A look at what's happening around the majors today:NAME THAT NICKNAMEJerseys will take on a different look during Players' Weekend, when big leaguers are encouraged to be creative with what goes on the back of their uniforms.Cleveland outfielder Yasiel Puig will have Wild Horse, for the way he charges around the bases. Rays pitcher Charlie Morton will use Ground Chuck, for how he induces grounders. Reds first baseman Joey Votto will go with Who — for the "Abbott and Costello" comedy routine of "Who's on First?"Rockies pitcher Chad Bettis is skipping letters and going with an emoji — of lettuce, to rhyme with his last name.OCTOBER PREVIEW?Yankees lefty James Paxton is having one of the best stretches of his career. Paxton (9-6, 4.53 ERA) takes the mound at Dodger Stadium looking to win his fifth straight start — he won seven in a row in 2017 with Seattle.Los Angeles counters with lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu, who is 12-3 and leads the majors with a 1.64 ERA.New York manager Aaron Boone knows this... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:NAME THAT NICKNAMEJerseys will take on a different look during Players' Weekend, when big leaguers are encouraged to be creative with what goes on the back of their uniforms.Cleveland outfielder Yasiel Puig will have Wild Horse, for the way he charges around the bases. Rays pitcher Charlie Morton will use Ground Chuck, for how he induces grounders. Reds first baseman Joey Votto will go with Who — for the "Abbott and Costello" comedy routine of "Who's on First?"Rockies pitcher Chad Bettis is skipping letters and going with an emoji — of lettuce, to rhyme with his last name.OCTOBER PREVIEW?Yankees lefty James Paxton is having one of the best stretches of his career. Paxton (9-6, 4.53 ERA) takes the mound at Dodger Stadium looking to win his fifth straight start — he won seven in a row in 2017 with Seattle.Los Angeles counters with lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu, who is 12-3 and leads the majors with a 1.64 ERA.New York manager Aaron Boone knows this... [More]

Indians third. Francisco Lindor singles to right center field. Greg Allen strikes out swinging. Carlos Santana doubles to deep right field. Francisco Lindor to third. Yasiel Puig grounds out to third base, Todd Frazier to Pete Alonso. Francisco Lindor scores. Jose Ramirez flies out to right field to Michael Conforto.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Indians 1, Mets 0.Mets fifth. J.D. Davis flies out to right field to Yasiel Puig. Todd Frazier singles to right center field. Juan Lagares doubles to right center field. Todd Frazier scores. Luis Guillorme pinch-hitting for Jeurys Familia. Luis Guillorme doubles to deep center field. Juan Lagares scores. Amed Rosario flies out to left field to Tyler Naquin. Joe Panik pops out to second base to Jason Kipnis.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Mets 2, Indians 1.Indians sixth. Carlos Santana walks. Yasiel Puig strikes out swinging. Jose Ramirez triples to left field. Carlos Santana scores. Jason Kipnis pops out to second base to Joe Panik. Roberto... [More]

Indians second. Yasiel Puig called out on strikes. Jose Ramirez flies out to left field to J.D. Davis. Jason Kipnis homers to right field. Roberto Perez walks. Greg Allen pops out to Pete Alonso.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Indians 1, Mets 0.Mets second. Michael Conforto strikes out swinging. Wilson Ramos singles to left center field. J.D. Davis homers to center field. Wilson Ramos scores. Todd Frazier strikes out swinging. Juan Lagares flies out to center field to Greg Allen.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Mets 2, Indians 1.Indians fourth. Yasiel Puig reaches on error. Fielding error by Todd Frazier. Jose Ramirez singles to center field. Yasiel Puig to second. Jason Kipnis singles to shallow center field. Jose Ramirez to second. Yasiel Puig scores. Roberto Perez flies out to deep left field to J.D. Davis. Greg Allen reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Jason Kipnis out at second. Jose Ramirez to third. Shane Bieber called out on strikes.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 left... [More]

Indians second. Franmil Reyes singles to left field. Roberto Perez singles to center field. Franmil Reyes to second. Jason Kipnis out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Gio Urshela to DJ LeMahieu. Roberto Perez to second. Franmil Reyes to third. Greg Allen reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Franmil Reyes scores. Mike Freeman homers to center field. Greg Allen scores. Roberto Perez scores. Francisco Lindor grounds out to shortstop, Didi Gregorius to DJ LeMahieu. Oscar Mercado walks. Carlos Santana walks. Yasiel Puig walks. Carlos Santana to second. Oscar Mercado to third. Franmil Reyes strikes out swinging.4 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Indians 4, Yankees 0.Indians fourth. Mike Freeman called out on strikes. Francisco Lindor homers to center field. Oscar Mercado flies out to center field to Brett Gardner. Carlos Santana flies out to right field to Aaron Judge.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Indians 5, Yankees 0.Indians sixth. Mike Freeman doubles to deep right field.... [More]

Indians first. Francisco Lindor walks. Oscar Mercado doubles to deep right center field. Francisco Lindor to third. Carlos Santana singles to center field. Oscar Mercado scores. Francisco Lindor scores. Yasiel Puig walks. Carlos Santana to second. Jose Ramirez pops out to shallow center field to Gleyber Torres. Franmil Reyes strikes out swinging. Jason Kipnis strikes out swinging.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Indians 2, Yankees 0.Yankees second. Didi Gregorius pops out to shallow left field to Jose Ramirez. Gleyber Torres grounds out to third base, Jose Ramirez to Carlos Santana. Cameron Maybin walks. Mike Tauchman singles to left center field, tagged out at second, Oscar Mercado to Jose Ramirez to Francisco Lindor. Cameron Maybin scores. Fielding error by Oscar Mercado.1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 left on. Indians 2, Yankees 1.Yankees third. Austin Romine singles to right field. Thairo Estrada reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Austin Romine out at second. Brett Gardner... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Taking his familiar position on the Yankee Stadium rubber, Mariano Rivera wound up and delivered his famed cut fastball to his son, Mariano Jr.It was high and outside, but no one seemed to mind.The pitch came Saturday during a pregame celebration for baseball's greatest closer and capped off the "Summer of Rivera." It's stretch that saw him hit an inside-the-park homer and get a save during his debut in the New York Yankees' annual Old-Timers' Day game and be inducted into the Hall of Fame as the first unanimous selection."I'm glad I did OK," Rivera told the crowd.His Hall of Fame plaque was on display on the infield grass and fans later were able to take a picture with it on the stadium concourse."For me, that's the culmination of everything," the 49-year-old Rivera said of getting to celebrate with the New York faithful. "From humble beginnings until today, there's nothing else that you can do."Sporting a blue suit, Rivera was driven around the Yankee Stadium warning track... [More]

Yankees first. DJ LeMahieu grounds out to first base to Carlos Santana. Aaron Judge singles to shallow left field. Gio Urshela singles to right field. Aaron Judge to second. Didi Gregorius reaches on a fielder's choice to first base. Gio Urshela out at second. Aaron Judge to third. Gary Sanchez singles to right center field. Didi Gregorius to second. Aaron Judge scores. Gleyber Torres singles to right field. Gary Sanchez to third. Didi Gregorius scores. Brett Gardner pops out to Roberto Perez.2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Yankees 2, Indians 0.Indians second. Yasiel Puig grounds out to shortstop, Didi Gregorius to Mike Ford. Jose Ramirez homers to center field. Jason Kipnis grounds out to first base to Mike Ford. Franmil Reyes flies out to deep center field to Brett Gardner.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Yankees 2, Indians 1.Yankees fifth. Mike Ford strikes out swinging. DJ LeMahieu grounds out to shortstop, Francisco Lindor to Carlos Santana. Aaron Judge doubles to deep right field. Gio Urshela singles to right field. Aaron Judge scores. Fielding error by Yasiel Puig. Didi Gregorius strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Yankees 3, Indians 1.Indians seventh. Carlos Santana grounds out to second base, Gleyber Torres to Mike Ford. Yasiel Puig homers to right field. Jose Ramirez doubles to right field. Jason Kipnis strikes out swinging. Franmil Reyes strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Yankees 3, Indians 2.

Indians first. Francisco Lindor singles to center field. Greg Allen singles to right field. Francisco Lindor to second. Carlos Santana walks. Greg Allen to second. Francisco Lindor to third. Yasiel Puig strikes out swinging. Jose Ramirez homers to center field. Carlos Santana scores. Greg Allen scores. Francisco Lindor scores. Jason Kipnis homers to center field. Franmil Reyes flies out to left field to Mike Tauchman. Tyler Naquin singles to second base. Roberto Perez homers to center field. Tyler Naquin scores. Francisco Lindor flies out to right center field to Brett Gardner.7 runs, 6 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Indians 7, Yankees 0.Yankees first. DJ LeMahieu singles to center field. Aaron Judge called out on strikes. Didi Gregorius singles to right field. DJ LeMahieu to second. Gio Urshela singles to left field. Didi Gregorius to second. DJ LeMahieu scores. Gary Sanchez lines out to left field to Tyler Naquin. Brett Gardner walks. Gio Urshela to second. Didi Gregorius to third. Gleyber... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:BIG APPLE TESTJosé Ramírez, Francisco Lindor and the Indians own the majors' best record since early June, going 43-19 while whittling away an 11 1/2-game deficit in the AL Central. Now, Yasiel Puig and his new teammates are set to spend more than a week in New York, starting with a four-game series at Yankee Stadium.Adam Plutko (4-3, 4.68 ERA) pitches the opener, taking on a big-hitting Yankees team that has the best record in the majors and has won five in a row. After taking on Gleyber Torres, Aaron Judge and the Yanks, the Indians move across town for a three-game set vs. the Mets and their talented rotation. Cleveland has never played at Citi Field — its only trip to face the Mets was in 2004 at Shea Stadium.WINNING WAYSOakland righty Mike Fiers (11-3, 3.30 ERA) takes a nine-game winning streak into this outing at home against Houston. Fiers, who pitched a no-hitter for the Astros in 2015, has no-decisions in all three starts vs. the... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Thursday:BIG APPLE TESTJosé Ramírez, Francisco Lindor and the Indians own the majors' best record since early June, going 43-19 while whittling away an 11 1/2-game deficit in the AL Central. Now, Yasiel Puig and his new teammates are set to spend more than a week in New York, starting with a four-game series at Yankee Stadium.Adam Plutko (4-3, 4.68 ERA) pitches the opener, taking on a big-hitting Yankees team that has the best record in the majors and has won five in a row. After taking on Gleyber Torres, Aaron Judge and the Yanks, the Indians move across town for a three-game set vs. the Mets and their talented rotation. Cleveland has never played at Citi Field — its only trip to face the Mets was in 2004 at Shea Stadium.WINNING WAYSOakland righty Mike Fiers (11-3, 3.30 ERA) takes a nine-game winning streak into this outing at home against Houston. Fiers, who pitched a no-hitter for the Astros in 2015, has no-decisions in all three starts vs.... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians' clubhouse is buzzing with activity about three hours before a three-game series opener against the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox, whose season could be over by October.For a stretch, Cleveland's postseason plans were in serious doubt.As players kill time before the first pitch, several relievers recline in black leather chairs at their cubicles, scanning phones while right-hander Tyler Clippard closes his eyes and grabs a quick nap on one of the large couches nearby.Looking for a fight, third baseman José Ramírez, who is finally swinging the bat like an All-Star again, barrels out of the shower area and shouts at rookie outfielder Oscar Mercado, who rolls his eyes.It's business as usual. Nothing out of place.And, according to All-Star MVP Shane Bieber, that's the key behind the Indians' stunning turnaround this season — same routine, consistency, treat every day and every game just like the one before it."Except, today, I just put on gray pants,"... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians' clubhouse is buzzing with activity about three hours before a three-game series opener against the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox, whose season could be over by October.For a stretch, Cleveland's postseason plans were in serious doubt.As players kill time before the first pitch, several relievers recline in black leather chairs at their cubicles, scanning phones while right-hander Tyler Clippard closes his eyes and grabs a quick nap on one of the large couches nearby.Looking for a fight, third baseman José Ramírez, who is finally swinging the bat like an All-Star again, barrels out of the shower area and shouts at rookie outfielder Oscar Mercado, who rolls his eyes.It's business as usual. Nothing out of place.And, according to All-Star MVP Shane Bieber, that's the key behind the Indians' stunning turnaround this season — same routine, consistency, treat every day and every game just like the one before it."Except, today, I just put on gray pants,"... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians outfielder Yasiel Puig has become a U.S. citizen.The Cuban-born Puig, who was traded to Cleveland by Cincinnati last month, posted a photo Wednesday on social media showing him waving a small American flag. He wrote, "Thank you God for this great opportunity to be an American citizen."A team spokesman said Puig's naturalization ceremony took place in Miami. He defected from Cuba in 2012 after several failed attempts.Puig was not in uniform for the Indians' afternoon game against Boston. He is serving the final game of a three-game suspension for his involvement in a July 30 brawl when he was still with Cincinnati.The 28-year-old was part of a wild fight between the Reds and Pirates mere hours before being traded. Puig is batting .357 with one homer and six RBIs in 11 games with the Indians.Earlier this season, Cleveland first baseman Carlos Santana became a U.S. citizen.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today:STRASBURG VS. BAUERThere's quite a pitching matchup at Nationals Park for the series finale between Washington and Cincinnati: Stephen Strasburg vs. Trevor Bauer, two righties who are among the top strikeout artists in the majors this season.For Bauer, it's his third appearance for the Reds since arriving from the Indians in a three-team trade that sent Yasiel Puig to Cleveland — and came shortly after the pitcher chucked a baseball over an outfield wall when he was removed from a game. Bauer is 1-0 with a 3.09 ERA for Cincinnati, and 10-8 with a 3.74 ERA and 200 strikeouts in 168 1/3 innings overall in 2019.Strasburg leads the NL in wins at 14-5, is fourth with 181 Ks and has a 3.72 ERA. He's also 3-0 with a 2.52 ERA in his past four starts against the Reds.REMEMBER ME?Cubs lefty Cole Hamels is set to pitch at Citizens Bank Park for the first time since the Phillies traded him to Texas in July 2015.Hamels spent 10 seasons with Philadelphia... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday:STRASBURG VS. BAUERThere's quite a pitching matchup at Nationals Park for the series finale between Washington and Cincinnati: Stephen Strasburg vs. Trevor Bauer, two righties who are among the top strikeout artists in the majors this season.For Bauer, it's his third appearance for the Reds since arriving from the Indians in a three-team trade that sent Yasiel Puig to Cleveland — and came shortly after the pitcher chucked a baseball over an outfield wall when he was removed from a game. Bauer is 1-0 with a 3.09 ERA for Cincinnati, and 10-8 with a 3.74 ERA and 200 strikeouts in 168 1/3 innings overall in 2019.Strasburg leads the NL in wins at 14-5, is fourth with 181 Ks and has a 3.72 ERA. He's also 3-0 with a 2.52 ERA in his past four starts against the Reds.REMEMBER ME?Cubs lefty Cole Hamels is set to pitch at Citizens Bank Park for the first time since the Phillies traded him to Texas in July 2015.Hamels spent 10 seasons with Philadelphia... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Yadier Molina thinks he may have rushed himself back to the field when he hurt his thumb in May, and that's why the Cardinals' star catcher landed back on the injured list last early last month.He doesn't intend to make the same mistake.Molina was activated Tuesday night for the opener of a two-game series in Kansas City after a minor league rehab stint that included a daunting challenge: The nine-time All-Star was sent to the plate on a couple occasions and told not to swing, allowing him to get his timing back but protecting that thumb."No matter where you're playing you want to help the team," said Molina, who missed 28 games after landing on the injured list July 8 with a strained tendon. "Just to track pitches is difficult."Well, Molina will have the green light to swing Tuesday night. He was back in the starting lineup before the plate, batting seventh for a team that has been playing well without him."Hopefully I can help the team," he said, "and we'll see... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians outfielder Yasiel Puig has dropped the appeal for his three-game suspension for his involvement in a brawl when he was with Cincinnati.Puig will begin serving his ban Monday night when the Indians, who have climbed back into a tie for first in the AL Central, open a three-game series against Boston.Puig was disciplined for his involvement in the latest benches-clearing incident between the Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates on July 30. The fracas began shortly after Puig was dealt to the Indians as part of a three-team trade that sent right-hander Trevor Bauer from Cleveland to Cincinnati.The animated 28-year-old Puig is batting .357 with one homer and six RBIs in 11 games for Cleveland. He has given the Indians an infusion of power and energy, helping their surge to catch the Minnesota Twins.Puig is eligible for free agency after the World Series.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CINCINNATI (AP) — Reds rookie Aristides Aquino homered in his first three at-bats against the Cubs on Saturday night, then drew a four-pitch walk and struck out in his last two plate appearances.Aquino hit three solo shots — the first two off Kyle Hendricks — for seven homers in his first 10 games with Cincinnati, tying the major league record set by Colorado's Trevor Story in 2016.The 39,866 fans were on their feet at Great American Ball Park when Aquino came to bat in the sixth inning, trying for a record-tying fourth home run. Alec Mills walked him on four pitches that were nowhere close, throwing a breaking ball on a 3-0 count, and drawing boos from the crowd. Mills fanned Aquino in the seventh inning on a breaking ball that was well below the strike zone.There have been 18 players who hit four homers in a game, most recently by J.D. Martinez for Arizona on Sept. 4, 2017. Scooter Gennett homered four times for the Reds in Cincinnati on June 6, 2017.No rookie has ever homered four times... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Reds outfielder Aristides Aquino homered in his first three at-bats against the Cubs on Saturday night, setting a Cincinnati record for a rookie.Aquino was an International League All-Star called up to play right field when Yasiel Puig was traded to the Indians. He hit three solo shots — the first two off Kyle Hendricks — for seven homers in his first 10 games with Cincinnati, a club record since 1900.He's homered in four straight games, two shy of the club mark.Aquino signed with the Reds as an undrafted free agent in 2011 and spent six seasons in rookie or Single-A ball. He hit 20 homers last season at Double-A, and he opened his batting stance to provide more power.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports