Aroldis Chapman records 400 saves and makes MLB history with Boston

Aroldis Chapman reached a milestone reserved for a select group of major-league closers when he recorded his 400th save for the Boston Red Sox against the Baltimore Orioles.

Chapman protected Boston’s 3-1 victory by recording the 27th and final out with a 101 mph fastball that struck out Christian Encarnación-Strand. He had allowed a single to Pete Alonso earlier in the ninth inning, but finished the job and completed Boston’s four-game sweep.

The Cuban reliever became the ninth pitcher in MLB history to reach 400 saves. The group includes Mariano Rivera with 652, Trevor Hoffman with 601, Kenley Jansen with 493, Lee Smith with 478, Craig Kimbrel with 441, Francisco Rodríguez with 437, John Franco with 424 and Billy Wagner with 422. Rivera, Hoffman, Smith and Wagner are in the Hall of Fame, while Jansen and Kimbrel remain active.

The achievement carries particular weight after a difficult stretch from 2022 through 2024. Chapman lost the Yankees’ closer role in May 2022 and, while pitching for four teams over those three seasons, recorded 29 saves. Fourteen came with the Pittsburgh Pirates late in 2024, when David Bednar was struggling.

His career changed after he signed with Boston before the 2025 season. By attacking the strike zone, he revived his form, reclaimed the closer role during spring training and earned All-Star selections in each of his first two seasons with the Red Sox. Chapman said he began to believe 400 saves were possible after his previous season gave him a full opportunity to close games again.

At 38, Chapman remains a dominant force. He no longer throws above 100 mph as regularly, but averages 98 mph with his sinker and 97 mph with his fastball. He also passed Hoyt Wilhelm early this season as the major leagues’ all-time strikeout leader among relief pitchers.

“

Yes, I think last year, with the season I had, I started thinking about that goal and that number. Until then, I had not been a full-time closer since 2022. Having the opportunity to close games and have a good season was when I thought reaching 400 was possible.