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Josh Hader RP | HOU
Astros' Josh Hader: Secures save Friday
Hader struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 3-0 win over the Mariners.
Hader got through the middle of the Mariners' order on a tidy 11 pitches (seven strikes) to earn his 19th save of the campaign. This was his fourth straight scoreless outing, an improvement on a stretch in which he allowed a run in four of six appearances from June 25 to July 7. The closer is at a 3.77 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 68:12 K:BB through 43 innings this season.
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Michel Otanez RP | TEX
Athletics' Michel Otanez: Returns with scoreless inning
Otanez (forearm) pitched a perfect inning and struck out one in Friday's 13-3 win over the Angels.
Otanez was struck in the right forearm by a line drive during his most recent appearance last Saturday versus Philadelphia, but he ended up missing little action thanks to the All-Star break. He has pitched in five games in the majors this season, allowing three runs and posting a 7:5 K:BB over 4.2 innings in a low-leverage role.
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Jose Alvarado RP | PHI
Phillies' Jose Alvarado: Saddled with loss, blown save
Alvarado (1-4) took the loss after blowing a save Friday against Pittsburgh, allowing two runs on two hits and a walk in just one-third of an inning. He struck out one.
Called upon to protect a 7-5 lead in the ninth, Alvarado allowed the first two batters to reach safely before allowing a walk-off single to Nick Gonzales. It's the third blown save this year for Alvarado, who's now given up seven runs in his last five appearances (4.1 innings). The left-hander's ERA is up to 4.35 on the season with a 1.25 WHIP and 41:17 K:BB across 39.1 innings.
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Tyler Holton RP | DET
Tigers' Tyler Holton: Snags third save
Holton picked up his third save of the year in Friday's 5-4 win against the Blue Jays, pitching a clean inning with no strikeouts.
The 28-year-old southpaw required only 10 pitches to safely lock up his fourth career save while facing the 6-7-8 hitters in the Toronto lineup. Detroit manager A.J. Hinch was playing matchups in this game as the Tigers' usual closer, Jason Foley, pitched against the heart of the Blue Jays' order in the eighth inning. However, Holton may see more save chances in the future, as he's been solid since May 25, going 3-for-3 in save opportunities while pitching to a 2.70 ERA across 26.2 innings.
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Kyle Finnegan RP | DET
Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Notches final out for 26th save
Finnegan earned the save in Friday's 8-5 win over the Reds, allowing one walk before recording the final out.
It didn't appear that Finnegan would be needed Friday, as the Nationals carried an 8-1 lead into the ninth. However, Jose Ferrer and Derek Law would combine to allow four runs in the frame, forcing the Nats to turn to Finnegan with two outs. The right-hander would issue a walk before ultimately getting Elly De La Cruz to ground out to seal an 8-5 win. The 32-year-old Finnegan has been excellent for Washington this year -- he's up to 26 saves, third-most in the league, with a 2.43 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 42:14 K:BB across 40.2 innings.
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Brent Suter RP | ATL
Reds' Brent Suter: Exits with injury
Suter was removed from Friday's game against the Nationals due to left shoulder tightness, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Suter was only able to get through two-thirds of an inning on seven pitches before exiting alongside a trainer. The 34-year-old southpaw may be unavailable for at least a game or two while the Reds determine the severity of the issue.
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Gabe Speier RP | SEA
Mariners' Gabe Speier: Returns from IL
The Mariners reinstated Speier (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Friday.
A left rotator cuff strain sent Speier to the injured list in the beginning of June, and he'll now return to the Mariners' bullpen after throwing two shutout innings during his rehab assignment. The 29-year-old reliever posted a 6.06 ERA and 1.47 WHIP across 16.1 frames before getting hurt, and he'll likely be limited to middle relief. Mike Baumann was DFA'd in a corresponding move.
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Hunter Stratton RP | SD
Pirates' Hunter Stratton: Rehab moved to Triple-A
Stratton (triceps) will continue his rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
Stratton has made a pair of rehab appearances for the Pirates' Florida Complex League affiliate, tossing two scoreless innings. The 27-year-old shouldn't require much work with Indianapolis before being reinstated. Prior to the injury, Stratton posted a 4.26 ERA across 31.2 innings with the Pirates.
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Lucas Gilbreath RP | COL
Rockies' Lucas Gilbreath: Set for rehab assignment
Gilbreath (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Saturday and will begin a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League early next week, Patrick Lyons of JustBaseball.com reports.
Gilbreath continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery in March of 2023. He was slated to return to the majors earlier this season, but that was pushed back after he strained his shoulder in May, prompting a move to the 60-day injured list. he appears ready to begin ramping back up, however. In his last full season in 2022 with the Rockies, Gilbreath posted a 4.19 ERA and 1.47 WHIP across 43 innings.
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Paul Sewald RP | TOR
Diamondbacks' Paul Sewald: Locks down 14th save
Sewald earned the save in Friday's 5-2 win over the Cubs, allowing two hits while striking out two in the ninth inning.
The Cubs got the tying run to the plate after Sewald gave up back-to-back one-out singles. However, he'd rebound to strike out Michael Busch and Seiya Suzuki, closing out the Diamondback's victory for his 14th save of the year. After blowing three straight save opportunities earlier this month, Sewald's now delivered four consecutive scoreless innings while converting his last three save chances. The 34-year-old right-hander sports a 3.22 ERA with a 0.85 WHIP and 22:4 K:BB across 22.1 innings this season.