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  • Zack Wheeler stymies Reds in win
    Zack Wheeler threw six shutout innings in a 5-0 win over the Reds, allowing just one hit while striking out eight.

    Advice: Wheeler did walk four batters on the day but he also posted an impressive 36 percent whiff rate and 33 percent CSW. He beat the Reds with heat today, getting the most whiffs on both his four-seamer and sinker, and got only a 17 percent chase rate. Basically, he came at the Reds in the zone and they weren’t able to handle it on Thursday. The effort lowered his season ERA to 1.93 and he’ll look to keep it going in a much easier matchup against the Angels next time out. Rotoworld 43 minutes ago
     
  • Gavin Williams shut down with elbow discomfort
    Gavin Williams (elbow) has been shut down from throwing for at least one week after experiencing renewed discomfort.

    Advice: Not good. Williams has been on the shelf since spring training due to right elbow inflammation and appeared to be getting close to making his season debut prior to this latest setback. The 24-year-old top pitching prospect should be ready to resume throwing next week after receiving a PRP injection. However, there is no official timetable for his return at this juncture. Rotoworld 47 minutes ago
     
  • Martinez hit hard in loss to Phillies
    Nick Martinez allowed five runs on 11 hits in six innings in a loss to the Phillies on Thursday.

    Advice: Martinez allowed four extra-base hits on the day, but 12 hard-hit baseballs as the Phillies squared the ball up regularly. Martinez did strike out three and post a 24 percent whiff rate on the day while walking nobody but that was about the only good news. He now has a 5.48 ERA on the year and will take on the Padres next time out. He’s not a recommended play. Rotoworld 51 minutes ago
    Nick MartinezCIN - SP,RP
    L, 0-5 vs PHI
    New Player Note
     
  • Javier Assad holds Astros to one run over 5 2/3
    Javier Assad struck out five over 5 2/3 innings while allowing just a run in a no-decision against the Astros on Thursday.

    Advice: Assad scattered four hits and issued one free pass. The right-hander got off to a rough start while allowing a run in the first, but he was excellent for the next five-plus frames. Unfortunately for him, the Cubs and fantasy managers who started Assad, he didn’t get the run support necessary to qualify for a victory. He’ll be back on the bump in New York next week against the Mets. Rotoworld 51 minutes ago
    Javier AssadCHC - SP,RP
    W, 3-1 vs HOU
    New Player Note
     
  • Justin Verlander fires 4 1/3 scoreless vs. Cubs
    Justin Verlander didn’t give up a run over 4 1/3 innings with seven strikeouts in a no-decision against the Cubs on Thursday.

    Advice: Verlander allowed just three hits, but the seven punchouts along with four walks worked the pitch count up enough for him to not qualify for a decision. The right-hander gave up just one extra-base hit — a double by Nico Hoerner — and while he did have some control issues, the stuff looked solid in his second start of 2024. Verlander is back on the bump next week against the Guardians. Rotoworld 51 minutes ago
     
  • Heaney gives up pair of two-run homers in loss
    Andrew Heaney gave up four runs in six innings while picking up a loss to the Mariners on Thursday.

    Advice: Heaney didn’t walk anyone and struck out seven. The left-hander was undone by a pair of two-run homers, with one coming off the bat of Ty France in the first, and another by Luis Urias that gave Seattle a 4-2 lead in the fifth. That makes four homers allowed over his last two starts by Heaney, but the swing-and-miss stuff showing up is encouraging. A friendly matchup on paper comes next for the 32-year-old, as he’s scheduled to face off against the Nationals. Rotoworld Today, 1:59 pm
    Andrew HeaneyTEX - SP,RP
    L, 3-4 vs SEA
    New Player Note
     
  • Luis Castillo hurls six strong in victory over TEX
    Luis Castillo struck out six while throwing six innings of two-run baseball to pick up a win over the Rangers on Thursday.

    Advice: Castillo gave up four hits, and he walked two. There some traffic against the 31-year-old early, but he was able to keep runners at bay in another strong outing. Both runs came on solo blasts; one in the first by Nathaniel Lowe and another in the fourth by Josh Smith. After struggling in his first three starts, Castillo has allowed four earned runs total in his last three outings, and looks like the pitcher that fantasy managers were hoping to see. He’ll hope to keep it going against Atlanta next week. Rotoworld Today, 1:59 pm
     
  • Soroka fades in 6th inning in no decision
    Michael Soroka allowed two runs on four hits in five innings in a no-decision against the Twins.

    Advice: Soroka had thrown five shutout innings and allowed just two hits but he gave up back-to-back solo home runs to start the sixth inning before getting lifted from the game. The bigger concern here is that Soroka failed to register a single whiff in this game. The Twins swung at 24 pitches and not once did they whiff. That’s a major concern. Pair that with his fastball falling 1.5 mph down to just 91.2 mph and it’s hard to recommend rostering him in most formats right now, even if he does get a date with these Twins again next week. Rotoworld Today, 1:51 pm
     
  • Goes four innings vs. Red Sox
    McKenzie did not factor into the decision Thursday against Boston, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out seven.

    Advice: McKenzie had to deal with traffic throughout Thursday's outing, though he was ultimately able to mitigate the damage thanks to a season-high seven strikeouts. He'd fail to qualify for a win, however, only making it through four innings after throwing 75 pitches, as Cleveland continues to monitor the 26-year-old's workload after he made just four starts in an injury-plagued 2023 campaign. Overall, McKenzie is 2-2 with a 4.91 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 18:17 K:BB through four starts (22 innings) this season. He's currently lined up for a road matchup with the Astros in his next start Wednesday. Rotowire.com Today, 1:47 pm