MLB Player News
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Jordan Leasure P | CHW
White Sox's Jordan Leasure: Working as primary setup man
Leasure allowed one hit and struck out one across a scoreless inning in Sunday's win over the Cardinals.
Leasure is consistently working in high-leverage roles, with each of his last four appearances coming in the eighth inning or later. He's turned in three scoreless performances in that span, though he did blow a lead April 28 by allowing two earned runs to the Twins. Leasure also hasn't been particularly dominant overall, maintaining a 9:6 K:BB in 14 innings of work for the season. Still, he has one of the White Sox's five total saves and could be the choice to close games out when Michael Kopech is used in high-leverage situations rather than being reserved for save situations.
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Josh Hader RP | HOU
Astros' Josh Hader: Takes loss against Mariners
Hader (1-3) allowed a solo home run and struck out one to take the loss Sunday against the Mariners.
Hader entered the game in the ninth inning with the score tied 4-4. He retired the first batter he faced but then served up the go-ahead homer to Cal Raleigh. Hader had turned in three consecutive appearances without giving up an earned run prior to Sunday, though he's now been charged with at least one run in six of his 15 appearances.
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Colin Poche RP | NYM
Rays' Colin Poche: Resumes throwing
Poche (back) threw on flat ground Sunday and is expected to throw a bullpen session Monday, MLB.com reports.
Poche had been shut down since hitting the injured list April 26, after receiving an injection in his back and resting for several days. He's projected to return in mid-May barring any setbacks, suggesting he may not need a rehab assignment.
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Penn Murfee RP | CHW
Astros' Penn Murfee: Starts throwing off slope of mound
Murfee (elbow) was recently cleared to resume throwing off the slope of a mound, MLB.com reports.
Murfee is on the mend from July 5, 2023 surgery to repair a torn UCL in his right elbow. The right-hander should soon begin throwing off the top of the mound while gradually ratcheting up the volume and intensity of his bullpen sessions. After that, Murfee will face live hitters in batting practice before eventually heading out on what will likely be an extended minor-league rehab assignment. The reliever is unlikely to be ready to return from the 60-day injured list until late in the season.
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Chris Martin RP | TEX
Red Sox's Chris Martin: Nursing injury to non-throwing shoulder
Martin wasn't available for Sunday's 9-2 win over the Twins and hasn't pitched since Wednesday due to soreness in his non-throwing shoulder, Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.
Even though the injury is to Martin's left shoulder, the Red Sox are concerned that his mechanics could be affected as a result. If he's not feeling any better after an off day Monday, the Red Sox could move Martin to the 15-day injured list and call up another pitcher from Triple-A Worcester to take his spot in the bullpen.
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Kenley Jansen RP | DET
Red Sox's Kenley Jansen: Tosses scoreless frame
Jansen pitched one scoreless inning, allowing one hit in Sunday's 9-2 win over the Twins.
Jansen was locked into appearing in Sunday's contest no matter what, and he worked around an error by his defense and a single for a scoreless ninth inning. The 36-year-old is firmly locked into being Boston's closer in 2024, posting a 1.69 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 14 strikeouts over 10.2 innings in 11 appearances while going 5-for-6 on save opportunities so far.
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Dennis Santana RP | PIT
Yankees' Dennis Santana: Earns second save
Santana allowed one hit in one scoreless inning to earn the save during Sunday's 5-2 win over the Tigers. He struck out two.
Santana tossed his sixth-consecutive scoreless outing and was credited with his second save when the game was called after eight innings due to rain. Had the game completed a full nine innings, it is likely that regular closer Clay Holmes would have earned the nod despite having thrown 15 pitches to close out Saturday's contest.
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James McArthur RP | KC
Royals' James McArthur: Blown save, loss versus Texas
McArthur (1-1) blew a save and picked up the loss after he pitched two innings, surrendering two runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out three batters in Sunday's 3-2 extra-inning defeat to the Rangers.
McArthur entered the game with the Royals up 2-1 in the top of the ninth inning and gave up a game-tying solo home run to Jonah Heim with one out in the inning. He later returned for the top of the 10th frame, allowing the inherited runner to score on an RBI single by Nathaniel Lowe. The blown save was McArthur's second in nine total save opportunities this season, and he currently possesses a 2.87 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 18 strikeouts over 15.2 innings in 13 appearances this season.
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Kirby Yates RP | LAA
Rangers' Kirby Yates: Secures extra-inning win
Yates (3-0) earned the win after he pitched two scoreless innings, allowing a walk while striking out two batters in Sunday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Royals.
Yates entered the game in the bottom of the eighth inning with the Rangers trailing 2-1, and he was able to work around a walk to keep it a one-run deficit going into the ninth. After Texas tied it up at 2-2, the right-hander returned for the following frame, setting the Royals down in order. The Rangers went on to win in the 10th inning, earning Yates his third victory of the year. The 37-year-old has yet to allow an earned run this season while posting a 0.50 WHIP with five saves over 14 innings in 12 appearances.
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Emmanuel Clase RP | CLE
Guardians' Emmanuel Clase: Reaches double digits in saves
Clase picked up the save Sunday against the Angels, striking out two over a perfect ninth inning.
Clase made quick work of Willie Calhoun, Brandon Drury and Matt Thaiss on Sunday, needing just 10 pitches to retire the side and pick up his 10th save of the campaign. Clase is one of five closers in double figures in the saves category and has walked just one batter across 17.1 innings of action.