LEADING OFF: Scherzer returns, Red Sox protest, Gallo out
A look at what's happening around the majors today:
BACK TO MAX
Nationals ace Max Scherzer is set to start against Colorado after recovering from inflammation under his right shoulder. The 34-year-old right-hander threw a bullpen Monday and felt ready to go.
An All-Star for the seventh straight season, Scherzer is 9-5 with a 2.30 ERA but has not pitched since July 6. He was 7-0 with a 0.87 ERA in his last seven starts.
REVIEW CREW
Perhaps there might be a ruling from Major League Baseball on Boston's protest during a 3-2 loss to Tampa Bay on Thursday.
There was plenty of confusion, plus a delay of about 15 minutes in the eighth inning at Tropicana Field after a series of defensive changes by the Rays.
Reliever Adam Kolarek moved to first base for a batter and Red Sox manager Alex Cora discussed the placement of subs in the batting order with plate umpire Angel Hernandez.
"The pitcher moved to a position and we felt there were some illegal substitutions," Cora said. "It was a mess, and I wasn't even able to keep up with Angel. So we protested the game, and we'll see where it goes."
GALLO OUT
Texas slugger Joey Gallo has been sent home to see a hand specialist after leaving Tuesday's game with a sore right wrist that's bothered him for a while. X-rays were negative, and Rangers manager Chris Woodward said an MRI was inconclusive.
Woodward said he thinks a stint on the injured list is likely. Gallo is hitting a career-best .253 with 22 homers and a .986 OPS this season.
NEED DIRECTIONS?
Aaron Judge and the Yankees visit Fenway Park for the first time this year to open a four-game series. Boston has made two trips to Yankee Stadium this season and the longtime rivals also played in London.
Masahiro Tanaka (7-5, 4.00 ERA) starts for AL East-leading New York against Rick Porcello (8-7, 5.61).
