By The Associated Press
A look at what’s happening around the majors on Saturday:
LONE STAR START
Braves rookie right-hander Bryce Elder will be at home in Texas when he starts the middle game of a three-game series against the Rangers.
A fifth-round draft pick out of the University of Texas in 2020, Elder grew up in Decatur, Texas, which is only about an hour drive from Globe Life Field.
Elder (1-2, 4.30 ERA), who will make his fourth big league start, grew up going to games at the old Rangers stadium across the street.
“A lot of memories made by that 2010, 2011 run they made,” Elder said. “As much as I would have liked to pitch in the other (ballpark), this one’s sweet. … I’m looking forward to it.”
The Rangers made their only World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011, when their manager was Ron Washington. He is now the third-base coach for the Braves — and was back in Texas on his 70th birthday Friday.
ROCKY TIMES
Colorado star Kris Bryant will be out into next weekend after he was put on the 10-day injured list because of back pain.
Bryant, who signed a $182 million, seven-year free-agent deal in March, is still looking for his first home run with the Rockies. He’s batting .281 with four RBIs and 12 strikeouts in 65 plate appearances.
An MRI Friday showed no structural issues.
Manager Bud Black said Bryant has been experiencing back soreness since a week ago in Detroit and believes it has affected his early performance.
“He would never tell you that, but I do think it has limited him,” Black said.
CHECK HIM
The Los Angeles Angels will see how Noah Syndergaard is feeling, a day after the right-hander was scratched from his scheduled start against the White Sox because of an undisclosed illness.
Manager Joe Maddon said Syndergaard “wasn’t feeling well,” but wouldn’t elaborate on the symptoms the 6-foot-6 pitcher was experiencing. Should the Angels and White Sox be forced to play a doubleheader Sunday — heavy rain was forecast for Saturday in Chicago — Maddon hinted Syndergaard might be available to start one of the games.
Right-hander Jimmy Herget got the start in place of Syndergaard against Lucas Giolito in the opener of a four-game series at Chicago.
Syndergaard is 2-0 with a 1.04 in his first two starts with the Angels in a comeback attempt. The former All-Star signed a one-year, $21 contract with Los Angeles in November after being limited to only two innings the past two years following Tommy John surgery in March 2020.
TRY AGAIN
Chris Archer makes his fourth start for Twins, still looking to post his first victory for his new team.
The 33-yer-old righty is 0-0 with a 3.18 ERA for Minnesota. He’s pitched a total of 11 1/3 innings this season as he tries to work back from an injury-interrupted career.
Archer will start against Tampa Bay at Tropicana Field, a place he knows well. He was a two-time All-Star for the Rays.
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