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  • Alexis Díaz earns 12th save in win over Cubs
    Alexis Díaz pitched a scoreless ninth inning to secure a 5-2 win over the Cubs on Sunday.

    Advice: Díaz walked one and struck out on and was never really in any jeopardy. Of course, it’s been a struggle for him this season, and the command issues are a big reason why. He now has a 5.64 ERA on the season but has a decent amount of job security with nobody to really threaten him in the bullpen. Rotoworld Yesterday, 2:31 pm
     
  • Nick Lodolo efficient in win over Cubs
    Nick Lodolo allowed two runs on seven hits in a win over the Cubs on Sunday.

    Advice: Lodolo struck out three and walked one on the day. Nothing he gave up was hit overly hard, but he also didn’t miss many bats either with just eight whiffs on 42 swings for a 19 percent whiff rate and 29 percent CSW. Still, he survived a solid Cubs offense and now has a 3.11 ERA heading into a rematch in Cincinnati next week. Rotoworld Yesterday, 2:25 pm
     
  • Twins likely to option Edouard Julien to Triple-A
    The Twins are expected to option struggling infielder Edouard Julien to Triple-A St. Paul prior to Tuesday’s series opener against the Yankees in New York.

    Advice: The 25-year-old infielder had a closed-door meeting with skipper Rocco Baldelli after Sunday’s game and was then seen getting hugs and handshakes from teammates. Take that as you will, but someone needs to be sent out to make room for the return of Royce Lewis on Tuesday and all signs point to Julien. He’s hitting just .207/.309/.367 on the season, though he does have seven homers, 17 RBI and six stolen bases. Fantasy managers who may have been relying on him for next week should make other arrangements. Rotoworld Yesterday, 2:18 pm
     
  • Demotion could be coming
    Julien had a meeting with manager Rocco Baldelli and subsequently met with teammates after Sunday's win over the Astros, which could indicate the second baseman is headed to Triple-A St. Paul as Royce Lewis (quadriceps) is set to return from the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: Julien hit out of the No. 9 hole Sunday and went 0-for-2 with a walk, which dropped his season slash line to .207/.309/.367 through 58 games. The 25-year-old has a 34 percent strikeout rate this year, and the return of Lewis provides an opportunity for Julien to get back on track in a lower-pressure environment. The Twins have yet to make an official announcement regarding Lewis and who he'll replace on the MLB roster. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 2:12 pm
     
  • Red Sox select contract of INF Jamie Westbrook
    Red Sox selected the contract of INF Jamie Westbrook.

    Advice: Westbrook is up to take the place of Romy Gonzalez with Gonzalez on the IL due to a hamstring strain. The 28-year-old will provide some infield depth while on the active roster. Rotoworld Yesterday, 8:28 am
     
  • Receives first big-league call-up
    The Red Sox selected Westbrook's contract from Triple-A Worcester on Sunday.

    Advice: The 28-year-old is in the big leagues for the first time in an 11-year professional career that included stops in the Diamondbacks, Giants, Brewers, Tigers and Yankees organizations before he caught on with the Red Sox on a minor-league deal over the winter. Over his 195 plate appearances with Worcester, Westbrook slashed .267/.364/.436 with five home runs and two stolen bases and made starts at five different positions (first base, second base, third base, right field and designated hitter). With Vaughn Grissom (hamstring) and Romy Gonzalez (hamstring) going on the injured list Sunday, second base likely represents Westbrook's clearest path to playing time in Boston, though Enmanuel Valdez will likely get the first opportunity to make regular starts at the keystone, at least against right-handed pitching. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:14 am
     
  • Moves down in order vs. lefty
    Friedl batted seventh and went 0-for-1 with two walks, a stolen base and a run scored in Saturday's 7-5 loss to the Cubs. He was also hit by a pitch.

    Advice: Friedl, who had batted leadoff since returning from a thumb injury Wednesday, was lowered to seventh in the order Saturday. That's due to the Reds facing a left-hander for the first time since his return. Friedl is 1-for-9 with four walks, one steal and one run scored since being activated off the injured list. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 6:29 am
     
  • Huge day against Detroit
    Valdez went 3-for-4 with a double, two home runs, three runs scored and three RBI in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Tigers.

    Advice: Getting the start at DH and batting fifth, Valdez tormented Matt Olson and took him deep in the second and sixth innings, adding a two-bagger in between for good measure. It was the 25-year-old infielder's first start since being called back up from Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday, but with Vaughn Grissom (hamstring) headed back to the IL after leaving Saturday's game early, the path is clear for Valdez to see regular action at second base for at least the next couple weeks, perhaps on the strong side of a platoon with Romy Gonzalez. Valdez is batting just .179 (17-for-95) in the majors this year, but he's having a breakout season in the power department, slugging four homers in 31 games for Boston and adding six in 20 games for Worcester. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 5:00 am
     
  • Rehab assignment imminent
    Winn (forearm) will start a rehab assignment Tuesday at Triple-A Sacramento, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

    Advice: Giants manager Bob Melvin hinted earlier this week that Winn could've been activated from the IL and rejoined the big-league rotation as soon as Monday or Tuesday. However, we now know Winn will need a rehab stint before being reinstated. Considering Winn threw 45 pitches in a bullpen May 27, it's likely he'll need only one or two minor-league appearances before getting the green light. Rotowire.com Saturday, 4:10 pm