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Elijah Morgan RP | KC
Indians' Eli Morgan: Solid in no-decision
Morgan allowed three earned runs on three hits while striking out five across five innings in the win over the Astros on Wednesday. He did not factor into the decision.
Morgan was perfect through three innings and had allowed only a pair of hits through five frames. Unfortunately, both of those hits were home runs. In addition, he surrendered a leadoff double in the sixth inning before being pulled and the runner came around to score. He tossed five innings for the fifth time in a row, and he has now allowed three runs in three straight starts. However, this was the 25-year-old's best start of his career with just three batters reaching base off him. He still has a bad ERA of 7.47 in 31.1 innings but a decent K/BB of 6.6.
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Bryan Shaw RP | CIN
Indians' Bryan Shaw: Picks up win Wednesday
Shaw (3-3) allowed one earned run on two hits while striking out one across one inning, getting the win over the Astros on Wednesday.
Shaw entered the sixth inning with a two-run lead and a runner on second. He allowed a double to Jose Altuve and surrendered another single in the inning to tie the game. Cleveland took the lead back in the seventh to give Shaw the win. The 33-year-old allowed a run for just the third time over his last 13 appearances. During that stretch, he has a 1.91 ERA and 18 strikeouts over 14.1 innings. This season, he has a 2.98 ERA and a 11.3 K/9 in 42.1 innings.
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Matt Barnes RP | WAS
Red Sox's Matt Barnes: Secures 20th save
Barnes pitched a perfect inning against Toronto on Wednesday, striking out one batter to earn the save.
The right-hander entered in the ninth inning with the task of preserving a three-run lead and did so with ease, needing only 11 pitches to set down the side in order. The save was his first since July 4 in only his second appearance since that date. Barnes has allowed only one earned run over his past 10 appearances and has a solid 2.54 ERA on the campaign.
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Austin Pruitt RP | TEX
Astros' Austin Pruitt: Takes first loss
Pruitt (0-1) allowed one earned run on one hit across two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss to Cleveland on Wednesday.
Pruitt made his second appearance of the season Wednesday after missing the first half with an elbow injury. He surrendered a solo home run to Cesar Hernandez in the seventh inning, which ended up being the winning run. The 31-year-old has allowed a run in each of his appearances this year. He hadn't pitched since 2019, when he had a 4.40 ERA in 47 innings.
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Gregory Soto RP | PIT
Tigers' Gregory Soto: Secures 10th save
Soto worked around a hit to pitch a clean ninth inning and record the save in Wednesday's win over the Rangers.
Soto has had a few hiccups this month, as he came into Wednesday's appearance having allowed four runs in five July innings, and he was a bit rocky in this one, as he hit a batter and committed a balk in addition to allowing a hit. However, he was able to escape trouble to record his team-leading 10th save of the season. The lefty has managed a solid 2.77 ERA with 46 strikeouts in 39 innings this year. Soto should remain a top option for saves in Detroit, though Michael Fulmer (neck) is set to begin a rehab assignment on Thursday and figures to get some ninth inning chances when he's able to return to the MLB roster.
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Tanner Scott RP | LAD
Orioles' Tanner Scott: Blows save, takes loss Wednesday
Scott (3-4) allowed two runs on three hits and a walk, striking out two in two-thirds of an inning and taking the loss in Wednesday's 5-4 defeat at the hands of the Rays.
With a one-run lead, Scott loaded the bases before striking out Vidal Brujan and getting Austin Meadows in an 0-2 hole. Meadows lined a two-run, game-winning single to center field, though, pinning Scott with both a blown save and a loss. Entering Wednesday, the hard-throwing lefty had held opponents scoreless in 17 of his last 20 appearances and hadn't allowed multiple runs in a game since May 24. Despite his poor performance Wednesday, Scott still boasts a 3.08 ERA and 13.0 K/9 in 38 innings and has been a bright spot in a tough season for Baltimore's bullpen.
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Collin McHugh RP | ATL
Rays' Collin McHugh: Earns win in relief
McHugh (3-1) allowed one hit and a walk in two scoreless innings, striking out three and earning the victory in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Orioles.
The veteran righty has now held opponents scoreless in 13 consecutive appearances, striking out 38 and issuing only three free passes in that 27-inning span. After missing the 2020 season, McHugh has settled in with the Rays and become an incredibly valuable and versatile weapon capable of short starts and high-leverage relief appearances alike. His 1.51 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, three wins and five holds make him an intriguing fantasy option for the remainder of the season.
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Alex Wells RP | BAL
Orioles' Alexander Wells: Solid in first career start
Wells allowed three runs on five hits, walking two and striking out seven in 5.2 innings of Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Rays. He did not factor into the decision.
The rookie was one out shy of a quality start, but he had thrown 93 pitches and was pulled with two gone in the fifth. Wells' outing would've been even better if not for a pair of poorly located pitches, one a curveball and the other a fastball, that Randy Arozarena crushed for solo home runs. His K/9 was a modest 7.7 in 43 minor-league innings this year, so it remains to be seen whether his stuff truly plays in the big leagues or if Wednesday was an anomaly against the Rays, which strike out more than any team in baseball. It's unclear whether Wells will become a mainstay in Baltimore's rotation, or if he'll be either relegated to the bullpen or optioned to Triple-A once Keegan Akin (COVID-19) returns.
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Ryan Brasier RP | TEX
Red Sox's Ryan Brasier: Cleared to increase activities
Brasier (concussion) has been cleared to increase baseball activities, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.
Brasier had been dealing with restrictions from the concussion protocol since early June, but he was able to resume some baseball activities in late June. Although the right-hander doesn't yet have a timetable to return to game action, his clearance to increase his workload represents a clear step forward in his recovery process.
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Michael Fulmer RP | NYY
Tigers' Michael Fulmer: Rehab assignment imminent
Fulmer (neck) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Toledo on Thursday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
Fulmer progressed to throwing bullpen sessions and live batting practice recently, and he'll now be able to return to game action with the minor-league club. The right-hander has been on the injured list since June 27 due to a right cervical spine strain in his neck, but he could return after a relatively brief rehab stint. Once Fulmer is cleared to rejoin the Tigers, he could reclaim a late-inning relief role with the major-league squad.