HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros surrendered a tiebreaking two-run single to rookie Kyle Lewis in the eighth inning of a 7-6 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, and then announced ace Justin Verlander will be shut down for at least two weeks with a strained right forearm.Astros manager Dusty Baker denied a report that said the injury would end Verlander’s season. He said Verlander would be evaluated after two weeks.Lewis and Shed Long Jr. each had two hits and two RBIs for the Mariners, who had dropped their last 15 games against Houston.Dan Altavilla (1-0) got the win. Taylor Williams yielded an RBI double to Michael Brantley before striking out Alex Bregman for his first career save.Martín Maldonado drove in two runs for Houston. Chris Devenski (0-1) got the loss.MARLINS 11, PHILLIES 6PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Miami scratched right-hander José Ureña from its victory at Philadelphia and delayed its postgame trip home amid concerns about a possible coronavirus outbreak within the team. No... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros surrendered a tiebreaking two-run single to rookie Kyle Lewis in the eighth inning of a 7-6 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, and then announced ace Justin Verlander will be shut down for at least two weeks with a strained right forearm.Astros manager Dusty Baker denied a report that said the injury would end Verlander’s season. He said Verlander would be evaluated after two weeks.Lewis and Shed Long Jr. each had two hits and two RBIs for the Mariners, who had dropped their last 15 games against Houston.Dan Altavilla (1-0) got the win. Taylor Williams yielded an RBI double to Michael Brantley before striking out Alex Bregman for his first career save.Martín Maldonado drove in two runs for Houston. Chris Devenski (0-1) got the loss.MARLINS 11, PHILLIES 6PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Miami scratched right-hander José Ureña from its victory at Philadelphia and delayed its postgame trip home amid concerns about a possible coronavirus outbreak within the team. No... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros surrendered a tiebreaking two-run single to rookie Kyle Lewis in the eighth inning of a 7-6 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, and then announced ace Justin Verlander will be shut down for at least two weeks with a strained right forearm.Astros manager Dusty Baker denied a report that said the injury would end Verlander’s season. He said Verlander would be evaluated after two weeks.Lewis and Shed Long Jr. each had two hits and two RBIs for the Mariners, who had dropped their last 15 games against Houston.Dan Altavilla (1-0) got the win. Taylor Williams yielded an RBI double to Michael Brantley before striking out Alex Bregman for his first career save.Martín Maldonado drove in two runs for Houston. Chris Devenski (0-1) got the loss.MARLINS 11, PHILLIES 6PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Miami scratched right-hander José Ureña from its victory at Philadelphia and delayed its postgame trip home amid concerns about a possible coronavirus outbreak within the team. No... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros surrendered a tiebreaking two-run single to rookie Kyle Lewis in the eighth inning of a 7-6 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, and then announced ace Justin Verlander will be shut down for at least two weeks with a strained right forearm.Astros manager Dusty Baker denied a report that said the injury would end Verlander’s season. He said Verlander would be evaluated after two weeks.Lewis and Shed Long Jr. each had two hits and two RBIs for the Mariners, who had dropped their last 15 games against Houston.Dan Altavilla (1-0) got the win. Taylor Williams yielded an RBI double to Michael Brantley before striking out Alex Bregman for his first career save.Martín Maldonado drove in two runs for Houston. Chris Devenski (0-1) got the loss.MARLINS 11, PHILLIES 6PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Miami scratched right-hander José Ureña from its victory at Philadelphia and delayed its postgame trip home amid concerns about a possible coronavirus outbreak within the team. No... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka is unsure whether he will be able to take his first turn in the rotation as he recovers from a line drive off his head.Tanaka was hit on the right side near the temple by Giancarlo Stanton's shot during batting practice on July 4. While the 31-year-old right-hander says he has no concussion symptoms, he has not thrown off a mound since.New York opens the season July 23 at Washington, and Tanaka is projected as part of a rotation behind new ace Gerrit Cole, joined by James Paxton, J.A. Happ and perhaps Jordan Montgomery. Tanaka still hopes to avoid missing any starts.“I want to be optimistic and say yes,” he said Tuesday through a translator. “But obviously the injury is at the head, so I think it’s something that I need to be cautious about and kind of take it careful, more so than other injuries.”Right fielder Aaron Judge sat out his third straight intrasquad game due to a stiff neck but took batting practice on the field. Manager Aaron Boone... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka is unsure whether he will be able to take his first turn through the rotation as he recovers from a line drive off his head.Tanaka was hit on the right side near the temple by Giancarlo Stanton's shot during batting practice on July 4. While the 31-year-old right-hander says he has no concussion symptoms, he has not thrown off a mound since.New York opens the season July 23 at Washington, and Tanaka is projected as part of a rotation behind new ace Gerrit Cole, joined by James Paxton, J.A. Happ and perhaps Jordan Montgomery. He still hopes to avoid missing any starts.“I want to be optimistic and say yes,” Tanaka said Tuesday through a translator. “But obviously the injury is at the head, so I think it’s something that I need to be cautious about and kind of take it careful, more so than other injuries.”Right fielder Aaron Judge sat out his third straight intrasquad game due to a stuff neck but took batting practice on the field. Manager Aaron... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka is unsure whether he will be able to take his first turn through the rotation as he recovers from a line drive off his head.Tanaka was hit on the right side near the temple by Giancarlo Stanton's shot during batting practice on July 4. While the 31-year-old right-hander says he has no concussion symptoms, he has not thrown off a mound since.New York opens the season July 23 at Washington, and Tanaka is projected as part of a rotation behind new ace Gerrit Cole, joined by James Paxton, J.A. Happ and perhaps Jordan Montgomery. He still hopes to avoid missing any starts.“I want to be optimistic and say yes,” Tanaka said Tuesday through a translator. “But obviously the injury is at the head, so I think it’s something that I need to be cautious about and kind of take it careful, more so than other injuries.”Right fielder Aaron Judge sat out his third straight intrasquad game due to a stuff neck but took batting practice on the field. Manager Aaron... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge remains slowed by his sore neck and is uncertain for Tuesday's intrasquad game, and pitcher Masahiro Tanaka remains a concern for the start of the season as he recovers from a concussion.Judge took some swings in an indoor batting cage and worked in the weight room.“He's got way more range of motion,” manager Aaron Boone said Monday. “They've gotten a lot of that pain out of there when he turns to the side and things like that.”Judge's neck has bothered him since at least Saturday. The 2017 AL Rookie of the Year missed time due to oblique strains in 2016 and last year, a broken right wrist in 2018 and a broken rib this spring training stemming from a diving catch last September.“It'll prove out that he's a durable guy. I do feel that way,” Boone said.Tanaka was hit on the side of his head by a line drive off the bat of Giancarlo Stanton on July 4. He has been throwing on flat ground and Boone said he had a date in mind for a bullpen session,... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge remains slowed by his sore neck and is uncertain for Tuesday's intrasquad game, and pitcher Masahiro Tanaka remains a concern for the start of the season as he recovers from a concussion.Judge had improved motion Monday and took some swings in an indoor batting cage.“He's got way more range of motion,” manager Aaron Boone said. “They've got a lot of pain out.”Tanaka was hit on the side of his head by a line drive off the bat of Giancarlo Stanton on July 4. He has been throwing on flat ground and Boone said he had a date in mind for a bullpen session, which he did not announce. Tanaka would then have to progress to batting practice.No matter what, he would not be built up for the Yankees' first turn through the rotation. Boone finalized his decision to have Gerrit Cole pitch in Friday's intrasquad game and give the new ace five days' rest for opening day at Washington on July 23. He will skip the three exhibitions, Saturday at the Mets, Sunday at home against the Mets and Monday at Yankee Stadium against Philadelphia.Left-hander Jordan Montgomery and right-hander Chad Green are scheduled to pitch in Tuesday's intrasquad game, and left-hander James Paxton on Wednesday.Utilityman Rosell Herrera has been dealing with pain in both heals.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — No fans. No music. A bullpen catcher calling balls and strikes.Still, for one night at least, the New York Yankees played something resembling a baseball game in the Bronx.“It felt great, actually,” said starter J.A. Happ, who pitched for Team Yankees against Team Bombers. “It was a little bit strange, but I was actually surprised at the adrenaline, and I heard a couple of other guys saying the same thing.”The Yankees held their first intrasquad game of summer camp Monday as they prepare for a condensed 60-game season that starts in 2 1/2 weeks. Aaron Judge, Gleyber Torres, Giancarlo Stanton and other regulars from the defending AL East champs took hacks under the lights against teammates for six innings. Happ's first pitch came about an hour after Major League Baseball unveiled the schedule for a season it hopes to run through a pandemic. The Yankees will open July 23 against the World Series champion Nationals in Washington as part of a slate that exclusively features... [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]

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge agreed to an $8.5 million, one-year contract Friday with the New York Yankees, who also reached a $12.5 million deal with left-hander James Paxton and a $5 million agreement with catcher Gary Sánchez.New York struck deals with all nine players eligible for salary arbitration, agreeing with relievers Tommy Kahnle ($2.65 million), Chad Green ($1,275,000), Luis Cessa ($895,000) and Jonathan Holder ($750,000), left-hander Jordan Montgomery ($805,000) and infielder Gio Urshela ($2,475,000).Judge, who made $684,300 last season, turns 28 in April and hit .272 with 27 homers and 55 RBIs in 102 games. The 2017 AL Rookie of the Year after hitting 52 home runs, he was sidelined last season between April 20 and June 21 by a strained left oblique muscle. The outfielder's power did not return until late August. He hit .265 in the postseason with one homer, two RBIs and 11 strikeouts in 34 at-bats. Paxton, a 31-year-old left-hander, went 15-6 with a 3.82 ERA in his first season... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge agreed to an $8.5 million, one-year contract Friday with the New York Yankees, who also reached a $12.5 million deal with left-hander James Paxton and a $5 million agreement with catcher Gary Sánchez.All three players were eligible for salary arbitration.Judge, who made $684,300 last season, turns 28 in April and hit .272 with 27 homers and 55 RBIs in 102 games. The 2017 AL Rookie of the Year after hitting 52 home runs, he was sidelined last season between April 20 and June 21 by a strained left oblique muscle. The outfielder's power did not return until late August. He hit .265 in the postseason with one homer, two RBIs and 11 strikeouts in 34 at-bats. Paxton, a 31-year-old left-hander, went 15-6 with a 3.82 ERA in his first season after the Yankees acquired him from Seattle, going 10-0 in his final 11 regular season starts and 1-0 with a 3.46 ERA in three postseason starts. He made $8,575,000 last year and is eligible for free agency after this year's World... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Aroldis Chapman is staying with the New York Yankees, amending his contract to a $48 million, three-year deal.The 31-year-old All-Star closer had been owed $15 million in each of the next two seasons as part of an $86 million, five-year contract, and he had the right to opt out of the deal and become a free agent.The left-hander's amended deal includes salaries of $16 million annually and a full no-trade provision. Under the original contract, he had a full no-trade through 2019, then a limited no-trade provision that said he could not be dealt during 2020 or 2021 to any of the five California teams or Seattle without his consent.Chapman had a stellar regular season with the Yankees, converting 37 saves in 42 chances while going 3-2 with a 2.21 ERA and striking out 85 in 57 innings. He earned his sixth All-Star selection and was selected the Reliever of the Year in the American League.His average fastball velocity has dropped from 101 mph in 2016 to 98 mph this year, and... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):10:54 p.m.Juan Soto homered onto the train tracks high above the left field wall and hit a two-run double as the Washington Nationals tagged Gerrit Cole and the Houston Astros 5-4 Tuesday night in the World Series opener.Not even a history-making home run by postseason star George Springer and another drive that nearly tied it in the eighth inning could deter Washington.Ryan Zimmerman, still full of sock at 35, also homered to back a resourceful Max Scherzer and boost the wild-card Nationals in their first World Series game.Sean Doolittle pitched a perfect ninth for the save, only the second 1-2-3 inning on a night that Washington relievers were given a three-run lead and just held on.___10:40 p.m.The Houston Astros are closer, but still have some work to do in the ninth inning to avoid losing Game 1 of the World Series at home.Washington held on to a 5-4 lead after eight innings in its first-ever World Series game, after getting... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):10:15 p.m.George Springer greeted Tanner Rainey with a home run leading off the seventh inning, cutting the Houston Astros' deficit to 5-3 against the Washington Nationals in the World Series opener.Springer set a record by homering in his fifth straight World Series game, breaking a record he had shared with Lou Gehrig and Reggie Jackson.Houston loaded the bases when Rainey walked Michael Brantley and Alex Bregman with one out, and Carlos Correa reached on a two-out single to shortstop off Daniel Hudson.Hudson then struck out rookie Yordan Álvarez with the bases loaded.___9:42 p.m.Asdrúbal Cabrera singled to start the sixth but was erased when Ryan Zimmerman grounded into a double play. Gerrit Cole then retired Kurt Suzuki for the third out to wrap up a clean inning after giving up four runs combined in the previous two.Patrick Corbin took over for Max Scherzer in the bottom of the sixth and promptly struck out Carlos Correa... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):9:42 p.m.Asdrúbal Cabrera singled to start the sixth but was erased when Ryan Zimmerman grounded into a double play. Gerrit Cole then retired Kurt Suzuki for the third out to wrap up a clean inning after giving up four runs combined in the previous two.Patrick Corbin took over for Max Scherzer in the bottom of the sixth and promptly struck out Carlos Correa before rookie Yordan Alvarez singled to right field. But Corbin struck out Martín Maldonado before pinch-hitter Aledmys Díaz grounded out to end the inning.Scherzer allowed five hits and two runs with seven strikeouts. He threw 112 pitches, which were his most this postseason.___9:25 p.m.Gerritt Cole is pitching in a game without the lead for the first time since Sept. 2. The Houston Astros right-hander hasn't lost a game since May 22.Juan Soto, the 20-year-old for the Nationals already with a big solo homer, added a two-run double off the left field wall in the fifth inning... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):9:25 p.m.Gerritt Cole is pitching in a game without the lead for the first time since Sept. 2. The Houston Astros right-hander hasn't lost a game since May 22.Juan Soto, the 20-year-old for the Nationals already with a big solo homer, added a two-run double off the left field wall in the fifth inning as the Nationals took a 5-2 lead. He got stranded there when shortstop Carlos Correa made a lunging, fully extended catch on Howie Kendrick's liner that was headed toward left field.Adam Eaton's RBI single earlier in the fifth snapped a 2-2 tie.Cole entered Game 1 of the World Series having gone 19-0 in his last 25 starts. He was 3-0 with a 0.40 ERA, allowing only one run over 22 2-3 innings through the AL Division Series and AL Championship Series.The five runs by the Nationals are the most off the right-hander since he gave up six runs over five innings in a 9-4 home loss to the Chicago White Sox on May 22. He had allowed only... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):8:25 p.m.Gerrit Cole allowed one hit in a scoreless third after surrendering a solo home run to Ryan Zimmerman an inning earlier that got the Nationals within 2-1. Adam Eaton singled with two outs in the inning before Cole retired Anthony Rendon to end it.Cole has thrown 42 pitches through three innings.The Astros got a single from Michael Brantley with one out in the bottom of the frame and Yuli Gurriel followed with a single on a fly ball to shallow center field. Center fielder Victor Robles tried to grab it with a dive, but the ball bounced off the back of his shoulder as his glove popped off.Gurriel advanced to second on the play, but he and Brantley were left stranded when Carlos Correa struck out for the second time.Max Scherzer has thrown 69 pitches.___8:00 p.m.The first player ever drafted by the Washington Nationals hit the team's first World Series home run.Ryan Zimmerman, picked by the Nationals in 2005 and the only... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):7:40 p.m.Ryan Zimmerman went deep in his first World Series at-bat.Zimmerman, the first player drafted by the Washington Nationals in 2005, hit a two-out solo homer in the second inning off Houston starter Gerrit Cole.The blast to center, measured by MLB stats at about 413 feet, got the Nationals within 2-1.___7:35 p.m.Houston's Gerrit Cole (326) and Washington's Max Scherzer (243) combined for the most strikeouts ever by starting pitchers in a World Series game.After a pregame tribute to umpire Eric Cooper, who died last weekend, the game started with the roof closed at Minute Maid Park, and Yuli Gurriel put the Astros ahead with a two-run double in the first against Scherzer.Trea Turner led off against Cole with a grounder to the shortstop hole that went off the outstretched glove of Carlos Correa. Turner reached on the infield hit, then stole second on the first pitch to Adam Eaton. That was the first steal attempt in the... [More]