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2d ago

BBWAA Adds Relief Pitcher of the Year Award for 2026

The writer-voted honor reflects the bullpen’s expanded role in modern baseball.

May 21, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The MLB logo as seen on a New York Mets hoodie before a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Overview

  • It is the BBWAA’s first new award since Manager of the Year was introduced in 1983.
  • The trophies will be presented each November alongside MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, and Manager of the Year.
  • The BBWAA finalized the plan in December 2024, announced it in August 2025, will hold inaugural voting in September 2026, and will present the first awards in November 2026.
  • MLB’s Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman reliever awards are expected to continue, making the BBWAA prize an independent, writer-driven counterpart.
  • Supporters cite relievers’ growing workload and long-standing under-recognition in major awards, noting no reliever has won a Cy Young since Eric Gagné in 2003 and saying the new benchmark could aid Hall of Fame evaluations.