Judge eyes return on Tuesday
Bader’s single sparks rally as Yankees overtake Rays
Yankees manager Aaron Boone expects slugger Aaron Judge will return from a right hip strain for Tuesday night’s game against the Athletics.
Judge worked out Saturday at the team’s minor league complex in Tampa, Fla., about 30 minutes from where the Yankees were playing the Rays.
“I think he’s doing really well,” Boone said before a 3-2 New York win in St. Petersburg. “I think we’re going to be in a good spot come Tuesday to where he’s done everything for several days.”
Harrison Bader flared a two-run single during a three-run eighth inning as the Yankees rallied from a two-run deficit to beat the major league-leading Rays. Tampa Bay lost for the first time this year in a game in which it scored first.
Judge hasn’t played since April 27 and missed his eighth game Saturday. The injury-depleted Yankees have an 18-16 record and trail the Rays by nine games in the AL East.
Third baseman Josh Donaldson, out since April 6 with a right hamstring strain, worked out with Judge and is to intensify his on-field drills during the upcoming week.
Boone said designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton, sidelined since April 16 because of a strained left hamstring, is making progress.
Righthander Luis Severino is set to make the first of at least three minor league starts Wednesday in Triple A. Lefthander Carlos Rodón is scheduled to get an injection for his ailing back on Tuesday.
Athletics broadcaster suspended
Athletics broadcaster Glen Kuiper has been suspended after uttering what sounded like a racial slur while describing a trip to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. NBC Sports California said Kuiper will be off the air until a review of what happened during Friday night’s broadcast is completed.
In a pregame segment on NBC Sports California before the A’s played the Royals on Friday, Kuiper talked about a trip to the museum with colleague Dallas Braden but seemingly mispronounced the word “negro,” making it sound instead like a slur.
Later in the game, Kuiper apologized without getting into specifics, saying he said something that “didn’t come out quite the way I wanted it to.”
“I could not be more sorry and horrified by what I said,” Kuiper later said in a statement. “I hope you will accept my sincerest apologies.”
Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, released a statement about Kuiper’s “unfortunate slur.” The broadcaster had been “genuinely excited” to visit the museum, Kendrick said, and that “while I don’t pretend to know Glen’s heart, I do know that my heart is one of forgiveness. I hope all of you will find it in yourselves to do the same!”
Wainwright’s final season begins
Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright allowed four runs over five-plus innings in his season debut after being activated from the injured list. The 41year-old righthander, starting his 19th and what he said will be his final major league season, struck out five and walked none.
He pitched two-hit ball for four innings, then allowed Detroit to tie the score, 3-3, in the fifth. Wainwright left with a 5-4 lead but the Tigers went on to win, 6-5, in 10 innings.
The second-oldest active pitcher in the majors behind the Pirates’ Rich Hill (43), Wainwright missed the first 33 games while recovering from a groin injury sustained when working out during the World Baseball Classic.
The Cardinals have decided to move catcher Willson Contreras, who was signed to a five-year, $87.5 million contract to replace Yadier Molina ,to DH and the outfield. Andrew Knizner will serve as primary catcher.
White Sox’ Jiménez hospitalized
White Sox designated hitter Eloy Jiménez was hospitalized due to abdominal pain and underwent an appendectomy. Jiménez had abdominal pain on Friday night that intensified and he was admitted to Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, where he was diagnosed with acute appendicitis. He was expected to be discharged Saturday night. Recovery time is estimated at four to six weeks.
Pillar’s pinch-hit HR powers Braves
Kevin Pillar hit a pinch-hit two-run home run in the eighth inning to rally the Braves to a 5-4 win over the red-hot Orioles. Pillar’s shot came off Danny Coulombe (1-1) and scored Austin Riley, who opened the eighth with a single. Spencer Strider struck out 10 in five innings, giving up two runs. The Braves are 7-0 in Strider’s starts this season.
Guardians send down Gonzalez
Guardians outfielder Oscar Gonzalez was optioned to Triple A to get more playing time, with infielder Tyler Freeman recalled. The 25-year-old Gonzalez batted .192 with one homer and five RBIs in 25 games and had been platooning in right field with Will Brennan . . . Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was a late scratch because of left wrist discomfort prior to an 8-2 victory against the Pirates in Pittsburgh. It was just his fourth missed game since the start of the 2020 season . . . Reds minor league shortstop Elly De La Cruz recorded the hardest-thrown ball by a position player in Triple A or the majors this season, uncorking a 99.2-mileper-hour laser to first base for Louisville.