Texas closer has tear in shoulder
NOTEBOOK
Texas will be without closer Jose Leclerc for most of the season with a shoulder injury similar to the one that sidelined starter Corey Kluber this week.
Leclerc’s muscle tear in his right shoulder is not as severe as Kluber’s, but he will have the same injection and be out the same four weeks before any plan for throwing is considered, general manager Jon Daniels said.
Kluber pitched one inning in his Texas debut Sunday before reporting tightness in his shoulder and leaving the game. Leclerc stopped warming up for a save situation in a 7-4 win over Arizona on Wednesday because of shoulder tightness.
Neither player is expected to have surgery. Both are on the 45-day injured list.
Leclerc, 26, earned the save on opening day in a 1-0 win over Colorado. The right-hander has a 3.19 ERA and 263 strikeouts in 189 major league innings.
Joe West, the majors’ senior umpire, left in the first inning of Toronto’s game at Washington after getting bloodied when he was hit in the head by Bo Bichette’s flying bat while working home plate. West, 67, returned in the third inning to work third base.
Top catching prospect Daulton Varsho was promoted to the majors. The 24-year-old, a 2017 second-round draft pick, batted .301 with 18 home runs and 21 steals over 108 games in 2019 at Double-a Jackson, where he also played outfield, first base and second base. His father, Gary, played in the majors as an outfielder with four teams from 1988 to 1995.
Umpire: Diamondbacks: MLBPA:
The union and MLB agreed that all doubleheaders this season will consist of two seven-inning games, ESPN reported. The union surveyed members and initially considered proposing either two seven-inning games for a twin bill or nine innings for the opener and seven for the nightcap.
Right-hander Mike Foltynewicz, designated for assignment Monday, cleared waivers and was sent to Atlanta’s alternate training site. The 2018 All-star is owed $2.3 million in prorated salary for the rest of the season.
First baseman Eric Hosmer remained out of San Diego’s lineup and is undergoing further tests for stomach issues. The team insists he is not dealing with COVID-19.
Center fielder Mike Trout was placed on paternity leave. The reigning MVP and his wife, Jessica, are expecting their first child.
Third baseman Evan Longoria (oblique) and first baseman Brandon Belt (heel) were activated from the injured list.
Braves: Padres: Angels: Giants: