-
Trevor Kelley RP | SEA
Rays' Trevor Kelley: Filling opener role
Kelley is scheduled to serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Monday's game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Kelley is operating as an opener for the second time this season, likely working an inning or two before giving way to Josh Fleming, who is expected to serve as the Rays' bulk reliever. In six innings with the big club this season, Kelley has allowed five earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two batters.
-
Nick Pivetta SP | SD
Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Makes first relief appearance
Pivetta allowed one run on two hits while striking out three over 2.1 relief innings in Sunday's 7-0 loss to San Diego.
Pivetta made his first relief appearance since being removed from the starting rotation last Wednesday. Speculation about Pivetta moving to the bullpen bubbled up for a couple of weeks, and the right-hander bristled when asked about the potential move, per Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. He's struck a more accepting tone after being told last week the move was official. "I just got moved to the bullpen so that's where I belong and that's where I am," Pivetta said. "I'm going to show up there for my teammates out there and go out and do my job." Pivetta has a 6.30 ERA as a starter, including an 8.10 mark in his last six starts.
-
Trevor Stephan RP | CLE
Guardians' Trevor Stephan: Hit with loss in day game
Stephan (2-2) took the loss and a blown save in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader versus the Mets, allowing two runs on two hits and a walk with two strikeouts in one inning.
Stephan gave up a two-run home run to Starling Marte in the eighth inning just after the Guardians had rallied for a 4-3 lead. Stephan's scoreless streak came to a close at 4.2 innings with the sloppy outing. He's now at a 2.29 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 23:7 K:BB through 19.2 innings across 21 appearances. He's added two saves, six holds and three blown saves in a setup role.
-
Michael Baumann RP | NYM
Orioles' Mike Baumann: Notches third win
Baumann (3-0) struck out one without allowing a hit or walk over 1.2 scoreless innings to earn the extra-innings win over the Blue Jays on Sunday.
Baumann came in with one on and one out in the 10th inning, and he proceeded to pick off Whit Merrifield. After the Orioles rallied ahead again in the 11th, Baumann stayed in and finished off the win. He's kept runs off the board in five of his nine appearances in May, but he's also been tagged for multiple runs three times this month. The 27-year-old owns a 3.96 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 27:13 K:BB through 25 innings across 21 appearances this season, and he'll likely continue to see primarily low-leverage work.
-
Clay Holmes SP | CHC
Yankees' Clay Holmes: Earns fifth save
Holmes picked up the save in Sunday's 4-1 victory over the Reds, working around two hits and a walk in a scoreless inning.
The Reds loaded the bases against Holmes in the ninth, but the right-hander coaxed a groundout from Will Benson to grab his fifth save -- his first since April 12. Holmes hasn't allowed a run in his last nine outings (9.1 innings), lowering his ERA to 3.26 with a 1.45 WHIP and 25:8. K:BB through 19.1 innings this season. Holmes has certainly worked his way back into the ninth-inning picture with his recent performances. However, he'll likely continue splitting closing duties with Wandy Peralta and Michael King.
-
Carlos Estevez RP | KC
Angels' Carlos Estevez: Locks down save
Estevez allowed one hit and struck out one batter in a scoreless inning while earning a save against the Twins on Sunday.
Estevez worked around a one-out single to finish off the 4-2 victory. He lowered his ERA to 1.23 and has now converted all 12 of his save chances this season. The 30-year-old righty has yielded just one run in his last 15 innings.
-
Joe Kelly RP | LAD
White Sox's Joe Kelly: Picks up save
Kelly picked up the save Sunday against the Royals. He struck out two over one perfect inning.
Kelly was handed the ball by manager Pedro Grifol for the ninth inning Sunday with Kendall Graveman getting the night off after pitching an inning each of the last two days. Though Kelly blew his only other save opportunity, he has remained a high-leverage arm for the White Sox but likely won't receive enough save opportunities to warrant fantasy consideration, especially once Liam Hendriks (illness) returns from the 15-day injured list.
-
Maximo Castillo RP | PHI
Royals' Max Castillo: Struggles as long reliever
Castillo (0-1) took the loss in Sunday's 5-2 loss against the White Sox. He allowed five runs on eight hits while striking out one over 4.2 innings.
Castillo followed Carlos Hernandez, who pitched the first two frames as an opener Sunday. After a strong start to the season with a 2.89 ERA and eight strikeouts through 9.1 innings, Castillo was knocked around by the White Sox. He was tagged for a solo homer by Luis Robert in the fourth, then gave up three runs in the fifth inning as Chicago took a 4-2 lead. Though Castillo has gotten a few looks as a long reliever, his 5.14 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 5.79 K/9 leaves him firmly outside of fantasy considerations.
-
Cooper Criswell RP | SEA
Rays' Cooper Criswell: Goes 4.2 innings as long reliever
Criswell (0-1) took the loss in Sunday's 6-4 loss against the Brewers. He allowed five runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out three over 4.2 innings.
Criswell made his first MLB appearance since April 21, going 4.2 innings in relief of Jalen Beeks, who served as an opener for the contest. Criswell served up a two-run homer to Rowdy Tellez in the fourth and another to William Contreras in the fifth on the way to a season-high five runs allowed. Though Criswell could work his way into streaming conversations if he continues to work in long relief, the 26-year-old can largely be ignored in season-long formats.
-
Chase Silseth RP | TEX
Angels' Chase Silseth: Moving back to bullpen
Manager Phil Nevin said Sunday that Silseth will move back to the bullpen to serve as a high-leverage reliever, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.
Silseth made his first start of the season Tuesday against the Orioles, but Jaime Barria will take the mound to begin Monday's series opener against the Red Sox. Silseth performed better in shorter relief appearances earlier this year, tossing five scoreless innings while picking up a hold over his first three appearances of the season.