• Nolan Gorman takes a seat on Thursday
    Nolan Gorman is not in the Cardinals’ starting lineup on Thursday.

    Advice: With the Cardinals facing a lefty, Gorman will head to the bench and the team will turn to Jose Fermin at second base. Gorman has been a good source of power this season with 16 home runs, but he’s also hitting .191 on the season with a 36 percent strikeout rate and has been worse in June with a .148 average and 38 percent strikeout rate in 24 games. However, he also has four steals in June, which has saved his fantasy value a bit, but he’s hard to roster in batting average leagues if you have ample power because of the drain he puts on your team with his average. Rotoworld Today, 12:35 pm
    Nolan GormanSTL - 2B,3B
    W, 9-4 vs SF
     
  • Resting versus LHP
    Gorman isn't in the Cardinals' lineup for Thursday's game against the Reds, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

    Advice: Gorman and his .596 OPS against southpaws will take a seat Thursday as the Reds prepare to send lefty Andrew Abbott to the mound. Jose Fermin will take over at second base and bat eighth. Rotowire.com Today, 12:30 pm
    Nolan GormanSTL - 2B,3B
    W, 9-4 vs SF
     
  • Imaging comes out clean
    Darvish had imaging on his right elbow come back clean Wednesday, though he'll likely get additional imaging "for peace of mind," Bernie Wilson of the Associated Press reports.

    Advice: Darvish has recovered from a groin injury and was originally expected to come off the injured list to start Tuesday, but that plan was scrapped when he developed inflammation in his right elbow. Initial indications suggested that the issue is minor, and the clean imaging seems to support that, though San Diego will likely be cautious with the veteran hurler's return. It's not yet clear when Darvish will return to action or if he'll need to make any rehab starts given the extension of his absence. Rotowire.com Today, 9:59 am
    Yu DarvishSD - SP
    W, 6-4 vs MIL
     
  • Alec Burleson doubles twice in win over Braves
    Alec Burleson went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI in the Cardinals’ 4-1 win over the Braves on Wednesday.

    Advice: With two runners on and two outs in the third inning, Burleson brought both runners in to score on a double off Bryce Elder. He doubled once again in the eighth for his second hit of the game. The 25-year-old outfielder is slashing .289/.321/.478 with 12 homers, 36 RBI, and five steals across 264 plate appearances. Rotoworld Yesterday, 6:39 pm
    Alec BurlesonSTL - 1B,OF
    W, 9-4 vs SF
     
  • Manny Machado has two hits in victory over Nats
    Manny Machado went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles and a run scored as the Padres bested the Nationals on Wednesday afternoon in San Diego.

    Advice: Machado led off the eighth inning with a single off of Tanner Rainey, then rode home on Kyle Higashioka’s grand slam. With his two-hit attack on Wednesday, the 31-year-old superstar third baseman is now hitting .264/.316/.390 on the season to go along with eight homers, 40 RBI and five stolen bases. Rotoworld Yesterday, 3:46 pm
     
  • Nolan Gorman goes hitless in loss to Braves
    Nolan Gorman went 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts against the Braves in the first game of Wednesday’s doubleheader.

    Advice: Gorman homered four times in a three-game span from June 2-4. Since then, he’s 6-for-71 with two extra-base hits (both homers) and a 30/4 K/BB ratio. He’s batting just .188 overall, and the Cardinals might need to start thinking about whether José Fermín deserves a shot at second in his place. Rotoworld Yesterday, 2:45 pm
    Nolan GormanSTL - 2B,3B
    W, 9-4 vs SF
     
  • Still at third base
    Smith started at third base and went 1-for-3 with an RBI in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Brewers. He was also hit by a pitch.

    Advice: Smith gave the Rangers an early lead in the top of the first inning, but the offense was silenced for the last eight frames. The HBP was his second in as many games and third over the last five; he leads MLB in that category with 12. It was thought Smith's run at third base might come to end this week, but Josh Jung (wrist) experienced a setback and is not expected to return during the Rangers' road trip that ends Sunday in Baltimore. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 5:48 am
     
  • May remain at first base
    Steer started at first base and went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's 9-5 loss to Pittsburgh.

    Advice: Steer's been locked in of late, going 11-for-35 with eight RBI over the last nine contests. He began the season as the team's primary left fielder but has played a lot at first base since Christian Encarnacion-Strand (wrist) landed on the injured list in May. With news that Encarnacion-Strand opted for surgery that likely spells the end of his season, Steer is in line to become the club's primary first baseman. That could change when Noelvi Marte (suspension) returns. At that point, with Marte slotted in at third base, Jeimer Candelario could move from third to first. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 5:10 am
    Spencer SteerCIN - 1B,2B,3B,OF
    L, 3-4 vs BOS
     
  • Blanks Rockies
    Brown (5-5) picked up the win Tuesday against Colorado, allowing two hits and three walks with seven strikeouts across 6.0 scoreless innings.

    Advice: Brown landed his fourth consecutive win Tuesday and generated his seventh straight quality start. He largely stayed out of trouble, with just two runners reaching scoring position and nobody surpassing first base until the fourth inning. After stumbling early in the season, Brown has been utterly dominant in June, owning a 1.16 ERA with a 36:8 K:BB across 31.0 innings. He's on track for another start before the calendar flips to July, with a matchup against the Mets set for Sunday. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 12:06 am