LUIS CASTILLO

The Seattle Mariners have locked up their ace in Luis Castillo for the next five years - the right-hander signed the deal on Saturday worth $108 million.

The deal announced Saturday includes an option for 2028 that could make the agreement worth $133 million for six seasons. Castillo was the big trade deadline acquisition for the Mariners when they got him from Cincinnati. Castillo was selected to the National League All-Star team in July for his second All-Star selection. Robbie Ray was Seattle's big signing last offseason, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner getting a $115 million, five-year deal. Castillo is the second major deal for the Mariners in the past month after locking up rookie slugger Julio Rodríguez last month to a $209.3 million, 12-year contract.

SEATTLE — (AP) — The Seattle Mariners have locked up another ace for their pitching staff, agreeing to a five-year contract with right-hander Luis Castillo on Saturday. Castillo was the big trade deadline acquisition for the Mariners when they acquired him from Cincinnati. Castillo’s contract is reportedly worth $108 million and will begin with the 2023 season, his final season of arbitration eligibility. The 29-year-old Castillo is 7-6 with a 2.85 ERA and 154 strikeouts in 23 starts between Seattle and Cincinnati. Since joining the Mariners, he is 3-2 with a 2.83 ERA and 64 strikeouts in nine starts.

Right-hander Luis Castillo agreed to a $108 million, five-year contract with the Seattle Mariners that starts next season, giving up a chance to become a free agent after the 2023 World Series.

Luis Castillo agreed to a five-year, $108 million extension with the Seattle Mariners on Saturday, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. The deal comes two months after the Mariners acquired Castillo from the Cincinnati Reds in July. Castillo, 29, is 3-2 in nine starts for the Mariners this season with a 2.83 ERA. Seattle gave rookie outfielder Julio Rodriguez a 14-year contract extension in August that included $210 million guaranteed and could grow to be worth more than $400 million. They lead the Baltimore Orioles by three games with 12 games left in the season.

Carlos Santana snapped an 0-for-17 slump with a go-ahead two-run homer during Seattle’s three-run seventh inning, and the Mariners rallied to beat the slumping New York Yankees 4-3.

APTOPIX Yankees Mariners Baseball Seattle Mariners' Luis Torrens, center, is greeted by teammates Mitch Haniger, left, and J.P. Crawford, right, after Torrens hit a walk-off RBI single to give the Mariners a 1-0 win over the New York Yankees in a 13-inning baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022, in Seattle. Cal Raleigh singled off Jonathan Loáisiga (1-3) and advanced Suárez from second to third. The lack of runs left Castillo and Cole out of the decision on a night when both deserved a victory. Mariners: LHP Robbie Ray (8-8, 3.96) faces the Yankees for the first time since leaving the AL East. He allowed one run over seven innings in his last outing.

Pinch-hitter Luis Torrens singled with one out in the 13th inning to score Eugenio Suárez, and the Seattle Mariners beat the New York Yankees 1-0 in a game dominated by the starting pitching of Gerrit Cole and Luis Castillo.

APTOPIX Yankees Mariners Baseball New York Yankees' Aaron Judge celebrates with Tim Locastro after hitting a solo home run on a pitch from Seattle Mariners' Ryan Borucki during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer) (John Froschauer)SEATTLE — (AP) — Aaron Judge hit his 44th homer, Josh Donaldson also went deep and drove in three runs, and the New York Yankees snapped a five-game losing streak by beating the Seattle Mariners 9-4 on Monday night. Donaldson doubled twice and Andrew Benintendi also had two doubles and three RBIs as the Yankees hammered Seattle pitching. New York manager Aaron Boone held a team meeting ahead of the series opener in Seattle after the Yankees were swept in St. Louis last weekend. Castillo allowed three runs and struck out eight over 6 2/3 innings last week at Yankee Stadium in his first start for Seattle.

Aaron Judge hit his 44th homer, Josh Donaldson went deep and drove in three runs, and the New York Yankees snapped a five-game losing streak by beating the Seattle Mariners 9-4.

Mariners Yankees Baseball Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Luis Castillo delivers against the New York Yankees in the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) (Mary Altaffer)NEW YORK — (AP) — Luis Castillo pitched five-hit ball into the seventh inning in his Seattle debut, and the Mariners used a fast start to beat Gerrit Cole and the New York Yankees 7-3 on Wednesday. Jesse Winker connected against Wandy Peralta in the seventh, helping the Mariners match their season high for homers. Castillo (5-4) struck out eight in 6 2/3 innings in his second start in the Bronx in less than a month. The 29-year-old Castillo pitched seven sparkling innings for Cincinnati at New York on July 14.

Luis Castillo pitched five-hit ball into the seventh inning in his Seattle debut, and the Mariners used a fast start to beat Gerrit Cole and the New York Yankees 7-3.

Juan Soto is set for his San Diego debut at home Wednesday night against Colorado.

Nationals Padres Soto Trade Baseball FILE - Washington Nationals' Juan Soto hits a three-run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, on June 19, 2022, in Washington. The Padres landed the biggest prize of this year's trade deadline — and maybe at any year's deadline — when they acquired outfielder Juan Soto, a 23-year-old superstar who isn't due to become a free agent until after the 2024 season. Here's a look at the biggest buyers and sellers at this year's deadline, and how they've reshaped their futures. Traded: RHP Yennier Cano, LHP Cade Povich, LHP Juan Rojas, RHP Juan Nunez, RHP Ian Hamilton, SS Spencer Steer, 3B Christian Encarnacion-Strand, LHP Steve Hajjar, RHP Sawyer Gipson-Long. Acquired: RHP Seth Johnson, RHP Chayce McDermott, RHP Yennier Cano, LHP Cade Povich, LHP Juan Rojas, RHP Juan Nunez, OF Brett Phillips.

This is quite a time to be a season ticket holder for the San Diego Padres.

The Seattle Mariners supplemented on Tuesday ahead of the trade deadline, hoping their big splash of last week and some minor moves prove to be enough to end the longest playoff drought in baseball. The Mariners acquired two injured players from the San Francisco Giants in left-hander Matthew Boyd and catcher Curt Casali and also picked up infielder Jake Lamb from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Seattle general manager Jerry Dipoto made a splash last week by acquiring Cincinnati Reds pitcher Luis Castillo to bolster the rotation before picking up a few, lesser-known names the Mariners hope will contribute down the stretch.

Aaron Judge hit his major league-leading 43rd home run, Jose Trevino had his first multihomer game and the New York Yankees beat the Seattle Mariners 7-2 in a series opener between teams bulking up for the postseason.

The trade market got busy ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, with the New York Yankees acquiring pitcher Frankie Montas from Oakland for four prospects.

The Yankees have bolstered their pitching for the stretch run and playoffs, obtaining starter Frankie Montas and reliever Lou Trivino from the Oakland Athletics for four prospects.

Kansas City Royals v New York Yankees NEW YORK, NY - JULY 30: Andrew Benintendi #18 of the New York Yankees in action against the Kansas City Royals during a game at Yankee Stadium on July 30, 2022 in New York City. For each major deal between now at Tuesday’s deadline, we’ll break down the pieces on the move and the logic behind the trades. Mariners acquire starting pitcher Luis Castillo from Reds for 4 prospects, including SS Noelvi MarteThe first big deal of the season saw Castillo, perhaps the most impactful pitcher available, head to Seattle. Mariners: BReds: AYankees acquire OF Andrew Benintendi from Royals for 3 prospectsSometimes pivots are very obvious. If you're going to take on any organization's young pitchers, the Yankees are one of the best choices.

Luis Castillo traded to SeattleAfter missing all of April (which is typically his worst month of the season), Castillo was good in May (3.38 ERA), slightly better in June (3.26 ERA) and terrific in July (1.93 ERA). Castillo’s splits have fantasy managers dreaming of how well he could fare now that he pitches for a team with an offense-suppressing venue. Castillo should be valued as a top-20 starter for the remainder of the season. The biggest fantasy loser of the Castillo trade is likely rookie righty, George Kirby. His IL stay is expected to be a short one, which is welcome news for fantasy managers and Mariners fans.

Mariners Astros Baseball Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodriguez hits an RBI double against the Houston Astros during the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, July 29, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke) (Michael Wyke)The Seattle Mariners' postseason drought has stretched on for two decades. Now the Mariners are making another push for the playoffs, led by rookie star Julio Rodríguez — and newly acquired right-hander Luis Castillo. Seattle landed Castillo in a trade Friday that sent three of the Mariners' top prospects to Cincinnati. On May 26, 2016, the Mariners' postseason chances were at 75.3%.

The Seattle Mariners’ postseason drought has stretched on for two decades.

When Juan Soto turned down a $440 million, 15-year deal to stay with the Washington Nationals, it ensured Tuesday’s trade deadline would have a little juice.

41 and even robbed a home run in right field as the Yankees rallied for an 11-5 victory over the Royals. KERSHAW AT COORSClayton Kershaw pitches in Colorado, his second outing since starting the All-Star Game for the National League on his home mound at Dodger Stadium. A three-time NL Cy Young Award winner, Kershaw is 2-0 with a 1.67 ERA in his last four starts. He is 11-7 with a 4.81 ERA at Coors Field, his highest ERA at any ballpark where he has made more than one start. He tossed six scoreless innings for the New York Yankees against Cleveland last Sept. 17, earning a win.

Ron Guidry, Bernie Williams and Tino Martinez highlight the Yankees alumni set to appear at Old-Timers’ Day in the Bronx prior to a matchup with the Kansas City Royals.

Justin Verlander pitched one-run ball into the eighth inning and won his MLB-leading 14th game, Aledmys Díaz hit two homers and Yordan Alvarez slugged his 30th home run of the season as the Houston Astros beat the Seattle Mariners 11-1.

Reds Yankees Baseball Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Luis Castillo gestures to a teammate at the end of the sixth inning of the team's baseball game against the New York Yankees on Thursday, July 14, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) (Frank Franklin II)HOUSTON — (AP) — The Seattle Mariners acquired the top starting pitcher on the trade market Friday night, getting All-Star Luis Castillo from the payroll-paring Cincinnati Reds for four minor league prospects. A 29-year-old right-hander, Castillo was 4-4 with a 2.86 ERA for the last-place Reds, striking out 90 and walking 28 in 85 innings. Castillo is a two-time All-Star with a 44-53 career record and 3.62 ERA in six seasons. Stout, 24, is 13-9 with a 4.32 ERA in 33 starts over two minor league seasons.

The Seattle Mariners have acquired perhaps the top starting pitcher on the trade market, getting All-Star Luis Castillo from the payroll-paring Cincinnati Reds for four minor league prospects.

Miami Marlins v Cincinnati Reds CINCINNATI, OH - JULY 27: Luis Castillo #58 of the Cincinnati Reds reacts after closing out the seventh inning during the game against the Miami Marlins at Great American Ball Park on July 27, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)The Seattle Mariners are picking up another starting pitcher ahead of the trade deadline. The Mariners struck a deal to trade for Cincinnati Reds pitcher Luis Castillo on Friday night, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. BREAKING: The Seattle Mariners are finalizing a deal to acquire right-hander Luis Castillo from the Cincinnati Reds, sources tell ESPN. Castillo led the Reds to a 5-3 win over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday, when he struck out eight batters in seven innings.

Some of the arms on the block represent obvious upgrades, like Cincinnati Reds ace Luis Castillo. Luis Castillo, Cincinnati Reds starterThere's only one ace who looks certain to move. Castillo is made even more attractive by the fact he will remain under team control for 2023, too. In other words, if Soto doesn't move, there's a good chance Castillo will headline the deadline's biggest deal. Corbin has been a complete disaster since the Nationals' 2019 World Series run, so much so that it is widely speculated he will be included in a potential Soto trade as a salary dump .

Padres Mets Baseball New York Mets' Max Scherzer pitches during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the San Diego Padres on Friday, July 22, 2022, in New York. Scherzer (6-2, 2.28 ERA) faces the Yankees in the wrapup of this two-game Subway Series at Citi Field. DeGrom is scheduled to make what could be his final minor league rehab start when he pitches for Triple-A Syracuse. He has a 1.00 ERA over his past four starts and also pitched a scoreless inning at the All-Star Game. HEANEY RETURNSDodgers pitcher Andrew Heaney is set for just his fourth appearance this season due to lingering shoulder woes.

Mets star pitchers Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom are both set to start, albeit not in the same ballpark.

(Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images)The MLB trade deadline is approaching quickly and one name towers above the rest. After pulling the ball 40 percent of the time last season, he’s pulling the ball 27.3 percent of the time in 2022. Willson Contreras, Chicago Cubs CA catcher who can hit is a rare commodity these days, which should give Willson Contreras plenty of value on the trade market. At the plate, Contreras offers a solid understanding of the strike zone. It’s unclear whether Bell is vaccinated against COVID-19 and whether that will impact his trade market.

Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports - 18719257MLB's All-Star Game saw an icon make his starting debut in front of his home crowd and the arrival of the game's next superstar. Per SMW, Tuesday's game broadcast on Fox was the lowest-rated and least-watched in the history of the All-Star Game with a 4.2 rating and 7.51 million viewers. The All-Star Game also remained the most viewed in sports, topping the 2022 editions of the NFL Pro Bowl (6.69 million) and the NBA All-Star Game (6.28 million). Monday's Home Run Derby (6.88 million) also eclipsed the viewership of the NFL's and NBA's All-Star offerings. The most relevant facts about MLB All-Star Game ratings: it was the most-watched ASG in sports, TV's top show in a month, and the top FOX show in six months.

Guardians Royals Baseball Kansas City Royals' Whit Merrifield celebrates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians Friday, July 8, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. The team is set to play four games in Toronto. ALL-STAR SHOWDOWNBrewers right-hander Corbin Burnes (7-4, 2.20 ERA) will face Giants lefty Carlos Rodón (8-5, 2.70) in San Francisco before the pair team up on the NL All-Star roster next week. After sweeping a doubleheader Wednesday in Washington, the Mariners have won 10 straight for the first time since April 2002. Wright is 2-1 with a 6.27 ERA in five career games, including three starts, against the Nats.

The Royals will be without 10 of the 26 players on their active roster for their upcoming trip to Toronto due to Canadian restrictions on travelers who aren’t vaccinated against COVID-19.

DJ LeMahieu capped his 34th birthday by sliding across the plate on Alexis Díaz’s second straight wild pitch in the 10th inning, and the New York Yankees rallied from a four-run deficit to beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-6 and stop a three-game losing streak.

Los Angeles Angels sensation Shohei Ohtani repeated as a two-way All-Star when he was picked for the AL pitching staff, two days after he was elected to start at designated hitter.

Rays Reds Baseball Cincinnati Reds' Tyler Naquin celebrates with teammates, including Jonathan India, after a balk by Tampa Bay Rays' Jason Adam scored the winning run during the 10th inning of a baseball game in Cincinnati, Friday, July 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster) (Aaron Doster)CINCINNATI — (AP) — Mark Kolozsvary scored on a game-ending balk by Matt Wisler in the 10th inning, lifting the Cincinnati Reds to a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night. It was the majors' first game-ending balk since Dylan Floro for the Dodgers in a 5-4 loss at Seattle on Aug. 18, 2018. UP NEXTReds right-hander Hunter Greene (3-10, 6.01 ERA) and Rays righty Drew Rasmussen (5-3, 3.30 ERA) pitch on Saturday. Rasmussen is making his second start since coming off the injured list after being sidelined by a left hamstring strain.

Mark Kolozsvary scored on a game-ending balk by Matt Wisler in the 10th inning, lifting the Cincinnati Reds to a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.

The last time Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Kyle Gibson faced the St. Louis Cardinals, they hit four consecutive home runs off him in the first inning.

Michael Chavis hit a tiebreaking two-run double, Diego Castillo homered and rookie Roansy Contreras allowed one run in six innings as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-2 in the first game of a doubleheader.

Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout has struck out in seven straight at-bats during a tough series in Houston.

Philadelphia slugger Bryce Harper could return to the lineup Wednesday for the finale of a two-game series at Texas after an infected blister on his left index finger sidelined him for two games last weekend at Washington.

Diamondbacks Reds Baseball Arizona Diamondbacks' Josh Rojas hits a two-run single during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Thursday, June 9, 2022. I got put in a really good situation.”The Diamondbacks went into the ninth trailing 3-1, but got help from Santillan's wild tosses. Bumgarner pitched four innings against the Reds on Monday, allowing four runs and eight hits. Reds: RHP Luis Castillo (1-3, 3.55 ERA) is the scheduled starter in the Friday opener of a weekend series at St. Louis. Castillo allowed five runs and six hits while striking out six through 6 1/3 innings in Sunday's 5-4 loss to Washington.

Josh Rojas hit a go-ahead single during a four-run rally in the ninth inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Cincinnati Reds 5-4, earning a split in the four-game series.

Shane McClanahan pitched eight superb innings to win his fifth consecutive start and the Tampa Bay Rays completed a three-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals with a 2-1 victory.

Hunter Greene allowed a bunt single to begin the game and then faced the minimum through seven innings, retiring his final 20 batters as the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-0 in a rain-shortened game.

Luis Castillo struck out 10 while pitching six innings of one-hit ball, and the Cincinnati Reds beat Boston 2-1 for their first victory at Fenway Park since Game 7 of the 1975 World Series.

White Sox Yankees Baseball New York Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton reacts after striking out against Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) in the sixth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 22, 2022, in New York. The 26-year-old has dominated Triple-A this season and pitched two scoreless innings in two relief appearances for the big club. They send Rich Hill (1-1, 3.90 ERA) to the mound against Lucas Giolito (2-1, 2.84) and the White Sox in Chicago. Castillo makes his fourth start since beginning the season on the injured list with a right shoulder strain. THAT HURTSMilwaukee will be without Hunter Renfroe for a while after the outfielder was placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained right hamstring Tuesday.

Healthy for much of this season, the AL-leading Yankees are suddenly dealing with injuries to several key players.

(AP Photo/Brett Davis) (Brett Davis)A look at what's happening around the majors today:___HAKUNA MONCADAThe 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 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. WELCOME BACKLuis 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. Story went 0 for 4 Sunday in a loss to the White Sox, leaving him with a .194 batting average.

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.

(AP Photo/Brett Davis) (Brett Davis)A look at what's happening around the majors on Monday:___HAKUNA MONCADAThe 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 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. WELCOME BACKLuis 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. Story went 0 for 4 Sunday in a loss to the White Sox, leaving him with a .194 batting average.

Guardians Reds Baseball Cleveland Guardians' Andres Gimenez, left, points as he yells to celebrate with Jose Ramirez after the final out of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster) (Aaron Doster)CINCINNATI — (AP) — José Ramírez hit a grand slam and drove in six runs, remarkable rookie Steven Kwan reached base three more times and the Cleveland Guardians spoiled Cincinnati's home opener by beating the Reds 10-5 Tuesday. Kwan has now reached base at least three times in all five games of his major league career. He has reached base in 18 of 24 plate appearances, the most times for any player in his first five games since 1901. UP NEXTLHP Nick Lodolo, who the Reds selected seventh overall in the 2019 draft, will make his major league debut.

José Ramírez hit a grand slam and drove in six runs, remarkable rookie Steven Kwan reached base three more times and the Cleveland Guardians spoiled Cincinnati’s home opener by beating the Reds 10-5.

Hunter Greene won his major league debut, Kyle Farmer hit a two-run single in a five-run third inning and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Atlanta Braves 6-3.

The second act of Madison Bumgarner’s career hasn’t been nearly as successful as the first.

Michael Hermosillo homered for the first time since 2018 and the Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-1.

Mariners Yankees Baseball New York Yankees' Anthony Rizzo grounds into a run scoring double play during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) (Adam Hunger)A look at what's happening around the majors on Monday:___RIZZO OUTNewcomer Anthony Rizzo has become the latest Yankees player to test positive for the coronavirus. Star slugger Aaron Judge was among six Yankees to test positive last month. Rizzo is off to a fast start since being acquired from the Chicago Cubs on July 29. Peralta (8-3, 2.21 ERA) has permitted more than two earned runs in just one of his last 14 starts.

Newcomer Anthony Rizzo has become the latest Yankees player to test positive for the coronavirus.

Nationals Braves Baseball Atlanta Braves' Dansby Swanson (7) high fives his teammates after defeating the Washington Nationals 5-1 in a baseball game Thursday, June 3, 2021, in Atlanta. Swanson hit a two-run homer Thursday during a 5-1 victory over Washington, extending his hitting streak to a career-best 12 games. Giancarlo Stanton is 1 for 16 with nine strikeouts in five games since returning from a left quadriceps strain. Nathan Eovaldi (6-2, 4.01 ERA) starts for the Red Sox against Michael King (0-2, 2.86). He hasn’t won since he tossed seven scoreless innings in an 11-4 victory over Pittsburgh on April 7.

Dansby Swanson looks to continue his tear at the plate when the Braves host the Dodgers, their first meeting since Los Angeles rallied from a 3-1 series deficit to beat Atlanta in last year’s NLCS.

David Bote homered, Adbert Alzolay wriggled out of several jams while pitching into the sixth inning and the surging Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 1-0.

Milwaukee has achieved the 85% vaccination rate required by MLB to ease certain safety protocols, but Burnes said he opted against inoculation for personal reasons. The team will call up touted outfield prospect Jarred Kelenic and promising right-hander Logan Gilbert before its series opener at home against Cleveland. Daniel Lynch (0-1, 18.56 ERA) pitches for Kansas City against Spencer Turnbull (1-2, 4.74). “The key in most cases is not being satisfied with scoring the one run,” Reds manager David Bell said. The Reds will see if they get any extra work when Luis Castillo (1-4, 6.42 ERA) pitches the opener of a four-game series at Colorado.

Milwaukee Brewers ace Corbin Burnes is set to face St. Louis on Thursday in his first start since testing positive for the coronavirus last month.

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (David Zalubowski)A look at what's happening around the majors Thursday:___PANDEMIC PROBLEMSThe San Diego Padres and New York Yankees are both short-staffed due to COVID-19 outbreaks, but neither has had to interrupt their schedule. The Padres are off on Thursday before starting a home series against NL Central-leading St. Louis on Friday night. Manager Aaron Boone said MLB’s Joint COVID-19 Health and Safety Committee is waiting and reviewing a number of test results. “The key in most cases is not being satisfied with scoring the one run,” Reds manager David Bell said. The Reds will see if they get any extra work when Luis Castillo (1-4, 6.42 ERA) pitches the opener of a four-game series at Colorado.

The San Diego Padres and New York Yankees are both short-staffed due to COVID-19 outbreaks, but neither has had to interrupt their schedule.

Shane Bieber kept up his record strikeout run, fanning 13 and pitching the Cleveland Indians past the Cincinnati Reds 6-3.

Tyler Naquin hit another leadoff home run and the high-scoring Cincinnati Reds kept rolling, backing Luis Castillo to rout the Pittsburgh Pirates 11-4 for their fifth straight win.

Both winless teams in the majors are defending division champions.

Now that Fernando Tatis Jr. has been placed on the injured list, the San Diego Padres hope their electrifying shortstop won’t be sidelined too long.

Miami Marlins relief pitcher Brandon Kintzler, left, and catcher Chad Wallach (17) celebrate a 2-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs in Game 2 of a National League wild-card baseball series Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, in Chicago. The Marlins won the series 2-0 to advance to the division series. Miami will face Atlanta in the NL Division Series in Houston starting Tuesday. Led by manager Don Mattingly and CEO Derek Jeter, the Marlins remained unbeaten in all seven postseason series they have played following triumphs in the 1997 and 2003 NL Championship and World Series. In Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS, fan Steve Bartman deflected Luis Castillo’s foul ball as Cubs left fielder Moises Alou tried to make a leaping catch, which led to an eight-run, eighth-inning rally.

The Marlins are hoping center fielder Starling Marte can play through a broken bone in his left hand as they try to eliminate the Cubs at Wrigley Field. To do it, the Braves might need to make a whole lot more contact at the plate than they did Wednesday while beating the Reds 1-0 in 13 innings — the first postseason game to be scoreless after 11. They’ll be up against Luis Castillo (4-6, 3.21), who makes his first career playoff start for the Reds. He was out for a second straight playoff game because of a sprained right foot that kept him out of the final three games of the regular season. Wainwright closed out the Padres at Petco Park in their previous postseason appearance in 2006.

Atlanta Braves Freddie Freeman (5) celebrates driving in the game-winning run against the Cincinnati Reds in the 13th inning during Game 1 of a National League wild-card baseball series, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Braves won 1-0. The East champion Braves won a postseason opener for the first time since Game 1 of the 2001 NL Division Series. In Game 5 of the 2019 NL Division Series, Atlanta gave up a record 10 runs to the St. Louis Cardinals in their first at-bat. Braves: There were injury concerns after Atlanta's last series of the regular season, but everyone was good to go in the playoffs.

If St. Louis loses and San Francisco wins, the Cardinals would make up two games against Detroit on Monday that were postponed this season due to St. Louis' coronavirus outbreak. Brewers (29-30) — Qualify with a victory over St. Louis, or with losses by the Giants and Phillies. If the Giants and Cardinals win, San Francisco needs St. Louis to lose both games against the Tigers on Monday. A career .279 hitter, he had 244 home runs and 942 RBIs for Houston, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Texas. “He had a tremendous career, did a ton for the community in San Francisco and obviously for the San Francisco Giants,” Kapler said.

Mike Moustakas homered twice, Freddy Galvis hit a solo shot and the Reds clinched their first playoff spot since 2013, beating the AL Central-leading Minnesota Twins 7-2 on Friday night. “I like this team much more than I liked those teams, and I really liked those teams," Votto said. Twins: RHP Homer Bailey, who spent 12 of his 14 major league seasons with the Reds, was designated for assignment prior to the game. UP NEXTReds: RHP Luis Castillo (4-5, 2.86 ERA) will pitch on Saturday night, seeking his fifth straight win. Twins: RHP Michael Pineda (2-0, 3.18 ERA) pitches the middle game of the series.

San Diego Padres shortstop Eric Hosmer, center, celebrates after the Padres beat the Seattle Mariners in a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in San Diego. The Padres clinched a spot in the playoffs. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

But going into this last week, a lot of postseason spots are still wide open. Tampa Bay, Oakland, the White Sox and Minnesota also have earned AL spots, and Cleveland, Toronto and Houston have the inside track on the three remaining positions. With six spots in play, it should be an entertaining week with Cincinnati, Milwaukee and San Francisco all at .500. NICE STARTDane Dunning is 2-0 with a 2.33 ERA in five starts for the White Sox since making his major league debut this season. The White Sox lead second-place Minnesota by 2 1/2 games.