MLB
Another strikeouts record set
NEW YORK -- Major League Baseball has set a strikeouts record for the 11th consecutive year -- and with four days to spare.
There were 40,196 strikeouts through Wednesday, topping last year's 40,104 -- the first season strikeouts reach 40,000. There were 32,189 in 2007, the last season without a record, and 30,801 in 2003.
This will be the first season in major league history with more strikeouts than hits. There were 40,098 hits through Wednesday.
Other statistics gathered this season:
• The .248 batting average has dropped to its lowest level since 1972, the year before the designated hitter. Lefty hitters have fared even worse, a .244 average that is their lowest average since 1968, before the pitcher's mound was lowered, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
• Innings per starting pitcher dropped from 5.89 in 2012 to 5.38 this year and pitches per start from 95 to 88 over the same period, according to Sports Info Solutions.
• Pitchers per game for both teams rose from 7.68 to 8.34 over that span, according to Major League Baseball, with average fastball velocity increasing from 91.6 mph to 92.8 mph over the past six years, according to Sports Info.
Major League Baseball and the players' association said they will spend much of the offseason analyzing the historic changes.
CUBS
SS Russell's leave extended
CHICAGO -- Cubs shortstop Addison Russell's administrative leave has been extended through Sunday, which is the last day of the regular season.
A Major League Baseball source confirmed the news first reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
On Tuesday, Rosenthal reported that MLB has "additional credible information" to support allegations by Melisa Reidy-Russell that Russell emotionally and physically abused her during their marriage.
Major League Baseball interviewed Reidy-Russell and several other witnesses, according to the report. When the allegations first surfaced in 2017, Reidy-Russell declined to be interviewed, according to reports.
The Cubs have maintained it's a league matter and out of their hands, declining further comment.
Russell is not permitted to be with the team during this leave. The Cubs are not likely to put him on the postseason roster.
MLB placed Russell on seven-day administrative leave last Friday before the Cubs lost to the White Sox.
Rosenthal wrote "all signs point to a suspension" for Russell, who thus far only has commented in a statement denying the allegations.
Chicago has clinched its fourth consecutive postseason appearance. Russell, 24, is batting .250 with 5 home runs and 38 RBI. The infielder was an All-Star two years ago and helped the Cubs win their first World Series title since 1908.
PIRATES
SS/3B Kang to join club today
CHICAGO -- The Pittsburgh Pirates expect infielder Jung Ho Kang to join the club today and be active for a season-ending season at Cincinnati in what would be his first major league appearance in two years.
The 31-year-old didn't play in North America between September 2016 and June 2018 because of visa issues connected to three DUI arrests in his native South Korea.
Kang played in seven games for Class A Bradenton and nine games for Class AAA Indianapolis in June before a left wrist injury that led to surgery in August.
Pittsburgh made the announcement before Thursday night's game at the Chicago Cubs.
Kang, who plays third base and shortstop, hit .273 with 36 home runs and 120 RBI in 229 games for the Pirates in 2015 and 2016.
Sports on 09/28/2018