MLB Player News
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Bowden Francis RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Turns in scoreless appearance
Francis allowed three hits and one walk while striking out three over four shutout innings in a no-decision in Sunday's 6-4 extra-inning win over the Athletics.
Francis made his first start since April 7, taking over the rotation spot that previously belonged to the injured Alek Manoah (elbow). Since Francis hadn't worked more than 3.2 innings in any of his appearances in the majors or minors since early April, the Blue Jays monitored his workload carefully Sunday, but he needed just 49 pitches to record 12 outs before exiting the contest. Francis should get another start against the Guardians this upcoming weekend, but it's unclear if the Blue Jays plan to have him handle a traditional starter's workload anytime soon. Toronto could soon return Yariel Rodriguez (back) from the injured list, and the team had previously deployed Rodriguez and Francis as piggyback starters earlier in the season to limit their pitch counts with the aim of increasing both pitchers' overall effectiveness.
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Mitch Spence SP | KC
Athletics' Mitch Spence: Turns in quality start
Spence yielded two runs on five hits over seven innings in a no-decision Sunday. He struck out three during the loss to the Blue Jays.
Spence allowed a two-run single to Isiah Kiner-Falefa in the second inning but otherwise kept Toronto's offense quiet. After tossing a season-high six innings in his last outing, Spence set a new personal best Sunday while delivering his first MLB quality start. He posted a 4.26 ERA through 25.1 innings out of the bullpen before joining Oakland's rotation; through five starts, Spence has registered a 3.12 ERA with an 18:6 K:BB through 26 innings. His next start is lined up to be in Minnesota.
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Genesis Cabrera RP | PHI
Blue Jays' Genesis Cabrera: Snags first save
Cabrera allowed an unearned run and picked up a save during Sunday's win over the Athletics.
Cabrera pitched the bottom of the 10th inning and let one run come home but still preserved the 6-4 win. It was his first save since the 2022 season when he was with St. Louis. Cabrera owns a 5.25 ERA through 24 innings this season. Yimi Garcia worked a scoreless ninth inning and earned the win Sunday.
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Tayler Saucedo RP | LAA
Mariners' Tayler Saucedo: Notches save Sunday
Saucedo recorded one out to earn a save over the Royals on Sunday.
Saucedo needed only two pitches to record the final out of the 10th inning during Sunday's win. He's picked up two saves and a hold this month despite getting only four outs during those three appearances. He lowered his ERA to 2.81 through 16 innings this season. Saucedo shouldn't see many save chances moving forward as Andres Munoz (back) returned to action Sunday.
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Michael Baumann RP | NYM
Mariners' Mike Baumann: Nabs win after blown save
Baumann (3-0) allowed two runs on two hits in one inning Sunday. He struck out three and earned a win after blowing a save chance against Kansas City.
Baumann coughed up a game-tying, two-run shot to MJ Melendez with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Fortunately for Baumann, the Mariners tallied three runs in the 10th inning to give him the win. Prior to Sunday's outing, he'd pitched 5.2 innings without allowing an earned run since joining Seattle. He now owns a 3.24 ERA with a 24:12 K:BB through 25 total innings this season. Andres Munoz returned from a back injury Sunday and should see most of the ninth-inning work moving forward, assuming he's healthy.
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Tanner Banks RP | PHI
White Sox's Tanner Banks: Squanders save chance
Banks blew the save Sunday against the Red Sox, allowing one run on one hit with one strikeout during the ninth inning.
Despite the White Sox's fluid closer role, Banks hadn't seen much ninth-inning work this season but took the mound Sunday with a one-run lead. He couldn't convert what would've been his second save of 2024, as he allowed a leadoff double to David Hamilton, who stole third and was brought home on a sacrifice fly by Reese McGuire to send the game to extras. While it's worth noting that Banks received a save chance, it's tough to project who'll receive ninth-inning work consistently for Chicago.
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Kenley Jansen RP | DET
Red Sox's Kenley Jansen: Nails six-out win
Jansen (2-1) picked up the win Sunday against the White Sox, allowing one hit and no walks with five strikeouts over two innings.
Jansen had made just one appearance since May 26, and the Red Sox made use of his fresh arm Sunday, bringing him in for the eighth and ninth innings with Boston trailing by one. The closer went more than one inning for the first time this season and set a career high in strikeouts, surpassing three Ks for the first time since 2017. Jansen is 9-of-10 in save chances and owns a 2.61 ERA on the campaign.
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Nick Sandlin RP | LAA
Guardians' Nick Sandlin: Secures win Sunday
Sandlin (5-0) pitched a perfect inning to earn the win Sunday over the Marlins.
The Guardians took the lead in the seventh inning after Sandlin worked the sixth, making him the pitcher of record. While he's allowed multiple runs in two of his last nine outings, he hasn't been charged with a run in his other seven appearances in that span. Sandlin is at a 2.63 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 29:9 K:BB over 27.1 innings this season while adding a save, four holds and a blown save. The strength of the Guardians' bullpen has kept him from seeing more consistent high-leverage work, as he continues to see mostly middle-innings assignments.
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Andres Munoz RP | SEA
Mariners' Andres Munoz: Back in action
Munoz (back) recorded one strikeout in a perfect eighth inning Sunday against the Royals. He said he "felt weird" out on the mound and was happy with the outing even though he didn't feel like he had his best stuff or command, per Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times.
He was the first reliever out of the bullpen after George Kirby tossed seven innings of one-run ball. Mike Baumann came on in the ninth inning and gave up two earned runs to blow the save (and eventually pick up the win). It sounds like Munoz will be considered available going forward, although his back might not feel fully healthy.
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Jhoan Duran RP | PHI
Twins' Jhoan Duran: Notches first win
Duran (1-2) picked up the win Sunday against Pittsburgh, striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning. He did not allow a baserunner.
Duran was roughed up by Pittsburgh on Saturday, allowing three earned runs in two-thirds of an inning. The hard-throwing right-hander was able to rebound Sunday, pitching a clean ninth frame to earn his first win. Duran has not received a save opportunity since June 2, but he is still the Twins' top closer, going a perfect 10-for-10 in save chances after missing the first month of the season with an oblique injury.