relief pitcher

noun

|Updated on: 9 Aug 2018

Definition of relief pitcher

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

See relief pitcher defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of relief pitcher from the Web

The Rainiers will be represented by relief pitcher Shawn Armstrong.

— seattle times staff, The Seattle Times, "Rainiers head into All-Star Break season-best six games above .500," 8 July 2018
The momentum didn’t last long as Martin’s fourth hit, a weak grounder just out of the reach of relief pitcher Tommy Mace, knocked-in a run in the sixth.

— mike malloy, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Gators suffer season-ending loss to Arkansas at CWS," 23 June 2018
Would Reds relief pitcher Michael Lorenzen, who hit three home runs in a week in late June and has homered five times in 60 career at-bats for Cincinnati, participate in the Home Run Derby on July 16 if invited?

— dave clark, Cincinnati.com, "Reds' Lorenzen would 'absolutely' participate in Home Run Derby at MLB All-Star Game," 6 July 2018
The most obvious combination involves the Padres eliminating two current outfielders, one of their nine relief pitchers and a catcher.

— kevin acee, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Number of Padres could return next week, including Wil Myers," 16 June 2018
But then came an FBI sting that netted relief pitcher Jason Grimsley in hot water for his involvement in a performance-enhancing drugs scandal.

— bob mcmanaman, azcentral, "Arizona Diamondbacks Chapter Two: Purple Haze 2003-2007," 26 Mar. 2018
The Rainiers got exceptional work from relief pitchers Darin Gillies, Tyler Higgins and Shawn Armstrong, who blanked the Bees (43-33) over the last four innings.

— seattle times staff, The Seattle Times, "Rainiers edge Salt Lake Bees to earn series split," 24 June 2018
Former relief pitcher Antonio Alfonseca will participate with approximately 500 kids.

— craig davis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Marlins alumni to participate in four community events next week," 15 June 2018
Mustangs relief pitcher Harrison Montoya retired The Woodlands in order in the bottom of the fifth.

— justin maskulinski, Houston Chronicle, "Big inning lifts The Woodlands over Sachse in Game 1," 11 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'relief pitcher.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.