• Set for rehab appearance Friday
    Miller (elbow) will make his second rehab appearance with Triple-A Toledo on Friday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

    Advice: Miller began his rehab assignment Tuesday, when he pitched one scoreless inning while giving up one hit and one walk. The 33-year-old right-hander continues to work his way through inflammation in his right ulnar nerve that landed him on the 15-day IL on May 13. How Miller fares Friday will determine whether he needs another rehab outing or can rejoin the Tigers' bullpen. Rotowire.com Today, 2:44 pm
  • Diamondbacks hopeful Gallen (hamstring) avoids IL
    Diamondbacks’ manager Torey Lovullo told reporters on Friday that he’s hopeful Zac Gallen (hamstring) will avoid a trip to the injured list.

    Advice: The 28-year-old hurler left Thursday’s start after just one batter due to a right hamstring strain. He’s still being evaluated and the Diamondbacks are holding out hope that he’ll be able to avoid a trip to the injured list while accepting the fact that it’s still a very real possibility. Be sure to check back prior to Saturday’s game to see if they do decide to make a roster move. Rotoworld Today, 2:42 pm
     
  • Graham Ashcraft pulled in fifth versus Cubs
    Graham Ashcraft yielded three runs in 4 2/3 innings Friday in his start versus the Cubs.

    Advice: Ashcraft’s velocity was down again today. He’s averaged 96 mph with his cutter in some of his starts this season, but he came in at 95.3 and 94.8 mph in his previous two starts and 94.1 mph today. His ERA has climbed from 3.63 to 4.76 over his last five outings, so the Reds could turn to Nick Martinez in his spot or give Carson Spiers a shot. Rotoworld Today, 2:40 pm
     
  • Alexis Díaz nearly blows save versus Cubs
    Alexis Díaz escaped with his 11th save after giving up a run in the ninth Friday against the Reds.

    Advice: Díaz got lucky when a pitch that hit both Nick Madigal’s hand and the knob of his bat was ruled a foul ball and was then fortunate again when Madrigal, as the tying run, was thrown out at home plate trying to score on Seiya Suzuki’s double. Díaz has a 5.91 ERA this season. He’s walked 15 and hit three batters in 21 1/3 innings. He’s simply not worthy of trust right now, but since he’s blown only two saves and the Reds don’t have anyone else they’re really wanting to turn to, he’ll probably remain in the closer’s role for now. Lucas Sims is likely still second in line, even if Fernando Cruz is the more interesting reliever these days. Rotoworld Today, 2:40 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 Today, 2:40 pm
    Javier AssadCHC - SP,RP
    L, 4-5 vs CIN
     
  • Héctor Neris allows run in ninth
    Brought in with the Cubs down one in the top of the ninth, Héctor Neris gave up a run and two hits Friday against the Reds.

    Advice: It’s the second straight outing in which Neris has allowed a run, and it proved to be a pretty big run after the Cubs scored once in the bottom of the ninth. Neris’s peripherals are still awful — he has a 16/15 K/BB in 20 innings — but so far, his only two blown saves haven’t cost the Cubs (the team won both games). He’ll probably need a costly blown save before the Cubs turn things over to Mark Leiter Jr. Rotoworld Today, 2:40 pm
     
  • Walks tightrope for 11th save
    Diaz earned the save Friday against the Cubs despite allowing a run on two hits in a walk in the ninth inning.

    Advice: Diaz allowed the first two baserunners to reach safely before surrendering a one-out double to Seiya Suzuki. While one run scored on the play, Jacob Hurtubise would throw out Nick Madrigal at the plate as the tying run before Diaz got Cody Bellinger to fly out, sealing a 5-4 victory. While it didn't come easy for Diaz on Friday, he's now converted four straight save opportunities while allowing just one earned run in his last 5.2 innings. Diaz's ERA still sits at an uninspiring 5.91 with a 1.55 WHP and 22:15 K:BB across 21.1 innings this year. He's converted 11 of 13 save chances overall. Rotowire.com Today, 2:40 pm
  • Set to miss 6-to-8 weeks
    Fujinami, who was placed on the 15-day injured list May 13 with a right shoulder strain, is expected to be sidelined for six-to-eight weeks, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

    Advice: Fujinami was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse after struggling in spring training. Those struggles continued across his nine minor-league games, as he registered a 14.09 ERA and 3.33 WHIP across 7.2 innings before landing on the IL. The good news for Fujinami is that he isn't expected to need surgery, but the 30-year-old right-hander will be out of action until mid-to-late July. Rotowire.com Today, 2:37 pm
     
  • Astros don’t provide update on Cristian Javier
    Astros’ manager Joe Espada did not give an update on right-handers Cristian Javier and Jose Urquidy on Friday, aside from saying that he’s giving both pitchers space while they are awaiting second opinions.

    Advice: If that’s not discouraging enough, Espada also refused to comment when asked if the pitchers’ UCL’s were intact. Lovely. The Astros should provide full updates on the status of both hurlers in the coming days once they get their second opinions, but it doesn’t sound good. Rotoworld Today, 2:16 pm