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DJ Herz was hit hard in a losing effort against the Padres on Wednesday afternoon, surrendering four runs on six hits in just 3 1/3 innings of work.

Advice: The left-hander also issued a pair of free passes while recording only one strikeout in the ballgame. Kyle Higashioka tagged him for a two-run blast to open the scoring in the second inning, then the Padres scratched out another pair of runs while chasing Herz in the fourth inning. The 23-year-old hurler got three swings and misses on 66 pitches on the day, posting an uninspiring CSW of 23 percent. He’ll try to improve upon his 5.48 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 27/7 K/BB ratio (21 1/3 innings) when he takes on the Mets at home on Tuesday. Rotoworld Wednesday, 3:43 pm

Reynaldo López defeated the Cardinals by allowing two runs in five innings in the first game of Wednesday’s doubleheader.

Advice: López certainly wasn’t at his sharpest today, but the Cardinals came away with just one run each time they loaded the bases against him. The Braves had bullpen help ready to go the latter time, when Brendon Donovan was up with two outs in the fifth. Donovan went on to hit a sharp liner, but it was right at Jarred Kelenic in center, keeping the Braves’ lead intact. Rotoworld Wednesday, 2:45 pm

Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Verlander (neck) hasn't resumed playing catch and won't accompany the team to New York for this weekend's three-game series versus the Mets, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Advice: Verlander isn't eligible to return from the 15-day injured list until Monday, but with the Astros continuing their trip in Toronto and then Minnesota next week, the right-hander's absence for the start of the road swing wouldn't seem to inspire much optimism about his chances of being ready to make a start against the Blue Jays, and perhaps even the Twins. The Astros will likely wait and see if Verlander is able to take any meaningful steps forward in his recovery from the neck issue over the next few days while he's back in Houston before determining his status for the Toronto series. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 9:29 am

Luis Castillo allowed four runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings in a loss to the Rays on Tuesday.

Advice: The Mariners ace struck out four and walked four on the day. He wasn’t sharp, with just a 44 percent zone rate on the day, but he had kept it together until the sixth inning. With the game tied at two, Castillo got one quick out but walked the next two hitters and was chased from the game. Michael Baumann then allowed a triple and a home run to bring in both inherited runners. Castillo had nine whiffs on 44 swings for a 20 percent whiff rate and 29 percent CSW on the day. We can probably chalk this up to a poor start, but it’s his second straight one so we’d like to see him right the ship next time out. The only problem is that the start comes against the Orioles. Rotoworld Tuesday, 6:35 pm

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