LEADING OFF: Happ debuts for Yanks, Astros minus Altuve
A look at what's happening around the majors Sunday:
HAPPENING
J.A. Happ makes his Yankees debut, three days after New York got him from Toronto in a trade for Brandon Drury and minor league outfielder Billy McKinney. The 35-year-old lefty starts out at home against Kansas City.
Happ has enjoyed success over Boston in his career. With the Yankees chasing the AL East-leading Red Sox, Happ is set to pitch again next weekend at Fenway Park.
ALTUVE OUT
The AL West-leading Astros will have to do without star second baseman Jose Altuve for a while. The AL MVP has been put on the disabled list for the first time in his career, sidelined by soreness in his right knee.
The three-time batting champion is hitting .329 with nine home runs and 46 RBIs this season. Altuve didn't play Friday or Saturday, with versatile Marwin Gonzalez filling in at second.
MORE DEALS
As Tuesday's trade deadline approaches, more and more players are on the go. In the latest swap, the busy Yankees sent relievers Chasen Shreve and Giovanny Gallegos to St. Louis for first baseman Luke Voit.
The trade Saturday night was New York's third in five days. They got reliever Zach Britton from Baltimore on Tuesday and acquired starter J.A. Happ from Toronto on Thursday.
SKIDDING
The Braves have lost four straight and 13 of 18, mostly because their bats have gone quiet. They'll try to keep from falling farther behind Philadelphia in the NL East race when lefty Sean Newcomb (9-5, 3.41 ERA) starts at SunTrust Park against Dodgers righty Ross Stripling (8-2, 2.43).
