MLB Player News
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Freddy Tarnok RP | MIA
Marlins' Freddy Tarnok: Receives call-up
The Marlins selected Tarnok's contract from Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday.
Tarnok had been working primarily in the rotation at Jacksonville while posting a 4.79 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 44:18 K:BB in 41.1 innings over 12 appearances (10 starts). The Marlins are expected to deploy the right-hander out of the bullpen initially, but if he isn't needed over the next few days, he could be a candidate to make a spot start later next week.
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Zach Agnos P | COL
Rockies' Zach Agnos: Sent packing to minors
The Rockies optioned Agnos to Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday.
Agnos leads the Rockies with four saves this season, but his ratios (5.48 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 3.3 K-BB% in 21.1 innings) have left much to be desired. After Agnos allowed runs in each of his last four appearances, the Rockies will have the 24-year-old righty report to the organization's performance lab in Arizona to hone his mechanics before he heads to Albuquerque, per Thomas Harding of MLB.com. Seth Halvorsen, Tyler Kinley, Victor Vodnik and Jake Bird look to be the Rockies' top high-leverage relievers, but mining for saves on a 13-57 squad could prove to be a fruitless endeavor for fantasy managers.
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Robert Suarez RP | ATL
Padres' Robert Suarez: Crumbles in non-save situation
Suarez (1-2) allowed five runs on five hits and struck out one over one-third of an inning to take the loss Saturday versus the Diamondbacks.
Suarez was called upon to protect a four-run lead in the ninth inning, but he couldn't get the job done. He gave up three straight singles, then struck out Corbin Carroll before giving up an RBI single to Ketel Marte and a game-tying three-run triple to Geraldo Perdomo. Adrian Morejon allowed an inherited runner to score, and that was charged to Suarez, sending him to his first loss since his other five-run implosion of the year back on May 12 versus the Angels. Those account for two of the four appearances in which Suarez has been scored on this season. This outing inflated his ERA from 1.78 to 3.23. but he still has a sparkling 0.88 WHIP and 33:8 K:BB across 30.2 innings. He also has 21 saves in 23 chances, and as long as this kind of performance doesn't become more regular, Suarez's status as the Padres' closer is safe.
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Ryan Bergert P | KC
Padres' Ryan Bergert: Strikes out eight Saturday
Bergert allowed three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out eight over five innings in a no-decision versus the Diamondbacks on Saturday.
Bergert allowed a three-run home run to Eugenio Suarez in the fourth inning, but it was an otherwise steady start for the 25-year-old right-hander. Bergert threw 54 of 90 pitches for strikes in this outing, and he's completed five innings in each of his three starts so far. He's also walked eight batters over 15.1 innings as a starter, so there's still some adjusting for him to do to find more control. Bergert has a 2.33 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 16:8 K:BB across 19.1 innings through seven appearances overall. He's tentatively scheduled to make his next start on the road versus the Dodgers.
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Elijah Morgan RP | KC
Cubs' Eli Morgan: Begins rehab assignment
Morgan (elbow) struck out two over a perfect inning in his rehab appearance Saturday in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League.
Morgan has been sidelined since the middle of April due to the right elbow injury, so he'll need several rehab appearances before being activated from the 60-day injured list. He'll likely return to a low-leverage role in the Chicago bullpen once he proves he's healthy.
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Matt Strahm RP | KC
Phillies' Matt Strahm: Converts third save
Strahm earned the save in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Blue Jays, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.
Strahm was called upon to protect a one-run lead in the ninth and needed just seven pitches to do so. It was notable that the southpaw was used against three right-handed hitters, perhaps a reflection of Jordan Romano allowing runs in three of his past four appearances. On the year, Strahm owns a 3.49 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 33:8 K:BB across 28.1 innings, and he could challenge for the closer role if Romano's struggles persist.
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Orion Kerkering RP | PHI
Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Excellent stretch continues in win
Kerkering (5-2) threw a clean eighth inning in Saturday's 3-2 victory over the Blue Jays, striking out one while earning the win.
Kerkering has been excellent in relief for over a month now -- he last conceded an earned run back on May 6. The 24-year-old right-hander's streak of no earned runs is up to 13.1 innings, during which he owns a 1.20 WHIP and 12:7 K:BB. It was interesting to see the Phillies bypass presumed closer Jordan Romano in a save opportunity in favor of left-hander Matt Strahm on Saturday, which suggests the club may have an unclear bullpen hierarchy that could also leave the door open for Kerkering to work his way into the mix.
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Calvin Faucher RP | MIA
Marlins' Calvin Faucher: Needed for one-out save
Faucher retired the only batter he faced in the ninth inning Saturday to record his seventh save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Nationals.
Anthony Bender got the first crack at the save, taking the mound to begin the ninth inning with the Marlins ahead 4-1, but he coughed up two runs and left the bases loaded before getting the hook. Faucher, who tossed 21 pitches Friday to collect the save, needed only four (three strikes) this time around to get James Wood to pop out, although even that was an adventure -- Otto Lopez only secured the catch after colliding with Kyle Stowers in shallow left field. Faucher has successfully converted all five of his save chances with seven scoreless frames since May 28, and he's tightening his grip on the closer role for Miami.
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Christian Montes De Oca RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Christian Montes De Oca: Needs back surgery
Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Saturday that Montes De Oca is set to undergo lower back surgery in the coming days, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Montes De Oca was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier in the week due to elbow inflammation, but his back was apparently a greater concern. A timeline for his return could be released once surgery is completed, but Lovullo noted that Montes De Oca could be sidelined for the rest of the season. He made just one appearance out of the Arizona bullpen before landing on the IL.
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Janson Junk RP | MIA
Marlins' Janson Junk: Dazzles as primary pitcher
Junk (1-0) picked up the win Saturday, scattering two hits over 5.2 scoreless innings of relief in a 4-3 victory over the Nationals. He struck out four without walking a batter.
The 29-year-old right-hander was the fourth Miami pitcher to take the mound on the afternoon, entering the game with one out and two men on in the third inning. Junk nearly tossed the equivalent of a quality start as the bulk reliever on just 64 pitches (42 strikes), retiring the first 10 batters he faced and not allowing a runner to get into scoring position. Junk has made five appearances this season, all out of the bullpen, and posted an impressive 2.78 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 20:2 K:BB in 22.2 innings. The Marlins are short a starting pitcher at the moment with Ryan Weathers (lat) and Max Meyer (hip) on the injured list, and they don't get another off day until June 23, so Junk seems likely to plug that rotation hole at some point next week, either in a traditional start or as a primary pitcher once again.