• Clayton Kershaw to make rehab start on Wednesday
    Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) will make his first minor league rehab start at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday.

    Advice: Kershaw made it through another simulated game without issue on Thursday, so this was seemingly the most obvious next step for him. The 36-year-old hurler is going to need several outings there to build up his stamina and is expected to be ready to join the Dodgers’ rotation at some point around the All-Star break. Rotoworld Yesterday, 3:45 pm
     
  • Zac Gallen to throw simulated game on Tuesday
    Diamondbacks’ manager Torey Lovullo told reporters on Friday that right-hander Zac Gallen (hamstring) will pitch in a simulated game on Tuesday.

    Advice: The 28-year-old hurler is slated for three innings or around 45 pitches in the session. After that, he’ll likely need another simulated game — or perhaps a minor league rehab start — before he’s ready to return to the Diamondbacks’ rotation. Gallen has been sidelined since the end of May due to a right hamstring strain. Rotoworld Yesterday, 3:27 pm
    Zac GallenAZ - SP
    7:10 pm vs CWS
     
  • Cole (elbow) set for Triple-A rehab start
    Gerrit Cole (elbow) will make a rehab start with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday.

    Advice: Cole is getting closer to returning to the big leagues. Depending on how things go for him on Friday, he may be ready to make his next start in the major leagues. That would be a huge boon for the Yankees and fantasy managers. Rotoworld Yesterday, 12:41 pm
     
  • Next step could be rehab stint
    Kershaw (shoulder) completed three simulated innings at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, and he could be ready to pitch in rehab games with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, per MLB.com.

    Advice: Kershaw's fastball hit 88-89 mph in the sim game, per Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times, which is in the range of his usual velocity over the past three seasons. Manager Dave Roberts proclaimed the future Hall of Famer to be "much further" along in his recovery than initially expected. Kershaw will almost certainly need to log multiple rehab starts, and the Dodgers are very unlikely to rush him back, but the southpaw could be ready to make his season debut sometime in July. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 10:38 am
     
  • Nabs 10th save
    Yates picked up the save over the Dodgers on Thursday, allowing one walk over a scoreless ninth inning while striking out three.

    Advice: Yates had a bit of a hard time getting through the ninth after entering the contest with a two-run lead, surrendering a leadoff walk to Teoscar Hernandez on five pitches and advancing him to second base on a balk. However, the veteran reliever made short work of the next three batters, getting all three to go down swinging as he secured his 10th save in as many chances. Yates has been solid in the closer role for Texas thus far and holds a 1.11 ERA on the campaign. He's also recorded multiple strikeouts in three of his last four appearances and has yet to surrender a home run in 2024. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:04 am
     
  • Moves up in batting order
    Hamilton batted second and went 1-for-5 with a stolen base, an RBI and a run scored in Thursday's 9-3 win over Philadelphia.

    Advice: Hamilton's good stretch of hitting led to him batting second for the second consecutive game against a right-hander, and the shortstop extended his hit streak to five games. Since mid-May, when manager Alex Cora started giving him regular run in the starting lineup, Hamilton has slashed .341/.378/.553 with 11 extra-base hits, nine RBI, 14 runs and 10 steals over 26 contests. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 5:48 am
  • Belts first career walk-off homer
    Martinez went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and a double Thursday in a 3-2 win against the Marlins.

    Advice: Martinez accounted for both of New York's extra-base hits in the victory, with his first knock being a seventh-inning double that contributed to the team's first run. The veteran slugger's second hit was more dramatic -- he took Miami closer Tanner Scott deep for a two-run, walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth inning. It was Martinez's 321st career long ball and the first walk-off home run of his 14-year career. He's gone deep six times through 168 plate appearances this season. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 12:32 am
     
  • Kirby Yates whiffs three in save against Dodgers
    Kirby Yates struck out three in a scoreless ninth to get a save against the Dodgers on Thursday.

    Advice: Yates did allow a walk, but this was a much better effort than the one he had Wednesday when he picked up a save but was fortunate to not blow the opportunity. The right-hander has been outstanding for the overwhelming majority of 2024, and this scoreless outing gives him a 1.11 ERA along with 10 saves. He isn’t giving up this closing gig. Not anytime soon, anyway. Rotoworld Thursday, 10:09 pm
     
  • Logs another quality start in win
    Houck (7-5) earned the win against the Phillies on Thursday, allowing three runs on eight hits and no walks with five strikeouts over six innings.

    Advice: He tossed three scoreless innings then loaded the bases and surrendered a three-run double to Kyle Schwarber in a rough fourth. Houck rebounded with two more scoreless frames to earn his fifth straight quality start and received plenty of offensive support, as the Red Sox tagged Aaron Nola for eight runs. Houck has now allowed three or fewer earned runs in 13 of 14 starts and has been one of baseball's biggest breakouts so far in 2024. On the season, he owns a 2.08 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 89:15 K:BB in 91 innings. Houck lines up to start next week against the Blue Jays. Rotowire.com Thursday, 7:40 pm