LEADING OFF: Ellsbury, Miller back to Yanks, Kershaw starts

0

St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong (16) makes a catch for the out on a ball hit by Chicago Cubs’ Miguel Montero during the fifth inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader, Tuesday, July 7, 2015, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)

A look at what’s happening all around the major leagues today:

___

GETTING STRONGER

The first-place Yankees plan to activate closer Andrew Miller and center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury from the disabled list before hosting Oakland. Miller has been sidelined since June 10 with a strained left forearm, while Ellsbury has been out since May 20 with a sprained right knee.

PUNCHOUTS

Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw starts for the last time before fan voting closes Friday for the final spot on the NL All-Star team. The three-time Cy Young Award winner and reigning MVP is 5-6 with a 3.08 ERA in 17 starts, and leads the league in strikeouts. He faces the Phillies at Dodger Stadium.

WOBBLY WONG

Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong could return to the lineup a day after he banged his head when he sprawled to catch a popup in shallow right field. He felt woozy and exited early Tuesday in the opener of a day-night doubleheader at Wrigley Field and didn’t start the second game.

WRONG WAY

Red Sox righty Rick Porcello has lost seven straight decisions going into his start against visiting Miami. A year after he tied for the big league lead in shutouts while pitching for Detroit, Porcello is 4-9 with a 6.08 ERA in 16 starts for Boston.

THEY MEET AGAIN

Trevor Bauer and three Indians relievers came within two outs of no-hitting the Astros on April 9 at Minute Maid Park. Bauer tossed six innings and struck out 11, but was pulled after 111 pitches in his first start of the season. Jed Lowrie broke up Cleveland’s bid with a homer off Nick Hagadone with one out in the ninth. Bauer is home this time to face Houston.

BACK ON THE MOUND

Texas lefty Matt Harrison is set to make his first major league start since having back surgery in June 2014. He was an All-Star two years ago when he won 18 games, but has been sidelined by significant back problems. He made two starts in 2013 before having two operations. After only four starts last year, Harrison had spinal fusion surgery that threatened his career. He starts vs. the visiting Diamondbacks.

No posts to display