MLB Player News
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Josh Hader RP | HOU
Astros' Josh Hader: Locks down save No. 28
Hader walked a batter over a scoreless inning to pick up the save in Sunday's 6-3 win over the Orioles.
Hader only threw five strikes out of the 12 pitches he needed to get through the frame. He began with a leadoff walk to Gunnar Henderson before getting a lineout and erasing the walk with a game-ending double play. Hader is now working on 11 straight scoreless appearances dating back to July 31. He's allowed just two hits and has posted a 12:4 K:BB while picking up eight saves over that span. He's sitting tied for fifth in baseball with 28 saves to compliment a 3.30 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 84:19 K:BB in 57.1 innings this season.
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Liam Hendriks RP | BOS
Red Sox's Liam Hendriks: Fans two in rehab outing
Hendriks (elbow) allowed one unearned run on one hit and struck out two over two-thirds of an inning for Double-A Portland on Sunday.
Hendriks made the third appearance of his rehab assignment, throwing 19 pitches (13 for strikes). The pitcher is expected to make another three to five appearances in the minors before he's evaluated for activation.
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Justin Slaten RP | BOS
Red Sox's Justin Slaten: Throws bullpen Sunday
Slaten threw a bullpen session prior to Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
Slaten began a rehab assignment Friday for Double-A Portland, in which he exhibited shaky command, and Sunday's session was to address those issues. Boston manager Alex Cora told MLB.com that Slaten will most likely be with the Red Sox "in the upcoming days." That could mean at least one more rehab appearance for the right-hander.
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Andres Munoz RP | SEA
Mariners' Andres Munoz: Collects 19th save
Munoz picked up the save Sunday, walking two and striking out two during a scoreless ninth inning against the Giants.
Munoz finished off the Giants for his 19th save of the season, though it was his first save in four weeks. It was not a perfect outing for Munoz, who struggled with his command, tossing just 10 of 21 pitches for strikes while walking two. However, he also struck out two, including Mark Canha with a runner on third to end the game. Munoz has allowed four earned runs and nine total baserunners over his last four appearances but still maintains a dominant 1.80 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with 63 strikeouts over 50 innings this season.
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James McArthur RP | KC
Royals' James McArthur: Finding success outside of closing
McArthur has not allowed a run over his last seven appearances, allowing just five hits while striking out eight and walking none across 6.2 innings in that span.
McArthur surrendered 11 runs (nine earned) over 5.2 innings through his first six outings following the All-Star break, converting just one of three save chances in that span. He hasn't had the opportunity to close since, with Lucas Erceg moving into the closer role since he was acquired from the Athletics via trade. McArthur has just one hold since he lost the closer job, and he's more frequently been deployed in the seventh and eighth innings in recent weeks. McArthur has a 4.62 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 40:9 K:BB over 50.2 innings while going 18-for-24 in save chances this year, and he'll likely be a second or third option for closing duties when Erceg is unavailable.
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Mason Miller SP | SD
Athletics' Mason Miller: Collects 21st save
Miller struck out one while tossing 1.1 perfect innings to pick up the save Sunday against the Brewers.
Miller collected four outs to pick up his fourth multi-inning save of the season. Miller has not been scored upon in 17 of his last 18 outings since June 14, tossing 20 innings with a 0.90 ERA, 0.60 WHIP, 27 strikeouts and nine saves over that stretch.
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Justin Topa RP | MIN
Twins' Justin Topa: Resumes playing catch
Topa (knee) has resumed playing catch, Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
Topa missed the first four months of the season due to a tear in the patellar tendon of his left knee. He began a rehab assignment July 23 but was shut down Aug. 10 due to right elbow inflammation. Topa remains optimistic that he can return this season, but he still likely has several weeks of building up his throwing before he could start a rehab assignment.
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Kody Funderburk RP | MIN
Twins' Kody Funderburk: Throws bullpen session
Funderburk (left oblique strain) threw a bullpen session Sunday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
Funderburk went on the 15-day injured list July 21. He's still likely a week or two away before he could start a rehab assignment, so it's not clear if he'll be able to return before the end of the regular season.
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Nick Sandlin RP | LAA
Guardians' Nick Sandlin: Opening first game of twin bill
Sandlin is scheduled to serve as the Guardians' opening pitcher for the first game of Monday's doubleheader against the Royals, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
The 27-year-old right-hander will be making his first career MLB start Monday, but because he hasn't been recorded more than five outs in any of his 57 appearances between the majors and Triple-A Columbus this season, he shouldn't be expected to work more than an inning or two. The Guardians are designating lefty Joey Cantillo as their 27th man for the twin bill, and he's expected to be recalled from Triple-A in advance of the early game to serve as a bulk reliever behind Sandlin.
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Jhoan Duran RP | PHI
Twins' Jhoan Duran: Saddled with tough-luck loss
Duran (6-7) took the loss Sunday, allowing two runs (zero earned) on three hits over one inning against the Cardinals. He struck out two.
Duran appeared in his second consecutive game after having not previously pitched since last Sunday. He should have gotten out of the inning unscathed with his 19th save in tow, but a one-out ground ball that could have resulted in a game-ending double play was thrown into left field by Edouard Julien, extending the inning. Two batters later, Lars Nootbaar connected on a two-out single that drove in two and saddled Duran with the tough-luck loss. On the positive side for Duran, while his K/9 is at a career-low 10.13, he's struck out multiple batters five times in his last seven outings, allowing just one earned run with a K/9 of 18.47 during that stretch.