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Mariners 2B Robinson Cano was a second-round draft pick in most mixed leagues this season, and has pretty much been a disaster, with four home runs and a sub-.250 BA through the end of June. We're big fans of patience around here, but Cano's struggles merited his benching in many formats. You couldn't really waive him, but he wasn't helping you. He's been a terrible problem to own.
Fortunately, the prospects of Cano's fantasy owners might finally be looking up. After a couple more hits on Thursday, the $240-million man is slashing .375/.405/.600 with two homers in nine games this month. You shouldn't expect second-round stats in the second half, as the Yankee version of Cano appears gone for good thanks to the ballpark change and his overall decline. But last season, Cano slashed .285/.366/.492 with seven home runs after the All-Star break, which is pretty good for a second baseman. You might get something close to that over the next few months, and should get Cano back in your lineups if you own him. It's hard to argue that he'll be worth the wait, but if you did wait ... yay?
In other news ...
Cardinals OF Matt Holliday (quad) might be activated from the DL as soon as today, but it sounds like he'll be limited to pinch-hitting duties this weekend.
OMG METS NOOOOOO! LHP Steven Matz is on the DL with a partially torn lat muscle. Matz will rest for three weeks, and will be re-examined after that. Matz has been pretty good, but don't be stubborn about saving a roster spot for a rookie starter who might not be back until mid-August, if then.
Jose Fernandez is really taking a lot of time to ease his way back into form, huh?
Alex Gordon's groin injury is expected to keep him out for eight weeks.
Thanks to the Rockies' crackerjack weather forecasting system, Braves SP Alex Wood threw two pitches before a 2:06 rain delay on Thursday, and didn't return after the break. Wood will now start in place of rookie Manny Banuelos on Sunday.
The Pirates apparently don't want to place OF Starling Marte (left side discomfort) on the DL, but it's unclear if or when he'll be able to play this weekend.
The Nationals and Orioles play each other this weekend, and both teams have their starters listed as TBD for Saturday and Sunday. The Nats would rather let Max Scherzer pitch for them instead of the National League All-Star team, which makes perfect sense.
It sounds like the Nats will place OF Denard Span (back spasms) on the DL, despite an encouraging Thursday visit to a specialist.
A's SP Jesse Hahn had an MRI on Thursday to check on some elbow tightness. Hahn will be replaced by Chris Bassitt for Saturday's start.
Though I still don't think he's for real, Cody Anderson did a fine job as our Thursday streaming starter. The weekend picks are Erasmo Ramirez (owned in 21.1 percent of FOXSports.com leagues) against the Astros on Friday; Patrick Corbin (7.3 percent owned) at the Mets on Saturday; and Boston's inconsistent but improving Wade Miley (5.8 percent owned) versus the Yankees on Sunday.
Friday DFS advice (based on 50/50 games, salaries from DraftKings): With the Cardinals still a bit shorthanded, Gerrit Cole ($10,000) looks pretty good as an SP1. Clay Buchholz ($6,900) has averaged 27.75 DK points over his last four starts, and seems like a no-brainer among the cheaper starters ... Derek Norris ($3,700) is always a solid catcher vs. a LHP ... Save at the keystone with Johnny Giavotella ($3,000) vs. Mike Montgomery, unless you're brave/crazy enough to try Cesar Hernandez ($2,600) vs. MadBum ... D-backs SS Nick Ahmed ($2,900) has been leading off quite a bit lately, and is averaging a solid 8.4 DK points over his last 10 games ... I prefer Manny Machado ($4,200) to the slightly more expensive Josh Donaldson at 3B ... Clint Robinson ($2,700) is a good, cheap OF against Chris Tillman.
I'm taking a vacation to coincide with the All-Star break. See you back here on Monday, July 20.
