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  • Takes first loss of season
    Valdez (1-1) took the loss against Seattle on Saturday, allowing five runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out three batters over 5.1 innings.

    Advice: Valdez turned in his worst start of the campaign, as the five runs and nine hits he allowed were both season-worst marks while he recorded a season-low three punchouts. The left-hander also gave up his first two homers of the year, with Cal Raleigh's two-run shot in the sixth inning resulting in the hurler getting the hook. Since being activated from the injured list April 27 following a near month-long absence due to an elbow injury, Valdez has surrendered seven runs on 14 hits across 10.1 frames over two starts. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 10:34 pm
     
  • Framber Valdez hit hard in loss to Mariners
    Framber Valdez coughed up five runs over 5 1/3 innings on Saturday in a loss to the Mariners.

    Advice: Valdez didn’t quite have as much success in his second outing back from the injured list as the division-rival Mariners tagged him for a pair of homers, which was more than enough run support for Logan Gilbert, who tossed eight shutout innings on the other side. The 30-year-old southpaw will carry a serviceable 3.97 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 19/7 K/BB ratio across 22 2/3 innings (four starts) into a road outing on Friday against the Tigers. Rotoworld Yesterday, 9:08 pm
     
  • Undergoes MRI on Saturday
    Kirby underwent an MRI on his right knee Saturday after being removed early from his start against the Astros on Friday, but the results are still pending, MLB.com reports.

    Advice: Kirby's night ended Friday after a relatively modest 88 pitches due to the lingering right knee issue, which he conceded after the game he'd been dealing with "for the last couple of weeks." The general feeling after the game was he would be able to make his next start without issue, but manager Scott Servais said Kirby was sent for an MRI "just to make sure we're treating it the right way." Servais confirmed Kirby's arm felt good and added that he still expected the talented right-hander to make his next scheduled start, which is slated for Wednesday at Target Field against the Twins. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:50 pm
     
  • Brilliant in no-decision
    Jones did not factor into the decision in Saturday's win against the Rockies. He allowed one hit and no walks while striking out 10 over seven scoreless innings.

    Advice: The 22-year-old right-hander bounced back from a rather modest showing his last time out, matching his career high with 10 strikeouts. Jones got 17 swings and misses on 96 pitches and touched 100 mph with his heater a couple times. While he has a losing record at 2-3, Jones is off to a historically great start to his career. He became the first pitcher in Pirates history with an outing consisting of seven shutout innings, one hit or fewer allowed, 10 strikeouts and zero walks Saturday, and per MLB's Sarah Langs, Jones is the first pitcher since at least 1901 with 50-plus strikeouts and five or fewer walks in his first seven career starts. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:44 pm
     
  • Pulled from save situation
    Kimbrel was pulled from a save situation in the ninth inning of Saturday's game against the Reds. He allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out one batter in one-third of an inning.

    Advice: The Cincinnati offense had been quiet all night until Kimbrel gave the home team some life in the bottom of the ninth. He allowed three of the four batters he faced to reach base, prompting the hook from manager Brandon Hyde. Yennier Cano took over and closed the door to earn his first save of the season. Kimbrel earned the save Friday in his return following a brief absence due to back tightness, but he had squandered back-to-back save chances before that and Saturday's slip-up puts him on notice with a high-end arm in Cano representing a viable alternative to Kimbrel in the ninth. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:08 pm
     
  • Jared Jones strikes out ten over seven scoreless
    Jared Jones tossed seven shutout innings with ten strikeouts in a no-decision against the Rockies on Saturday.

    Advice: There were some concerns over Jones’ velocity his last time out. He looked just fine on Saturday, shutting down the Rockies over seven innings. He was back up to 97.6 mph on the fastball, generating 17 whiffs to strike out ten batters. Jones allowed just one baserunner on the day, a double by Elias Díaz in the fifth inning. The 22-year-old right-hander will take an outstanding 2.63 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, and a 52/5 K/BB ratio across 41 innings into a start against the Cubs in Pittsburgh on Friday. Rotoworld Yesterday, 3:31 pm
     
  • George Kirby undergoes precautionary MRI on knee
    Mariners’ manager Scott Servais told reporters on Saturday that right-hander George Kirby underwent a precautionary MRI on his right knee.

    Advice: Servais didn’t relay any results from that exam yet, but did note that he’s optimistic Kirby will be able to make his next start against the Twins on Wednesday in Minnesota. While it doesn’t sound like anything serious, the mere fact that he required an MRI has to be at least somewhat worrisome for fantasy managers. Be sure to monitor his status closely over the next couple of days. Rotoworld Yesterday, 2:07 pm
     
  • Craig Kimbrel strikes out side to earn save
    Craig Kimbrel returned to action and earned a save on Friday, striking out all three batters he faced versus the Reds.

    Advice: That’s quite the positive outing for Kimbrel after he blew a second straight save chance Sunday and then missed a few days with back soreness. He has a 2.92 ERA and a 20/6 K/BB ratio in 12 1/3 innings for the season. Rotoworld Friday, 9:32 pm
     
  • Battling knee issue
    Manager Scott Servais said Friday that Kirby has been dealing with a right knee issue, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

    Advice: Servais added that Kirby's knee isn't considered a major problem, but it was the reason why he was pulled from his start Friday after throwing just 88 pitches through six innings. The Mariners will keep an eye on the right-hander's condition, but at the moment it appears Kirby should still be able to make his next start -- tentatively scheduled for Thursday against Minnesota. Rotowire.com Friday, 9:22 pm