Share
Sports

LEADING OFF: Kimbrel warming, Giolito hot, Ohtani vs Kikuchi

Share

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

GETTING GOING, PART I

Dallas Keuchel says he doesn’t expect to need much time tuning up in the minors before he joins his new team, the Atlanta Braves. The club confirmed Friday night that the 2015 American League Cy Young Award winner had agreed to a one-year contract and said he’d start the next day with Triple-A Gwinnett. During a conference call, Keuchel said he has been pitching seven innings in simulated games in Southern California.

GETTING GOING, PART II

All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel is expected to report to the Cubs’ training facility in Mesa, Arizona, as he ramps up after finalizing a three-year contract with Chicago on Friday that guarantees him $43 million. Kimbrel was optioned to Triple-A, and the Cubs want him working back carefully following his extended free agency.

Trending:
KJP Panics, Hangs Up in Middle of Interview When Reporter Shows He Isn't a Democratic Party Propagandist

“We’re not going to rush it,” president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said. “It’s going to be tempting to get him here as soon as possible, but we’re trying to plan this thing the right way so that he can be in a position to succeed not just immediately but all the way through October.”

ROYAL PAIN

Breakout White Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito faces the Royals seeking his seventh victory in seven starts. Giolito (8-1, 2.54) ranks among the majors’ best pitchers a year after giving up more earned runs than anybody in the big leagues. The former top prospect is 6-0 with a 1.03 ERA in his last six outings, including a May 28 start against Kansas City when he set a season high with 10 strikeouts.

NICE TO SEE YOU

Shohei Ohtani’s first major league showdown with Yusei Kikuchi is on deck at Angel Stadium. The matchup would pit the AL Rookie of the Year from Los Angeles against Seattle’s rookie left-hander. They faced each other five times in Japan’s top league.

The 24-year-old Ohtani and the 27-year-old Kikuchi attended the same high school in Japan, but never played on the same team.

Ohtani, who isn’t pitching this season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, went into the weekend hitting .250 with five home runs and 20 RBIs. Kikuchi is 3-3 with a 4.43 ERA in 13 starts.

REMEMBER ME?

Yankees lefty CC Sabathia, who began his big league career with the Indians in 2001, makes his final scheduled start in Cleveland.

Related:
Pro Bowl QB Russell Wilson Signs with New Team After Being Released by the Broncos

Before New York began its weekend series at Progressive Field, the 38-year-old Sabathia stopped into his favorite sandwich shop for an Italian sub and swung by his old house to visit neighbors — and their grown kids — he hadn’t seen in a long time. Back in his old neighborhood in suburban Westlake, Sabathia was thrilled to find the outdoor basketball court his late father installed.

Sabathia (3-2, 3.61 ERA), who played eight seasons in Cleveland, will try for his 250th career win.

29 FOREVER

The Rangers are set to retire Adrián Beltré’s No. 29 prior to the nightcap of a doubleheader against Oakland. Beltré retired last offseason after 21 years in the majors, the last eight with Texas. He got 1,277 of his 3,166 hits with the club, most among his four franchises, and also got three of his five Gold Glove Awards in that time.

___

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

The Western Journal has not reviewed this Associated Press story prior to publication. Therefore, it may contain editorial bias or may in some other way not meet our normal editorial standards. It is provided to our readers as a service from The Western Journal.

Truth and Accuracy

Submit a Correction →



We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Tags:
,
Share
The Associated Press is an independent, not-for-profit news cooperative headquartered in New York City. Their teams in over 100 countries tell the world’s stories, from breaking news to investigative reporting. They provide content and services to help engage audiences worldwide, working with companies of all types, from broadcasters to brands. Photo credit: @AP on Twitter
The Associated Press was the first private sector organization in the U.S. to operate on a national scale. Over the past 170 years, they have been first to inform the world of many of history's most important moments, from the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the bombing of Pearl Harbor to the fall of the Shah of Iran and the death of Pope John Paul.

Today, they operate in 263 locations in more than 100 countries relaying breaking news, covering war and conflict and producing enterprise reports that tell the world's stories.
Location
New York City




Conversation