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Jeanmar Gomez RP | CHW
Phillies' Jeanmar Gomez: Could lose closing gig
Gomez's job appears to be in jeopardy after he blew a save Sunday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports. "I'm going to have a talk with him [Monday]," Phillies manager Pete Mackain said when asked whether Gomez is still his closer.
Gomez blew a three-run lead Sunday, allowing a three-run home run to Ryan Zimmerman. He also struggled in his outing on Opening Day, when he allowed a two-run homer before managing the close out the game and earn a save. Hector Neris is likely next in line for save chances, but Joaquin Benoit and Edubray Ramos could also be in the mix.
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Mark Melancon RP | ARI
Giants' Mark Melancon: Picks up first save in San Diego
Melancon gave up one hit while walking one in his inning of work to earn his first save of the year in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Padres.
Things were a little dicey for Melancon after a one-out hit to Manuel Margot and a walk to Travis Jankowski, but he was able to induce a game-ending double-play groundout from Wil Myers to seal the deal. Because of the Giants' slow start to the year, it was only Melancon's second appearance since his Opening Day blown save. He's been uncharacteristically shaky so far, but Melancon isn't going anywhere and should be one of the more reliable closers in 2017 for a contending club.
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Fernando Rodney RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Fernando Rodney: Shaky while recording second save
Rodney allowed an unearned run on one hit while striking out one in his inning of work to record his second save of the year in Arizona's 3-2 victory over the Indians on Sunday.
After allowing an unearned run, Rodney nearly gave up a go-ahead long ball to Carlos Santana. Rodney's 0.31 ERA with the Padres in the first half of last year should be completely ignored. He posted a 5.89 ERA with the Marlins after his trade and is one of the most volatile closers in the game.
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Kenley Jansen RP | DET
Dodgers' Kenley Jansen: Allows runs in non-save situation
Jansen allowed two runs on three hits while striking out one in his inning of work in a non-save situation against the Rockies on Sunday.
Despite having only one save in Los Angeles' first six games of the year, Jansen remains an elite fantasy closer. The hiccup at Coors Field on Sunday is a minor blip on the radar.
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Chris Rusin RP | COL
Rockies' Chris Rusin: Returns from DL
Rusin (oblique) was activated from the 10-day disabled list Sunday, Jenny Cavnar of ROOT Sports reports.
Rusin missed the first week of the season with a sprained oblique, but the injury was never deemed too serious as the 30-year-old is set to return to the Rockies' bullpen following his short DL stint. He'll work in middle and long relief to begin the season.
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Paul Sewald RP | TOR
Mets' Paul Sewald: Called up Saturday
Sewald had his contract selected from Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday, Antony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
With the Mets' bullpen getting used heavily through the first week of the season, Sewald was immediately thrust into action Saturday night and gave up two runs on three hits over 0.2 innings in his big-league debut. The 26-year-old's stay in the majors could be a brief one.
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Damien Magnifico RP | PIT
Brewers' Damien Magnifico: Sent to minors
Magnifico was designated for assignment Sunday.
In order to add David Goforth to the major-league roster, Magnifico was hit with the DFA on Sunday. The hard-throwing reliever posted a 4.06 ERA and 22.4 percent strikeout rate with Triple-A Colorado Springs in 2016.
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Robert Stephenson RP | LAA
Reds' Robert Stephenson: Struggles with control
Stephenson made his 2017 debut Saturday against the Cardinals and allowed four runs on a whopping six walks (one intentional) over 1.2 innings. Reds manager Bryan Price told the Cincinnati Enquirer that Stephenson's control problems were due to a return of bad habits with his delivery.
About the only good that came out of Stephenson's outing was that four outs were recorded via strikeouts, indicating that he has good stuff. But he threw 33 balls as opposed to 26 strikes. The Reds will continue to keep him in low-leverage situations until he can considerably improve his command.
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Robert Gsellman RP | WAS
Mets' Robert Gsellman: Uneven in first 2017 start
Gsellman (0-1) came out on the short end in his season debut Saturday, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out seven in five innings against the Marlins.
A popular preseason sleeper after he posted a 2.42 ERA and 42:15 K:BB over 44.2 innings last year, Gsellman suffered through some tough luck in this one, but it's also worth noting his tragic numbers in Triple-A before his call-up -- a 5.73 ERA and 1.49 WHIP. He also wasn't traditionally a prolific whiff artist in the minors. Of course, he's also young at 23 and a hard thrower, so it's not that tough to believe that Gsellman simply learned to control his raw stuff better upon arriving in the majors. Development happens, after all. However, with Steven Matz (elbow) targeting a May return, Gsellman will need to perform well to ensure that he retains a rotation spot. His next outing is scheduled for Thursday on the road against these same Marlins.