LEADING OFF: Yelich, Springer slumping, Blue Jays wandering

A look at what’s happening around the majors on Friday:

SLOW STARTS

Two-time defending NL batting champion Christian Yelich has a long way to go if he wants a three-peat. The Milwaukee star is 1 for 27 to start the season, an .037 average that’s worst among qualified hitters.

Yelich also has struck out 12 times going into the series opener at home against Jack Flaherty and the Cardinals.

A trio of top Houston hitters also has been slow out of the batter’s box this season. Former World Series MVP George Springer (.048), two-time batting champ Jose Altuve (.174) and former All-Star Game MVP Alex Bregman (.174) will look to break loose when the Astros visit the Angels.

TORONTO’S TRAVELS

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the wandering Blue Jays will figure out where to spend this weekend after a three-game series in Philadelphia was called off because two Phillies staffers tested positive for the virus.

Shut out of playing in Toronto this year because of health concerns by the Canadian government, the Blue Jays held their first “home” series of the season in Washington this week. Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio and the Jays might stay in DC and work out at Nationals Park.

The Blue Jays eventually will play home games in Buffalo at the stadium of their Triple-A affiliate. But that park isn’t ready yet, forcing the Jays to stay on the road.

Washington, meanwhile, heads into a coronavirus-caused “mini All-Star break,” as manager Dave Martinez called it. The Nationals’ series in Miami this weekend was scrapped after several Marlins players tested positive, leaving Trea Turner and the defending World Series champs with a four-day break.

FRESH FISH

Angels star Mike Trout was placed on the paternity list Thursday as the reigning AL MVP and his wife, Jessica, prepare to...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/LEADING-OFF-Yelich-Springer-slumping-Blue-Jays-15447587.php