Here is a look at what’s happening around the majors on Sunday:
WAITING GAME
The Minnesota Twins will see when they can next play after their COVID-19 problems wiped out the rest of a series in Anaheim against the Angels. Games on Saturday night and Sunday were called off. Manager Rocco Baldelli said that outfielder Kyle Garlick, another undisclosed Twins player, and a team staff member tested positive two days before the postponements. Shortstop Andrelton Simmons already hadn’t made the trip after testing positive early in the week, and he hadn’t been around the team since Tuesday.
“There’s not one person in our group who’s not frustrated,” Baldelli said. “Does everyone have that general frustration just having to deal with this in a grander sense? Absolutely. And then there are probably people who are frustrated about particular aspects.”
The Twins are scheduled to play Monday night at Oakland.
Five games have been postponed this season because of the virus, including three between Washington and the Mets because of Washington’s trouble. Last year, there were 45 regular-season games postponed for virus-related reasons, but only two – between St. Louis and Detroit – were not made up.
WELCOME BACK
next opportunity comes to play for the Atlanta Braves. Then again, he’s already a pro at waiting for second chances. Since Sept. 23, 2008, Kazmar grounded into a double play as a pinch-hitter Saturday at Wrigley Field in his first big league game.
Everything and then some,” the 36-year-old infielder said. “What a fantastic feeling.
Kazmar’s only previous season in the majors was with San Diego in 2008, when he hit .205 in 19 games. Since then, they have played 1,106 games in Triple-A and Double-A for the Padres, Mariners, Mets, and Braves. Kazmar hit .409 in spring training with the Braves, with three home runs in 22 at-bats. His gap of over 12 1/2 between big league games was the greatest since that of pitcher Ralph Winegarner, according to Elias Sports Bureau — Winegarner played in 1936 for Cleveland and didn’t return to the majors until over 13 years later, in 1949, with the St. Louis Browns.
BRONX BEAT
The AL-worst Yankees hope to end a four-game slide when ace Gerrit Cole (2-0, 1.47) faces AL East for Tampa Bay. The Rays have had New York’s number, winning seven straight series — including last year’s AL Division Series — and taking 17 of 22 games since Sept. 2019. Manuel Margot and the Rays won in the Bronx on Friday and Saturday, limiting the Bombers to five runs and eight hits. The Rays will use opener Andrew Kittredge (2-0).
New York catcher Gary Sánchez won’t start but could be available a day after being hit by a foul ball in his right hand. X-rays were negative, and the team said he’s daily with a contusion on his right index and middle fingers. Kyle Higashioka was already lined up to catch Cole, but manager Aaron Boone expects Sánchez to be available when the team plays next Tuesday against Atlanta.
