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.
Red Sox: Red Sox put center fielder Kiké Hernández and left-handed starter Rich Hill on the COVID-19 injured list before their series opener Friday night against the White Sox at Fenway Park. “They’re going through testing,” manager Alex Cora said. “We’ll get the results, probably, later on. Symptomswise, they do have it and hopefully, there’s nothing wrong.” The 42-year-old Hill pitched five shutout innings in an 8-0 loss to the Angels on Thursday. It was his third straight scoreless start, spanning 13 innings.
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 a six-game trip.
Pirates, Reds: Friday night’s game between the Pirates and Reds was postponed because of heavy rain. The teams will make the game as part of a split doubleheader on July 7. The break might be welcomed by the Reds, who have lost the last nine in a row and 20 of the last 21. Right-hander Connor Overton was scheduled to make his second start for the Reds since being called up from Triple-a Louisville, and right-hander JT Brubaker was schedule to go for the Pirates. The teams are scheduled to play a doubleheader on Saturday.