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Ryan Pressly RP | CHC
Cubs' Ryan Pressly: Notches fourth save
Pressly earned the save in Sunday's 4-2 victory over the Dodgers, pitching a clean inning with one strikeout.
The veteran reliever made quick work closing out this win, completing the task in seven pitches, all of which were strikes. Pressly is now a perfect 4-for-4 in saves opportunities this season. However, under the hood, the 34-year-old has shown signs of slowing down, as his 3.38 ERA across eight innings is underpinned by a 6.11 FIP, 2.13 WHIP and 3:6 K:BB.
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Colin Rea SP | CHC
Cubs' Colin Rea: Fills in admirably against Dodgers
Rea took a no-decision Sunday against the Dodgers. He struck out five over 3.2 innings while allowing a run on four hits and one walk.
After not pitching since April 7, Rea was tasked with filling in for Justin Steele (elbow) against the mighty Dodgers. Rea impressed over this 68-pitch outing, throwing 42 strikes and generating nine whiffs. The 34-year-old has pitched to a 1.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 7:1 K:BB across nine innings and should continue to hold a rotation spot as Steele is slated to miss the rest of 2025. Rea currently lines up to make his next start against Arizona at home next weekend.
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Carlos Estevez RP | KC
Royals' Carlos Estevez: Fans side for save
Estevez allowed a hit in a scoreless inning during Sunday's win over Cleveland. He struck out three and earned a save.
Estevez coughed up a single to Steven Kwan to open the ninth inning but punched out the next three batters he faced to close out the 4-2 win. It was Estevez's fifth save in six chances. He dropped his ERA to 1.29 with a 9:4 K:BB through seven innings this season. Estevez has collected five of Kansas City's six saves so far.
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Justin Martinez RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Works smooth eighth inning
Martinez struck out two over one inning to earn a hold in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Brewers.
Arizona led 3-2 when the right-handed Martinez opened the eighth inning against three scheduled righty hitters. He retired the side in order, including a lefty pinch hitter. That held the lead for lefty A.J. Puk heading into the ninth, when the Brewers had lefties scheduled. The late-game bullpen deployment is working without manager Torey Lovullo having to name one closer. Martinez has yet to allow a run or a walk while striking out nine over 5.2 innings.
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Ryan Walker RP | SF
Giants' Ryan Walker: Earns fourth save
Walker earned the save in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Yankees, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.
Walker was called upon to protect a 5-4 lead in the ninth inning and delivered a clean inning to record his fourth save in as many chances. The 29-year-old has been rock-solid to open the season, posting a 1.29 ERA, 0.57 WHIP and 6:1 K:BB across seven innings.
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Aroldis Chapman RP | BOS
Red Sox's Aroldis Chapman: Slams door for save
Chapman allowed a hit in a scoreless inning during Sunday's win over the White Sox. He earned a save and struck out two.
Chapman gave up his first run of the year and took a loss Saturday but quickly bounced back. He coughed up a two-out single to Andrew Vaughn but punched out Michael Taylor to close out the 3-1 win. Chapman owns an impressive 1.29 ERA with an 11:4 K:BB through seven innings.
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A.J. Puk RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' A.J. Puk: Collects third save
Puk picked up the save in Sunday's 5-2 victory over Milwaukee, pitching a scoreless inning with three strikeouts and a walk.
The flamethrowing southpaw required 24 pitches to polish off the Arizona win, as he allowed two baserunners to reach via a walk and a hit-by-pitch. Puk last completed a save April 2, with Justin Martinez, a right-hander, picking up a pair in between. Puk and Martinez are likely set to continue sharing save opportunities based on matchups against opposing lineups.
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Steven Matz RP | TB
Cardinals' Steven Matz: Appears slated for April 17 start
Matz appears to be lined up to enter the St. Louis rotation Thursday against the Mets at Citi Field.
Earlier Sunday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reported that Matz was slated to start Wednesday's game against the Astros, but with Andre Pallante now being listed as the Cardinals' probable starter for that day, St. Louis looks set to wait until the series with the Mets to expand its rotation to six men. The Cardinals are likely electing to push Matz back an extra day after he tossed 2.1 innings of one-run ball in relief during Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Phillies. The left-hander has made five appearances out of the bullpen so far in 2025, surrendering four runs (three earned) on 11 hits and two walks while striking out six batters over 11.2 innings.
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Cole Henry RP | WAS
Nationals' Cole Henry: Fans two in major-league debut
Henry allowed one hit while striking out two in a scoreless eighth inning during Sunday's 11-4 loss to the Marlins.
Henry was recalled from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday after Orlando Ribalta (biceps) was placed on the 15-day injured list. Henry got the call in the eighth frame for his major-league debut, striking out two while tossing 14 pitches (11 strikes) without being tagged for a run despite giving up an RBI single to Griffin Conine. Henry spent most of his minor-league career as a starter, but he shifted to a bullpen role this season and could be deployed as a long man for Washington.
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Colin Rea SP | CHC
Cubs' Colin Rea: Replacing Steele in rotation
Rea will start Sunday's game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.
After covering 5.1 scoreless innings across his three relief appearances to begin the season, Rea will pick up his first start of the season Sunday and could be in line for an extended stay in the rotation. Manager Craig Counsell announced Sunday that Justin Steele -- who was placed on the injured list earlier in the week -- would require season-ending elbow surgery, creating a permanent opening in the rotation that will at least temporarily fall to Rea until Javier Assad (oblique) completes his rehab assignment and is activated from the IL. Since Rea maxed out at 65 pitches over his three relief appearances and three Cactus League appearances, he'll likely be slightly limited from a workload perspective Sunday, but he should be capable of handling a traditional starting role in any additional outings that follow.