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Hansel Robles RP | LAD
Angels' Hansel Robles: Limits damage in non-save situation
Robles covered two scoreless frames in Sunday's 11-10 loss to the Astros in 10 innings, working around three walks and a hit 35-pitch appearance.
With the All-Star break on tap, manager Brad Ausmus had no qualms about having Robles work longer than he normally would in the series finale in Houston. The Los Angeles closer was pressed into action in a tie game in the bottom of the eighth and was able to escape a bases-loaded, no-out mess to end the Houston threat. He proceeded to load the bases again in the bottom of the ninth but ultimately came away unscathed after striking out Tyler White for the final out of the frame. He'll carry a 2.74 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 12-for-14 success rate on save chances into the second half.
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Tim Mayza RP | PHI
Blue Jays' Tim Mayza: Scuffling headed into break
Mayza tossed a perfect eighth inning in Sunday's win over the Orioles.
Good outings have been a little tough to come by for the southpaw since he came off the IL in early June. Over his last 11.2 innings, Mayza has a 6.94 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB. His spot as the Jays' top bullpen lefty seems secure simply because he's the team's only bullpen lefty right now, but his role and performance don't offer much fantasy value.
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Deivi Garcia RP | MIL
Yankees' Deivi Garcia: Moves up to Triple-A
The Yankees promoted Garcia from Double-A Trenton to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre following the right-hander's appearance Sunday in the All-Star Futures Game, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.
Garcia will move on to his third level of 2019 after accruing a 3.01 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 114:33 K:BB in 68.2 innings between Trenton and High-A Tampa. The 20-year-old continued his dominance Sunday, turning in a 14-pitch perfect inning while inducing two popouts and whiffing another batter. The move to Triple-A will provide a stiffer test for the 5-foot-9 right-hander, but if he continues to excel, he'll have a real chance to earn a call to the big leagues in the second half. Since the Yankees are likely mindful of managing Garcia's workload carefully, he would likely be deployed out of the bullpen if he does in fact receive a 2019 callup.
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Aaron Bummer RP | KC
White Sox's Aaron Bummer: Earns 10th hold
Bummer allowed a solo home run and a walk over two innings to pick up the hold in Sunday's 3-1 win over the Cubs.
Bummer is fitting in quite nicely in the setup role he wrested away from an ineffective Kelvin Herrera, posting a 1.89 ERA with 34 strikeouts over 33.1 innings. The home run was just the second he's allowed in 2019.
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Liam Hendriks RP | CHC
Athletics' Liam Hendriks: Earns fifth save
Hendriks picked up the save against Seattle on Sunday, pitching one inning and allowing one hit while striking out one batter.
The All-Star closer continued his dominant season, allowing a two-out single but nothing more to pick up his fifth save. Despite initial indications that he would return to a setup role with the return of Blake Treinen from the IL, Hendriks has been handed the ball in each of the last two save situations. He may have simply earned the position over Treinen by compiling a streak of 16.2 consecutive scoreless innings, during which he has posted an eye-popping 28:2 K:BB.
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Daniel Mengden RP | KC
Athletics' Daniel Mengden: Earns fourth win
Mengden (4-1) earned the win against Seattle on Sunday, completing 5.1 innings and giving up three runs on six hits while striking out two.
Mengden was given an early six-run lead and rolled to his third straight win by limiting the Mariners to single runs in the second, fourth, and sixth innings. His line may have been even better if not for Seattle catcher Omar Narvaez, who drove in all three runs scored against him. The 26-year-old began the season struggling with his control -- he walked 14 batters in his first 20.2 innings -- but has settled down to issue only two free passes in his last 19.1 frames. Mengden finishes the first half with a 4-1 record along with a 4.73 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 31:16 K:BB in 40 innings of work.
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Devin Smeltzer RP | MIA
Twins' Devin Smeltzer: Dispatched to minors
Smeltzer was optioned to Triple-A Rochester following Sunday's game against the Rangers, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
Smeltzer turned in a decent relief appearance in Sunday's loss to Texas, surrendering just one run over 4.1 innings, but he'll head back to the minors. The Twins will announce a corresponding move before the second half of the season begins.
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Devin Smeltzer RP | MIA
Twins' Devin Smeltzer: Solid in relief appearance
Smeltzer yielded one run on five hits and a walk over 4.1 innings Sunday, striking out four in the loss to Texas.
Smeltzer came into a scoreless contest in the second inning after Kyle Gibson acted as the opener. The rookie left-hander has been solid overall in limited MLB action this season, recording a 3.24 ERA and 13:4 K:BB over 16.2 innings. Smeltzer will likely head back to Triple-A Rochester over the All-Star break.
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Trent Thornton RP | CHC
Blue Jays' Trent Thornton: Picks up third victory
Thornton (3-6) secured the victory after allowing three hits and struck out five over six scoreless innings Sunday against the Orioles.
Thornton was sharp on the mound in the series finale, and he'd exit the contest with a 6-0 lead after firing 63 of 89 pitches for strikes. The 25-year-old right-hander had given up 12 total runs over his last two starts (six innings) entering the day, but he was able to turn things around by turning in a quality start Sunday. Thornton will carry a 4.85 ERA and 1.48 WHIP with 97 strikeouts over 94.2 innings into the All-Star break.
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Jose Leclerc RP | SD
Rangers' Jose Leclerc: Yields run as opener
Leclerc allowed a run on three hits and a walk over 1.2 innings Sunday, striking out one batter as the opener in a win over Minnesota.
Leclerc kept the Twins off the board in the first, but a two-out RBI triple from Byron Buxton ended his afternoon. The 25-year-old owns a 4.65 ERA, and the Rangers seemingly are going to stick with Shawn Kelley as the closer to start the second half of the season.