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.

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relief pitcher British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of relief pitcher

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

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

It features relief pitcher Roki Sasaki and Smith embracing after the Dodgers clinched the National League pennant, with the slogan “On the Double.”

From Los Angeles Times

The San Diego Padres named longtime major league relief pitcher Craig Stammen their new manager on Thursday, opting to give him a first managerial post.

From Barron's

The Brewers started closing relief pitcher Trevor Megill after the Cubs became the first team in MLB history to hit homers in the first inning of the first four games of a playoff series.

From Barron's

Anybody who qualifies as a traditional relief pitcher faced exactly one batter, which was actually one more than they had hoped.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bullpen
• reliever
• stopper