MLB Player News
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Kyle Nelson RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Kyle Nelson: Earns first major-league save
Nelson picked up the save Sunday against the Athletics, allowing one run on one hit while striking out one in the ninth inning.
Nelson was a surprise choice to close things out, but with Kevin Ginkel unavailable after throwing 20 pitches Saturday, the Diamondbacks turned to the 29-year-old lefty to finish off the win. His lone blemish was a solo shot off the bat of JJ Bleday, but he otherwise preserved the lead to notch the first save of his career in his 133rd MLB relief outing. Kendall Graveman, who handled the eighth inning against the heart of Oakland's lineup, may remain the top setup option behind Ginkel, but Nelson's usage hints at Arizona's willingness to mix and match in the late innings when needed.
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Jack Perkins P | ATH
Athletics' Jack Perkins: Struggles in first career start
Perkins (0-2) took the loss against the Diamondbacks on Sunday, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four over three innings.
Making the first start of his career after debuting in a long-relief role, Perkins labored through three frames and needed a season-high 62 pitches to get nine outs. The 25-year-old righty had been effective out of the bullpen, carrying a 2.75 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 19:7 K:BB over 19.2 innings entering Sunday. While the transition to the rotation didn't yield immediate success, Perkins should have a fairly long leash as the A's give the top prospect a chance to establish himself as a long-term rotation piece.
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Carlos Rodriguez SP | MIL
Brewers' Carlos Rodriguez: Back in action at Triple-A
Rodriguez (forearm) has struck out eight batters and allowed seven earned runs on seven hits and five walks over seven innings in two appearances since being reinstated from Triple-A Nashville's 7-day injured list July 23.
Rodriguez was on the shelf for just under two months due to a right forearm strain. The 23-year-old right-hander possesses a spot on the Brewers' 40-man roster, but given the rustiness he's displayed since returning from the IL in addition to Milwaukee's ample rotation depth, Rodriguez is unlikely to be in the mix for starts at the big-league level anytime soon.
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Erasmo Ramirez RP | MIN
Twins' Erasmo Ramirez: Earns save Sunday
Ramirez picked up the save Sunday against the Guardians. Michael Tonkin began the ninth inning with a three-run lead but gave up two runs. Ramirez replaced him to retire the final two batters for a save in his first appearance of the season.
Cole Sands was thought to be Minnesota's new closer after the top five options in the bullpen were traded Thursday, but it was Tonkin who was given the first opportunity. Despite the save, Ramirez isn't likely to be used to close games. However, Sunday's game may be a sign that manager Rocco Baldelli will use a committee approach at the end of games with no set closer.
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Jhoan Duran RP | PHI
Phillies' Jhoan Duran: Secures save Sunday
Duran struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 2-0 win over the Tigers.
Duran has converted a save in each of his first two appearances for the Phillies after being traded from the Twins at the deadline. The right-hander had a bit of a bumpy July to close out his Minnesota tenure, allowing four runs on 14 hits and four walks over 12 innings last month. Duran's save quantity should take a step up now that he's pitching for a contender, and he's unlikely to be challenged for closing duties. He's maintained a 1.93 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 54:18 K:BB through 51.1 innings while converting 18 of 20 save chances this season.
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Michael Tonkin RP | MIN
Twins' Michael Tonkin: Struggles when given save chance
Tonkin entered the ninth inning of Sunday's win at Cleveland in a save situation but couldn't hold a three-run lead. He allowed two runs on two hits and a walk over one-third of an inning before being pulled for Erasmo Ramirez, who recorded the final two outs for the save.
Tonkin was given the team's first save chance after the Twins traded their top five relievers at the trade deadline, but he struggled and may have lost his shot to become the closer. Still, it looks like manager Rocco Baldelli may use a committee to close games the rest of the season, and Tonkin could still be part of the mix.
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Joey Cantillo SP | CLE
Guardians' Joey Cantillo: Fans nine in loss
Cantillo (2-2) yielded four runs on six hits and two walks over 5.2 innings Sunday, striking out nine and taking a loss against the Twins.
Cantillo rebounded from a nightmare first inning to turn in a respectable final line. He coughed up four runs in the first frame, capped off by a two-run single from Trevor Larnach. Cantillo did not allow another runner to reach scoring position for the rest of his outing. He generated 19 swinging strikes on 91 pitches, including 11 on 14 swings against his changeup. It was the first time this season he punched out more than seven batters in an outing. Cantillo now owns a 4.37 ERA with a 72:30 K:BB across 55.2 frames. He's in line for a road matchup against the White Sox next weekend.
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Cole Sands RP | MIN
Twins' Cole Sands: Used in setup role Sunday
Sands threw a scoreless eighth inning, allowing a walk while striking out two to earn his ninth hold Sunday against Cleveland.
Sands was thought to be the presumptive closer after the top five options were traded away at the deadline, but he was used in the eighth inning with the Twins having a three-run lead. Michael Tonkin was used to begin the ninth inning but struggled, and Erasmo Ramirez got the final two outs for the save. It's possible Sands was used in the eighth inning to face the heart of the order and is still thought of as the top option in the bullpen. However, after one game it looks like manager Rocco Baldelli may use a committee in save situations.
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Seranthony Dominguez RP | CHW
Blue Jays' Seranthony Dominguez: Hammered in loss
Dominguez (2-4) allowed five runs (three earned) on two hits and a walk in Sunday's extra-inning loss to the Royals. He did not record an out.
Dominguez entered a 2-2 contest in the 10th inning and was immediately greeted with an RBI double by Kyle Isbel on the first pitch of the frame. Dominguez then hit Jonathan India, walked Bobby Witt on four pitches and had his outing come to an end after Tyler Tolbert's two-run single. It was Dominguez's fourth appearance as a Blue Jay after throwing 3.1 scoreless frames in his first three outings. His season ERA jumped up to 3.60 with a 58:25 K:BB through 45 innings.
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Nathan Webb RP | BAL
Nate Webb: Cut loose by Baltimore
The Orioles released Webb on Sunday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Webb will become a free agent after posting a 4.33 ERA and 1.67 WHIP with 18 strikeouts over 27 innings in 16 appearances with Triple-A Norfolk this season.