Osvaldo Bido allowed three runs over six innings and struck out seven versus the Cubs on Monday.
Bido pitched well for four innings in his debut against the same Cubs lineup last Wednesday. Tonight, though, he was able to rack up six more outs while generating some soft contact. Mixed-league value remains unlikely here, but he's looking like a decent NL-only play.
Drew Smyly blanked the Pirates for five innings in the Cubs' 8-0 victory Monday.
Smyly walked five, but he got away with it while allowing only three hits. Michael Fulmer, Julian Merryweather and Michael Rucker went on to finish the shutout, and Smyly improved to 7-4 with a 3.38 ERA. Fortunately, he'll miss the series in London this weekend and make his next start on seven days' rest against the Phillies.
Mike Tauchman went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and three RBI against the Pirates on Monday.
Tauchman has been the leadoff guy against right-handers lately, giving him some value in deeper mixed leagues. As good as he's been for the Cubs, as a platoon guy with limited home run power and stolen base ability, he doesn't offer a lot of fantasy upside.
Matt Chapman went 0-for-4 in the loss to the Marlins on Monday.
Chapman hit .384/.465/.687 with five homers and 21 RBI in 27 games during April. He's batted .187/.259/.307 with four homers and 13 RBI in 44 games since. One of this winter's top free agents, he's certainly not helping his case right now.
Nate Pearson gave up five runs while getting just one out against the Marlins on Monday.
Pearson gave up three runs just yesterday, so it was rather surprising to see him back out there today; it's just the third time since being called up in late April that he's pitched on consecutive days and he was coming off stress-free outings the first two times. Pearson's velocity was very good tonight, so that wasn't an issue. He was just hit hard anyway. His ERA has jumped from 1.96 to 4.88 since yesterday afternoon.
José Berríos yielded five runs in four innings Monday in a loss to the Marlins.
It's the first time since May 1 than Berríos has allowed more than three runs. He was mostly beaten by Luis Arraez and Jorge Soler tonight, which isn't so bad. However, he definitely deserves the blame for walking Jacob Stallings and hitting Jonathan Davis with a pitch before those two came up in the fourth. Berríos should bounce back against the A's next time out.
Bryan Hoeing pitched four scoreless innings and struck out five against the Blue Jays on Monday.
Hoeing did well in his first start since Apr. 30. He's mostly mopped up since then, posting a 1.56 ERA in 17 1/3 innings as a reliever. He'll probably make another start this weekend with Edward Cabrera on the shelf.
Jordan Lyles notched his second quality start of the season Monday in allowing three runs over six-plus innings against the Tigers.
It looked like Lyles might finally get into the win column after an 0-11 start, but he and Taylor Clarke combined to blow a 4-1 lead in the seventh. At least Lyles did avoid taking the loss. He showed his best velocity of the year tonight, averaging 92.3 mph with his fastball. Maybe his 6.72 ERA will start coming down some.
Alex Lange bounced back from Sunday's ugly outing by picking up a save with a perfect ninth against the Royals on Monday.
Jason Foley had this one off because he had to throw two innings after Lange imploded in the eighth yesterday. Foley still seems like the favorite for saves in Detroit right now, but things could quickly flip again if Lange steps it up.
Reese Olson yielded four runs -- three earned -- in six innings Monday in a no-decision versus the Royals.
Olson struck out eight tonight, and while he didn't get the victory, the Tigers prevailed for the first time in his four outings. He'll need to keep it up in order to retain his spot after Tarik Skubal returns from the injured list.
Kerry Carpenter hit a three-run homer and walked Monday in the Tigers' 6-4 takedown of the Royals.
Carpenter homered as part of a five-run seventh inning that turned a three-run deficit into a two-run lead. At .280/.328/.514 in 116 plate appearances, he's the Tigers best hitter, at least against right-handers, at the moment. Still, that doesn't quite make him worth using in typical mixed leagues.
Giants placed LHP Scott Alexander on the 15-day injured list with a left hamstring strain.
As expected, Alexander will be down for a couple of weeks to recover from a low-grade hamstring strain. Sean Hjelle was activated to replace him in the Giants bullpen.
Giants recalled RHP Sean Hjelle from Triple-A Sacramento.
With Scott Alexander hitting the injured list with a left hamstring strain, Hjelle will get another chance to work out of the Giants bullpen. He’ll be utilized in the middle innings.
Jose Iglesias has elected free agency.
The veteran infielder has once again opted out of his minor league deal and will explore the free agent market. He’ll assuredly land on his feet elsewhere before long — though again most likely on a minor league pact.
Josiah Gray was tagged for six runs in five innings by the Cardinals on Monday.
Spotted a five-run lead, Gray allowed two runs over four innings before giving up a pair of homers in a four-run fifth. He's surrendered as many homers in four starts this month (six) as he did in his first 11 starts this season. With his mediocre peripherals, he seems pretty fortunate to have a 3.64 ERA.
Jordan Hicks worked a scoreless ninth for his third save in three days Monday against the Nationals.
Dominic Smith pulled a potential leadoff homer just foul before grounding out. The Nationals did get a single with two outs, but Lane Thomas struck out afterwards to end it. We're not sure the Cardinals should be letting Hicks pitch three straight days. We're also not sure he should be closing over Giovanny Gallegos. Still, the Cardinals aren't about to go away from anything that's working in a year in which so little has. They will have to give Hicks the day off on Tuesday, which could lead to an opportunity for Gallegos.
Jack Flaherty overcame a hideous start to pick up a win after allowing six runs in 6 1/3 innings versus the Nationals on Monday.
Flaherty allowed five runs and eight hits in the first two innings and probably wouldn't have survived those two frames if not for the Nationals making outs on the basepaths in both the first and second and a strong play from Tommy Edman in center to end the second. Flaherty quieted the Nationals over the following four innings before allowing one run in the seventh. While Flaherty's ERA rose to 4.95, the Cardinals improved to 9-6 in his starts. They're 3-11 when Jordan Montgomery pitches, even though he has a 3.91 ERA.
Brendan Donovan hit a three-run homer Monday in the Cardinals' 8-6 win over the Nationals.
Donovan's homer off Josiah Gray tied the game at 5-5 in the fifth, and Paul Goldschmidt immediately followed with a solo shot to give the Cardinals the lead. The homer was Donovan's seventh of the year. He's 13-for-36 with five RBI and six runs scored during his current eight-game hitting streak.
Liam Hendriks (elbow) is hopeful he'll be able to resume throwing by the end of the week.
Hendriks received a platelet-rich plasma injection last week do help deal with a right flexor strain. As of now, the White Sox still believe that he'll be able to return to the bullpen before the All-Star break. Kendall Graveman will continue to handle the bulk of the save chances in his absence.
Keibert Ruiz went 0-for-4 in the loss to the Cardinals on Monday.
How can Ruiz be this subpar of a hitter when he's struck out a total of 19 times in 242 plate appearances? He's currently at .235/.298/.385 for the season. He's also disappointed defensively in the first season of an eight-year, $50 million deal.