LEADING OFF: Heat wave, surging Giants and Indians, Gio back

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/07/2019 (2303 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A look at what’s happening around the majors today:

BE CAREFUL

The extreme heat gripping much of the country is having an effect around the major leagues. The Yankees and Rockies have called off most of the pregame activities for their afternoon game — New York is forecast to come close to its first 100-degree day since 2012.

It is expected to be 100 in Baltimore, where the Orioles host Boston at night.

And it was 94 at Target Field on Friday night — the second-hottest start in park’s 10-year history, trailing only a 97-degree reading on July 16, 2012 — when Minnesota faced Oakland.

Players appeared to have trouble at times gripping the ball. Twins starter Jake Odorizzi took off his glove during a mound visit in the first inning and peppered both arms with the rosin bag.

“It was only like pitching in a rain forest,” Odorizzi said. “I was taking the rosin bag and going up and down my arms so I could stop the sweat coming from my hand because I was just pouring sweat. I changed my jersey after the first inning, my hat. I just took it all off and came back fresh. I was pretty drenched out there and I know a lot of guys were in the same place.”

MOVING UP

San Francisco is back to .500 and has surged into the NL wild-card race, thanks to a seven-game winning streak. Jeff Samardzija and the Giants try to keep it going at home, a day after a botched flyball in the 10th inning gave them a 1-0 victory over the Mets. … The Indians have moved into playoff contention by winning six in a row. Adam Plutko starts for Cleveland at home against Kansas City.

ALL SET

The Brewers are expected to activate Gio Gonzalez from the 10-day injured list to start at Arizona. The 33-year-old lefty was 2-1 with a 3.19 ERA in six starts for Milwaukee before being sidelined by arm fatigue.

Gonzalez made rehab starts with Class A Carolina and Triple-A San Antonio after going on the injured list May 29.

WHAT A RELIEF

Red Sox right-hander Nathan Eovaldi is ready to rejoin the Red Sox after missing three months because of elbow surgery. Although he appeared as a starter in all four of his games in April, the 29-year-old will return as a member of the bullpen, possibly the closer.

Eovaldi is expected to be activated for the game in Baltimore.

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WELCOME BACK

Journeyman catcher Ryan Lavarnway was a big hit in his return to the majors. With the Reds needing a backstop after a series of injuries left them thin behind the plate, they signed the 31-year-old on Thursday after he was released by the Yankees — he had batted .213 in a Triple-A backup role.

Lavarnway hit two homers, doubled and drove in a career-high six runs as Cincinnati lost to St. Louis 12-11 on Friday night. Lavarnway had played a total of 12 games in the big leagues in the last four seasons.

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