LEADING OFF: Rays’ Cash makes threat after 101 mph brushback

A look at what’s happening around the majors Wednesday:

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RED-HOT RIVALS

The Rays and Yankees play for the final time this season a night after New York closer Aroldis Chapman threw a 101 mph fastball near the head of pinch-hitter Michael Brosseau on Tuesday, prompting the benches to empty after the game.

Rays manager Kevin Cash called it ”ridiculous” and said the situation was mishandled by the Yankees, Chapman and the umpires. He threatened to have his hard-throwing pitchers take aim at New York hitters in the finale.

”Somebody has to be accountable,” Cash said. ”The last thing I’ll say on it is I got a whole damn stable full of guys that throw 98 mph. Period.”

The AL East-leading Rays are 7-2 against the Yankees this season and lead New York by 3 + games. They plan to activate right-hander Charlie Morton (1-1, 5.40) from the injured list after he missed three weeks with right shoulder inflammation.

VIRUS UPDATE

The Athletics will be off until at least Friday to allow for additional testing and contact tracing after a member of Oakland’s organization tested positive for the coronavirus. Major League Baseball postponed the A’s three-game series in Seattle this week and said the games will be made up with a doubleheader in Seattle on Sept. 14, previously a day off for both teams, and another in Oakland on Sept. 26. Oakland is still set to open a weekend homestand against San Diego on Friday night.

BUEHLER’S BACK

The Dodgers plan to welcome right-hander Walker Buehler back to the rotation after an IL stint due to a blister on his pitching hand. Buehler (1-0, 4.32) will start against Arizona after striking out 11 Rockies over six innings of one-run ball in his previous outing Aug. 21. Los Angeles will be without third baseman Justin Turner, who went on the injured list Tuesday with a strained left hamstring.

NEW KID

Fans in Pittsburgh have at least one reason to watch the last-place Pirates after they promoted slick-fielding third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes on Monday for his major league debut. The 23-year-old, a three-time minor league Gold Glove winner, is the son of 14-year big league veteran Charlie Hayes. Ke’Bryan said when he phoned his dad to share the news of his first MLB call up, the stoicism Charlie long guided his son with silently evaporated.

”He kind of didn’t say anything at first and then I kind of heard it in his voice,” said Hayes, who will wear No. 13 just like his father. ”Sounded like he was kind of crying a little bit. That was special for me.”

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