relief pitcher

American  

noun

Baseball.

1. a pitcher brought into a game to replace another pitcher, often in a critical situation.

2. a pitcher regularly so used, as opposed to one who regularly starts games.

---

relief pitcher British  

noun

1. Also called: reliever.  baseball a pitcher who replaces a side's main pitcher during a game

---

Etymology

Origin of relief pitcher

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

The Dodgers last went to an arbitration hearing in 2020, when the team headed into court with outfielder Joc Pederson and relief pitcher Pedro Baez.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2026

Or, if that metaphor doesn’t appeal to you, how about a late-inning relief pitcher warming up in the bullpen?

From Salon • Jan. 2, 2026

The San Diego Padres picked a former relief pitcher who began on the other side of the hiring process as a member of the front office, only to become a candidate for the job himself.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 25, 2025

Crawford led off the bottom of the 15th inning with a single before Detroit relief pitcher Tommy Kahnle hit Randy Arozarena with a pitch.

From Barron's • Oct. 11, 2025

"Do you want to call for a relief pitcher, Prescott?"

From The High School Pitcher Dick & Co. on the Gridley Diamond by Hancock, H. Irving (Harrie Irving)

Related Words

• bullpen
• reliever
• stopper