A look at what’s happening around the majors on Wednesday:
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HELLO AGAIN
Shohei Ohtani makes his final start before heading to the All-Star Game and hopes to lead Los Angeles to a better result against Houston’s Cristian Javier, who struck out 14 Angels on July 1.
One start after striking out 13 in seven innings to begin a combined no-hitter against the Yankees, Javier upped his career high again with the 14 punchouts during seven innings of one-run ball in the Astros’ 8-1 win at Houston. The one run was a homer by Ohtani.
Ohtani was named to his second straight All-Star Game as a hitter and a pitcher. It’s uncertain if he’ll start on the mound again, like he did last year. He’s been even better as a pitcher this season, entering Wednesday 8-4 with a 2.44 ERA.
UNBEATEN
Tony Gonsolin of the Los Angeles Dodgers is 11-0 with a major league-leading 1.62 ERA going into his start at St. Louis.
The 28-year-old right-hander, a first-time All-Star, has allowed two runs or fewer in all 16 starts. He is seeking to become the first big league pitcher to win his first 12 decisions in a season since Detroit’s Max Scherzer started 13-0 in 2013. Before Scherzer, the feat had not been accomplished since Boston’s Roger Clemens began 14-0 in 1986.
ALL-STAR SHUFFLE
Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez, San Francisco left-hander Carlos Rodón and Miami first baseman Garrett Cooper are the latest players added to the rosters for the All-Star Game next week.
They replaced Philadelphia’s Bryce Harper and Houston’s Yordan Álvarez, who are hurt, and Milwaukee closer Josh Hader, who is skipping the July 19 game at Dodger Stadium because of family responsibilities.
Rodón made the All-Star team for the second straight season. Martinez is a…
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