Player Notes

Bud Norris told FOX Sports' Jon Paul Morosi that it would be a "dream come true" to pitch for the Giants.
Advice: With the Astros in rebuilding mode, Norris is an obvious candidate to be traded this summer. While he's fully aware that he can't control his destiny, he would welcome a trade to the Giants, who could be in the market for pitching. "It gives you goose bumps when you think about it," said Norris. "Obviously growing up there, being a big Giants fan - and I rooted for the A's, too, in the area, but I was more of a Giants fan. That's a possibility. It's all trade rumors, as they say. But if it were to happen, it would be a dream come true for me to play for my childhood team." Norris, who is under team control through 2015, has a 3.64 ERA and 61/28 K/BB ratio in 89 innings across 15 starts this season.
More: FOX Sports

Dylan Axelrod allowed five runs -- four earned -- over six innings in a no-decision against the Twins on Tuesday.
Advice: Axelrod was actually somewhat fortunate to allow just the four earned runs, as he surrendered 10 hits and two walks on the night. The right-hander has hit a bit of a rough stretch, as he hasn't gotten a win since May 26. He'll try to correct that Sunday in Kansas City.

Mike Pelfrey allowed four runs in six innings in a no-decision against the White Sox on Tuesday.
Advice: Pelfrey was only slightly better than his counterpart, Dylan Axelrod, as both starters allowed 10 hits over six innings. On the plus side, Pelfrey didn't walk a batter in the outing, only the second time he's done that all season. He's stuck at 3-6 and hasn't recorded a win in over a month, with the last coming on May 5. He'll search for his fourth win against the Indians Sunday in Cleveland.

Matt Cain was denied a win after holding the Padres to two runs in seven innings and striking out a season-high 10 on Tuesday.
Advice: Cain left with a one-run lead, but that was blown by Jeremy Affeldt in the eighth. He's allowed just three runs over 20 2/3 innings in his last three starts, lowering his ERA from 5.45 to 4.55. He did have a streak of five straight starts without allowing a homer snapped when he gave up two solo shots tonight.

Jordan Lyles spun seven innings of one-run ball in Tuesday's 10-1 victory over the Brewers.
Advice: Lyles permitted seven hits, didn't walk anyone and struck out five. It continues a run of excellent work from the young right-hander, as Lyles now boasts a 1.61 ERA over his last seven starts. He needs to be in fantasy lineups this weekend in Chicago against the Cubs.

Yu Darvish allowed five runs -- four earned -- in six innings in a loss to the A's on Tuesday.
Advice: Even Darvish's bad starts aren't all that bad, as he still managed to strike out 10 A's batters. Still, you could tell he didn't have his best stuff, as he served up homers to John Jaso and Brandon Moss among his six hits allowed. He'll go again Sunday in St. Louis in an interleague matchup.

Hiram Burgos (shoulder) allowed two runs in four innings for High-A Brevard County on Tuesday in his second minor league rehab start.
Advice: Burgos, who is working his way back from a right shoulder impingement, struck out four and walked none. It's not clear if he'll require another rehab start. The 25-year-old right-hander has a 6.44 ERA and 18/11 K/BB ratio in 29 1/3 innings over six starts this season.
More: MiLB.com

Despite striking out no one, Jeremy Bonderman gave up just one run over six innings Tuesday against the Angels.
Advice: Bonderman allowed six hits, walked three and hit a batter, but he had Josh Hamilton hitting double-play balls to bail him out whenever things got tough. Just 52 of Bonderman's 92 pitches were strikes tonight, and that's not going to fly against most lineups.

Jarrod Parker allowed two runs over seven innings in a win against the Rangers on Tuesday.
Advice: Parker had a miserable start to the season but has been just as terrific recently, as he's now turned in a quality start in each of his last eight outings. The right-hander limited the Rangers to three hits and two walks in his seven innings on Tuesday, striking out four. The win finally evened his record at 6-6 after he was 1-5 at one point. He'll take on the Mariners Sunday in Seattle.

Chris Archer surrendered four runs -- three earned -- in 4 2/3 innings to take the loss in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader.
Advice: Archer wasn't affected by the rain delay; in fact, it happened right after he was removed from the game. The loss dropped Archer to 1-3 with a 5.03 ERA. It's not looking good for his chances of keeping his rotation spot if David Price and Alex Cobb can both pull off successful returns in early July.

Paul Maholm allowed just two runs over seven innings but the Braves fell to the Mets on Tuesday.
Advice: Maholm was simply out-dueled by Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler, who was making his major league debut. The veteran lefty struck out seven New York batters and did not issue a walk, but he fell to 7-6. Maholm will get the Brewers in Milwaukee next time out.

Jeff Samardzija held the Cardinals to two runs over 8 1/3 innings in Tuesday's 4-2 victory.
Advice: The Cubs scored four runs before Samardzija even toed the rubber, and that's all he needed. The hard-thrower struck out six while allowing seven hits and one walk. The second run charged to him came home after he exited in favor of Kevin Gregg. Samardzija had scuffled a bit the last two times out, but he now has a nice 3.35 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 110 strikeouts over 99 1/3 innings. He should be able to keep it rolling this weekend in Chicago against the Astros.

Marco Estrada (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment at Low-A Wisconsin on Thursday.
Advice: That's assuming he's cleared by team physician William Raasch Wednesday following a successful 45-pitch bullpen session Tuesday. Estrada is expected to need just one rehab outing, putting him in line to rejoin the rotation next week.
More: Brewers.mlb.com

Ervin Santana allowed just one run over seven innings but didn't get the win, settling for a no-decision against the Indians on Tuesday.
Advice: Santana was in line for his sixth win of the year before Kelvin Herrera imploded in relief. It still doesn't take away from another stellar start from the right-hander, who allowed just three hits and two walks, striking out six. He now owns a 2.64 ERA and 0.98 WHIP through 14 starts. He'll take the mound again Tuesday in an interleague matchup with the Braves.