Marlins fear team has a virus outbreak
The Marlins scratched righthander Jose Urena from his scheduled start Sunday in Philadelphia and delayed their postgame trip home amid concerns about a possible coronavirus outbreak within the team.
No reason was given for Urena being scratched in the series finale, which Miami won 11-6.
Manager Don Mattingly said the Marlins decided to wait until Monday to leave Philadelphia, and they plan to arrive in Miami hours before their home opener against the Orioles.
The trip might be made while multiple players remain in Philadelphia.
“The guys that tested positive are quarantined here in Philly,” Mattingly said.
Marlins catcher Jorge Alfaro went on the injured list hours before the season opener Friday at Philadelphia. The Marlins didn’t give a reason but said they expected Alfaro to return this season.
The Braves have been without their top two catchers, Tyler Flowers and Travis d’Arnaud, after both players showed symptoms of the coronavirus. The Marlins played exhibition games at Atlanta on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Carrasco’s big return: Starting for the first time since he was diagnosed with leukemia last year, Carlos Carrasco struck out 10 in six-plus innings and Jose Ramirez homered twice as the Indians clobbered the Royals 9-2 on Sunday to win two of three in the delayed season-opening series.
Carrasco’s journey carried him through energy-sapping medical treatments and periods of doubt over whether he would ever pitch again.
“I’ve just waited for this moment today,” he said. “I feel pretty good, man. Keeping my emotions down and just thinking about the way I’m gonna pitch was the key because just getting here to the stadium this morning, I was so happy to getting back to the rotation.”
Shelton gets his first win: After his team struggled offensively during a second consecutive loss to the Cardinals on Saturday, Derek Shelton remained calm. The second game of his MLB managerial career was certainly frustrating, but the Pirates new manager didn’t tip his hand. He said only that he believed the Pirates would start to contribute more at the plate.
The Pirates’ offense awoke from its mini-slumber, and the result was Shelton’s first win as a major league manager.
Mitch Keller earned the win on the mound as the Pirates avoided the sweep by topping the Cardinals, 5-1, at Busch Stadium. Reliever JT Brubaker followed with a terrific showing in his MLB debut, striking out four over a pair of scoreless innings, and Michael Feliz and Nick Burdi combined to finish things off.
Big Story: Trevor Story homered twice for the Rockies after Corey Kluber left his Texas debut with shoulder tightness, and the Rockies beat the Rangers 5-2 on Sunday.
Kluber, who was acquired in an offseason trade with Cleveland, lasted just one inning and 18 pitches in his first start in almost 15 months. The two-time Cy Young Award winner was knocked out of his last start for the Indians on May 1, 2019, after his right forearm was broken by a comeback liner.
Finally back on the mound after his comeback attempt last year ended with an oblique injury in a rehab start, the 34-year-old Kluber struck out David Dahl to start the game. He walked Story and retired Charlie Blackmon on a popup after Story was thrown out trying to steal.
The Rangers said Kluber reported feeling the tightness in the first few pitches and it got worse as the inning progressed. He was examined by a team doctor and will be further evaluated Monday.
Texas slugger Joey Gallo hit the first home run in the club’s new $1.2 retractable roof stadium, a 437-foot shot that almost struck a truck dealer’s “Hit it Here” sign just inside the rightfield foul pole.