Baseball playoffs to start Oct. 4
A possible Game 7 of World Series would be Nov. 2.
The MLB postseason will open with the AL wild-card game Tuesday, Oct. 4, followed by the NL wild-card game the next day.
In releasing its playoff schedule Tuesday, MLB also said the World Series will begin Tuesday, Oct. 25, at the home the AL champion. A seventh and deciding game, if necessary, is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 2.
The AL division series will begin Thursday, Oct. 6; the NL division series begin Friday, Oct. 7.
The AL championship series is scheduled to begin Friday, Oct. 14; the NL championship series Oct. 15.
Billy Butler and Danny Valencia were fined by the team after they were involved in a clubhouse fight last week that led to Butler being placed on the seven-day concussion list. “There was an altercation in the clubhouse, we’re aware of it, both players have been disciplined and fined and we’re moving past it,” GM David Forst said.
Josh Hamilton was placed on unconditional release waivers, though they hope his surgically rebuilt left knee is healthy enough to allow him to try with the team next season. Texas activated Hamilton off the 60-day DL and put him on waivers. The outfielder, 35, had surgery June 8 to reconstruct his ACL and repair cartilage damage. He’s hoping to be ready for spring training. It was Hamilton’s third operation on the knee since September. He played in only 50 games last season, batting .253 with eight homers and 25 RBIs.
Dwight Gooden refuted Darryl Strawberry’s concerns for his life, saying, “I do not use cocaine and have not for many years.” Gooden released a statement to Newsday late Monday, hours after Strawberry reiterated his fears that his former Mets and Yankees teammate had relapsed. “I would also like to say here and now that Darryl’s allegations against me are totally false,” Gooden said. Strawberry went public with his concerns Thursday after Gooden failed to show at a radio appearance.
Right-hander Drew Storen was placed on the 15-day DL with right shoulder inflammation. Storen was 2-0 with a 4.35 ERA in 10 appearances with Seattle after being acquired from Toronto on July 26.
Infielder Derek Dietrich was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right knee contusion.
Outfielder Kevin Pillar (sprained left thumb) was activated off the 15-day DL. Right-hander Ryan Tepera was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo.
Outfielder Avisail Garcia (right knee) was activated off the 15-day DL. Outfielder Jason Coats was optioned to Triple-A.
Athletics: Rangers: Mets: Mariners: Marlins: Blue Jays: White Sox: Diamondbacks:
Outfielder A.J. Pollock is expected to be activated from the DL this week. He has yet to play this season while recovering from a broken right elbow.
Manager Buck Showalter said pitcher Chris Tillman’s work day “did not go well,” prompting more concerns about his discomfort in his right throwing shoulder that forced him to skip a start last week. Showalter said the club would make a decision by today whether Tillman can start Thursday at the Nationals.
Rookie catcher Gary Sanchez is hitting .560 (14 for 25) with six homers, nine RBIs, four walks and six runs in his past seven games.
Orioles: Yankees: