LEADING OFF: Pads upgrade 'pen, Mets-Yanks play 2 again

Updated Aug. 29, 2020 7:45 p.m. ET

Associated Press

A look at what's happening around the major leagues Sunday:

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CLOSING THE DEAL

Trevor Rosenthal’s bounce-back season has put him in the middle of a playoff race. The San Diego Padres acquired the reliever from Kansas City on Saturday for outfielder Edward Olivares and a player to be named.

The Padres, trying for their first postseason appearance in 14 years, thought their bullpen would be a strength this season after they traded for Emilio Pagán and signed Drew Pomeranz in free agency. But it has been hit hard by injuries, losing closer Kirby Yates for the rest of the season because of an inflamed right elbow.

The 30-year-old Rosenthal has a 3.29 ERA and seven saves after struggling with injuries and poor performance in recent years. He could join the Padres in time for their game against Colorado at Coors Field.

SUBWAY SERIES

The Yankees and Mets are set for their second seven-inning doubleheader in three days to make up games postponed last weekend at Citi Field after a Mets player and a coach tested positive for the coronavirus. The Mets will be the “home” team at Yankee Stadium in the second game, just as they were Friday when Amed Rosario hit a walkoff home run in his road grays.

The Yankees will let prized pitching prospect Deivi Garcia make his major league debut starting one of the games, and right-hander Michael King (1-1, 6.59 ERA) will start the other. The Mets plan to start righty Rick Porcello (1-4, 6.43 ERA) and converted closer Seth Lugo (1-2, 2.03).

JUST KEEP SWIMMING

Tampa Bay’s lead in the AL East is not a healthy one. Left-hander Ryan Yarbrough became the 11th Rays pitcher since the start of summer camp to be sidelined with an injury when he went on the 10-day injured list Saturday because of left groin tightness.

The Rays have maintained their grip on the division lead as the Yankees battle their own injury woes. Blake Snell, the 2018 AL Cy Young Award winner, is one of the regulars remaining on the staff and gets the ball against the Marlins and right-hander Sandy Alcantara (1-0, 1.35).

HOLT JOLT

The Washington Nationals are hoping Brock Holt can give them a boost down the stretch. The defending World Series champs signed the longtime Boston utilityman before their game at Fenway Park.

Holt got a $3.25 million, one-year deal with Milwaukee in the offseason. He was cut by the Brewers a few days ago after hitting just 3 for 30 (.100).

Holt was a popular player with the Red Sox and helped them win the 2018 World Series. That year, he became the only player to hit for the cycle in a postseason game.

The Nationals had the second-worst record in the NL when they made the move to get Holt, but were only a couple games out of the expanded playoff field. They made the move with infielder Starlin Castro expected to miss the rest of the season with a broken wrist.

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