LEADING OFF: Scherzer? Trade deadline looms after big moves

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

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CLOCK IS TICKING

Time is running out for playoff contenders to bolster their rosters through a trade, and there likely will be more players changing teams before the 4 p.m. EDT deadline.

Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer was among those still on the trading block. The right-hander made what might have been his last start for the Washington Nationals, allowing one run and three hits in six innings to win the the opener of a doubleheader Thursday. He then watched the second game against Philadelphia from the dugout.

There was a lot of movement Thursday, with the selling Nationals sending closer Brad Hand to Toronto. Shortstop Trea Turner, currently out because of COVID-19 protocols, could also be headed out of Washington.

The New York Yankees acquired Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo after completing another trade to get All-Star slugger Joey Gallo from the Texas Rangers.

Already with an eight-game lead over Cleveland in the AL Central, the Chicago White Sox acquired second baseman Cesar Hernandez from the Indians, and then got reliever Ryan Tepera from the Cubs.

Left-hander Danny Duffy went from Kansas City to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Seattle got right-hander Diego Castillo from Tampa Bay Rays, and he likely will take over the closer role vacated when the Mariners traded Kendall Graveman to the Houston Astros earlier in the week.

BACK HOME IN CANADA

The Toronto Blue Jays finally get to play a real home game, 22 months and a day after they last played at Rogers Centre in their 2019 season finale.

In the 670 days since the last game in their own stadium, because of COVID-19 restrictions on travel into Canada, the Blue Jays played home games in Buffalo, New York, and at their spring training...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/LEADING-OFF-Scherzer-Trade-deadline-looms-after-16350856.php