Yahoo Sports

George Kirby debuted a new curveball grip in Tuesday’s start, making the change “on the fly” before the game.

Advice: Kirby didn’t like how his curveball was performing against right-handed batters this season, so he decided to try a new grip before Tuesday’s start in order to “find something that has a little more depth and [he] can stay on the plate with it.” It seemed to work on Tuesday as Kirby threw just six curveballs but got five swings and two whiffs. The other swings resulted in foul balls and one groundout. Kirby mentioned that it’s a grip he’s used in the past and one he knows Zac Gallen uses. “I throw it a little bit harder, but it just kind of eliminates the horizontal movement, which, especially to righties, I kind of had a hard time with.” After a successful first attempt at the new grip, the modification may stay around, giving Kirby a little more fantasy upside in what is already a good season. Rotoworld Today, 8:05 am

George Kirby struck out seven and allowed one run over six innings on Wednesday in a win over the Rays.

Advice: Kirby coughed up an early run-scoring single to Yandy Díaz, but managed to keep Tampa Bay’s lineup quiet from the third inning onwards to net his seventh win of the season. He induced 13 swinging strikes, including six on his four-seam fastball, and finished with a pedestrian 28 percent CSW. Of course, he also didn’t hand out a free pass in this one. It wasn’t his most dominant effort of the season, but was more than enough to lead Seattle to a much-needed win. The 26-year-old righty has allowed two earned runs or fewer in six consecutive starts dating back to May 29. He’ll carry a strong 3.35 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 96/9 K/BB ratio across 99 1/3 innings (17 starts) into a tough come outing on Wednesday against the Orioles. Rotoworld Yesterday, 1:21 pm

Gallen (hamstring) threw 67 pitches in a simulated game Monday and will next have a bullpen session Thursday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Advice: The Diamondbacks were preparing for Gallen to throw Monday, whether in a sim game or live batting practice, and decided on the sim game. He next heads to Chase Field on Thursday for a bullpen session, which will be caught by Gabriel Moreno, who is nursing a sprained left thumb. If all goes well Thursday, then Gallen could return during Arizona's series against Oakland that begins Friday. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 4:35 am

Ragans (5-5) earned the win over Miami on Monday, allowing one run on four hits and three walks while striking out 11 batters over six innings.

Advice: Ragans racked up 27 swings-and-misses -- the most by any pitcher in baseball this season -- en route to his first win since May 22. Despite the five-game stretch of starts without a victory, the southpaw has been pitching well, as he posted a 2.70 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 33:9 K:BB during the drought. Ragans' 11 punchouts Monday were his second-most this season, and he ranks third in MLB with 120 strikeouts on the campaign. He is also tied for third in the majors with 12 quality starts. Rotowire.com Monday, 10:28 pm

Gallen (hamstring) is slated to throw a live batting practice session Monday, MLB.com reports.

Advice: Gallen threw 52 pitches in a previous simulated game this past Tuesday, so he'll likely increase his workload a bit in Monday's throwing session. If all goes well, the right-hander will likely be activated from the 15-day injured list during the Diamondbacks' series against Oakland that begins Friday. Gallen has been on the shelf since May 30 with a right hamstring strain. Rotowire.com Monday, 4:42 am