Major League Baseball

LEADING OFF: Healthy Scherzer up in DC, Posey to DL

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:47 p.m. ET

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AP

A look at what's happening all around the majors today:

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DEALING IN D.C.

NL Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer makes his first start at Nationals Park this season in a game against the Cardinals. The Nats ace was exceptional at home last year, going 8-3 with a 2.56 ERA. After missing opening day because of a finger injury, Scherzer (1-0) allowed two runs over 6 2/3 innings to win his first start of the season against Philadelphia. St. Louis will send out Mike Leake (0-1).

GIANT HOLE

The Giants are looking at a week without Buster Posey after the star catcher was placed on the seven-day concussion disabled list Tuesday. Posey was struck in the helmet by a 94 mph fastball from Arizona's Taijuan Walker on Monday and was experiencing some unspecified lingering symptoms a day later. Manager Bruce Bochy said the team is being cautious because Posey is a catcher, and he may serve as designated hitter for a two-game series at Kansas City when he's eligible to return from the DL.

NEW STRIPES

Jordan Montgomery is set to make his major league debut after winning the Yankees' No. 5 starter spot. A standout at South Carolina in college, the left-hander has added velocity in the minor leagues and dominated last year at Double-A and Triple-A. Montgomery beat out established pitchers in a group that included Luis Cessa, Chad Green and Bryan Mitchell for the rotation slot. ''He just kind of pitched himself into it,'' New York manager Joe Girardi said. The Yankees host the Rays in the afternoon.

BAFFLING BYRON

Byron Buxton is again struggling mightily for the Twins. A hyped prospect who flopped as a rookie in 2015, Buxton looked like a budding star last September when he hit .287 with nine homers, 22 RBIs and a 1.011 OPS. He's failed to replicate that success, striking out three times Tuesday against Detroit to drop his season line to 2 for 29 with 17 strikeouts.

ROCK SOLID

The Rockies have a full rotation of promising young pitchers this season, including lefty Kyle Freeland, who will make his second major league start after an excellent debut. The 2014 first-round pick from the Denver area allowed a run and four hits over six innings against the Dodgers at Coors Field last week, and he'll get his second crack at the high elevation when Colorado hosts the Padres.

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