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  • On base three times Wednesday
    McCann went 1-for-2 with two walks in a loss to the Angels on Wednesday.

    Advice: McCann made one of his relatively infrequent appearances in the starting nine and once again contributed, qualifying as the only Athletics batter to reach safely on three occasions. The rookie backstop has now reached safely in four consecutive games dating back to June 16, and he sports a formidable .278 average and .804 OPS across 91 plate appearances (30 games) this season. Rotowire.com Today, 8:05 am
     
  • George Kirby changed his curve grip in last start
    George Kirby debuted a new curveball grip in Tuesday’s start, making the change “on the fly” before the game.

    Advice: Kirby didn’t like how his curveball was performing against right-handed batters this season, so he decided to try a new grip before Tuesday’s start in order to “find something that has a little more depth and [he] can stay on the plate with it.” It seemed to work on Tuesday as Kirby threw just six curveballs but got five swings and two whiffs. The other swings resulted in foul balls and one groundout. Kirby mentioned that it’s a grip he’s used in the past and one he knows Zac Gallen uses. “I throw it a little bit harder, but it just kind of eliminates the horizontal movement, which, especially to righties, I kind of had a hard time with.” After a successful first attempt at the new grip, the modification may stay around, giving Kirby a little more fantasy upside in what is already a good season. Rotoworld Today, 8:05 am
     
  • Picks up first save
    Thornton recorded his first save in a win over the Rays on Wednesday, firing a perfect ninth inning.

    Advice: Ryne Stanek worked the eighth and Andres Munoz faltered with the save opportunity to open the ninth, failing to record an out and leaving Thornton to inherit a bases-loaded jam. The right-hander deftly managed the dangerous scenario, inducing a fielder's choice groundout from Richie Palacios that allowed Josh Lowe to score but then retiring Amed Rosario on a game-ending double play. The one run went on Munoz's tab, affording Thornton his sixth scoreless outing in his last eight trips to the mound -- including his third straight -- as well as his first career save. Rotowire.com Today, 7:33 am
     
  • Not making start this week
    Jones isn't listed among the Pirates' probable starting pitchers for this weekend's series in Atlanta, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

    Advice: Jones will thus go the entire week without making a start, much to the chagrin of fantasy managers in weekly leagues who chose to keep him active. Gorman notes that general manager Ben Cherington has previously said that while the Pirates don't intend to shut Jones or fellow rookie phenom Paul Skenes down at any point this season, both pitchers will have their respective workloads managed to some degree as the campaign unfolds. Jones isn't dealing with any sort of injury, so the Pirates appear to have simply chosen this week as an opportunity to build in more recovery for the right-hander, who has logged 86 innings through his first 15 big-league starts. Jones now appears to be in line to make his next start at some point during next week's series versus the Cardinals. Rotowire.com Today, 7:30 am
     
  • Cleared to start Friday
    Perez (groin) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Friday in Atlanta, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

    Advice: The Pirates will push back Jared Jones' next turn through the rotation in order to make room for Perez, whose last outing before he landed on the IL in late May coincidentally came against Atlanta. Perez needed just one rehab start to convince the Pirates he was ready to rejoin the big club, as he allowed two runs (one earned) over five innings while tossing 65 pitches for Triple-A Indianapolis last weekend. Perez shouldn't face any sort of major restriction with his workload Friday. Rotowire.com Today, 7:24 am
     
  • Fans seven for Jacksonville
    Cabrera (shoulder) threw four scoreless, no-hit innings for Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday, striking out seven and walking two.

    Advice: The right-hander built up to 60 pitches (37 strikes) as he closes in on a return to the big-league rotation. The Marlins moved Cabrera to the 60-day IL over the weekend, which will prevent him from being activated until early July, but he should be ready to rejoin the team's staff as soon as he's eligible. Through five MLB starts this season, Cabrera has a 7.17 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 31:14 K:BB through 21.1 innings. Rotowire.com Today, 7:17 am
     
  • Draws start at third base
    Wendzel started at third base and went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Wednesday's 6-5 loss to Milwaukee.

    Advice: With Corey Seager resting, Josh Smith started at shortstop, opening up third base for Wendzel. Prior to Wednesday, that used to mean Ezequiel Duran would play the hot corner, but the Rangers optioned the underperforming Duran to Triple-A Round Rock amid a mini roster shakeup. Wendzel is 6-for-40 with a home run, two doubles and two RBI over 23 games this season. Eventually, Josh Jung (wrist) will return to solidify third base. Rotowire.com Today, 6:51 am
     
  • Next rehab outing set
    Marquez (elbow) will make a rehab start with Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday, MLB.com reports.

    Advice: Marquez made his most recent rehab outing Saturday with High-A Spokane and threw 58 pitches while recording four scoreless frames. He'll head to the highest level of the minors to put the finishing touches on his rehab from Tommy John surgery and could return in early July. Rotowire.com Today, 6:50 am
     
  • Not close to return
    Manager Bud Black said that Diaz (calf) will be out for at least another week Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

    Advice: Diaz has resumed baseball activities but is not sprinting at full speed and is still experiencing soreness. The Rockies have stressed the importance of Diaz returning at full strength, so his absence could extend into the middle of July. Jacob Stallings should remain the team's primary catcher in the meantime. Rotowire.com Today, 6:45 am