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Tyler Freeman RF | COL
Rockies' Tyler Freeman: Four-game hitting streak
Freeman went 2-for-3 with a run scored and a walk Friday against the Giants.
Freeman has gotten more consistent playing time with Mickey Moniak (ankle) sidelined, starting nine straight games. Freeman has hit .265 with two RBI and three runs scored in that span, and he's also in the midst of a four-game hitting streak. Freeman has occupied the second spot in the lineup in four of the last five contests, giving him some run-scoring upside if he continues to reach base at a strong clip.
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Jared Jones SP | PIT
Pirates' Jared Jones: Not sharp in return from IL
Jones didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 6-5 win over the Twins, coughing up five runs on seven hits and two walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out six.
Making his first big-league start since undergoing Tommy John surgery in May of last year, Jones tossed 53 of 77 pitches for strikes but got hit hard when he was in the strike zone, serving up long balls to Kody Clemens in the first inning and Trevor Larnach in the third. The right-hander was headed for the loss until Bryan Reynolds walked it off with a homer of his own in the bottom of the ninth. Jones has plenty of upside, but he'll be a risky fantasy option while he shakes off the rust and works to regain his pre-injury form. He lines up to make his next start on the road next week in Houston.
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Taylor Rogers RP | MIN
Twins' Taylor Rogers: Blows save Friday
Rogers (1-2) blew the save and took the loss Friday, coughing up two runs on two hits in one-third of an inning as the Twins fell 6-5 to the Pirates. He struck out one.
The veteran lefty got the call in the ninth inning to protect a 5-4 lead, but instead he served up a walk-off homer to Bryan Reynolds. It was Rogers' first blown save of the year, and through 21.2 innings he carries a shaky 4.15 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB. The back of Minnesota's bullpen remains a mess, but Rogers' experience will probably allow him to remain in the high-leverage mix -- he's tied for the team lead in both holds (six) and saves (two).
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Juan Mejia RP | COL
Rockies' Juan Mejia: Struggles, still wins
Mejia (1-4) allowed two earned runs on three hits across one inning but still earned the win Friday against the Giants. He did not record a walk or a strikeout.
Mejia was called upon to hold the Rockies' deficit to one run in the ninth inning, but he allowed four of the first six batters he faced to reach base. The offense bailed him out with a walk-off home run, but Mejia's recent struggles continued with the outing. He's allowed at least one earned run in three straight appearances, totaling five earned runs allowed across 2.2 innings. Mejia is still being used in high-leverage situations, though his potential share of save chances is murky.
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Taj Bradley SP | MIN
Twins' Taj Bradley: Escapes Pittsburgh with no-decision
Bradley didn't factor into the decision Friday as the Twins were downed 6-5 by the Pirates, giving up four runs on five hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out six.
The Bucs ambushed Bradley for three runs in the bottom of the first inning, including a solo shot by Oneil Cruz, but the right-hander was able to hang around long enough to give the Twins 87 pitches (51 strikes) before getting the hook. Bradley has issued multiple free passes in seven straight starts dating back to April 12, posting a 4.12 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 43:17 K:BB in 39.1 innings during that span. He'll look to bounce back in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Royals.
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Nate Lowe 1B | CLE
Reds' Nathaniel Lowe: Hit streak reaches eight games
Lowe went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 8-3 loss Atlanta.
Lowe's fourth-inning home run extended a hit streak to eight games. During the streak, Lowe has gone 11-for-30 (.367) with four doubles, three home runs, nine RBI and six runs scored. He's getting regular playing time against right-handers while Reds manager Terry Francona shuffles the starting lineup to cover for injured third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes (back). Lowe is slugging at a career-high .570 percent with 18 of his 33 hits going for extra bases.
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J.J. Bleday LF | CIN
Reds' JJ Bleday: Clubs eighth homer
Bleday went 2-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Friday's 8-3 loss to Atlanta.
The 28-year-old outfielder took Grant Holmes deep to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning and get Cincy on the board. Bleday continues to swing a hot bat, and over his last 16 games he's slashing .311/.411/.607 with four of his eight homers on the season, as well as one steal, 11 runs and 15 RBI.
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Chris Paddack RP | TEX
Reds' Chris Paddack: Remains winless
Paddack (0-7) took the loss Friday, giving up four runs on seven hits and three walks over five innings as the Reds fell 8-3 to Atlanta. He failed to strike out a batter.
The veteran right-hander is 0-2 with Cincinnati after an 0-5 start to the year with Miami. Paddack tossed 52 of 86 pitches for strikes Friday before exiting, and since being picked up to patch a hole at the back of the Reds' rotation, he's managed a 5.40 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 8:7 K:BB in 15 innings over three starts. Rhett Lowder (shoulder) is set to begin a rehab assignment next week and may only need one outing before coming off the IL, but that still leaves Paddack to handle at least one more start, which is set to come at home next week against the Royals.
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Michael Harris II CF | ATL
Braves' Michael Harris: Drives in three in Friday's win
Harris went 3-for-5 with three RBI in Friday's 8-3 win over the Reds.
He was caught stealing for the first time this season, but it was otherwise another productive effort from Harris. The center fielder has three multi-hit performances in the last four games and six in the last 10, boosting his slash line on the season to .308/.333/.535 with 13 homers, three steals, 27 runs and 36 RBI in 55 contests.