MLB Player News
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Victor Vodnik RP | COL
Rockies' Victor Vodnik: Converts fifth save
Vodnik walked one and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Friday's 5-2 win over the Padres.
All five of Vodnik's saves this year have come since July 6. He's on a four-inning scoreless streak currently, picking up two saves with a 4:2 K:BB in that span. The right-hander has a 3.70 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 53:25 K:BB over 58.1 innings this season. He may not be a full-time closer, but Vodnik appears to be at least at the head of a committee that will likely also see high-leverage work for Tyler Kinley and Justin Lawrence.
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Orion Kerkering RP | PHI
Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Opening Saturday's contest
Kerkering will serve as the Philles' opening pitcher for Saturday's game against the Mariners, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Kerkering has opened a game once already this season, during which he posted a scoreless inning against the Athletics. He'll now be asked to do the same versus Seattle, giving bulk reliever Kolby Allard one less matchup against the Mariners' top three hitters.
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Joe Jimenez RP | ATL
Braves' Joe Jimenez: Secures third save
Jimenez picked up the save in Friday's 5-3 victory over the Marlins, allowing one hit and one walk over one scoreless inning with three strikeouts.
After Raisel Iglesias pitched on three consecutive days, manager Brian Snitker called upon Jimenez to lock up the win for Atlanta. The righty reliever struggled a bit to secure his 23rd career save, requiring 28 pitches to polish off the game. He now sports a 2.25 ERA with 48:17 K:BB across 44 innings this season. Jimenez appears to be the next in line for saves in the Atlanta bullpen if anything happens to Iglesias given the usage pattern in this game.
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Bryan Hudson RP | MIL
Brewers' Bryan Hudson: Scheduled for rehab assignment
Hudson (oblique) will begin his rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville on Sunday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Hudson was placed on the 15-day injured list July 27 with a left oblique strain, though it appears the 27-year-old southpaw may only require a minimum stint on the IL. He has been an integral piece to the Brewers' bullpen this year with a 1.60 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 54:13 K:BB across 50.2 innings while also recording 12 holds in 35 outings.
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Trey Wingenter RP | CHC
Cubs' Trey Wingenter: Claimed by Cubs
The Cubs claimed Wingenter off waivers Friday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
Wingenter was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on Tuesday, but he was picked up by the Cubs three days later and will presumably play for Triple-A Iowa. Across his 30 minor-league outings this season, Wingenter has a 3.03 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 59:19 K:BB across 38.2 innings.
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Hector Neris RP | HOU
Cubs' Hector Neris: Grabs 15th save
Neris earned the save in Friday's 6-3 win over the Cardinals, striking out two while issuing a walk over 1.1 innings.
Neris entered the game with the Cubs up 5-2 in the eighth inning after Julian Merryweather issued four walks to load the bases. Neris would walk the first batter he faced, allowing another run to score. However, he'd strike out Brandon Crawford to end the frame before setting St. Louis down in order in the ninth, sealing a 6-3 victory. The 35-year-old Neris has been excellent recently, allowing just one run over his last 13 appearances (12.1 innings). Overall, he sports a 3.46 ERA with a 1.46 WHIP and 41:25 K:BB across 39 innings this season while converting 15 of 19 save opportunities.
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Ian Gibaut RP | CIN
Reds' Ian Gibaut: Receives injection for calf
Manager David Bell said Friday that Gibaut (forarm) recently received a cortisone injection after he had "a small tweak" of his calf, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
The right-hander has been sidelined all season due to forearm issues and underwent anterior interosseous nerve release surgery in May. The calf issue isn't serious and should set him back for only a few days, but it's yet another hurdle in Gibaut's lengthy recovery.
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Emilio Pagan RP | CIN
Reds' Emilio Pagan: Beginning rehab stint
Manager David Bell said Friday that Pagan (lat) will begin a rehab assignment Saturday and will require 3-to-5 outings before being activated from the injured list, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
The 33-year-old has been sidelined by a late strain since early June, and he should be ready to join the Reds shortly after he's first eligible to be activated Aug. 7. Pagan posted a 4.43 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 26:7 K:BB over 20.1 innings prior to landing on the 60-day IL.
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Ryan Borucki RP | PIT
Pirates' Ryan Borucki: Shut down from throwing
Borucki (wrist) will not throw for the next 3-to-5 days, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Borucki was pulled off his rehab assignment last Friday after suffering a setback in his recovery from carpal tunnel syndrome, and it will be another several days before he's able to resume his throwing program. It's unclear how far away he is from pitching in rehab games again, but the Pirates are still optimistic he'll return to the club sometime in September.
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Kevin Ginkel RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Kevin Ginkel: Could be in mix for saves
Ginkel and A.J. Puk are the favorites to see save chances after Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo removed Paul Sewald as the team's closer Friday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
Ginkel recorded five saves as Arizona's closer when Sewald was on the injured list to begin the season, but he's been limited to setup duties over the past few months. Puk was acquired from the Marlins last week and may have a slight edge in terms of upside. Lovullo declined to name a replacement for Sewald, and it's possible the manager utilizes a committee approach.