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Paxton Schultz RP | WAS
Blue Jays' Paxton Schultz: Ties MLB record in debut
Schultz gave up two hits and struck out eight over 4.1 scoreless innings of relief in Sunday's loss to the Mariners.
Per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, the eight Ks tied a major-league record for a pitcher making his MLB debut in a relief role, a mark most recently matched by Hayden Wesneski in 2022 with the Cubs. Schultz began a conversion to the bullpen at Triple-A Buffalo last season and was having a good start to the season at that level, posting a 2.08 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 9:2 K:BB in 8.2 innings over four appearances. With the Blue Jays struggling to fill their fifth starter spot -- Easton Lucas, who took the loss Sunday, has been tagged for five homers and 14 runs in 7.2 innings over his last two starts -- Schultz made a strong case in his debut to stick around as a long reliever, and potentially even get a look as a primary pitcher working behind an opener.
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Clayton Beeter RP | WAS
Yankees' Clayton Beeter: Begins rehab assignment
Beeter (shoulder) struck out all four batters he faced in his first rehab appearance with Single-A Tampa on Sunday.
It was a good start for Beeter, who should move up to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre eventually before being activated from the 15-day injured list. Beeter did not make any spring training appearances, so it could be a relatively lengthy rehab assignment.
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Liam Hendriks RP | CHC
Red Sox's Liam Hendriks: Returns after lengthy absence
Hendriks allowed two runs on three hits while striking out one over one inning in Sunday's 8-4 loss to the White Sox.
It had been 22 months since Hendriks last pitched in a major-league game. The right-hander first beat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma before Tommy John elbow surgery sidelined him. He opened the eighth inning, allowing a single to the first batter faced then a two-run home run two batters later. "Some good things to take from it, some not so great things to take from it," Hendriks told Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic. "But, now I can say I've gone out there. Now I can say I've pitched for the Boston Red Sox. Now there's no sentimental value to anything like that. It's go and perform." Returning to the role as a closer may not be in the cards for Hendriks, but the Red Sox want him eventually to be part of a late-game crew.
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Fernando Cruz RP | NYY
Yankees' Fernando Cruz: Notches second save
Cruz earned a save against Tampa Bay on Sunday, issuing three walks and striking out one batter over 1.1 scoreless and hitless innings.
Max Fried gave New York 7.2 splendid scoreless frames, and Cruz was called upon in the bottom of the eighth to get the final out after the Rays put a runner on base. Cruz walked the first batter he faced but escaped further danger by getting Junior Caminero to pop out. The Yankees plated a run in the top of the ninth to eliminate a save opportunity for closer Devin Williams, and Cruz ended up finishing off the victory successfully despite issuing two more free passes. It's been a great start to the season for the 35-year-old reliever, as he's posted a 2.25 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 19:6 K:BB over 12 innings while working as one of New York's top high-leverage relievers. Cruz has two saves over his past four appearances, but he's unlikely to see consistent save chances with Williams still the team's primary closer despite some early-season struggles and Luke Weaver the top candidate for most save chances when Williams is unavailable.
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Shawn Dubin RP | ARI
Astros' Shawn Dubin: Dealing with ankle issue
Dubin (shoulder/ankle) rolled his ankle while on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land, MLB.com reports.
Dubin is working his way back from a shoulder injury and suffered the ankle injury while playing catch during batting practice. He received imaging Sunday, though the new injury is not expected to be serious.
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Carlos Estevez RP | KC
Royals' Carlos Estevez: Collects first win Sunday
Estevez (1-0) picked up the win in 10 innings Sunday at Detroit, pitching two scoreless innings with a strikeout. He allowed no hits and one walk.
Estevez worked the ninth and 10th innings to pocket his first win with the Royals. Despite a shaky 5.4 BB/9 through 10 innings this season, the veteran right-hander now sports a 0.90 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 10:6 K:BB. Estevez is also 5-for-6 on save chances and remains cemented as the closer over Lucas Erceg in Kansas City.
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Tyler Holton RP | DET
Tigers' Tyler Holton: Pitches well but takes loss
Holton (1-2) allowed an unearned run across two innings of relief to take the loss Sunday against the Royals in 10 innings. He struck out three.
Holton didn't allow any hits or walks, but a Bobby Witt sac fly in the bottom of the 10th inning brought home the automatic baserunner and gave Kansas City a 4-3 win. The lefty reliever hasn't allowed an earned run across his last five appearances, during which he's struck out six batters in 5.1 innings. For the season, Holton now has a stellar 1.54 ERA as he continues to serve as a reliable bullpen option for the Tigers despite the losing record.
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Emmanuel Clase RP | CLE
Guardians' Emmanuel Clase: Blows save, collects win
Clase (3-0) blew the save but collected the win Sunday against the Pirates in a game that went 10 innings. He allowed three runs on four hits and one walk with no strikeouts over an inning.
Entering on a streak of three consecutive scoreless outings and pitching on the third straight day, Clase unraveled in this appearance and picked up his second blown save. This game marked the Cleveland closer's second time allowing four hits in 2025 after going all of the 2024 regular season without one such instance. Clase's confounding start to the season continues, as he's now pitched to an abysmal 7.84 ERA, 2.23 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB across 10.1 innings.
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Joey Cantillo SP | CLE
Guardians' Joey Cantillo: Secures extra-inning save
Cantillo earned the save in Sunday's 5-4 win at Pittsburgh, pitching a scoreless inning while allowing no hits and one walk. He had no strikeouts.
After Emmanuel Clase blew the save in the ninth inning, Cantillo locked up the win with his first career save in the extra frame. The 25-year-old southpaw has shined in a bullpen role, pitching to a 1.59 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB across 11.1 innings. If Cantillo keeps pitching well, he could see more chances in high-leverage situations like Sunday.
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Casey Lawrence RP | SEA
Mariners' Casey Lawrence: Gets DFA'd again
The Mariners designated Lawrence for assignment Sunday, Tim Booth of the Seattle Times reports.
Lawrence was designated for assignment Monday but cleared waivers and rejoined the organization Wednesday before being recalled to the big club Friday. He pitched in back-to-back contests Friday and Saturday, allowing an unearned run over two hitless innings. His removal from the roster again Sunday corresponds with fellow hurler Sauryn Lao getting his first major-league call-up.