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    Ryan Zeferjahn gets five-out save vs. Brewers

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    LAA Relief Pitcher #56
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    Ryan Zeferjahn got the final five outs to pick up a save Sunday against the Brewers.

    After Sam Bachman left with arm fatigue in the eighth, Zeferjahn was tasked with getting the final two outs in that frame, and after doing so, they let the right-hander continue to pick up his fourth save of the season. The right-hander gave up two hits, but he also struck out four in an impressive effort. It’s certainly possible Zeferjahn will get the limited save looks that the Angels provide, but it’s also feasible he could be moved before Monday’s deadline.
    - Christopher Crawford
Miz, Schlittler named unanimous Cy Young winners
Following Jacob Misiorowski and Cam Schlittler’s unanimous Cy Young wins, Andrew Perloff and Paul Pabst debate just how high both aces can climb from here.

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  • CHC Relief Pitcher #56
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    Zeferjahn made it look awfully easy in this one, needing just nine pitches (seven strikes) to retire Agustin Ramirez, Kyle Stowers and Griffin Conine in order. The right-hander now boasts a 3.88 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and a 94/40 K/BB ratio across 69 2/3 innings on the season while recording seven saves.
  • CHC Relief Pitcher #56
    Ryan Rolison did the heavy lifting in the eighth and ninth, getting five outs before Zeferjahn came in with one man on and punched out Bryan Reynolds to end the game. Rolison was rewarded with the win for his effort. The save is Zeferjahn’s second for the Cubs after he had four with the Angels. It’s possible he’ll get more opportunities, but there’s enough uncertainty in the Cubs pen right now that no one is particularly appealing.
  • CHC Relief Pitcher #71
    Jackson Chourio delivered the game-tying homer in the ninth after Christian Yelich singled as a pinch-hitter. It was Webb’s first save chance since he left last Wednesday’s game after getting hit in the forearm by a comebacker. He’s now blown three straight save chances since his last conversion on Aug. 14. The door is wide open for Daniel Palencia to win back the ninth, but since his results have been poor since coming off the IL, the Cubs might choose to mix and match for now. Ryan Zeferjahn would also presumably be in the mix for saves.
  • CHC Relief Pitcher #56
    Zeferjahn was called upon with the tying run on second base with one out in the eighth inning and he was able to escape that jam unscathed. He then returned for the ninth where he issued a two-out walk to Griffin Conine bot nothing more. On the season, the 28-year-old hurler boasts a 4.06 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and an 87/37 K/BB ratio over 64 1/3 innings while accruing five saves.
  • CHC Relief Pitcher #56
    Zeferjahn has been a lights-out reliever for the Angels since showcasing improved control over the last few weeks. The 28-year-old could easily wind up getting a look in Chicago’s closing mix while Daniel Palencia remains sidelined.
  • LAA Relief Pitcher #56
    Moisés Ballesteros and right-hander Mason McGwire are going to the Angels. With his exceptional 33.5 percent strikeout rate, the 28-year-old Zeferjahn has overcome his control issues enough to post a 3.66 ERA in 51 2/3 innings this year. He was occasionally closing for the Angels and could do the same in Chicago, at least until Daniel Palencia returns. He won’t be a free agent until 2030. The Angels will rely more on Sam Bachman and Kirby Yates, though Yates is also an obvious candidate to be traded.
  • LAA Relief Pitcher #40
    The Angels again used Ryan Zeferjahn in the eighth tonight, and he allowed one run to narrow the Angels’ lead to 4-2. José Fermin got the ball to start the ninth, but he retired just one of four batters, thanks to a HBP and a Vaughn Grissom error. Bachman took over afterwards and walked two, hit a batter and committed an error on a roller hit right to him. Two ugly flops in two days should take Bachman out of the ninth-inning mix for a spell and perhaps restore Kirby Yates to late-game duty. Zeferjahn remains the Angels’ most interesting reliever, but as long as Kurt Suzuki keeps managing like this, it’s hard to justify playing anyone in the bunch.
  • LAA Starting Pitcher #70
    With the heart of the order coming up, the Angels used Ryan Zeferjahn with a three-run lead in the eighth today. He retired three out of four hitters to set up Sam Bachman for the save chance. Bachman, though, walked two of the three batters he faced, throwing just seven of his 18 pitches for strikes. Farris replaced him and gave up a two-run double to Luis Arraez with two outs before striking out Heliot Ramos to end the game. Both runs were charged to Bachman, of course. Farris’s first save came in his 22nd relief appearance this year. Zeferjahn still looks like the favorite for saves in Anaheim right now.
  • LAA Relief Pitcher #56
    The Angels bypassed Kirby Yates today after his blown save and loss on Friday. That left Zeferjahn for the ninth after Chase Silseth and Sam Bachman set him up with scoreless innings. Zeferjahn gave up the homer to start the inning, making it a one-run game, but he retired the remaining three batters he faced. He’s now gone five straight appearances without allowing a walk, which is pretty big. He’d walked 31 in 40 2/3 innings previously. If he continues to stay away from the free passes, he might be a decent enough closer for the Angels. However, his name has already started coming up in trade rumors as the Halos prepare to sell at the deadline.
  • LAA Relief Pitcher #56
    Mitch Farris did the heavy lifting here, coming in with a 4-2 lead to start the seventh and getting eight outs before exiting with the bases loaded in the ninth. Zeferjahn walked the first batter he faced, forcing in a run, before striking out Cedric Mullins to end it. Unused tonight was nominal Angels closer Kirby Yates, even though he hadn’t pitched since Tuesday. The walk Zeferjahn issued was his 25th in 32 innings, which is why he isn’t serving as the Angels’ closer right now. Still, he’ll be a candidate for more saves if he’s able to cut down on the free passes.

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  • LAA Relief Pitcher #67
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    Angels re-signed LHP Sammy Peralta to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

    Peralta made 16 appearances at the MLB level between the Angels and Rockies in 2026, posting a miserable 6.65 ERA, 1.87 WHIP and a 23/9 K/BB ratio over 23 frames. It’ll take a strong showing in Cactus League action for him to crack the Halos’ Opening Day bullpen.
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    Angels and C Tyler Heineman avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.2375 million contract.

    The 35-year-old backstop will remain with the Angels in a backup role heading into the 2027 campaign. Heineman slashed just .175/.223/.220 with one homer and 10 RBI in 200 plate appearances between the Blue Jays and Angels in 2026.
  • TOR Right Fielder #25
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    Anthony Santander publicly apologized Friday for since-deleted Islamophobic social media posts.

    Santander shared anti-Muslim videos following the U.S. election last week before eventually taking them down. The Blue Jays released a statement Thursday condemning all forms of hate. Most assume the Jays would like to rid themselves of Santander at this point, though he still has $49 million left on the five-year deal he signed after hitting 44 homers for the Orioles in 2024. He’s since played in just 54 games in 2025 and none in 2026 because of shoulder issues. Even if the Jays are willing to eat the contract, it makes financial sense to wait until after the lockout ends, since any missed games next season would lead to a corresponding reduction of his $16.5 million salary.
  • FA Starting Pitcher #43
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    According to Kevin Barral of Fish on First, the Marlins have expressed interest in free agent southpaw Patrick Sandoval.

    The Marlins are in the market for arms that could fill out the backend of their rotation or provide quality depth. When right, Sandoval should be able to do that, be he had very inconsistent results in his first action back from Tommy John surgery — posting a 1-7 record, 5.12 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and a 73/32 K/BB ratio across 70 1/3 innings in his 15 appearances.
  • FA Starting Pitcher
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    Bruce Levine of 670 The Score in Chicago reports that both the Cubs and White Sox have expressed interest in Japanese right-hander Kaima Taira.

    Both teams met with agent Scott Boras during the general manager’s meetings to discuss the 26-year-old hurler. The Padres are also known to have expressed interest in his services. With the potential lockout looming, it doesn’t sound like Nippon Professional Baseball is going to change the posting rules at all, so any player that has been posted for MLB teams will need to sign before the lockout or return to their clubs in Japan. Expect the interest to really heat up here in the coming days.
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    Rangers re-signed INF Max Wagner to a minor league contract.

    Wagner got a $1.9 million bonus from the Orioles as the 42nd overall pick in the 2022 draft, but Baltimore gave up on him after he hit .218/.301/.339 in Double-A in 2025. The Rangers signed him in April, and he put up a much-improved .249/.337/.523 line with 21 homers in 85 games in Double-A at age 25 last season. If he can do that again in Triple-A next year, he might become a candidate for a major league bench gig.
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    Reds re-signed OF Shane Sasaki to a minor league contract.

    Sasaki, the Rays’ third-round pick in 2019, hit .241/.340/.371 in 53 games for Double-A Chattanooga last season before missing the final 3 1/2 months with an injury. He’ll aim to win a spot on the Triple-A roster when minor league spring training starts.
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    Reds re-signed LHP Ben Wereski to a minor league contract.

    Wereski, 28, had a 4.42 ERA in 12 starts between Double- and Triple-A after being plucked out of indy ball last season. He’s probably just Triple-A depth, but there’s the chance he’ll be needed to come up and make a start or two next season.
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    Reds re-signed RHP Trevor Kuncl to a minor league contract.

    Kuncl will compete to retain his spot in the Triple-A Louisville pen after posting a 5.40 ERA and a 42/29 K/BB in 37 1/3 innings for the Bats last season.
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    Nationals released RHP Kyle Nicolas.

    The 27-year-old Nicolas was designated for assignment a week ago. He’ll enter free agency with a career 4.96 ERA and a 103/66 K/BB in 105 1/3 innings as a major leaguer.