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Brad Boxberger RP | CHC
Brewers' Brad Boxberger: Earns win Sunday
Boxberger (1-0) gave up a hit and no walks while striking out one in a scoreless seventh inning to earn the win over the Cubs on Sunday.
Boxberger made a career-high 71 relief appearances during his first year with the Brewers in 2021, and he began the 2022 season on a high note by picking up a win in his first outing. Josh Hader is firmly entrenched as Milwaukee's closer, but Boxberger picked up 23 holds last year while converting four of nine save chances. He'll continue to serve as a setup man alongside Devin Williams in 2022.
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Tanner Rainey RP | DET
Nationals' Tanner Rainey: Nails down first save of 2022
Rainey worked around a hit to throw a scoreless ninth inning and earn the save Sunday against the Mets.
Manager Dave Martinez didn't name a closer coming into the season, but he did tell MASN Sports back in mid-March that he would "love" for Rainey to show he's ready to close. The early returns are promising. Kyle Finnegan worked the eighth inning Sunday, setting up the save chance for Rainey.
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Mason Thompson RP | TEX
Nationals' Mason Thompson: Dealing with biceps tendinitis
Thompson, who was placed on the 10-day injured list earlier Sunday, was diagnosed with right biceps tendinitis after undergoing an MRI, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.
The original diagnosis for Thompson's injury was a biceps strain, but it's instead been classified as tendinitis after receiving the imaging results. It's unclear how long the 24-year-old is expected to be unavailable, but he'll be eligible to be activated April 20 versus the Diamondbacks.
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Kyle Nelson RP | ATL
Diamondbacks' Kyle Nelson: Recalled by Arizona
Nelson was recalled by the Diamondbacks on Sunday.
Nelson was claimed off waivers by Arizona during the offseason, and he was set to begin the season at Triple-A Reno. However, he'll now have the chance to improve on his past big-league opportunities, during which he's posted a 12.19 ERA across 10.1 innings. Nelson will be limited to low-leverage outings.
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Taylor Rogers RP | MIN
Padres' Taylor Rogers: Notches save Saturday
Rogers earned the save Saturday against the Diamondbacks after tossing a scoreless inning,
The southpaw was named closer following his trade from the Twins by manager Bob Melvin and the approach has worked quite well so far, as he has gone perfect in save chances through his first two appearances. He recorded nine saves in both the 2020 and 2021 seasons, but that figure is likely to be surpassed easily considering his role to start the campaign.
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John Brebbia RP | COL
Giants' John Brebbia: Placed on bereavement list
Brebbia was placed on the bereavement list Sunday.
Brebbia will miss a minimum of three games, meaning he won't be eligible to return until Wednesday's game versus the Padres. The right-hander has allowed just one walk in 1.2 scorless and hitless innings in two appearances this season. Outfield prospect Heliot Ramos was called up to take Brebbia's spot on the roster.
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Steven Wilson RP | TB
Padres' Steven Wilson: Earns relief win
Wilson (1-0) earned the win Saturday against the Diamondbacks after tossing a scoreless inning, fanning one and walking one.
Wilson pitched the seventh inning and needed just 16 pitches to get the job done in his MLB debut. He posted a 3.43 ERA in the minors last season and is not expected to have a big role out of the bullpen, at least in the first few weeks of the season.
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Sam Coonrod RP | NYM
Phillies' Sam Coonrod: Increasing throwing distance
Coonrod (shoulder) is throwing from up to 90 feet, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Coonrod suffered the injury late in spring training, and he was shut down entirely for a week. However, he's begun his throwing progression, which is a positive sign in his recovery. He'll look to continue to ramp up the intensity of his work and could be in line for a return by late April.
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Mason Thompson RP | TEX
Nationals' Mason Thompson: Placed on injured list
Thompson (biceps) was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday.
Thompson exited Saturday's game in the eighth inning with an apparent arm injury. He was officially diagnosed with a biceps strain, and he will now miss at least the next 10 days -- and perhaps more. Hunter Harvey was recalled to take Thompson's spot in the bullpen.
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Hunter Harvey RP | CHC
Nationals' Hunter Harvey: Rejoining big-league bullpen
Harvey was recalled by the Nationals on Sunday.
Harvey was unable to secure a roster spot out of spring training after joining the Nationals on March 21. However, with Mason Thompson (arm) hitting the injured list, the team has a need in its bullpen. Harvey is not likely to immediately contend for saves, though he could move his way towards the role with multiple strong outings.