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  • Plesac lasts just 2 2/3 in no-decision vs. Tigers
    Zach Plesac went just 2 2/3 innings while giving up two runs in a no-decision against the Tigers on Friday.

    Advice: Plesac couldn’t throw strikes — at least on a consistent basis — as he waked four batters and landing just 29-of-57 pitches in the zone. The right-hander just hasn’t shown quality command in his last two outings, and it’s hard to imagine he’ll be relevant for fantasy managers even if he stays in the rotation. Rotoworld Yesterday, 9:06 pm
     
  • Struggles with command in loss
    Hudson (2-11) took the loss Friday versus the White Sox, allowing five runs on six hits and five walks over five innings. He struck out three.

    Advice: The Colorado righty failed to find the strike zone as his five free passes matched a season worst previously reached April 13 and June 16. Hudson finishes off a poor June, during which he made five starts, going 0-4 with a 7.77 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 13:14 K:BB across 24.1 innings. Things don't get much easier for him as he's currently scheduled to face the Brewers -- a team collectively sporting a 113 wRC+ against righties -- at home in his next outing. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:52 pm
     
  • Marcus Stroman yanked in fifth inning
    Marcus Stroman allowed three earned runs across 4 1/3 innings on Friday against the Blue Jays. He struck out three, walked three in a no-decision.

    Advice: Stroman labored through two very long innings against the Blue Jays. He could not put them away despite not allowing much hard contact and many long-at bats drove his pitch count up. Stroman’s strikeouts have sunk this year while he’s allowing more walks showing diminished velocity overall. His 3.29 ERA may be a bit of a mirage. Rotoworld Yesterday, 7:37 pm
     
  • Yusei Kikuchi’s night ruined by Juan Soto
    Yusei Kikuchi lasted five-plus innings on Friday against the Yankees. He allowed four earned runs, struck out seven, and walked one in a loss.

    Advice: Kikuchi was cruising to the highest degree of the word through the first five innings. He had seven punch outs, faced two batters over the minimum, and the Yankees only run came from a run-down. Then, Juan Soto clobbered a three-run home run to spoil his great night. He had great command of his fastball and this start was an encouraging step back in the right direction for him despite the costly mistake to Soto. Rotoworld Yesterday, 7:36 pm
     
  • Nick Pivetta tagged for five runs by Padres
    Nick Pivetta surrendered five runs in four-plus innings Friday in a loss to the Padres.

    Advice: Pivetta pitched four scoreless innings, striking out four, before giving up four straight hits and a walk to begin the fifth. He was pulled at that point, and the Padres ended up scoring nine times in the frame. Pivetta has allowed 15 earned runs over 19 1/3 innings in his last four starts, taking his season ERA from 3.40 to 4.52. We would say he’s droppable in mixed leagues at this point, but since he faces the Marlins in Miami next time out, it’s probably worth giving him one more chance. Rotoworld Yesterday, 7:22 pm
     
  • Ronel Blanco can’t overcome red-hot Mets
    Ronel Blano was pulled after 5 2/3 innings after allowing six runs, three earned, on Friday against the Mets. He struck out five and walked three in a loss.

    Advice: Blanco pitched fine Friday. His three unearned runs came as a result of an Alex Bregman two-out error that allowed Jeff McNeil to sneak a ball just over the right field fence in the next at-bat. That was the Mets’ third home run of the game as Tyrone Taylor and Pete Alonso also left the yard. He still missed plenty of bats with 12 whiffs on the day and would have earned his fourth straight quality start if Bregman had fielded that ground ball cleanly. Rotoworld Yesterday, 7:21 pm
     
  • Jose Quintana chased in fifth inning
    Jose Quintana allowed two earned runs in four-plus innings on Friday against the Astros. He struck out seven and walked three in a no-decision.

    Advice: Quintana has struck out 15 batters in his last two starts. He’s also been throwing far more curveballs over his last two starts, 33% and 23% respectively after throwing it under 20% of the time so far this season. While the strikeouts are a nice development, he still nibbles outside the zone far too much to regularly pitch deep into games. Rotoworld Yesterday, 7:20 pm
     
  • Selected to MLB roster
    The Cubs selected Lopez's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

    Advice: After being released by the Mets in unceremonious fashion, Lopez signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs on June 12. He allowed three runs in one inning during a game in the Arizona Complex League, but he bounced back by throwing 2.2 scoreless frames at Triple-A Iowa. Now that he's back in the majors, the 31-year-old right-hander will presumably work in middle relief. Vinny Nittoli was designated for assignment in a corresponding move. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 2:34 pm
     
  • Cubs promote Jorge López from Triple-A Iowa
    Cubs selected the contract of RHP Jorge López from Triple-A Iowa.

    Advice: The 31-year-old hurler inked a minor league deal with the Cubs just two weeks ago, so it didn’t take him long to work his way into the big-league bullpen. López has logged 26 1/3 innings at the big-league level this season, posting a 3.76 ERA and a 19/11 K/BB ratio. Vinny Nittoli was designated for assignment in a corresponding move on Friday. Rotoworld Yesterday, 2:15 pm