LEADING OFF: Hader faces Brewers, Machado debuts for Dodgers
A look at what's happening around the majors today:
HADER RETURNS
Milwaukee reliever Josh Hader rejoins the team, three days after years-old racist and homophobic tweets of his resurfaced during the All-Star Game. The Brewers open the second half at Miller Park against the Dodgers.
The 24-year-old Hader has apologized for the tweets, saying they did not reflect his values or the person he is now. The commissioner's office will require Hader to participate in diversity and inclusion initiatives and sensitivity training.
Hader spoke with Brewers teammate Lorenzo Cain after the All-Star Game in Washington. Cain, who is African-American, said he expects the club to accept Hader's present-day statements and move on.
MACHADO DEBUT
Manny Machado plays his first game for the Dodgers, filling a big gap at shortstop when the NL West leaders visit Milwaukee. Los Angeles traded five minor leaguers to Baltimore during the break for the four-time All-Star. The 26-year-old Machado was hitting .315 with 24 homers and 65 RBIs. Shortstop Corey Seager helped the Dodgers reach the World Series last year, but had Tommy John surgery in May.
Machado might need to work out another trade, too. His favorite No. 13 is worn by Dodgers bright spot Max Muncy. We'll see if Machado can come up with a deal to get the jersey.
OHTANI REPORT
The Angels say two-way star Shohei Ohtani's elbow ligament is continuing to heal and he has been medically cleared to begin a throwing progression. There's no timetable when the Japanese sensation might pitch again for Los Angeles.
Ohtani was put on the disabled list with an ulnar collateral ligament sprain on June 8. He has since rejoined the Angels as a designated hitter. He is batting .283 with seven home runs and 22 RBIs. On the mound, Ohtani won four of his first five decisions before getting injured.
LENDING A HAND
All-Star closer Brad Hand joins the AL Central-leading Indians as they begin the second half in Texas. Cleveland got the lefty and rookie righty sidearmer Adam Cimber from the rebuilding Padres on Thursday for switch-hitting catching prospect Francisco Mejia. The Indians own the biggest division lead in the majors at 7 1/2 games over Minnesota, but want to a bolster a bullpen that's been minus star lefty Andrew Miller since late May and has a 5.28 ERA, second-worst in the majors.
WANT HIM?
Reliever Santiago Casilla is available, a day after the Athletics released him. The right-hander turns 38 next week and was 0-0 with one save and a 3.16 ERA in 26 games. He's has had control trouble, walking 20 in 31 1-3 innings. Casilla has 144 saves in a 15-year career spent entirely in the Bay Area with the A's and Giants. He has plenty of postseason experience, posting a 0.92 ERA in 25 games and helping San Francisco win three World Series titles.
BRONX BOUND
Mets star Noah Syndergaard pitches at Yankee Stadium for the first time when the Subway Series resumes in New York. Syndergaard has faced the Yankees just once, as a rookie in mid-September 2015, and he got off to a rough start - Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner led off that game with singles and Carlos Beltran followed with a home run in the Mets' 5-0 loss.
