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Valdez (7-5) earned the win over Toronto on Thursday, allowing three runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out four batters over six innings.

Advice: It looked like Valdez could be in for a rough outing when five of the first six batters he faced got a hit, resulting in three runs. However, the left-hander got out of that frame without incurring additional damage, and he went on to complete six frames without surrendering any additional runs. Eight of the nine hits Valdez allowed overall were singles, which was key in limiting damage, as Toronto hit into four double plays against him. This was far from Valdez's sharpest outing, but he was nonetheless able to log his seventh victory and ninth quality start of the campaign. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 9:57 pm

Jurickson Profar went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer on Thursday, sparking the Padres to a 3-1 victory over the Rangers.

Advice: Less than 24 hours after being named to the first All-Star Game roster of his career, Profar came back to haunt his former team with a sixth-inning solo shot off Rangers veteran starter Max Scherzer for his 12th round-tripper of the season. The 31-year-old corner outfielder’s unexpected late-career breakout continues as he’s batting .317 with 50 runs scored, 12 homers, 56 RBI and five steals through 89 games this season. Rotoworld Yesterday, 2:17 pm

Angels manager Ron Washington said that Mike Trout “has begun running on a treadmill and hitting off a tee.”

Advice: It would be very impressive to do those at the same time, but we’ll assume Trout is separating those activities. Still, it’s nice to see the 32-year-old making progress in his return from knee surgery. It was reported that Trout was running on a treadmill back in May, but taking swings has been a new development. The veteran says he wants to return before the end of July, so he may begin a rehab stint after the All-Star break if he continues to progress. Of course, the Angels have absolutely no need to rush him back this season. Rotoworld Yesterday, 12:33 pm

Winker hit a solo home run in his only at-bat in Thursday's 1-0 win over the Mets.

Advice: He did not start with the lefty Jose Quintana pitching, but Winker provided the only spark of the contest when he took Adrian Houser deep in the eighth. It was Winker's 10th homer of the season, his fifth career pinch-hit blast and first pinch-hit homer since 2019 with the Reds. The 30-year-old will often sit against lefties, but he's been very good in his first year with the Nationals, slashing .263/.377/.425 with 39 RBI and 12 stolen bases. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:05 am

Jesse Winker propelled the Nationals to a 1-0 win over the Mets with a pinch-hit home run in the eighth inning.

Advice: Winker was not in the starting lineup with left-hander Jose Quintana on the mound, but he entered the lineup to face Adrian Houser in the eighth and clobbered a 407-foot home run for the eventual game-winner. It was Winker’s 10th of the season to go along with 39 RBIs. He figures to be a popular name at the trade deadline for a contender looking for a left-handed bat. That could potentially lead to a loss of fantasy value if he is not traded into a starting role, so fantasy managers will cross their fingers. Rotoworld Yesterday, 10:56 am