• Takes second loss
    Hicks (4-2) allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits and struck out four without walking a batter over 5.1 innings, taking the loss versus the Yankees on Friday.

    Advice: Aaron Judge did most of the damage against Hicks, taking him deep for a three-run home run in the third inning and a solo shot in the sixth. The five runs allowed were the most Hicks has given up in a start this season, though it was a positive to see him issue no walks for the fourth time in 12 outings. Homers are becoming a problem for the right-hander -- he's allowed five of them over his last four starts after giving up just one across his first eight outings. For the season, Hicks is at a strong 2.70 ERA with a 1.12 WHIP and 52:19 K:BB over 63.1 innings. He's projected to make his next start on the road in Arizona. Rotowire.com Friday, 10:34 pm
     
  • Jordan Hicks shaky over 5 1/3 against Yankees
    Jordan Hicks gave up eight hits and five runs — four earned — in 5 1/3 innings while picking up a loss to the Giants on Friday.

    Advice: When Hicks wasn’t pitching to Aaron Judge, things went ok. Unfortunately, he pitched to Aaron Judge a few times, and he gave up two homers to the mountain of a slugger. Hicks did give up eight hits in this contest, so it wasn’t just Aaron Judge, but Aaron Judge did most of the damage. This blurb is just an excuse to talk more about Aaron Judge. Hicks will still take a strong 2.70 ERA into a start against the Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks don’t have Aaron Judge. Rotoworld Friday, 9:57 pm
     
  • Strikes out seven Friday
    Assad didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Reds, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out seven.

    Advice: Both of the runs charged to Assad came in the fourth inning when the Reds strung together three straight singles. Still, it was a positive effort for Assad overall after he'd given up seven runs (six earned) over 9.2 innings in his previous two outings, though he now has seven or more strikeouts in three of his last four starts. Overall, the 26-year-old right-hander is 4-1 with a 2.27 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 61:26 K:BB through 63.1 innings this season. Assad's currently in line for a rematch with Cincinnati on the road in his next start. Rotowire.com Friday, 2:51 pm
     
  • Javier Assad strikes out seven in no-decision
    Javier Assad wasn’t involved in the decision after allowing two runs over 5 2/3 innings Friday against the Reds.

    Advice: Assad struck out seven and kept the ball in the yard today after allowing two homers in each of his previous two starts. He left with a one-run lead in the sixth, but that disappeared in the seventh. He’ll face the Reds again in his next start, though it will be in Cincinnati this time. While Assad is worth using most of the time in mixed leagues right now, that’s not a great play, especially since he’s due to be matched up with Hunter Greene. Rotoworld Friday, 2:40 pm
     
  • Hits IL with shoulder impingement
    The Mets placed Diaz on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a right shoulder impingement.

    Advice: Left-hander Josh Walker was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to take Diaz's spot on the 26-man active roster and in the New York bullpen. After blowing ninth-inning leads in four of his last five appearances, Diaz had already been expected to get a break from closing duties, and his injury will only further delay his opportunity to resurface as the Mets' preferred ninth-inning man. Reed Garrett and Adam Ottavino likely represent the best bets for saves out of the Mets bullpen while Diaz is on the shelf. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 1:01 pm
    Edwin DíazNYM - RP
    3:45 pm @WSH
     
  • Mets place Díaz on IL with shoulder impingement
    Mets placed RHP Edwin Díaz on the 15-day IL with a right shoulder impingement.

    Advice: Well, this is definitely not something the Mets were planning a few hours ago, since Díaz’s replacement on the roster, Josh Walker, was just sent down earlier today. It’s nice to have this explanation for Díaz’s struggles, even if those struggles still seemed pretty fluky. Reed Garrett is probably the best bet in the Mets pen for now, though Adam Ottavino could get save chances as well. Rotoworld Wednesday, 12:59 pm
    Edwin DíazNYM - RP
    3:45 pm @WSH
     
  • Records eighth save
    Yates allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two over one scoreless inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

    Advice: This was Yates' first save since May 8, as opportunities have been few and far between for saves recently. He pitched four times between saves, allowing one run on two hits and three walks over three innings. The right-hander has eight saves, two holds, 0.90 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 25:10 K:BB over 20 innings this season. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 9:01 pm
     
  • Kirby Yates earns eighth save vs. D-Backs
    Kirby Yates earned his eighth save of the season in Tuesday’s win over the Diamondbacks.

    Advice: Yates had to tightrope out of danger to earn the save in this one. The righty allowed a two-out walk to Eugenio Suárez only to see a single by Gabriel Moreno move Suárez into scoring position. Fortunately for Yates, a strikeout of Kevin Newman would end the game and secure the win for the Rangers, who have now won back-to-back games after dropping their previous six. Rotoworld Tuesday, 7:34 pm
     
  • Hurt by home runs
    Assad (4-1) took the loss Sunday against the Cardinals, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out eight over five innings.

    Advice: Assad's final run line could've looked a lot better had it not been for two mistakes thrown to Paul Goldschmidt. He served up nearly identical two-run homers to Goldschmidt in the third and fifth innings to give the Cardinals a lead they would never relinquish. Assad has now allowed multiple home runs in back-to-back starts while also walking eight batters over that span. The one positive to take away from Sunday's outing is he was able to tie his career-high with eight strikeouts and has 19 strikeouts over his last 15.2 innings. Assad will carry a 2.17 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 54:23 K:BB into his next matchup against the Reds this weekend. Rotowire.com May 27, 5:22 am