A look at what’s happening around the majors today:
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HAKUNA MONCADA
The scraped-up White Sox hope third baseman Yoán Moncada can make his season debut when Chicago opens a three-game home series against Cleveland. The 26-year-old Moncada has been out since the last week of spring training with a strained right oblique, one of several key players sidelined for the South Siders this season.
The White Sox have won six straight to climb back over .500 for the first time since April 20 despite still missing sluggers Eloy Jiménez and Andrew Vaughn and starter Lance Lynn. Right-hander Michael Kopech (0-0, 1.17 ERA) will start the opener against the Guardians’ Zach Plesac (1-3, 4.44).
WELCOME BACK
Luis Castillo makes his season debut on the mound for Cincinnati against NL Central-leading Milwaukee. Castillo, a potential trade chip for the struggling Reds, has been sidelined with a right shoulder strain. He was an All-Star and a 15-game winner in 2019 but fell off to 8-16 with a 3.98 ERA in 33 starts and 187 2/3 innings last year, when he tied for the National League lead with 75 walks.
Cincinnati just took two of three from Pittsburgh to win a series for the first time this season, improving the majors’ worst record to 5-23.
IN THE SWING
Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. has picked up right where he left off after getting hurt last season.
Acuña doubled, singled and stole a base Sunday in a 9-2 win over Milwaukee, extending his on-base streak to an NL-best 23 games dating to June 25. Boston’s J.D. Martinez has the majors’ longest current string at 27 games.
Acuña tore his knee last summer and missed the rest of the season when Atlanta went on to win the World Series. The dynamic outfielder has played nine games this year.
ROUGH…
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