OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Just more than a year after shoulder surgery, Sean Manaea will make his most important start yet when he takes the mound for the Oakland Athletics in the AL wild-card game.Manager Bob Melvin named Manaea his starter for Wednesday's winner-take-all home game against the Tampa Bay Rays. The left-hander earned the nod over Mike Fiers in a tough decision."I think it came down to the fact that since Manaea's been back, he's pitched great every single game out," Melvin said Tuesday before his team held a workout. "We were lucky to have two guys to consider in that respect and a luxury to have two guys we'd be comfortable with, but Manaea will start.""This is one of those opportunities I think about a lot," the 27-year-old Manaea said of his first playoff start.Manaea returned later than he had hoped following surgery last September but immediately found a groove, going 4-0 with 1.21 ERA in five starts last month.Fiers (15-4) pitched a no-hitter May 7 against the Reds to... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Just more than a year after shoulder surgery, Sean Manaea will make his most important start yet when he takes the mound for the Oakland Athletics in the AL wild-card game.Manager Bob Melvin named Manaea his starter for Wednesday's winner-take-all home game against the Tampa Bay Rays. He says "I think it came down to the fact that since Manaea's been back, he's pitched great every single game out." The left-hander earned the nod over Mike Fiers in a tough decision."This is one of those opportunities I think about a lot," the 27-year-old Manaea said of his first playoff start. "... Crazy how things turn out."Manaea returned later than he had hoped but immediately found a groove, going 4-0 with 1.21 ERA in five September starts following the surgery last September.Fiers (15-4) pitched a no-hitter May 7 against the Reds to begin a 21-start unbeaten stretch in which he went 12-0."Mike's been the ace of the staff this year," Manaea said.Having let his hair grow since January, Manaea was headed to get it braided before his outing.When Melvin called Manaea into his office a couple of days ago and asked the pitcher whether he wanted the ball Wednesday, Manaea's answer was immediate:"Hell, yeah!"Right-hander Charlie Morton (16-6, 3.05) is set to start for Tampa Bay.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at the American League wild-card game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland Athletics:___Schedule: Wednesday, at Oakland, California, 8:09 p.m. EDT (ESPN).___Season Series: Athletics won 4-3.___Projected Lineups:Rays: 2B Joey Wendle (.231, 3 HRs, 19 RBIs in 75 games), LF Tommy Pham (.273, 21, 68, 33 2Bs), RF Austin Meadows (.291, 33, 89 in 138 games), C Travis d'Arnaud (.263, 16, 67 in 92 games with Rays; .087, 0, 2 in 10 games with Mets, and 1 at-bat in only game with Dodgers), 1B Ji-Man Choi (.261, 19, 63), DH Brandon Lowe (.270, 17, 51 in 82 games) or Avisail Garcia (.282, 20, 72, 25 2Bs in 125 games), 3B Matt Duffy (.252, 1, 12 in 46 games), CF Kevin Kiermaier (.228, 14, 55, 19 SBs in 129 games), SS Willy Adames (.254, 20, 52).Athletics: SS Marcus Semien (.285, 33, 92, 123 runs, 43 2Bs), RF Ramon Laureano (.288, 24, 67, 10 assists), 3B Matt Chapman (.249, 36, 91, 102 runs, 36 2Bs), 1B Matt Olson (.267, 36, 91), CF Mark Canha (.273, 26, 58), DH Khris Davis (.220, 23, 73), LF... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo was pulled from a game Sunday with a sprained right ankle, putting a damper on the Chicago Cubs' 16-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates that completed a three-game sweep.Rizzo was injured fielding a bunt at first base, had to be helped off the field and could not put pressure on the leg. X-rays taken at Wrigley Field showed no fractures. He'll get an MRI on Monday.Chicago's postseason pursuit has already been hindered by an injury to shortstop Javier Báez, who is out for the rest of the regular season with a hairline fracture of his left thumb.The Cubs maintained their one-game lead over Milwaukee for the second NL wild card.Kris Bryant homered twice, and Ian Happ, Kyle Schwarber and Jonathan Lucroy also connected for the Cubs, who outscored the Pirates 47-15 in the series.Brad Wieck (1-1) struck out both batters he faced. Trevor Williams (7-7) allowed seven runs in 2 1/3 innings.DODGERS 3, METS 2NEW YORK (AP) — Jedd Gyorko came off the... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo was pulled from a game Sunday with a sprained right ankle, putting a damper on the Chicago Cubs' 16-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates that completed a three-game sweep.Rizzo was injured fielding a bunt at first base, had to be helped off the field and could not put pressure on the leg. X-rays taken at Wrigley Field showed no fractures. He'll get an MRI on Monday.Chicago's postseason pursuit has already been hindered by an injury to shortstop Javier Báez, who is out for the rest of the regular season with a hairline fracture of his left thumb.The Cubs maintained their one-game lead over Milwaukee for the second NL wild card.Kris Bryant homered twice, and Ian Happ, Kyle Schwarber and Jonathan Lucroy also connected for the Cubs, who outscored the Pirates 47-15 in the series.Brad Wieck (1-1) struck out both batters he faced. Trevor Williams (7-7) allowed seven runs in 2 1/3 innings.BREWERS 7, CARDINALS 6ST. LOUIS (AP) — Ryan Braun overcame... [More]

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]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:SPECIAL RETURNIndians right-hander Carlos Carrasco, who hasn't pitched in the majors since late May when he was diagnosed with leukemia, will be reinstated from the 60-day injured list for a game at Tampa Bay. Carrasco made four rehab appearances with Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus, permitting one run while striking out eight in five innings. He'll start up in Cleveland's bullpen as he continues to build endurance in his arm."Great feeling, back to the baseball field," Carrasco said on Instagram.SEPTEMBER CALL-UPSThe Yankees figure to take full advantage when rosters expand for September. Outfielder Clint Frazier is expected to rejoin the big club after being demoted to Triple-A in mid-June. The 24-year-old hit .283 with 11 homers and an .843 OPS in 53 major league games, but he made several embarrassing miscues in right field and was tasked with sharpening his defense. New York could also get reinforcements in the bullpen after using... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Sunday:SPECIAL RETURNIndians right-hander Carlos Carrasco, who hasn't pitched in the majors since late May when he was diagnosed with leukemia, will be reinstated from the 60-day injured list for a game at Tampa Bay. Carrasco made four rehab appearances with Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus, permitting one run while striking out eight in five innings. He'll start up in Cleveland's bullpen as he continues to build endurance in his arm."Great feeling, back to the baseball field," Carrasco said on Instagram.SEPTEMBER CALL-UPSThe Yankees figure to take full advantage when rosters expand for September. Outfielder Clint Frazier is expected to rejoin the big club after being demoted to Triple-A in mid-June. The 24-year-old hit .283 with 11 homers and an .843 OPS in 53 major league games, but he made several embarrassing miscues in right field and was tasked with sharpening his defense. New York could also get reinforcements in the bullpen after... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Sean Manaea is scheduled to start Sunday for the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium, making his season debut after recovering from left shoulder surgery.Manaea will come off the injured list when rosters expand Sunday, manager Bob Melvin said. With an off day Monday, right-hander Mike Fiers (13-3) will be pushed back to Tuesday at home against the Los Angeles Angels to give him extra rest.Oakland is locked in a tight race with Cleveland and Tampa Bay for the two American League wild cards.Manaea went 12-9 with a 3.59 ERA in 27 starts last year and pitched a no-hitter in April against eventual World Series champion Boston. He was sidelined in late August and had surgery on Sept. 19.The 27-year-old left-hander has been rehabbing in the minors this season, going 3-3 with a 4.71 ERA in eight starts — and his most recent one was a gem. Manaea struck out 12 over seven shutout innings of two-hit ball for Triple-A Las Vegas on Aug. 23 at Tacoma."We just got to the point where we... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Sean Manaea is scheduled to start Sunday for the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium, his season debut after recovering from left shoulder surgery.A's manager Bob Melvin says Manaea will come off the injured list when rosters expand Sunday. With an off day Monday, right-hander Mike Fiers will be pushed back to Tuesday at home against the Los Angeles Angels to give him extra rest.Oakland is locked in a tight race with Cleveland and Tampa Bay for the two American League wild cards.Manaea went 12-9 with a 3.59 ERA in 27 starts last year and pitched a no-hitter in April against eventual World Series champion Boston. He was sidelined in late August and had surgery on Sept. 19The 27-year-old left-hander has been rehabbing in the minors this season, going 3-3 with a 4.71 ERA in eight starts — and his most recent one was a gem. Manaea struck out 12 over seven shutout innings of two-hit ball for Triple-A Las Vegas on Aug. 23 at Tacoma.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CINCINNATI (AP) — Tanner Roark was on the road headed to Atlanta for the Cincinnati Reds' next series when he stopped to get something to eat and learned that he'd be going in a much different direction.The playoff-contending Oakland Athletics acquired Roark on Wednesday, filling out a rotation that also could have left-hander Sean Manaea back soon."This is a gamer that gets after it," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "He competes really hard, he throws strikes. He works quickly, which the fielders enjoy. Nice addition for us."Oakland sent outfield prospect Jameson Hannah to Cincinnati. The Reds are sending Oakland $2.1 million to offset much of the $3,225,806 remaining of Roark's $10 million salary.The trade was announced about an hour before the deadline for making deals. It was Oakland's third trade in 17 days. The A's previously acquired starter Homer Bailey and reliever Jake Diekman in a pair of deals with Kansas City."We needed starting pitching depth and a back-end arm in the bullpen,... [More]

The Latest on Major League Baseball's trade deadline (all times Eastern):6:40 p.m.The Los Angeles Angels have acquired catcher Max Stassi from the Houston Astros in exchange for minor-league outfielders Rainier Rivas and Raider Uceta.Stassi, who has played in parts of seven seasons with the Astros, is batting .167 with a home run and three RBIs in 31 games this season. General manager Billy Eppler said the move was more about adding catching depth and Stassi's strength behind the plate. According to MLB Statcast, Stassi is the second-best pitch framer in the AL with a 54.1% strike rate.Catcher Dustin Garneau was designated for assignment before Wednesday's game against the Detroit Tigers..___5:55 p.m.Mike Minor will make his scheduled start for the Rangers after the trade deadline passed with the All-Star lefty still in Texas.Hunter Pence, the All-Star designated hitter, is also still with his hometown team and in the lineup Wednesday night when Minor and the Rangers play the Seattle Mariners,... [More]

The Latest on Major League Baseball's trade deadline (all times Eastern):5:55 p.m.Mike Minor will make his scheduled start for the Rangers after the trade deadline passed with the All-Star lefty still in Texas.Hunter Pence, the All-Star designated hitter, is also still with his hometown team and in the lineup Wednesday night when Minor and the Rangers play the Seattle Mariners, an AL West rival that traded three pitchers Wednesday.Rangers general manager Jon Daniels says his team, which has dropped a game under .500, explored a lot of different options."There were a couple of things that got close later today that I thought might come to fruition, but ultimately it didn't line up for one side or the other," Daniels said, without getting into specifics.Minor, who is signed with the Rangers through next season, drew interest from teams looking to boost their rotations.Daniels said the Rangers weren't going to force a deal, and that the future options could include Minor pitching in Texas... [More]

The Latest on Major League Baseball's trade deadline (all times Eastern):5:25 p.m.The Chicago Cubs acquired outfielder Nicholas Castellanos from the Detroit Tigers for two minor league pitchers.The 27-year-old Castellanos hit .273 with 11 home runs and 37 RBIs for Detroit this season. He's played third base and in the outfield during his career and has been considered a liability defensively, but Castellanos gives Chicago a productive bat against left-handed pitching.Detroit received right-handers Paul Richan and Alex Lange.Castellanos is tied for the major league lead with 37 doubles. He has a .347 average and a 1.026 OPS this year in 72 at-bats against lefties.___5:20 p.m.Milwaukee has acquired left-hander Drew Pomeranz and righty Ray Black from the San Francisco Giants for infield prospect Mauricio Dubon.Also Wednesday, San Francisco obtained second baseman Scooter Gennett from the Reds for a player to be named. Cincinnati will send cash to the Giants to cover part of Gennett's $9,775,000... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Tanner Roark was on the road headed to Atlanta for the Cincinnati Reds' next series when he stopped to get something to eat and learned that he'd be going in a much different direction.The playoff-contending Oakland Athletics acquired Roark on Wednesday, filling out a rotation that also could have left-hander Sean Manaea back soon.Oakland sent outfield prospect Jameson Hannah to Cincinnati. The Reds are sending Oakland $2.1 million to offset much of the $3,225,806 remaining in Roark's $10 million salary.The trade was announced about an hour before the deadline for making deals. The A's began the day a half-game out of the second AL wild-card spot.Roark lasted a season-low 3 1/3 innings during Cincinnati's 11-4 loss to the Pirates on Tuesday. He is 6-7 in 21 starts with a 4.24 ERA and can become a free agent after the season, which left him a candidate for a midseason trade."I knew coming into the season that this was a possibility," Roark said. "That's how the game is.... [More]

The Latest on Major League Baseball's trade deadline (all times Eastern):4:35 p.m.The Los Angeles Dodgers added infielder Jedd Gyorko, acquiring him from the St. Louis Cardinals for left-hander Tony Cingrani and minor league righty Jeffry Abreu. The Dodgers also receive international cap space and cash considerations.The 30-year-old Gyorko has been on the injured list since June 8 with back and right wrist issues. He's hitting .196 on the season.Cingrani is also out following left shoulder surgery and hasn't pitched this season.The Dodgers entered the day with a 70-39 record, easily the best mark in the National League.___4:15 p.m.The Washington Nationals tried to upgrade their bullpen, acquiring relievers Roenis Elias and Hunter Strickland from Seattle and Daniel Hudson in a trade with Toronto.The Mariners received a trio of minor league pitchers from the Nationals — left-handers Taylor Guilbeau and Aaron Fletcher and right-hander Elvis Alvarado. Washington sent minor league right-hander... [More]

The Latest on Major League Baseball's trade deadline (all times Eastern):4:15 p.m.The Washington Nationals tried to upgrade their bullpen, acquiring relievers Roenis Elias and Hunter Strickland from Seattle and Daniel Hudson in a trade with Toronto.The Mariners received a trio of minor league pitchers from the Nationals — left-handers Taylor Guilbeau and Aaron Fletcher and right-hander Elvis Alvarado. Washington sent minor league right-hander Kyle Johnston to Toronto for Hudson, who can become a free agent at the end of the season.Elias has been Seattle's primary closer for the majority of the season after Strickland suffered a lat strain in the opening week and missed several months. Strickland has appeared in just four major league games this season.Elias has appeared in 44 games and was 4-2 with a 4.40 ERA and 14 saves for Seattle.The 32-year-old Hudson went 6-3 with a 3.00 ERA and two saves in 45 games for the Blue Jays.___4:10 p.m.The Yankees got a pitcher at the deadline — for one... [More]

The Latest on Major League Baseball's trade deadline (all times Eastern):3:50 p.m.The Philadelphia Phillies bolstered their outfield by acquiring veteran Corey Dickerson from the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash and a player to be named.Dickerson, who could become a free agent at the end of the season, hit .317 with four home runs and 25 RBIs for the Pirates. The 30-year-old missed most of the first half of the season with a strained throwing shoulder.The Pirates acquired Dickerson from Tampa Bay on the eve of the 2018 regular season. Dickerson responded by hitting .300 with 13 home runs and 55 RBIs. He also won his first career Gold Glove for his play in left field.Pittsburgh's fade from contention after the All-Star break and the rise of young outfielder Bryan Reynolds in Dickerson's absence made him expendable for a team now looking toward 2020 and beyond.___3:25 p.m.The playoff-contending Oakland Athletics have acquired starter Tanner Roark from the Cincinnati Reds, filling out a rotation... [More]

The Latest on Major League Baseball's trade deadline (all times Eastern):3:25 p.m.The playoff-contending Oakland Athletics have acquired starter Tanner Roark from the Cincinnati Reds, filling out a rotation that also could have left-hander Sean Manaea back soon.Oakland dealt outfield prospect Jameson Hannah to Cincinnati. The Reds are sending Oakland $2.1 million to offset much of the $3,225,806 remaining in Roark's $10 million salary.The A's began the day a half-game out of the second AL wild-card spot.Roark lasted a season-low 3 1/3 innings during Cincinnati's 11-4 loss to the Pirates on Tuesday. He is 6-7 in 21 starts with a 4.24 ERA and can become a free agent after the season.Manaea struck out eight in six innings of a rehab start at Triple-A this week. He's likely to get one more rehab start before being activated. He had shoulder surgery last September.___3:10 p.m.The Arizona Diamondbacks have acquired rookie right-hander Zac Gallen from the Miami Marlins for minor league shortstop... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — The playoff-contending Oakland Athletics have acquired starter Tanner Roark from the Cincinnati Reds, filling out a rotation that also could have left-hander Sean Manaea back soon.Oakland dealt outfield prospect Jameson Hannah to Cincinnati. The Reds are sending Oakland $2.1 million to offset much of the $3,225,806 remaining in Roark's $10 million salary.The trade was announced Wednesday, about an hour before the deadline for making deals. The A's began the day a half-game out of the second AL wild-card spot.Roark lasted a season-low 3 1/3 innings during Cincinnati's 11-4 loss to the Pirates on Tuesday. He is 6-7 in 21 starts with a 4.24 ERA and can become a free agent after the season.The Reds traded Roark a few hours after getting Trevor Bauer from the Indians for right fielder Yaisel Puig in a three-team swap that included San Diego.Manaea struck out eight in six innings of a rehab start at Triple-A this week. He's likely to get one more rehab start before being activated. He had shoulder surgery last September.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports