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Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Verlander (neck) resumed playing catch from 60 feet Sunday and "felt good," Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Advice: The 41-year-old's return to throwing is an encouraging development after he was shut down for a bit while recovering from neck soreness. Given the shutdown period, Verlander shouldn't be expected to return from the injured list when first eligible this week. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 2:41 pm

Cole (1-1) earned the win Sunday, allowing one run on three hits, a walk and two hit batsmen over five innings against the Blue Jays. He struck out six.

Advice: Cole continues to struggle with his command as he rounds into form following a two-plus month stint on the IL with a nerve irritation in his elbow, but Sunday's performance represented a major step in the right direction. After walking four and allowing four homers in his previous start, Cole allowed a single run in the third, then struck out three of the last six batters he faced as he sent the Blue Jays down in order in the fourth and fifth innings to close out his day. The five innings pitched, 90 pitches thrown, one run allowed and six strikeouts each represented a season-best total for Cole, who continues to inch his way back toward his normal workload. He's tentatively slated to toe the rubber again next weekend in an AL East showdown when the Yankees welcome the Red Sox to the Bronx. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 2:22 pm

Duran went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Padres.

Advice: Duran chased Matt Waldron from the game when he hit a knuckleball around the Pesky Pole in the fifth inning. For the third time this month, Duran has gone deep in back-to-back games. He finishes June with six home runs after hitting only three over his first 61 games. Duran's tied with Bobby Witt for the fifth-best WAR in MLB this season at 4.3. His breakout campaign continues, as he's hitting .288/.350/.491 with nine homers, 39 RBI, 57 runs, and 20 stolen bases. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 1:53 pm

Gerrit Cole scattered three hits and a walk across five innings on Sunday in an 8-1 win over the Blue Jays. He allowed one run and struck out six.

Advice: This was the first time this season Cole looked like himself. His fastball velocity was much more consistent than it had been in either of his first two starts and he showed no hesitation in challenging the Blue Jays hitters with it. He also showed better command of his secondaries and the Yankees let him work all the way up to 90 pitches. While not perfect, this was the kind of start we needed to see from Cole. Rotoworld Yesterday, 1:39 pm