A look at what’s happening all around the major leagues Wednesday:
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CLOSING TIME
The Royals plan to activate All-Star closer Greg Holland (strained pectoral muscle) before their game against Cleveland. It might be just in time, too. Fellow reliever Kelvin Herrera had his appeal heard Monday by Major League Baseball in an attempt to reduce the length of two separate suspensions – two games for throwing at Oakland’s Brett Lawrie and five for his role in a brawl with the White Sox. A ruling is expected any day, and Kansas City manager Ned Yost said the ”best-case scenario” is the suspensions would be reduced by two games.
NO SUPPORT
Nationals newcomer Max Scherzer brings a 1.26 ERA into his start against Miami. Problem is, the 2013 AL Cy Young Award winner is 1-3 in five appearances because Washington scored a total of two runs in his three defeats. No guarantee it will get any better this time around, either. Marlins starter Tom Koehler blanked the Nats over 7 1-3 innings on April 25.
MENTAL BREAK
Chase Utley is expected to get a second straight day off as Philadelphia manager Ryne Sandberg tries to give the veteran second baseman a break ”from the mental side.” Utley was held out of Tuesday night’s lineup against Atlanta. He is hitting .103 with three homers and 14 RBIs, and was 2 for 29 (.069) on the team’s current road trip. Sandberg said Utley has ”hit the ball very hard, right on the nose” but hasn’t had any luck.
RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY
Following consecutive rainouts at Coors Field, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies are scheduled to play a traditional doubleheader – weather permitting, of course. Rain is in the forecast for Denver all week. Dating to their previous homestand last month, three Rockies home games in a row have been washed away by soggy conditions.
TIME FOR A VISIT
Ian Kennedy will make his first road start of the season for the San Diego Padres in their series finale against San Francisco. Kennedy left his first start, on April 9 against the Giants, with a strained left hamstring and returned to the mound April 25. He is 9-4 with a 2.48 ERA in 22 starts against the Giants.
READY OR NOT
Colorado Rockies closer Adam Ottavino will visit Dr. James Andrews for an evaluation and could have Tommy John surgery ”right then and there,” the pitcher said. A recent MRI revealed a partial ulnar collateral ligament tear in Ottavino’s right elbow.
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