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  • Cody Bradford (back) throwing from 120 feet
    Cody Bradford (back) is now throwing from a distance of 120 feet as he continues to work his way back from a stress fracture.

    Advice: The 26-year-old southpaw is reportedly feeling much better than he was prior to being shut down. There’s still no clear timeline for a potential return, but he should be ready for bullpen work soon. If he’s able to avoid any additional setbacks, he could be an option for the Rangers around the All-Star break. Rotoworld Today, 1:48 pm
    Cody BradfordTEX - SP,RP
    5:05 pm vs DET
    New Player Note
    IL60
     
  • Remains in rotation
    Vasquez is scheduled to start Thursday's game against the Diamondbacks at Petco Park, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

    Advice: Neither Yu Darvish (groin) nor Joe Musgrove (elbow) is eligible to return from the 15-day injured list until next weekend, so Vasquez will unsurprisingly stick around in the San Diego rotation for another turn. After being called up from Triple-A El Paso, Vasquez started in last Saturday's win over the Royals, giving up three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out five in five innings. He maintains a 5.74 ERA and 1.61 WHIP over 26.2 innings in six starts for the big club on the season. Rotowire.com Today, 1:48 pm
     
  • Serving in utility role
    Mendick is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

    Advice: Though he started at second base in Tuesday's 7-6 loss while the lefty-hitting Nicky Lopez was out of the lineup versus Cubs southpaw Shota Imanaga, Mendick finds himself on the bench for the second matchup in a row with a right-hander. Mendick looked as though he could get a look in an everyday role at third base after Bryan Ramos was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte last week, but Lenyn Sosa appears to have since settled in as the primary option at the hot corner. Rotowire.com Today, 1:40 pm
     
  • Kyle Tucker (shin) may not be ready by Friday
    Astros’ manager Joe Espada told reporters after Wednesday’s loss to the Cardinals that Kyle Tucker (shin) may not be ready to rejoin the lineup on Friday.

    Advice: The 27-year-old superstar missed his second consecutive game on Wednesday after leaving Monday’s game with a right shin contusion. It doesn’t sound like Tucker is going to require a trip to the injured list, but it is taking him longer to bounce back than originally anticipated. It’s a situation fantasy managers need to monitor heading into the Astros’ weekend series against the Angels in Los Angeles. Rotoworld Today, 1:36 pm
    Kyle TuckerHOU - OF
    L, 2-4 vs STL
    New Player Note
    DTD
     
  • Alex Bregman (hand) expected to return on Friday
    Alex Bregman (hand) is expected to return to the Astros’ lineup on Friday.

    Advice: The 30-year-old third baseman was scratched from Wednesday’s lineup due to soreness in his left hand, but the expectation is that after an off-day on Thursday he’ll be ready to return. The same can’t be said for Kyle Tucker who missed his second straight game on Wednesday and still may not be ready to return on Friday. Rotoworld Today, 1:33 pm
    Alex BregmanHOU - 3B
    L, 2-4 vs STL
    New Player Note
    DTD
     
  • Nolan Arenado goes deep, Cardinals edge Astros
    Nolan Arenado slugged a solo homer on Wednesday, lifting the Cardinals to a 4-2 victory over the Astros.

    Advice: Arenado supplied a key insurance run for the Cardinals’ bullpen with a sixth-inning solo shot off Astros starter Ronel Blanco. It was his sixth round-tripper of the season and third time he’s gone deep in his last seven contests since May 28. The 33-year-old remains stuck in one of the most challenging extended power outages of his career, but he’s shown a bit of a spark lately, and might finally be turning things around. We’ll see. Rotoworld Today, 1:32 pm
     
  • Yainer Diaz homers in third straight game vs. Cards
    Yainer Diaz belted a solo homer on Wednesday in the Astros’ loss to the Cardinals.

    Advice: Diaz might want to consider relocating to the NL Central after homering for the third consecutive game on Wednesday afternoon against the Cardinals. The 25-year-old slugging backstop had just three round-trippers over 52 games to open the year, but has doubled his season total in just three contests since June 3. Rotoworld Today, 1:31 pm
    Yainer DiazHOU - C,1B
    L, 2-4 vs STL
    New Player Note
     
  • Ryan Helsley nets 20th save Wednesday vs. Astros
    Ryan Helsley struck out two in a perfect ninth inning on Wednesday against the Astros to record his major league-leading 20th save of the season.

    Advice: There haven’t been a ton of save opportunities recently for Helsley in recent weeks, with just five chances over the last two weeks. However, he’s converted 20 of his 21 save opportunities this season to accompany a sparkling 2.33 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 29/6 K/BB ratio across 27 innings (27 appearances). He got the call to protect a two-run margin in this one and needed just eight pitches (seven strikes) to slam the door. Rotoworld Today, 1:31 pm
     
  • Miles Mikolas allows two homers in win over Astros
    Miles Mikolas allowed two runs over six innings on Wednesday in a win over the Astros.

    Advice: Mikolas struck out three and didn’t hand out a free pass, limiting Houston’s injury-depleted lineup, which was missing both Kyle Tucker (shin) and Alex Bregman (hand) to just five hits with homers from Yainer Diaz and Trey Cabbage accounting for the only damage against him in this one. The 35-year-old veteran right-hander will bring an inflated 5.32 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 53/14 K/BB ratio across 71 innings (13 starts) into a home outing on Tuesday against the Pirates. Rotoworld Today, 1:30 pm