A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday: ___ The Washington Nationals are finally set to start their season, hosting the Atlanta Braves after their three-game series against the New York Mets was postponed by a coronavirus outbreak. The Nats still have 11 players sidelined -- four of whom tested positive for COVID-19. The Nationals haven’t announced who is in isolation because of test results or which additional seven players are under quarantine because contact tracing determined they could have been exposed to the illness. Asked whether it’s possible his Game 1 lineup for 2021 could feature as many as five starting position players that weren’t expected to be there on opening day, manager Dave Martinez replied: “It is possible. We’re going to make it work.” Washington’s active players practiced Monday -- a group that included Game 1 starter Max Scherzer, outfielders Juan Soto and Victor Robles and third baseman Starlin Castro. Among the key folks not present on the field... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — It's rare for there to be an abundance of intrigue associated with an otherwise mundane workout the day before a baseball club opens its regular season. Run the bases. Field. Hit. Yawn. In the Washington Nationals' case, the “full-team workout” held at their stadium under a clear blue sky Monday afternoon was worth watching because it hardly involved the full team. A coronavirus outbreak has sidelined 11 players — four of whom tested positive for COVID-19 — and delayed Washington's first game that counts until Tuesday. “Just anxious to finally get our season going,” said Max Scherzer, slated to face the visiting Atlanta Braves on Tuesday. The Nationals haven't announced who is in isolation because of test results or which additional seven players are under quarantine because contact tracing determined they could have been exposed to the illness. Asked whether it's possible his Game 1 lineup for 2021 could feature as many as five starting position players that weren’t expected... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Nationals agreed to terms on a $1 million, one-year contract Thursday with utility man Josh Harrison. The 33-year-old returns to Washington after hitting .278 with two doubles, three home runs, 14 RBIs, six walks and 11 runs scored with the Nationals last season. He hit .309 as a starter as manager Dave Martinez wrote Harrison into the lineup at second base, third base, left field, right field and designated hitter. Harrison can make an additional $250,000 in performance bonuses as part of the deal: $50,000 for 200 plate appearances and additional increments of $50,000 up to 400. He made 91 plate appearances in 33 games during the shortened, 60-game 2020 season. A two-time National League All Star, Harrison spent his first eight major league season with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2011-2018. He joined the Detroit Tigers in 2019 and spent spring training and summer camp with the Philadelphia Phillies before signing with the Nationals in late July. Harris is a career .273 hitter with 56 home runs, 291 RBIs and 384 runs scored in 911 games over 10 seasons. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Nationals agreed to terms on a one-year contract Thursday with utility man Josh Harrison. The 33-year-old returns to Washington after hitting .278 with two doubles, three home runs, 14 RBIs, six walks and 11 runs scored with the Nationals last season. He hit .309 as a starter as manager Dave Martinez wrote Harrison into the lineup at second base, third base, left field, right field and designated hitter. A two-time National League All Star, Harrison spent his first eight major league season with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2011-2018. He joined the Detroit Tigers in 2019 and spent spring training and summer camp with the Philadelphia Phillies before signing with the Nationals in late July. Harris is a career .273 hitter with 56 home runs, 291 RBIs and 384 runs scored in 911 games over 10 seasons. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Nationals first. Adam Eaton doubles. Trea Turner walks. Juan Soto doubles to deep right field. Trea Turner scores. Adam Eaton scores. Eric Thames singles to right field. Juan Soto scores. Brock Holt grounds out to shallow infield. Eric Thames out at second. Yan Gomes doubles to deep left field. Luis Garcia pops out to shortstop to Dansby Swanson.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 3, Braves 0.Nationals third. Trea Turner doubles to left field. Juan Soto singles to left field. Trea Turner scores. Eric Thames strikes out swinging. Brock Holt grounds out to shallow infield, Ozzie Albies to Freddie Freeman. Juan Soto to third. Yan Gomes singles to shallow center field. Juan Soto scores. Luis Garcia grounds out to shallow right field, Ozzie Albies to Freddie Freeman.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 5, Braves 0.Braves fourth. Adam Duvall strikes out swinging. Nick Markakis doubles to deep right field. Ozzie Albies walks. Ender Inciarte flies out to deep right field to... [More]

Nationals first. Victor Robles called out on strikes. Adam Eaton singles to deep left field. Trea Turner triples. Adam Eaton scores. Juan Soto doubles. Trea Turner scores. Asdrubal Cabrera triples to deep left center field. Juan Soto scores. Josh Harrison grounds out to shallow infield, Ozzie Albies to Freddie Freeman. Yan Gomes flies out to left center field to Adam Duvall.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 3, Braves 0.Nationals second. Michael A. Taylor doubles. Carter Kieboom lines out to deep center field to Ronald Acuna Jr.. Michael A. Taylor to third. Victor Robles lines out to shallow infield to Freddie Freeman. Adam Eaton homers to center field. Michael A. Taylor scores. Trea Turner walks. Juan Soto is intentionally walked. Asdrubal Cabrera walks. Juan Soto to second. Trea Turner to third. Josh Harrison reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Asdrubal Cabrera out at second.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 4 left on. Nationals 5, Braves 0.Braves fourth. Ronald Acuna... [More]

Nationals first. Victor Robles hit by pitch. Adam Eaton out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Yoshi Tsutsugo to Ji-Man Choi. Victor Robles to second. Trea Turner walks. Juan Soto grounds out to shallow infield, Yoshi Tsutsugo to Ji-Man Choi. Trea Turner to third. Victor Robles scores. Kurt Suzuki grounds out to second base, Ji-Man Choi to Ryan Yarbrough.1 run, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 1, Rays 0.Nationals second. Asdrubal Cabrera strikes out swinging. Josh Harrison flies out to deep left center field to Randy Arozarena. Brock Holt doubles to deep right field. Carter Kieboom doubles to deep left field. Brock Holt scores. Victor Robles flies out to center field to Kevin Kiermaier.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 2, Rays 0.Nationals third. Adam Eaton flies out to center field to Kevin Kiermaier. Trea Turner doubles to deep left field. Juan Soto singles to second base. Trea Turner to third. Kurt Suzuki hit by pitch. Juan Soto to second. Asdrubal Cabrera out on... [More]

Nationals second. Kurt Suzuki flies out to deep right field to Brandon Lowe. Josh Harrison walks. Eric Thames singles to deep center field. Josh Harrison to third. Carter Kieboom reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Eric Thames out at second. Josh Harrison scores. Michael A. Taylor grounds out to second base, Joey Wendle to Ji-Man Choi.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 1, Rays 0.Nationals third. Victor Robles doubles to deep left center field. Adam Eaton flies out to Brandon Lowe. Victor Robles to third. Trea Turner singles to left field. Victor Robles scores. Brock Holt lines out to left field to Austin Meadows. Kurt Suzuki doubles to deep left field. Trea Turner scores. Josh Harrison pops out to Yoshi Tsutsugo.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 3, Rays 0.Nationals sixth. Brock Holt doubles to deep right field. Kurt Suzuki singles to shallow right field. Brock Holt to third. Josh Harrison singles to deep right field. Kurt Suzuki to second. Brock Holt... [More]

Nationals first. Victor Robles hit by pitch. Trea Turner walks. Victor Robles to second. Howie Kendrick lines out to deep left field to Adam Duvall. Asdrubal Cabrera walks. Kurt Suzuki grounds out to shallow infield, Austin Riley to Freddie Freeman. Asdrubal Cabrera to second. Trea Turner to third. Victor Robles scores. Carter Kieboom singles to right field. Asdrubal Cabrera to third. Trea Turner scores. Brock Holt flies out to center field to Nick Markakis.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Nationals 2, Braves 0.Braves first. Ronald Acuna Jr. homers to center field. Dansby Swanson grounds out to shallow left field, Carter Kieboom to Asdrubal Cabrera. Freddie Freeman grounds out to second base, Carter Kieboom to Asdrubal Cabrera. Marcell Ozuna singles to center field. Travis d'Arnaud singles to shallow infield. Marcell Ozuna to second. Nick Markakis grounds out to shallow infield to Asdrubal Cabrera.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Nationals 2, Braves 1.Braves third. Freddie Freeman... [More]

Nationals first. Victor Robles hit by pitch. Trea Turner grounds out to shortstop, Dansby Swanson to Freddie Freeman. Victor Robles to third. Asdrubal Cabrera out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to Ronald Acuna Jr.. Victor Robles scores. Kurt Suzuki strikes out swinging.1 run, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 1, Braves 0.Braves first. Ronald Acuna Jr. strikes out swinging. Dansby Swanson pops out to shallow center field to Luis Garcia. Freddie Freeman walks. Marcell Ozuna doubles. Freddie Freeman scores. Travis d'Arnaud walks. Nick Markakis pops out to shallow left field to Trea Turner.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Nationals 1, Braves 1.Nationals second. Eric Thames strikes out on a foul tip. Josh Harrison hit by pitch. Luis Garcia singles to center field. Josh Harrison to second. Michael A. Taylor reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Luis Garcia out at second. Josh Harrison to third. Brock Holt singles to left field. Michael A. Taylor to second. Josh Harrison... [More]

Braves first. Ronald Acuna Jr. homers to center field. Dansby Swanson grounds out to shortstop, Trea Turner to Asdrubal Cabrera. Freddie Freeman singles to center field. Marcell Ozuna walks. Freddie Freeman to second. Nick Markakis lines out to left field to Josh Harrison. Austin Riley flies out to left field to Josh Harrison.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Braves 1, Nationals 0.Braves third. Ronald Acuna Jr. walks. Dansby Swanson homers to center field. Ronald Acuna Jr. scores. Freddie Freeman strikes out swinging. Marcell Ozuna singles to shallow right field. Nick Markakis lines out to deep left field to Josh Harrison. Austin Riley reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Marcell Ozuna out at second.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Braves 3, Nationals 0.Nationals fourth. Asdrubal Cabrera triples to deep right field. Yan Gomes out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Adam Duvall. Asdrubal Cabrera scores. Josh Harrison doubles. Michael A. Taylor called out on strikes. Luis... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Washington Nationals removed left fielder Juan Soto from the lineup for Friday's first game of a doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves because of a sore left elbow.Soto's exit takes away one of baseball's top hitters and comes one day after another Washington outfielder, Adam Eaton, was forced out of Thursday night's game with a jammed knee.The 21-year-old Soto is hitting .354 with 11 homers and 26 RBIs. He missed the Nationals' first eight games because of a positive test for the coronavirus, although he never had symptoms.Soto was listed as the No. 2 hitter in the original lineup announced by the team. In the adjusted lineup, Josh Harrison moved from third base to left field and Wilmer Difo played third.Earlier Friday, manager Dave Martinez said he hoped Eaton would be available for Friday night's second game. Eaton did not start in the first game after jamming his knee in Thursday's loss to Philadelphia.The starting outfield against the Braves included Harrison, Victor Robles in center field and Michael A. Taylor in right field.___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Gary Sánchez delivered the first pinch-hit, extra-innings grand slam in Yankees history, Deivi García made a strong impression in his big league debut and New York beat the crosstown Mets 5-2 to complete a doubleheader sweep Sunday night.The Yankees stormed back in the opener, erasing a five-run lead with two outs in the seventh to win 8-7 in eight innings. Aaron Hicks lined a tying, two-run homer in the seventh, and Gio Urshela hit a game-ending single off Edwin Diaz an inning later.The Yankees won the final three games of this five-game Subway Series, snapping a seven-game skid that was their longest since 2017. Sánchez blasted a 2-2 fastball from Drew Smith (0-1) into the left field bleachers for a 5-1 lead. It was the slumping catcher’s first career pinch-hit homer and second career grand slam.García took a shutout into the sixth until allowing Dominic Smith’s tying single. Smith’s hit came after Jeff McNeill reached on an error by first baseman Luke Voit, who had the... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Gary Sánchez delivered the first pinch-hit, extra-innings grand slam in Yankees history, Deivi García made a strong impression in his big league debut and New York beat the crosstown Mets 5-2 to complete a doubleheader sweep Sunday night.The Yankees stormed back in the opener, erasing a five-run lead with two outs in the seventh to win 8-7 in eight innings. Aaron Hicks lined a tying, two-run homer in the seventh, and Gio Urshela hit a game-ending single off Edwin Diaz an inning later.The Yankees won the final three games of this five-game Subway Series, snapping a seven-game skid that was their longest since 2017. Sánchez blasted a 2-2 fastball from Drew Smith (0-1) into the left field bleachers for a 5-1 lead. It was the slumping catcher’s first career pinch-hit homer and second career grand slam.García took a shutout into the sixth until allowing Dominic Smith’s tying single. Smith’s hit came after Jeff McNeill reached on an error by first baseman Luke Voit, who had the... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Gary Sánchez delivered the first pinch-hit, extra-innings grand slam in Yankees history, Deivi García made a strong impression in his big league debut and New York beat the crosstown Mets 5-2 to complete a doubleheader sweep Sunday night.The Yankees stormed back in the opener, erasing a five-run lead with two outs in the seventh to win 8-7 in eight innings. Aaron Hicks lined a tying, two-run homer in the seventh, and Gio Urshela hit a game-ending single off Edwin Diaz an inning later.The Yankees won the final three games of this five-game Subway Series, snapping a seven-game skid that was their longest since 2017. Sánchez blasted a 2-2 fastball from Drew Smith (0-1) into the left field bleachers for a 5-1 lead. It was the slumping catcher’s first career pinch-hit homer and second career grand slam.García took a shutout into the sixth until allowing Dominic Smith’s tying single. Smith’s hit came after Jeff McNeill reached on an error by first baseman Luke Voit, who had the... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Gary Sánchez delivered the first pinch-hit, extra-innings grand slam in Yankees history, Deivi García made a strong impression in his big league debut and New York beat the crosstown Mets 5-2 to complete a doubleheader sweep Sunday night.The Yankees stormed back in the opener, erasing a five-run lead with two outs in the seventh to win 8-7 in eight innings. Aaron Hicks lined a tying, two-run homer in the seventh, and Gio Urshela hit a game-ending single off Edwin Diaz an inning later.The Yankees won the final three games of this five-game Subway Series, snapping a seven-game skid that was their longest since 2017. Sánchez blasted a 2-2 fastball from Drew Smith (0-1) into the left field bleachers for a 5-1 lead. It was the slumping catcher’s first career pinch-hit homer and second career grand slam.García took a shutout into the sixth until allowing Dominic Smith’s tying single. Smith’s hit came after Jeff McNeill reached on an error by first baseman Luke Voit, who had the... [More]

Red sox first. Alex Verdugo lines out to shallow right field to Eric Thames. Rafael Devers walks. J.D. Martinez flies out to left center field to Juan Soto. Xander Bogaerts homers to left field. Rafael Devers scores. Kevin Pillar doubles to deep right field. Kevin Plawecki singles to left field. Kevin Pillar scores. Jackie Bradley Jr. grounds out to shallow infield, Austin Voth to Eric Thames.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Red sox 3, Nationals 0.Red sox second. Bobby Dalbec strikes out swinging. Jose Peraza strikes out on a foul tip. Alex Verdugo doubles to left field. Rafael Devers homers to right field. Alex Verdugo scores. J.D. Martinez doubles to deep right field. Xander Bogaerts strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Red sox 5, Nationals 0.Nationals third. Victor Robles singles to center field. Trea Turner singles to center field. Victor Robles to second. Juan Soto singles to right field. Trea Turner to third. Victor Robles scores. Asdrubal Cabrera out on a... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Dominic Smith hit the go-ahead home run in his first game since tearfully pleading for help combating racial inequality, Pete Alonso also connected and the New York Mets beat the crosstown Yankees 6-4 in the opener of a doubleheader Friday.Amed Rosario hit a walkoff, two-run homer to lift the Mets to a 4-3 victory in the nightcap — a bizarre scene in the Bronx, where the Yankees batted first as the visiting team in the makeup of a game postponed last weekend.The sweep sent the Yankees to their seventh straight loss.Rosario connected off closer Aroldis Chapman (0-1) with pinch-runner Billy Hamilton at second base. Chapman walked Jeff McNeil to open the inning, and Hamilton promptly stole second despite being picked off by the All-Star left-hander.Rosario then cranked his third home run of the season into the left field seats, setting off the second big celebration in the visiting dugout as the Mets swept the Yankees in a doubleheader for the first time.Jared Hughes (1-1)... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Dominic Smith hit the go-ahead home run in his first game since tearfully pleading for help combating racial inequality, Pete Alonso also connected and the New York Mets beat the crosstown Yankees 6-4 in the opener of a doubleheader Friday.Amed Rosario hit a walkoff, two-run homer to lift the Mets to a 4-3 victory in the nightcap — a bizarre scene in the Bronx, where the Yankees batted first as the visiting team in the makeup of a game postponed last weekend.The sweep sent the Yankees to their seventh straight loss.Rosario connected off closer Aroldis Chapman (0-1) with pinch-runner Billy Hamilton at second base. Chapman walked Jeff McNeil to open the inning, and Hamilton promptly stole second despite being picked off by the All-Star left-hander.Rosario then cranked his third home run of the season into the left field seats, setting off the second big celebration in the visiting dugout as the Mets swept the Yankees in a doubleheader for the first time.Jared Hughes (1-1)... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Dominic Smith hit the go-ahead home run in his first game since tearfully pleading for help combating racial inequality, and the New York Mets beat the crosstown Yankees 6-4 in the opener of a doubleheader Friday.Smith, a 25-year-old Black man, wept Wednesday night reflecting on a recent shooting by police of a Black man in Wisconsin. Smith and his teammates were all smiles after his decisive solo shot against Chad Green in the sixth inning on what was Jackie Robinson Day around the majors. Smith’s drive followed a tying three-run shot by Pete Alonso, and Jake Marisnick also connected in the inning against Green (2-2).Clint Frazier homered and reached base four times for the Yankees, who lost their sixth in a row.Walker Lockett (1-0) pitched two scoreless innings in relief for the Mets. Edwin Díaz struck out the side in the ninth for his second save.Lockett was designated for assignment between games to create roster space for nightcap starter David Peterson.NATIONALS 10,... [More]