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Griffin Jax SP | TB
Rays' Griffin Jax: Stumbles in fourth loss
Jax (1-4) took the loss Monday against the Tigers, allowing six runs on seven hits and one walk in four innings. He struck out five.
Jax was trending up since joining Tampa Bay's starting rotation, but Monday's performance was a big step backward. After giving up two runs or fewer in each of his last six starts, the 31-year-old right-hander surrendered a season-worst seven hits (three home runs) and six runs. Jax will take a shaky 4.76 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 32:16 K:BB over 34 innings into his next scheduled outing over the weekend on the road against the Marlins.
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Luinder Avila SP | KC
Royals' Luinder Avila: Earns first win of season Monday
Avila (1-2) earned the win Monday against the Reds after tossing five innings of one-run ball, allowing two hits and four walks while striking out five.
Avila entered the rotation after Cole Ragans (elbow) suffered a setback in his recovery process that will force him to remain on the 15-day injured list, but the 24-year-old right-hander was up to the task Monday and earned the win despite his command issues. In fact, the lone run he allowed came on a solo homer from JJ Bleday in the bottom of the first inning. It remains to be seen whether Avila will make another start, but if he stays in the rotation, he'd be lined up to go against the Twins on the road over the weekend. Avila has made two starts and 11 appearances this season, posting a 4.44 ERA and 1.71 WHIP across 26.1 innings.
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Jacob Latz RP | TEX
Rangers' Jacob Latz: Notches saves on back-to-back days
Latz picked up a save against the Cardinals on Monday, striking out two batters over one perfect inning.
Latz was summoned in the ninth inning to protect a one-run lead. He succeeded without any drama, striking out the final two batters he faced and retiring the side in order on 16 pitches. Latz began June the same way he ended May -- with a save -- and continues to have a firm grasp on the Rangers' closer role, logging eight saves over his past 11 trips to the mound.
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Justin Lawrence RP | WAS
Twins' Justin Lawrence: Acquired by Minnesota
The Twins acquired Lawrence from the Pirates on Monday in exchange for cash considerations.
Lawrence was designated for assignment by the Pirates on Friday and will now head to Minnesota after recording a 5.32 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 25:12 K:BB across 22 innings out of the Pittsburgh bullpen this season. He'll likely slide into a low-leverage role in the Minnesota bullpen.
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Will Vest RP | DET
Tigers' Will Vest: Allows run but secures first save
Vest allowed a run on two hits across 1.2 innings of relief but managed to secure the save in Monday's 10-9 win over the Rays. He struck out two.
With Kyle Finnegan recording a blown save in four of his last nine appearances and Kenley Jansen (pelvis) on the injured list, the Tigers turned to Vest to close things out Monday. The veteran righty allowed at least one run for the third time in his last five games and now has an unsightly 7.23 ERA, but he still managed to shut the door for his first save of the year. Finnegan worked earlier in the contest, and both he and Vest could continue to get save opportunities for however long Jansen is out, making this a tricky bullpen for fantasy purposes.
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Ty Madden RP | DET
Tigers' Ty Madden: Lifted early in return
Madden took a no-decision Monday against the Rays, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks in 3.1 innings. He struck out four.
After missing about two weeks with a right forearm contusion, Madden got a very quick hook Monday in a subpar outing. The 26-year-old right-hander made his first start of the season following three relief appearances, and he threw only 48 pitches (28 strikes) before his evening came to a close. Madden, who has a 3.07 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB over 14.2 innings, could be headed back to Detroit's bullpen when Justin Verlander (hip) is ready to rejoin the rotation.
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Kendry Rojas RP | MIN
Twins' Kendry Rojas: Could start throwing this week
Rojas (elbow) could begin throwing as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday, reports Dan Hayes of The Athletic.
After landing on the 15-day IL on Friday with an elbow injury, Rojas is already starting to feel better. If he is cleared by Twins doctors, the 23-year-old can begin throwing again as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday. In 14.1 innings, Rojas recorded a 1.26 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 14:10 K:BB.
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Chris Martin RP | TEX
Rangers' Chris Martin: Back to IL with shoulder injury
The Rangers placed Martin on the 15-day injured list Monday with a right shoulder impingement.
Martin -- who turns 40 on Tuesday -- returned from a biceps injury in late May but wasn't sharp in four outings, allowing four runs with a 0:2 K:BB over four innings. He'll be eligible for activation in mid-June, but it's unclear how long he might be sidelined.
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Robert Garcia RP | TEX
Rangers' Robert Garcia: Moved to 60-day IL
The Rangers transferred Garcia (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.
The Rangers made a number of transactions Monday, and moving Garcia to the 60-day IL opened a spot on the 40-man roster for left-hander Robby Ahlstrom, who was called up from Triple-A Round Rock. Since being placed on the 15-day IL in late April due to left rotator cuff inflammation, Garcia has been doing light work in his throwing program since early May. He's not eligible to be reinstated from the IL until late June, but the Rangers will have a better sense of Garcia's recovery timeline once he progresses to throwing bullpen sessions.