MATT SHOEMAKER

Michigan native and Detroit Tigers nemesis Matt Shoemaker could be headed overseas. The 35-year-old right-hander is nearing a deal with the Yomiuri Giants of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, according to a report from Sports Hochi. He was even better in Comerica Park, allowing just one run in 18 1/3 innings (a homer by Wilson Ramos last April). Shoemaker struggled mightily with the Twins last season, but signed on with the San Francisco Giants after being released in July. He posted solid numbers in Triple-A, which likely gave him a chance to earn a deal with the Giants of Japan this winter.

Rookie Trevor Larnach homered and Rob Refsnyder drove in two runs as the Minnesota Twins hung on to beat the Kansas City Royals 6-5.

Yet, the AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins are coming off an exciting game on Tuesday night. It looked to be deja vu for Minnesota, as Chicago went up 4-0 by the third inning. The victory marked the first time this season that the Twins had downed the White Sox, as Chicago had won the first four meetings this season. Lucas Giolito hit the rubber for the White Sox in the series finale. What: MLB BaseballWho: Chicago White Sox vs. Minnesota TwinsWhen: Wednesday, May 19Time: 1:10 p.m.

Matt Shoemaker doused any fire that might have existed in the Tigers’ bats for five innings on Friday night, before Mother Nature took care of the rest.

DETROIT -- Miguel Cabrera reached base four times, but the Detroit Tigers lost a rain-soaked series opener to the Minnesota Twins 7-3 on Friday night at Comerica Park. Tigers starter Tarik Skubal threw a career-high 96 pitches and tied a career-high with eight strikeouts in five innings. Tigers reliever Bryan Garcia walked two batters in the sixth; both runners came around to score. Twins starter Matt Shoemaker, a native of nearby Trenton who played at Eastern Michigan, pitched five scoreless innings. Tigers right-hander Jose Ureña (1-4, 3.53 ERA) will face Twins right-hander Jose Berrios (3-2, 3.58).

DETROIT -- Miguel Cabrera broke out of a slump and tied the Babe with one swing of a bat. The Detroit Tigers slugger smacked a single that bounced off the right-field wall on one-hop to lead off the second inning against Minnesota Twins starter Matt Shoemaker Friday night at Comerica Park. It was Cabrera’s 2,873 hits, tying Babe Ruth for 45th on MLB’s all-time list. (Yes, Ruth played in the original version of Yankee Stadium, which bears little relations to the current one). The next big milestone for Cabrera is held by Omar Vizquel, who is 43rd all-time with 2,877 hits.

The Detroit Tigers will look to bounce back from dropping the final game of their series to the Boston Red Sox. Now they face the Minnesota Twins who have already handed them two losses so far this season. The game will air on Bally Sports Detroit and fans can stream it using MLB.TV | AT&T TV. Left-hander Tarik Skubal (0-4, 6.14 ERA, 18 SO) will be on the mound for the Tigers on Friday night. What: Detroit Tigers (9-23) vs. Minnesota Twins (11-19)Where: Comerica Park -- Detroit, MIWhen: Friday, May 7Time: 7:10 p.m.

Detroit Tigers play the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park on May 7, 2021. TV: Bally Sports Detroit. Radio: 97.1 FM The Ticket.

Michael Perez had three hits and drove in three runs, helping Trevor Cahill and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Minnesota Twins 6-2.

Matt Olson hit a grand slam, Mitch Moreland homered twice to back Sean Manaea’s shutout, then Jesús Luzardo followed with his own Game 2 gem as the Oakland Athletics swept a doubleheader against the depleted Minnesota Twins, 7-0 and 1-0 to run their winning streak to 10 games.

Mitch Haniger homered and hit the go-ahead sacrifice fly in the 10th inning to give the Seattle Mariners a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins.

DETROIT -- Nelson Cruz hit two home runs, including a grand slam, and Detroit Tigers pitchers walked 11 batters and threw 215 pitches in a 15-6 loss to the Minnesota Twins Monday at Comerica Park. Starting pitcher Jose Ureña lasted just three innings, giving up six runs (five earned) in his Tigers’ debut. So, having been robbed of his grand slam, Cruz proceeded to hit an even more impressive grand slam on the very next pitch. pic.twitter.com/tqrye0fLiT — Detroit Tigers (@tigers) April 5, 2021The Tigers scored five runs in the bottom of the ninth on a solo home run by Victor Reyes and, incredibly, a grand slam by rookie Akil Baddoo. Up next: The Tigers (2-2) and Twins (3-1) meet at 1:10 p.m. on Tuesday.

DETROIT -- After homering in his first Major League at-bat on Sunday, Detroit Tigers rookie outfielder Akil Baddoo is being rewarded with a start against his old team. Baddoo will bat ninth and play center field when the Tigers (2-1) face the Minnesota Twins (2-1) on Monday at 1:10 p.m. at Comerica Park. Minnesota is in town for a three-game set.#DetroitRoots pic.twitter.com/LehwuMgc8P — Detroit Tigers (@tigers) April 5, 2021The Tigers selected Baddoo from the Twins in the Rule 5 Draft last December. If Baddoo hadn’t made the team in spring training, the Tigers would have had to send him back to Minnesota. Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera, who homered on Opening Day, will be back in the lineup at designated hitter.

In the final spring training game of the year, Betts hit two home runs Tuesday night and the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-4. GOOD SIGNOn the final day of spring training, former All-Star pitcher Mike Soroka took a big step toward getting back on a regular-season mound. Ad“It was a perfect way to end a really good spring training on a positive note,” manager Brian Snitker said. Kolten Wong hit a two-run homer and Christian Yelich singled to finish spring training with a .393 batting average. AdDIAMONDBACKS 3, INDIANS 2At Phoenix, Diamondbacks starter Taylor Widener struck out seven over 5 2/3 innings, allowing four hits.

The 2018 AL Rookie of the Year is off to a strong start this spring on both sides. PHILLIES 3, PIRATES 0Bryce Harper homered on his first swing of spring training, launching a opposite-field drive to left. Chad Kuhl made his second start for Pittsburgh, allowing two runs on three hits. Brad Keller worked three innings in the start for the Royals and allowed a run on four hits and two walks. BRAVES 4, TWINS 0 (7)Kyle Wright fared much better in his second start for Atlanta, allowing one hit in three shutout innings with two strikeouts.

That’s probably the worst thing we can do as a team,” Blue Jays third baseman Cavan Biggio said. Diego Castillo, Nick Anderson and Pete Fairbanks followed the starter, limiting the Blue Jays to two singles, two doubles and Bo Bichette's eighth-inning sacrifice fly the rest of the way. The wild-card Blue Jays broke through in the eighth against Anderson, didn't allow a run in 18 of 19 regular season appearances. He’s pretty good,” said Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo, who served on Cash's staff with the Rays from 2015-18. UP NEXTLefty Hyun Jin Ryu starts for the Blue Jays against right-hander Tyler Glasnow, who’s been Tampa Bay’s best pitcher.

The virus also prompted at least two more players to opt out Saturday: Brewers All-Star outfielder Lorenzo Cain and Miami second baseman Isan Daz. I dont think its realistic to think that were not going to have any more positive tests, Manfred said. After two St. Louis players tested positive, the whole Cardinals team was given rapids tests Friday and saliva samples were sent to an MLB laboratory. Thats why we were reluctant to get into scheduling a bunch of doubleheaders just to play more games, Manfred said. In addition, Manfred says players and coaches should take advantage of the open seats in the stands near the dugouts and bullpens in order to spread out.

The Blue Jays were blocked by the Canadian government from hosting this season because of coronavirus concerns, and hopes of shifting home games to other big league cities didn't work out. First of all, this whole year has been crazy, but its been especially crazy for our team, Biggio said. You get an opening day start usually because of what you did the year before," Morton said. Blue Jays starter Hyun-Jin Ryu, second in NL Cy Young voting when he was with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season, allowed three runs and four hits in 4 2/3 innings. Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo said it felt awesome after all the uncertainty the Blue Jays have endured recently.