AROUND THE HORN
Mets: Right-hander Taijuan Walker was put on the 10-day injured list Tuesday because of bursitis in his pitching shoulder, the latest setback to the Mets’ rotation. Walker threw two perfect innings Monday night against the Phillies in his season debut, then was pulled after 30 pitches. Walker was 7-11 with a 4.47 ERA last season, his first with the Mets, and was picked for the National League All-Star team. The Mets already were missing two-time NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom. He was sidelined before opening day because of inflammation around his shoulder blade, a problem that could keep him from pitching in the majors until June. Three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer is set to pitch Wednesday against the Phillies. He had a hamstring issue during spring training, but was able to start last weekend.
Guardians: José Ramírez hit a grand slam and drove in six runs, remarkable rookie Steven Kwan reached base three more times and the Guardians spoiled Reds’ home opener with a 10-5 victory. Andrés Giménez hit a tiebreaking, two-run HR in the ninth off Hunter Strickland. Ramírez, who tripled and singled earlier, capped a six-run burst with his third career slam for a 10-4 lead. Kwan has now reached base at least three times in all five games of his major league career. The 24-year-old outfielder kept up his super start with a single, two walks and a sacrifice fly. Kwan is batting 10-for-15 since making his debut opening day. He has reached base in 18 of 24 plate appearances, the most times for any player in his first five games since 1901.
Red Sox: Rafael Devers singled through the open shortstop area with the infield shifted to the right side, driving in the go-ahead run in the eighth as the visiting Red Sox overcame a three-run deficit to beat the Tigers 5-3. Garrett Whitlock (1-0) pitched four hitless innings to earn the victory.
Brewers: Andrew McCutchen hit a tiebreaking single in the seventh, Devin Williams pitched out of his own jam in the eighth, and the Brewers held on for a 5-4 road victory over the Orioles. Cedric Mullins hit a grand slam for the Orioles. After being shut out in two of their first four games, the Brewers improved at the plate. Then Williams nearly gave the game away by allowing a single and two walks to load the bases with nobody out in the eighth. The right-hander recovered, striking out Chris Owings, Jorge Mateo and pinch-hitter Ryan McKenna to end the inning and keep the Brewers ahead by a run.
Cardinals: Albert Pujols homered for the first time since returning to the Cardinals and Andrew Knizner hit a three-run shot as the Cards beat the visiting Royals 6-5. Nolan Arenado also went deep for the Cards, who have won 20 of 27 interleague games against the in-state Royals since 2017. Salvador Perez homered twice and Michael A. Taylor also connected for the Royals, who have allowed 33 runs in losing their last three games. The 42-year-old Pujols, who also singled twice in a 3-for-4 performance, signed with the Cards on March 28 for his final season. The future Hall of Famer played for the Cards from 2001-11, helping the team win two World Series.