AROUND THE HORN
Phillies: Bryce Harper sat out a third straight game Wednesday as he recovers from a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right elbow and the Phillies slugger may not play right field again until late July. The reigning NL MVP, Harper said he was hopeful of returning at some point in the Phillies’ threegame series against the visiting Padres. He didn’t play in Tuesday’s 3-0 loss. The Phillies and Padres wrap the series Thursday afternoon. Harper had the injection Sunday because of a small tear in the ulnar collateral ligament of his throwing elbow that’s forced him into the role of designated hitter. He hasn’t played right field since April 16 and will remain as DH whenever he returns. Phillies manager Joe Girardi said Wednesday that doctors said Harper should not throw for at least six weeks. The 29-year-old star is batting .305 with nine home runs, 14 doubles, 27 RBIs, and an .634 slugging percentage.
Guardians: Manager Terry Francona missed so much time over the last two seasons that even a four-game absence was difficult. “This was forced retirement,” he said. “It wasn’t very fun.” Francona and two of his coaches cleared health and safety protocols and returned to the team after missing part of the last week after testing positive for COVID-19. Francona was back for the Guardians’ home game against the Reds along with bench coach DeMarlo Hale and assistant hitting coach Justin Toole. The trio tested positive with coronavirus last week while the Guardians were in Chicago and returned to Ohio by bus as the team continued its trip to Minneapolis. However, Francona’s return was delayed another day as the Reds and Guardians were postponed by rain. The series finale will be made up Thursday with an afternoon matinee. 1B Josh Naylor remains the only Guardians player currently sidelined with the virus. However, Naylor is close to returning and was back in the clubhouse. Francona said he could be n the lineup as early as Friday, when the Guardians open a three-game series at home against the Tigers. The 63-year-old Francona, in his 10th season with the
Guardians, dealt with some symptoms over the weekend but has felt better the last few days. He missed most of the last two seasons to handle some serious health issues. Sandy Alomar and Mike Sarbaugh, the team’s first and third base coaches, are still sidelined after testing positive.
Astros: RHP Jake Odorizzi said an MRI on his left leg showed damage that will sideline him for an indefinite period, but added he felt fortunate an injury at Fenway Park this week wasn’t worse. Odorizzi heard a pop in his ankle during Monday night’s start against the Red Sox that caused him to collapse after throwing a pitch. The 32-yearold feared a serious setback with his Achilles tendon. Odorizzi was stretchered off the field in the fifth inning of the 6-3 loss after the injury and put on the 15-day IL on Tuesday. Odorizzi said an MRI revealed some damage to tendons and ligaments, but not the Achilles tendon. He said the current plan calls for pain management, rehab to improve range of motion and strengthening. There’s no set timeline for his return. Odorizzi is 3-2 with a 3.13 ERA and 21 strikeouts in seven starts this season.
Rockies: C.J. Cron hit a tiebreaking two-run HR in a three-run eighth, and the Rockies stopped their 12-game losing streak against the Giants by rallying for a 5-3 home win. Logan Webb retired 16 straight batters in pursuit of becoming the major leagues’ first six-game winner and led 3-2 when pinch-hitter Connor Joe singled leading off the eighth. José Álvarez (1-1) relieved, Charlie Blackmon sacrificed and Yonathan Daza extended his hitting streak to 11 games with an RBI single. Cron followed with a 454-foot drive to left on a 3-1 changeup for his 10th HR.
Twins: Carlos Correa went 2-for-4 with an RBI double in his return from a stint on the ILcaused by a bruised middle finger on his right hand, and the Twins set a season high for runs in a 14-4 rout of the host A’s. Correa was reinstated from the IL after missing 11 games due to an injury sustained when a pitch hit the two-time All-Star while he gripped the bat during a swing.