A look at what's happening in the majors Sunday:GOOD ENOUGHSean Manaea isn't up to full strength after returning from shoulder surgery, but the left-hander has nonetheless provided a boost to the Oakland Athletics as they try to secure an AL wild card spot. Manaea, who starts Sunday at Texas, has allowed one run on three hits in 12 innings over two starts since his return, good for a 0.75 ERA. He's throwing fastballs around 90 mph, but it's been plenty effective so far. Manaea said after his last start he can't expect to be "greedy" while he works his arm back into shape, but in the meantime the left-hander's deceptive delivery is working just fine.LIFE OF LUXURYThe Boston Red Sox were big spenders during a disappointing campaign for the defending World Series champions. According to calculations by the commissioner's office obtained by The Associated Press, the Red Sox are on track to pay a $13.05 million luxury tax this season, the highest in the majors. The Red Sox are all but certain... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton will head to the team's minor league complex in Tampa, Florida, this week for batting practice, among the final steps before returning for the final weeks of an injury-wrecked season."I feel like he's really starting to build some momentum and doing pretty well," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said before Wednesday's homestand finale against Texas. "He'll start getting regular at-bats this weekend and, hopefully, really starting to ramp him up."The 29-year-old slugger has been limited to nine games with the Yankees this year. He strained his left biceps on March 31 in his third game, strained a shoulder and calf during his rehabilitation and did not return until June 18. Just a week later, he strained the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during an awkward headfirst slide into third base.Stanton is hitting .290 with one home run and seven RBIs. He took batting practice on Tuesday against reliever Dellin Betances, who hopes to... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees activated slugger Edwin Encarnación from the injured list before Tuesday night's game against the Texas Rangers.Encarnación missed 30 games with a fractured right wrist and appeared in two rehab games for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before returning. He was injured when he was hit by pitch from Boston reliever Josh Smith on Aug. 3."I think he knows how I feel about him and the dimension he brings to our lineup," manager Aaron Boone said. "So excited to have him back. I know he's been feeling good for a while."Encarnación is among a major league record 29 players totaling 37 stints to hit the injured list this season for the Yankees. New York currently has 16 players on the IL.The Yankees acquired the 36-year-old from the Seattle Mariners on June 15. He is hitting .238 with nine homers and 27 RBIs in 36 games for New York, primarily at designated hitter.In other injury news, Dellin Betances, who has yet to pitch this season because of right shoulder... [More]

All-Star ace Luis Severino heating up in the bullpen, maybe. Gavin Lux making his debut, Bruce Bochy saying farewell.Plus playoff spots and seeding.Major League Baseball is heading toward a September scramble, a perfect setup for what's on deck this fall. The postseason begins Oct. 1 with the NL wild-card game. But plenty to sort out before then, with Max Scherzer, Javier Báez, Bryce Harper and more in the mix.Severino is among several injured stars who could make a difference down the stretch, and beyond.The 21-year-old Lux is part of the call-up crop after hitting almost .400 in Triple-A for the Dodgers. Bochy is set to manage his last game when the Giants close the season.And remember: Last year, Game No. 162 wasn't enough decide things, because tiebreakers were needed to determine two division champions.Across the board, a stacked lineup in this final month. What to watch:READY OR NOTImagine the Yankees with a healthy Severino and Dellin Betances in the bullpen, along with sluggers... [More]

All-Star ace Luis Severino heating up in the bullpen, maybe. Gavin Lux making his debut, Bruce Bochy saying farewell.Oh, and playoff spots.Major League Baseball is heading toward a September scramble, a perfect setup for what's on deck this fall. The postseason begins Oct. 1 with the NL wild-card game. But plenty to sort out before then, with Max Scherzer, Javier Báez, Bryce Harper and more in the mix.Severino is among several injured stars who could make a difference down the stretch, and beyond.The 21-year-old Lux is part of the call-up crop after hitting almost .400 in Triple-A for the Dodgers. Bochy is set to manage his last game when the Giants close the season.And remember: Last year, Game No. 162 wasn't enough decide things, because tiebreakers were needed to determine two division champions.Across the board, a stacked lineup in this final month. What to watch:READY OR NOTImagine the Yankees with a healthy Severino and Dellin Betances in the bullpen, plus sluggers Giancarlo Stanton... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees right-hander Luis Severino feels ready to start a minor league rehab assignment following his second simulated game.Severino, coming back from a lat muscle injury, said he felt good after throwing 35 pitches over two innings against minor leaguers on Tuesday. The 25-year-old also took part in a simulated game last Thursday and is lined up to start a minor league game Sunday.New York manager Aaron Boone said because of a pending storm headed for Florida, the expectation is Severino will pitch for Double-A Trenton on Sunday."We're kind of taking it now a step at a time and seeing how he responds," Boone said. "The plan would probably be Sunday, a couple of innings, 35 pitches out of the gate, probably throw a few out of the game to get him up a little higher from a pitch-count standpoint and then we'll evaluate and see what we have as far as minor league seasons left and stuff like that. As of right now it's assuming he comes through this outing well, Sunday... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees right-hander Luis Severino feels ready to start a minor league rehab assignment following his second simulated game.Severino, coming back from a lat muscle injury, said he felt good after throwing 35 pitches over two innings against minor leaguers on Tuesday. The 25-year-old also took part in a simulated game last Thursday and is lined up to start a minor league game Sunday.Severino, 19-8 with a 3.39 ERA in 32 starts last season, was hurt while throwing in the bullpen before his first scheduled spring training appearance and has not pitched this season.Reliever Dellin Betances (lat muscle) and left-hander Jordan Montgomery (Tommy John surgery) are working out with Severino at team's complex in Tampa, Florida. All three could rejoin the AL East-leading Yankees in September.Betances is set to face hitters Wednesday for the second time after a 20-pitch batting practice session last Saturday.Montgomery is expected to make his second rehab start later this week. The lefty went two perfect innings Sunday for Class-A Tampa.Also, reliever Trevor Rosenthal, signed to a minor league deal last week, threw 25 pitches in a simulated game.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TORONTO (AP) — All-Star infielder Gleyber Torres is back in the New York Yankees' lineup for Sunday's series finale at Toronto after sitting out the past four games because of an unspecified core injury.Torres went to a hospital for treatment last Sunday, then served as New York's designated hitter against the Orioles the following day. He started at second base Tuesday, but was removed in the third inning and hasn't played since.Torres took batting practice and fielded grounders before Saturday's game, then flashed a thumbs-up to manager Aaron Boone as he returned to the clubhouse. The two-time All-Star is batting .281 with 23 homers and 62 RBI. He'll bat sixth and play shortstop, giving regular Didi Gregorius a day off.Also Sunday, the Yankees put left-hander Stephen Tarpley on the 10-day injured list because of a left shoulder impingement. Infielder Breyvic Valera was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.Tarpley is the 17th Yankees player currently on the injured list. In all,... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees center fielder Aaron Hicks was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a flexor strain in his right elbow, the latest blow to an injury-ravaged team leading the AL East by a wide margin.After getting hurt on a throw Saturday night, Hicks had an MRI on Sunday and New York considered the results good news because the team feared he had a torn ligament that could require season-ending Tommy John surgery.Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Hicks won't throw for a week to 10 days, but the club is optimistic he'll return this season — although it was too soon to project a timeframe. The ligament is intact, and surgery isn't necessary."I think we were all kind of worried that it at least could be that," Boone said. "Now it's just making sure it's healed and recovered."Hicks became the 16th player on the Yankees' current injured list, joining a pair of slugging first basemen who just went down: Edwin Encarnación broke his right wrist when he was hit by a pitch Saturday,... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees center fielder Aaron Hicks was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a flexor strain in his right elbow, the latest blow to an injury-ravaged team leading the AL East nonetheless.After getting hurt on a throw Saturday night, Hicks had an MRI on Sunday and New York considered the results pretty good news because the team feared he had a torn ligament that could require season-ending Tommy John surgery.Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Hicks will be shut down from throwing for a week to 10 days but is expected back this season — although it was too soon to project a timeframe. The ligament is intact, however, and Tommy John surgery has been ruled out.Hicks became the 16th player on the Yankees' current injured list, joining a pair of slugging first basemen who just went down: Edwin Encarnación broke his right wrist when he was hit by a pitch Saturday, and Luke Voit has a sports hernia.New York also is missing All-Star catcher Gary Sánchez (left groin strain),... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — For the New York Yankees, a doubleheader turned into twice as much of an opportunity for injuries.Edwin Encarnación became the Yankees' 25th player to go on the injured list this year, sustaining a hairline fracture in his right wrist when hit by an 87.1 mph slider from Boston reliever Josh Smith in the eighth inning of a 9-2 win over the Red Sox that opened Saturday's doubleheader.Center fielder Aaron Hicks hurt his right elbow in the sixth inning of the 6-4 victory in night game while making a throw to third base after Christian Vázquez's flyout, holding Sam Travis at second.Encarnación estimated he will miss three-to-five weeks. Hicks was to have an MRI on Sunday and wasn't sure whether to worry it was a significant injury, such as a ligament tear that would require surgery."Keep moving forward," right fielder Aaron Judge said. "A lot of guys are going to keep getting hurt, but guys are going to keep stepping up."Encarnación, the Yankees' designated hitter, stayed in... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:POWER ARMJustin Verlander will try to keep up his impressive strikeout roll — and the blazing run by Houston pitching — when the Astros host Seattle.Verlander starts a day after Houston newcomer Aaron Sanchez made an impressive debut, combining with three relievers for a no-hitter against the Mariners at Minute Maid Park.Verlander has fanned 36 in his last 19 innings, spanning three starts that all resulted in wins. He is four Ks short of reaching 200 for a fourth straight season.The 36-year-old ace is aiming for his big league-leading 15th victory. He tops the AL with a 2.73 ERA and has pitched 151 2/3 innings, the most in the majors.AILING YANKEESA season of injuries continues for the Yankees, who placed Edwin Encarnación on the injured list with a broken right wrist after he was hit by a pitch during the first game of Saturday's doubleheader sweep against Boston.There has been no indication yet of how long he'll be out, or whether he'll... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — For the New York Yankees, a doubleheader turned into twice as much of an opportunity for injuries.Edwin Encarnación became the Yankees' 25th player to go on the injured list this year, sustaining a hairline fracture in his right wrist when hit by a pitch from Boston reliever Josh Smith in the eighth inning of a 9-2 win over the Red Sox that opened Saturday's doubleheader.Center fielder Aaron Hicks hurt his right elbow in the sixth inning of the 6-4 victory in night game while making a throw to third base after Christian Vázquez's flyout, holding Sam Travis at second.Encarnación estimated he will miss three-to-five weeks. Hicks was to have an MRI on Sunday and wasn't sure whether to worry it was a significant injury, such as a ligament tear that would require surgery."Keep moving forward," right fielder Aaron Judge said. "A lot of guys are going to keep getting hurt, but guys are going to keep stepping up."Encarnación, the Yankees' designated hitter, stayed in the game and... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — For the New York Yankees, a doubleheader turned into twice as much of an opportunity for injuries.Edwin Encarnación became the Yankees' 25th player to go on the injured list this year, sustaining a hairline fracture in his right wrist when hit by a pitch from Boston reliever Josh Smith in the eighth inning of a 9-2 win over the Red Sox that opened Saturday's doubleheader.Center fielder Aaron Hicks hurt his right elbow in the sixth inning of the 6-4 victory in night game while making a throw to third base after Christian Vázquez's flyout, holding Sam Travis at second.Encarnación estimated he will miss three-to-five weeks. Hicks was to have an MRI on Sunday and wasn't sure whether to worry it was a significant injury, such as a ligament tear that would require surgery."Keep moving forward," right fielder Aaron Judge said. "A lot of guys are going to keep getting hurt, but guys are going to keep stepping up."Encarnación, the Yankees designated hitter, stayed in the game and... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Sunday:POWER ARMJustin Verlander will try to keep up his impressive strikeout roll — and the blazing run by Houston pitching — when the Astros host Seattle.Verlander starts a day after Houston newcomer Aaron Sanchez made an impressive debut, combining with three relievers for a no-hitter against the Mariners at Minute Maid Park.Verlander has fanned 36 in his last 19 innings, spanning three starts that all resulted in wins. He is four Ks short of reaching 200 for a fourth straight season.The 36-year-old ace is aiming for his big league-leading 15th victory. He tops the AL with a 2.73 ERA and has pitched 151 2/3 innings, the most in the majors.AILING YANKEESA season of injuries continues for the Yankees, who placed Edwin Encarnación on the injured list with a broken right wrist after he was hit on the wrist with a pitch during the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against Boston.There has been no indication yet of how long he'll be out, or... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Sunday:POWER ARMJustin Verlander will try to keep up his impressive strikeout roll when the Astros host Seattle.Verlander has fanned 36 in his last 19 innings, spanning three starts that all resulted in wins. He is four Ks short of reaching 200 for a fourth straight season.The 36-year-old ace is aiming for his big league-leading 15th victory. He leads the AL with a 2.73 ERA and has pitched 151 2/3 innings, the most in the majors.Verlander starts a day after Houston newcomer Aaron Sanchez made an impressive debut, pitching six hitless innings before being pulled at Minute Maid Park.AILING YANKEESA season of injuries continues for the Yankees, who placed Edwin Encarnación on the injured list with a broken right wrist after he was hit on the wrist with a pitch during the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against Boston.There has been no indication yet of how long he'll be out, or whether he'll play again this season. Encarnación was acquired... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Edwin Encarnación joined the New York Yankees' lengthy injured list, breaking his right wrist when hit by a pitch from Boston reliever Josh Smith in the eighth inning of a doubleheader opener Saturday.Encarnación, the Yankees designated hitter, stayed in the game and the team said initial X-rays were negative. He then went for a CT scan, which revealed the fracture.Encarnación will remain in New York during the team's upcoming trip and be re-evaluated. There was no word on how long he might be sidelined, or whether he would play again this season.The Yankees recalled first baseman Mike Ford from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.Acquired from Seattle on June 15 for minor league right-hander Juan Then, the 36-year-old Encarnación has 30 home runs this season while hitting .240 with 76 RBIs. He is batting .238 with nine homers and 27 RBIs in 36 games for the Yankees.He became the 15th Yankees player currently on the disabled list, joining catcher Gary Sánchez (left groin strain), outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (sprained right knee), first baseman Luke Voit (sports hernia), right-handers Luis Severino and Dellin Betances (lat muscles) and left-hander CC Sabathia (right knee inflammation).___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Edwin Encarnación joined the New York Yankees' lengthy injured list, breaking his right wrist when hit by a pitch from Boston reliever Josh Smith in the eighth inning of a doubleheader opener Saturday.Encarnación, the Yankees designated hitter, stayed in the game and the team said initial X-rays were negative. He then went for a CT scan, which revealed the fracture.Encarnación will remain in New York during the team's upcoming trip and be re-evaluated. There was no word on how long he might be sidelined, or whether he would play again this season.The Yankees recalled first baseman Mike Ford from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.Acquired from Seattle on June 15 for minor league right-hander Juan Then, the 36-year-old Encarnación has 30 home runs this season while hitting .240 with 76 RBIs. He is batting .238 with nine homers and 27 RBIs in 36 games for the Yankees.He became the 15th Yankees player currently on the disabled list, joining catcher Gary Sánchez (left groin strain), outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (sprained right knee), first baseman Luke Voit (sports hernia), right-handers Luis Severino and Dellin Betances (lat muscles) and left-hander CC Sabathia (right knee inflammation).___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — When first hit by a pitch from Colorado's Chad Bettis, Yankees slugger Luke Voit was scared. He remembered when Giancarlo Stanton's jaw was broken by Milwaukee's Mike Fiers five years ago."I thought broken jaw. My teeth were going to be all scattered everywhere," Voit said Sunday. "I grabbed my face. So I was like, 'Oh, oh.' ... But then, it wasn't as bad as I thought. Just a scary thing."Voit was back in the New York Yankees' lineup at first base for Sunday's 8-4 loss to Colorado, while left fielder Brett Gardner was scratched after hurting his left knee and may miss a few days.Voit said his jaw was "super sore" when he awoke, but after icing there was only a little swelling. He said it felt as if he had been punched, and there was a slight cut on his chin. Concussion tests were negative.Part of the force of the 91 mph pitch was absorbed when the ball grazed Voit's shoulder. He also was able to turn his face slightly."I dodged a bullet, got lucky," said Voit, who planned... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — When first hit by a pitch from Colorado's Chad Bettis, Yankees slugger Luke Voit was scared. He remembered when Giancarlo Stanton's jaw was broken by Milwaukee's Mike Fiers five years ago."I thought broken jaw. My teeth were going to be all scattered everywhere," Voit said Sunday. "I grabbed my face. So I was like, 'Oh, oh.' ... But then, it wasn't as bad as I thought. Just a scary thing."Voit was back in the New York Yankees' lineup at first base for Sunday's series finale against Colorado. His jaw was "super sore" when he awoke, but after icing there was only a little swelling. He said it felt as if he had been punched, and there was a slight cut on his chin. Concussion tests were negative.Part of the force of the 91 mph pitch was absorbed when the ball grazed Voit's shoulder. He also was able to turn his face slightly."I dodged a bullet, got lucky," said Voit, who planned to try a protective chin strap on his helmet before the game.Left fielder Brett Gardner was scratched... [More]