• Tanner Bibee strikes out seven in win over O’s
    Tanner Bibee struck out seven and was charged with two runs (one earned) over six innings on Monday in a win over the Orioles.

    Advice: Bibee kept things rolling from a strikeout standpoint in this one, recording at least seven strikeouts for the sixth time in his last seven outings dating back to May 19. The 25-year-old righty generated 14 swinging strikes, with half of them coming on his four-seam fastball, and finished with a solid 27 percent CSW. He’s continued to lean a bit more on his curveball a bit more in recent outings, which coincides with the recent uptick in strikeouts, and he appears primed for a strong second half of the year. He’ll bring a solid 3.50 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 106/22 K/BB ratio across 87 1/3 innings (16 starts) into a road matchup on Saturday against the Royals. Rotoworld Monday, 6:26 pm
     
  • Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) shut down for a week
    The Dodgers are shutting down Clayton Kershaw for a week to address the soreness in his shoulder.

    Advice: An MRI detected nothing new in Kershaw’s surgically repaired shoulder. If the soreness clears up quickly, he still might rejoin the Dodgers not long after the break. If it continues to linger, the Dodgers might wait and try to aim for a September return. Rotoworld Monday, 4:37 pm
     
  • Shut down for one week
    Kershaw will be shut down for at least one week after feeling soreness in his surgically repaired left shoulder during a bullpen session over the weekend, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

    Advice: Kershaw underwent an MRI, which didn't reveal any new damage to the shoulder, so the hope is that this is just a minor setback. He had been slated for his second rehab start Tuesday, but that will be delayed indefinitely. Kershaw was still several weeks away from a return even before the setback and now any timetable would be approximate. Rotowire.com Monday, 3:24 pm
     
  • Punches out seven
    Valdez (6-5) allowed a run on six hits and two walks over seven innings Sunday, striking out seven and earning a win against Baltimore.

    Advice: Valdez rolled through five shutout frames without facing too much trouble before Jordan Westburg belted a solo shot in the sixth inning. The Astros gave Valdez plenty of run support as he halted a brief two-start losing streak. It was the third time this year he's struck out at least seven batters, and each of those outings have come in his last eight starts. He's produced an impressive 2.73 ERA through 33 innings this month, lowering his season mark to 3.68 across 80.2 frames. Valdez will carry a 63:26 K:BB into his next outing, which is projected to be on the road against the Mets. Rotowire.com Sunday, 6:47 pm
  • Framber Valdez dazzles against Orioles
    Framber Valdez allowed one run on six hits in seven innings in a win over the Orioles on Sunday.

    Advice: Valdez struck out seven and walked two on the day. He allowed just one extra-base hit, but it happened to be a solo home run to Jordan Westburg. The left-hander induced 11 whiffs on 45 swings for a 24 percent whiff rate and 34 percent CSW against a really talented offense. That’s now back-to-back really strong starts for Valdez after a rough outing against the Giants. He’ll carry a 3.68 ERA into a plus matchup against the Mets next week. Rotoworld Sunday, 2:44 pm
  • Outdueled in return
    Wacha (4-6) took the loss Saturday as the Royals were blanked 6-0 by the Rangers, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out five.

    Advice: Making his first start in June after recovering from a foot fracture, Wacha was sharp over 74 pitches (52 strikes) but had no margin for error, and a Josh Smith solo shot in the fourth inning tagged him with the loss. The veteran right-hander has given up two earned runs or less in six straight outings dating back to May 9, posting a 2.55 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 30:11 K:BB through 35.1 innings over that stretch. Wacha will look to get back in the win column in his next start, which lines up to come at home next week against the Guardians. Rotowire.com Sunday, 5:17 am
    5:10 pm vs CLE
     
  • Tosses first career complete game
    Ober (7-4) earned the win over Oakland on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks while striking out 10 batters over nine innings.

    Advice: Ober was extremely efficient in the impressive outing, needing just 89 pitches to polish off the first complete game of his career. The right-hander threw 70 of those pitches for strikes and racked up a career-best 23 whiffs. Ober did give up a pair of solo homers -- just the third time through 15 starts that he's allowed multiple home runs -- but those didn't hurt much with Minnesota's offense putting up 10 runs. Ober carries a 4.50 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 83:20 K:BB over 82 innings on the campaign. Rotowire.com Saturday, 9:47 pm
     
  • Settles in to earn win
    Mikolas (6-6) earned the win against the Giants on Saturday, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks with three strikeouts over six innings.

    Advice: Mikolas struggled early, allowing three runs in the first inning and another in the third. He bounced back with three perfect frames and departed with a 7-4 lead at the conclusion of the sixth. Mikolas broke a streak of five consecutive quality starts but was still able to earn his third victory in his past four starts. The 35-year-old now owns a 4.68 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 67:17 K:BB and lines up to face the Reds next week. Rotowire.com Saturday, 6:50 pm
    Miles MikolasSTL - SP
    4:45 pm vs CIN
     
  • Reports soreness during bullpen
    Kershaw (shoulder) reported soreness during Saturday's bullpen session and could have his rehab outing scheduled for Tuesday pushed back, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

    Advice: Kershaw completed three innings in a rehab outing at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday and was expected to jump up to Triple-A Oklahoma City for Tuesday's outing. However, he may need more time between rehab appearances after feeling soreness in his shoulder during a bullpen session Saturday. Even if Kershaw does have to push back his next outing, he wasn't expected back until near the All-Star break regardless. Rotowire.com Saturday, 4:44 pm