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  • Willson Contreras continues making rapid progress
    Willson Contreras (forearm) progressed to throwing and catching on Thursday at Busch Stadium.

    Advice: Contreras is making rapid progress in his recovery from surgery to repair a fractured left forearm and there’s optimism that he’ll be ready to return earlier than originally anticipated. The 32-year-old backstop wasn’t expected back until sometime around the All-Star break, but it’s looking like he could return before the end of the month, barring any setbacks. There should be some clarity on his timeline once he undergoes a CT scan on Friday to determine whether he’ll be cleared to resume hitting. Rotoworld Thursday, 3:15 pm
     
  • Mitch Garver socks solo homer in win over A’s
    Mitch Garver drove in two runs and hit a solo homer in a victory over the Athletics on Thursday.

    Advice: Garver also drew two walks. He blooped in a single to score Cal Raleigh in the fourth, and his homer was off a center-cut fastball from T.J. McFarland that extended Seattle’s lead to 3-0. Garver has six homers on the season and has been a significant disappointment with a slash of .175/.285/.327 over the first 60-plus games of 2024. Rotoworld Thursday, 3:14 pm
     
  • Not starting Thursday
    Campusano isn't in the Padres' lineup Thursday versus Arizona, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

    Advice: Prior to going 1-for-3 versus the Angels on Wednesday, Campusano had gone hitless across 30 plate appearances in a 10-game span. With the 25-year-old out of the lineup Thursday, Kyle Higashioka will start behind the dish and bat ninth. Rotowire.com Thursday, 3:01 pm
     
  • Homers twice in loss
    Rutschman went 2-for-4 with a pair of home runs and three total RBI in Thursday's 6-5 loss to the Blue Jays.

    Advice: Rutschman was responsible for the Orioles' first three runs Thursday, launching a solo shot off Yusei Kikuchi in the sixth inning before adding a two-run homer off Zach Pop in the eighth. Rutschman came into the day with just one home run in his previous 17 contests, though he's now hit safely in 10 straight games, going 15-for-42 (.357) in that span. The 26-year-old backstop is slashing .307/.345/.490 through 258 plate appearances this season with 12 homers, 43 RBI and 34 runs scored. Rotowire.com Thursday, 2:52 pm
     
  • Doing field work
    Contreras (forearm) was throwing, catching and running on the field prior to Thursday's game against the Rockies, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

    Advice: Contreras has been participating in all three activities since the Cardinals' last stretch of road games. It's an encouraging sign that the 32-year-old backstop is recovering well from his fractured left forearm, but he still is not expected back until closer to the All-Star break. Until then, Ivan Herrera will continue to serve as St. Louis' primary catcher. Rotowire.com Thursday, 2:38 pm
     
  • Sean Murphy back in lineup Thursday vs. Nationals
    Sean Murphy (elbow) is back in the lineup for Thursday’s series opener against the Nationals.

    Advice: It’s an extremely encouraging sign to see Murphy back handling the catching duties following a brief one-game absence after being hit by a pitch on the right elbow during the late stages of Tuesday’s game against the Red Sox. The 29-year-old backstop has been snake-bitten by injuries this season, but managed to escape his most incident with nothing more than a nasty looking bruise. Rotoworld Thursday, 1:44 pm
     
  • Adley Rutschman homers twice in loss to Blue Jays
    Adley Rutschman homered twice while driving in three runs during a 6-5 loss for the Orioles to the Blue Jays on Thursday.

    Advice: Rutschman was responsible for the only run the Orioles scored off Yusei Kikuchi with a solo blast, and he swatted a two-run blast off Zack Pop in the eighth. The 26-year-old backstop has gone deep 12 times in 2024 while plating 43 runs over 241 at-bats. Rotoworld Thursday, 12:37 pm
     
  • Returns to Atlanta lineup
    Murphy (elbow) will start at catcher and bat sixth in Thursday's game versus the Nationals.

    Advice: Murphy had to depart Tuesday's game against the Red Sox after being struck on the right elbow by a pitch and was then held out of action Wednesday. It will be just a one-game absence for Atlanta's top catcher, though, as he and his teammates take on Mitchell Parker and the Nationals on Thursday. Rotowire.com Thursday, 12:37 pm
     
  • Getting breather
    Smith is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Pittsburgh.

    Advice: Smith started the first two games of the series, going 3-for-7 with a double, a walk and an RBI. He will yield to Austin Barnes for the series finale as the Dodgers try to avoid a sweep. Rotowire.com Thursday, 12:09 pm