MLB Player News
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Aroldis Chapman RP | BOS
Red Sox's Aroldis Chapman: Logs 14th save
Chapman struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 7-5 win over the Giants.
Chapman has been perfect over his last five outings, striking out eight over 4.2 innings while earning three saves and a hold in that span. He's given up just one unearned run with a 14:1 K:BB across nine innings in June. For the season, the closer is 14-for-15 in save chances with a 1.41 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 45:9 K:BB across 32 innings. He's added two holds and a 3-2 record.
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Robert Stephenson RP | LAA
Angels' Robert Stephenson: Could start throwing soon
Stephenson is still feeling some discomfort in his right biceps but is hopeful to start throwing during the Angels' nine-game homestand that begins Friday, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.
Stephenson is working his way back from biceps inflammation but is on track to begin throwing before the end of June. The veteran reliever is without an official timeline to return from the 15-day injured list, but he'll most likely remain on the shelf through the All-Star break.
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Nick Sandlin RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Nick Sandlin: Activated from IL
The Blue Jays activated Sandlin (lat) from the 15-day injured list Friday.
Sandlin hasn't pitched in the majors since April 19 but did make five rehab appearances ahead of his activation. Prior to his injury, Sandlin held a 2.25 ERA and 10:4 K:BB across eight innings of work. He should slide back into a middle-relief role for Toronto.
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Luke Weaver SP | NYM
Yankees' Luke Weaver: Set to split closing duties
Manager Aaron Boone said Friday that Weaver (hamstring), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list earlier in the day, and Devin Williams will both see save chances, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.
Weaver was serving as the Yankees' closer when he landed on the injured list in early June, but Williams is in strong form with a 1.72 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 23:2 K:BB across his past 15.2 innings. Weaver has been consistently dominant this year with just three earned runs allowed in 24 appearances, and he still has a fair amount of fantasy value while splitting save chances for the Yankees, though it remains unclear exactly how even the split will be.
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Devin Williams RP | NYM
Yankees' Devin Williams: To split save chances
Aaron Boone said Friday that Williams and Luke Weaver will both receive save opportunities, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.
Williams has turned things around after allowing 12 runs in his first 10 appearances this season, notching a 2.79 ERA in 19.1 innings since. He saw extended action at closer recently while Weaver was on the shelf and impressed enough to earn a share of the save chances even though Weaver is healthy. It's not clear exactly how ninth-inning duties will be divvied up, so fantasy managers should keep a keen eye on both Williams and Weaver moving forward.
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Luke Weaver SP | NYM
Yankees' Luke Weaver: Moved off IL
The Yankees reinstated Weaver (hamstring) from the 15-day injured list Friday.
Weaver officially beats his initial 4-to-6 week timeline for return by over a week, returning to the active roster just 17 days after being placed on the IL for a strained hamstring. The 31-year-old had served as New York's primary closer before sustaining the injury, but Devin Williams has gone 4-for-4 on save chances while Weaver's been idle, leaving some room for competition. It's worth noting Weaver has been the more reliable option throughout the campaign, boasting a 1.05 ERA compared to Williams' 5.27 ERA.
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Grant Taylor RP | CHW
White Sox's Grant Taylor: Opening Friday's contest
Taylor will serve as the White Sox's opening pitcher for Friday's game against the Blue Jays, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
The 23-year-old was called up by the White Sox on June 10 and has allowed two earned runs with a 5:1 K:BB over four frames in his first four big-league appearances, all in relief. Taylor was in the rotation for his first six outings of the season for Double-A Birmingham before being shifted to relief for his subsequent nine appearances, so the right-hander is likely to have a limited workload Friday.
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Jake Palisch RP | CHW
White Sox's Jake Palisch: Gets big-league call
The White Sox selected Palisch's contract from Double-A Birmingham on Friday.
Palisch has yet to make his MLB debut. In 15 outings (seven starts) at Double-A, he owns a 1.19 ERA and 35:14 K:BB across 53 innings. Palisch started the season as a reliever but is now fully stretched out. With scheduled starter Davis Martin (forearm) landing on the injured list, Palisch could factor into Chicago's pitching plans Friday.
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Cameron Booser RP | CHW
White Sox's Cam Booser: Shelved with shoulder strain
The White Sox placed Booser on the 15-day injured list Friday due to a left shoulder strain.
Booser yielded three runs (two earned) in a blown save Thursday and will now be sidelined for a couple of weeks. The 33-year-old has posted a 5.11 ERA and 27:14 K:BB in 24.2 innings with the White Sox this season. The move opens up a spot on the active roster for Wikelman Gonzalez.
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Wikelman Gonzalez SP | CHW
White Sox's Wikelman Gonzalez: Officially brought up
The White Sox recalled Gonzalez from Triple-A Charlotte on Friday.
Gonzalez has yet to make his MLB debut. He'll provide some bullpen depth after Cam Booser (shoulder) and Davis Martin (forearm) were placed on the injured list. Gonzalez has struggled with his command throughout his minor-league career but has posted a solid 2.75 ERA in 19.2 innings with Charlotte this season.