ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia said he got good news about the irritation in his left knee that caused his return to the 10-day injured list.The 35-year-old started the season on the injured list with inflammation in his left knee and was activated April 9. He left Wednesday night's game against the New York Yankees in the second inning and was examined Thursday, when Boston put him back on the IL."More kind of scared me than anything," Pedroia said before Friday night's game at Tampa Bay. "I was nervous, obviously, to feel that. We're just going to let it calm down for a few days and then it should be alright. I hadn't had any issues up until this point."Pedroia felt a pop when he went to rotate on a swing."Sometimes the batter's box are a little tacky and things like that," Pedroia said. "The brace I wear is strapped around, so it kind of like torqued and my knee didn't."Pedroia will use a different type of brace when he returns.Pedroia has appeared... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:EARLY TESTOff to the best start in baseball, Kevin Kiermaier and the Tampa Bay Rays host the wobbling Red Sox. Boston is just 6-13, and a real bad series at Tropicana Field could drop the defending World Series champions into a double-digit deficit.Rays manager Kevin Cash will use an opener for the third straight game. Tampa Bay is again employing a reliever to start because ace Blake Snell is out with a broken toe — the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner might have a bullpen session this weekend.Eduardo Rodriguez (1-2, 7.98 ERA) starts for the Red Sox, who will play Tampa Bay six times in 10 days. Boston has placed second baseman Dustin Pedroia back on the injured list because of left knee irritation.A HITTING SABBATICALCC Sabathia takes a unique streak into this matchup vs. Kansas City: The Yankees lefty is the only pitcher in big league history to have back-to-back starts in the regular season of at least five innings while allowing no... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:EARLY TESTOff to the best start in baseball, Kevin Kiermaier and the Tampa Bay Rays host the wobbling Red Sox. Boston is just 6-13, and a real bad series at Tropicana Field could drop the defending World Series champions into a double-digit deficit.Rays manager Kevin Cash will use an opener for the third straight game. Tampa Bay is again employing a reliever to start because ace Blake Snell is out with a broken toe — the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner might have a bullpen session this weekend.Eduardo Rodriguez (1-2, 7.98 ERA) starts for the Red Sox, who will play Tampa Bay six times in 10 days. Boston has placed second baseman Dustin Pedroia back on the injured list because of left knee irritation.A HITTING SABBATICALCC Sabathia takes a unique streak into this matchup vs. Kansas City: The Yankees lefty is the only pitcher in big league history to have back-to-back starts in the regular season of at least five innings while allowing no... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have placed second baseman Dustin Pedroia on the 10-day injured list with left knee irritation.The 35-year-old Pedroia started the season on the injured list with inflammation in his left knee. He was reinstated April 9 and appeared in four games with Boston, making four starts at second base and two as a designated hitter and going 2 for 20 (.100) with a walk, an RBI and a run scored.To fill Pedroia's spot, Boston is recalling right-handed pitcher Marcus Walden from Triple-A Pawtucket ahead of Friday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays.Walden has appeared in five games this season. The right-hander is 2-0 with a 3.38 ERA. In 13 major league appearances with Boston, Walden is 2-0 with one save and a 3.57 ERA.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today:CLOSER NEEDEDThe Braves have a big hole in their bullpen now that closer Arodys Vizcaino will miss the rest of the season after having right shoulder surgery. General manager Alex Anthopoulos has heard fans chanting at SunTrust Park for the team to sign free agent closer Craig Kimbrel and bring him back to Atlanta, and he indicated the Braves are exploring all available options."There's been a ton of turnover from the beginning of camp to where we are today," Anthopoulos said. "I think it goes without saying we're going to look to do what we can both internally and externally."The NL East champion Braves have recently used A.J. Minter as their closer, but he's struggled.DISCIPLINE DAY?Major League Baseball will certainly review at the bench-clearing fray that erupted after Kansas City's Brad Keller drilled Tim Anderson with a fastball on Wednesday. In his previous at-bat, the energetic White Sox shortstop had spiked his bat to celebrate... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Dustin Pedroia's painful left knee forced him out of Wednesday night's 5-3 loss to the Yankees after 1 1/2 innings, and the Boston second baseman planned to remain in New York for an examination rather than travel with the team to Tampa Bay.The 2008 AL MVP was hurt when he fouled off an 0-1 pitch from J.A. Happ in the second inning, Red Sox manager Alex Cora said."I was surprised that he came up to me and told me that, but at least he was honest," Cora said. "He was down. I haven't seen him like that. Hopefully, it's nothing serious, and it's something that he just got scared."Eduardo Núñez replaced Pedroia for the bottom half.Pedroia was activated from the injured list April 9 and is 2 for 20 at the plate.He has been slowed since a slide into his surgically repaired left knee at second base by Baltimore's Manny Machado on April 21, 2017. Dr. Riley Williams III of the Hospital for Special Surgery operated on Pedroia's left knee on Oct. 25, 2017, and Pedroia was limited to three big league games in 2018, from May 26-29.Cora said Pedroia would not be examined by the surgeon but by another doctor.Pedroia, 35, had not played the field since Saturday, and Cora said Pedroia also has been feeling ill. The Red Sox play three games on artificial turf at Tama Bay starting Friday, so another trip to the injured list is possible.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors Thursday:CLOSER NEEDEDThe Braves have a big hole in their bullpen now that closer Arodys Vizcaino will miss the rest of the season after having right shoulder surgery. General manager Alex Anthopoulos has heard fans chanting at SunTrust Park for the team to sign free agent closer Craig Kimbrel and bring him back to Atlanta, and he indicated the Braves are exploring all available options."There's been a ton of turnover from the beginning of camp to where we are today," Anthopoulos said. "I think it goes without saying we're going to look to do what we can both internally and externally."The NL East champion Braves have recently used A.J. Minter as their closer, but he's struggled.DISCIPLINE DAY?Major League Baseball will certainly review at the bench-clearing fray that erupted after Kansas City's Brad Keller drilled Tim Anderson with a fastball on Wednesday. In his previous at-bat, the energetic White Sox shortstop had spiked his bat to celebrate... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia left Wednesday night's game against the New York Yankees after 1½ innings because of left knee discomfort.The 2008 AL MVP flied out in the top of the second inning, then was replaced by Eduardo Núñez for the bottom half.Pedroia was activated April 9 and is 2 for 20 at the plate.He has been slowed since a slide into his surgically repaired left knee at second base by Baltimore's Manny Machado on April 21, 2017. Pedroia had left knee surgery on Oct. 25, 2017, and was limited to three big league games in 2018, from May 26-29.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — The Boston Red Sox hope to recharge their pitching staff by changing the battery.Catcher Blake Swihart, once a top prospect and promising piece for Boston's future, was designated for assignment Tuesday, and veteran Sandy León was called up from Triple-A.The World Series champions are just 6-12 after dropping the opener of a two-game series at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, and pitching is mostly to blame. The club's starters entered that game with a 7.18 ERA, worst in the majors. The entire staff has a 5.93 ERA, ranking 28th out of 30 major league teams.And so in comes León, a backstop beloved by Boston's pitchers for his pitch calling and defense. He'll split time with Christian Vázquez, while Swihart's time with the organization is likely done.León got his first start Tuesday, handling an improved — but still struggling — Chris Sale during an 8-0 defeat.Red Sox president Dave Dombrowski said the catchers aren't at fault for the early pitching woes, but that León's game management... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The Boston Red Sox are hoping to recharge their pitching staff by changing the battery.Catcher Blake Swihart, once a top prospect and promising piece for Boston's future, was designated for assignment Tuesday, and veteran Sandy León was called up from Triple-A.The World Series champions are just 6-11 coming into a two-game series at Yankee Stadium, mostly because of pitching. The club's starters entered Tuesday with a 7.18 ERA, worst in the majors. The entire staff has a 5.93 ERA, ranking 28th out of 30 major league teams.And so in comes León, a backstop beloved by Boston's pitchers for his pitch calling and defense. He'll split time with Christian Vázquez, while Swihart's time with the organization is likely done.Speaking ahead of the opener of a two-game series at Yankee Stadium, Red Sox president Dave Dombrowski said the catchers aren't at fault for the early pitching woes, but that León's game management could be part of the solution."There's a comfort level," manager... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Chris Davis ended his record slump at 0 for 54 and drew applause from rival fans at Fenway Park, getting three hits and driving in four runs as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Boston Red Sox 9-5 on Saturday to end a four-game losing streak.Davis walked to the plate in the first inning to what mostly appeared to be mock cheers when he was announced. But many of those quickly changed when he lined a bases-loaded, two-run single over the head of second baseman Dustin Pedroia, ending the longest hitless streak ever by a position player. Once he safely reached first, Davis tipped his cap to the Orioles dugout and many of his teammates raised their arms and hollered in support. He smiled and made a motion that he wanted to ball, which he got.Davis, a former two-time major league home run champion, later hit two doubles. He had been 0 for 33 this season. The all-time record for a hitless streak by any player is an 0-for-85 drought by pitcher Bob Buhl in 1962-63.Christian Vázquez hit... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Chris Davis ended his record slump at 0 for 54 and drew applause from rival fans at Fenway Park, getting three hits and driving in four runs as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Boston Red Sox 9-5 on Saturday to end a four-game losing streak.Davis walked to the plate in the first inning to what mostly appeared to be mock cheers when he was announced. But many of those quickly changed when he lined a bases-loaded, two-run single over the head of second baseman Dustin Pedroia, ending the longest hitless streak ever by a position player. Once he safely reached first, Davis tipped his cap to the Orioles dugout and many of his teammates raised their arms and hollered in support. He smiled and made a motion that he wanted to ball, which he got.Davis, a former two-time major league home run champion, later hit two doubles. He had been 0 for 33 this season. The all-time record for a hitless streak by any player is an 0-for-85 drought by pitcher Bob Buhl in 1962-63.Christian Vázquez hit... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Chris Davis ended his record slump at 0 for 54 and drew applause from rival fans at Fenway Park, getting three hits and driving in four runs as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Boston Red Sox 9-5 on Saturday to end a four-game losing streak.Davis walked to the plate in the first inning to what mostly appeared to be mock cheers when he was announced. But many of those quickly changed when he lined a bases-loaded, two-run single over the head of second baseman Dustin Pedroia, ending the longest hitless streak ever by a position player. Once he safely reached first, Davis tipped his cap to the Orioles dugout and many of his teammates raised their arms and hollered in support. He smiled and made a motion that he wanted to ball, which he got.Davis, a former two-time major league home run champion, later hit two doubles. He had been 0 for 33 this season. The all-time record for a hitless streak by any player was an 0-for-85 drought by pitcher Bob Buhl in 1962-63.Christian Vázquez... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Tommy La Stella homered twice and drove in four runs, and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Milwaukee Brewers 11-8 on Tuesday after Mike Trout departed with a groin injury.Los Angeles extended its win streak to five games. Jonathan Lucroy had two hits and three RBIs against his first major league team.Trout left in the fourth inning after he strained his right groin while sliding into second base in the second. The Angels say their $426.5 million center fielder is day to day.Cam Bedrosian (1-0) pitched a scoreless inning for the win and Cody Allen got three outs for his third save.Yasmani Grandal homered twice and drove in three runs for Milwaukee. Alex Wilson (1-1) got the loss.BLUE JAYS 7, RED SOX 5BOSTON (AP) — Chris Sale let a Toronto runner steal home, Mookie Betts fanned with two on for the final out and the Red Sox stumbled again, losing to the Blue Jays in their home opener.After receiving their World Series rings, the Red Sox fell to 3-9. A return to Fenway... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Chris Sale let a Toronto runner steal home, Mookie Betts fanned with two on for the final out and the champion Boston Red Sox stumbled again, losing to the Blue Jays 7-5 Tuesday in their home opener.After receiving their World Series rings during a ceremony that included the Super Bowl champ New England Patriots, the Red Sox fell to 3-9. A return to Fenway Park failed to shake the doldrums that plagued Boston during a season-opening trip to Seattle, Oakland and Arizona.Red Sox sparkplug Dustin Pedroia went 1 for 4 in his first major league game since May. He played only three times last year while slowed by a knee injury.The game also made history: It was the first big league matchup of managers born in Puerto Rico, with Toronto's Charlie Montoyo topping Boston's Alex Cora.Lourdes Gurriel Jr. stole home and had an RBI single as Toronto ended a four-game losing streak. Freddy Galvis drove in two runs to back Matt Shoemaker (3-0), who allowed two earned runs in 5 2/3 innings.Sale... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Chris Sale let a Toronto runner steal home, Mookie Betts fanned with two on for the final out and the champion Boston Red Sox stumbled again, losing to the Blue Jays 7-5 Tuesday in their home opener.After receiving their World Series rings during a ceremony that included the Super Bowl champ New England Patriots, the Red Sox fell to 3-9. A return to Fenway Park failed to shake the doldrums that plagued Boston during a season-opening trip to Seattle, Oakland and Arizona.Red Sox sparkplug Dustin Pedroia went 1 for 4 in his first major league game since May. He played only three times last year while slowed by a knee injury.The game also made history: It was the first big league matchup of managers born in Puerto Rico, with Toronto's Charlie Montoyo topping Boston's Alex Cora.Lourdes Gurriel Jr. stole home and had an RBI single as Toronto ended a four-game losing streak. Freddy Galvis drove in two runs to back Matt Shoemaker (3-0), who allowed two earned runs in 5 2/3 innings.Sale... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Chris Sale let a Toronto runner steal home, Mookie Betts fanned with two on for the final out and the champion Boston Red Sox stumbled again, losing to the Blue Jays 7-5 Tuesday in their home opener.After receiving their World Series rings during a ceremony that included the Super Bowl champ New England Patriots, the Red Sox fell to 3-9. A return to Fenway Park failed to shake the doldrums that plagued Boston during a season-opening trip to Seattle, Oakland and Arizona.Red Sox sparkplug Dustin Pedroia went 1 for 4 in his first major league game since May. He played only three times last year while slowed by a knee injury.The game also made history: It was the first big league matchup of managers born in Puerto Rico, with Toronto's Charlie Montoyo topping Boston's Alex Cora.Lourdes Gurriel Jr. stole home and had an RBI single as Toronto ended a four-game losing streak. Freddy Galvis drove in two runs to back Matt Shoemaker (3-0), who allowed two earned runs in 5 2/3 innings.Sale... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Chris Sale let a Toronto runner steal home, Mookie Betts fanned with two on for the final out and the champion Boston Red Sox stumbled again, losing to the Blue Jays 7-5 Tuesday in their home opener.After receiving their World Series rings during a ceremony that included the Super Bowl champ New England Patriots, the Red Sox fell to 3-9. A return to Fenway Park failed to shake the doldrums that plagued Boston during a season-opening trip to Seattle, Oakland and Arizona.Red Sox sparkplug Dustin Pedroia went 1 for 4 in his first major league game since May. He played only three times last year while slowed by a knee injury.The game also made history: It was the first big league matchup of managers born in Puerto Rico, with Toronto's Charlie Montoyo topping Boston's Alex Cora.Lourdes Gurriel Jr. stole home and had an RBI single as Toronto ended a four-game losing streak. Freddy Galvis drove in two runs to back Matt Shoemaker (3-0), who allowed two earned runs in 5 2/3 innings.Sale... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Ten trophies.The New England Patriots brought their six Super Bowl trophies to Fenway Park on Tuesday to help the Boston Red Sox celebrate their latest World Series championship and unfurl a new banner in front of the Green Monster for the fourth time in 15 years."It's pretty cool to see all of them together," Red Sox utilityman Brock Holt said after the 7-5 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in the home opener dropped Boston to 3-9 in its title defense."It's amazing to think about: We've won four, and the Patriots seem to win every year," he said. "Boston's a sports city, and a lot of people are pretty spoiled with the talent that's been here the last however many years."Former Red Sox stars Pedro Martínez, David Ortiz and even the previously shunned Curt Schilling filed onto the field before the game in a ceremony to present the 2018 champs with their rings. Then Rob Gronkowski and Super Bowl MVP Julian Edelman led a couple dozen Patriots — carrying a half-dozen Lombardi Trophies... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Ten trophies.The New England Patriots brought their six Super Bowl trophies to Fenway Park on Tuesday to help the Boston Red Sox celebrate their latest World Series championship and unfurl a new banner in front of the Green Monster for the fourth time in 15 years."I remember my first time, when I came here in 2000, everybody was talking about the curse. We never thought about the curse," said Manny Ramírez, the Most Valuable Player of the drought-busting 2004 World Series. "We came, we won two, and now they won two more. It's awesome. When you see those trophies, then you realize it was worth it, coming here."Former Red Sox stars Pedro Martínez, David Ortiz and even the previously shunned Curt Schilling filed onto the field before the home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays, when the 2018 champs were presented with their rings. Then Rob Gronkowski and Super Bowl MVP Julian Edelman led a couple dozen Patriots — carrying a half-dozen Lombardi Trophies — to the mound for the... [More]