Angels' Ryan Zeferjahn: Yields five runs in blown save
Rotowire
Zeferjahn (5-2) was tagged with a blown save and the loss in the Angels' 8-3 defeat to Atlanta on Wednesday. He allowed five runs on four hits and two walks without recording an out.
With two on and two out, Zeferjahn replaced Yusei Kikuchi in the sixth to protect the Angels' two-run lead. That lead didn't last long, as the first pitch Zeferjahn threw was smacked deep to left-center field by Sean Murphy for a three-run homer. Things didn't get better for Zeferjahn, who allowed the next three runners on base before giving up a grand slam, and he ended his outing tossing just seven of 16 pitches for strikes. Zeferjahn has given up at least one run in four of his last five outings and has logged three blown saves in that span. Wednesday's outing ballooned his numbers to a 6.19 ERA and 1.59 WHIP across 32 innings this season.
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Angels' Ryan Zeferjahn: Secures second save
Rotowire
Zeferjahn walked one and struck out two over two scoreless innings Wednesday to record his second save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Red Sox.
Facing the team that traded him west last July, Zeferjahn needed 31 pitches (21 strikes) to lock down the two-inning save. Kenley Jansen pitched the night before while Reid Detmers had been called upon Monday and Tuesday, so the circle of trust in high-leverage spots for interim manager Ray Montgomery appears to be small. Through 9.2 innings in June, Zeferjahn has posted a 2.79 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB while piling up two wins, six holds and a save in 10 appearances.
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Angels' Ryan Zeferjahn: Notches eighth hold
Rotowire
Zeferjahn recorded a hold against the Athletics on Thursday, allowing one hit and issuing one walk while striking out one batter in one scoreless inning.
Zeferjahn entered in the eighth inning with the Angels up two runs and quickly got into trouble, allowing a walk and a single to the first two batters he faced. However, the righty reliever then induced a double-play groundout before striking out Brent Rooker to escape the jam. Zeferjahn has claimed a high-leverage role in a beleaguered Angels bullpen -- he's registered a hold in five straight outings to move into the team lead with eight this season. His 4.50 ERA and 1.50 WHIP on the campaign aren't great, but he has 26 punchouts (along with 10 walks) in 18 frames while adding two wins and a save.
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Angels' Ryan Zeferjahn: Scoops up win in relief
Rotowire
Zeferjahn (hamstring) claimed his first win of the season in Sunday's 6-2 victory over the Guardians, tossing a scoreless inning of relief while striking out three batters and giving up one hit.
After being removed from his relief appearance in Friday's 8-6 loss due to a sore right hamstring, Zeferjahn received Saturday off before the Angels made him available for the series finale. Tasked with protecting a 2-2 lead in the top of the sixth inning, Zeferjahn worked around a leadoff infield single before striking out Kyle Manzardo, Jhonkensy Noel and Gabriel Arias in succession. Zeferjahn ended up getting credit for the win after Jorge Soler hit a home run in the bottom of the sixth to give the Angels a lead that they maintained for the rest of the afternoon.
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Angels' Ryan Zeferjahn: Likely unavailable Saturday
Rotowire
Zeferjahn (hamstring) is likely unavailable Saturday against the Guardians, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Zeferjahn was removed from Friday's game with the hamstring issue. The exact timeline for his return remains unclear, though the Angels' bullpen looks likely to be shorthanded again Saturday.
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Angels' Ryan Zeferjahn: Pulled due to injury
Rotowire
Zeferjahn was removed from Friday's game against the Guardians due to right hamstring tightness, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Zeferjahn was only able to record one out before getting hurt, though he remains without a run allowed through four appearances this season. He can be labeled as day-to-day for now, but the Angels may not deploy him out of their bullpen again until his hamstring is back to 100 percent.
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Angels' Ryan Zeferjahn: Headed to Halos
Rotowire
The Angels acquired Zeferjahn, outfielder Matthew Lugo, infielder Niko Kavadas and right-hander Yeferson Vargas from the Red Sox on Tuesday in exchange for right-hander Luis Garcia, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.
A 26-year-old righty with zero big-league experience, Zeferjahn has a 5.47 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 31 strikeouts in 24.2 innings across 18 appearances for Triple-A Worcester. He has seven saves across Double-A and Triple-A this season and has no trouble missing bats, but his 14.8 percent walk rate at Triple-A is a red flag, especially given his age.
