• Notches third straight W
    Wheeler (3-3) picked up the win Wednesday against the Angels, allowing one run on five hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out six.

    Advice: Although Wheeler wasn't able to extend his streak of one-hit starts, he delivered another excellent outing. His lone blemish came in the second inning when Ehire Adrianza swatted a two-out solo homer. Wheeler has been one of the best arms in baseball lately, having surrendered one run on seven hits with 22 strikeouts in 18.1 innings across his last three starts. He'll look to keep the ball rolling in a tentative matchup with the Blue Jays next Wednesday. Rotowire.com Today, 8:47 pm
  • Justin Steele goes 3 1/3 innings in rehab start
    Justin Steele (hamstring) was a bit rusty in his first minor league rehab start at Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, giving up three runs on six hits over his 3 1/3 innings of work.

    Advice: The 28-year-old southpaw walked one and struck out four on the day, throwing 41 of his 63 total pitches for strikes. Cubs’ skipper Craig Counsell told reporters afterwards that all went well with Steele’s start and that he’ll meet the team in Chicago on Friday to determine the next step. It had been anticipated that Steele would only require one minor league rehab start before he was cleared to return, and it’s looking like that very well could be the case. Rotoworld Today, 8:28 pm
    Justin SteeleCHC - SP
    PPD vs MIA
     
  • Zack Wheeler collects win over Angels on Wednesday
    Zack Wheeler struck out six and yielded one run over five innings on Wednesday in a win over the Angels.

    Advice: Wheeler did what he does best out in Los Angeles, pounding the strike zone and limiting hard contact against an injury-depleted Angels lineup. The 33-year-old fantasy ace threw 67 of 106 pitches for strikes and allowed just five batted balls with an exit velocity in excess of 95 mph. A second-inning solo shot from veteran utility specialist Ehire Adrianza represented the lone tally against him over five frames. He’s allowed just one run over 18 1/3 innings in his last three starts since April 20. He’ll bring a sparkling 1.91 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 52/12 K/BB ratio across 42 1/3 innings (seven starts) into a home outing on Wednesday against the Blue Jays. Rotoworld Today, 4:06 pm
  • Solid rehab outing
    Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday that everything went well during Steele's (hamstring) rehab start with Triple-A Iowa, and the left-hander will meet with the team Friday after a Thursday workout, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

    Advice: The 28-year-old hurt his hamstring in late March, but he's in the latter stages of his rehab program. It was only the first rehab outing for Steele, but if he checks out well Friday it's possible his next start comes with the big-league club. Rotowire.com Today, 3:25 pm
    Justin SteeleCHC - SP
    PPD vs MIA
     
  • Alex Lange gets four-out save against Cardinals
    Alex Lange got four outs for his second save Wednesday against the Cardinals.

    Advice: Jason Foley had pitched three of the previous four days, so Lange got the call today. Since giving up five unearned runs in the 12th inning in a loss on Apr. 13, Lange has pitched 7 2/3 scoreless innings with a 9/2 K/BB ratio in seven appearances. Rotoworld Today, 1:08 pm
     
  • Snags second save
    Lange earned the save in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Cardinals, recording two strikeouts and a walk over 1.1 scoreless innings.

    Advice: Lange struck out Willson Contreras for the final out in the eighth inning before closing the door in the ninth, working around a two-out walk to Paul Goldschmidt for his second save this season. Jason Foley was likely unavailable Wednesday after pitching three of the last four days, though Lange has continued to pitch well in a set-up role -- he's held opponents scoreless in his last 7.2 innings, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out nine in that span. The 28-year-old right-hander lowered his ERA to 0.75 with a 1.17 WHIP 16:9 K:BB across 12 innings this season. Rotowire.com Today, 1:05 pm
     
  • Getting rest Wednesday
    Stott is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Angels.

    Advice: With a lefty (Patrick Sandoval) on the mound for the Angels and with the Phillies and Halos wrapping up their series with a day game after a night game, the lefty-hitting Stott will get a maintenance day. Whit Merrifield will replace Stott at second base. Rotowire.com Today, 11:28 am
  • Marlins send Jake Burger on rehab assignment
    Marlins sent Jake Burger (oblique) on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Jacksonville.

    Advice: The 28-year-old slugger was placed on the injured list a little over two weeks ago and will get some live at-bats with Jacksonville on Wednesday. Prior to hitting the injured list, Burger was slashing .228/.281/.421 with three home runs and 15 RBI in 64 plate appearances this season. If all goes well with his rehab, fantasy managers should expect Burger to be back with the Marlins in the coming days. Rotoworld Today, 11:05 am
    Jake BurgerMIA - 1B,3B
    PPD @CHC
     
  • Freddy Peralta suspended five games
    Freddy Peralta was suspended five games after hitting Jose Siri on Tuesday.

    Advice: Peralta was having another stellar outing for the Brewers on Tuesday and the only run he allowed was a home run from Jose Siri. Later in the game, Peralta hit Siri in the sixth inning which was deemed an intentional act by the home plate umpire and led to his ejection, as well as Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy. Peralta will appeal the five-game suspension handed to him by Major League Baseball, while Murphy was given a two-game suspension which he is serving starting on Wednesday. Rotoworld Today, 10:49 am