MARINERS MAKE PITCHING MOVE

Felix Hernandez has been placed on the DL with an ankle issue. The team is hopeful that the big righty will be able to return to action in a couple of weeks.

In the meantime, James Paxton has been called up to take his spot in the rotation with the Mariners. A 27 year old lefty who was at one time a top-100 MLB prospect (for three years actually, 2012-14), Paxton has disappointed for a while. He’s dealt with finger and shoulder issues the past two seasons but the club said back in February that Paxton is not under an innings pitched cap. "He's not coming off Tommy John. He's not coming off shoulder repair. It was a finger issue," manager Scott Servais said. "He just hasn't pitched much. You have to be very in tune to what the stuff is looking like.” Hard for me to believe that given that Paxton threw just 73.2 innings last season a year after throwing 87 innings, but that’s what they said then.

So far, through 10 starts at Triple-A, Paxton is 4-3 with a 3.97 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. He’s also struck out 9.44 batters per nine and owns an impressive 3.57 K/BB ratio. Note that over the course of his minor league career that he owns a 3.68 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 7.4 K/9 and 3.55 BB/9, numbers that are certainly below his current level of production. Through 30 career big league starts he’s 12-8 with a 3.16 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, a 7.42 K/9 and 2.09 K/BB ratio, solid but not great numbers. Hard to think that Paxton sticks in the rotation unless he excels given that all the arms in the rotation are performing, except for maybe Wade Miley. Be cautious with your zeal to add Paxton.

Miguel Sano has gone to the DL with a hamstring injury. Alex Wood goes to the DL paving the way for Julio Urias to return. Jose Fernandez has proven he is an ace. CHECK OUT THE VIDEO.

RAYS BULLPEN

Brad Boxberger made one appearance, in his return from core muscle surgery. It was thought that he would take over the 9th inning in short order for the Rays once he was up to speed. Alas, that ain’t happening. Boxberger was hurt in his first outing and he’s been sent back to the DL with a left oblique injury. As of this writing we don’t know how much time he will miss, but the result is that Alex Colome appears locked in to the 9th inning. This is yet another example of why I prefer Solds leagues (saves + holds). That way we can just talk about a guy’s talent and not worry about his role. Clearly Colome is talented, and the results have been terrific (12 saves, 1.23 ERA, 0.77 WHIP with 29 Ks and four BBs). He deserves the 9th inning.

I wrote about the outlooks of Byron Buxton and Adam Duvall yesterday in this Ray’s Ramblings piece.

 THE 2016 FANTASY ALARM BASEBALL RANKINGS ARE UPDATED FOR JUNE. CLICK ON THE LINK TO SEE MORE THAN 600 PLAYERS RANKED FOR THE REST OF 2016.

A CERTAIN CHEATER

Marlon Byrd is a cheater, twice. He made $17.7 million after his first PED ban, and today he was hit with his second suspension that will likely end his career. With Michael Brantley still dealing with shoulder woes, the outfield is looking a bit dicey in Cleveland.

Tyler Naquin was called up and will vie for playing time with Rajai Davis, Lonnie Chisenhall and Jose Ramirez. Lots of AL-only love there.

It’s Wednesday and that means Ray Flowers is answering your questions in his mailbag article. What should you do with Nunez, Fielder, Desclafani and the Brewers pen. Also, why is the answer of who you should want between Rizzo & Stanton so simple? Check out the Mailbag.

NEWS AND NOTES

Charlie Blackmon has hit four homers with seven runs scored and 11 RBI his last nine games. All of a sudden he’s hitting .301 with an .857 OPS.

Gerrit Cole has struck out just nine batters while allowing 26 hits his last three games (18.1 innings). Starting to get a bit nervous am I given his K/9 rate is down more than a batter and a half from the last two seasons at 7.24 per nine.

Adrian Gonzalez was washed up, that’s what I heard from some folks. I see a .299 batting average and .376 OBP and think, not so much.

Carlos Gonzalez has homered in 4-straight games.

Sonny Gray (shoulder) will start at High-A Sunday and if that outing goes well it sounds likely that the struggling righty could return to the rotation June 10th. I’m trending toward hope with Gray, but tons to prove.

Rich Hill (groin) is set to start Saturday for the Athletics after he came through his throwing session Wednesday without a hitch. I’m suggesting dealing now. Heed the warning.

Mike Leake has won four of his last five decisions. He’s walked a total of seven batters his last seven games, and over his last five trips to the bump it’s been five quality starts for the Reds’ righty. He’s also allowed just six earned runs in that time to lower his ERA to 3.82. His WHIP sparkles at 1.14.

Cameron Maybin hurt his hand Tuesday and was removed as a result (he tweaked his hand on a foul ball). It doesn’t sound like anything, but Maybin is always picking up some bodily issue. Always been his move. His performance is also slowing quickly has he’s produced just two hits in four games without an RBI or run scored.

Kendrys Morales is batting .193, eleven points lower than Corey Dickerson. The duo is batting .397. Daniel Murphy is batting… .397.

Jimmy Rollins has been terrible and his slash line (.226/.287/.336) is way worse than Tyler Saladino’s (.290/.320/.449). Meanwhile, Tim Anderson has done some really good things at Triple-A as he awaits a call up by the White Sox (.303/.330/.405).

Joe Ross has a 2.37 ERA and 1.15 WHIP over 10 start for the Nationals. My only complaint are the 46 strikeouts leading to a 6.82 K/9, more than a batter below his 8.10 mark from last season.

What Mookie Betts’ 3 home runs means for the rest of his season. C.J. Cron had a huge night at the dish. DJ LeMahieu is quietly having a great season. CHECK OUT THE VIDEO.
 

Ray Flowers can be heard Monday through Friday, 7 PM EDT and Friday on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 7 PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).