NEW YORK (AP) — New nameplates greeted Yankees players in their clubhouse ahead of the Division Series against Minnesota: "OCTOBER SAVAGES" is spelled out under each number, a reference to manager Aaron Boone's famous tirade at an umpire in July.As players worked out at Yankee Stadium on a summer-like Wednesday, Boone maintained many roster decisions have yet to be made."First, we'll go through the 13th pitcher and then what makes the most sense as far as what gives us the best option off the bench," Boone said before the workout. "We'll meet as a staff after the workout and hopefully finalize whether it's 12 or 13."Edwin Encarnación, who hasn't played since Sept. 12 because of a strained left oblique, appears set to return. The 36-year-old hit in a simulated game for the second straight day and homered off left-hander Jordan Montgomery."I think yesterday was a little confidence-builder for him as far as the ability to let it go and then coming in today feeling like he's ready," Boone said.Encarnación... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — New nameplates greeted Yankees players in their clubhouse ahead of the Division Series against Minnesota: "OCTOBER SAVAGES" is spelled out under each number, a reference to manager Aaron Boone's famous tirade at an umpire in July.As players worked out at Yankee Stadium on a summer-like Wednesday, Boone maintained many roster decisions have yet to be made."First, we'll go through the 13th pitcher and then what makes the most sense as far as what gives us the best option off the bench," Boone said before the workout. "We'll meet as a staff after the workout and hopefully finalize whether it's 12 or 13."Edwin Encarnación, who hasn't played since Sept. 12 because of a strained left oblique, appears set to return. The 36-year-old hit in a simulated game for the second straight day and homered off left-hander Jordan Montgomery."I think yesterday was a little confidence-builder for him as far as the ability to let it go and then coming in today feeling like he's ready," Boone said.Encarnación... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers wrapped up their second straight postseason appearance Wednesday night, with Ryan Braun's grand slam sparking a 9-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds that also tightened the NL Central race.The Brewers have won six in a row and 17 of 19 despite losing MVP Christian Yelich to a broken kneecap, vaulting from also-ran to at least a wild card. There's more at their fingertips — the division-leading Cardinals lost again, slicing their lead over the Brewers to 1 1/2 games.Milwaukee trails Washington by one game for the wild card lead.The Brewers jogged onto the field and formed a scrum by second base after when Junior Guerra got Christian Colon on a grounder for the final out.Braun had a solo shot in a 4-2 win in the series opener, and got the celebration started early Wednesday with his eighth career grand slam in the first inning. Teammates were on their feet, leaning against the dugout railing in anticipation of a big night, when he connected off Tyler... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers wrapped up their second straight postseason appearance Wednesday night, with Ryan Braun's grand slam sparking a 9-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds that also tightened the NL Central race.The Brewers have won six in a row and 17 of 19 despite losing MVP Christian Yelich to a broken kneecap, vaulting from also-ran to at least a wild card. There's more at their fingertips — the division-leading Cardinals lost again, slicing their lead over the Brewers to 1 1/2 games.Milwaukee trails Washington by one game for the wild card lead.The Brewers jogged onto the field and formed a scrum by second base after when Junior Guerra got Christian Colon on a grounder for the final out.Braun had a solo shot in a 4-2 win in the series opener, and got the celebration started early Wednesday with his eighth career grand slam in the first inning. Teammates were on their feet, leaning against the dugout railing in anticipation of a big night, when he connected off Tyler... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers wrapped up their second straight postseason appearance Wednesday night, with Ryan Braun's grand slam sparking a 9-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds that also tightened the NL Central race.The Brewers have won six in a row and 17 of 19 despite losing MVP Christian Yelich to a broken kneecap, vaulting from also-ran to at least a wild card. There's more at their fingertips — the division-leading Cardinals lost again, slicing their lead over the Brewers to 1 1/2 games.Milwaukee trails Washington by one game for the wild card lead.The Brewers jogged onto the field and formed a scrum by second base after when Junior Guerra got Christian Colon on a grounder for the final out.Braun had a solo shot in a 4-2 win in the series opener, and got the celebration started early Wednesday with his eighth career grand slam in the first inning. Teammates were on their feet, leaning against the dugout railing in anticipation of a big night, when he connected off Tyler... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers wrapped up their second straight postseason appearance Wednesday night, with Ryan Braun's grand slam sparking a 9-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds that also tightened the NL Central race.The Brewers have won six in a row and 17 of 19 despite losing MVP Christian Yelich to a broken kneecap, vaulting from also-ran to at least a wild card. There's more at their fingertips — the division-leading Cardinals lost again, slicing their lead over the Brewers to 1 1/2 games.Milwaukee trails Washington by one game for the wild card lead.The Brewers jogged onto the field and formed a scrum by second base after when Junior Guerra got Christian Colon on a grounder for the final out.Braun had a solo shot in a 4-2 win in the series opener, and got the celebration started early Wednesday with his eighth career grand slam in the first inning. Teammates were on their feet, leaning against the dugout railing in anticipation of a big night, when he connected off Tyler... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — CC Sabathia was placed on the injured list Saturday for the fourth time this year by the New York Yankees.The 39-year-old lefty, who plans to retire after the season, was removed from his start Friday night against Oakland due to a recurrence of pain in a balky right knee that has bothered him for years. He was put on the 10-day injured list with right knee inflammation, and the Yankees recalled right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.Sabathia was scheduled to have his knee drained and receive a cortisone shot Saturday. He could be given another lubricant injection as well, all part of a treatment and maintenance regimen that has become common for the six-time All-Star over the past few years.Sabathia has struggled since the All-Star break, going 0-4 with a 7.77 ERA in six starts, but hopes to return this season. How much the AL East leaders could expect from him, however, is uncertain. He is 5-8 with a 4.93 ERA in 20 starts overall, and manager... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — CC Sabathia has been placed on the injured list for the fourth time this year by the New York Yankees.The 39-year-old lefty, who plans to retire after the season, was removed from his start Friday night against Oakland due to a recurrence of pain in a balky right knee that's bothered him for years. He was put on the 10-day injured list Saturday with right knee inflammation, and the Yankees recalled right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.Sabathia was scheduled to have his knee drained and receive a cortisone shot Saturday. He could be given another lubricant injection as well, all part of a treatment regimen that's become common for the six-time All-Star over the past few years.Sabathia has struggled since the All-Star break but hopes to return this season. How much the AL East leaders could realistically expect from him, however, is unclear. He is 5-8 with a 4.93 ERA in 20 starts.The 2007 AL Cy Young Award winner with Cleveland, Sabathia has 251 career wins and surpassed 3,000 strikeouts earlier this season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Left-hander James Paxton and shortstop Didi Gregorius are closing in on their returns to the New York Yankees while right-hander Jake Barrett is heading to the injured list.The 30-year-old Paxton has had discomfort in his left knee but is on track to rejoin the rotation this week, manager Aaron Boone said before Sunday's game against the Kansas City Royals.Paxton pitched four innings of one-hit ball Friday in extended spring training. He threw long toss and took pitcher's fielding practice Sunday. Paxton has said there's still discomfort when he throws, but he thinks it will be manageable."Everything went pretty well, hoping he's now in line to join the rotation," Boone said.Paxton will have one more meeting with Boone, Yankees team doctor Christopher Ahmad and athletic trainer Steve Donohue on Monday in New York."Through all of this, every step of the way, his bullpens, everything's gone well," Boone said. "But we want him also to feel like he's in a good place... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Left-hander James Paxton and shortstop Didi Gregorius are closing in on their returns to the New York Yankees while right-hander Jake Barrett is heading to the injured list.The 30-year-old Paxton has had discomfort in his left knee but is on track to rejoin the rotation this week, manager Aaron Boone said before Sunday's game against the Kansas City Royals.Paxton pitched four innings of one-hit ball Friday in extended spring training. He threw long toss and took pitcher's fielding practice Sunday. Paxton has said there's still discomfort when he throws, but he thinks it will be manageable."Everything went pretty well, hoping he's now in line to join the rotation," Boone said.Paxton will have one more meeting with Boone, Yankees team doctor Christopher Ahmad and athletic trainer Steve Donohue on Monday in New York."Through all of this, every step of the way, his bullpens, everything's gone well," Boone said. "But we want him also to feel like he's in a good place... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:BRONX BOO-BOOSNo sooner do the injury-ravaged Yankees finally get a player back than two more go down. On the same day New York activated center fielder Aaron Hicks for the first time this season, third baseman Miguel Andújar and right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga were placed on the 10-day injured list. The moves Monday left the Yankees with 13 players on the IL. They've put 17 on the list for 18 total stints this year — Andújar now twice because of a small labrum tear in his right shoulder. Loaisiga, the rotation replacement for injured James Paxton, has a strained rotator cuff and will be shut down for four weeks. Following a rainout Monday, J.A. Happ (2-3, 4.36) leads New York against Baltimore.TEXAS TWO-STEPPadres rookie and cowboy-hat enthusiast Chris Paddack takes on another notable Texan in a matchup with Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw. Paddack (3-1, 1.55) has become a fan favorite in San Diego for his Western get-ups, wearing cowboy... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday:BRONX BOO-BOOSNo sooner do the injury-ravaged Yankees finally get a player back than two more go down. On the same day New York activated center fielder Aaron Hicks for the first time this season, third baseman Miguel Andújar and right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga were placed on the 10-day injured list. The moves Monday left the Yankees with 13 players on the IL. They've put 17 on the list for 18 total stints this year — Andújar now twice because of a small labrum tear in his right shoulder. Loaisiga, the rotation replacement for injured James Paxton, has a strained rotator cuff and will be shut down for four weeks. Following a rainout Monday, J.A. Happ (2-3, 4.36) leads New York against Baltimore.TEXAS TWO-STEPPadres rookie and cowboy-hat enthusiast Chris Paddack takes on another notable Texan in a matchup with Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw. Paddack (3-1, 1.55) has become a fan favorite in San Diego for his Western get-ups, wearing cowboy... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — No sooner do the injury-ravaged Yankees finally get a player back than two more go down.On the same day New York activated center fielder Aaron Hicks for the first time this season, third baseman Miguel Andújar and right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga were placed on the 10-day injured list.The moves Monday left the Yankees with 13 players on the IL. They've put 17 on the list for 18 total stints this year — Andújar now twice because of a small labrum tear in his right shoulder. Loaisiga, the rotation replacement for injured James Paxton, has a strained rotator cuff and will be shut down for four weeks.Despite all the missing firepower, New York (24-16) has received outstanding contributions from several unheralded fill-ins and sits just a half-game behind first-place Tampa Bay in the AL East.Runner-up for 2018 AL Rookie of the Year, Andújar initially was sidelined from April 1 to May 3. He is 3 for 34 since returning and is batting .128 overall (6 for 47) without an extra-base... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — No sooner do the injury-ravaged Yankees finally get a player back than two more go down.On the same day New York activated center fielder Aaron Hicks for the first time this season, third baseman Miguel Andújar and right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga were placed on the 10-day injured list.The moves Monday left the Yankees with 13 players on the IL. They've put 17 on the list for 18 total stints this year — Andújar now twice because of a small labrum tear in his right shoulder. Loaisiga, the rotation replacement for injured James Paxton, has a strained rotator cuff and will be shut down for four weeks.Despite all the missing firepower, New York (24-16) has received outstanding contributions from several unheralded fill-ins and began the day just a half-game behind first-place Tampa Bay in the AL East.Runner-up for 2018 AL Rookie of the Year, Andújar initially was sidelined from April 1 to May 3. He is 3 for 34 since returning and is batting .128 overall (6 for 47) without an extra-base... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — No sooner do the injury-ravaged Yankees finally get a player back than two more go down.On the same day New York activated center fielder Aaron Hicks for the first time this season, third baseman Miguel Andújar and right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga were placed on the 10-day injured list.The moves Monday left the Yankees with 13 players on the IL. They've put 17 on the list for 18 total stints this year — Andújar now twice because of a small labrum tear in his right shoulder. Loaisiga, the rotation replacement for injured James Paxton, has a strained rotator cuff and will be shut down for four weeks.Despite all the missing firepower, New York (24-16) has received outstanding contributions from several unheralded fill-ins and began the day just a half-game behind first-place Tampa Bay in the AL East.Runner-up for 2018 AL Rookie of the Year, Andújar initially was sidelined from April 1 to May 3. He is 3 for 34 since returning and is batting .128 overall (6 for 47) without an extra-base... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — No sooner do the injury-ravaged Yankees finally get a player back than two more go down.On the same day New York activated center fielder Aaron Hicks for the first time this season, third baseman Miguel Andújar and right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga were placed on the 10-day injured list.The moves Monday left the Yankees with 13 players on the injured list. They've put 17 on the IL for 18 stints this year — Andújar now twice because of a small labrum tear in his right shoulder.Runner-up for 2018 AL Rookie of the Year, Andújar was initially sidelined from April 1 to May 3. He is 3 for 34 since returning and is batting .128 overall (6 for 47) without an extra-base hit.Loaisiga went on the IL, retroactive to Friday, with a strained pitching shoulder. Luis Cessa was tabbed to start in his place, weather permitting, on Monday night against Baltimore.To replenish the roster, New York recalled right-hander Chance Adams and lefty Nestor Cortes Jr. from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The team also optioned outfielder Mike Tauchman to the RailRiders following Sunday's victory at Tampa Bay, opening a spot for Hicks.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga has a strained pitching shoulder and became the New York Yankees' 17th player to go in the injured list this season.New York announced the roster move Monday before starting a homestand against Baltimore and made it retroactive to Friday. Luis Cessa is to start in place of Loaisiga, weather permitting, in his 20th career start and first this season.The Yankees currently have 12 players on the IL. Outfielder Aaron Hicks, sidelined since straining his back March 1, was activated Monday and was in the lineup leading off and playing center field.New York optioned outfielder Mike Tauchman to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and recalled right-hander Chance Adams from the RailRiders.Loaisiga is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in three starts and one relief appearance. He gave up four runs over four innings in a loss to Seattle last week.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Wilmer Flores snapped a 13th-inning tie with an RBI single, helping the Arizona Diamondbacks end a three-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday.Eduardo Escobar made up for a crucial throwing error, leading off the 13th with a single off Adam Kolarek (2-1) — Arizona's first hit since the fifth inning. He moved to second on a double-play grounder before scoring on Flores' two-out broken-bat hit to right field off Chaz Roe.Archie Bradley (2-3) pitched three scoreless innings to get the win. Zack Godley, the eighth Diamondbacks pitcher, worked a perfect 13th for his first career save.Arizona pitchers combined to set a franchise record with 23 strikeouts.The Rays rallied from a 2-0 deficit to force extra innings, scoring on Escobar's eighth-inning error and Kevin Kiermaier's two-out, pinch-hit single in the ninth.CUBS 3, MARLINS 2, 11 INNINGSCHICAGO (AP) — Jason Heyward homered leading off the 11th inning to lift surging Chicago... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Wilmer Flores snapped a 13th-inning tie with an RBI single, helping the Arizona Diamondbacks end a three-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday.Eduardo Escobar made up for a crucial throwing error, leading off the 13th with a single off Adam Kolarek (2-1) — Arizona's first hit since the fifth inning. He moved to second on a double-play grounder before scoring on Flores' two-out broken-bat hit to right field off Chaz Roe.Archie Bradley (2-3) pitched three scoreless innings to get the win. Zack Godley, the eighth Diamondbacks pitcher, worked a perfect 13th for his first career save.Arizona pitchers combined to set a franchise record with 23 strikeouts.The Rays rallied from a 2-0 deficit to force extra innings, scoring on Escobar's eighth-inning error and Kevin Kiermaier's two-out, pinch-hit single in the ninth.CUBS 3, MARLINS 2, 11 INNINGSCHICAGO (AP) — Jason Heyward homered leading off the 11th inning to lift surging Chicago... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Wilmer Flores snapped a 13th-inning tie with an RBI single, helping the Arizona Diamondbacks end a three-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday.Eduardo Escobar made up for a crucial throwing error, leading off the 13th with a single off Adam Kolarek (2-1) — Arizona's first hit since the fifth inning. He moved to second on a double-play grounder before scoring on Flores' two-out broken-bat hit to right field off Chaz Roe.Archie Bradley (2-3) pitched three scoreless innings to get the win. Zack Godley, the eighth Diamondbacks pitcher, worked a perfect 13th for his first career save.Arizona pitchers combined to set a franchise record with 23 strikeouts.The Rays rallied from a 2-0 deficit to force extra innings, scoring on Escobar's eighth-inning error and Kevin Kiermaier's two-out, pinch-hit single in the ninth.CUBS 3, MARLINS 2, 11 INNINGSCHICAGO (AP) — Jason Heyward homered leading off the 11th inning to lift surging Chicago... [More]