LEADING OFF: DeGrom returns from rest, Ynoa's 2-way threat

Updated May. 9, 2021 12:29 a.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

A look at what's happening around the majors today:

___

JAKE BREAK

Mets ace Jacob deGrom plans to return to the rubber after being scratched from his last scheduled start Tuesday with right lat inflammation.

The two-time Cy Young Award winner played catch and threw a side session Friday and came out feeling well enough to proceed with his first outing since April 28. He'll face the Diamondbacks and right-hander Riley Smith (1-1, 4.91).

DeGrom (2-2, 0.51) entered Saturday leading the NL with 59 strikeouts in 35 innings, against just four walks.

HELPING HIMSELF

Atlanta pitcher Huascar Ynoa is doing his best Shohei Ohtani impression lately, delivering on the mound and at the plate.

Ynoa has homered in each of his last two starts, and is 5 for 8 with a double and six RBIs in his previous three games. The 22-year-old righty hit a grand slam at Washington last Tuesday.

Ynoa is excelling with his arm, too. He’s 3-1 with a 2.36 ERA going into this Sunday night start against the Phillies at Truist Park.

Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. might be out of the lineup a day after being hit by a fastball in his left hand. The pitch hit Acuña’s little finger on the bottom of the bat, and Atlanta said X-rays on the finger were negative. Acuña is day to day with a contusion.

WELCOME BACK

Johnny Cueto is set to come off the injured list after being sidelined for more than three weeks and start for San Francisco against the Padres.

The 35-year-old righty is 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA in three starts this season. Cueto last pitched April 14, then was sidelined by a strained right lat.

The Giants own the best record in the National League at 20-13. They’ve been especially good at home, going 12-3 at Oracle Park.

WELCOME TO 2021

Hard-throwing Blue Jays right-hander Nate Pearson is set for his season debut against Houston. Pearson, among the game’s top pitching prospects, injured his groin in spring training and aggravated it during his first rehab stint.

The 24-year-old pitched in five games last year, posting a 6.00 ERA in 18 innings.

___

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

share

in this topic

Huascar Ynoa

Jacob deGrom

Johnny Cueto

Nate Pearson

Riley Smith

Arizona Diamondbacks

New York Mets