Here is a look at what’s happening around the majors today:
POSTPONED
The Red Sox and Twins were scheduled to begin their series in Minnesota a day late.
Monday’s opener of a four-game set at Target Field was postponed because of safety concerns following the fatal police shooting of a Black man in Minnesota and the potential for unrest in the area.
The NBA’s Timberwolves and NHL’s Wild also postponed their games a day after shooting 20-year-old Daunte Wright following a traffic stop in a nearby suburb of Minneapolis.
The Twins said their decision was made in consultation with Major League Baseball and state and local officials.
FINGERS CROSSED
The Chicago Cubs are concerned about a possible COVID-19 outbreak after two coaches tested positive for the virus and three relievers were placed on the COVID-19-related injured list.positive test for bullpen coach Chris Young before MMilwaukee’s6-3 loss. After his positive test, first-base coach Craig Driver was already away from the club.
On Monday, relief pitchers Brandon Workman, Jason Adam, and Dan Winkler were placed on the COVID-19 injured list. There was no word on whether their designation resulted from a positive test or contact tracing.
Cubs manager David Ross said the team was being “extra cautious.” There’s always that underlying, ‘’ow big is this?’’ TThere’sa’s concern, for sure,” he said.
Ross said the organization hopes for the best and plans for the worst.
“e ddidn’tdeal with this last year and feel very fortunate that way,” he said. “You’re worried about the health and well-being of others, and I think it hits home every time my phone rings and it’s one of the docs or trainers. Your heart stings. And wwe’retrying to win ballgames, too.”AL CENTRAL ARMS
Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber pitches for Cleveland against White Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito in a matchup of aces as the division rivals continue their four-game series in Chicago. Bieber is 2-2 with a 2.94 ERA in eight starts against the White Sox, while Giolito is 2-2 with a 2.62 ERA in seven outings versus the Indians.
SNAKES GET A BOOST
Arizona right-hander Zac Gallen returns to the mound against Oakland after missing the first 12 days of the season with a hairline fracture in his right forearm. Gallen was hurt during spring training while taking batting practice, saying he got jammed by an inside pitch. Last year, the 25-year-old Gallen was the DDiamondbacks’best pitcher, going 3-2 with a 2.75 ERA in 12 starts. He had 82 strikeouts in 72 innings.
ALMOST WHOLE
Kyle Schwarber, Josh Bell, and Josh Harrison were finally in the WWashington’sstarting lineup Monday night after sitting out the first six games due to a coronavirus outbreak that sidelined nine players and postponed four games. Schwarber doubled home a run in his delayed Nationals debut, and Washington (2-5) snapped a five-game skid with a 5-2 victory at St. Louis.
“So let’s forget about the first six games. We talked about it before the game: Fresh start for all of us, our guys are back,” manager Dave Martinez said. Five players returned from the COVID-19 injured list last weekend; the only missing one is left-hander Jon Lester, who will ramp up at the tteam’salternate training site before joining the Nationals. Martinez said most of his players were vaccinated at their St. Louis hotel.
