters: Chapman’s current form shows the strikeout benchmark is more than a product of longevity. His 30 saves have also moved him within three of 400 for his career.
By the numbers: Through 46 appearances in 2026, Chapman has a 1.81 ERA, 30 saves and 58 strikeouts in 44.2 innings. He has converted 30 of 32 save opportunities while posting a 1.16 WHIP.
What to watch: Chapman’s next save opportunity will continue his pursuit of the 400-save threshold.