ATLANTA (AP) — The Braves capped a most surprising season by clinching their first NL East crown since 2013, with Mike Foltynewicz taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning Saturday in a 5-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.A year after going 70-92, manager Brian Snitker and his Baby Braves surged back into the playoffs.Atlanta makes its first postseason appearance since 2013 on Oct. 4 in the NL Division Series. The Braves won their 18th division title, tying the New York Yankees for the most in the majors since division play began in 1969.Philadelphia, which led the division in early August, is 6-14 this month.Foltynewicz (12-10) tipped his cap to a standing ovation as he left with runners on first and second in the eighth with a 4-0 lead.Arodys Vizcaino, in his first save situation since June 17, closed out the ninth for his 16th save.Jake Arrieta (10-10) allowed four runs, four hits and three walks in two innings, the shortest outing of his nine-year career.YANKEES 3, ORIOLES 2NEW... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Braves capped a most surprising season by clinching their first NL East crown since 2013, with Mike Foltynewicz taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning Saturday in a 5-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.A year after going 70-92, manager Brian Snitker and his Baby Braves surged back into the playoffs.Atlanta makes its first postseason appearance since 2013 on Oct. 4 in the NL Division Series. The Braves won their 18th division title, tying the New York Yankees for the most in the majors since division play began in 1969.Philadelphia, which led the division in early August, is 6-14 this month.Foltynewicz (12-10) tipped his cap to a standing ovation as he left with runners on first and second in the eighth with a 4-0 lead.Arodys Vizcaino, in his first save situation since June 17, closed out the ninth for his 16th save.Jake Arrieta (10-10) allowed four runs, four hits and three walks in two innings, the shortest outing of his nine-year career.YANKEES 3, ORIOLES 2NEW... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:ACUNA AGAIN!Atlanta rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. has homered five games in a row — at 20, he's the youngest major leaguer to do that. He's also hit leadoff home runs in three straight, connecting the last two days on the first pitch Miami threw.Acuna later added his 19th homer with a three-run drive in the seventh inning Tuesday night.Brady Anderson was last player with so much leadoff success, homering four straight times to start games for Baltimore in 1996.Acuna has matched the Atlanta record for consecutive games with a home run set by Brian McCann in 2006. Acuna will try to keep the streaks going when the Braves face Jose Urena and the Marlins at SunTrust Park.SKIDDINGMinus MVP Jose Altuve, the AL West-leading Astros are struggling. They've matched a season high with five straight losses, have dropped nine in a row at home, and their lead in the AL West is down to just a game over surging Oakland. Houston will try to reverse the slides... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday:ACUNA AGAIN!Atlanta rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. has homered five games in a row — at 20, he's the youngest major leaguer to do that. He's also hit leadoff home runs in three straight, connecting the last two days on the first pitch Miami threw.Acuna later added his 19th homer with a three-run drive in the seventh inning Tuesday night.Brady Anderson was last player with so much leadoff success, homering four straight times to start games for Baltimore in 1996.Acuna has matched the Atlanta record for consecutive games with a home run set by Brian McCann in 2006. Acuna will try to keep the streaks going when the Braves face Jose Urena and the Marlins at SunTrust Park.SKIDDINGMinus MVP Jose Altuve, the AL West-leading Astros are struggling. They've matched a season high with five straight losses and have dropped nine in a row at home. Houston will try to reverse the slides when Gerrit Cole (10-5, 2.75 ERA) starts vs. Colorado lefty Tyler Anderson... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — When baseball stars on expiring contracts get traded in July, there's usually no need to find long-term housing.Infielders Manny Machado, Mike Moustakas and Brian Dozier; starting pitchers Cole Hamels, J.A. Happ and Nathan Eovaldi; catcher Martin Maldonado; and closer Zach Britton are among the players dealt ahead of this week's deadline for trades without waivers. All could be eligible for free agency after the World Series.Most will find new clubs, like Randy Johnson (Houston for Arizona after 1998), CC Sabathia (Milwaukee for the Yankees after 2008), Aroldis Chapman (Chicago Cubs for a Yankees return following 2016) and Yu Darvish (Los Angeles Dodgers for the Chicago Cubs last offseason).Few decide to stay, such as Yoenis Cespedes with the New York Mets after the 2015 seasonAdding to the intrigue is last offseason's slow free-agent market, which saw veterans scramble during spring training to find cut-rate contracts as opening day approached.A look at some of the potential... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:DOMINANT DODGERSClayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers will look to keep up their domination of the Atlanta in the second game of their weekend series at SunTrust Park.The Dodgers won the series opener Thursday night, routing the Braves 8-2 behind seven dominant innings from Rich Hill and Manny Machado's first homer with his new team.Kershaw has never lost to the Braves, going 3-0 with a 1.47 ERA in nine career starts. The Dodgers haven't lost a series to the Braves since 2015, winning 21 of the last 30 games between the teams.Machado was acquired last week from Baltimore, bolstering a lineup that already led the National League in homers. He now had 25 homers on the season."Get it out of the way," he said. "Get the first hit, the first home runs out of the way. Now it's just concentrate on playing baseball and winning games."The Dodgers hold a 1 1/2-game lead in the NL West. The Braves slipped 2 1/2 games behind Philadelphia in the... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:BUM'S RUSHSan Francisco's Madison Bumgarner (3-3, 3.19) pitches the second game of a four-game weekend set with Milwaukee. The left-hander is making his 10th start of the season, and the Giants are 4-1 in his home outings. The 2014 World Series MVP is coming off a career-high six walks last Saturday at Oakland, when he lasted only four-plus innings.Two-time All-Star closer Joakim Soria is set to be with the Brewers, a day after they acquired him from the Chicago White Sox. Manager Craig Counsell said Soria won't be his closer. The Brewers have Corey Knebel in that role.STREAKINGThe New York Mets will go for a rare four-game winning streak when they face Pittsburgh, while pitcher Jason Vargas will try to do something he hasn't done since 2005: beat the Pirates.Vargas was a 22-year-old rookie for the Florida Marlins when he came on in relief on July 27, 2005, and held the Pirates hitless over three innings for his first major league victory.... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:BUM'S RUSHSan Francisco's Madison Bumgarner (3-3, 3.19) pitches the second game of a four-game weekend set with Milwaukee. The left-hander is making his 10th start of the season, and the Giants are 4-1 in his home outings. The 2014 World Series MVP is coming off a career-high six walks last Saturday at Oakland, when he lasted only four-plus innings.Two-time All-Star closer Joakim Soria is set to be with the Brewers, a day after they acquired him from the Chicago White Sox. Manager Craig Counsell said Soria won't be his closer. The Brewers have Corey Knebel in that role.STREAKINGThe New York Mets will go for a rare three-game winning streak when they face Pittsburgh, while pitcher Jason Vargas will try to do something he hasn't done since 2005: beat the Pirates.Vargas was a 22-year-old rookie for the Florida Marlins when he came on in relief on July 27, 2005, and held the Pirates hitless over three innings for his first major league victory.... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Houston Astros acquired catcher Martin Maldonado from the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday for left-hander Patrick Sandoval and $250,000 in international signing bonus pool allocation.Maldonado's contributions behind the plate helped the Angels' starters post a 3.77 ERA, which ranked fifth in the American League despite numerous injuries and significant inexperience in their rotation. A Gold Glove winner last season, Maldonado is also hitting .223 with 32 RBIs in 78 games."Martin has been a huge part of what we know has been a terrific year on the mound," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "There's no doubt that Martin had the respect of everybody, not only the coaching staff but the players, and contributed greatly to where we needed to be on the defensive side."Houston's Brian McCann hasn't played since June 30 and is recovering from right knee surgery. Max Stassi has been starting at catcher for the Astros in most games this month.Maldonado, who is owed $1,362,903... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Houston Astros catcher Brian McCann finally got to a point that something had to be done to try to fix his troublesome right knee.McCann had arthroscopic surgery Tuesday after going on the disabled list for the second time this season, and the third time in less than a year, because of knee discomfort.Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow told MLB.com and the Houston Chronicle during a 5-3 win at Texas that the team was optimistic that the surgery would resolve the issue that kept recurring. While not specific about the procedure or a timetable, the GM said he'd expect McCann back in September to get ready for October.Manager A.J. Hinch said before the Astros' 5-3 win at Texas that he and McCann had a long conversation about the knee problems when the team played in Tampa last weekend."It's just continually the same issue over and over with his right knee," Hinch said. "One of the options is surgery, and he went back to Houston to take care of it."Catcher Tim Federowicz,... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Houston Astros catcher Brian McCann finally got to a point that something had to be done to try to fix his troublesome right knee.McCann will have surgery after going on the disabled list Tuesday for the second time this season, and the third time in less than a year, because of knee discomfort.Manager A.J. Hinch said he and McCann had a long conversation about the recurring knee problems when the team played in Tampa last weekend."It's just continually the same issue over and over with his right knee," Hinch said. "One of the options is surgery, and he went back to Houston to take care of it."McCann was home in Houston when the Astros opened a two-game set at Texas on Tuesday night.Hinch didn't say when the surgery would be done. He didn't know how long McCann would be out, other than "for the foreseeable future."Catcher Tim Federowicz, who made two starts earlier this season when McCann was on the DL, was promoted from Triple-A Fresno.Max Stassi was the Astros'... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Astros catcher Brian McCann will have surgery on the troublesome right knee that has sent him to the disabled list for the second time this season.McCann was put on the disabled list before the Astros played Tuesday night at the Texas Rangers. McCann returned to Houston after the team's series in Tampa Bay last weekend.Manager A.J. Hinch said he will have a better timetable after McCann has the surgery.The DL move was retroactive to Monday, a day off for Houston.Catcher Ted Federowicz was promoted from Triple-A Fresno. Right-hander Joe Smith was activated from the 10-day DL after missing 23 games because of right elbow soreness.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Astros catcher Brian McCann has gone on the disabled list because of right knee discomfort for the second time this season.McCann was put on the disabled list before the Astros played Tuesday night at the Texas Rangers. He wasn't with the team in Arlington.The move was retroactive to Monday, a day off for Houston.Catcher Ted Federowicz was promoted from Triple-A Fresno. Right-hander Joe Smith was activated from the 10-day DL after missing 23 games because of right elbow soreness.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Houston Astros have activated catcher Brian McCann from the disabled after he was sidelined because of right knee soreness.McCann was in a 1-for-26 slide that dropped his batting average to .219 before going on the 10-day DL on May 29. He was activated on the first day he was eligible and was in the lineup batting eighth against the Texas Rangers on Friday night.The Astros designated catcher Tim Federowicz for assignment to make room for McCann. Federowicz backed up Max Stassi and appeared in two games during McCann's absence.McCann has four homers and 14 RBIs in 37 games.Shortstop Carlos Correa was out of the lineup for a second straight day because of soreness in his right side. Correa said Thursday an MRI didn't show anything abnormal.___More AP baseball: www.apnews.com/tags/MLBbaseball

Some fantasy baseball owners often compare catchers to kickers in fantasy football. Really, they're more like tight ends, since kickers are unpredictable from week to week.Still, it's hard to get excited about anyone at the position between the top few catchers. Even worse if you're in two-catcher leagues.Let's take a look at a catcher who has more than just a pulse, as well as other players to help you in the short and long term.PLAYERS TO PICK UPMax Stassi, C, Houston (12 percent owned in Yahoo leagues) - With Brian McCann on the disabled list, enter Stassi. In 98 plate appearances this year, Stassi is hitting over .300, with five home runs and 17 RBIs. McCann is on the disabled list with sore knees, but it's his performance that has been the eyesore this year so far. If you don't own one of the top 5 catchers, Stassi should be slotted in your lineup right away.Max Muncy, 1B/3B/OF, Los Angeles Dodgers (7 percent) - Speaking of Maxes, there's one out west who is catching the eyes of fantasy... [More]

A look at what's happening around baseball today:FIXED WINGAlex Reyes is set to return to Cardinals for the first time since his brief-but-stellar rookie season in 2016. The hyped right-handed prospect missed all of last season following Tommy John surgery and he'll come off the DL to make his season debut against NL Central-leading Milwaukee. Reyes struck out 44 in 23 innings during his minor league rehab assignment, including nine straight batters during his final start with Triple-A Memphis — a first in the 116-year history of the Pacific Coast League.CLOUD NINEMax Scherzer tries to become the first nine-game winner in the majors when Washington takes on Baltimore. Scherzer (8-1, 2.13) has won seven straight decisions, including when he gave up four runs in six innings to Miami last time out. Scherzer entered Tuesday leading the majors in strikeouts (108) and wins above replacement (2.8), according to Fangraphs.BACK ON THE BUMPShohei Ohtani will return to the mound for the Angels in... [More]

A look at what's happening around baseball Wednesday:FIXED WINGAlex Reyes is set to return to Cardinals for the first time since his brief-but-stellar rookie season in 2016. The hyped right-handed prospect missed all of last season following Tommy John surgery and he'll come off the DL to make his season debut against NL Central-leading Milwaukee. Reyes struck out 44 in 23 innings during his minor league rehab assignment, including nine straight batters during his final start with Triple-A Memphis — a first in the 116-year history of the Pacific Coast League.CLOUD NINEMax Scherzer tries to become the first nine-game winner in the majors when Washington takes on Baltimore. Scherzer (8-1, 2.13) has won seven straight decisions, including when he gave up four runs in six innings to Miami last time out. Scherzer entered Tuesday leading the majors in strikeouts (108) and wins above replacement (2.8), according to Fangraphs.BACK ON THE BUMPShohei Ohtani will return to the mound for the Angels... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Astros catcher Brian McCann, in a 1-for-26 slide that has dropped his batting average to .219, was put on the 10-day disabled list on Tuesday because of right knee soreness and returned to Houston."Halfway or two-thirds through the game yesterday, he reported some knee soreness," manager A.J. Hinch said."It's something that he's battled before, and it's something that he's had to deal with. And as we talked to him after the game and evaluated him, we felt like we needed to send him back to Houston to get evaluated further. We won't know the extent of any sort of issue until he gets to Houston."Tim Federowicz's contract was selected from Triple-A Fresno before Tuesday night's game at the New York Yankees. Max Stassi was in the starting lineup and will see most of the time behind the plate while McCann is sidelined. The 27-year-old Stassi began the night batting .300 with four homers and 14 RBIs in 80 at-bats."I would say it's just preparing your body a little bit more, maybe getting a little more sleep," Stassi said. "It's also nice, too, to catch consecutively. Your body kind of adapts."The 34-year-old McCann was a seven-time All-Star while with Atlanta from 2005-13.Federowicz, 30, is a six-year big league veteran who spent last year with San Francisco. He was at spring training with the Astros this year and hit .337 with five homers and 18 RBIs in the Pacific Coast League.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

NEW YORK (AP) — Astros catcher Brian McCann, in a 1-for-26 slide that has dropped his batting average to .219, was put on the 10-day disabled list on Tuesday because of right knee soreness and returned to Houston."Halfway or two-thirds through the game yesterday, he reported some knee soreness," manager A.J. Hinch said."It's something that he's battled before, and it's something that he's had to deal with. And as we talked to him after the game and evaluated him, we felt like we needed to send him back to Houston to get evaluated further. We won't know the extent of any sort of issue until he gets to Houston."Tim Federowicz's contract was selected from Triple-A Fresno before Tuesday night's game at the New York Yankees. Max Stassi was in the starting lineup and will see most of the time behind the plate while McCann is sidelined. The 27-year-old Stassi began the night batting .300 with four homers and 14 RBIs in 80 at-bats."I would say it's just preparing your body a little bit more, maybe getting a little more sleep," Stassi said. "It's also nice, too, to catch consecutively. Your body kind of adapts."The 34-year-old McCann was a seven-time All-Star while with Atlanta from 2005-13.Federowicz, 30, is a six-year big league veteran who spent last year with San Francisco. He was at spring training with the Astros this year and hit .337 with five homers and 18 RBIs in the Pacific Coast League.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

NEW YORK (AP) — Astros catcher Brian McCann, in a 1-for-26 slide that has dropped his batting average to .219, was put on the 10-day disabled list on Tuesday because of right knee soreness and returned to Houston."Halfway or two-thirds through the game yesterday, he reported some knee soreness," manager A.J. Hinch said."It's something that he's battled before, and it's something that he's had to deal with. And as we talked to him after the game and evaluated him, we felt like we needed to send him back to Houston to get evaluated further. We won't know the extent of any sort of issue until he gets to Houston."Tim Federowicz's contract was selected from Triple-A Fresno before Tuesday night's game at the New York Yankees. Max Stassi was in the starting lineup and will see most of the time behind the plate while McCann is sidelined. The 27-year-old Stassi began the night batting .300 with four homers and 14 RBIs in 80 at-bats."I would say it's just preparing your body a little bit more, maybe getting a little more sleep," Stassi said. "It's also nice, too, to catch consecutively. Your body kind of adapts."The 34-year-old McCann was a seven-time All-Star while with Atlanta from 2005-13.Federowicz, 30, is a six-year big league veteran who spent last year with San Francisco. He was at spring training with the Astros this year and hit .337 with five homers and 18 RBIs in the Pacific Coast League.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball