Closer stock watch: Don't panic on Andres Munoz; J...
Key takeaways
- The current version of Munoz lugs a 5.18 ERA and 1.36 into Tuesday's game against the Baltimore Orioles, having blown three of his past six save chances, including Sunday against Kevin McGonigle and the Detroit Tigers.
- What's interesting about Munoz, who has already permitted more earned runs this season in 24 1/3 innings than he did all last season in 62 1/3 innings, is the underlying numbers are far from alarming.
- The Mariners, notably, have been trying to find ways to fit six starting pitchers into a five-man rotation.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Andres Munoz's ERA is way up from last season, but he should remain the Mariners' closer for now. AP Photo/Stacy Bengs Eric Karabell Jun 9, 2026, 12:46 PM ETClose Eric Karabell is a senior writer for fantasy baseball, football and basketball at ESPN. Eric is a charter member of FSWA Hall of Fame and author of "The Best Philadelphia Sports Arguments".Follow on XMultiple Authors Email Print Open Extended Reactions Seattle Mariners RHP Andres Munoz saved 38 wins with a 1.73 ERA last season, and fantasy managers made the two-time AL All-Star one of the most sought-after closers for this season. It made sense. Munoz, 27, entered this season with a 2.43 ERA (2.68 FIP), 1.04 WHIP and 78 saves over more than 250 career innings. He was supposed to be one of the safe closers that nobody -- the Mariners or fantasy managers -- would need to worry about.
The current version of Munoz lugs a 5.18 ERA and 1.36 into Tuesday's game against the Baltimore Orioles, having blown three of his past six save chances, including Sunday against Kevin McGonigle and the Detroit Tigers. Munoz issued walks to Nos. 8 and 9 hitters Zach McKinstry (hitting .165) and Wenceel Perez (.178) before McGonigle's two-run single turned a 4-3 Mariners lead into a 5-4 loss. Munoz threw only eight of 19 pitches for strikes. He rebounded Monday in Baltimore for his 10th save, but even then he threw only 11 of 20 pitches for strikes.
What's interesting about Munoz, who has already permitted more earned runs this season in 24 1/3 innings than he did all last season in 62 1/3 innings, is the underlying numbers are far from alarming. Munoz boasts the highest strikeout rate of his career (and top 10 among relievers this season), a decreased walk rate and a higher swinging strikeout rate. His fastball velocity has risen from the past two seasons, but he has also permitted four home runs, double last season's mark. Munoz is not inducing many ground balls, and he isn't forcing weak contact versus his fastball, which he is throwing less because it is getting hammered. Left-handed hitters are enjoying his work with a .271/.364/.542 line.