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  • Mauled by Mets
    Cole (0-1) took the loss Tuesday as the Yankees fell 9-7 to the Mets, surrendering six runs on seven hits -- including four home runs -- and four walks over four innings. He failed to strike out a batter.

    Advice: Making his second start of the season after recovering from an elbow issue, Cole simply couldn't locate his pitches as he served up four or more long balls for only the second time in his career -- the other such start came against the Twins in June 2022. The veteran right-hander did throw 72 pitches (44 strikes) Tuesday, up from 62 in his season debut as the Yankees gradually increase his workload. Cole will look to bounce back in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road this weekend in Toronto. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 5:30 am
     
  • 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 Wednesday, 12:06 am
     
  • Cole: velocity dip versus Mets intentional
    Gerrit Cole said after Tuesday’s start that he’s healthy and that he intentionally dialed back his velocity tonight after a long first inning.

    Advice: Cole topped out at 98.9 mph in the first tonight, but he was often throwing 92-93 mph in the second. He did pick it up some in the end, throwing his final fastball 95.3 mph, but it was an awfully discouraging performance. It’s good to know he doesn’t think he’s hurt, though. Rotoworld Tuesday, 8:19 pm
     
  • Hunter Brown picks up fifth win vs. Rockies
    Hunter Brown allowed two hits over six scoreless innings while striking out seven to earn the win over the Rockies.

    Advice: Brown was allowed to keep things in cruise control after his offense provided him five runs in the bottom of the first. The righty moved his season record to 5-5 on the year and saw his ERA drop to 4.37. Brown has enjoyed a solid June, allowing just four earned runs over 31 innings pitched while posting a 36:8 K:BB ratio. He picked up four wins along the way and will look to get off to a strong start in July when he toes the rubber on Monday against the Blue Jays. Rotoworld Tuesday, 8:00 pm
     
  • Cole allows four home runs in loss
    Gerrit Cole allowed six runs on seven hits in four innings in a loss to the Mets on Tuesday.

    Advice: There’s a fair amount to be concerned about here. The Yankees ace walked four and struck out nobody on the day. His fastball sat 95.4 mph on the day which was down 1.3 mph from his first start. He hit 98 mph in the first inning but by the third inning, he threw only four fastballs and just one was over 94 mph. Home runs hit by Mark Vientos and Harrison Bader were on fastballs that were 91.5 and 93.2 mph. Given that Cole’s elbow injury to start the year involved some nerve issues, there’s a concern that there remains a lingering impact on Cole’s health or performance. It could also just be one bad start, but this is the second outing of his career that he did not strike out any batters and the other was on May 20, 2016, so it’s certainly a performance we want to take note of. Rotoworld Tuesday, 7:32 pm
     
  • Yet to resume throwing
    Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Verlander (neck) has yet to resume throwing, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: Verlander has been shut down for more than a week with neck discomfort and continues to progress more slowly than expected. The veteran right-hander is eligible for activation from the 15-day injured list Monday, but it's too early at this point to know whether he will be ready to go on that day. Houston currently has just four members in its rotation, but it will need to add a fifth if Verlander's injury continues to linger. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 10:55 am
     
  • Justin Verlander (neck) still not ready to throw
    Astros manager Joe Espada told reporters Tuesday that Justin Verlander (neck) is still making slower progress than anticipated.

    Advice: Espada reiterated that this issue isn’t a shoulder, elbow or arm problem; but strictly issues with neck stiffness. The 41-year-old has been on the injured list since the middle of June with the issue, and at this point, it seems unlikely that we see Verlander back until the middle of July — possibly after the All-Star break. That’s just speculation, however, and there’s no concrete timetable for Verlander rejoining the rotation. Rotoworld Tuesday, 10:49 am
     
  • Good start goes to waste
    Steele allowed two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out nine over 7.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Giants on Monday.

    Advice: The downside to Steele's outing was that two of the hits on his line were solo home runs from Matt Chapman and Nick Ahmed. The southpaw hadn't given up a homer in any of his last five starts, and the Giants were able to continue their comeback push against the Cubs' bullpen to deny Steele his first win of the year. Despite the lack of positive results, he's logged five quality starts in 11 outings with a 3.08 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 65:16 K:BB over 64.1 innings. Steele is projected for a tough road matchup at Milwaukee this weekend. Rotowire.com Monday, 11:05 pm
     
  • Cubs bullpen can’t hold lead for Justin Steele
    Justin Steele was denied a win yet again after allowing two runs in 7 1/3 innings Monday against the Giants.

    Advice: Steele struck out a season-high and departed with a 4-2 lead, but it failed to hold up. The result left Steele winless through 11 starts this season, even though he’s turned in quality starts in five of his last six outings. He’s 0-3 with a 3.08 ERA. Rotoworld Monday, 10:50 pm