LEADING OFF: Shane Bieber faces Twins seeking 8-0 start

A look at what’s happening around the majors today:

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NOT JUSTIN, SHANE

It hasn’t taken Shane Bieber long to become Cleveland’s ace — and maybe the best pitcher in baseball this season. The right-hander looks to stay unbeaten as the Indians open a three-game series in Minnesota. Bieber, who is 7-0 with a 1.25 ERA and leads the majors in numerous categories, is already 2-0 against the Twins this year. Bieber began last season as Cleveland’s No. 5 starter, but his ascension and the trades of Trevor Bauer, Corey Kluber and Mike Clevinger have solidified him as the Indians’ No. 1 starter.

DODGER (BLACK AND) BLUE

A couple of starting pitchers are dinged up for the major league-leading Dodgers. Walker Buehler went on the 10-day injured list Thursday because of a lingering blister on the index finger of his right hand. A little bit later, Dustin May was pulled after just one inning with a bruised left foot after he was hit by a sharp grounder against Arizona. “I think tomorrow when we get back home we’ll do a CT scan,” manager Dave Roberts said. “We should know more then.”

SO LONG, FAREWELL

A pair of NL West teams said goodbye Thursday to familiar faces and former All-Stars at third base. San Francisco released Pablo Sandoval, parting ways for a second time with the fan favorite and 2012 World Series MVP. Arizona kept up its roster overhaul when Jake Lamb was designated for assignment after he struggled for the majority of three straight seasons.

HELP ON THE WAY?

Atlanta's beleaguered rotation took another hit when left-hander Tommy Milone was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday with elbow inflammation. Milone hasn’t been the Band-Aid the Braves hoped they were getting when they acquired him in a trade with Baltimore, pitching to a 14.90 ERA...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/LEADING-OFF-Shane-Bieber-faces-Twins-seeking-8-0-15558974.php