Aroldis Chapman continues to etch his name in the annals of baseball history. The star closer from Holguín, now playing for the Boston Red Sox, achieved his 401st career save in Major League Baseball (MLB) on Sunday. This feat came during Boston's 4-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals.
Chapman's latest save comes just a week after he marked the milestone of 400 saves on September 6, during a 3-1 win against the Baltimore Orioles. He is now one of only nine pitchers in MLB history to reach this remarkable number.
During the ninth inning on Sunday, Chapman had a shaky start by issuing consecutive walks to Isaac Collins and John. However, he rebounded with confidence, striking out Tyler Tolbert, Carter Jansen, and Bobby Witt Jr. in succession, finishing the game without allowing any runs, as reported by Pelota Cubana.
The Cuban pitcher threw 25 pitches, 13 of which were strikes, causing four swings and misses. His fastest pitch reached 98.5 mph. This performance lowered his season ERA to 1.95 over 50.2 innings pitched, with a total of 68 strikeouts in 2026.
Throughout his career, Chapman has accumulated 1,399 strikeouts, a number that made him the all-time strikeout leader among relievers in July when he surpassed Hoyt Wilhelm's record of 1,364 strikeouts.
The Sunday outing also marked his 113th MLB appearance with three or more strikeouts in a single inning, placing him just two behind Craig Kimbrel, who holds the record with 115. Kenley Jansen follows in third with 90.
Save number 401 is also Chapman's 34th of the 2026 season, making this the tenth season in which he has recorded at least 30 saves. Such consistency positions him as one of the most reliable closers in modern baseball.
In the all-time saves list, Chapman ranks ninth, trailing far behind leaders Mariano Rivera (652) and Trevor Hoffman (601), yet he has surpassed notable names like Lee Smith (478), Craig Kimbrel (441), Francisco Rodríguez (437), John Franco (424), and Billy Wagner (422).
Reflecting on reaching 400 saves last week, Chapman acknowledged the significance of the achievement: "There was a moment when I thought I might not reach it. But thanks to God, we're here, and I've made it to 400." He also noted that losing his closer role earlier in his career made this milestone even more meaningful: "When I joined this team, I was given the chance to compete for the position, and I was able to win it."
Understanding Aroldis Chapman's MLB Achievements
How many saves has Aroldis Chapman achieved in his MLB career?
As of now, Aroldis Chapman has achieved 401 career saves in Major League Baseball.
What was significant about Chapman's performance during the recent game?
During the latest game, Chapman successfully secured his 401st save, striking out three batters in succession to close the game without allowing any runs.
Where does Chapman rank among MLB's all-time saves leaders?
Aroldis Chapman is currently ranked ninth in MLB's all-time saves list, having exceeded the records of several renowned pitchers.