LEADING OFF
A look at what’s happening around the majors Tuesday:
RUNDOWN ROTATION: The AL Central-leading Twins start a home series against the AL East-leading Yankees with their rotation in a tough situation.
Right-hander Bailey Ober (1-2, 4.01) went on the 15-day injured list with a strained right groin Monday, becoming the fifth sidelined pitcher among the eight who have started three or more games for the Twins this season.
Sonny Gray, Chris Paddack and Josh Winder are on the injured list, and Joe Ryan is on the COVID-19 list. Two of their starting pitchers from last year, Kenta Maeda and Randy Dobnak, also remain out with long-term injuries. Paddack is done for the season.
Minnesota hadn’t named a starter for Tuesday as of Monday night. Yankees RHP Jameson Taillon (6-1, 2.30) starts for the first time since taking a perfect game into the eighth inning against the Angels last week.
RAINY DAYS: The Guardians are set for yet another doubleheader after their series opener Monday against Texas was postponed by rain. The teams were rescheduled for a traditional twin bill Tuesday, with the first game starting at 1:10 p.m.
Jon Gray (1-2) will start the opener for the Rangers against Cleveland’s Cal Quantrill (2-3). Texas left-hander Taylor Hearn (3-4) is scheduled to start Game 2, but the Guardians have not yet announced their pitcher. Rookie Konnor Pilkington was originally slated to start Tuesday’s matchup.
Due to the bad weather, the Guardians have played just 19 games at Progressive Field, the fewest home games among major league teams.
TRYING TO GET BACK ON TRACK: Houston’s Justin Verlander tries to get back on track when he starts against the visiting Mariners.
The 39-year-old right-hander, in his return from Tommy John surgery, started the season 6-1 with a 1.22 ERA, then allowed six runs and 10 hits over six innings in a May 21 loss to Texas and three runs while pitching two-hit ball over seven innings in a June 1 no-decision at Oakland. Those two starts raised his ERA to 2.23.
SMART ALEK: Toronto’s Alek Manoah takes a 6-1 record and 1.98 ERA into his start at Kansas City. The 24-year-old right-hander, making his 31st big league start, is in search of his first major league complete game. He pitched eight innings in a win against Tampa Bay last Sept. 13 and against Cincinnati on May 21, failing during an animated dugout conversation with manager Charlie Montoyo to be allowed to take the mound in the ninth inning against the Reds.
Kansas City right-hander Brad Keller (1-6) is 0-4 with a 6.67 ERA in five starts since defeating St. Louis on May 3.