Month: September 2020

6:30 PM ET Steve RichardsESPN The playoff format changed, but the nightmare continues for Minnesota Twins fans. After losing their 2020 postseason opener to the Houston Astros in heartbreaking fashion, the Twins extended their MLB playoffs losing streak to a record 17 games (and counting). Here’s a game-by-game walk-through of the Twins’ tunnel of misery.

12:41 PM ET Associated Press ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Rookie left-hander Shane McClanahan was a surprise addition to the 28-man roster the Tampa Bay Rays announced for the AL first-round series against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday. McClanahan was a first-round pick in the amateur draft two years ago who pitched at Class A

2:44 PM ET Associated Press NEW YORK — Major League Baseball started the process of eliminating minor league affiliates Tuesday, with the Appalachian League converted to a college summer circuit for rising freshmen and sophomores. The agreement between MLB and the minor leagues expires Wednesday. MLB has proposed cutting the minimum guaranteed minor league affiliates

1:03 PM ET Associated Press ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — First baseman Rowdy Tellez is on the Toronto Blue Jays‘ roster for their first-round playoff series against Tampa Bay after recovering from a strained right knee that had sidelined him since Sept. 8. Tellez could be a designated hitter option for the No. 8 Blue Jays

12:22 PM ET Associated Press HOUSTON — First baseman Yuli Gurriel and the Houston Astros have agreed to a one-year contract with an option for 2022 that guarantees $7 million, a cut of nearly 20% from his 2020 deal. The agreement was announced hours before the defending AL champions started their first-round playoff matchup at

11:37 AM ET Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Twins third baseman Josh Donaldson will miss the best-of-three AL first-round series against Houston because of a nagging injury to his right calf, and the team included rookie Alex Kirilloff on the roster that was set on Tuesday prior to Game 1. Donaldson missed 30 games this

1:21 PM ET CHICAGO — Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks will start Game 1 of their NL Wild Card Series against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday, manager David Ross announced. The decision was between Hendricks and Cy Young contender Yu Darvish. Darvish will take the ball in Game 2. “I [feel] like I have two aces,”