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Jon Heasley RP | TB
Royals' Jonathan Heasley: Quality start wasted Monday
Heasley didn't factor into the decision in Monday's 7-6 loss to the Astros, giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out three.
The rookie right-hander delivered his fourth quality start in 10 trips to the mound this year on 92 pitches (57 strikes), but Heasley was denied his second win when the Royals' bullpen imploded. He'll carry a 4.76 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 38:26 K:BB through 51 innings into his next outing.
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Dany Jimenez RP | ATL
Athletics' Dany Jimenez: Plays catch Monday
Jimenez (shoulder) played catch for the first time in his recovery process Monday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
The right-hander has been on the injured list since June 21, and Monday's development naturally represents a significant benchmark. How Jimenez's shoulder responds to Monday's activity will determine how much of a ramp-up his throwing program is subject to over the coming days.
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Konnor Pilkington RP | DET
Guardians' Konnor Pilkington: Goes four innings in spot start
Pilkington didn't factor into the decision during Monday's 5-3 loss to Detroit in Game 2 of a doubleheader, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks with two strikeouts in four innings.
Called up as the 27th man for Monday's nightcap, Pilkington surrendered one run in the third and two more in the fourth as a result of his own error. The 24-year-old's two strikeouts match a season low for games he's started, though the 46 game score is actually the third highest of his seven turns. Pilkington now possesses a 4.08 ERA and 1.67 WHIP with 34 strikeouts in 35.1 innings and will most likely return to the minors barring a change in Cleveland's plans.
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Bryan Baker RP | TB
Orioles' Bryan Baker: Snags win Monday
Baker (3-3) walked one and struck out two in a scoreless inning to earn the extra-inning win over the Rangers on Monday.
Baker issued a one-out walk but ultimately had no trouble keeping the score tied at 6-6 in the top of the 10th inning. He ended up with the win when the Orioles walked it off in the bottom of the frame. This was a fourth straight scoreless outing for Baker, his longest streak of the year, and he's covered six innings in that span. The 27-year-old right-hander has a 4.59 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 31:13 K:BB through 33.1 innings overall while adding three holds and a blown save.
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Liam Hendriks RP | CHC
White Sox's Liam Hendriks: Clean inning in return
Hendriks (forearm) struck out all three batters he faced in a perfect inning during Monday's 6-3 extra-inning loss to the Twins.
Hendriks worked the eighth inning, though it was arguably the highest-leverage spot in a tied game. He retired Carlos Correa, Max Kepler and Jorge Polanco on 14 pitches (nine strikes) in his first appearance since June 10. Hendriks has a 2.70 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 40:8 K:BB across 26.2 innings. Kendall Graveman and Joe Kelly were fairly effective in his absence, but Hendriks should have no problem reclaiming closing duties quickly after his three-and-a-half-week absence.
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Ryne Stanek RP | STL
Astros' Ryne Stanek: Earns first win
Stanek (1-0) allowed a walk in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the win Monday against the Royals.
Stanek entered the game in the ninth inning with the score knotted at six and earned his first win of the season when Yordan Alvarez homered in the bottom of the frame. Stanked turned in his 24th consecutive scoreless appearance and has maintained a 24:9 K:BB across 20 innings in that span. Stanek has an excellent 0.67 ERA with eight holds on the season, though he is likely to be limited to a setup role.
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Pete Fairbanks RP | MIA
Rays' Pete Fairbanks: In midst of rehab stint
Fairbanks (lat) threw 0.2 innings while allowing three runs (none earned) on two hits while striking out two during a rehab appearance with Triple-A Durham on Sunday.
Fairbanks has yet to appear in a game this season after suffering the injury during spring training. He is likely to make several appearances with Durham but is in line to return around the All-Star break, per Adam Berry of MLB.com. Fairbanks recorded five saves in 2021, and he could be in the closer mix in the final months of the campaign.
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Tyler Alexander RP | TEX
Tigers' Tyler Alexander: Earns win in relief Monday
Alexander (2-3) worked around two hits to toss 3.1 scoreless innings and earn the win in Game 2 of Monday's doubleheader against the Guardians. He had no walks or strikeouts.
Alexander came on in the fourth inning when starter Alex Faedo departed with right hip soreness. The lefty reliever did a nice job, and he earned his second win of the season after the Tigers rallied for the 5-3 win. Alexander has a 4.56 ERA this season, but he's been much better since returning from the injured list last month. Across 13.1 innings following his return, he has a miniscule 0.68 ERA.
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Will Vest RP | DET
Tigers' Will Vest: Headed to minors
Vest was optioned to Triple-A Toledo following Game 2 of Monday's doubleheader against the Guardians, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
Vest has been a reliable reliever for the Tigers so far this season, as he's posted a 3.41 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with a 32:11 K:BB across 29 frames in 2022. He'll be sent to Triple-A to make room for the addition of Drew Hutchison, who is scheduled to start Tuesday's contest.
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Joe Jimenez RP | ATL
Tigers' Joe Jimenez: Earns first 2022 save
Jimenez pitched a perfect ninth inning in Game 2 of Monday's doubleheader against the Guardians to earn the save. He struck out one.
The Tigers used regular closer Gregory Soto to lock down a win in Game 1, so they turned to Jimenez in the nightcap. The righty looked good, retiring the side on just 11 pitches. Jimenez has been solid this season with a 3.23 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 40 strikeouts across 30.2 innings. Along with Soto, he's a candidate to get traded to a contender that needs bullpen help before the deadline next month.