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Taijuan Walker SP | LAA
Mets' Taijuan Walker: Mets-Pirates postponed Monday
Walker and the Mets won't face the Pirates on Monday after the game was postponed due to inclement weather in Pittsburgh, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.
The two teams are set to make up the contest as part of a split doubleheader Wednesday. Because the Mets have an open date in the schedule Thursday, the team isn't expected to add a temporary sixth starter to the rotation, so Walker should stay on schedule to make a start against the Pirates either Tuesday or Wednesday. Jacob deGrom and Chris Bassitt are in line to start the other two contests of the series.
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Cal Quantrill RP | TEX
Guardians' Cal Quantrill: Start cut short by weather
Quantrill allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk with three strikeouts over three-plus innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Sunday.
Quantrill was charged with individual runs in the first, third and fourth innings, the last of those coming after he was out of the game following a lengthy rain delay. He left in line for his first loss in 11 outings, but the Guardians rallied to tie the game in the eighth inning to get him off the hook. He's allowed multiple runs just twice in his last six starts, and he now has a 3.55 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 101:42 K:BB through 152 innings across 26 outings. The 27-year-old righty is projected for a road start in Minnesota next weekend.
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Spenser Watkins SP | WAS
Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Charged with loss Sunday
Watkins (4-6) allowed four runs on nine hits and a walk while failing to strike out a batter in six innings to take the loss during Sunday's game against the Athletics.
Watkins has had his fair share of struggles over the last month, and he matched his highest total of the season by allowing 10 baserunners during Sunday's start. He was unable to strike out any batters and was charged with his fifth loss in his last six outings. Across that span, he's posted a 5.58 ERA in 30.2 innings. The right-hander tentatively lines up to make his next start at home against the Red Sox next weekend.
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Chris Flexen RP | CHC
Mariners' Chris Flexen: Seals win in extras
Flexen struck out one in a perfect 11th inning to earn the save in Sunday's 6-3 win over the Guardians.
Flexen was the last reliever available after the Mariners drained the 'pen following a rain delay in the fourth inning. He slammed the door with ease, needing just six pitches to retire Luke Maile, Myles Straw and Steven Kwan in order. This was Flexen's second straight appearance with a save, though his effort Aug. 30 versus the Tigers was a four-inning assignment in a lopsided game. He's allowed four runs (three earned) through eight innings across four appearances since moving to the bullpen. For the season, the right-hander has a 3.89 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 87:47 K:BB through 125 innings.
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George Kirby SP | SEA
Mariners' George Kirby: Solid in rain-shortened start
Kirby allowed a run on three hits and struck out two without issuing a walk over three innings in a no-decision versus the Guardians on Sunday.
Kirby was cruising through three innings, but a massive rain delay ended his outing early. He ended up throwing 27 of 39 pitches for strikes in the abbreviated start, and he's still yet to walk multiple batters in any of his 20 outings this season. The rookie right-hander has a 3.15 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 109:16 K:BB through 105.2 innings, with the short start Sunday potentially helping his cause as some unplanned workload management. He's projected for a tough home start versus Atlanta next weekend.
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J.T. Brubaker RP | SF
Pirates' JT Brubaker: Strikes out five in no-decision
Brubaker allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out five in 5.1 innings during Sunday's loss to the Blue Jays. He didn't factor into the decision.
Brubaker had a lengthy layoff after his last start since he recently spent time on the paternity list, but he showed improvement Sunday after giving up six runs in 6.2 innings during his last outing Aug. 23. The right-hander allowed runners to cross the plate in the second, third and fourth innings but was able to settle for the no-decision since Pittsburgh's offense put up three runs between the fourth and fifth innings. Brubaker has held his opponents to three or fewer runs in four of his last five starts, posting a 4.18 ERA in 28 innings over that stretch. He tentatively lines up to make his next start at home against the Cardinals next weekend.
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Nestor Cortes SP | PHI
Yankees' Nestor Cortes: Poised to start Thursday
Cortes (groin) appears in line to return from the 15-day injured list to start Thursday's series finale with the Twins in New York, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
Cortes looks like he'll be ready to rejoin the rotation without requiring a rehab start, as the Yankees seem to be comfortable with activating him after he completed a 45-pitch live batting practice session over the weekend. Before the Yankees confirm his return from the IL, the southpaw will likely throw a bullpen session Monday or Tuesday as one final test to prove that he's moved past the left groin strain. Cortes could be on a restricted pitch count if he ends up starting Thursday as anticipated, with Clarke Schmidt potentially piggybacking him.
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Jameson Taillon SP | TOR
Yankees' Jameson Taillon: In clear to start Monday
Taillon (forearm) is scheduled to start Monday's game against the Twins at Yankee Stadium, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
As expected, Taillon came out of his bullpen session over the weekend without issue and will make his 27th start of the season after exiting his previous outing against the Angels on Aug. 30, when he was struck in the forearm by a line drive. Through his eight starts since the All-Star break, Taillon has submitted a 4.24 ERA and 1.12 WHIP while striking out 35 over 40.1 innings.
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Ross Stripling SP | KC
Blue Jays' Ross Stripling: Earns seventh win
Stripling (7-4) allowed three runs on two hits and three walks while striking out eight in six innings to earn the win over the Pirates on Sunday.
Stripling has bounced back since returning from the injured list in mid-August, posting quality starts in each of his last four outings. He's picked up two wins across that span, and his eight strikeouts Sunday marked his highest total of the season. Since returning to action, the right-hander has posted a 2.59 ERA in 24.1 innings over four outings. He projects to make his next start on the road against Texas next weekend.
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Cristopher Sanchez SP | PHI
Phillies' Cristopher Sanchez: Moves to bullpen
Sanchez has made his last two appearances out of the Phillies bullpen, covering 4.1 innings and striking out seven while allowing six earned runs on five hits and six walks.
Sanchez struck out seven in a quality start Aug. 24 against the Reds, but he's since been replaced in the rotation by Bailey Falter, who was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley two days later. Though Sanchez could be the next man up if the Phillies require another starter at some point in September, he'll likely be limited to low-leverage or mop-up work out of the bullpen for the time being.