AROUND THE HORN
Twins: The Twins have avoided a scare with star shortstop Carlos Correa, whose right middle finger is not broken as initially feared following a hit-by-pitch in the previous game. The CT scan Friday confirmed that he did not suffer a fracture, president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said. He’s just bruised and sore. “Thank you Lord,” Correa tweeted. His status will be evaluated day to day, and he won’t have to go on the injured list. “The reality is it’s just going to be inflammation and soreness management,” Falvey said. For now, top prospect Royce Lewis will replace Correa. Lewis was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul to make his major league debut, filling the roster spot of infielder Luis Arraez, who was placed on the COVID-19 list. Correa was plunked twice in the Twins’ loss at Baltimore on Thursday. The first one in the fifth inning appeared to graze off his left forearm and get him in the right shoulder. The second one in the eighth inning hit his right hand while it was on the handle of the bat with him in the middle of a half-swing. The ball went into fair territory, and Correa was easily retired on a groundout. After a slow start at the plate to his first season with the Twins, Correa was just getting going with a .412 batting average (14 for 34) and eight RBIs in his last eight games.
Blue Jays, Guardians: Friday night’s game between the Blue Jays and Guardians was postponed because of rain. The Guardians have had four home games called off by inclement weather this season. Friday’s game was postponed 3½ hours before the scheduled first pitch. The teams will play a doubleheader — the Guardians’ third of the season at Progressive Field — Saturday beginning at 2:10 p.m. EDT. Blue Jays’ Kevin Gausman (2-1, 2.27 ERA) will start against Shane Bieber (1-1, 2.45 ERA) in the first game. Ross Stripling (0-0, 3.79 ERA) is scheduled to pitch against Guardians’ Triston McKenzie (1-2, 2.70 ERA) in the second game.
Yankees, Rangers: The series opener between the Rangers and Yankees was postponed long before Friday night’s scheduled first pitch because of a forecast for sustained inclement weather in the area. The postponement was announced nearly eight hours before game time. The Rangers and Yankees will make up the game with a single-admission doubleheader Sunday beginning at 1:35 p.m. EDT. The teams are also scheduled to play Saturday afternoon, when there is again a significant chance of rain in the Bronx.
Dodgers, Cubs: The Friday series opener between the Dodgers and Cubs at Wrigley Field has been postponed by rain. It was rescheduled for Saturday night as the second half of a split doubleheader. The start time for the regularly scheduled matchup was moved up to earlier in the afternoon. The Dodgers have won three in a row heading into their six-game trip.
Mets, Phillies: The game between the Mets and Phillies scheduled for Friday night was postponed because of rain in the forecast and will be made up Aug. 20 as part of a split-admission doubleheader. The opener will begin at 1:05 p.m. EDT, with the originally scheduled game still set for 7:15 p.m. Max Scherzer had been slated to pitch for the first-place Mets, who stunned the Phillies by rallying for seven runs in the ninth inning of an 8-7 victory in the series opener Thursday night.