Raidel Martínez reaches 31 saves in NPB season

Cuban pitcher Raidel Martínez has extended his lead in the Nippon Professional Baseball saves race, securing his 31st save of the season. Playing for the Yomiuri Giants, Martínez shut down the Chunichi Dragons in a 1-0 victory at Nagoya's Vantelin Dome.

Martínez, a Pinar del Río native, currently holds a 1.67 ERA for the season. He is leading the league ahead of Rikuto Yokoyama of the Lotte Marines, who has recorded 28 saves. Martínez has established himself as a premier closer in Japan, previously setting a record for Latin players in the NPB with a four-year, $32.5 million contract signed in December 2024.

Earlier this year, Martínez surpassed Dennis Sarfate to become the foreign player with the most career saves in NPB history, reaching 235. His performance follows a historic 2025 campaign where he recorded 46 saves, tying the Central League's single-season record.