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Josh Fleming RP | TOR
Rays' Josh Fleming: Slated for bulk role Friday
Fleming is in line to work as a bulk reliever behind opener Trevor Kelley in Friday's game against the Yankees in New York, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Since re-entering the Tampa Bay rotation in late April, Fleming has made each of his last three appearances as a bulk reliever. In those three outings, Fleming has covered between 3.1 and 6.0 innings, pitching to a 4.40 ERA and 1.47 WHIP while walking more batters (eight) than he's struck out (four). Though he's the most likely Rays pitcher to record a win Friday, Fleming's recent form suggests he's not a reliable streaming option, especially on a day when all 30 teams are playing.
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John Brebbia RP | COL
Giants' John Brebbia: Opening Friday
Brebbia will serve as the Giants' opening pitcher for Friday's game against the Diamondbacks, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Brebbia has served as an opener once previously this season, and he worked 1.1 innings in that appearance. Alex Wood (hamstring) or Ross Stripling are the likely options to follow Brebbia in a bulk role.
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Emilio Pagan RP | CIN
Twins' Emilio Pagan: Earns third win
Pagan (3-0) earned the win in Thursday's 5-3 victory over San Diego. He allowed zero runs with no hits or walks while striking out one over an inning.
Pagan struggled with the Twins last season, posting a 4.43 ERA and seven blown saves, and it was a mild surprise that he wasn't non-tendered. However, he's improved significantly as he's given up earned runs in just two of his 13 appearances (though he gave up six runs in 1.2 innings April 20). He has an impressive 15:3 K:BB ratio in 15.2 innings. He began the season buried in the bullpen but is starting to be used in higher-leverage setup situations.
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Will Smith RP | KC
Rangers' Will Smith: Collects seventh save
Smith picked up the save Thursday against the Athletics, retiring the only batter he faced.
Smith came in with two on and two outs in the ninth and struck out Brent Rooker on four pitches. The one-out save helped bail out Nathan Eovaldi, who dominated through 8.2 innings. Smith is up to seven saves with just one blown save and has earned the closer duties over Jose Leclerc.
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Pete Fairbanks RP | MIA
Rays' Pete Fairbanks: Set for rehab appearance
Fairbanks (forearm) will throw one inning in a rehab outing with Triple-A Durham on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Fairbanks is eligible to come off the injured list May 16 and has been ramping up his activity of late. He played catch Sunday and has since progressed to the point where he can return to game action. Assuming things go well in his rehab outing, it seems likely that Fairbanks will be activated when first eligible -- or very close to it.
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Jorge Lopez RP | WAS
Twins' Jorge Lopez: Converts third save
Lopez earned a save against the Padres on Thursday, striking out two batters in a perfect ninth inning.
Jhoan Duran may have been unavailable for the Twins on Thursday after tossing two innings (but only 17 pitches) Wednesday, so the team turned to Lopez to protect a two-run, ninth-inning lead. The veteran right-hander didn't disappoint, fanning two of the three batters he faced in a perfect frame. Lopez has been excellent in his first full season with the Twins, allowing just three earned runs and posting a 13:4 K:BB over 17 innings. He has three saves on the season, but Duran has been outstanding as well and remains the team's primary closer.
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Trevor Kelley RP | SEA
Rays' Trevor Kelley: Set to work as opener
Kelley will serve as the opener for Friday's game against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Kelley was promoted by the Rays on Monday but has yet to take the mound since. He's worked in one or two-inning stints both in the majors and minors this season, which will also be his likely workload Friday. Josh Fleming will follow Kelley in a bulk role.
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Kevin Herget RP | NYM
Reds' Kevin Herget: Nails down three-inning save
Herget earned a save over the Mets on Thursday, hurling three scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits and struck out four batters.
Cincinnati used four pitchers in what amounted to a bullpen game Thursday, with each of those tossing over one inning and holding New York scoreless. Herget entered in the seventh and closed things out, throwing 44 pitches over three scoreless frames to pick up his first career save. The right-hander has pitched well for the Reds this season with just two earned runs allowed over 10.2 frames, but it's unlikely that he'll see many more save opportunities with Alexis Diaz firmly entrenched as the team's closer.