The renowned Cuban baseball player, Aroldis Chapman, notched his 368th career save on this Thursday's MLB Opening Day 2026, sealing a 3-0 win for the Boston Red Sox against the Cincinnati Reds at the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.
With this achievement, Chapman, a 38-year-old closer from Holguín, has tied with Jonathan Papelbon for the 11th spot on the Major League Baseball all-time saves leaderboard, as reported by journalist Francys Romero on Facebook. Chapman entered the ninth inning, retiring the side in order, thus clinching the Red Sox's first Opening Day shutout since 2015.
Dominant Pitching Leads to Red Sox Victory
The spotlight of the game was on starter Garrett Crochet, who finished second in the Cy Young 2025 voting, as he effectively subdued Cincinnati's lineup for most of the match. Facing him on the mound was Andrew Abbott, the Reds' starter. Boston's three runs came in the seventh inning: Marcelo Mayer, pinch-hitting, opened with a double, Carlos Narváez advanced the runners with a bunt, and Ceddanne Rafaela's single brought in the decisive runs.
Chapman's Emotional Return to Cincinnati
This milestone carries special significance: Chapman began his MLB career with the Cincinnati Reds in 2010 after defecting from Cuba in 2009 and served as the team's closer in his early years. This Thursday, he closed out the game against his former team in the very stadium where he made his Major League debut.
Chapman's Consistent Opening Day Performance
Chapman's Opening Day statistics showcase remarkable consistency throughout his career. Francys Romero summarized it: "The Missile continues without allowing runs on Opening Day: 9.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0.00 ERA, 13 SO." With thirteen strikeouts, only two hits given up, and no runs across all his Opening Day appearances, Chapman's dominance is clear.
Looking Ahead: Chapman's Future with the Red Sox
Chapman's outstanding performance is backed by a historic 2025 season, his best yet. Leading all MLB relievers with a 1.15 ERA, he was named the American League Reliever of the Year and completed his ninth campaign with 30 or more saves, totaling 32. He also set a Red Sox record with 16 consecutive hitless appearances, marking the third-longest streak since 1901 in MLB history.
Currently, Chapman stands 11th on the MLB all-time saves list alongside Papelbon, with 368. Those ahead of him include Joe Nathan (377), Dennis Eckersley (390), Billy Wagner (422), John Franco (424), Francisco Rodríguez (437), Craig Kimbrel and Kenley Jansen, Lee Smith (478), Trevor Hoffman (601), and the all-time leader Mariano Rivera, with 652 saves. Tying Papelbon with the Red Sox adds another layer of symbolism, as the former pitcher recorded most of his saves with Boston between 2005 and 2016.
For the 2026 season, Chapman secured a $13.3 million contract extension with a mutual option for 2027, solidifying his role as Boston's primary closer at 38 years old and after 16 seasons in the Major Leagues. With 368 saves and a career ERA of 2.52 over 863 games, the Holguín native continues to etch his name in baseball history, one save at a time.
FAQs about Aroldis Chapman's Historic MLB Career
How many saves does Aroldis Chapman have in his MLB career?
Aroldis Chapman has achieved 368 saves in his Major League Baseball career, tying him for the 11th spot on the all-time saves list.
What is significant about Chapman's performance on Opening Day?
Chapman's Opening Day performances are notable for his consistency, having not allowed any runs across 9 innings pitched, with 13 strikeouts and only 2 hits given up.
What was Chapman's ERA in the 2025 MLB season?
In the 2025 MLB season, Aroldis Chapman led all relievers with a remarkable ERA of 1.15.