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Happ went 1-for-3 with two walks and a two-run home run in Thursday's 5-3, 10-inning win over the Giants.

Advice: Happ reached base twice via walks earlier in the contest, but it was his home run in the 10th inning that proved critical. The outfielder broke open a 3-3 tie with his 10th long ball of the year, and the Cubs held on for the victory. Happ has now reached double figures in homers in each of his eight MLB seasons, making him a steady if not spectacular fantasy contributor across his career. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:42 pm

Carlos Rodon allowed eight runs in five innings and took the loss against the Blue Jays on Thursday.



Advice: Rodon gave up 10 hits, walked one and struck out eight. That Rodon was able to complete five innings and strike out eight batters were positives, but if fantasy managers weren’t concerned about him before this start, they certainly are now. Rodon has allowed at least five runs in each of his last three starts and seen his ERA rise from 2.93 to 4.42. Rodon isn’t a big time strikeout pitcher like he was in his pre-Yankees career. His strikeout percentage is 23 percent this year compared to his 33 percent strikeout percentage with the Giants in 2022. Rodon had a 3.17 xFIP in 2021 with the White Sox and 2.91 xFIP in 2022 before his disaster 5.30 xFIP in his first year with the Yankees last year. His 4.34 xFIP this year is an improvement, but was also a sign that his ERA wasn’t going to remain below 3.00. This version of Rodon is also easier to hit as his 0.88 HR/9 in 2021 and 0.61 HR/9 in 2022 have turned into a 2.10 HR/9 in 2023 and a 1.54 HR/9 this year with the Yankees. There’s no way around the fact that Rodon’s $162 million pact with New York has become one of the biggest bust signings in the franchise’s long free agent history. The 31-year-old left-hander is set to face the Reds at home next week, but fantasy managers have to think about sending him to the bench if he wasn’t there already.

Rotoworld Yesterday, 6:43 pm

Ashcraft (4-4) took the loss Wednesday as the Reds were downed 6-1 by the Pirates, surrendering six runs on nine hits and a walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out three.

Advice: Making his first start in the big leagues since June 5, Ashcraft served up a solo shot to Rowdy Tellez in the fourth inning and a two-run blast to Andrew McCutchen in the fifth. The right-hander has been touched up for 11 long balls in 67.2 innings with Cincinnati this season, helping to fuel his 5.45 ERA. It's not clear how long Nick Lodolo will be sidelined with a blister, but the Reds don't seem to have a better option for his rotation spot. Assuming he gets another start, Ashcraft's homer issues will make him a very risky fantasy play in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road early next week in Yankee Stadium. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 3:34 pm

Bogaerts (shoulder) took batting practice on the field Wednesday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Advice: The Padres haven't divulged a potential timeline for Bogaerts' return from the 10-day injured list, but his ability to take on-field BP for the first time since suffering a fracture in his left shoulder in late May represents a major milestone in the recovery process. A clearer target date for Bogaerts' return could come into focus in the next few weeks once he resumes running and taking reps in the infield. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 11:22 am

The Reds recalled Ashcraft from Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday.

Advice: Ashcraft will get the start Wednesday against the Pirates, taking the rotation spot of the injured Nick Lodolo (finger). The right-hander has struggled at the big-league level this season, collecting a 5.05 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 62.1 innings over 12 starts. He appeared to get back on track in two starts with Louisville, giving up a total of four runs with a 12:2 K:BB over 12 innings. Ashcraft will likely be needed for multiple starts and will try to make a case to stick in the Reds rotation indefinitely. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 7:08 am