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Aroldis Chapman RP | BOS
Yankees' Aroldis Chapman: Bullpen on tap Saturday
Chapman (knee) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Marc Carig of The Athletic reports.
Chapman threw a successful side session Wednesday for his first work off a mound since being shut down, so he appears to be progressing quite well. Manager Aaron Boone indicated Tuesday that the veteran left-hander could rejoin the Yankees sometime next week, so the results of Saturday's throwing session loom large.
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Evan Phillips RP | LAD
Orioles' Evan Phillips: Called up from Norfolk
Phillips was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.
Phillips will provide another fresh arm in the Orioles' bullpen ahead of a three-game set versus the White Sox this weekend. The right-hander hasn't pitched in a game since Sept. 2, so he will be available upon his arrival. In eight big-league appearances this year, he's posted an unsightly 13.03 ERA and 2.07 WHIP.
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Ryan Yarbrough RP | NYY
Rays' Ryan Yarbrough: Slated for bulk of innings Friday
Yarbrough is slated to serve as the long man in Friday's "bullpen day" game against the Athletics after opener Diego Castillo exits, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The young southpaw will be looking to garner his 15th win, which would establish a new rookie franchise record. Yarbrough saw a solid five-appearance streak get derailed last Saturday against the Orioles, when he allowed three earned runs on six hits and two walks over 3.2 innings. Despite the hiccup, he boasts a serviceable 3.78 ERA and 1.26 WHIP across 133.1 innings this season.
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Joe Kelly RP | LAD
Red Sox's Joe Kelly: Booed off mound Thursday
Kelly allowed one run on one hit, one walk and two hit batsmen without retiring a batter in the eighth inning of Thursday's 4-3 win over the Blue Jays.
This was Kelly's second eighth-inning flameout in the last three appearances. He entered with two outs and none on, then proceeded to let Toronto tie up the game while permitting batters to reach base safely in every conceivable way (hit, walk, HBP). The eighth inning remains Boston's most glaring weakness heading towards the postseason.
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Craig Kimbrel RP | KC
Red Sox's Craig Kimbrel: Earns 40th save
Kimbrel tossed a perfect ninth inning with a strikeout to collect his 40th save of the season in Thursday's victory over the Blue Jays.
Kimbrel threw seven of his eight pitches for strikes. This marks the first time he's notched 40 saves in a season since 2014, when he was a member of the Braves. He owns a 2.33 ERA this season with an impressive 89 strikeouts in 58 innings.
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Connor Sadzeck RP | MIN
Rangers' Connor Sadzeck: Slated to open Friday
Sadzeck will serve as the opener for Friday's game against the Padres, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Sadzeck is expected to toss the customary 1-to-2 frames before Yohander Mendez takes over in relief. Sadzeck has made five appearances for the Rangers this season, tossing 3.1 scoreless innings while punching out two.
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Matt Barnes RP | WAS
Red Sox's Matt Barnes: Set for mound work
Barnes (hip) is scheduled to throw a bullpen over the weekend or early next week, Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston reports.
Barnes hasn't pitched since Sept. 3 due to a hip issue, but he recently resumed throwing and is trending in the right direction. A potential timeline for his return will hopefully emerge following his bullpen session.
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Craig Kimbrel RP | KC
Red Sox's Craig Kimbrel: Locks down save Wednesday
Kimbrel walked one and struck out two, picking up the save in Wednesday's 1-0 win over the Blue Jays.
Kimbrel saved it for David Price, who was brilliant in seven innings of three-hit, no-run pitching. It was Kimbrel's 39th save and seventh appearance in the last eight outings without allowing a run. Kimbrel had a rough patch in late July and early August, but he has somewhat righted the ship. He's allowed just one run over his last nine innings, though the seven walks permitted over that stretch is a troubling sign. In the past, slipping control has gotten Kimbrel into trouble -- as was the case in 2016, when he had a 5.1 BB/9 and a career-worst 3.40 ERA.
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Hector Santiago RP | SEA
White Sox's Hector Santiago: Gets save in extra innings
Santiago struck out one in a scoreless 12th inning to pick up the save in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Royals.
Santiago was the last of seven relievers who shut down the Royals over the final six innings. In a normal nine-inning world, Santiago would not have been granted the save opportunity, but extra innings can change routines, as they did Wednesday. Santiago is typically the White Sox's long reliever.