AROUND THE HORN
■ MLB: More than 3.1 million viewers watched Fox Sports’ broadcast of Major League Baseball’s second “Field of Dreams” game, about half of the audience for the 2021 game. The Cubs beat the Reds 4-2 on Thursday night at a throwback ballpark in eastern Iowa, a short walk from the main field for the 1989 movie. Fox Sports said Friday it was the most-watched regular-season baseball game on any network this year. The audience peaked at 3,464,000 views from 8:15 to 8:30 p.m. EDT. The 2021 game, a wild 9-8 victory for the White Sox against the Yankees, attracted nearly 6 million viewers in what MLB said was the mostwatched regular-season game on any network since 1998. MLB has not committed to returning to the site.
■ Astros: Astros outfielder Michael Brantley will miss the rest of the season after he had right shoulder surgery. The 35-year-old Brantley hasn’t appeared in a big league game since June 26. He hit .288 with five homers and 26 RBIs in 64 games in the final season of a $32 million, two-year contract.
■ Guardians: Guardians put unvaccinated righthander James Karinchak on the restricted list before Friday night’s game at Toronto and selected righty Peyton Battenfield from Triple-A Columbus. Foreign nationals who aren’t vaccinated against COVID-19 aren’t allowed to enter Canada, save for limited exceptions that require a 14-day quarantine. Unvaccinated baseball players are placed on the restricted list, where they are not paid and do not accrue major league service time. Karinchak is 0-0 with a 1.72 ERA in 14 games for the AL Central leaders. The four-year veteran hasn’t allowed a run in a careerbest 13 ⅔ innings and has struck out 28 since July 4.
■ Mariners: Right-hander Ken Giles was designated for assignment Friday by the Mariners, who had signed the reliever last year when he was recovering from Tommy John surgery. The Mariners knew Giles wouldn’t pitch in 2021 when they signed him to a $7 million, two-year contract. But he appeared in only five games this season, and had been on the injured list since July 9 because of right shoulder tightness. Righthander Ken Giles was designated for assignment Friday by the Mariners, who had signed the reliever last year when he was recovering from Tommy John surgery. “It’s a serious injury he was trying to come back from. It was a little bit of a gamble on our side that we could get him back, and you never know how bullpens are going to work out,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said.
■ Rockies: Wynton Bernard is getting his chance to play in the major leagues a decade after he was drafted by the Padres. The Rockies selected Bernard’s contract from Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday. He batted seventh and played center field against the Diamondbacks in the opener of a threegame series. “It’s a special moment,” Bernard said. “After how many years I’ve played I’m finally here. It’s amazing. I’m finally here.” The 31-year-old Bernard was taken in the 35th round of the 2012 draft and spent three seasons in the Padres’ minor league system. He also played in the minors for the Tigers, Giants and Cubs, along with stints in the Mexican Winter League, Venezuelan Winter League and independent ball. He also played for the Brisbane Bandits of the Australian Baseball League.