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  • Expected to throw off mound soon
    Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Saturday that Williams (back) is expected to be cleared to throw off a mound soon, Jack Stern of Brewer Fanatic reports.

    Advice: Murphy also added that Williams remains on track to return just after the All-Star break, although that would seem to be a tentative timetable given that the reliever has yet to resume throwing off a mound. Williams is working his way back from multiple stress fractures in his back. Trevor Megill has operated as the Brewers' primary closer with Williams on the shelf. Rotowire.com Today, 10:52 am
     
  • Likely moving into rotation
    Cubs manager Craig Counsell said after Friday's loss to the Cardinals that Hendricks is likely to take Jordan Wicks' (oblique) spot in the rotation, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

    Advice: Hendricks came on in relief for the injured Wicks in the second inning and tossed 4.1 scoreless frames. The veteran right-hander has been disastrous on the whole this season with an 8.20 ERA, he's unscored upon over his last 8.2 innings out of the bullpen. Hendricks would tentatively be lined up to start Wednesday at home versus the Giants. Rotowire.com Today, 10:47 am
     
  • Trevor Richards starting Saturday vs. Guardians
    Trevor Richards will start on Saturday against the Guardians.

    Advice: Richards will take the ball to open a bullpen game for Toronto on Saturday afternoon at the Rogers Centre. The 31-year-old righty holds a respectable 3.31 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 33/15 K/BB ratio across 32 2/3 innings (29 appearances, one start) this season for Toronto. There’s zero streaming appeal here for fantasy managers since he’s unlikely to work more than an inning or two as an opener. Rotoworld Today, 6:16 am
     
  • Set to start Saturday
    Richards will serve as the Blue Jays' opening pitcher for Saturday's matchup with the Guardians, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com repports.

    Advice: Richards operated as an opener in the team's 10-1 loss to the Orioles on June 4 and he appears to be set for a similar role Saturday. The right-hander reached his season-high 40 pitches in that matchup with Baltimore and likely won't last long enough to qualify for a win versus Cleveland. Bowden Francis is expected to operate as a bulk reliever once Richards exits the contest. Rotowire.com Today, 6:15 am
     
  • Collects 11th save
    Estevez struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 8-6 win over the Giants.

    Advice: The Giants rallied late, but Estevez shut the door with a 17-pitch ninth inning. He's up to 11 saves this season, five of which have come over his last seven appearances. The closer has added a 3.86 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 20:3 K:BB and three blown saves through 21 innings. The Angels don't often have leads to protect, but Estevez should continue to close as long as he's with the team -- though as a pending free agent, he will be a trade target over the next six weeks. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 10:59 pm
     
  • Carlos Estévez locks down save against Giants
    Carlos Estévez go the final three outs to get a save against the Giants on Friday.

    Advice: It didn’t look like Estévez was going to be necessary Friday night, but an 8-1 cushion turned into an 8-6 game, so the 31-year-old was called upon to convert his 11th save. The 31-year-old didn’t allow a hit, struck out one hitter and threw 12-of-17 pitches in the strike zone. Estévez should continue to see save chances as long as he’s a member of the Angels, but keep in mind a trade — very possible with Los Angels going nowhere — would likely make him a set-up hurler; severely limiting his fantasy upside. Rotoworld Yesterday, 10:17 pm
     
  • Looks sharp Friday
    Hendricks tossed 4.1 scoreless innings of relief in Friday's 3-0 loss to the Cardinals. He allowed two hits and struck out one.

    Advice: Chicago starter Jordan Hicks departed after just 1.2 innings due to an oblique injury, which pushed Hendricks into action. The veteran responded well and had perhaps his best outing of the season, giving the Cubs some much-needed length out of the bullpen. While Hendricks still has an ugly 8.20 ERA overall, he's been better lately with 8.2 scoreless innings over his last three appearances. The veteran is the most likely candidate to move into the rotation with Wicks expected to land on the IL. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 2:38 pm
     
  • Kyle Hendricks goes 4 1/3 scoreless in relief
    Kyle Hendricks pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings after replacing an injured Jordan Wicks in the second Friday against the Cardinals.

    Advice: Hendricks struck out just one, but he walked none and allowed only one hard-hit ball. One imagines Wicks will join Ben Brown on the IL tomorrow, likely resulting in Hendricks’ return to the rotation. That doesn’t make him a fantasy option, but it wouldn’t be surprising if he does a better job of holding his own this time around. Rotoworld Yesterday, 2:05 pm
     
  • Poised for rehab assignment
    Martin (personal) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: Martin hasn't pitched this month due to anxiety. The reliever is eligible for activation Monday and seems likely to return at that time, although the Red Sox have been careful not to project a return date given the sensitive nature of Martin's absence. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 12:39 pm