MLB Notebook: Houston’s Dallas Keuchel shut down for a week
Houston ace Dallas Keuchel won’t begin throwing again for about a week as he recovers from neck discomfort that has landed him on the disabled list for the second time this season.
Keuchel was scratched from his start on Wednesday at Kansas City and placed on the 10-day disabled list a day later, a move retroactive to June 5. It’s the same problem that put him on the disabled list earlier and caused him to miss one start.
“It’s not something that I want to keep re-aggravating every time I go out there every five days,” Keuchel said.
“I’d rather nip it in the bud right now and make sure it’s fully gone than go back out there and enjoy being healthy.”
He isn’t sure when he’ll return, but expects to miss at least two more starts.
Keuchel has been one of the best pitchers in the majors this season, posting a 9-0 record and a 1.67 ERA, both MLB bests. His return to form this season after struggling last year in the follow-up to a 2015 season where he won the American League Cy Young Award has helped the Astros to the best record in the majors.
Mets’ Cespedes ready to go
Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes says he’s ready to go after missing six weeks with a left hamstring strain.
Cespedes was batting third and playing left field for the first game of New York’s split doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves.
He hit .270 with six homers and 10 RBIs in 18 games before getting injured. Cespedes will not start the second game Saturday but could be available to pinch-hit.
“I’ve got a long routine, which usually takes me about an hour to get through, so I think it’s going to help me stay healthy,” Cespedes said through an interpreter.
Chapman returns to mound
New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman struck out three and walked one in one inning during his first simulated game since going on the 10-day disabled list in mid-May because of a left shoulder injury.
Chapman threw 18 pitches against minor leaguers Saturday at the Yankees’ complex in Tampa, Florida. The hard-throwing lefty has not pitched in a game since May 12 because of what Yankees manager Joe Girardi has called tendinitis and bursitis in the shoulder.
Girardi said Chapman reached 98 mph with his fastball, and will pitch one inning Tuesday in a Class A rehab outing.
Chapman is 1-0 with seven saves and a 3.55 ERA in 14 games this season.
Russell back in Cubs lineup
Addison Russell returned to the Chicago Cubs’ lineup on Saturday, two days after Major League Baseball began an investigation of the All-Star shortstop in the wake of domestic violence allegations.
Russell batted eighth as the Cubs met the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field. The Cubs told him not to come to the ballpark Thursday for a game against the Rockies, and he rejoined the team on Friday and didn’t play.
“You’ve just got to throw him back out there and have him try to work through the whole thing,” manager Joe Maddon said.
Russell’s wife, Melisa, posted a photo Wednesday on Instagram with a caption suggesting he was unfaithful to her. In another post, a person – described as Melisa’s close friend – accused Russell of “mentally and physically abusing her.” The posts have been deleted.
The 23-year-old Russell did not address questions about the accusations Friday. He reiterated his written statement from Thursday that said: “Any allegation I have abused my wife is false and hurtful. For the well-being of my family, I’ll have no further comment.”