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Ariel Hernandez RP | LAD
Reds' Ariel Hernandez: Promoted to majors
Hernandez was recalled from Double-A Pensacola on Monday.
Hernandez will be summoned from the minor leagues to fill the void left by Zack Cozart (quadriceps) and Bronson Arroyo (shoulder) heading to the disabled list. The 25-year-old right-hander has been stellar out of the Blue Wahoos' bullpen, producing a 2.18 ERA while striking out 39 batters in 33 innings. However, he continues to struggle with control, and given the other proven options in Cincinnati's pitching staff, it's hard to see him being anything more than a middle reliever during this cup of coffee with the major-league club.
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A.J. Minter RP | MIN
Braves' A.J. Minter: Continues strikeout raid upon return from injury
Minter (groin) has four strikeouts in two innings since returning from the disabled list with High-A Florida.
Minter suffered an adductor groin strain way back in mid-April, but there appear to be no lingering effects at this point. The southpaw has only logged three innings on the season, but only one batter reached against him in that span and six batters whiffed against him. He should continue to get plenty of action out of the bullpen, given his strong performance in a similar role last season (1.30 ERA in 34.2 innings in 2016).
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Anthony Banda RP | MIN
Diamondbacks' Anthony Banda: Scuffling with Triple-A club
Banda, 23, has posted a 4.96 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 76:40 K:BB over 78 innings with Triple-A Reno this season.
Banda's 40 walks are the third-most in the Pacific Coast League this season, and that poor control will likely continue to delay his arrival to the big leagues. The lefty is still one of the better pitching prospects in a poor Diamondbacks system, but his stock has nonetheless dropped from where it was to begin the campaign.
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Fernando Rodney RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Fernando Rodney: Fans side for 20th save
Rodney struck out all three batters he faced in the 10th inning to earn his 20th save of the season during Sunday's win over Philadelphia.
The veteran hasn't allowed an earned run through his past 16.2 innings over 17 appearances. Rodney has 14 saves and 18 strikeouts during that span, and he continues to tighten his hold on the closing job.
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Hector Neris RP | HOU
Phillies' Hector Neris: Blows save Sunday
Neris blew a save chance Sunday, allowing one run on a walk and two hits in a 5-4 loss to the Diamondbacks.
Neris walked Nick Ahmed to start the ninth and then two singles later the game was tied. Manager Pete Mackanin told Corey Seidman of CSN Philadelphia after the game that Neris' splitter "is hot and cold. For every two good ones he throws, he throws two bad ones. It's hard to figure out what he's doing." Opponents are hitting .227 against Neris' splitter this season after hitting just .158 against the pitch last season. Neris will likely continue seeing save chances, though, as Mackanin seems unwilling to move Pat Neshek into the closer's role despite the fact that he has been the Phillies' best reliever this season.
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Josh Fields RP | MIL
Dodgers' Josh Fields: Awful June continues Sunday
Fields surrendered three runs on two hits and two walks and retired just two batters in Sunday's 8-7 win over the Reds.
Fields emerged as one of manager Dave Roberts' top setup arms after delivering a 0.84 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 21.1 innings over the first two months of the season, but he's been a disaster since the calendar flipped to June. In five appearances on the month, he's given up four runs -- all via the long ball -- in only five innings. Roberts may have Fields work out the kinks in middle relief in his subsequent appearances before the right-hander is trusted in high-leverage spots again.
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Jimmy Nelson RP | LAD
Brewers' Jimmy Nelson: Goes the distance Sunday
Nelson (5-3) recorded a complete game Sunday against the Padres, allowing just one run on six hits. He struck out 10 batters and walked two.
Nelson threw 118 pitches, 81 for strikes, in his dominant performance that saw him effectively utilize the double-play ball. It was the first complete game by a Brewer since 2015. The right-hander has now turned in a quality start in four of his last five outings.
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Kenley Jansen RP | DET
Dodgers' Kenley Jansen: Earns save in dominant fashion Sunday
Jansen struck out a pair in a clean inning of work to earn his 15th save of the season Sunday against the Reds.
Jansen was called upon to protect a one-run lead and hardly could have been more dominant, throwing 10 of 11 pitches for strikes as he sat down the side in order. Though he sits well off the National League lead in saves at this juncture, Jansen has a superb 0.91 ERA and 0.57 WHIP to go along with his astonishing 50:0 K:BB this season.
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Ty Blach RP | CHC
Giants' Ty Blach: Takes no-decision against Rockies
Blach allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks with five strikeouts over 6.2 innings in a no-decision Sunday against Colorado.
Blach was lucky to get away with just that trio of runs allowed, considering he allowed nine baserunners and two home runs. Although he has done a respectable job in the back end of the Giants' rotation, his 4.23 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and meager 35 strikeouts in 76 innings don't make him an appealing fantasy option.
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Mark Melancon RP | ARI
Giants' Mark Melancon: Blows save and takes loss Sunday
Melancon (1-2) blew his fourth save in 14 chances as he allowed four runs on as many hits Sunday against the Rockies.
The disastrous outing has Melancon's ERA all the way up to 5.09. Combined with the meager 71 percent save conversion rate, Melancon has not been the reliable late-inning investment the Giants thought they were getting. There isn't reason to believe his job is at stake yet, but it has to be concerning for the Giants to get such inconsistency out of their 31-year-old closer.