• Has Grade 2 oblique strain
    Wicks was diagnosed with a Grade 2 oblique strain Saturday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

    Advice: Craig Counsell didn't offer much of a timeline for Wicks' recovery, mentioning only that Wicks was "going to miss some time." However, a Grade 2 sprain likely indicates that Wicks will be sidelined for significantly longer than the minimum 15 days, leaving his rotation spot to Kyle Hendricks for the foreseeable future. Wicks sustained the injury Friday during his first start since April after spending a month on the IL due to a forearm injury. Rotowire.com 7 minutes ago
    Jordan WicksCHC - SP
    W, 5-1 vs STL
     
  • On bench Saturday
    Smith is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Royals, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

    Advice: Smith will give way to Austin Barnes behind the dish for the second time in three days, with Barnes batting ninth Saturday. In 256 plate appearances, Smith owns a .848 OPS with 10 homers and a 16.0 percent strikeout rate. Rotowire.com 17 minutes ago
  • Kodai Senga (shoulder) throws bullpen on Saturday
    Kodai Senga (shoulder) threw around 30 pitches in a successful two-inning bullpen session on Saturday.

    Advice: He’ll throw another bullpen early next week and if all goes well with that session, it sounds like Senga will finally be cleared to face live hitters. He’s still going to need several minor league rehab starts before he’s an option to join the Mets’ rotation, but he’s at least taking small steps in the right direction. Rotoworld 22 minutes ago
     
  • Triston Casas (rib) takes dry swings on Saturday
    Triston Casas (rib) was able to take dry swings for the first time on Saturday without any issue.

    Advice: It’s unclear how many times he’ll have to repeat the process before he’s able to face live pitching, but it’s encouraging to hear that he’s swinging the bat once again. The 24-year-old slugger is hopeful that he’ll be able to return in early July. Rotoworld 24 minutes ago
    Triston CasasBOS - 1B
    4:15 pm vs NYY
     
  • Rehab assignment starting Sunday
    Martin (personal) will begin his rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: After initially being expected to start his rehab assignment Saturday, Martin will actually get going with Worcester on Sunday. The right-hander has been working his way back from a stretch of heightened anxiety, missing the last month of action. Rotowire.com 26 minutes ago
    Chris MartinBOS - RP
    4:15 pm vs NYY
     
  • Wilyer Abreu (ankle) sprinting at full speed
    Red Sox’ manager Alex Cora told reporters on Saturday that Wilyer Abreu (ankle) is now sprinting at full speed.

    Advice: The 24-year-old outfielder is expected to be ready for a minor league rehab assignment early next week, and should only need a couple of games to get his timing back before he’s ready to rejoin the Red Sox’ lineup. Before landing on the injured list in early June, Abreu had been hitting .272/.344/.485 with six homers, 22 RBI and seven stolen bases through his first 189 plate appearances. Rotoworld 26 minutes ago
    Wilyer AbreuBOS - OF
    4:15 pm vs NYY
     
  • Ian Happ slugs three-run homer to defeat Cardinals
    Ian Happ went 2-for-3 with a three-run homer on Saturday, propelling the Cubs to a 5-1 victory over the division-rival Cardinals.

    Advice: Happ extended Chicago’s lead to a commanding four-run margin with a three-run blast off Cardinals lefty reliever John King with two outs in the seventh inning. It was his seventh round-tripper of the season and first time he’s gone deep since May 31. Rotoworld 32 minutes ago
    Ian HappCHC - OF
    W, 5-1 vs STL
     
  • Like Mike: Imanaga folds Cards in seven-inning gem
    Shota Imanaga struck out six and allowed one run over seven innings on Saturday in a win over the Cardinals.

    Advice: Imanaga got his first taste of the storied NL Central rivalry on Saturday afternoon at historic Wrigley Field and delivered another masterpiece, throwing a career-high 103 pitches and limiting St. Louis’ lineup to just four baserunners over seven stellar frames. He induced 14 swinging strikes, with a dozen of them coming on his splitter/sweeper combo, and allowed just seven batted balls with an exit velocity in excess of 95 mph. The 30-year-old Japanese southpaw has been a revelation this season in his Cubs debut, allowing two earned runs or fewer in 12 of his 13 starts so far. He’ll carry a microscopic 1.89 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 78/11 K/BB ratio across 76 innings (13 starts) into a home outing on Friday against the Mets. Rotoworld 33 minutes ago
     
  • Andre Pallante gives up two runs in brief outing
    Andre Pallante was charged with two runs (one earned) over 3 1/3 innings on Saturday in a loss to the Cubs.

    Advice: Pallante turned in a perfect opening frame before engineering a masterful escape after giving up back-to-back hits to open the second inning. He got into trouble in the fourth inning after giving up consecutive hits to open the frame and was lifted for reliever Chris Roycroft after striking out Ian Happ and wound up being charged with a pair of runs following his departure. He struck out four and didn’t hand out a free pass. The 25-year-old righty figures to continue operating in a swingman-type role for the Cardinals moving forward. Rotoworld 34 minutes ago