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  • Labors in loss
    Howard (0-1) allowed four runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out one over 2.1 innings, taking the loss Friday versus the Angels.

    Advice: Howard had been generally passable over his first three appearances (one start), but he struggled as the starter against a weak offense Friday. The Angels got on the board in the second inning and then poured it on in the third before Howard exited the contest. He's now at a 4.02 ERA with a 1.66 WHIP and 10:7 K:BB over 15.2 innings this season. Howard's time in the rotation was always likely to be temporary, though none of Blake Snell (groin), Alex Cobb (hip/shoulder) or Robbie Ray (elbow) are particularly close to returning. If Howard remains in the majors, he's lined up to make his next appearance on the road against the Cubs. Rotowire.com 10 minutes ago
     
  • Collects 11th save
    Estevez struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 8-6 win over the Giants.

    Advice: The Giants made a late push for a comeback, but Estevez shut the door with a 17-pitch ninth inning. He's up to 11 saves this season, five of which have come over his last seven appearances. The closer has added a 3.86 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 20:3 K:BB and three blown saves through 21 innings. The Angels don't often have leads to protect, but Estevez should continue to close as long as he's with the team, though as a pending free agent, he will be a trade target over the next six weeks. Rotowire.com 23 minutes ago
     
  • Wild in win
    Anderson (6-6) allowed one run on five hits and five walks while striking out five over 5.1 innings to earn the win over the Giants on Friday.

    Advice: Anderson once again put on a masterclass in run prevention -- he's allowed multiple walks in five of his last six starts, but he hasn't given up more than one run in those outings. He's now at a 3.9 BB/9 this season, which means he's flirting with danger more often than not despite his excellent 2.58 ERA and passable 1.19 WHIP. He's also managed a 6.0 K/9 across 87.1 innings, which is the lowest strikeout rate of his career. Anderson is lined up to make his next start at home versus the Brewers, which could end up being a tough test despite his recent success. Rotowire.com 26 minutes ago
     
  • Works as long reliever Friday
    Urena allowed two hits and a walk while striking out two over 3.1 scoreless innings of relief in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Mariners.

    Advice: Starter Andrew Heaney struggled over 4.2 innings, but Urena's strong performance spared the Rangers' bullpen. Prior to Friday, Urena had worked as a starter, covering 31.2 innings with a 2.84 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 21:8 K:BB over his previous six appearances. Urena's at a 3.23 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 39:18 K:BB through 55.2 innings overall. The Rangers have a short-term dilemma on their hands, as Urena has been at least as good as Heaney, though both pitchers could be out of the rotation once Max Scherzer (back/arm) is able to return. Rotowire.com 34 minutes ago
     
  • Takes eighth loss
    Heaney (2-8) allowed three runs on six hits and three walks while striking out four over 4.2 innings to take the loss versus the Mariners on Friday.

    Advice: Heaney gave up a two-run home run to Mitch Garver in the first inning, his fifth homer allowed over his last seven appearances. This was the shortest of Heaney's three starts in June so far. The veteran southpaw is at a 4.19 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 62:18 K:BB through 66.2 innings across 14 appearances (13 starts) this season. It's unclear how he'll be utilized going forward -- he may lose his place in the rotation soon since Jon Gray returned from a groin injury last weekend and Max Scherzer (back/arm) could be back by the end of the month. Jose Urena, who pitched 3.1 scoreless innings of relief Friday, could also be a short-term option in the rotation if the Rangers grow tired of Heaney's inconsistency. Rotowire.com 38 minutes ago
    Andrew HeaneyTEX - SP,RP
    L, 2-3 @SEA
    New Player Note
     
  • Deployed in eighth inning
    Munoz walked one and struck out three in a scoreless and hitless eighth inning to earn a hold in Friday's 3-2 win over the Rangers.

    Advice: Munoz has been dealing with a back issue for most of June, but he's still seen high-leverage work when available. In fact, Munoz was deployed in the eighth inning Friday to face the top of the Rangers' lineup, while Ryne Stanek got the call in the ninth and earned the save. Munoz has picked up three holds and a loss over his last four outings, but it seems this is less about easing the right-hander back from injury and more about a matchups-based approach to the late innings for now. Should Seattle switch to a closer committee, it appears Stanek is set to pick up a larger share of the saves. Munoz remains a strong option as well -- he has a 1.55 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 41:10 K:BB with 12 saves and six holds through 29 innings this season. Rotowire.com 50 minutes ago
     
  • Secures sixth save
    Stanek allowed a hit in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 3-2 win over the Rangers.

    Advice: This was the second outing in a row that Stanek closed, though it's likely because manager Scott Servais deployed Andres Munoz against the top of the Rangers' lineup in the eighth inning. Stanek has kept runs off the board in eight of his last nine outings, though the exception was a three-run meltdown versus the Royals on June 7. He's pitched to a 4.05 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 28:10 K:BB with six saves, 10 holds and two blown saves over 26.2 innings. Stanek's numbers aren't dominant, but he's done well enough to remain in the high-leverage mix. Munoz is still the primary closer, but Servais may be leaning toward a committee approach in the late innings during a busy stretch in which the Mariners play 22 games in 23 days. Rotowire.com 55 minutes ago
     
  • Hunter Greene goes five in win over Brewers
    Hunter Greene threw five innings of two-run ball against the Brewers on Friday.

    Advice: Greene sported some of his best velocity of the year tonight, but he walked five and gave up a homer to William Contreras, leading to the early exit. He got the win anyway, moving him to 5-2 with a 3.61 ERA on the season. He really should be even better than this, but he needs to cut back on the walks some. Rotoworld 57 minutes ago
     
  • Alexis Díaz allows four to reach in earning save
    Alexis Díaz recorded his 15th save despite allowing two runs — one earned — in the ninth Friday versus the Brewers.

    Advice: Díaz survived yet again after allowing three hits and walking a batter in a sloppy ninth inning. He’ll probably be available Saturday, but if not, the save chance could go to Lucas Sims or Fernando Cruz. Rotoworld 57 minutes ago