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  • 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 23 minutes ago
     
  • Framber Valdez to start Sunday in Mexico City
    Framber Valdez (elbow) will start on Sunday against the Rockies in Mexico City.

    Advice: Astros manager Joe Espada confirmed Thursday that Valdez will return this weekend after spending just over two weeks on the shelf with left elbow inflammation. The 30-year-old southpaw completed a 40-pitch bullpen session earlier this week and figures to have some workload limitations this weekend in Mexico City’s extremely hitter-friendly high-altitude environment. His return will provide Houston’s injury-depleted starting rotation with a significant lift, but he’s probably best left on the bench this weekend for fantasy purposes. Rotoworld 37 minutes ago
     
  • McKenzie has mini bounceback vs Red Sox
    Triston McKenzie allowed two runs on six hits in four innings in a no-decision against the Red Sox on Thursday.

    Advice: Six hits in four innings isn’t great, but McKenzie did strike out seven batters and walk just two. However, McKenzie’s fastball still averaged just 91 mph which is not what we want to see. He was able to get whiffs on it against a depleted Red Sox lineup that was without Triston Casas, Tyler O’Neill, and Masataka Yoshida, but it’s hard to feel overly confident since McKenzie was not able to find the strike zone with his curve on Thursday either. His ERA now sits at 4.91 on the season, and he’s not a recommended start next week in Houston. Rotoworld 40 minutes ago
     
  • Goes four-plus in rehab start
    Buehler (elbow) was charged with five runs (three earned) over four-plus innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

    Advice: He permitted seven hits, walked two and struck out five. The line for Buehler wasn't pretty, but keep in mind that the game was pitched at high altitude at Albuquerque, so the results were mostly secondary. Buehler got his pitch count up to 86 and averaged 94.1 mph with his four-seamer, which is down 1.1 mph from what he averaged during the 2022 season prior to Tommy John surgery. It's possible this was Buehler's final rehab start, but that determination hasn't been made yet. He could potentially make his season debut as soon as Tuesday in Arizona. Rotowire.com Today, 12:35 pm
     
  • Starting Sunday in Mexico City
    Astros manager Joe Espada said that Valdez (elbow) will return from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday's game against the Rockies in Mexico City, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: Valdez has been on the IL since April 9 due to inflammation in his left elbow. He built up to 40 pitches in his last bullpen session Wednesday, so his first start back from the injured list will likely be an abbreviated one. In any case, his return will still give Houston's rotation a much-needed boost following the recent move of Cristian Javier (neck) to the IL. Valdez surrendered three earned runs and struck out 10 batters over 12.1 innings across his first two starts before getting injured. Given Valdez's expected workload restriction Sunday in addition to the high altitude in Mexico City likely creating a hitter-friendly environment, fantasy managers may want to hold off on immediately activating the southpaw. Rotowire.com Today, 10:19 am
     
  • Cleared for DH duties Thursday
    Seager (shin) will serve as the Rangers' designated hitter and No. 2 batter in Thursday's game against the Mariners.

    Advice: Seager was removed late in Wednesday's 5-1 win over Seattle after getting hit by a pitch in the seventh inning. According to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News, manager Bruce Bochy said after the contest that Seager's left shin "swelled up pretty good," but the 29-year-old evidently feels good enough Thursday to give it a go, albeit in a non-defensive role. Josh Smith will take over Seager's usual duties at shortstop. Rotowire.com Today, 8:45 am
    Corey SeagerTEX - SS
    L, 3-4 vs SEA
    New Player Note
     
  • Corey Seager in lineup against Seattle on Thurs.
    Corey Seager (shin) is in the Rangers’ starting lineup as a designated hitter against the Mariners on Thursday.

    Advice: Good news. Seager was hit in the shin by a pitch on Wednesday and was diagnosed with a contusion, but it appears that won’t stop the 29-year-old from getting back on the diamond. The team is taking somewhat of a precaution by placing him as a designated hitter, but for fantasy purposes, managers can breathe easy for the time being. Rotoworld Today, 8:45 am
    Corey SeagerTEX - SS
    L, 3-4 vs SEA
    New Player Note
     
  • Likely back at third base Saturday
    Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Devers (knee) isn't comfortable enough yet to play third base but will likely return to the position Saturday versus the Cubs, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

    Advice: The good news is Devers is well enough to hit, as he'll be the club's designated hitter again Thursday after homering from the spot in his return to the lineup Wednesday. The Cubs are starting left-hander Shota Imanaga on Friday, so it's possible the lefty-hitting Devers will rest that day before returning to third base Saturday. With Devers (twice) and Tyler O'Neill (once) occupying the DH spot the last three days, Masataka Yoshida has been on the bench. However, it sounds like Yoshida should be back in there soon enough. Rotowire.com Today, 8:31 am
     
  • Notches seventh save
    Kimbrel picked up the save against the Angels on Wednesday, allowing one unearned run on one hit and one walk over one inning while striking out one.

    Advice: Kimbrel surrendered a leadoff single to Ehire Adrianza to open the bottom of the ninth, who then advanced to third on a throwing error by Jorge Mateo. This would lead to a run coming home for Los Angeles in the frame on a groundout to make it a 6-5 game, though Kimbrel was able to retire two of the next three batters to nail down his seventh save of the season. The veteran reliever has now converted each of his last seven save attempts after blowing the save to open the campaign, but he's also allowed a hit and a walk in each of his last two appearances. Rotowire.com Today, 6:58 am