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Alex Colome RP | CHW
Rays' Alex Colome: Saddled with loss in Friday defeat
Colome (1-1) surrendered two hits and an earned run in Friday's 1-0 loss to the White Sox. He struck out two.
The 27-year-old right-hander gave up singles to veterans Jimmy Rollins and Melky Cabrera in the ninth inning, which was all the White Sox needed on a night where Chris Sale dominated the Rays lineup. The run marked the first given up by Colome in four innings of work this season, and he figures to continue enjoying a prominent role in the late innings until closer Brad Boxberger (abdomen) returns from injury.
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Craig Kimbrel RP | KC
Red Sox's Craig Kimbrel: notches third save
Kimbrel notched his third save with a scoreless ninth inning against Toronto on Friday night.
It wasn't the smoothest ride as he allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one. The good news is he is capable of dominating - he has nine strikeouts in five appearances - but he also has an unsightly 5.40 ERA so there have been rough stretches already. It's early in the season so given his results when he's on his game, there is every reason to believe he will remain one the game's best in the ninth inning.
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David Robertson RP | PHI
White Sox's David Robertson: Remains perfect through five appearances
Robertson struck out two in a perfect ninth inning to earn his fifth save of the season in Thursday's 3-1 win against the Twins.
The 31-year-old is now 5-for-5 in save opportunities and on a record-breaking pace to start 2016. Robertson has yet to allow a hit and has only walked one while striking out six in five innings of work.
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Bo Schultz RP | PIT
Blue Jays' Bo Schultz: Throws 26 pitches Friday with no problems
Schultz (hip) threw 26 pitches to live hitters for the second time Friday and had no apparent issues, Eddie Michels of Rocket Sports reports.
Schultz still hasn't appeared in a game since undergoing hip surgery in the offseason, but it appears he is making steady progress back. It's unclear when the right-hander will make his way back into game action, but things should become clearer as he progresses further in his rehab process.
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Nick Burdi RP | NYM
Twins' Nick Burdi: Pitches extended spring training game Wednesday
Burdi (forearm) pitched an extended spring training game Wednesday, Lavelle Neal III of the Star Tribune reports.
This is a step in the right direction for Burdi as he continues to recover from right forearm tightness. He is unlikely to see time with the big league team in the first part of the season, so the main focus is on his rehab and development for the time being.
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Matt Andriese RP | MIA
Rays' Matt Andriese: Now unlikey to receive call-up for Saturday spot start
Andriese's 93-pitch outing at Triple-A Durham on Wednesday makes it highly unlikely he'll be called up for a Saturday spot start, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The 26-year-old right-hander had reportedly been under consideration to be summoned up for Saturday's game against the White Sox, which will be the first occasion in 2016 when the Rays will require a fifth starter. However, Andriese was allowed to put in 5.2 innings of work Wednesday, essentially nullifying his candidacy for the opportunity.
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Chris Devenski RP | NYM
Astros' Chris Devenski: Impressing early in his call up
Devenski struck out all three batters he faced during Wednesday's 4-2 loss to Kansas City.
In two appearances with the Astros, the 25-year-old right-hander has fanned seven while allowing only one baserunner over four innings. The 25th round draft pick in 2011 hadn't played above Double-A prior to this season, but Devenski could earn a larger role than expected with continued success out of Houston's bullpen.
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Carson Smith RP | BOS
Red Sox's Carson Smith: Bullpen session Wednesday
Smith (forearm) threw a 35-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, consisting of fastballs and sliders, the Boston Globe reports.
The Red Sox are bullish on Smith's recovery from a forearm strain that cropped up during spring training, though there's no timetable for his return at this point. In his absence, a combination of Matt Barnes and Robbie Ross are picking up work in the sixth and seventh innings of games.
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Ken Giles RP | ATL
Astros' Ken Giles: Early struggles continue in loss
Giles (0-1) was tagged with the loss Thursday against the Royals after allowing a two-run homer to Salvador Perez in the eighth inning.
He did strike out two, but the walk and the blast left Giles with yet another poor outing to start this season. He's given up runs in three of his four appearances, allowing a total of five in 3.2 innings. With Luke Gregerson having successfully converted his two save chances to start the year and Giles struggling, it doesn't look like the ex-Phillie is going to take over the closer role anytime soon.
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Craig Kimbrel RP | KC
Red Sox's Craig Kimbrel: Bounces back with perfect ining
Kimbrel struck out the side in order Wednesday against the Orioles for his second save of the year.
Boston's big bullpen acquisition just got his spot blown up by a Chris Davis homer Monday, but he was right back at it in this one. Still only 27 years old, Kimbrel's struck out eight batters in four games, and there's no reason we shouldn't see him once again finish among the top few closers in baseball.