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Brent Headrick RP | NYY
Yankees' Brent Headrick: Earns win in relief Thursday
Headrick (4-1) recorded the win over Cleveland on Thursday, walking one batter and striking out one over a scoreless inning.
Carlos Rodon delivered six innings of one-run ball, but he left with the game tied. Headrick worked around a two-out walk to pitch a scoreless top of the seventh, and he moved into position for the victory when the Yankees plated a run in the bottom of the inning. The southpaw has held the opponent scoreless in seven straight appearances while posting an 8:3 K:BB over 6.1 frames during that span. He's been a key part of the bullpen with a 1.82 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, four wins, seven holds and a 34:12 K:BB through 29.2 innings spanning 30 appearances on the campaign.
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Fernando Cruz RP | NYY
Yankees' Fernando Cruz: Nabs 11th hold
Cruz earned a hold against Cleveland on Thursday with a perfect inning of work.
Cruz was summoned in the eighth inning to protect a one-run lead and retired the side in order on 10 pitches. The right-hander is in the midst of a 19-outing stretch during which he's given up just two earned runs while posting a 20:7 K:BB over 18.2 innings. He leads the Yankees with 11 holds on the campaign while registering a 2.00 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 33:14 K:BB through 27 frames.
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Thomas Hatch RP | ARI
Thomas Hatch: Released by Arizona
The Diamondbacks released Hatch on Thursday.
It's not clear whether Hatch exercised an opt-out clause or if this is a traditional release. He posted a 4.01 ERA and 34:10 K:BB over 51.2 innings covering 11 starts with Triple-A Reno.
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Tyler Ferguson RP | CHC
Cubs' Tyler Ferguson: Sent down to minors
The Cubs optioned Ferguson to Triple-A Iowa on Friday.
He's being sent out in order to make space on the roster for the return of Edward Cabrera (finger), who will start Friday's game against the Giants. Ferguson was promoted earlier this week and did not make an appearance during this stint with the big club.
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Brandon Leibrandt RP | CIN
Reds' Brandon Leibrandt: Sent outright to Triple-A
The Reds outrighted Leibrandt to Triple-A Louisville on Thursday.
Having been outrighted previously, Leibrandt has the ability to decline the assignment and become a free agent, but it's unclear what his plans are. The southpaw saved the Reds' bullpen earlier this week by eating six innings and allowing five runs in a relief appearance Monday versus the Royals.
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Evan Phillips RP | LAD
Dodgers' Evan Phillips: Starts up rehab assignment
Phillips (elbow) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, yielding one hit and one walk over two-thirds of a scoreless frame.
Phillips struck out one batter and averaged 95.7 mph with his four-seamer, which is up 0.3 mph from last season. The righty is working his way back from Tommy John surgery and will likely need a fairly lengthy rehab assignment before rejoining the Dodgers' active roster.
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Kai-Wei Teng RP | HOU
Astros' Kai-Wei Teng: Takes fourth loss
Teng (3-4) took the loss against Pittsburgh on Thursday, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out one batter over five-plus innings.
Teng gave up a run on two hits in the first inning but faced the minimum over his subsequent three frames. The right-hander allowed two baserunners while getting through a scoreless fifth, but things fell apart for him in the sixth. In that inning, Teng allowed four straight hits -- including a two-run homer -- before he was pulled without having recorded an out. That was enough for Teng to end up with the loss in a game during which the Astros' offense managed just one run. Thursday marked the first time this season that Teng has surrendered more than three runs in an outing, and the lack of swing-and-miss stuff ended his three-game stretch of recording six-plus strikeouts. He still holds a strong 3.06 ERA along with a 1.17 WHIP and 44:21 K:BB over 47 innings spanning 19 appearances (six starts).
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Alex Lange RP | KC
Royals' Alex Lange: Records second save Thursday
Lange earned the save Thursday against the Twins, allowing one hit and one walk with no strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.
With Kansas City recently shifting toward a matchup-based approach in the ninth inning, Lange was called upon again to protect a two-run lead. The right-hander worked around a hit and a walk, allowing the potential winning run to come to the plate before inducing a game-ending groundout from Brooks Lee to secure his second save of the season and his second in as many days. Lange has been effective lately, holding opponents scoreless in 10 of his last 11 appearances, and he could continue to see additional save opportunities if the Royals stick with their current committee approach. He owns a 4.18 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and a 28:15 K:BB across 28 innings.
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Taylor Rogers RP | MIN
Twins' Taylor Rogers: Charged with loss Thursday
Rogers (1-3) took the loss Thursday against the Royals, allowing two runs on two hits over two-thirds of an inning
Rogers entered with two outs in the eighth inning of a tie game and retired Vinnie Pasquantino to help end the frame. However, things unraveled when he returned for the ninth. The veteran left-hander allowed back-to-back singles to open the inning before a sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position, prompting his removal. Justin Lawrence was unable to bail him out, allowing both inherited runners to score and saddling Rogers with the loss. After posting nine consecutive scoreless appearances, Rogers has now allowed runs in two of his last three outings and owns a 4.63 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB across 23.1 innings this year, adding two saves and six holds.