LEADING OFF: Sale rejoins Chisox, Gordon returns to Marlins
By The Associated Press, Associated Press
Jul 28, 2016 12:59 AM CDT
Miami Marlins' Ichiro Suzuki hits a single during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Tuesday, July 26, 2016, in Miami. Suzuki made his first start in five games and went 1 for 5, giving him 2,997 career hits. He also stole a base and scored a run as the Marlins defeated...   (Associated Press)

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

___

SALE RETURNS TO CHISOX

White Sox ace Chris Sale (14-3, 3.18) returns from a five-day suspension for cutting up Chicago's throwback uniforms prior to a scheduled start last Saturday. He'll try to become the majors' first 15-game winner in the finale of the crosstown series with the Cubs at Wrigley Field. The lefty will face John Lackey (7-7, 3.79), who has lost five straight decisions — in his last six starts, Lackey has a 6.38 ERA.

DEE DAY

Dee Gordon, the 2015 NL batting and stolen base champion, returns to the Marlins after serving an 80-game suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy. Gordon signed a $50 million, five-year contract extension in January but was suspended 21 games into this season. Last year, he hit .333 with 58 stolen bases and was awarded the NL Gold Glove Award at second base. Miami will pitch Jose Fernandez (12-4, 2.54) against the Cardinals' Michael Wacha (5-7, 4.37).

GETTING FAMILIAR

Washington slugger Bryce Harper is stuck in an 0-for-17 rut going into a matchup against Giants ace Johnny Cueto (13-2, 2.53). The NL division leaders open a four-game set in San Francisco and will play each other seven times in 11 days.

TOUGH ROAD

Coming off a 4-5 stay at Fenway Park, the Red Sox begin an 11-game road trip to the West Coast, visiting the Angels, Seattle and Dodger Stadium. Boston lefty David Price (9-7, 4.51) hopes to rebound from two straight mediocre starts when he pitches at Angel Stadium.

ICHIRO UPDATE

Ichiro Suzuki is three hits shy of 3,000 as the Marlins open a four-game series vs. St. Louis. He has started just one of six games on Miami's homestand and is batting .332 this season.

See 2 more photos