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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Zeferjahn struck out two, intentionally walked Joey Loperfido and then got Shay Whitcomb to ground out to strand the automatic runner. That he’s unintentionally walked 21 batters in 31 2/3 innings this season has held him back, but he has an argument for being the Angels’ best reliever. It’d just a better one if he could be trusted at all to throw strikes.

aferjahn took the mound with two outs and a runner on base with a one-run lead in the eighth inning. He struck out the final batter and returned for the ninth. He hit a batter and walked two more to load the bases before ending the game on a groundout for his first save. It was interesting that the team opted not to use Kirby Yates in his first day off the injured list, perhaps wanting to get him lower-leverage work first. Zeferjahn will likely remain in the saves mix, but it’s a situation that’ll be tough to project.

Zeferjahn was hit near the hamstring on a comebacker from Josh Naylor, and while he was able to continue for a pair of batters, he clearly wasn’t the same. He’ll likely undergo testing to determine the severity of the injury.

Zeferjahn returns to Los Angeles’ relief mix prior to Tuesday’s series opener against the Royals following a two-week absence with right knee tendinitis. The 27-year-old middle reliever has posted a pedestrian 4.77 ERA and 72/33 K/BB ratio across 54 2/3 innings over 59 appearances this season.