AROUND THE HORN

Athletics: RHP Trevor Cahill was scratched from his scheduled start against the Rays on Saturday. Cahill returned to Oakland to have an MRI for a muscle strain in his upper back. Manager Bob Melvin said he’s hopeful Cahill (6-3, 3.77 ERA) can pitch on the team’s next homestand, which begins Tuesday against Angels. The A’s, who hold a big lead for the second AL wild card, have been plagued with seasonending injuries to pitchers. Daniel Gossett, Kendall Graveman, Jharel Cotton and A.J. Puk each underwent Tommy John surgery this year, and ace Sean Manaea will have season-ending shoulder surgery Wednesday and also may miss most of 2019.

Dodgers: Manager Dave Roberts moved RHP Ross Stripling back into the rotation for Sunday’s series finale against the Cardinals in St. Louis and moved LHP Alex Wood into the bullpen. Wood, an All-Star last season, struggled in his most recent outings, but remains tied for the Dodgers lead in wins (8), leads the club in innings (148) and has a 3.65 ERA. Stripling has 18 starts and 30 appearances this season.

Twins: 1B Joe Mauer told the Star Tribune on Wednesday night that he will consider retirement after the season ends. The 35-year-old six-time All-Star, who was the AL MVP in 2009, is in the final year of an eight-year, $184 million contract.

Mets: Team captain David Wright will be activated for the Mets’ home game against the Braves on Sept. 25 and start at third base. Then it’s expected he will retire after the season concludes the next day. The 35-yearold seven-time All-Star hasn’t played in the major leagues since 2016, after battling spinal stenosis. He also had neck and shoulder injuries.

Cubs: Javier Baez delivered the go-ahead run with a bunt single that scored Kris Bryant in the 10th inning, and the Cubs beat the host Nationals 4-3 in a makeup of a game postponed earlier in the week. The Cubs pushed their NL Central lead to 1 ⁄ games over the idle Brewers. 2