A look at what’s happening around the majors on Tuesday:
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REDUCED ROTATION
The AL Central-leading Twins begin a home series against the AL East-leading Yankees with their rotation in a tough spot.
Right-hander Bailey Ober (1-2, 4.01) went on the 15-day disabled list with a right groin strain Monday, becoming the fifth pitcher out of play among eight who have started three or more games for the Twins this season.
Sonny Gray, Chris Paddack and Josh Winder are on the injured list, and Joe Ryan is on the COVID-19 list. Two of his starting pitchers from last year, Kenta Maeda and Randy Dobnak, also remain out with long-term injuries. Paddack is ready for the season.
Minnesota had not named a starter for Tuesday as of Monday night. Yankees RHP Jameson Taillon (6-1, 2.30) starts for the first time since he had a perfect eighth-inning game against the Angels last week.
FAMILY FACES
Braves first baseman Matt Olson faces his former team for the first time when Atlanta hosts the Oakland Athletics.
“It will be good to see some older people and catch up,” said Olson, acquired from the A’s in a March trade to replace Freddie Freeman in Atlanta.
Olson hit a three-run homer Sunday at Colorado to help the Braves earn their season-high fifth straight victory. Kyle Wright (5-3, 2.41 ERA) starts for Atlanta.
RAINY DAYS
The Guardians are set for another doubleheader after Monday’s series opener against Texas was rained out, their seventh rain absence at home this season. The teams were rescheduled for a traditional doubleheader Tuesday, with the first game starting at 3:10 p.m.
Jon Gray (1-2) will start the Rangers’ opener against Cleveland’s Cal Quantrill (2-3). Texas left-hander Taylor Hearn (3-4) is scheduled to start Game 2, but the Guardians have yet to announce their pitcher. Rookie Konnor Pilkington was originally scheduled to start Tuesday’s matchup.
Due to poor weather, the Guardians have played only 19 games at Progressive Field, the fewest home games among major league teams.
TRYING TO GET BACK ON THE ROAD
Houston ace Justin Verlander tries to get back into the win column when he starts against the visiting Mariners, one night after the teams met in a bench-clearing brawl that ended in multiple ejections.
The 39-year-old right-hander, returning from Tommy John surgery, began the season 6-1 with a 1.22 ERA, then allowed six runs on 10 hits in six innings of a May 21 loss to Texas and three runs while pitching two-hit ball over seven innings in a no-decision on June 1 at Oakland. Those two starts raised his ERA to 2.23. Right-hander Chris Flexen (2-6, 4.55) starts for Seattle.
INTELLIGENT ALEK
Toronto’s Alek Manoah is 6-1 with a 1.98 ERA starting in Kansas City. The 24-year-old right-hander, making his 31st major league start, is in search of his first complete game in the major leagues. He pitched eight innings in a win against Tampa Bay on Sept. 13 and Cincinnati on May 21, failing during a spirited bench conversation with manager Charlie Montoyo to be allowed to take the mound in the ninth against the Reds. .
Kansas City right-hander Brad Keller (1-6) is 0-4 with a 6.67 ERA in five starts since beating St. Louis on May 3.
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