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Taylor Hearn RP | KC
Rangers' Taylor Hearn: First stumble in a month
Hearn allowed three runs on two hits and three walks while striking out three over 2.1 innings in Thursday's 5-0 loss to Seattle.
Hearn was needed for multiple relief innings in a piggyback situation for Kolby Allard, who was making a spot start. The Rangers grew concerned about Hearn's performance back in April, but the left-hander had turned it around nicely before Thursday's effort. He entered the contest with no earned runs allowed over the last 11.2 innings, which was partially attributed to cutting down on free passes. Hearn will continue to fill a multi-inning relief role, which has been an area of need due to starters unable to give the team length.
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Brett Martin RP | TEX
Rangers' Brett Martin: Mops up in loss
Martin allowed three hits and struck out two over 1.2 scoreless innings in Thursday's 5-0 loss to the Mariners.
Martin typically pitches in higher leverage spots than this, but Texas' bullpen has been worked hard due to short stints by starters. As such, whatever arm is available may need to pitch in any situation. Martin has not allowed an earned run over his last 8.2 innings, spanning 11 appearances. For the season, he has a 2.20 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over 16.1 innings.
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Jakob Junis RP | TEX
Royals' Jakob Junis: Works 2.1 innings
Junis allowed a run on three hits and three walks with two strikeouts in 2.1 innings of Thursday's 7-2 loss to Tampa Bay.
Junis was able to end the third inning after an abbreviated start from Brady Singer. The 28-year-old Junis proceeded to labor through the fourth and fifth, allowing six baserunners in the relief appearance. After a stint in the rotation in April, the right-hander has worked out of the bullpen in his six of his last seven appearances. He's posted a 5.23 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 34:11 K:BB across 32.2 innings overall.
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Bryan Shaw RP | CIN
Indians' Bryan Shaw: Picks up hold
Shaw allowed a hit and a walk with one strikeout in a scoreless inning to earn a hold in Thursday's 5-2 win over Detroit.
Shaw handled the eighth inning and worked around a couple of baserunners to preserve Cleveland's lead. The 33-year-old remains a solid option out of the bullpen with a 1.35 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 23:14 K:BB across 20 innings. He's notched seven holds, a save and a win in 21 outings, although the closer job appears to be shared between James Karinchak and Emmanuel Clase.
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Alex Reyes RP | LAD
Cardinals' Alex Reyes: Collects win Thursday
Reyes (3-1) walked one and struck out one in a scoreless inning, earning the win Thursday versus Arizona.
The closer was brought in to pitch the bottom of the ninth in a tied game. Reyes became the pitcher of record when Yadier Molina hit an RBI double in the 10th, and Daniel Ponce de Leon was able to convert the save. The 26-year-old Reyes has a 0.67 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 37:24 K:BB across 27 innings this year. He's converted all 14 of his save chances despite an ugly 8.0 BB/9 mark.
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Daniel Ponce de Leon RP | WAS
Cardinals' Daniel Ponce de Leon: Notches first save
Ponce de Leon pitched a perfect inning to earn the save in Thursday's 5-4 extra-inning win versus Arizona.
Regular closer Alex Reyes pitched the ninth inning and kept the game tied. St. Louis went ahead on a Yadier Molina double in the top of the 10th, and Ponce de Leon was able to stymie Arizona for his second career save. The right-hander has allowed two runs (one earned) in 4.1 innings since he returned from a shoulder injury. He has a 6.75 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 7:10 K:BB across 14.2 innings in nine outings (two starts) overall. Ponce de Leon isn't likely to see many high-leverage opportunities.
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Aaron Loup RP | LAA
Mets' Aaron Loup: Earns second relief win
Loup (2-0) pitched a scoreless fifth inning on one hit while striking out two to earn the win in game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Rockies.
Loup allowed a double to Garrett Hampson, but retired the other three batters he faced. The 33-year-old provided another solid performance after slipping as of late, allowing a run in three straight appearances in May. He has a 2.77 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP in 13 innings. He has four holds, but he is not a high-leverage inning reliever and he's not in line for any save opportunities.
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Kenley Jansen RP | DET
Dodgers' Kenley Jansen: Records 12th save
Jansen saved Thursday's 4-3 win over San Francisco, pitching a clean ninth with no baserunners and two strikeouts.
Jansen struck out the first wo Giants he faced and induced an Evan Longoria flyout to lock down his 12th save, placing him among the league leaders. It was Jansen's seventh straight appearance with a save as Los Angeles has won 13 of its last 15 games.
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Ryan Weathers SP | NYY
Padres' Ryan Weathers: Another four-inning outing
Weathers allowed one hit and walked two while striking out five across four scoreless innings Thursday against the Brewers. He did not factor into the decision.
Weathers looked sharp in the outing, relying primarily on groundballs and strikeouts to throw four shutout frames. However, he was limited to 78 pitches and hasn't been allowed to work beyond four innings since experiencing joint inflammation in his throwing arm April 28. While he's allowed only four earned runs across 18 innings in five outings since, his short stints limit both his strikeout upside and potential to earn wins.