relief pitcher

noun

: a baseball pitcher who takes over for another during a game

Examples of relief pitcher in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The team also intends to sign a relief pitcher. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Dec. 2025 The San Francisco Giants are interested in signing former Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Michael Kopech as their closer for 2026, per the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser. Aaron Coloma, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025 The Kansas City Royals opted to not tender 2026 contracts to outfielder MJ Melendez and relief pitcher Taylor Clarke on Friday. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 21 Nov. 2025 Stammen, a former Padres relief pitcher, came from within baseball operations. Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 13 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for relief pitcher

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of relief pitcher was in 1884

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Cite this Entry

“Relief pitcher.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relief%20pitcher. Accessed 20 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

relief pitcher

noun
: a baseball pitcher who takes over for another during a game

More from Merriam-Webster on relief pitcher

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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