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Shaun Anderson RP | LAA
Marlins' Shaun Anderson: Optioned to Triple-A
The Marlins optioned Anderson to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday.
Anderson was called upon to start in place of Jesus Luzardo (back) on Saturday, giving up six runs (five earned) on eight hits over just 3.1 innings in a loss to the Mariners. He'll now head back to Jacksonville following his rough outing, though it's possible the 29-year-old righty makes another start in the near future with the Miami rotation having been hit hard by injuries.
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Ryan Borucki RP | SF
Pirates' Ryan Borucki: Beginning assignment Tuesday
Borucki (wrist) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.
Borucki graduated to facing live hitters over the weekend and will now head to the minor leagues after experiencing no issues following his latest session of live BP. The 30-year-old southpaw has been on the injured list since early April and is aiming to return to Pittsburgh's bullpen ahead of the All-Star break.
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Mason Englert RP | TB
Tigers' Mason Englert: Effective in Saturday's loss
Englert tossed 2.1 scoreless innings with a strikeout in Saturday's 5-1 loss to the White Sox.
Englert efficiently retired all seven batters he faced on just 24 pitches. The righty allowed five runs in an outing earlier this month, which has his ERA sitting at 5.79, but he's been mostly good otherwise. Not counting that rough appearance, Englert has a 3.78 ERA across 16.2 innings this year. He should continue to work in a long-relief role for the Tigers, which limits his fantasy upside.
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Hector Neris RP | HOU
Cubs' Hector Neris: Pitches better Saturday
Neris worked around a hit and a walk to pitch a scoreless ninth inning in Saturday's 8-1 win over the Mets. He struck out two.
Neris was still a little shaky, but this was a step in the right direction after he allowed seven earned runs over 2.2 innings and blew two saves in his last three outings. The veteran worked the end of the game Saturday, though it wasn't a save opportunity, and Colten Brewer was the pitcher tapped for the team's last save chance in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Giants. Neris is likely still the closer in Chicago moving forward, but his margin for error has shrunk.
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Michael Mercado RP | PHI
Phillies' Michael Mercado: Summoned from Triple-A
The Phillies recalled Mercado from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday.
Mercado will take over the spot on the 26-man active roster that previously belonged to right-hander Taijuan Walker (finger), who was placed on the 15-day injured list. A 25-year-old right-hander, Mercado has started in 10 of his 14 appearances for Lehigh Valley this season, compiling a 1.71 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 44:23 K:BB over 47.1 innings. Mercado will be utilized out of the Philadelphia bullpen for now, with Spencer Turnbull lined up to start Wednesday against the Tigers as a replacement in the rotation for Walker, per Paul Casella of MLB.com.
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Robert Suarez RP | ATL
Padres' Robert Suarez: Picks up one-out save
Suarez picked up a one-out save in a win over the Brewers on Saturday night while not allowing any hits or walks.
Suarez likely wasn't expecting to make an appearance with the Padres up 6-0 to open the ninth, but things changed quickly when Brice Turang launched a grand slam off Jhony Brito to bring Milwaukee back within two runs with two outs in the frame. However, Suarez was able to put out the fire, retiring William Contreras on a groundout to end the game and secure his 19th save of the season. Suarez has not allowed any hits or walks over his last two appearances after suffering his only blown save of the year against the Phillies on June 18. In fact, he's issued only one walk over his last nine outings.
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Brandon Hughes RP | CHC
Diamondbacks' Brandon Hughes: Recalled by Arizona
The Diamondbacks recalled Hughes from Triple-A Reno on Sunday.
It marks the third time this season Hughes has been called up to the big club. He wasn't particularly effective over the last three games of his second stint, allowing eight runs on 11 hits (including three home runs) and five walks while striking out three over 5.1 frames. Hughes will be added to Arizona's bullpen, with southpaw Tommy Henry optioned to Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move.
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Aroldis Chapman RP | BOS
Pirates' Aroldis Chapman: Collects second save
Chapman gave up a run on a hit and a walk in the ninth inning Saturday to record his second save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Rays. He struck out one.
David Bednar is dealing with some tightness in his side and was unavailable, leaving ninth-inning duties to his 36-year-old set-up man. Chapman walked the first batter he faced before surrendering an RBI double to Yandy Diaz, but the southpaw got Isaac Paredes to ground out to end the threat. Chapman has been scored upon only twice in his last 10 appearances, posting a 1.86 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 13:7 K:BB through 9.2 innings over that stretch. Bednar's injury isn't considered serious, but Chapman should handle closing duties until he's ready to return.
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Shaun Anderson RP | LAA
Marlins' Shaun Anderson: Roughed up by Mariners
Anderson (0-2) took the loss against Seattle on Saturday, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits and no walks while striking out three batters over 3.1 innings.
Anderson fell behind 2-0 after one inning but was able to bounce back with a pair of scoreless frames. Things really fell apart for him in the fourth, as the Mariners opened the inning with four straight hits and chased Anderson with one out in the frame. The right-hander got the start Saturday due to Jesus Luzardo landing on the injured list with a back injury, but it's uncertain whether he'll be called upon to be Luzardo's replacement for additional turns through the rotation. Anderson hasn't really earned that role given his 11.42 ERA and 2.77 WHIP through 8.2 innings on the season.
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Michael Kopech SP | LAD
White Sox's Michael Kopech: Records final outs in win
Kopech allowed one hit and walked one while striking out two across a scoreless ninth inning Saturday against the Tigers.
Kopech entered the game with a four-run lead and allowed consecutive batters to reach base with two outs. He managed to escape to turn in his second consecutive scoreless appearance, though he's still allowed eight earned runs across his last 8.1 frames. Those struggles have called Kopech's role as closer into question, though he did enter Saturday's game after John Brebbia.