MLB Player News
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Craig Kimbrel RP | NYM
Orioles' Craig Kimbrel: Earns fourth save
Kimbrel tossed a perfect ninth to earn the save Monday against Minnesota. He struck out two.
Kimbrel earned a save for the second-consecutive day, but after allowing two hits to the Brewers on Sunday rebounded with a perfect inning Monday, needing just 13 pitches to close out the contest. The veteran closer now has four saves to go along with two wins through seven appearances this season.
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Josh Hader RP | HOU
Astros' Josh Hader: Crumbles in ninth
Hader yielded four runs on four hits and a walk in Monday's loss to Atlanta. He recorded one out via strikeout.
Hader entered the game in a non-save situation with Atlanta leading 2-1. He put five straight runners on base and threw a wild pitch, resulting in four runs to be charged against him. The All-Star closer has not yet found any consistency in his first season with Houston; Hader has just one save with a 9.39 ERA through 7.2 frames.
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James McArthur RP | KC
Royals' James McArthur: Notches third save
McArthur picked up the save Monday against the White Sox. He pitched one shutout inning with two strikeouts.
McArthur loves pitching against the White Sox, as all three of his saves on the season have come against Chicago. After a shaky start to the season, he has now tossed five scoreless outings over 5.2 innings. McArthur looks to have fully supplanted Will Smith from the closer's role, as the veteran lefty had plenty of rest coming into Monday, but Royals manager Matt Quatraro clearly favored McArthur in the save situation.
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Yimi Garcia RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Yimi Garcia: Collects second save
Garcia picked up the save Monday against the Yankees. He retired all three batters he faced without recording a strikeout.
Garcia recorded his second straight save Monday night after earning his first Saturday against Colorado. This save wasn't easy as he faced the heart of the Yankees order, but he smoothly retired Juan Soto, Aaron Judge and Anthony Rizzo on nine pitches. Although Garcia has collected the last two Toronto saves, he looks to move back into a setup role soon as Jordan Romano (elbow) is slated to return this week.
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Kirby Yates RP | LAA
Rangers' Kirby Yates: Fares well in first save
Yates secured the save after throwing a perfect ninth inning Monday against the Tigers. After the game, manager Bruce Bochy noted that the team likes where it's at in terms of the closer role, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Bochy went on to mention that the club will continue to weigh its options at closer, but he likes the way Yates has been throwing the ball so far this season, per McFarland. The right-hander has yet to surrender a run in six appearances, fanning five batters and walking one over six frames.
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Jhoan Duran RP | PHI
Twins' Jhoan Duran: Could face hitters soon
Duran (oblique) will throw another bullpen session Tuesday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
He threw his first bullpen session since his oblique strain on Friday, and if he gets through that with no issues he could be cleared for live batting practice sessions. Duran would figure to require at least a couple live BP sessions before beginning a rehab assignment.
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Xzavion Curry RP | MIA
Guardians' Xzavion Curry: Allows zero runs in season debut
Curry allowed two hits and one walk over five scoreless innings but did not factor into the decision during Monday's 6-0 win over the Red Sox. He struck out three.
Curry was sharp during his first appearance of the season, matching Boston starter Kutter Crawford by piling up zeroes on the board, but the run support didn't come in time to allow him to walk away with the victory. Curry was activated prior to Monday's start after beginning the season dealing with a viral illness and is expected to take on a long-relief role moving forward. However, if he can string together more effective performances like his effort on Monday, Curry could see an opportunity in Cleveland's rotation.
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Robert Stephenson RP | LAA
Angels' Robert Stephenson: Now dealing with elbow issue
Stephenson's (shoulder) removal from a rehab appearance over the weekend was due to right elbow soreness, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Stephenson issued a four-pitch walk to the only batter he faced in his first rehab outing before being lifted. He has been out all season with a shoulder injury and now has an elbow problem to contend with. The reliever will undergo testing before more is known about a diagnosis and potential timetable.
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Erik Swanson RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Erik Swanson: Expected back Tuesday
Swanson (forearm) is likely to be activated from the injured list Tuesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Swanson has been out all season with right forearm inflammation but is ready to roll after making three rehab appearances. He will be in line for setup duties ahead of closer Jordan Romano (elbow), who is also on track for activation Tuesday.
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Jordan Romano RP | LAA
Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Likely to be activated Tuesday
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Monday that Romano (elbow) will be activated soon and will immediately regain his closer job, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
The strong indication seems to be that Romano will be activated Tuesday. Romano retired just three of the eight batters he faced during a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo, but it does not appear Schneider will hesitate to use him in a save situation right away. The closer has been out with right elbow inflammation.