LEADING OFF: Murphy to Cubs, Yanks check Chapman, Posey hip
Posted 8/22/18
Nationals Trades Baseball APTOPIX Yankees Marlins Baseball Giants Posey Baseball LEADING OFF: Murphy to Cubs, Yanks check Chapman, Posey hip by By The Associated Press , Associated Press - 22 August …
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by By The Associated Press , Associated Press - 22 August 2018 02:09-04:00
A look at what's happening around the majors today:
RALLY MURPHY
The Cubs have scored exactly one run in five straight games, all via solo homers, but they're hoping new addition Daniel Murphy can help string together some hits. The NL Central leaders bolstered their struggling lineup by acquiring Murphy in a trade with Washington on Tuesday, and he may join the club for a night game at Detroit. The 33-year-old Murphy was the NL Championship Series MVP when the Mets swept the Cubs in 2015, hitting .529 with four homers and six RBIs.
"It's going to be more fun to watch him hit," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "He kind of devastated us in 2015."
'PEN PAIN
Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman is likely to have an MRI after he experienced pain Tuesday in the same left knee where he dealt with tendinitis earlier this season. Chapman was pulled in the 12th inning of a win over Miami after averaging just 96 mph on his fastball, the lowest of any outing for him since 2013, according to ESPN Stats & Info. Chapman has 31 saves and a 2.11 ERA this season. New York held reliever David Robertson out of Tuesday's win because of a sore right shoulder, though manager Aaron Boone did not anticipate Robertson would be out long.
POSEY'S DECISION
Giants catcher Buster Posey is expected to play against the Mets in New York, but the season might soon be coming to an end for the six-time All-Star. Posey says he's considering surgery to fix a hip problem that's been hobbling him all year.
The 31-year-old Posey hasn't homered in a span of 166 at-bats since June 19, the third-longest homerless drought of his career in terms of days. San Francisco is 62-65 and behind several teams for the second NL wild-card spot.
WELCOME BACK
Stephen Strasburg (6-7, 3.90 ERA) returns to Washington's rotation after being sidelined by a cervical nerve impingement. His start at home against the Phillies will be his first outing since July 20. He's 10-2 with a 2.22 ERA in 21 career starts vs. Philadelphia.
HELLO OLD FRIEND
Matt Adams is expected to join the Cardinals after being acquired Tuesday from the fading Nationals. St. Louis has charged back into playoff contention, and they're hoping a reunion with the lefty-swinging slugger can push them over the top. Adams hit .257 with 18 home runs and 48 RBIs in 249 at-bats after signing with Washington in the offseason. Adams should be activated prior to the Cardinals' series finale at Dodger Stadium.
CHECK HIM
White Sox manager Rick Renteria will undergo further testing after an episode of lightheadedness. The 56-year-old Renteria was released from a Minnesota hospital on Tuesday, a day after missing a game.
Renteria will be tested at a hospital in Chicago. Bench coach Joe McEwing is running the team while Renteria is away.
