LEADING OFF: Cubs-Pirates in Williamsport, CC faces Indians

By: The Associated Press Posted: 5:02 AM CDT Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019 Last Modified: 2:00 AM CDT Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019

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

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/08/2019 (2271 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

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

LITTLE BIG LEAGUE

Kris Bryant and the Chicago Cubs take on Josh Bell and the Pittsburgh Pirates in prime time at the MLB Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Cubs left-hander José Quintana (10-7, 4.11 ERA) is 6-0 in eight starts since his last loss on June 22. Mitch Keller (1-1, 7.94) will make his second start for Pittsburgh since being recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis. The 23-year-old rookie picked up his first major league win in four starts Monday against the Angels.

FILE - In this July 25, 2019, file photo, Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer throws to the Colorado Rockies during a baseball game in Washington. Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer says he is “ready to get in a game” for the Washington Nationals and come off the injured list. Scherzer played catch at Nationals Park on Wednesday, Aug. 14. a day after throwing the equivalent of about two innings in a simulated game, and said he felt able to return to action from a back muscle problem. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

FAMILIAR FACE

CC Sabathia (5-6, 4.78 ERA) comes off the injured list for the Yankees to face Cleveland in the finale of a four-game series between American League pennant contenders. The 39-year-old lefty, who spent his first 7 1/2 seasons with the Indians and won the 2007 AL Cy Young Award with them, has been out since July 28 with right knee inflammation. Mike Clevinger (7-2, 3.34) goes for Cleveland. He is 6-0 with a 2.39 ERA in his past eight starts and struck out 10 last year in his only previous start at Yankee Stadium.

A YEAR TO FORGET

Injuries to the starting rotation have been one reason the defending World Series champion Red Sox are in danger of missing the post-season for the first time since 2015. Chris Sale went on the injured list Saturday with left elbow inflammation, raising questions about whether he will pitch again this season. But on Sunday, World Series hero Nathan Eovaldi will make his first start since April when Boston hosts last-place Baltimore. Eovaldi missed three months after undergoing elbow surgery in April and has worked out of the bullpen since his return. He did not allow a run in three relief appearances over the past week. The Red Sox are 6 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot.

INJURY UPDATE

The Toronto Blue Jays await word on rookie third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who left Saturday’s game against Seattle because of a sore left knee and went for an MRI.

In the second inning, Guerrero cut in front of shortstop Bo Bichette to field a grounder and made an awkward throw across his body. Guerrero finished the inning but did not return in the third. Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said Guerrero “felt a little tweak in his knee.”

FILE - In this Aug. 8, 2019, file photo, San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. throws to first base late on a single by Colorado Rockies' Yonathan Daza during the sixth inning of a baseball game, in San Diego. Padres rookie shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. has become one of major league baseball’s most exciting young players, showing an instinct and aggressiveness that make it hard to believe he’s only 20. (AP Photo/Orlando Ramirez, File)

The son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr. and a finalist in the Home Run Derby at the All-Star Game in Cleveland, Guerrero leads AL rookies in hits (95) and doubles (22). He homered in Friday’s win over the Mariners, his 14th. He’s batting .274 with 54 RBIs in 93 games.

Guerrero missed more than a month at Double-A New Hampshire last season because of a strained ligament in his left knee.

SUSPENDED

The NL-leading Dodgers will be without pitcher Julio Urìas until September after he accepted a 20-game suspension by Major League Baseball for a domestic violence incident. MLB gave Urìas credit for serving five games while he was on administrative leave in May, leaving 15 remaining to serve without pay.

The commissioner’s office said Saturday that Urìas has agreed not to appeal the discipline and will participate in an evaluation and treatment program. He can return to the majors on Sept. 2 and is eligible for the post-season. The two-time defending NL champion Dodgers lead the NL West by 19 1/2 games.

The 23-year-old lefty from Mexico was arrested in May and accused of shoving a woman. The charges were ultimately dropped, but MLB pursued its own punishment under the league’s domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy.