CHICAGO (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have activated left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez, catcher Christian Vazquez and knuckleballer Steven Wright from the 10-day disabled list.Rodriguez had been sidelined by a sprained right ankle. Vazquez was out with a broken finger, and Wright had been dealing with left knee inflammation.Rodriguez and Vazquez are slated to start Saturday's game against the Chicago White Sox. Rodriguez hasn't pitched in a big league game since July 14.The major league-leading Red Sox also recalled five players from Triple-A Pawtucket: first baseman/outfielder Sam Travis, infielder Tzu-Wei Lin, lefties Robby Scott and Bobby Poyner and right-hander William Cuevas.Saturday was the first day that major league rosters could expand to as many as 40 players.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BALTIMORE (AP) — Mookie Betts and his big league-best .359 batting average are back with the Boston Red Sox, who activated the outfielder from the disabled list Monday and put him in the leadoff spot against the Baltimore Orioles.Betts missed 14 games with an abdominal strain. Boston went 8-6 in his absence and started play Monday a half-game behind the first-place New York Yankees in the AL East."It was just a matter of letting it kind of heal," said Betts, who hit 17 home runs before being placed on the 10-DL on June. 1. "We'll see how I feel after the game today and go from there."Betts' return was quicker than many had anticipated."We talked about it yesterday, me and Mook," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. "He feels comfortable that he can compete at this level, the way he is right now. He's healthy and we agreed to it."In addition to leading the big leagues in hitting, Betts is first in on-base percentage (.437) and slugging percentage (.750). He's also tied for first with 52 runs.To make room on the 25-man roster, the Red Sox optioned Sam Travis to Triple-A Pawtucket.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Michael Wacha lost a no-hit bid in the ninth inning when pinch-hitter Colin Moran led off with a single, leaving to a huge ovation and pitching the St. Louis Cardinals past the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-0 Sunday.This was the second time Wacha had a no-hit try broken up in the ninth. As a rookie in 2013, he was one out away from a no-hitter when Washington's Ryan Zimmerman got an infield single.Wacha (7-1) came close to pitching the fourth no-hitter in the major leagues this season. He struck out eight and walked two.Moran fouled off the first three pitches before the Pirates rookie lined a clean single well over the head of second baseman Kolten Wong into right field.That was all for Wacha, and the 26-year-old righty was pulled after 111 pitches.Marcell Ozuna hit a grand slam on the eighth pitch of the game from Nick Kingham (2-2).GIANTS 6, PHILLIES 1SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Dereck Rodriguez earned his first big league win, giving up a home run to Jake Arrieta but outpitching the... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Dustin Pedroia's return from the disabled list lasted three games.The four-time All-Star second baseman was put back on the DL by the Boston Red Sox on Saturday because of left knee inflammation."He wasn't able to bounce back yesterday and I think it's the smart thing to do," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "I know he's a little frustrated, but it is what it is. It was major surgery."The 34-year-old had knee surgery in October, made his season debut May 26 and went 1 for 11 with two walks. He was a late scratch from the lineup Thursday because of lingering soreness.Cora said he hopes Pedroia won't need to stay on the DL beyond the 10 days. He will fly back to Boston on Sunday for treatment on Monday and will likely have to go see a doctor for evaluation in New York early next week."It's tough, but hopefully, he comes back sooner rather than later and he'll get back out there," Cora said. "Obviously, we have our goals to play in October. We want him to continue performing... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Dustin Pedroia's return from the disabled list lasted three games.The four-time All-Star second baseman was put back on the DL by the Boston Red Sox on Saturday because of left knee inflammation.The 34-year-old had knee surgery in October, made his season debut May 26 and went 1 for 11 with two walks. He was a late scratch from the lineup Thursday because of lingering soreness.Boston announced the move Saturday and made it retroactive to Wednesday, the day after Pedroia last played. Boston put right fielder Mookie Betts on the 10-day disabled list with an abdominal strain on Friday, a move made retroactive to Tuesday.First baseman Sam Travis and left-handed pitcher Bobby Poyner were recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket.Travis, 24, hit .220 with four home runs in 34 games for Pawtucket, making 25 starts at first base and five in left field.Poyner, 25, began the season with Boston and allowed two runs on 12 hits over 9 2/3 innings of nine relief appearances. He had a 3.18 ERA in 10 minor league appearances while holding opponents to a .179 batting average.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — For the second consecutive season, the San Francisco Giants will be without injured ace Madison Bumgarner for a while.Bumgarner broke a bone in his pitching hand Friday when it was hit by a line drive off the bat of Kansas City's Whit Merrifield during a spring training game.The Giants said X-rays showed the 28-year-old fractured the fifth metacarpal on the outside of his left hand. Bumgarner said the timeline for recovery is four to six weeks and he will have a pin inserted into his pinkie Saturday."It's tough. But I can handle it," Bumgarner said. "These guys can handle it. This obviously was not what I was expecting out of my last start. But it happened and I can deal with it."Bumgarner, the 2014 World Series MVP, missed nearly three months with a shoulder injury last season after a dirt bike accident on April 20 during an off day in Colorado.His latest setback is a huge blow to the Giants as they try to rebound from a surprising last-place finish in the NL West... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — For the second consecutive season, the San Francisco Giants will be without injured ace Madison Bumgarner for a while.Bumgarner broke a bone in his pitching hand Friday when it was hit by a line drive off the bat of Kansas City's Whit Merrifield during a spring training game.The Giants said X-rays showed the 28-year-old fractured the fifth metacarpal on the outside of his left hand. Bumgarner said the timeline for recovery is four to six weeks and he will have a pin inserted into his pinkie Saturday."It's tough. But I can handle it," Bumgarner said. "These guys can handle it. This obviously was not what I was expecting out of my last start. But it happened and I can deal with it."Bumgarner, the 2014 World Series MVP, missed nearly three months with a shoulder injury last season after a dirt bike accident on April 20 during an off day in Colorado.His latest setback is a huge blow to the Giants as they try to rebound from a surprising last-place finish in the NL West... [More]

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels rookie Shohei Ohtani allowed six runs while pitching three innings in an exhibition game against the Mexican League's Tijuana Toros on Friday.The 23-year-old Ohtani struck out six and walked one.Ohtani spent five seasons with the Nippon Ham Fighters before signing with the Angels as an international free agent on Dec. 10. He is trying to become the first player in nearly 100 years to play regularly as a pitcher and hitter, but he has had mixed results so far this spring.AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND CACTUS LEAGUESDODGERS 6, ROYALS (SS) 4Los Angeles closer Kenley Jansen was held out of what was supposed to be his first big league spring training game this year due to an injured upper right hamstring."When he was getting ready today, his pregame stuff and kind of getting his legs loose, it tightened up on him," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "We had the trainers look at him and it just made sense to just not throw him out there."Roberts said he expects... [More]

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels rookie Shohei Ohtani allowed six runs while pitching three innings in an exhibition game against the Mexican League's Tijuana Toros on Friday.The 23-year-old Ohtani struck out six and walked one.Ohtani spent five seasons with the Nippon Ham Fighters before signing with the Angels as an international free agent on Dec. 10. He is trying to become the first player in nearly 100 years to play regularly as a pitcher and hitter, but he has had mixed results so far this spring.AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND CACTUS LEAGUESDODGERS 6, ROYALS (SS) 4Los Angeles closer Kenley Jansen was held out of what was supposed to be his first big league spring training game this year due to an injured upper right hamstring."When he was getting ready today, his pregame stuff and kind of getting his legs loose, it tightened up on him," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "We had the trainers look at him and it just made sense to just not throw him out there."Roberts said he expects... [More]

Clayton Kershaw's second spring training outing went according to plan, save for one poor throw to first.The ace left-hander breezed through two scoreless innings for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, allowing one hit and walking one during a 7-6 victory over the Chicago White Sox at Glendale, Arizona. He worked a perfect inning in his spring training debut against Seattle on Sunday."Another step. Another inning," Kershaw said. "Definitely things I can do better, but for the most part I'll take it. It was all right. I made some good pitches when I needed to. I made some bad ones, too. Enough to work on for the next one."Leury Garcia dropped a single into left in the first for Chicago's only hit off Kershaw. Garcia raced all the way to third when Kershaw made a wild throw on a pickoff attempt, but Jose Abreu and Avisail Garcia grounded out to end the inning."I just tried to be a little too quick," Kershaw said, looking back on his fielding miscue. "I think I might have, it would have been... [More]

Clayton Kershaw's second spring training outing went according to plan, save for one poor throw to first.The ace left-hander breezed through two scoreless innings for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, allowing one hit and walking one during a 7-6 victory over the Chicago White Sox at Glendale, Arizona. He worked a perfect inning in his spring training debut against Seattle on Sunday."Another step. Another inning," Kershaw said. "Definitely things I can do better, but for the most part I'll take it. It was all right. I made some good pitches when I needed to. I made some bad ones, too. Enough to work on for the next one."Leury Garcia dropped a single into left in the first for Chicago's only hit off Kershaw. Garcia raced all the way to third when Kershaw made a wild throw on a pickoff attempt, but Jose Abreu and Avisail Garcia grounded out to end the inning."I just tried to be a little too quick," Kershaw said, looking back on his fielding miscue. "I think I might have, it would have been... [More]

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Drew Pomeranz of the Boston Red Sox and Bud Norris of the St. Louis Cardinals left their spring training starts because of injuries Friday.Pomeranz left his first exhibition outing due to left forearm tightness. Norris had a left hamstring spasm.Pomeranz breezed through the first inning, retiring the side in order with 13 pitches, then felt an issue while warming up for the second. He threw four pitches to Marcell Ozuna, then summoned catcher Blake Swihart to the mound, talked with a trainer and departed."I wasn't really pushing it, so I just was like, you know what? There's no point," Pomeranz said. "Figure out what's going on and shut it down."Pomeranz, 17-6 with a 3.32 ERA for the Red Sox last season, is to undergo further examinations Saturday."I'm not too worried about it," he said.Norris allowed homers to Andrew Benintendi and Sam Travis in the first and pitched a scoreless second. He allowed a run in the third and Rafael Devers grounded to first baseman Jose... [More]

The Cleveland Indians gave Mike Napoli a much more familiar uniform.The Indians reunited with Napoli on Tuesday, agreeing on a minor league contract with the popular slugger whose powerful swing and clubhouse leadership were key to Cleveland reaching the 2016 World Series.Napoli had been on the roster to play in Bradenton, Florida, with a group of free agents still looking for jobs. Tyler Clippard, wearing a black jersey with a white players' union logo, pitched two hitless innings in a 2-0 win over amateurs from the East Japan Railway Company."It's a situation where a player that is universally respected in our organization, he shouldn't be in that camp," Indians manager Terry Francona said.Napoli's deal is contingent upon him passing a physical at the Indians' complex in Goodyear, Arizona. He hit .193 with 29 home runs and 66 RBIs for Texas last season.The Indians don't have a roster spot for the 36-year-old Napoli, but Francona wanted to give him an opportunity to showcase himself.Francona... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The New York Yankees, Boston's biggest rival, added NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton to a lineup that already included fellow 50 home run-hitter and AL Rookie of the Year Aaron Judge.The Houston Astros added Gerrit Cole to a pitching rotation that was already good enough to win the World Series (knocking the Red Sox out of the playoffs along the way).And what did Boston do to improve this offseason, knowing that its top competition has only gotten better?(Awkward silence.)Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski made it his goal this offseason to add power to a lineup that was last in the AL in homers in 2017. But while several potential free agents remain on an unprecedentedly slow market, the only move Boston has made to fill that hole is re-signing first baseman Mitch Moreland.And it's not just a slugger.The Red Sox haven't really changed much of anything this winter.Dombrowski and new manager Alex Cora like to point out that the team won 93 games last year and... [More]

Travis will play for Scottsdale in the Arizona Fall League, the Boston Globe reports.

Travis, a 2014 second-round draft pick, has split his year between Low-A Salem and Double-A Portland, hitting .304 with an .821 OPS. He has nine homers and 75 RBI. The biggest question with the 22-year-old Travis is whether or not he'll develop the power we come to associate with first baseman.

Travis, who turns 22 on Aug. 27, is slashing .293/.363/.415 with three home runs and six steals in 50 games at Double-A Portland.

Portland is a notoriously poor hitting environment, so the first baseman's numbers are bit more impressive than they might appear. There is a lofty offensive threshold to clear for first base prospects to make it as everyday players, and while his power has yet to really show up in games, it is too soon to write him off. Without an obvious long-term answer at the position on the big league roster, Boston may call upon Travis at some point in 2016, as he certainly has the approach (23:21 K:BB) to hold his own while the power continues to develop.

Travis was promoted to Double-A Portland, WEEI.com reports. He had a torrid June, hitting .406 (28-for-69) with a 1.112 OPS for High-A Salem.

Travis, a career .315 hitter in 567 plate appearances in the minors, was among the top ten in all the relevant average categories in the Carolina League. He started the season, batting just .173 on April 24, but Travis made the necessary adjustments. The one remaining question is whether he'll hit for enough power. He's pretty well slotted in as a first baseman, a position that traditionally has been expected to hit for power.

Travis went 4-for-4 with a double, a homer and three RBI for High-A Salem on Friday.

Travis, who was recently named to the Carolina League All-Star team, has been hitting a ton after a slow start. He's slashing .514/.564/.771/1.336 in nine June games.

Travis had three hits, two RBI and scored three runs in a win for High-A Salem on Thursday. A seven-game stretch in which he's gone 14-for-32 (.438) has raised his season batting average 30 points to .290.

Travis is a hitter with a good approach and makes strong contact, however, there's a question as to whether he'll develop enough power. Defensively, he's limited to first base, so hitting for power is important. If he develops into a line-drive hitter with 15-homer potential, Travis could be a bench player or a regular on a second-tier team.

Travis extended his hitting streak to eight games Monday, going 2-for-4 with a run scored, a triple and two RBI for High-A Salem. He's had three straight multi-hit games and at least one RBI in five straight.

Travis was slow to get going, but has raised his average 128 points during the streak, in which he's 17-for-31 with five extra-base hits and nine RBI.