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Jhoan Duran RP | PHI
Phillies' Jhoan Duran: Converts 12th save
Duran pitched a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Dodgers. He didn't record a strikeout.
Duran has seven saves and a loss over his last eight outings, allowing just one run with a 12:2 K:BB in that span. The Phillies' closer has converted all 12 of his save chances this season and has benefited from the team's improved play under interim manager Don Mattingly after Rob Thomsen was fired. For the campaign, Duran has a 1.53 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 26:5 K:BB across 17.2 innings.
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Jesus Luzardo SP | PHI
Phillies' Jesus Luzardo: Decent in no-decision
Luzardo allowed two runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out six over 5.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers on Saturday.
Luzardo fell short of a fourth straight quality start, but he threw 64 of 95 pitches for strikes in a decent outing. He was on the hook for the loss when he exited, but the Phillies broke through in the eighth inning to bail him out. Luzardo has a 4.30 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 78:19 K:BB through 67 innings through 12 starts this season, though he's allowed just four runs over 23.1 frames in his last four games with a 21:7 K:BB in that span. The southpaw's next start is projected to come at home versus the White Sox.
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Jazz Chisholm Jr. 2B | NYY
Yankees' Jazz Chisholm: Posts steal Saturday
Chisholm went 1-for-5 with a stolen base in Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Athletics.
Chisholm helped create the Yankees' first run, with his fourth-inning steal resulting in an error that allowed Cody Bellinger to score. Chisholm has gone 19-for-56 (.339) over his last 15 games, adding seven extra-base hits and three steals. The infielder is still batting just .239 with a .699 OPS, 14 steals, six home runs, 20 RBI and 25 runs scored across 56 games this season, but more consistency at the plate recently in a positive sign.
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Ryan Weathers SP | NYY
Yankees' Ryan Weathers: Strikes out 10 in loss
Weathers (2-3) allowed five runs on six hits and three walks while striking out 10 over 6.2 innings to take the loss Saturday versus the Athletics.
Weathers reached double-digit strikeouts for the second time this year. He's also worked into the seventh inning or later in five of his 11 starts, though this time it came with three home runs given up while he matched his season high for runs allowed. The southpaw has still looked pretty good in his first year with the Yankees, posting a 3.52 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 75:19 K:BB through 64 innings. His next start is projected to come at home versus the Red Sox.
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Jake Cronenworth 2B | SD
Padres' Jake Cronenworth: Still no timetable for return
Cronenworth (concussion) has been running, playing catch and taking light swings in the batting cage, but he remains without a definitive timetable for a return, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union Tribune reports.
Cronenworth has been sidelined since landing on the 7-day concussion IL on May 5. It appears the utility man has been feeling well enough to take part in baseball activities, but manager Craig Stammen said Friday that Cronenworth's return to action is "going to be a pretty slow process." Cronenworth will likely need to get in some minor-league rehab games before he's activated, but at this point when that may happen is quite hazy.
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Tyler Soderstrom LF | ATH
Athletics' Tyler Soderstrom: Perfect at plate Saturday
Soderstrom went 3-for-3 with a solo home run, a double and a walk in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Yankees.
Soderstrom has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games, including four multi-hit efforts. He's 14-for-36 (.389) with six extra-base hits and six RBI in that span. It's a welcome sight for the outfielder after his slow start this season. Even after that hot stretch, he's batting just .223 with a .739 OPS, seven homers, 26 RBI, 25 runs scored, one stolen base, 17 doubles and two triples through 55 contests while occupying a near-everyday role in left field.
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Shea Langeliers C | ATH
Athletics' Shea Langeliers: Launches 14th homer
Langeliers went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Yankees.
Langeliers has gone 14 games without a multi-hit effort, batting just .151 (8-for-53) with two homers and three RBI in that span. The catcher started the year hot, so a slight cooldown should come as no surprise. He's still hitting .293 with a .909 OPS, 14 homers, 30 RBI, 37 runs scored and 12 doubles across 53 games this season. He has yet to attempt a stolen base after logging seven of them on eight attempts last year.
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Nick Kurtz 1B | ATH
Athletics' Nick Kurtz: Homers again Saturday
Kurtz went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Yankees.
Kurtz is rebounding after a brief rough patch earlier in the week when he went 0-for-11 across three games versus the Mariners. He's now cranked a homer in consecutive contests against the Yankees, giving him 10 long balls on the year. Overall this season, the first baseman is batting .283 with a .925 OPS, 40 RBI, 38 runs scored, 11 doubles, one triple and six stolen bases across 57 games.
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Scott Barlow RP | ATH
Athletics' Scott Barlow: Mops up for save
Barlow allowed three walks but didn't allow a hit or record a strikeout in one-third of an inning, earning the save in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Yankees. He was not charged with a run.
The Athletics' bullpen was taxed heavily when Luis Severino (shoulder) exited Friday's game early. That led to some bullpen management, but the plan faltered when Jack Perkins -- who hadn't pitched since Monday -- made a mess of the ninth inning in a non-save situation. Barlow was brought in and threw just nine of 23 pitches for strikes, but he was able to get the final out after allowing all three inherited runners to score. Barlow has earned two saves over his last three appearances, though he doesn't look to be the first-choice option for saves in the Athletics' closer committee. He has a 3.08 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 22:14 K:BB across 26.1 innings, and he's added eight holds. Both Barlow and Hogan Harris have pitched consecutive days, so any potential save chance Sunday would likely fall to Mark Leiter or Joel Kuhnel. It remains difficult to target any one reliever for saves on a team that has five pitchers between two and four saves on the year.
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Nick Pivetta SP | SD
Padres' Nick Pivetta: Begins throwing program Friday
Pivetta (forearm) played catch Friday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union Tribune reports.
Though Pivetta's throwing was on flat ground in the outfield at Nationals Park, it was still a significant step given that it was the first time he has played catch since landing on the injured list April 14. The veteran pitcher is expected to continue playing catch on flat ground for at least two weeks before a determination is made about his next steps. Acee reports that the Padres are being cautious with Pivetta as well as with fellow injured starter Joe Musgrove (elbow). It's quite possible that neither pitcher will be ready to return until after the All-Star break.