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Robert Suarez RP | ATL
Padres' Robert Suarez: Converts five-out save
Suarez struck out three batters over 1.2 perfect frames and earned a save over the Cubs on Monday.
Suarez was called into a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the eighth inning and quickly steamrolled the Cubs in order to finish off the game. He matched his longest outing of the year while firing 14 of 20 pitches for strikes. Suarez has been nearly perfect this season; he's 1-0 with a 0.59 ERA while converting each of his 11 save chances. The 33-year-old is currently riding a 13-inning scoreless streak.
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Caleb Thielbar RP | CHC
Twins' Caleb Thielbar: Picks up save Monday
Thielbar struck out two batters in a scoreless inning and earned a save over the Mariners on Monday.
Thielbar faced the heart of Seattle's lineup after Jhoan Duran pitched a perfect eighth inning. It was Thielbar's third save of the year and first since April 29. He lowered his ERA to 6.14 with a 9:3 K:BB through 7.1 innings. Duran should still see most of the save chances in Minnesota but there should still be some vulture save opportunities for the likes of Thielbar and Griffin Jax.
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Jhoan Duran RP | PHI
Twins' Jhoan Duran: Works eighth inning
Duran struck out two batters in a scoreless eighth inning and earned a hold during Monday's win over Seattle.
Duran was called upon to face the Mariners' 9-1-2 hitters in a 3-1 contest. After earning a save in each of his first two appearances of 2024, he's picked up a hold in his last two games. Duran is the primary closing option in Minnesota but it appears there may be more of a committee than expected. Last season, he converted 27 of 32 saves and picked up only one hold.
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Tyler Alexander RP | TEX
Rays' Tyler Alexander: Strikes out seven in no-decision
Alexander did not factor into the decision Friday against the White Sox, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk over four innings. He struck out seven.
Alexander looked especially sharp Monday night against a weak White Sox team, striking out a season-high seven batters while generating 13 whiffs. The Rays left-hander has pitched to the tune of a 4.96 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 30:10 K:BB over 32.2 innings this season. However, his time in the starting rotation is likely over as Taj Bradley (pectoral) appears on track to return from the injured list this week.
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Chris Stratton RP | LAD
Royals' Chris Stratton: Converts second save
Stratton allowed two walks in a scoreless inning and earned a save over the Brewers on Monday.
Stratton forced a double play after the first walk, so he didn't face a very threatening push from Milwaukee. It was his second save of the year and first since April 6, while it's worth noting that normal closer James MacArthur was likely unavailable after pitching two innings Sunday. Stratton blew his last opportunity when he was slammed for five runs against Detroit on April 27. He is sporting a 5.40 ERA with a shaky 12:12 K:BB through 15 frames.
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Bryse Wilson RP | MIL
Brewers' Bryse Wilson: No win in scoreless outing
Wilson allowed a hit and three walks over six shutout frames in a no-decision Monday. He struck out six while the Brewers lost to Kansas City.
Wilson was in line for a win before the Royals plated three runs in the seventh inning right after he left the contest. The lone hit he gave up was a single and Kansas City never posed much of a threat during his outing. He also generated a season-high 11 whiffs. Wilson dropped his ERA to 2.40 with a 27:10 K:BB through 30 innings. As things stand, he currently projects for a home matchup with St. Louis this weekend.
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Joe Kelly RP | LAD
Dodgers' Joe Kelly: Headed to injured list
Kelly has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to a right shoulder strain, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
Kelly fought off a groin issue nearly one week ago, but he'll be shut down for at least the next 15 days after picking up a new injury. The club has yet to comment on the length of Kelly's stay on the IL, however, the right-hander "didn't believe it would keep him out too long," per David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports. This move clears a roster spot for Walker Buehler, who is making his season debut Monday night against the Marlins.
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Jacob Waguespack RP | DET
Rays' Jacob Waguespack: Recalled, placed on 15-day IL
Waguespack was recalled from Triple-A Durham and placed on the 15-day injured list Monday due to a shoulder injury, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Topkin notes that the club has elected to promote Waguespack and place him on the IL so that if he were to have a setback and require a longer shutdown period, Tampa Bay could shift him to the 60-day IL to clear up a spot on the 40-man roster. The club has yet to disclose any details on Waguespack's injury.
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Joey Wentz SP | ATL
Tigers' Joey Wentz: Keeps cruising Monday
Wentz tossed two scoreless innings of relief in Monday's 2-1 loss to the Guardians. He allowed one hit and struck out four.
Wentz relieved starter Jack Flaherty and kept Detroit in the game, as the lefty continued his excellent start to the season. He lowered his ERA to 0.68 and now has 18 strikeouts across 13.1 innings. Wentz flopped as a starter last year but has reinvented himself as an effective long reliever. It's not the most fantasy-friendly role, but he could help with ratios, strikeouts and the occasional win in deeper formats.
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Mitch Spence RP | KC
Athletics' Mitch Spence: Works in long relief Sunday
Spence struck out five over 4.2 innings of relief in Sunday's 12-3 loss to the Marlins, giving up four earned runs on six hits and one walk.
Spence entered the game in the second inning after starter Joe Boyle was blasted for four runs in the opening frame before being pulled from the contest. Oakland placed Boyle on the 15-day injured list Monday with a back issue, so his absence will create an opening in the rotation. Given that he tossed a season-high 72 pitches in long relief Sunday, Spence should be reasonably stretched out for starting duty, though it's unclear if he'll rate as the Athletics' top option to take Boyle's next turn in the rotation, which comes up next weekend in Seattle.