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Miguel Castro RP | CHW
Diamondbacks' Miguel Castro: Records first hold
Castro walked one and struck out two over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn his first hold in Friday's 6-3 comeback win over the Dodgers.
Castro gave the Diamondbacks four outs before giving way to Andrew Chafin for the save. Castro has yet to allow a run or hit in three outings while walking two and fanning five over 3.2 innings. As manager Torey Lovullo navigates end-game roles, he'll continue to mix and match relievers. Both Castro and Chafin have earned high-leverage opportunities late in games.
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Cionel Perez RP | NYM
Orioles' Cionel Perez: Nabs win Friday
Perez (1-0) allowed a run on three hits and struck out one over one inning to earn the win Friday over the Yankees.
Perez has had some mixed results through 4.1 innings across four appearances this season. He's struck out five without walking a batter, but he's been tagged for two runs and seven hits. Perez has worked in a high-leverage role as expected, though he's unlikely to challenge Felix Bautista for ninth-inning work.
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Jordan Romano RP | COL
Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Picks up fourth save
Romano picked up the save Friday against the Angels without allowing a run or a hit.
While Romano didn't issue a strikeout, that's mostly because the Angels were aggressive and forced the right-hander to throw just six pitches -- five of those for strikes. He is now up to four saves on the young year, and he hasn't allowed an earned run in any of his appearances.
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Andrew Chafin RP | CIN
Diamondbacks' Andrew Chafin: Fans two in ninth inning
Chafin struck out two over 0.2 innings in the ninth inning of a 6-3 win over the Dodgers on Friday. He walked one.
Chafin walked Freddie Freeman after coming into the game with one out, but he was able to strike out J.D. Martinez and Max Muncy swinging to end the game, failing to record his second save of the year only because he didn't pitch the requisite one inning. The left-hander has not allowed an earned run in four appearances.
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Packy Naughton RP | STL
Cardinals' Packy Naughton: Evaluated for forearm tightness
Naughton is being evaluated by doctors after leaving Friday's outing with left forearm tightness, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Naughton looked to be in pain before leaving Friday's relief appearance against the Brewers. He should be considered day-to-day, but a trip to the injured list for a fresh arm cannot be ruled out.
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Packy Naughton RP | STL
Cardinals' Packy Naughton: Leaves outing with trainer
Naughton left Friday's relief appearance against the Brewers with an apparent injury, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat notes.
Naughton was visited by Cardinals manager Oli Marmol and a trainer after he was seen flexing his left arm, and he exited the contest. Chris Stratton has replaced the southpaw after he went 0.2 innings without allowing a run.
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Josh Hader RP | HOU
Padres' Josh Hader: Notches second save
Hader struck out two and delivered a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Friday against Atlanta. He allowed a hit and didn't walk a batter.
The left-hander surrendered a one-out single to Austin Riley but otherwise had no issues locking down the victory. Hader has looked as dominant as ever with a 5:0 K:BB through his first three outings of 2023.
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Nick Martinez SP | TB
Padres' Nick Martinez: Walks five in no-decision
Martinez gave up four runs on four hits and five walks across 4.2 innings during Friday's 5-4 win over Atlanta. He did not factor in the decision.
The 32-year-old was staked an early 3-0 lead but was unable to maintain the advantage. Martinez threw first-pitch strikes to 16 of the 23 batters he faced, but he struggled to put hitters away and tied a career high with five free passes. Through two starts, the right-hander has a 6.17 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 9:7 K:BB across 11.2 innings.
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Paul Sewald RP | TOR
Mariners' Paul Sewald: Bounces back with first save
Sewald picked up the save in Friday's 5-3 win over the Guardians, striking out one over a perfect ninth inning.
After giving up two runs to the Angels in his last outing, Sewald bounced back with his second perfect inning of the campaign and notched his first save of the season. Through four innings, the right-hander has struck out three and walked two, but he figures to continue sharing closing duties with Andres Munoz, who pitched the eighth inning Friday.
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Craig Kimbrel RP | KC
Phillies' Craig Kimbrel: Picks up first save
Kimbrel picked up the save Friday in a 5-2 win over Reds, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one over a scoreless ninth.
Kimbrel entered with a three-run lead and allowed two baserunners before ultimately escaping any damage, picking up his first save of the year. The veteran right-hander hasn't looked sharp in any of his three outings this season, but it appears Kimbrel is still the top closing option for the Phillies, who may also utilize Seranthony Dominguez, Jose Alvarado and Gregory Soto in high-leverage situations.