45 Alfredo Figaro, RP

Brewers pitcher Alfredo Figaro, who pitched seven shutout innings in his previous start, took a step back as he suffered his first loss of the season Tuesday night against the Astros. Figaro (1-1) surrendered five runs -- four earned -- on five hits and two walks while striking out three in 4 1/3 innings in a 10-1 loss.

Figaro has allowed eight earned runs over his last 16 2/3 innings. He has a 3.88 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP in 20 appearances (four starts). He is scheduled to make his next start Sunday at home against the Braves.

Owned in 16 percent of leagues and coming off a 30-point Week 11 performance, it might be time to take a deeper look at Brewers starter Alfredo Figaro, as the 28-year-old righty is about to bring his 3.47 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 7.1 K/9 into a two-start week. 

Figaro pitched in Japan the last two seasons, producing decent numbers (3.31 ERA, 1.29 WHIP), but nothing spectacular. He did return to the majors with some uptick in velocity; while Figaro averaged about 93 mph in 2009 and 2010, he's hitting around 95 this season. 

Granted, much of his 2013 data came as a reliever, but in Figaro's three starts, his fastball has averaged 95.3, 95.3 and 96. And in his last two starts, with Figaro averaging 91 pitches, he has a 2.92 ERA and 0.81 WHIP, with 10 strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings. 

If he can maintain the velocity increase as a starter, Figaro could be mixed-league worthy before long. For now, though, even with the two-start week, it may be safer to keep him as a NL-only starter. 

Brewers pitcher Alfredo Figaro made his third start of the year Wednesday against the Marlins and earned his first win, pitching seven shutout innings and allowing just three hits while striking out four and walking none.

Figaro hasn't walked a batter in 15 2/3 innings over two starts and one relief appearance in June. The Brewers are off Thursday and Monday, which could lead them to juggle their rotation, but Figaro should see his next start against the Astros.

Brewers pitcher Alfredo Figaro was hit hard but escaped with a no-decision Friday night against the Phillies.

Figaro, who made his second start of the season, surrendered a run-scoring single to Jimmy Rollins in the first and three more runs in the fourth, including a two-run home run to Erik Kratz. The right-hander permitted four runs on seven hits while striking out six in 5 1/3 innings.

Figaro has allowed four runs in each of his first two starts. He is scheduled to make his next start Wednesday at Miami.