A look at what¡¯s happening around the majors today:MOOKIE
MANIAMookie Betts tries to follow up his first career cycle when Boston opens a
series at Baltimore. The AL MVP contender homered off Ken Giles in the ninth
inning Thursday to complete his first career
cycle
http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-david-ross-jers ey ,
though the Red Sox still lost 8-5. A trip to Camden Yards doesn¡¯t figure to slow
Betts ¡ª he¡¯s hit 13 homers there in 35 games, by far his most in any stadium
other than Fenway Park. Betts is hitting .347 with 27 homers, 59 RBIs and a
1.102 OPS this season.HEALTH SCAREDodgers closer Kenley Jansen has been sent
back to Los Angeles after being hospitalized Thursday with an irregular
heartbeat. Jansen has dealt with an irregular heartbeat in the past, and manager
Dave Roberts said the right-hander will visit his cardiologist in LA. Roberts
said the team is ¡°holding out hope it¡¯s not too serious.¡± Roberts didn¡¯t know if
the team would make a roster move in Jansen¡¯s absence.CARLOS COMES BACKCarlos
Correa is expected back in the lineup for Houston. The star shortstop has been
out with lower back soreness since June 25. Correa completed a rehab assignment
with Double-A Corpus Christi on Wednesday and was in Houston for a scheduled day
off Thursday. Correa is batting .268 with 13 home runs and 49 RBIs.BOLSTERED
BULLPENThe Athletics have charged into the AL playoff picture with a
never-say-die lineup, but Oakland is looking to make a name for keeping leads,
too. Fernando Rodney may join the team Friday after being acquired via trade
from Minnesota on Thursday night. The longtime closer joins a deep bullpen led
by Blake Treinen, Lou Trivino and former Mets closer Jeurys Familia. That
quartet could prove pivotal if Oakland winds up in the AL wild-card game. For
now, the group will try to lock down victories as the A¡¯s open a series in
Anaheim.GRAY DAYSJon Gray aims to continue a strong second half of the season
when Colorado hosts the Dodgers. Gray struggled hard in the first
half
Andre
Dawson Jersey , even getting demoted to Triple-A in early July, but he¡¯s
been solid since returning to the majors. He¡¯s 2-0 with a 1.52 ERA in his past
four starts, and the Rockies haven¡¯t lost with him on the mound since June 17.
Kenta Maeda (7-7, 3.73) pitches for LA as the NL West contenders continue their
four-game series. Home-plate claims another victim, and this one will miss an
entire year."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Diamondbacks Farm TeamsGameday
ThreadsDiamondbacks NewsDiamondbacks Game ReportsFang FoodLatest
NewsDiamondbacks NewsSteven Souza done for the seasonNew,75commentsHome-plate
claims another victim, and this one will miss an entire year.
EDTShareTweetShareShareSteven Souza done for the seasonThe Arizona Republic-USA
TODAY NWe were all hoping for, if not good news from Steven Souza¡¯s
MRI
Ron Santo
Jersey , at least not utterly terrible news. Perhaps he¡¯d only sprained
something in his stumble at home-plate last night, and would miss just a few
weeks. However, after the final exhibition game this afternoon at Chase Field,
the results were probably worse than any of us could have expected. He will
undergo season-ending surgery to repair tears to both the anterior cruciate and
lateral collateral ligaments, as well as a partial tear of the posterior
cruciate ligament, and a tear of the posterior lateral capsule. That¡¯s pretty
close to a full house on the knee ligament Bingo card, if you¡¯re playing along
at home. Here¡¯s Torey Lovullo discussing the injury:This injury will mean that
in the two years since the team traded for Souza, he will have missed more tjhan
two hundred and fifty games. He was absent for more than half of last
season
http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-david-ross-jers ey ,
also opening the season on the disabled list after straining his right pectoral
diving for a ball in spring training. He came back in May, but then went back on
the DL at the end of the month, and missed all of June. However, this season
will be worse still. It looks like Ildemaro Vargas is going to be the immediate
replacement on the Opening Day roster, but whether that remains permanent will
likely depend on how Ketel Marte handles his (now considerably more important)
transition to center field.