WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Nationals slugger Juan Soto tested positive for COVID-19 and was put on the injured list Thursday, forcing him to miss the start of the pandemic-delayed season.“You feel bad for him. He's a great player. The fans want to see him. And it affects our lineup,” Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said as he announced Soto's test less than five hours before the 2019 World Series champions were scheduled to host the New York Yankees on opening day.“But what can you do about it?” Rizzo said. “You've got to play ball. ... We’re going to have to win without our best guy. It’s a challenge.”Soto, a 21-year-old left fielder who was a breakout star of last postseason, will be sidelined until he can come up negative on two consecutive coronavirus tests.“He's asymptomatic,” Rizzo said. “He's following all major league protocols.”Rizzo said the Nationals had done contact tracing to check whether other members of the organization had been exposed.“At this time, there's nobody... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The Yankees had their Sunday brightened by Masahiro Tanaka, who came to the ballpark and seemed well a day after being hit in the head by Giancarlo Stanton’s line drive.They’re hoping Yankee Stadium’s lights will do the same this week.Encouraged by Tanaka’s progress after Saturday’s scare, the Yankees are planning to hold intrasquad night games Monday and Tuesday in the Bronx as they prepare for the July 23 start of a 60-game regular season condensed by the coronavirus pandemic.The 7 p.m. scrimmages will both air on YES Network, giving fans at least a couple of live looks at the defending AL East champions this summer. Left-hander J.A. Happ is expected to start against young righty Clarke Schmidt on Monday, and new ace Gerrit Cole — signed to a $324 million, nine-year free agent deal last winter — is set to pitch Tuesday.New York has also been working to schedule exhibition games in the next 2 1/2 weeks with other clubs, possibly the Mets, but nothing has been formalized.“We’re... [More]

Top prospect Wander Franco is part of the Tampa Bay Rays' 60-man player pool, and the Detroit Tigers are including their most heralded young pitchers as baseball gears up for its abbreviated season.Sunday was the deadline for teams to submit player pools, although additions can be made later. Many teams announced pools well below the 60-player limit.Franco, a 19-year-old shortstop, is ranked as the No. 1 prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline. He spent last season at Class A, so it would be quite a jump for him to contribute in the majors in the immediate future, but putting him in the player pool makes him an option for the Rays — and could help his development in a year when the coronavirus shut down the minor leagues.Pitcher Brendan McKay and infielder Vidal Brujan, two other top Tampa Bay prospects, also made the pool.“They are some of our more advanced prospects," Rays general manager Erik Neander said. “Certainly on the position player side that’s where things went and why Wander was... [More]

Top prospect Wander Franco is part of the Tampa Bay Rays' 60-man player pool, and the Detroit Tigers are including their most heralded young pitchers as baseball gears up for its abbreviated season.Sunday was the deadline for teams to submit player pools, although additions can be made later. Many teams announced pools well below the 60-player limit.Franco, a 19-year-old shortstop, is ranked as the No. 1 prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline. He spent last season at Class A, so it would be quite a jump for him to contribute in the majors in the immediate future, but putting him in the player pool makes him an option for the Rays — and could help his development in a year when the coronavirus shut down the minor leagues.Pitcher Brendan McKay and infielder Vidal Brujan, two other top Tampa Bay prospects, also made the pool.“They are some of our more advanced prospects," Rays general manager Erik Neander said. “Certainly on the position player side that’s where things went and why Wander was... [More]

A team-by-team look at the American League East entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:___New York YankeesManager: Aaron Boone (third season). 2019: 103-59, first place, lost to Houston in AL Championship Series. Training Town: Tampa, Florida. Park: George Steinbrenner Field. First Workout: Feb. 13/18. He's Here: RHP Gerrit Cole, C Erik Kratz, C Chris Iannetta, C Josh Thole, RHP Nick Tropeano, LHP Luis Avil�nHe's Outta Here: LHP CC Sabathia, SS Didi Gregorius, 1B Edwin Encarnacion, C Austin Romine, RHP Dellin Betances, OF Cameron Maybin, OF Jacoby Ellsbury, 1B Greg Bird, RHP Chance Adams, LHP Stephen Tarpley, LHP Nestor Cortes Jr., RHP Cory GearrinGoing campin': After a big league-record 30 players went on the injured list a total of 39 times last season, health remains a concern. Left-hander James Paxton had back surgery Feb. 5 and is expected to be sidelined until May or... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Aaron Hicks and CC Sabathia were added to the New York Yankees' roster for the AL Championship Series against Houston, replacing Tyler Wade and Luke Voit.The Astros added right-handed relievers Brad Peacock and Bryan Abreu to their ALCS roster and left off starter Wade Miley and utility man Myles Straw.Hicks had been sidelined since Aug. 3 because of a flexor injury near his right elbow. In the first season of a $70 million, seven-year contract, the 30-year-old switch-hitter batted .235 with 12 homers and 36 RBIs in 59 games. He began the season on the injured list after hurting his back early in spring training and didn't play his first game until May 15.Hicks could start in center field, causing Brett Gardner to shift to left and Giancarlo Stanton to designated hitter in moves that improve the Yankees' outfield defense.If New York wants to keep Edwin Encarnación in the starting lineup and sacrifice infield defense, Encarnación could start at first and DJ LeMahieu could... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Hicks returned to Phoenix, unable to throw without pain, advised to rest his aching elbow on Sept. 11 by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, an orthopedic specialist in California. The season appeared to be over for the New York Yankees outfielder.Being told you might have to get Tommy John," he said, "that's like the low of the low. That's like the worst thing to hear."Then, a short time later, Hicks was surprised."I was just messing around in the backyard. One of my buddies wanted to hit in the cage and I was just kind of setting things up for him to kind of hit around and I was like, man, my arm kind of feels good right now," Hicks said. "I just started playing a little light catch."Sidelined since Aug. 3 because of a flexor injury near his right elbow, Hicks had someone take a video of him throwing and sent it to Michael Schuk, the Yankees' assistant athletic trainer. After some questions, Shuck passed it along to Steve Donohue, the Yankees' head athletic trainer."I remember... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Hicks returned to Phoenix, unable to throw without pain, advised to rest his aching elbow on Sept. 11 by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, an orthopedic specialist in California. The season appeared to be over for the New York Yankees outfielder.Being told you might have to get Tommy John," he said, "that's like the low of the low. That's like the worst thing to hear."Then, a short time later, Hicks was surprised."I was just messing around in the backyard. One of my buddies wanted to hit in the cage and I was just kind of setting things up for him to kind of hit around and I was like, man, my arm kind of feels good right now," Hicks said. "I just started playing a little light catch."Sidelined since Aug. 3 because of a flexor injury near his right elbow, Hicks had someone take a video of him throwing and sent it to Michael Schuk, the Yankees' assistant athletic trainer. After some questions, Shuck passed it along to Steve Donohue, the Yankees' head athletic trainer."I remember... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Hicks is an option to start for the New York Yankees in the AL Championship Series opener and CC Sabathia also remains in contention for a roster spot.Hicks has not played since Aug. 3 because of a right elbow flexor strain. Sabathia missed the Division Series sweep of Minnesota with a sore pitching shoulder."We'll have some tough decisions here over the next 24 hours as we work this out, what kind of makes the most sense," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Thursday.New York used the same starting lineup in all three games against Minnesota, only the second time this year Boone has done that in three straight games. The Yankees open the ALCS on Saturday against Houston or Tampa Bay.If Hicks started in center, Brett Gardner could shift to left and Giancarlo Stanton to designated hitter, a move that would send Edwin Encarnación to the bench. Or Stanton could remain in left and Gardner shift to the bench, especially against a left-handed starter.Hicks' lack of playing... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Slumping first baseman Luke Voit was picked over rookie Mike Ford for the New York Yankees' AL Division Series roster against Minnesota because he provides a potential right-handed bat off the bench in the late innings.Minnesota chose three players who had been hurt of late: center fielder Max Kepler and infielders Luis Arráez and Ehire Adrianza.New York also selected speedy and versatile Tyler Wade for the series, which started Friday night. Wade can play second base, third, shortstop, outfield, and pinch run or be a defensive replacement.Voit struggled in his return from a sports hernia, ending the season hitless in his last 12 at-bats and in a 1-for-33 slide, leaving him with a .263 batting average, 21 homers and 71 RBIs. Ford hit .259 with 12 homers and 25 RBIs, including .379 with eight homers and 17 RBIs from Aug. 17 on.Yankees manager Aaron Boone viewed Voit as a better potential pinch-hitting option against Twins closer Taylor Rogers, who is left-handed, than the... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Versatile Tyler Wade was included on the New York Yankees' AL Division Series roster while slumping first baseman Luke Voit made it over rookie Mike Ford.Minnesota chose three players who had been hurt of late: center fielder Max Kepler and infielders Luis Arráez and Ehire Adrianza.The series starts Friday night at Yankee Stadium.Wade, who can play outfield, second, shortstop and third, can pinch run or be a defensive replacement.Voit struggled in his return from a sports hernia, ending season hitless in his last 12 at-bats and 1 for 33, leaving him with a .263 average, 21 homers and 71 RBIs. Ford hit .259 with 12 homers and 25 RBIs, including .379 with eight homers and 17 RBIs from Aug. 17 on.Yankees manager Aaron Boone views the right-handed-hitting Voit as a better potential pinch-hitting option against Twins closer Taylor Rogers, who is left-handed, than the left-handed hitting Ford."Looking at it from an off-the-bench situation, there's not a lot of our righties that... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Versatile Tyler Wade was included on the New York Yankees' AL Division Series roster while slumping first baseman Luke Voit made it over rookie Mike Ford and Cameron Maybin was picked for outfield depth.Minnesota included three players who had been hurt of late: center fielder Max Kepler and infielders Luis Arráez and Ehire Adrianza.Both teams decided on 12 pitchers.Wade, who can play outfield, second, shortstop and third, can pinch run or be a defensive replacement.Voit struggled in his return from a sports hernia, ending season hitless in his last 12 at-bats and 1 for 33, leaving him with a .263 average, 21 homers and 71 RBIs.Ford hit .259 with 12 homers and 25 RBIs, including .379 with eight homers and 17 RBIs from Aug. 17 on. Maybin, the fourth outfielder, batted .285 with 11 homers and 32 RBIs in 239 at-bats.As expected, the Yankees included designated hitter Edwin Encarnación, who hasn't played since Sept. 12 because of a strained left oblique. Encarnación hit .249... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Versatile Tyler Wade was included on the New York Yankees AL Division Series roster while slumping first baseman Luke Voit made it over Mike Ford and Cameron Maybin was picked for outfield depth.Minnesota included 12 pitches and three players who had been hurt of late: center fielder Max Kepler and infielders Luis Arráez and Ehire Adrianza.Kepler started only two of the last 19 games because of a strained left shoulder muscle. Arráez sprained his right ankle last weekend, and Adrianza strained his right oblique muscle Sept. 12.Voit struggled in return from sports hernia, ending season 0 for 12 and 1 for 33.Ford hit .259 with 12 homers and 25 RBIs, including .379 with eight homers and 17 RBIs from Aug. 17 on. Wade, who can play outfield, second, shortstop and third, can pinch run or be a defensive replacement.New York's 12 pitchers included lefty Tyler Lyons and righties Luis Cessa and Jonathan Loisiga. The team's pitching was weakened last month when reliever Dellin Betances tore an Achilles tendon in first appearance back from a lat injury that had sidelined him since spring training, and 18-game winner Domingo Germán was placed on administrative leave under baseball's domestic violence policy.

Yankees first. DJ LeMahieu flies out to center field to Danny Santana. Aaron Judge triples to deep center field. Brett Gardner out on a sacrifice fly to deep right field to Scott Heineman. Aaron Judge scores. Giancarlo Stanton grounds out to shortstop, Elvis Andrus to Ronald Guzman.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Yankees 1, Rangers 0.Rangers first. Shin-Soo Choo walks. Elvis Andrus strikes out swinging. Willie Calhoun pops out to shallow infield to Didi Gregorius. Danny Santana walks. Rougned Odor doubles to deep right center field. Danny Santana scores. Shin-Soo Choo scores. Scott Heineman walks. Ronald Guzman grounds out to second base, DJ LeMahieu to Mike Ford.2 runs, 1 hit, 1 error, 2 left on. Rangers 2, Yankees 1.Rangers fourth. Scott Heineman doubles to deep left field. Ronald Guzman walks. Jose Trevino doubles to deep left field. Ronald Guzman to third. Scott Heineman scores. Isiah Kiner-Falefa strikes out swinging. Shin-Soo Choo strikes out swinging. Elvis Andrus is intentionally... [More]

Yankees first. DJ LeMahieu grounds out to shortstop, Elvis Andrus to Danny Santana. Giancarlo Stanton homers to center field. Gleyber Torres singles to left field. Luke Voit called out on strikes. Gary Sanchez strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Yankees 1, Rangers 0.Rangers first. Shin-Soo Choo flies out to deep center field to Brett Gardner. Elvis Andrus singles to center field. Willie Calhoun reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Elvis Andrus out at second. Danny Santana homers to center field. Willie Calhoun scores. Nick Solak doubles to deep center field. Rougned Odor strikes out on a foul tip.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Rangers 2, Yankees 1.Yankees second. Brett Gardner called out on strikes. Gio Urshela called out on strikes. Cameron Maybin homers to center field. Mike Ford called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Yankees 2, Rangers 2.Yankees fourth. Brett Gardner homers to center field. Gio Urshela singles to right center field.... [More]

Rays first. Joey Wendle homers to center field. Austin Meadows singles to right field. Travis d'Arnaud called out on strikes. Ji-Man Choi singles to right field. Austin Meadows to second. Avisail Garcia lines out to deep right center field to Aaron Judge. Austin Meadows to third. Brandon Lowe singles to right field. Ji-Man Choi to second. Austin Meadows scores. Matt Duffy strikes out swinging.2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Rays 2, Yankees 0.Rays sixth. Avisail Garcia singles to right center field. Brandon Lowe strikes out swinging. Matt Duffy doubles to left field, tagged out at third, Tyler Wade to Didi Gregorius to Aaron Judge. Avisail Garcia scores. Kevin Kiermaier strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Rays 3, Yankees 0.Rays eighth. Ji-Man Choi lines out to first base to Luke Voit. Avisail Garcia homers to left field. Mike Brosseau pinch-hitting for Brandon Lowe. Mike Brosseau strikes out swinging. Matt Duffy strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Rays 4, Yankees 0.

Yankees third. Cameron Maybin homers to center field. Austin Romine grounds out to third base, Matt Duffy to Ji-Man Choi. Tyler Wade grounds out to first base to Ji-Man Choi. DJ LeMahieu grounds out to shortstop, Willy Adames to Ji-Man Choi.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Yankees 1, Rays 0.Rays fifth. Daniel Robertson pinch-hitting for Joey Wendle. Daniel Robertson grounds out to third base, Gio Urshela to DJ LeMahieu. Willy Adames strikes out swinging. Kevin Kiermaier homers to right field. Tommy Pham singles to center field.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Yankees 1, Rays 1.Rays twelfth. Ji-Man Choi homers to right field.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Rays 2, Yankees 1.

Yankees first. DJ LeMahieu strikes out swinging. Aaron Judge homers to center field. Giancarlo Stanton walks. Luke Voit walks. Giancarlo Stanton to second. Brett Gardner homers to right field. Luke Voit scores. Giancarlo Stanton scores. Gio Urshela grounds out to third base, Brandon Drury to Rowdy Tellez. Cameron Maybin grounds out to third base, Brandon Drury to Rowdy Tellez.4 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Yankees 4, Blue jays 0.Yankees second. Austin Romine singles to shortstop. Tyler Wade pops out to Rowdy Tellez. DJ LeMahieu homers to center field. Austin Romine scores. Aaron Judge strikes out swinging. Giancarlo Stanton grounds out to shortstop, Richard Urena to Rowdy Tellez.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Yankees 6, Blue jays 0.Yankees fifth. DJ LeMahieu singles to center field. Aaron Judge singles to shortstop. DJ LeMahieu to second. Giancarlo Stanton out on a sacrifice fly to deep left center field to Derek Fisher. Aaron Judge to third. DJ LeMahieu scores. Luke Voit singles... [More]

Blue jays third. Brandon Drury reaches on error. Fielding error by Didi Gregorius. Richard Urena singles to third base. Brandon Drury to second. Luke Maile strikes out on a foul tip. Jonathan Davis singles to left field. Richard Urena to second. Brandon Drury scores. Cavan Biggio flies out to left center field to Giancarlo Stanton.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Blue jays 1, Yankees 0.Yankees fourth. Aaron Judge doubles to deep center field. Didi Gregorius grounds out to shortstop, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to Brandon Drury. Giancarlo Stanton doubles to deep left center field. Aaron Judge scores. Gio Urshela lines out to center field to Jonathan Davis. Mike Ford singles to center field. Giancarlo Stanton scores. Clint Frazier strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Yankees 2, Blue jays 1.Yankees sixth. Giancarlo Stanton homers to left field. Gio Urshela grounds out to third base, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to Brandon Drury. Mike Ford doubles to deep left field. Clint Frazier... [More]

Blue jays fourth. Cavan Biggio doubles to deep right center field. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. strikes out swinging. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singles to shallow center field. Cavan Biggio scores. Randal Grichuk pops out to Austin Romine. Teoscar Hernandez flies out to right field to Clint Frazier.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Blue jays 1, Yankees 0.Yankees fourth. Aaron Judge homers to center field. Didi Gregorius strikes out swinging. Gleyber Torres lines out to left field to Anthony Alford. Luke Voit strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Blue jays 1, Yankees 1.Blue jays fifth. Justin Smoak lines out to center field to Brett Gardner. Danny Jansen homers to center field. Richard Urena grounds out to shortstop, Didi Gregorius to Luke Voit. Anthony Alford strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Blue jays 2, Yankees 1.Yankees fifth. Brett Gardner singles to shallow infield. Clint Frazier pops out to shallow infield to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.. Austin Romine strikes... [More]