AROUND THE HORN

A’s-Mariners: The Athletics and Mariners will play an opening two-game series in Tokyo on March 20 and 21, the fifth time Major League Baseball will start its season in Japan. Major League Baseball said Tuesday that the A’s will be the home team for both games.

Twins: The Twins placed 3B Miguel Sano on the 10-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring. The Twins made the move retroactive to Saturday. Sano is batting just .213 in 20 games, with four doubles, five home runs, 14 RBIs and nine walks. To replace Sano, they selected the contract of infielder Gregorio Petit from Triple-A Rochester. The Twins designated LHP Dietrich Enns for assignment or release to make room for Petit on the 40-man roster.

Indians: RHP Trevor Bauer ignited a Twitter battle when he insinuated Astros pitchers are using sticky substances to increase their spin rates. It started when Bauer responded to a tweet that read: “Are Astros doctoring baseball or throwing spit balls. Look at spin rates of (Justin) Verlander, (Gerrit) Cole and (Charlie) Morton, increased dramatically pitching in Astros uniform. They (sic) probably using a substance or like chewing gum like Morton did like postseason.” Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr. soon came to the defense of his team with a tweet. It read in part: “Jealousy isn’t a good look on you my man. You have great stuff and have worked hard for it, like the rest of us, no need for this.”

Braves: The Braves called up RHP Mike Soroka, who started Tuesday night’s game against the Mets. The 20-year-old from Calgary, Alberta, gives the Braves the three youngest players in the majors. He joined OF Ronald Acuna Jr., who is about four months younger than Soroka, and 21-year-old 2B Ozzie Albies.

Rockies: The Rockies sent down IF Ryan McMahon and promoted IF Daniel Castro from Triple-A Albuquerque. McMahon is batting .180 in 28 games. Castro had a 22-game hit streak with the Isotopes.