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Michael Fulmer RP | NYY
Tigers' Michael Fulmer: Leaves during first inning
Fulmer exited Saturday's start after five pitches due to right knee inflammation, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
Fulmer faced only two batters before leaving the game, giving up back-to-back home runs to Francisco Lindor and Michael Brantley. The severity of the injury is currently unclear.
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Blake Treinen RP | LAD
Athletics' Blake Treinen: Grabs seventh win
Treinen (7-2) fired two scoreless and hitless innings during which he hit a batter in an extra-inning win over the Rays on Friday.
Treinen got a relatively rare opportunity for a decision in the extra-inning tussle, earning his seventh victory of the year with a near-perfect showing over his pair of frames. The veteran reliever has allowed just two earned runs over 26.1 post-All-Star-break innings, leading to stellar 0.85 figures in both ERA and WHIP for the season.
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Aroldis Chapman RP | BOS
Yankees' Aroldis Chapman: Simulated game on tap Monday
Chapman (knee) tossed a 26-pitch bullpen session Saturday and will advance to a simulated game Monday, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.
The upcoming simulated game could be Chapman's final hurdle before rejoining the Yankees after manager Aaron Boone indicated Tuesday that the closer might return at some point next week. Following Saturday's session, Chapman said his knee "felt fine," which echoes his sentiments following Wednesday's side session. If all goes according to plan Monday, there's a chance Chapman will be available for the club's three-game set against Boston beginning Tuesday.
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Ariel Jurado RP | TEX
Rangers' Ariel Jurado: Working as primary pitcher Saturday
Jurado will work out of the bullpen Saturday against the Padres as the Rangers' primary pitcher, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Jurado's most recent appearance came as a starter last weekend against the Athletics, but he failed to escape the first inning and gave up five runs on four hits and two walks. The rookie found much more success in his last outing as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen Sept. 3 against the Angels -- he tossed four shutout innings and allowed two hits and a walk -- so the Rangers will return him to that role with the hope of getting a better performance from him. Alex Claudio will serve as the Rangers' opening pitcher Saturday and likely work around an inning or two before giving way to Jurado.
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Brian Johnson RP | BOS
Red Sox's Brian Johnson: Eats up innings in relief
Johnson allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out four over 4.2 innings in Friday's 8-0 loss to the Mets.
Hector Velazquez was the scheduled starter but was scratched due to illness, so the Red Sox needed their bullpen arms. Johnson, who had previously made 12 starts this season before moving back to a relief role earlier this month, performed well after entering the contest with one out in the third inning. He induced a double-play grounder to get the Red Sox out of a jam, then ate some innings effectively during the blowout loss. This was the longest relief stint of Johnson's career, and the lefty has seemed to find his niche in the bullpen. Over his 14 relief outings, Johnson has produced a 1.99 ERA.
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Dylan Covey RP | ATL
White Sox's Dylan Covey: Remains in rotation
Covey will remain in the rotation as the replacement for Michael Kopech, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Covey gave up five runs over 4.1 innings when filling in for Kopech on Tuesday, picking up his 13th loss and raising his ERA to 5.64. Despite the unappealing numbers, he'll keep a turn in the rotation next week against the Indians. He's in line to pitch Tuesday, but with a day off Monday, he could be pushed back a day to allow Carlos Rodon to stay on schedule.
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Trevor Hildenberger RP | SF
Twins' Trevor Hildenberger: Collapses in ninth
Hildenberger (4-4) blew the save and suffered the loss against the Royals on Friday. He gave up five earned runs on four hits and a walk while generating only a single out.
Hildenberger was able to get the first batter of the inning to ground out, but then the wheels fell off as he gave up a RBI single before Salvador Perez connected on a game-winning grand slam to seal the victory for the Royals. Hildenberger hadn't allowed an earned run in his previous seven appearances, but he now has three blown saves in nine opportunities this season. Following Friday's loss, his ERA stands at 4.70 in 2018.
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Luis Ortiz RP | NYM
Orioles' Luis Ortiz: Suffers tweaked hamstring
Ortiz left Friday's game against the White Sox after injuring his left hamstring, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.
The severity of the injury isn't known just yet, but Ortiz will likely undergo an MRI on Saturday to determine the extent of the damage. Expect more news after further evaluation.
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Liam Hendriks RP | CHC
Athletics' Liam Hendriks: To open Saturday
Hendriks will serve as Saturday's opener against the Rays, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Hendriks tossed a scoreless frame while allowing a hit Wednesday as Oakland's opener, and now he'll take on starting duties yet again. He'll be expected to throw 1-2 innings before handing the ball to a long reliever. The 29-year-old has accrued a 5.94 ERA and 1.74 WHIP with 16 strikeouts over 16.2 innings this season.
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Jorge Lopez RP | WAS
Royals' Jorge Lopez: Suffers bruised rib
Lopez exited Friday's game against the Twins with a left rib contusion.
Lopez walked off the field with the team trainer in the fifth inning after suffering the injury. The timetable for his return remains unknown, but he'll be evaluated Saturday to determine his status moving forward.