AROUND THE HORN Mets:
The Mets released second baseman Robinson Canó prior to splitting a doubleheader Sunday against the Phillies on Sunday in Philadelphia. The move comes a week after the slumping Cano was designated for assignment despite nearly $45 million remaining on his contract. The 39-year-old Canó sat out last season while serving his second suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. He batted .195 (8 for 41) with one home run, three RBIs and a paltry .501 OPS in 43 plate appearances for the NL East-leading Mets. Canó has a .302 career batting average with 335 home runs, 1,305 RBIs and an .842 OPS in 17 seasons. He has 2,632 hits, including 571 doubles. Canó is owed $44,703,297 by the Mets from the remainder of the 10-year, $240 million contract he signed with the Mariners. He has lost $35,741,935 because of the two drug suspensions. Now that he has been released by the Mets, a team could sign him for a prorated share of the $700,000 minimum salary this season and also pay the $710,000 minimum salary in 2023.
Braves: Adam Duvall and William Contreras homered to help Charlie Morton win for the first time in five starts as the host Braves cranked up their bats in a 9-2 victory over the Brewers. Matt Olson hit a two-run double during a four-run second. Duvall homered in the third off starter Aaron Ashby, and Contreras added a three-run drive in the fifth off Jandel Gustave to pad the lead. The Braves were winless over Morton’s previous four starts, a stretch that included a 7.85 ERA. But the 38-yearold right-hander pitched around three walks and allowed just two hits with five strikeouts in five scoreless innings. The Braves went up 6-0 in the fourth when Dansby Swanson scored on a wild pitch from Ashby (0-3). He was charged with six hits, six runs and four walks in four innings. Morton (2-3) escaped trouble with the bases loaded in the second when Lorenzo Cain struck out and Jace Peterson flied out.
Twins: Jorge Polanco delivered another key hit and the Twins bullpen combined for 6 innings of shutout work as the host beat the A’s 4-3. It was the ninth straight loss for the A’s. The Twins have swept three of their last five series and won 14 of 17 since beginning the season 4-8. Twins OF Byron Buxton didn’t play for the AL Central leaders a day after an early exit. He is day to day with a very low-level right hip strain.
Astros: Aledmys Díaz hit a grand slam, Jake Odorizzi threw five innings of one-hit ball and the Astros beat the Tigers 5-0 for a four-game sweep and their seventh straight win. The Astros finished a red-hot homestand against the Mariners and Tigers 7-0. When the homestand began, the Astros 11-11.
Angels: Shohei Ohtani hit a tying, two-run double in the ninth, Anthony Rendon followed with a game-ending single against his former team and the Angels beat the visiting Nationals 5-4. The Angels trailed 4-2 going into the ninth. Luis Rengifo drew a walk with one out and advanced to third on Taylor Ward’s hit. Mike Trout struck out, then Ohtani lined a two-run double to center off Tanner Rainey (0-1). The reigning AL MVP had been 1-for-11 against the Nats during the series. Rendon then lined a single to center and Ohtani slid to avoid Victor Robles’ throw home to give the Halos the weekend series.