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Tim Mayza RP | PHI
Blue Jays' Tim Mayza: Continues to see situational role
Mayza gave up a hit but didn't allow a run in two-thirds of an inning during Sunday's loss to the Rangers.
While MLB's rule changes the last few years have effectively eliminated the LOOGY role, apparently nobody told the Blue Jays. Mayza has worked less than one inning in nine of his last 11 appearances, recording four holds over that stretch with a 2.57 ERA and 6:2 K:BB through seven innings. His usage puts a firm limit on his fantasy value, even in deeper formats that score holds, but the 31-year-old remains a key part of the Toronto bullpen.
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Steven Okert RP | HOU
Marlins' Steven Okert: Collects seventh hold
Okert gave up a hit in a scoreless seventh inning to record his seventh hold of the season in Sunday's win over the Nationals.
The veteran lefty continues to be stingy. Okert has been scored upon only three times in 22 appearances since the beginning of May, posting a 0.90 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 28:5 K:BB through 20 innings over that stretch. His outstanding numbers have earned him a more prominent role in the Miami bullpen, and over his last nine games he's picked up two wins and four holds. While he's no threat to A.J. Puk's closing job, Okert has emerged as a reliable setup arm alongside Dylan Floro and Tanner Scott.
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Brendan White RP | SEA
Tigers' Brendan White: Earns first MLB win Sunday
White (1-0) tossed two scoreless innings of relief in Sunday's game against the Twins to earn the win. He struck out three.
White helped the Tigers cobble through the middle innings of a bullpen game, and his strong performance was enough for his first MLB win in three games. The 24-year-old has now logged a 1.69 ERA and 0.56 WHIP across 5.1 innings for Detroit this year. He could bounce between Triple-A Toledo and the majors moving forward, though he may be able to stick with the Tigers if he continues to pitch well.
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Kaleb Ort RP | LAA
Red Sox's Kaleb Ort: Exits in third as opener
Ort allowed two runs on two hits and one walk while striking out four over 2.1 innings as the opener in Boston's 6-2 win over the Yankees in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader.
Ort allowed a couple of hard-hit balls, including a two-run home run, in the first inning then settled down and managed to give the Red Sox seven outs on 32 pitches. The reliever was called up to open Sunday's matinee after Saturday's game was rained out. He took the roster spot of Tanner Houck (face), who was placed on the 15-day injured list, but it's unclear if Ort will remain in Boston.
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Chris Murphy RP | CHW
Red Sox's Chris Murphy: Contributes to win
Murphy allowed one hit and struck out three over 2.2 scoreless relief innings in Boston's 6-2 win over the Yankees In Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader.
Murphy was the 27th man called up for the doubleheader and a key contributor out of the bullpen, which combined to throw 6.2 shutout innings and allowed Boston's bats to overcome and early 2-0 deficit. Murphy has been splendid since moving to the bullpen, a move that began at Triple-A Worcester. The left-hander has fired seven scoreless innings for the WooSox and six scoreless for the Red Sox. He's expected to head back to Worcester following Boston's doubleheader sweep but could return as an impact lefty reliever, considering how much southpaws Richard Bleier and Joely Rodriguez have struggled. Both Bleier and Rodriguez are currently on the injured list.
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Drey Jameson RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Drey Jameson: Logs scoreless relief outing
Jameson struck out one over two scoreless and hitless relief innings in Sunday's 12-3 loss to Cleveland.
Jameson gave the Diamondbacks length after starter Zach Davies was removed during the fourth inning. It was the second consecutive appearance in which Jameson threw multiple innings following a short outing from a starter -- he cleaned up for Ryne Nelson on Thursday. Jameson has been used as a long reliever since being called up May 27 but has made spot starts for Arizona and five starts while at Triple-A Reno prior to his current stint with the D-backs. While Arizona appears to be cruising atop the NL West, the back end of the rotation is shaky. Outside of Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, the team's starters have a 6.18 ERA over 43 starts. If manager Torey Lovullo is contemplating change, Jameson is already in house. The right-hander has a 3.45 ERA over 15.2 innings (six relief outings) since returning to MLB.
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John King RP | MIA
Rangers' John King: Goes 3.1 innings in long relief
King (1-0) earned the win in Sunday's 11-7 win over the Blue Jays. He allowed one run on two walks while striking out two over 3.1 innings.
King nabbed his first win of the season Sunday, entering the game in the third frame after starter Jon Gray gave up six runs in 2.1 innings of work. He managed to put out the fire and held the Blue Jays hitless despite giving up a run. Since being called up from Triple-A in early May, King holds a 4.15 ERA and 1.54 WHIP to pair with 4.85 K/9 across 10 appearances (13 innings).
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Nick Pivetta SP | SD
Red Sox's Nick Pivetta: Picks up win in matinee
Pivetta (4-4) earned the win in Sunday's 6-2 victory over the Yankees, striking out four over three hitless innings.
Pivetta was excellent Sunday, blanking the Yankees for three innings to grab his first win since May 16. The 30-year-old Pivetta has found success in a relief role, pitching to a 2.20 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 16.1 innings since moving to the bullpen. Overall, he sports a 5.11 ERA with a 1.37 WHIP and 60:26 K:BB across 56.1 innings this season.
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Jason Foley RP | SF
Tigers' Jason Foley: Goes two innings for save
Foley picked up the save in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Twins. He allowed one hit while striking out four over two scoreless innings.
Foley got the Tigers out of a jam in the eighth inning, then tossed a perfect ninth to pick up his third save of the campaign and his first since April 25. Though Foley has operated in high-leverage situations all year as a setup man for closer Alex Lange, he has struggled when given the opportunity to pick up saves, blowing two of his five chances this season.
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Kenley Jansen RP | DET
Red Sox's Kenley Jansen: Locks down save
Jansen allowed a hit in a scoreless inning Sunday, striking out two and earning a save in the Red Sox's 4-1 win over the Yankees.
Jansen allowed a two-out single but still finished off the inning needing to throw only 13 pitches (11 strikes). The veteran closer has converted six straight save chances since blowing two consecutive opportunities May 12 and 13. He's allowed just two runs in 11 appearances since then, lowering his season ERA to 3.04 with a 28:12 K:BB.