Edwin Diaz (2-5) struggled Thursday evening when summoned to pitch the ninth inning with the score tied at three against the Angels. Diaz finished the night allowing three runs (all earned) on one hit and three walks while striking out one in two-thirds of an inning. He was credited with the loss.
Fantasy Implications: The 23-year-old flamethrower promptly walked the first two batters he faced. After getting the next two men to ground out into fielder's choices, he walked his third batter to load the bases. That brought Mike Trout to the plate, who ripped an 88.7 mph slider from the closer into left field for a base-clearing double. Diaz was then yanked for Tony Zych to finish the frame. With the poor outing, Diaz saw his ERA rise from 2.90 to 3.40, and his WHIP from 1.15 to 1.21. The youngster has been dominant in the past month, so this should only be considered a blip on the radar. Diaz may have been overworked, as he was called into action for Seattle's last three games in as many nights, and throwing a total of 69 pitches in 2.2 innings. Consider him unavailable for Friday.
Friday, August 11, 2017
Thursday, August 10, 2017
James Paxton exits with pectoral injury
James Paxton departed in the seventh inning with the training staff after clutching his upper chest area in Seattle's loss to the Angels Thursday night. He exited the game after throwing 107 pitches over 6.1 innings. Paxton gave up three
earned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out six. The
Mariners left-hander surrendered two home runs, the first time this year
he has yielded multiple round-trippers. He did not factor into the
decision.
Fantasy Implications: Paxton was later diagnosed with a left pectoral strain, which puts his next start in reservation. The Mariners have already been doing their best to juggle their depleted starting pitching staff, especially after placing Felix Hernandez on the disabled list earlier this week. An MRI, which is scheduled tomorrow, should shed light on the extent of Paxton's injury.
Fantasy Implications: Paxton was later diagnosed with a left pectoral strain, which puts his next start in reservation. The Mariners have already been doing their best to juggle their depleted starting pitching staff, especially after placing Felix Hernandez on the disabled list earlier this week. An MRI, which is scheduled tomorrow, should shed light on the extent of Paxton's injury.
Hisashi Iwakuma tabbed for extended bullpen session
Hisashi Iwakuma is expected to partake in an extended bullpen session on Friday. Iwakuma has been on the shelf since May 3 because of inflammation in his pitching shoulder.
Fantasy Implications: The 35-year-old right-hander has already thrown three light bullpen sessions. Manager Scott Servais indicated that Friday's workout should provide a more definitive test. Iwakuma (0-2) struggled before the injury, as evidenced by his lackluster 4.35 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over 31 innings, and even more so by his ghastly 4.6 K/9, 3.5 BB/9, and 2.0 HR/9. The veteran would need at least three rehab starts, which would likely push his timetable to return into September.
Fantasy Implications: The 35-year-old right-hander has already thrown three light bullpen sessions. Manager Scott Servais indicated that Friday's workout should provide a more definitive test. Iwakuma (0-2) struggled before the injury, as evidenced by his lackluster 4.35 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over 31 innings, and even more so by his ghastly 4.6 K/9, 3.5 BB/9, and 2.0 HR/9. The veteran would need at least three rehab starts, which would likely push his timetable to return into September.
Mitch Haniger slated for batting practice soon
Mitch Haniger is anticipated to resume regular batting practice sometime this weekend. The Seattle right-fielder was placed on the disabled list because of a facial laceration suffered from a wayward fastball uncorked by Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom on July 22.
Fantasy Implications: Haniger has been throwing and hitting since the beaning. Manager Scott Servais said, "Mitch is doing really well." The Mariners can activate him without a corresponding roster move, if the 26-year-old outfielder remains on a rehab assignment through August. The Mariner top brass will take this into consideration because Leonys Martin, who replaced Haniger on the roster, is out of options. The sophomore was slashing .255/.358/.425 with 7 HR and 24 RBIs in 57 games this season. He previously missed 42 games because of a strained right oblique muscle.
Fantasy Implications: Haniger has been throwing and hitting since the beaning. Manager Scott Servais said, "Mitch is doing really well." The Mariners can activate him without a corresponding roster move, if the 26-year-old outfielder remains on a rehab assignment through August. The Mariner top brass will take this into consideration because Leonys Martin, who replaced Haniger on the roster, is out of options. The sophomore was slashing .255/.358/.425 with 7 HR and 24 RBIs in 57 games this season. He previously missed 42 games because of a strained right oblique muscle.
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
Edwin Diaz pockets another save
Edwin Diaz struck out two and walked one in a scoreless ninth frame to pick up his 25th save of the season in Seattle's win over Oakland on Wednesday.
Fantasy Implications: The 23-year-old closer was not at his sharpest, throwing only nine of his 17 pitches for strikes. However, he was still effective, while registering his sixth consecutive scoreless appearance, and his 15th in his last 18 outings. In what has become of late just another day at the office, Diaz has lowered his season's ERA to 2.90, to go along with a fine 1.15 WHIP.
Fantasy Implications: The 23-year-old closer was not at his sharpest, throwing only nine of his 17 pitches for strikes. However, he was still effective, while registering his sixth consecutive scoreless appearance, and his 15th in his last 18 outings. In what has become of late just another day at the office, Diaz has lowered his season's ERA to 2.90, to go along with a fine 1.15 WHIP.
Nelson Cruz smacks two homers Wednesday
Nelson Cruz hit two homers off of Oakland starter Jharel Cotton, a two-run blast in the second inning and a solo shot in the fifth, in Seattle's 6-3 win over the A's on Wednesday. He finished the day 2-4 with three RBIs.
Fantasy Implications: Cruz now has hit 26 HR and 88 RBIs this season. The Mariners designated hitter has been heating up as late, smacking five homers and nine RBIs in the seven games he has played in August. He is on pace to possibly reach the 40 HR mark for his fourth consecutive year. Cruz is now slashing a very respectable .284/.369/.532 in 2017. He remains a valuable addition to fantasy lineups in all formats.
Fantasy Implications: Cruz now has hit 26 HR and 88 RBIs this season. The Mariners designated hitter has been heating up as late, smacking five homers and nine RBIs in the seven games he has played in August. He is on pace to possibly reach the 40 HR mark for his fourth consecutive year. Cruz is now slashing a very respectable .284/.369/.532 in 2017. He remains a valuable addition to fantasy lineups in all formats.
Edwin Diaz earns another save
Edwin Diaz worked around a single and a walk in a scoreless tenth inning Tuesday to pick up his 24th save of the season. He also stuck out one.
Fantasy implications: Diaz has now saved 12 games in his last 14 appearances. With this outing, the elite closer has dropped his ERA to 2.96, the first time it has been under three since April 9. He threw 14 of his 24 pitches for strikes. He is paying dividends to those who were patient with him after his woeful start of the season. Diaz should be in fantasy lineups of all settings.
Fantasy implications: Diaz has now saved 12 games in his last 14 appearances. With this outing, the elite closer has dropped his ERA to 2.96, the first time it has been under three since April 9. He threw 14 of his 24 pitches for strikes. He is paying dividends to those who were patient with him after his woeful start of the season. Diaz should be in fantasy lineups of all settings.
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