MIKE LEAKE

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.

Pastor Joshua Manning of the Community Baptist Church in Noel was sickened, himself. This was the last of five services for five international congregations — in all, about 200 people — who worship at the church in Noel. Many were infected with COVID-19 during the summer when McDonald County, where Noel is located, became a hot spot of the pandemic. At the onset of the pandemic, Manning closed the church for two months to follow safety guidelines. At that time, with few COVID-19 cases in the area, some residents were furious at city officials who ordered restrictions.

FILE - In this Sunday, July 5, 2020, file photo, San Francisco Giants' Buster Posey carries his bats during a baseball practice in San Francisco. Posey is the latest big-name player to skip this season because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)SAN FRANCISCO Giants star catcher Buster Posey became the latest big-name player to skip this season because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, announcing his decision Friday. Posey had missed three San Francisco practices while dealing with a personal issue. Posey hit .455 in exhibition games this year before spring training was halted March 12 because of the virus outbreak.

PHOENIX The Minnesota Twins have shuffled their on-field staff to protect the health of some of their older coaches. I think we all know that we're making the right decision, but that doesn't mean it feels good," Baldelli said. The defending World Series champion Nationals will begin their title defense without Zimmerman and pitcher Joe Ross, who both declined to play because of health concerns. We are one hundred percent supportive of their decision to not play this year, Nationals GM Mike Rizzo said in a statement. Cleveland's 61-year-old manager Terry Francona said he's not nervous, even though he's had previous health issues.

PHOENIX Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Mike Leake has opted out of the 2020 season due to concerns about the coronavirus. Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen did not elaborate on Leake's decision during a Zoom call Monday but the pitcher's agent issued a statement saying he made a personal decision not to play during the pandemic. Hazen also said two players on Arizona's 60-man roster tested positive for COVID-19, as did another player not in Arizona. The 32-year-old Leake started 10 games for Arizona after being traded from Seattle for outfielder Jose Caballero and cash in 2019. Leake went 3-3 with a 4.35 ERA and was expected to be in the Diamondbacks' starting rotation during the 60-game 2020 season.

(AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)NEW YORK Baseballs amateur draft is about to enter the next phase of its ongoing development same as all those young prospects picked every year. Even before the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 version was ticketed for a move to Omaha, Nebraska, to coincide with the College World Series there. But with the top pick in the second June amateur draft in 1966, the New York Mets swung and missed. All that hype came to full fruition a decade later, when he was the World Series MVP as the Nationals won the franchises first championship last year. Prior to Appel, the only top overall picks who failed to reach the majors were Chilcott and left-hander Brien Taylor (Yankees, 1991).