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Pete Fairbanks RP | MIA
Rays' Pete Fairbanks: Secures 18th save
Fairbanks picked up the save in Monday's 4-2 win at the Yankees, allowing one hit and no walks while striking out one over 1.1 scoreless innings.
The right-handed closer locked down his first save of four or more outs this season with this 19-pitch performance. Fairbanks looked sharp, as he fired 14 strikes while allowing a lone single to Ryan McMahon with two outs in the ninth. In 39.1 total frames, the 31-year-old has pitched to a 2.75 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 33:15 K:BB while converting 18-of-21 save opportunities.
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Aroldis Chapman RP | BOS
Red Sox's Aroldis Chapman: Unavailable to pitch Monday
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Chapman (back) is unavailable to pitch Monday in Minnesota, but he expects the reliever to be ready by Tuesday or Wednesday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.
Chapman had to be pulled from an appearance Sunday against the Dodgers due to back tightness, but the Red Sox expect his absence to be brief. If a save opportunity arises for Boston on Monday, Cora could turn to Jordan Hicks, Garrett Whitlock, Justin Wilson or Greg Weissert.
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Jose Fermin RP | LAA
Angels' Jose Fermin: Optioned to Triple-A
The Angels optioned Fermin to Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Fermin has hit a rough patch of late, allowing 11 runs (nine earned) over his last three innings. He could get another shot with the big club later this season, but for now the reliever will try to work out the kinks at Salt Lake.
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Felix Bautista RP | BAL
Orioles' Felix Bautista: Facing extended absence
Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino said Monday that Bautista is going to be "out a while" after an MRI showed significant swelling in the pitcher's right shoulder, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
The silver lining is that Bautista does not have any structural damage. However, with the amount of inflammation in his shoulder, he's looking at an absence that will last weeks, not days. With the Orioles not in playoff contention, it's fair to wonder how much of a contribution, if any, he will make the rest of this season. Seranthony Dominguez is the current favorite to see the bulk of the save chances for Baltimore down the stretch, though he is a possibility to be traded.
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Randy Dobnak SP | KC
Tigers' Randy Dobnak: Included in Paddack trade
The Tigers acquired Dobnak and right-hander Chris Paddack from the Twins on Monday in exchange for catcher Enrique Jimenez, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Dobnak made one extended relief appearance for the Twins earlier this season but has spent nearly all of 2025 at Triple-A St. Paul, where he's posted a 7.12 ERA and 42:35 K:BB over 60.2 frames. He's making $3 million this season, so his inclusion in the deal is likely just a means for the Twins to unload a little more salary.
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Tim Herrin RP | CLE
Guardians' Tim Herrin: Joining big-league bullpen
The Guardians recalled Herrin from Triple-A Columbus on Monday.
Herrin will join the Cleveland bullpen in place of Emmanuel Clase (personal), who was placed on administrative leave through Aug. 31 due to his involvement in MLB's gambling investigation. Though the absence of Clase creates a void in the ninth inning, Herrin is likely to be used in middle relief initially rather than factoring into the mix for saves. The 28-year-old lefty has posted a 3.99 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 28:22 K:BB in 29.1 innings with the big club this season.
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Keegan Akin RP | BAL
Orioles' Keegan Akin: Back from shoulder injury
The Orioles activated Akin (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Monday.
Akin missed a month of action with left shoulder inflammation but has been cleared to return after making three rehab appearances. The southpaw should see some high-leverage appearances in the Orioles bullpen, but he could be a candidate to get moved elsewhere ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.
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Trevor Stephan RP | CLE
Guardians' Trevor Stephan: Restarts rehab assignment
Stephan (elbow) resumed his rehab assignment at Triple-A Columbus over the weekend, issuing one walk in a scoreless inning Friday.
Stephan is in the midst of his second rehab assignment after the Guardians opted to extend his stay in the minors when his initial 30-day window expired shortly before the All-Star break. During the initial assignment, Stephan made eight appearances across stops with three affiliates and logged a 5.40 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in 8.1 innings. Stephan has made two appearances for Columbus during his second assignment, with Friday's outing marking his first since the All-Star break. The right-hander will likely need to sharpen his command and pitch on consecutive days at Triple-A before the Guardians bring him back from the 60-day injured list.
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Paul Sewald RP | TOR
Guardians' Paul Sewald: Appears far away from return
Sewald (shoulder) was diagnosed with a moderate teres major strain after undergoing an MRI over the All-Star break, MLB.com reports.
Sewald was initially placed on the injured list July 15 due to a right shoulder strain, but the Guardians didn't offer up a timeline for his return. The fact that Sewald has been diagnosed with a moderate strain rather than a mild one suggests that he likely won't be in line for a brief stint on the shelf, and his absence could end up stretching into September. Prior to landing on the shelf, Sewald made 18 appearances out of the Cleveland bullpen and logged a 4.70 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 18:4 K:BB in 15.1 innings.