MLB Player News
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Chris Flexen RP | CHC
Cubs' Chris Flexen: Logs two more scoreless innings
Flexen tossed two scoreless innings of relief in Sunday's 4-0 loss to the Tigers. He allowed three hits and struck out two.
Across nine appearances and 16.1 innings this year, Flexen has still yet to allow any earned runs. The veteran righty has struck out only 10 batters, but he's never been a big strikeout guy during his career. Flexen has established himself as a reliable long reliever despite the lack of overpowering stuff, and he should continue to see steady work out of Chicago's bullpen moving forward.
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Michael Kopech SP | LAD
Dodgers' Michael Kopech: Tosses scoreless frame in debut
Kopech tossed a scoreless ninth inning in Sunday's 7-3 win over the Cardinals, allowing one hit with no walks and one strikeout.
Kopech gave up a single on his first pitch but went on to retire the Cardinals' top three hitters in order. The 29-year-old threw seven of nine pitches for strikes in his first appearance since returning from the injured list Saturday. He'll likely continue to be eased back in before joining the mix for high-leverage innings.
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Robert Suarez RP | ATL
Padres' Robert Suarez: Up to 21 saves
Suarez earned the save in Sunday's 1-0 win over the Brewers, allowing one hit while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.
Suarez extended his league-leading save total to 21, as he worked around a two-out single to close out the Padres' shutout victory. Suarez hasn't allowed an earned run in his last 10 appearances (11.1 innings), allowing seven hits while striking out 12 in that span. He's lowered his ERA to 1.84 with a 0.75 WHIP and 31:8 K:BB across 29.1 innings this season.
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Ryan Bergert SP | KC
Padres' Ryan Bergert: Blanks Brewers in no-decision
Bergert allowed one hit and four walks over 5.1 innings in a no-decision Sunday against Milwaukee. He struck out four.
Bergert's command faded a bit late in the outing, as he walked the final two batters he faced, though the left-hander ultimately managed to keep the Brewers off the board in his second major-league start. The 25-year-old Bergert has been impressive so far, posting a 1.26 ERA with a 0.98 WHIP and 8:6 K:BB across two starts and four appearances out of the bullpen (14.1 innings total). Bergert certainly looks to have done enough to remain in San Diego's rotation while Michael King (shoulder) and Yu Darvish (elbow) are sidelined. He's currently lined up to face the Diamondbacks on the road in his next outing.
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Tony Santillan RP | CIN
Reds' Tony Santillan: Earns second save
Santillan earned the save in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Diamondbacks, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.
Santillan was summoned to protect a two-run lead and needed just seven pitches to seal the win. It was an interesting move, as usual closer Emilio Pagan had thrown only 11 pitches in the ninth inning during Saturday's completion of Friday's suspended game. On the year, Santillan owns a 3.00 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 23:9 K:BB across 30 innings with 13 holds and two saves.
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Austin Cox RP | ATL
Braves' Austin Cox: Returns to Triple-A
Atlanta optioned Cox to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.
The left-hander was called up Saturday but will return to the minors without seeing the mound. Cox has a 3.86 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 26:9 K:BB across 23.1 innings at the Triple-A level this season.
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Ryan Cusick RP | PHI
Phillies' Ryan Cusick: Claimed, optioned by Philadelphia
The Phillies claimed Cusick off waivers from the White Sox on Sunday and optioned him to their rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate.
Cusick has been riding a roller coaster between organizations of late -- he was designated for assignment by the Athletics on May 27 and claimed by Detroit three days later, only to be DFA'd by the Tigers before the White Sox claimed him June 4. Chicago subsequently DFA's the right-hander again Friday, and he's now been picked up by the Phillies. Cusick has yet to pitch in the majors, and he's posted a 6.32 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and 11:14 K:BB over 15.2 innings across stops with two Triple-A teams so far this season.
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Tyler Rogers RP | TOR
Giants' Tyler Rogers: Logs win Saturday
Rogers (3-2) picked up the win in Saturday's 3-2 victory over Atlanta, issuing one walk in a scoreless ninth inning.
The right-hander entered the game with the Giants facing a 2-1 deficit and threw eight of his 12 pitches for strikes. Matt Chapman followed with a two-run walk-off homer in the bottom of the inning, giving Rogers his first win since April 24. The veteran reliever now owns a 1.48 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and a 28:4 K:BB across 30.1 innings in 32 appearances this season.
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Kyle Backhus RP | PHI
Diamondbacks' Kyle Backhus: Nabs first big-league call-up
The Diamondbacks selected Backhus' contract from Triple-A Reno on Sunday.
Arizona designated catcher Aramis Garcia for assignment to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for Backhus, a 27-year-old lefty reliever who will be making his MLB debut when he gets into a game. Over his 24 appearances at Triple-A this season, Backhus has logged a 2.22 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 36:10 K:BB across 24.1 innings.
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Christian Montes De Oca RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Christian Montes De Oca: Sent back to Triple-A
The Diamondbacks optioned Montes De Oca to Triple-A Reno on Sunday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
As anticipated, De Oca was sent back to the minors after he served as the Diamondbacks' 27th man in Saturday's twin bill with the Reds. Montes De Oca made his MLB debut in a 13-1 loss during the second game, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings in mop-up duty.