Subway Series postponed after Mets’ positive COVID tests
Major League Baseball postponed this weekend’s Subway Series to allow time for more testing and contact tracing after two members of the New York Mets tested positive for the coronavirus.
The Mets had their game Thursday night in Miami as well as Friday’s opener against the Yankees postponed on Thursday after the results were reported. MLB postponed the entire weekend series between the New York teams on Friday “out of an abundance of caution and to allow for additional testing and contact tracing.”
The Mets flew home Thursday night and are in New York. The two who tested positive remained in Miami.
Indians’ Francona undergoes procedure, not ready to manage.
Indians manager Terry Francona underwent a scheduled medical procedure for a gastrointestinal ailment on Friday and will likely miss the team’s threegame series against Detroit.
At this point, it’s not known when Francona, a two-time World Series winner, will return.
President of baseball operations Chris Antonetti provided an update on the 61-year-old Francona, who has already missed 14 games this season with health issues. Francona recently revealed he’s had numerous surgeries in the past year for the condition.
Antonetti said Francona was still feeling “really uncomfortable” before the procedure, which was performed at the Cleveland Clinic.
Phillies bolster bullpen in trades with Yankees, Red Sox.
The Philadelphia Phillies got an early jump on the trade deadline, moving to fortify their ineffective bullpen by acquiring relievers Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree from the Boston Red Sox.
Philadelphia also got cash and will either receive more cash or a player to be named from the Red Sox, who obtained right-handers Nick Pivetta and Connor Seabold. Earlier Friday, the Phillies acquired right-handed reliever David Hale from the New York Yankees, sending back righty relief prospect Addison Russ.
Phillies relievers came into Friday with a combined 8.07 ERA this season, the worst in the majors by nearly two runs.
World Series MVP Strasburg might need surgery. Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg was diagnosed with carpal tunnel neuritis on his throwing hand after seeing a nerve specialist, manager Dave Martinez said Friday.
Martinez said surgery could be an option but he has yet to talk with the 2019 World Series MVP. Strasburg was put on the injured list Aug. 15, a day after he recorded just two outs at Baltimore. It was the 32-year-old’s first appearance on the IL since 2018.
After going 18-6 with a 3.32 ERA in 33 starts in 2019, the right-hander is 0-1 this season with a 10.80 ERA in two starts.
“I’m going to talk to him to see what his options are and what he wants to do,” Martinez said.
Padres place Pomeranz on IL with strained left shoulder.
The San Diego Padres have placed left-handed reliever Drew Pomeranz on the 10-day injured list with a strained left shoulder, retroactive to Wednesday.
To take his spot, right-hander Luis Perdomo was recalled from the alternate training site Friday.
Pomeranz, signed to a $34 million, four-year free agent deal in November, hadn’t allowed a run in nine innings over 10 appearances this year while striking out 12 and walking three.
Pomeranz’s injury is the latest for a bullpen that had been projected as the team’s strength. The Padres placed closer Kirby Yates on the IL last week with an inflamed right elbow. Yates had an MLB-high 41 saves last year.