Cleveland pitching coach Carl Willis will serve as the team’s acting manager when the coronavirus-hampered Guardians start a three-game series against the Twins at Target Field.

Javier Báez is nearing a $140 million, six-year contract with Detroit, giving the Tigers a dynamic bat for the middle of their order.

Every other Tuesday, News4Jax will check in on area players and how they’re doing in minor league baseball. Stats are through Aug. 30 games.

Every other Tuesday, News4Jax will check in on area players and how they’re doing in minor league baseball. Stats are through Aug. 16 games.

Blue Jays player Austin Martin, a Trinity Christian graduate, and Cubs shortstop Javier Baez (Arlington Country Day) were both traded on a busy afternoon in pro baseball.

Shohei Ohtani is the first player selected to the All-Star Game as both a hitter and pitcher.

Major League Baseball will deal with Mariners pitcher Hector Santiago, the first player ejected under the new crackdown against grip-enhancing sticky stuff.

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:___TRY AGAINThe Cubs and Marlins resume their series a day after poor weather caused a postponement at Wrigley Field. He wasn’t in the starting lineup for Thursday’s postponed game, but manager Don Mattingly had not ruled out using him. The ace right-hander was a steady presence for the Cubs throughout the pandemic-shortened season, joining the NL Cy Young Award conversation. The Marlins will counter with 22-year-old Sixto Sánchez, who debuted Aug. 22 and posted a 3.46 ERA in seven starts. “That’s the thing.”The Braves won’t play again until Tuesday, when they’ll open an NL Division Series against either the Cubs or Marlins in Houston.

CHICAGO – Major League Baseball suspended Chicago White Sox reliever Jimmy Cordero for three games Saturday and fined him an undisclosed amount for hitting the Cubs' Willson Contreras with a pitch. Manager Rick Renteria was suspended for one game, and he and pitching coach Don Cooper were also fined. Contreras hit a three-run shot off Dylan Cease in the third, then exited the batter’s box with sky-high bat flip. He also greeted White Sox utilityman Yolmer Sanchez, who pitched the ninth, with a solo shot for his eighth career multihomer game. The playoff-bound White Sox had lost six straight and were tied with Cleveland for second place in the NL Central behind Minnesota entering Saturday's game.

The Marlins, Phillies, Cardinals, Reds, Brewers and Giants are the top teams still in contention -- and they’re packed tightly with slots available for one team from the NL East, another from the NL Central and then two wild cards. The Mets (26-31) and Rockies (25-31) are mathematically eligible but need to win out just to have a shot. AL-MOST OVEROnly one playoff spot remains open in the AL, and Michael Brantley and the Astros are on the verge of clinching it. The Twins are trying to seal the AL Central. The Chisox have lost five in a row, dropping them out of the AL Central lead and one game behind Minnesota.

Cincinnati’s Trevor Bauer (1.80) is third and starts at home against the Brewers in a matchup of NL playoff contenders. Atlanta won its third straight NL East title with an 11-1 romp over the contending Marlins. After losses in 10 straight postseason appearances, the Braves are desperate to end the drought. There’s so much to be proud of from my point of view.”STUMBLINGThe Phillies have lost in four, dropping them out of NL playoff position. After getting in a doubleheader in Washington, they’ll try to regain their winning touch when Zach Eflin (3-2, 4.28 ERA) starts against Erick Fedde (2-3, 4.36) at Nationals Park.

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:___BACK AT ITCubs journeyman Alec Mills (5-3, 3.93) is set to pitch for the first time since his unexpected no-hitter a week ago against Milwaukee. ACE CARDCardinals left-hander Kwang Hyun Kim starts at Milwaukee, trying to keep up his remarkable run. HAPPY RETURNSBrewers bench coach Pat Murphy has rejoined the team just over six weeks after having a heart attack at Miller Park. The Brewers were practicing infield defense at Miller Park on Aug. 1 when Murphy sat down and said he wasn’t feeling well. Trainer Rafael Freitas was nearby and escorted Murphy to the clubhouse, where he met with team physician, Dr. Mark Niedfeldt.

FILE - In this Tuesday, July 7, 2020, file photo, Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Josh Bell, right, listens to manager Derek Shelton during a team workout at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. Shelton and other first-year managers are scrambling to make up for lost time. Fortunately for the first-year Pittsburgh Pirates manager, bench coach Donnie Kelly made it a point to provide it. I just (want) to make sure that Im talking to them, Im aware of what theyre going through, Shelton said. The 38-year-old Rojas the youngest manager in the majors read a book by Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski to help him prepare.

Player Local tie MLB teamSS Javier Baez, Arlington CD, Cubs, Hitting .281 with 29 HR, 85 RBI and 88 runs scored. LF Ben Gamel, Bishop Kenny, Brewers, Hitting .255 with 7 HR, 31 RBI. RF Austin Hays, JU, Orioles, Hitting .250 with an RBI after promotion on Sept. 7. P Walker Lockett, Providence, Mets, Is 1-1 with 6.98 ERA, 16 Ks in 19.1 IP in the bigs. P Alex McRae, JU, Pirates, Is 0-3 with 8.41 ERA in 20.1 IP in MLB this season.

Player Local tie MLB teamSS Javier Baez, Arlington CD, Cubs, Hitting .282 with 29 HR and 85 RBI. OF Austin Slater, Bolles, Giants, Hitting .276 with 4 HR, 20 RBI in 46 games in the bigs. P Walker Lockett, Providence, Mets, Is 4-3 in the minors this season with 45 Ks in 66 IP, 3.82 ERA. Was 0-3 with 9.98 ERA in 15.1 IP in MLB this season. OF Myles Straw, SJRSC, Astros, Hitting .319 with 30 RBI, HR at Triple-A Round Rock.

Player Local tie MLB teamSS Javier Baez, Arlington CD, Cubs, Hitting .286 with 28 HR, 81 RBI. Hitting .283 with 11 HR, 62 RBI. P Walker Lockett, Providence, Mets, Is 3-3 in the minors this season with 38 Ks in 60 IP, 4.05 ERA. Was 0-3 with 9.98 ERA in 15.1 IP in MLB this season. OF Myles Straw, SJRSC, Astros, Hitting .315 with 27 RBI, HR at Triple-A Round Rock.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - As if throwing out the first pitch at a Cubs game wasnt enough, the famous alligator trapper who captured Chance the Snapper is now getting his own bobblehead. On Thursday, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame unveiled the first images of what the doll will look like. The renderings show Frank Robb cradling the gator that takes its name from Chance the Rapper. As for Chance, its now getting adjusted to its new home at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park. The limited edition dolls are available for pre-order on the Bobblehead Hall of Fames website for $25 each plus $8 shipping.

Player Local tie MLB teamSS Javier Baez, Arlington CD, Cubs, Hitting .288 with 22 HR, 60 RBI. P Mike Clevinger, Wolfson, Indians, Improved to 2-2 with 40 Ks, 4.44 ERA after a win over the Royals on Wednesday. P Adam Wainwright, Glynn Academy, Ga., Cardinals, Is 5-7 with a 4.31 ERA and 82 Ks in 87.2 IP. Others who have been on MLB rosters this seasonP Kyle Bird, Clay/Flagler College, Rangers, Is 1-0 with 2 saves, 1.64 ERA, 28 Ks in 22 IP in Triple A Nashville. P Alex McRae, JU, Pirates, Is 5-5 in Triple A Indianapolis with 66 Ks in 71.2 IP.