A look at what’s happening around the majors today:
NATIONAL DECLINE
The Nationals could use a spark before the July 4 fireworks go off in D.C. Washington is at risk of falling below .500 for the first time since May 2 as it
continues a series against Boston at 11 a.m. EDT. The Red Sox thumped the
Nationals 11-4 on Tuesday
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42-42. That slide has the preseason NL East favorites chasing the Braves and
Phillies in the division. Erick Fedde (1-3, 6.00) tries to stop Washington’s
skid against Boston left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (9-3, 4.11).
THE SHO GOES ON
Shohei Ohtani is back from the disabled list, albeit without full use of his electric right arm. The Japanese two-way sensation has been cleared to hit and
was in the Angels’ lineup as a designated hitter Tuesday night, but he won’t be
pitching anytime soon due to a Grade 2 sprain of his ulnar collateral ligament
suffered more than three weeks ago. Ohtani has received stem cell therapy and a
platelet-rich plasma injection on his right elbow. The Angels say they’ll
re-evaluate Ohtani for pitching in three weeks.
ROTATION RESET
Gerrit Cole (9-2) will pitch on regular rest for the Astros after a slight tweak to their rotation. Lance McCullers Jr. was initially scheduled to start at
Texas, but Cole will pitch instead. Justin Verlander (9-4) will follow Thursday
at home against the White Sox and McCullers goes Friday. Manager A.J. Hinch said
the switch keeps Cole and Verlander pitching every fifth day, and provides extra
rest for McCullers (9-3) and Charlie Morton (10-2). The reset rotation means
likely All-Star selection Verlander is scheduled for the final game before the
break. ”This is always going to be the priority,” said Hinch
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team on July 17 in Washington D.C.
BAUER POWER
Trevor Bauer tries to carry over an outstanding June when the Indians play at Kansas City. Bauer (7-6, 2.45) was 3-3 with a 2.18 ERA last month, striking out
62 batters in 41 1/3 innings. He gets probably his easiest test of the year
against the Royals, who scored a major league-low 58 runs in June – the
second-lowest output was Tampa Bay at 87.
—
Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer says he hasn’t made a decision regarding the status of quarterback Sam Bradford, who has practiced the last two weeks in an
attempt to be activated from the injured reserve list.
Case Keenum will be the Vikings starting quarterback in Sunday’s NFC Divisional Round playoff game against the New Orleans Saints.
After practice on Friday, Zimmer refuted a report that Bradford might be activated.
A writer for the Boston Globe tweeted Friday the ”Vikings plan to dress” Bradford, who hasn’t been active since Week 5 against the Chicago Bears.
”I don’t know how the Boston Globe would know because I haven’t made any decisions yet,” Zimmer said.
Bradford was placed on the IR on Nov. 8 after undergoing arthroscopic surgery to clean his left knee. He became eligible to practice before the Vikings’ Week
17 game
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practices.
”It’s kind of hard to get (Bradford) reps when you’re getting your starter ready,” Zimmer said. ”Forty reps in a practice, and he gets five and Bridgewater
gets five.”
Bradford started in Week 1 against the Saints and passed for 346 yards, three touchdowns and a career high 143.0 passer rating, despite injuring his knee in
the game.
Vikings cornerback Terence Newman (foot) was listed as questionable for Sunday. The veteran didn’t practice Thursday but was a limited participant on
Friday.
