Cubs put closer Morrow on DL; Darvish throws simulated game
The Chicago Cubs will have to get by without closer Brandon Morrow for at least a little while.
The Cubs placed the right-hander on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday because of lower back tightness, leaving a short-handed bullpen without its most important piece.
While Morrow went on the DL, Yu Darvish threw a simulated game. Manager Joe Maddon said he looked "outstanding," and the Cubs will see how he feels Thursday before announcing the next step as he works his way back from tendinitis in his right triceps.
Morrow — signed by Chicago to a $21 million, two-year contract in December after helping the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Cubs in the NLCS — has 16 saves in 17 chances.
He hurt his back on Monday. The Cubs put him on the DL before their game against the Dodgers and announced right-hander Justin Hancock will remain with the club after being called up from Triple-A Iowa as the 26th man for Tuesday's day-night doubleheader.
Wacha leaves Cardinals' loss with injury
St. Louis Cardinals righthander Michael Wacha left Wednesday's start against the Philadelphia Phillies with a left oblique strain.
Wacha exited the game in the bottom of the fourth. He allowed three runs — one earned — and six hits in 3 2/3 innings. He will have an MRI on Thursday.
The Phillies defeated the Cardinals 4-3 on Odubel Herrera's tiebreaking, solo homore in the seventh inning. The Phillies won their third straight series and first against the Cardinals since August 2014.
Kluber becomes season's first 11-game winner
Corey Kluber shut down the White Sox and became the first pitcher with 11 wins this season. So what else is new for the reigning AL Cy Young winner?
Kluber allowed one hit over seven dominant innings and retired his final 14 batters Wednesday as the Cleveland Indians routed Chicago 12-0. The right-hander struck out seven and issued a lone walk in his latest masterpiece.
"Every five days, you try to come up with maybe something different to say about him, but my goodness," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "His level of consistency is so high that, man, it's just fun to watch. And it's nice."
Kluber (11-3) only permitted a second-inning single past third base by Omar Narvaez and a thirdinning walk to Charlie Tilson, throwing 96 pitches before giving way to George Kontos to begin the eighth.
Tigers-Royals to play in Omaha next season
The Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals will play a regular-season game in Omaha the week the 2019 College World Series opens, The Associated Press has learned.
Major League Baseball and the NCAA have been working to arrange a game as a kickoff event to the CWS, two people close to the situation told the AP on Wednesday on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss details.
A news conference with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred was scheduled for Thursday at TD Ameritrade Park, the host site for the CWS.
The move would be similar to the regular-season games played in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in conjunction with the Little League World Series.