KHRIS DAVIS

(AP Photo/Jason Redmond) (Jason Redmond)A look at what's happening around the majors on Wednesday:___CALL 'EM UPMajor League Baseball teams can now expand their rosters, but there's something different about September call-ups this season — clubs can add just two players. Even before COVID-19 altered and shortened the 2020 season to only 60 games, MLB had decided to reduce the September call-ups while adding a 26th player to the roster fulltime last year. The 29-year-old DeShields was with Boston’s Triple-A team in Worcester and assigned to the Reds’ top minor league team in Louisville. DeShields has six years of big league experience. He’s 43-31 with 126 saves and a 3.70 ERA over 11 big league seasons.

Major League Baseball teams can now expand their rosters, but there’s something different about September call-ups this season — clubs can add just two players.

This used to be the time of the season when MLB clubhouses and dugouts would get really crowded with the influx of September call-ups. Each team will get to add only two players to their rosters, from 26 to 28, on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson, File) (Duane Burleson)ARLINGTON, Texas — (AP) — This used to be the time of the season when MLB clubhouses and dugouts would get really crowded with the influx of September call-ups. Each team will get to add only two players to their rosters, from 26 to 28, on Wednesday. “The rosters will expand, but they’re not expanding the way they have in the past,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said.

MLB clubhouses and dugouts are no longer as crowded during the final weeks of the regular season.

Pirates Brewers Baseball Milwaukee Brewers' John Axford enters a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Milwaukee. REN-DONEAngels third baseman Anthony Rendon will have season-ending surgery on his right hip, ending an injury-plagued year. Rendon was limited to 58 games and had been out since July 6 with a strained left hamstring. GETTING CLOSENL batting leader Nick Castellanos is nearing a return to the Reds lineup after being out since July 22 with an injured right wrist. BACK IN TOWNFormer big league home run champion Khris Davis has rejoined the Athletics, signing a minor league contract.

The NL Central-leading Brewers are again shuffling their pitching staff with reliever John Axford now out for the season because of elbow trouble and starter Eric Lauer joining the team’s growing COVID-19 injured list.

Jose Altuve belted a grand slam in the 10th inning and the Houston Astros, saved by Carlos Correa’s tying homer in the ninth, beat the Texas Rangers 6-3 to give manager Dusty Baker quite an exciting birthday gift.

New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole has found himself in a sticky situation.

(AP Photo/Kathy Willens) (Kathy Willens)A look at what's happening around the majors on Wednesday:STICKY SITUATIONYankees ace Gerrit Cole has found himself in a sticky situation. “I understand this topic is important to everybody that cares about the game,” Cole said. STRUGGLING SLUGGERFormer major league home run leader Khris Davis is available after being cut by the Texas Rangers. Texas had lost 11 of 12 and was last in the AL West when it made the move. He’s already pitched 68 innings in 11 starts, passing the 59 innings he threw last year in the pandemic-shortened season.

Rangers Rockies Baseball Texas Rangers' Khris Davis connects for a two-run home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Jordan Sheffield in the seventh inning of a baseball game Thursday, June 3, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (David Zalubowski)ARLINGTON, Texas — (AP) — Khris Davis was designated for assignment Tuesday by the slumping Texas Rangers, a move more about the young team's standing than the struggles of the veteran slugger. Texas got the 33-year-old Davis, who has a $16.75 million salary this season, when longtime starting shortstop Elvis Andrus was traded to Oakland in February. General manager Chris Young and manager Chris Woodward both said the team needs to find out about its young players, and there will now be more opportunities to do that. Davis started 13 games, 11 as DH and two in left field, while Calhoun made 23 of his previous 40 starts in left.

Veteran slugger Khris Davis has been designated for assignment by the slumping Texas Rangers.

The Padres said Tatis had discomfort in his non-throwing left shoulder and would be re-evaluated on Wednesday. Corbin Burnes turned in 4 2/3 innings, striking out six while allowing two runs on three hits. Jon Lester allowed one run and three hits in 3 2/3 innings in his second start of the spring for Washington. He gave up five hits, hit two batters and struck out three. PADRES 5, REDS 4MacKenzie Gore worked 3 2/3 innings in his third start for San Diego, allowing two runs on three hits.

On that one, we are probably on the same page.”RED SOX 8, RAYS 2Garrett Richards struck out seven in four scoreless innings for Boston. ATHLETICS 5, PADRES 4Fernando Tatis Jr. led off the game with his second spring home run, a smashing return after missing six days with a non-virus bug. The 30-year-old left has pitched four scoreless innings this spring. BREWERS 8, CUBS 3 (7)Brandon Woodruff made his second start for Milwaukee, allowing five hits in two scoreless innings. BRAVES 8, TWINS 5Michael Pineda, who last pitched a full season in 2016, made his first spring start for Minnesota.

FILE - In this March 11, 2020, file photo, Texas Rangers' Elvis Andrus tosses a ball before a spring training baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in Surprise, Ariz. The Rangers traded Andrus to the Oakland Athletics on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021. Texas sent the 32-year-old Andrus, catcher Aramis Garcia and $13.5 million to the A's for designated hitter Khris Davis, catcher Jonah Heim and right-hander Dane Acker. Young is still the team’s career leader and Andrus is second on the list for games played, at-bats and triples. Davis hit .271 with 15 doubles, 32 homers and 80 RBIs in 79 career games against Texas.

Houston Astros' Carlos Correa, left, and George Springer celebrate after the Astros defeated the Oakland Athletics in Game 2 of a baseball American League Division Series in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. The Houston Astros can't miss these days. “With every victory, the energy and the confidence grows,” first-year Houston manager Dusty Baker said. Five of Springer’s postseason homers have come at Dodger Stadium, where the Astros beat the Dodgers in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series. The scandal led to season-long suspensions of Houston general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch, who both were fired.

Houston Astros' Carlos Correa, left, celebrates with George Springer after they defeated the Oakland Athletics in Game 1 of a baseball American League Division Series in Los Angeles, Monday, Oct. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)LOS ANGELES – A home run derby broke out during a hot, dry day at Dodger Stadium, and suddenly the Houston Astros have their swing and swagger back. “When you get the leadoff guy (Springer) getting on base every single time, good things are going to happen. Altuve's line-drive single to left scored Maldonado and Springer to put the Astros back in front, 6-5. Chris Bassitt put the potential tying and go-ahead runs on in the fifth with back-to-back singles by Springer and Altuve.

Now, the slugging A's are right back in a familiar fall position: one winner-take-all postseason game with the season on the line. Semien and Davis connected early and Oakland's bullpen barely held off José Abreu and the Chicago White Sox late for a 5-3 win Wednesday that sent the AL playoff series to a deciding Game 3. The White Sox went 14-0 in the regular season against left-handed starters and beat southpaw Jesús Luzardo in the playoff opener. “I'm pretty sure we're pretty dang confident in anyone we throw against the White Sox,” Bassitt said. He went just 3 for 18 against the White Sox last season.

Oakland Athletics players celebrate after Matt Olson, center left, hit a grand slam home run against the Los Angeles Angels in the tenth inning a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Friday, July 24, 2020. According to STATS, Olson became the third player to hit a walkoff grand slam on opening day. The game went to the 10th tied at 3 after Jason Castros tying homer in the ninth against As closer Liam Hendriks. The Angels didn't deliver a win for Maddon in his Angels managerial debut. UP NEXTLHP Sean Manaea, who went 4-0 last season in September after returning from shoulder surgery before losing the wild card game, pitches Saturday opposite Angels RHP Dylan Bundy.