Story returns to lineup for Rockies
DENVER – Trevor Story is going over the top to get back on the field, altering his throwing motion to take some of the stress off his sore right elbow.
The Colorado Rockies All-Star shortstop returned to the lineup Monday night after missing a week with the ailment. Story batted fifth as the playoffchasing Rockies opened a four-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
“It’s tough just sitting and watching,” Story said. “It’s not ideal. The timing of it was pretty brutal. Just really tried to keep my focus .on the treatment and getting better.”
Story tweaked his elbow on a throw in the first inning Sept. 17 in Los Angeles and aggravated it on a swing in the fourth.
“It’s gotten better every single day, and I’m ready to play,” Story said.
Story has been practicing throwing from a more straightaway angle, which cuts down on elbow stress. He also worked on spin moves Sunday in Arizona and said “it felt good,” he said. “There are little things I can do to take pressure off.”
At the plate, the elbow doesn’t really bother him.
“But you can’t say so until the game,” he quickly added.
The 25-year-old Story is in the midst of a breakout season, hitting .288 with 33 homers and 102 RBIs. He recently became the first shortstop in major league history with at least 40 doubles, 30 home runs and 25 steals in a season.
His return couldn’t come at a more opportune time. The Rockies started Monday trailing the NL West-leading Dodgers by 1½ games. It’s a name that manager Bud Black was all too happy to pencil back into the heart of the order behind Nolan Arenado, who has 34 homers and 103 RBIs this season.
“He’s one of our best players. He plays a premium position and hits in the middle of the order. So it’s quite a presence we didn’t have for a week of games,” Black said. “He’s one of our core players and one of best in the National League.”
In other Rockies health news, lefthander Tyler Anderson was scratched from his start after he experienced shoulder soreness and replaced by right-hander Jon Gray. Starter-turnedreliever Chad Bettis is slated to pitch Tuesday.
“We decided to do what’s best for the team,” said Anderson, 6-9 with a 4.76 ERA this season. “It’s frustrating. I want to take the ball every fifth day. I can’t think about that now, I just have to think about getting back as quick as I can.”
Evans fired as San Francisco Giants general manager: Bobby Evans has been fired as the San Francisco Giants’ general manager.
San Francisco said Monday that Evans will be reassigned, with responsibilities to be determined.
The Giants began the final week of the season 72-84, their second straight losing record.
The team will start a search for a new head of baseball operations.
Evans was hired by the Giants in 1994, became vice president of baseball operations in 2009 under general manager Brian Sabean and was promoted to GM in April 2015 when Sabean became executive vice president of baseball operations.
A major league-best 57-33 at the 2016 All-Star break, the Giants are 166224 since.
Seattle Mariners’ Felix Hernandez becomes US citizen: Mariners teammates stood and applauded and “God Bless America” played on speakers when Felix Hernandez entered Seattle’s clubhouse after becoming a U.S. citizen.
A native of Venezuela, the 32-yearold pitcher passed his citizenship interview Monday and was among 74 people from 36 countries who became naturalized U.S. citizens during a ceremony in downtown Seattle.
“This country has given me everything,” Hernandez said. “It’s a dream come true. It means a lot. We’ve been here a long time. I wanted to do it.”
Strife in Venezuela is among the reasons Hernandez desired U.S. citizenship. He wants to bring his parents to the U.S. more easily.
Gregorius hopes to return from wrist injury this week: New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius hopes to return from a wrist injury this week and start in the AL wild-card game on Oct. 3.
Gregorius hurt his right wrist Saturday when he slid headfirst on Aaron Hicks’ 11th-inning double to score the run that clinched a postseason berth. An MRI on Sunday revealed a small tear. “It feels way better,” Gregorius said before Monday night’s game at Tampa Bay.