- Tom Henke has the most saves in Blue Jays history with 217.
- Nine pitchers have 50 or more saves for the Jays.
- Henke also has the best ERA+ of the players on this list.
Having a reliable closer improves a team’s MLB odds of winning it all. While the total number of saves doesn’t reveal everything about a relief pitcher’s effectiveness, it’s a good indication of how they managed to convert leads into wins for their team.
This list of the pitchers with the most saves in Toronto Blue Jays history features plenty of hard-throwing arms. Some of these pitchers have been responsible for historically dominant seasons, while others have longevity to thank for their save total.
Most Saves in Toronto Blue Jays History
| Rank | Player | Blue Jays Saves | Blue Jays Years |
| 1 | Tom Henke | 217 | 1985-1992 |
| 2 | Duane Ward | 121 | 1986-1995 |
| 3 | Roberto Osuna | 104 | 2015-2018 |
| 4 | Billy Koch | 100 | 1999-2001 |
| 5 | Jordan Romano | 97 | 2019-Present |
| 6 | Casey Janssen | 90 | 2006-2014 |
| 7 | B.J. Ryan | 75 | 2006-2009 |
| 8 | Kelvim Escobar | 58 | 1997-2003 |
| 9 | Mike Timlin | 52 | 1991-1997 |
| 10 | Ken Giles | 38 | 2018-2020 |
1. Tom Henke – 217
As one of the best Toronto Blue Jays pitchers ever, Henke served as the team’s closer from 1989 through 1992 and amassed 217 saves—almost 100 more than anyone else.
Only 25 pitchers in MLB history have more career saves than Henke. In 1987, he earned his first All-Star selection and posted an AL-best 34 saves.
2. Duane Ward – 121
Duane Ward collected 45 of his 121 Blue Jays saves in 1993. Toronto won the second of back-to-back World Series that year, and Ward finished fifth in AL Cy Young voting.
His overall numbers with the Jays weren’t always the best, but he posted an ERA+ above 200 in both 1992 and 1993.
3. Roberto Osuna – 104
Of the 10 players with the most saves in Blue Jays history, Roberto Osuna is tied for the second-best ERA+ at 159.
Osuna was dominant throughout his time in Toronto, including a 1.74 FIP and an All-Star nod in 2017. He would have easily surpassed Ward on the Blue Jays’ all-time saves list if he wasn’t traded to the Astros for Ken Giles, David Paulino, and Hector Perez at the 2018 trade deadline.
4. Billy Koch – 100
Drafted by the Blue Jays in the first round in 1996, Billy Koch was Toronto’s closer as a rookie in 1999. He had three consecutive seasons with 30-plus saves before being traded to the Oakland Athletics.
The Jays ultimately traded Koch at the right time. He had one brilliant season with the Athletics before struggling with the Marlins. He didn’t appear in another MLB game after 2004.
5. Jordan Romano – 97
Since taking over as the Jays’ closer in 2021, Jordan Romano has consistently been among the favourites in baseball odds to lead the majors in saves.
Jordan Romano's 2Ks.
99mph Fastball and 89mph Slider. pic.twitter.com/ZPXDm2PcA4
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 8, 2024
In 2022, only three pitchers amassed more saves than Romano. In 2023, he was fifth in the save rankings behind Emmanuel Clase, Camilo Doval, Alexis Diaz, and David Bednar. Expect him to crack the top three at this pace.
6. Casey Janssen – 90
Casey Janssen made 389 of his 437 MLB appearances for the Jays. The California native notched 81 of his 90 Blue Jays saves over his last three seasons in Toronto.
Janssen left the franchise just before they made their return to the postseason in 2015.
7. B.J. Ryan – 75
Southpaw reliever B.J. Ryan recorded 70 saves across just two seasons. He was one of the best closers in the game in 2006 and 2008. Over the 2007 and 2009 campaigns, he pitched just 25 innings and recorded five saves.
The 2006 campaign was one for the ages. Ryan recorded an outrageous 335 ERA+ with 38 saves.
8. Kelvim Escobar – 58
The vast majority of Kelvim Escobar’s saves were in the 2002 season. He had just one other season with more than four saves.
Of the players on this list, Escobar’s numbers are the weakest across the board with a 104 ERA+ and 4.12 FIP as a Blue Jay.
9. Mike Timlin – 52
Mike Timlin spent just one season as Toronto’s full-time closer. His 31 saves in 1996, supplemented by 21 others across his career, put him ninth on this list.
Timlin’s 125 ERA+ as a Jay reflects s an impressive stint in Toronto. He pitched in 46 postseason games across his 18-year career and won four rings, two with the Jays.
10. Ken Giles – 38
Arriving in the Roberto Osuna trade, Ken Giles played less than two full seasons for the Blue Jays. Giles had 14 saves after the trade deadline in 2018 and recorded 23 with a 1.87 ERA in 2019.
He had Tommy John surgery in 2020 and left via free agency to sign with the Seattle Mariners in 2021.