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Felix Bautista RP | BAL
Orioles' Felix Bautista: Notches 16th save
Bautista picked up the save in Thursday's 6-3 victory over Milwaukee. He allowed a hit while striking out two over a scoreless inning.
Bautista has allowed just one earned run in his last 14 appearances (15.1 innings), striking out 34 in that span. The 6-foot-8 right-hander has emerged as one of the elite closing options in the league since Baltimore traded Jorge Lopez at the trade deadline last summer. Bautista is 16-for-20 in save chances this season, with Thursday's performance lowering his ERA to a pristine 1.20 with a 1.10 WHIP and 62:17 K:BB through 30 innings.
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Jose Alvarado RP | PHI
Phillies' Jose Alvarado: To be activated Friday
Alvarado (elbow) will be activated from the injured list Friday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Alvarado is again ready to be a high-leverage contributor out of the Phillies' bullpen following a four-week recovery from left elbow inflammation. He had become manager Rob Thomson's primary closer prior to the IL stint and should quickly work his way back toward the top of the saves mix. When healthy this year, Alvarado has delivered a terrific 0.63 ERA with 24 strikeouts and no walks in 14.1 innings.
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Joe La Sorsa RP | BOS
Nationals' Joe La Sorsa: Claimed off waivers by Nats
The Nationals claimed La Sorsa off waivers from the Rays on Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
La Sorsa was designated for assignment by Tampa Bay last weekend after making two relief appearances -- his first career appearances at the major-league level. The 25-year-old left-hander will report to the Nats' Triple-A affiliate in Rochester.
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Ian Hamilton RP | ATL
Yankees' Ian Hamilton: Resumes mound work
Hamilton (groin) threw a bullpen session Wednesday and is slated to throw another one this weekend, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.
The expectation is that Hamilton should be ready to face hitters next week, with a rehab assignment following. He went down with a strained right groin in mid-May but seems to be tracking toward a return, possibly by the end of next week.
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Chris Murphy RP | CHW
Red Sox's Chris Murphy: Optioned to Triple-A
Murphy was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
The good news is Murphy tossed 3.1 scoreless relief innings in Wednesday's loss to Cleveland in his major-league debut. The bad news is that means he was going to be unavailable for a few days, which is why he finds himself back in the minors.
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Penn Murfee RP | CHW
Mariners' Penn Murfee: Another strong rehab showing
Murfee (elbow) fired 1.1 scoreless innings during which he issued a walk and recorded a strikeout in Triple-A Tacoma's win over Reno on Wednesday.
Murfee was sharp for the second time in as many rehab appearances, earning the win in the process. The right-hander worked up to 26 pitches, pounding 15 in for strikes. With 2.1 scoreless, hitless frames under his belt already with the Rainiers, Murfee may only need one or two more appearances on the farm to convince the Mariners he's ready for activation.
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Nick Robertson RP | LAD
Dodgers' Nick Robertson: Impresses in big-league debut
Robertson struck out three batters in two perfect innings against the Reds on Wednesday.
Robertson got his first call-up to the majors Tuesday after posting a 2.13 ERA and 37:7 K:BB over 25.1 innings for Triple-A Oklahoma City. The right-hander needed just 22 pitches to get through two frames in his first major-league appearance, tossing 15 strikes and punching out three batters. Robertson has closer-like stuff, including a fastball that tops out in the upper-90s, and he saved seven games for OKC before his promotion. He'll likely work in middle relief for now but could ascend up the pecking order in Los Angeles quickly given the team's bullpen struggles this season.
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Michael Tonkin RP | MIN
Braves' Michael Tonkin: Activated from injured list
Atlanta activated Tonkin (neck) from the 15-day injured list Thursday.
Tonkin is back to fill a multi-inning bullpen role for the current NL East leaders after needing a couple weeks off due to a neck injury. Roddery Munoz was sent out in a corresponding roster move.
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Tayler Scott RP | ATL
Dodgers' Tayler Scott: Recalled from Triple-A
Scott was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.
The 31-year-old was just sent down Tuesday, but he's quickly back with the big club to replace the injured Noah Syndergaard (blister). Scott should operate in middle relief.