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  • Struggles in rookie ball start
    Medina (knee) began a rehab assignment Wednesday in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League and was charged with six earned runs on six hits and zero walks while striking out three over two innings.

    Advice: Though Medina didn't issue a walk in the first start of his rehab assignment, he didn't necessarily exhibit strong control, as he tossed two wild pitches and hit one of the 13 batters he faced. Some rustiness was to be expected from Medina, who hadn't pitched in a competitive setting since his March 4 Cactus League start before he went down with a Grade 2 MCL sprain of his right knee. He'll likely need three or four rehab starts to get fully stretched out, so he shouldn't be viewed as a realistic candidate to return from the 60-day injured list and join the Oakland rotation until around early-to-mid June. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 4:42 pm
    Luis MedinaOAK - SP,RP
    4:40 pm @KC
    New Player Note
    IL60
     
  • Taijuan Walker leaves start with foot injury
    Taijuan Walker was removed from Thursday’s start against the Mets with a left foot contusion.

    Advice: Walker was struck on the left foot by a 99.7-mph line drive from Starling Marte in the fourth inning and will most likely head for further imaging to determine whether he suffered any fractures. He finished with one strikeout and was charged with two runs over 3 1/3 innings of work. Any potential extended absence would presumably lead to Spencer Turnbull returning to Philadelphia’s starting rotation mix, but it sounds like there’s a chance he managed to avoid serious injury. There should be some clarity on his status at some point soon. Rotoworld Yesterday, 4:39 pm
     
  • Emmet Sheehan undergoes Tommy John surgery
    Emmet Sheehan underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery earlier this week.

    Advice: The writing was seemingly on the wall after Sheehan was shut down from throwing indefinitely a couple weeks ago due to right forearm inflammation. The 24-year-old right-hander showed some immense promise last year as a rookie before landing on the shelf back in spring training with an ominous arm injury. There should be some clarity on his return timetable at some point in the near future, but it’s obviously a significant development for his fantasy appeal in dynasty leagues. Rotoworld Yesterday, 3:33 pm
     
  • Undergoes Tommy John surgery
    The Dodgers announced that Sheehan (elbow) underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery Wednesday.

    Advice: Sheehan has been on the shelf all season with what the Dodgers had initially classified as right forearm inflammation. He had been cleared to face hitters in late March, only for the Dodgers to shut him down in mid-April after he experienced a setback in his recovery. A month after being shut down, the 24-year-old still wasn't responding to rest and rehab as well as the Dodgers had hoped, and after meeting with Dr. Neal ElAttrache, Sheehan was recommended for Tommy John surgery. He'll miss the rest of the 2024 season and a significant chunk of the 2025 season while he recovers from the procedure. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 3:28 pm
     
  • Clarke Schmidt fires eight-inning gem vs. Twins
    Clarke Schmidt matched a career-high with eight strikeouts over eight scoreless innings on Thursday in a win over the Twins.

    Advice: Schmidt authored the strongest start of his career during Thursday afternoon’s matinee at Target Field, completing seven innings for the first time in his career, while also scattering three hits and needing just 103 pitches (69 strikes) to navigate eight nearly-flawless frames. He generated 16 swinging strikes, including 10 on his cutter alone, finishing with a robust 34 percent CSW. The 28-year-old righty has been a revelation this season for fantasy managers as a late-round steal in deeper mixed leagues. He’ll carry a sparkling 2.49 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 55/15 K/BB ratio across 50 2/3 innings (nine starts) into a home outing on Tuesday against the Mariners. Rotoworld Yesterday, 12:30 pm
     
  • Joe Ryan allows four runs in loss to Yankees
    Joe Ryan was charged with four runs over 5 1/3 innings on Thursday in a loss to the Yankees.

    Advice: Ryan surrendered six hits, including a leadoff homer to Anthony Volpe, and was simply out-dueled by Yankees starter Clarke Schmidt, who reeled off eight shutout frames against Minnesota’s lineup. He finished with five strikeouts and only handed out one free pass. He’ll bring a solid 3.57 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 58/7 K/BB ratio across 53 innings (nine starts) into a road tilt on Tuesday against the Nationals. Rotoworld Yesterday, 12:30 pm
     
  • Beginning rehab assignment
    Springs (elbow) will pitch in the Florida Complex League on May 20, MLB.com reports.

    Advice: Springs completed a two-inning live batting practice session Wednesday, lining him up to return to the mound in an official game for the first time since April 13, 2023. He'll have a significant ramp-up period before being activated from the injured list, but he is projected to return in late June. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 9:59 pm
     
  • Getting another start
    Estes is slated to start Thursday's game against the Astros in Houston, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

    Advice: He'll be awarded his second straight turn through the rotation after striking out five and allowing just one run over five innings last weekend in Seattle following his call-up from Triple-A Las Vegas. Estes could be in line for an extended run in the big-league rotation with Paul Blackburn (foot) recently going on the injured list and with Alex Wood (shoulder) also at risk of being deactivated. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 6:38 am
     
  • Lacks control in second rehab start
    Baz (elbow/oblique) worked 1.2 innings and struck out one while allowing three earned runs on one hit and five walks Friday in his second rehab start with Triple-A Durham.

    Advice: Perhaps unsurprisingly, Baz's control has been spotty in his first two rehab starts in his first game action since July 2022 following a prolonged recovery from Tommy John surgery and two minor setbacks with his oblique. After working three innings and spotting 22 of his 39 pitches for strikes in his start with Durham on May 4, Baz found the strike zone on just 29 of his 59 pitches Friday and also hit a batter in addition to issuing five free passes. The fact that Baz was able to increase his pitch count was a positive takeaway, but he'll still need to improve his efficiency as he continues his buildup process in the minors. Baz will presumably need at least two more rehab starts before he returns from the 15-day injured list and makes his 2024 debut with the Rays. Rotowire.com Monday, 5:44 pm