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  • Randy Vasquez exits start after being hit by liner
    Randy Vasquez was removed from Friday night’s start against the Red Sox after being hit in the forearm by a line drive.

    Advice: The batted ball came from Ceddanne Rafaela leading off the fifth inning. Vasquez had allowed just one run on five hits and a walk through his four innings of work while striking out one. It’s a tough break for fantasy managers, as Vasquez had a 9-1 advantage in the ballgame and looked poised to secure a victory in the start. He’ll presumably head for X-rays to rule out any potential fractures and the Padres should have an update on his status shortly. Rotoworld 7 minutes ago
     
  • Cristopher Sánchez records first career shutout
    Cristopher Sánchez delivered a dazzling performance against the Marlins on Friday night, racking up nine strikeouts while recording his first career shutout.

    Advice: The 27-year-old left-hander scattered just three hits on the night — all of them singles — and didn’t walk a batter. He needed just 101 pitches (73 strikes) to navigate his nine brilliant innings. Sánchez generated 16 swings and misses in the ballgame — eight of those on his changeup — while registering a strong CSW of 34 percent. Now 6-3 on the season, he’ll look to keep the good times rolling as he carries a pristine 2.41 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and a 79/24 K/BB ratio (93 1/3 innings) into Thursday’s showdown against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Rotoworld 12 minutes ago
     
  • Eduardo Rodriguez heading for follow-up MRI
    Eduardo Rodriguez (lat) will undergo another follow-up MRI exam on July 6.

    Advice: If all goes well with that exam, it sounds like the 31-year-old southpaw will finally be cleared to resume throwing off of a mound. Once that’s done, he’ll need several sessions off the mound before facing live hitters and then several minor league rehab starts before he’s ready to join the Diamondbacks’ rotation. It seems optimistic to expect him back anytime before the beginning of August. Rotoworld Today, 4:19 pm
     
  • MRI set for July 6
    Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that Rodriguez (shoulder) is scheduled for a follow-up MRI on July 6, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.

    Advice: Rodriguez extended his throwing program out to 105 feet earlier in June, and Lovullo noted that the southpaw could start throwing off the mound depending on the results of the MRI. Rodriguez has been out all season after straining his left shoulder in spring training, and his initial throwing program was shut down in April due to shoulder tightness. Rotowire.com Today, 4:11 pm
     
  • Still not throwing
    Williams (elbow) has yet to start a throwing program, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

    Advice: Williams was placed on the 15-day IL on June 4 with a right flexor strain but remains shut down from throwing. It's safe to assume Williams won't be able to return until after the All-Star break. DJ Herz should continue to make starts in place of Williams. Rotowire.com Today, 3:53 pm
     
  • Alex Cobb (shoulder) to make rehab start on Sunday
    Alex Cobb (shoulder) will make his first minor league rehab start at Single-A San Jose on Sunday.

    Advice: The 36-year-old hurler has missed the entire season thus far while recovering from a shoulder injury. He’s going to need several minor league rehab starts to build back up before he’s an option to join the Giants’ rotation, but it’s nice to see him finally taking strides in that direction. Rotoworld Today, 3:45 pm
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  • Resumes throwing program
    Manager Aaron Boone said Friday that Schmidt (lat) has resumed his throwing program, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

    Advice: Schmidt took the first step in his throwing program Monday when he started playing catch, per Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. Schmidt was transferred to the 60-day injured list June 18 with a right lat strain, and before the injury he was 5-3 over 11 starts with a 2.52 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 67:20 K:BB over 60.2 innings. Rotowire.com Today, 2:26 pm
     
  • Clarke Schmidt (lat) resumed playing catch
    Clarke Schmidt (lat) began playing catch on Monday as he continues to work his way back from a right lat strain.

    Advice: He’s still a long way away from being ready for game action, but it’s nice to see the 28-year-old hurler take a small step in the right direction after being shut down from throwing altogether for nearly a month. Even in the most optimistic of scenarios, it’s unlikely that we see Schmidt back with the Yankees before the start of August. Rotoworld Today, 2:24 pm
     
  • Next start set for Tuesday
    Crawford's next start will come on Tuesday in Miami after his last outing was suspended by rain, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

    Advice: Crawford threw only 23 pitches over 1.1 scoreless innings Wednesday against the Blue Jays before inclement weather forced any early end to his night. Despite the righty's limited workload in that outing, the Red Sox have elected to give Crawford five days of rest before his next start. He's tentatively lined up for two starts next week, as a date with the Yankees looms next weekend. Rotowire.com Today, 1:59 pm