LEADING OFF: A's back in action after 4 virus postponements

A look at what's happening around the majors on Friday:

A’S IN ACTION

The AL West-leading Athletics play for the first time since last Saturday, when they were swept in a doubleheader at Houston. Oakland returns to the Coliseum as Jesús Luzardo (2-1, 3.74 ERA) faces Fernando Tatis Jr. and the Padres.

A’s pitcher Daniel Mengden has tested positive for the coronavirus and is quarantined at home in Houston, where he received the result that forced Oakland and Major League Baseball to postpone four games this week. General manager David Forst said Mengden is asymptomatic and was placed on the 10-day injured list.

DOMINANT DARVISH

Cubs right-hander Yu Darvish (6-1, 1.47 ERA), the NL Pitcher of the Month in August, tries to win his seventh straight decision when he faces Jack Flaherty (2-0, 1.93) and the Cardinals at Wrigley Field.

NL Central-leading Chicago opens an eight-game homestand, hoping to increase its lead over second-place St. Louis.

CHECK HIM

The Astros will see how second Jose Altuve’s knee is feeling, a day after he made an early exit.

Altuve was replaced Thursday a couple innings after sliding hard into third base. The team said he had discomfort in his right knee and would get an MRI. The All-Star is struggling this season, batting just .224.

ROCKIN’

Bryan Reynolds came up with his own celebration when he doubled for the Pirates in his first at-bat since coming off the paternity list -- he pretended to rock a baby to sleep.

Reynolds later hit a three-run homer as Pittsburgh beat the Cubs 6-2 on Thursday. On Monday, Reynolds and wife Blair had their first child, son Reese.

Asked if his tribute is going to become a regular thing for the rest of the season, the typically low-key Reynolds provided a typically low-key response.

“TBD, we’ll see,” he said. “Let it be organic, see what happens.”

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