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Giants' Caleb Kilian: Implodes in ninth to take loss
Rotowire
Kilian (1-3) was saddled with the loss and a blown save in Friday's 8-6 loss to the Rockies, allowing five runs on five hits and no walks with one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning.
Tasked with protecting a 6-3 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning, Kilian gave up back-to-back singles before Hunter Goodman took him deep for a one-out, three-run homer to tie the game. Kilian then got a strikeout before allowing a third single. Ezequiel Tovar then drilled a first-pitch knuckle curve over the wall in left-center for a two-run shot to walk it off. It was Kilian's first blown save in four chances this season. His ERA jumped from 2.22 to 3.96 with a 27:12 K:BB through 25 innings following the rough outing.
Giants' Caleb Kilian: Strikes out side to secure save
Rotowire
Kilian earned his third save of the season in Sunday's 8-5 win over the White Sox, striking out the side in a scoreless ninth inning.
Kilian made easy work of the the top of the order for the White Sox, as the right-hander got every batter he faced to strike out swinging. It was the first time this season that he logged three strikeouts in a game, and he has collected all three of his saves over his last six outings. Kilian looks to be the Giants' preferred closer, with Erik Miller and Matt Gage also in the mix for opportunities.
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Giants' Caleb Kilian: Earns four-out save
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Kilian struck out one over 1.1 perfect innings to earn the save in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Dodgers.
Kilian was left a bit of a mess from Sam Hentges in the eighth inning, but he got Andy Pages to line out to end the threat. Kilian then retired the side in order in the ninth to pick up the second save of his career. He's regressed a bit after a dominant April, allowing three runs (two earned) with a 3:5 K:BB across 5.1 innings in May. Kilian is at a 1.40 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 19:12 K:BB with two saves and two holds over 19.1 innings this season. He's the current favorite for saves in the Giants' bullpen, though he may end up sharing the closing duties once Erik Miller (back) returns. That said, Kilian's ratios, aside from a high walk rate, are enticing enough to be of value to fantasy managers chasing saves.
Giants' Caleb Kilian: Records first big-league save
Rotowire
Kilian picked up a save against the Padres on Monday, allowing one run on one hit while striking out two batters over one inning.
With regular closer Ryan Walker having blown two straight save chances, manager Tony Vitello opted to turn to Kilian to protect a two-run, ninth-inning lead. Kilian gave up a long homer to Ramon Laureano to open the frame but was then able to set down Fernando Tatis, Jackson Merrill and Manny Machado in order. Walker didn't end up pitching in the contest, but he spent some time warming up during the seventh inning, per Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area, so he was likely available to pitch. It's not clear if the Giants are turning away from Walker as their closer just yet, though that wouldn't be surprising given his struggles so far (he's blown three of six save chances and has a 4.61 ERA through 14 appearances). Should Walker in fact be moved out of the closer role, Kilian and Keaton Winn could be the top options to step into his place, especially with Erik Miller (back) landing on the injured list Monday.
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Giants' Caleb Kilian: Picks up loss Sunday
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Kilian (1-1) took the loss in Sunday's 2-1 extra-inning defeat to the Rays, allowing one unearned run on two hits and an intentional walk across one relief inning.
Kilian entered in the ninth inning, during which he surrendered a single. He returned for the 10th and intentionally walked the first batter he faced before giving up an RBI single to end the game. He threw 12 of his 15 pitches for strikes while suffering his first loss of the season. Across 14 relief outings in 2026, the right-hander owns a 0.60 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 16:8 K:BB across 15 innings.
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Giants' Caleb Kilian: Scoreless outing Tuesday
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Kilian allowed one hit and one walk while striking out one in a scoreless inning during Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Reds.
Kilian earned a bullpen job during spring training and has continued to impress early in the season. The 28-year-old right-hander tossed a scoreless sixth inning Tuesday and now owns a 1.29 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 10:4 BB:K across seven innings in eight appearances this season.
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Giants' Caleb Kilian: Contract selected
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The Giants selected Kilian's contract from Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday.
Kilian won a bullpen job as a non-roster invitee after yielding just one run with an 11:2 K:BB over 9.1 innings during Cactus League play. The 28-year-old is likely to operate in middle relief initially, but it wouldn't be a surprise if he pushes for a more high-profile role as part of a Giants bullpen that's in flux.
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Giants' Caleb Kilian: Gets MiLB deal from Giants
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The Giants signed Kilian to a minor-league contract Dec. 14.
Kilian made only 11 appearances in the minors in the Cubs organization this past season, yielding 10 runs with a 13:8 K:BB over 12.2 frames during his time at Triple-A Iowa. The righty made eight appearances (five starts) with the Cubs from 2022-2024, posting a 9.22 ERA and 21:20 K:BB over 27.1 innings.
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Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Back with Cubs on MiLB deal
Rotowire
The Cubs signed Caleb Kilian to a minor-league deal Thursday, Tommy Birch of the Des Moines Register reports.
Kilian was released by the Cubs on Saturday after being designated for assignment April 10. He made just one appearance for Triple-A Iowa before he was released, but he surrendered six runs across 2.1 innings in that game. The righty now rejoins the Cubs, but outside of the 40-man roster.
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Caleb Kilian: Cut by Chicago
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Kilian was released by the Cubs on Saturday.
Kilian was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Thursday before ultimately being let go by the team two days later. The right-hander appeared in one game with Triple-A Iowa on April 3, surrendering six runs on six hits and a walk with two strikeouts over 2.1 innings against Indianapolis.
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Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Loses roster spot
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Kilian was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Thursday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Kilian was once a highly-regarded prospect and was acquired by the Cubs as part of the return for Kris Bryant. However, he stalled in the upper levels of the minors and has made only five starts in the majors during his career. Kilian could stick with the organization if he clears waivers.
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Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Sent down to Iowa
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The Cubs optioned Kilian to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.
Kilian gave up eight hits and a walk over 3.2 innings during spring training. The 27-year-old righty owns a career 9.22 ERA and 2.01 WHIP across 27.1 MLB frames, and his 40-man spot could be in jeopardy soon.
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Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Likely on outside of rotation
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While Kilian figures to compete for a starting job in spring training, he currently projects to fall short of earning a spot in the Cubs' rotation, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Holdovers Shota Imanaga, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon and Javier Assad all seem positioned for rotation spots. The same is true for veteran addition Matthew Boyd. That would leave Kilian, who is out of minor-league options, looking at a long-relief role if he sticks with the team. Assad is the least experienced of those starters and could get pushed in camp, but he pitched well enough in 2024 across 29 starts and figures to have the inside track at this point. Kilian won't have a ton of fantasy value if he's stuck in Chicago's bullpen.
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Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Pitches well in season finale
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Kilian tossed five scoreless innings but did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Reds. He allowed three hits and two walks while striking out four.
Kilian just made his season debut for the Cubs on Monday, allowing six runs (five earned) over 5.2 innings, but he looked much sharper Sunday in the last game of the year. The 27-year-old righty pitched well for Triple-A Iowa earlier this season, compiling a 3.22 ERA across 44.2 innings, and he could compete for a rotation spot with Chicago next spring. Kilian has a career 9.22 ERA at the MLB level, however, so his fantasy upside may be limited.
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Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Starting season finale
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Kilian will start Sunday's game against the Reds, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Kilian allowed six runs (five earned) over 5.2 innings during his season debut Monday, but the Cubs will give him the ball to start their final game of the 2024 season. The 27-year-old righty has been solid in Triple-A to the tune of a 3.22 ERA, but his 11.28 career ERA in the big leagues makes him an unappealing streaming option.
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Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Takes loss in 2024 debut
Rotowire
Kilian (0-1) took the loss Monday, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits and four walks over 5.2 innings against the Phillies. He struck out three.
Kilian was called up earlier in the day and then tossed 5.2 innings in a bulk-relief role. It was his first major-league appearance of 2024 after having appeared in six big-league contests over the previous two seasons. Kilian has now allowed 28 earned runs across 22.1 career big-league innings.
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Cubs' Caleb Kilian: Receives promotion
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The Cubs recalled Kilian from Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Right-hander Nate Pearson is serving as the Cubs' opening pitcher for Monday's game in Philadelphia, but he's likely to cover only an inning or two before turning the contest over to the bullpen. Kilian will be available out of the bullpen and may end up taking on a bulk-relief role for the Cubs, as his final start with Iowa came six days earlier. Kilian made three appearances (one start) for the Cubs in 2023 but has pitched exclusively in the minors in 2024, turning in a 3.22 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 38:14 K:BB over 44.2 innings with Iowa.
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