NEW YORK (AP) — With Masahiro Tanaka crumpled motionless on the mound, Aaron Judge repeatedly waved behind home plate and scolded a video journalist for taking images.This wasn't a scene anyone at Yankee Stadium wanted to see. Tanaka was alert and sent to a hospital after being hit in the head by a line drive off the bat of New York slugger Giancarlo Stanton during live batting practice Saturday, a frightening scene moments into the team’s first official summer camp workout. Tanaka was released from the hospital Saturday night and will enter concussion protocol.“That took a little air out,” manager Aaron Boone said. Boone also announced that All-Star infielder DJ LeMahieu and right-hander Luis Cessa tested positive for the coronavirus before traveling to New York and are self-isolating at home.Tanaka's hat flew off and he immediately collapsed to the ground and grabbed his head after being struck by Stanton's comebacker. Trainers quickly ran to the Japanese right-hander, who stayed down... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona's new pitching addition Madison Bumgarner was having a little fun on the mound during his first summer workout on Saturday, dropping down sidearm and firing a fastball that buzzed catcher Stephen Vogt, who quickly spun out of harm's way.Both players were laughing. For a few moments, the carefree vibe of baseball was apparent.But just like everyone in baseball's delicate restart, the Diamondbacks are ramping up for a strange season while trying their best to stay healthy. The team previously revealed that three players on the 40-man roster had tested positive for COVID-19. Manager Torey Lovullo said Saturday another player on the 60-man roster tested positive. The team hasn't released any names of the affected players.“If you're not worried about your health, you're not taking care of yourself like you should and taking precautions like you should,” Bumgarner said. “It's going to be interesting. I'm just going to worry about what I can control right now.”Bumgarner... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Braves four-time All-Star Freddie Freeman, premier reliever Will Smith and two teammates have tested positive for the coronavirus, a jarring hit to the NL East champions less than three weeks before the start of the pandemic-delayed season.“It will be a while before we can get him back,” manager Brian Snitker said Saturday about Freeman.Snitker said the four players, including right-hander Touki Toussaint and infielder Pete Kozma, agreed to have the team disclose their positive tests.Snitker said Freeman had a negative intake test early in the week before having a positive test on Friday. Snitker said the first baseman has a fever and “is not feeling great.”Freeman's wife, Chelsea, posted on Twitter that he had “body aches, headaches, chills and a high fever.”“He is someone who literally never gets sick and this virus hit him like a ton of bricks,” she said."We've been really strict for the last 4 months," she wrote. “Haven't gone to a grocery store, haven't gone... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers veteran Ryan Braun said he's more likely to continue playing beyond 2020 because of the unusual circumstances of this pandemic-shortened season.Braun said in January that he was considering retiring after the season. He was more bullish on his baseball future Saturday as the Brewers held the first full-squad workout of their summer camp ahead of the 60-game season that starts later this month.“I feel like it’s more likely that I play another year than I anticipated a few months back,” Braun said.Braun, the 2011 NL MVP, is entering the final season of a five-year, $105 million contract and will turn 37 in November.Those circumstances help explain why Braun was uncertain in January about whether he would play in 2021.“I don’t take for granted this could be my last year playing baseball,” Braun said at the time. “Obviously, there’s a sense of urgency every year, but for me, knowing that this could be my last chance ever, it’s something that adds to that sense... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — With Masahiro Tanaka crumpled motionless on the mound, Aaron Judge repeatedly waved behind home plate and scolded a video journalist for taking images.This wasn't a scene anyone at Yankee Stadium wanted to see. Tanaka was alert and sent to a hospital after being hit in the head by a line drive off the bat of New York slugger Giancarlo Stanton during live batting practice Saturday, a frightening scene moments into the team’s first official summer camp workout.“That took a little air out,” manager Aaron Boone said. Boone also announced that All-Star infielder DJ LeMahieu and right-hander Luis Cessa tested positive for the coronavirus before traveling to New York and are self-isolating at home.Tanaka's hat flew off and he immediately collapsed to the ground and grabbed his head after being struck by Stanton's comebacker. Trainers quickly ran to the Japanese right-hander, who stayed down for a few minutes before sitting up.Tanaka walked off with the help of trainers. Boone said... [More]

Freddie Freeman tests positive for COVID-19. Masahiro Tanaka gets hit in the head by a line drive. David Price announces he won’t play this season.On this Fourth of July, even the return of baseball didn’t offer much cause for celebration.As teams prepared to start their pandemic-shortened season, sobering examples of the game’s potential danger took place at camps across the country. Major League Baseball is getting ready for a 60-game season that won’t include Price, a former Cy Young Award winner who was traded from the Boston Red Sox to the Los Angeles Dodgers in February.“After considerable thought and discussion with my family and the Dodgers, I have decided it is in the best interest of my health and my family’s health for me to not play this season,” the five-time All-Star tweeted Saturday.“I will miss my teammates and will be cheering for them throughout the season and on to a World Series victory. I’m sorry I won’t be playing for you this year, but look forward to representing... [More]

Dodgers pitcher David Price will not play this season because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, delaying his Los Angeles debut until next year.The five-time All-Star became the latest player to opt out, posting Saturday on Twitter that he wouldn’t participate in the 60-game season that’s scheduled to begin July 23.“After considerable thought and discussion with my family and the Dodgers, I have decided it is in the best interest of my health and my family’s health for me to not play this season,” he said.Price’s announcement came a day after Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout said he wasn’t “comfortable” with the current climate and might not play. On Saturday, San Francisco catcher Buster Posey said “there’s still some reservation on my end” about playing.First baseman Ryan Zimmerman of the World Series champion Washington Nationals, Colorado outfielder Ian Desmond and Arizona pitcher Mike Leake are among those who have already said they’re out this year.The Dodgers got Price... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani is doing twice as much work as his Los Angeles Angels teammates again, and he's thrilled about it.The majors' first serious two-way player in decades is alternating between batting practice and bullpen sessions this week at the Big A. Ohtani is determined to contribute on the mound and at the plate when the Angels return to action later this month for the short major league season.Ohtani will pitch roughly once a week, and he'll serve as the Halos' designated hitter for a few games in between. If all goes as planned, he'll get at least eight mound starts and at least 30 games as a DH.He has been waiting to get back in full form since late 2018, when his AL Rookie of the Year campaign ended with Tommy John surgery. After roughly 17 months of patient arm rehab and a four-month pause at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, Ohtani is fully healthy and eager to do it all again.The necessary training regimen keeps him uncommonly busy, but Ohtani embraces... [More]

Freddie Freeman tests positive for COVID-19. Masahiro Tanaka gets hit in the head by a line drive. David Price announces he won’t play this season.On this Fourth of July, even the return of baseball didn’t offer much cause for celebration.As teams prepared to start their pandemic-shortened season, sobering examples of the game’s potential danger took place at camps across the country. Major League Baseball is getting ready for a 60-game season that won’t include Price, a former Cy Young Award winner who was traded from the Boston Red Sox to the Los Angeles Dodgers in February.“After considerable thought and discussion with my family and the Dodgers, I have decided it is in the best interest of my health and my family’s health for me to not play this season,” the five-time All-Star tweeted Saturday. “I will miss my teammates and will be cheering for them throughout the season and on to a World Series victory. I’m sorry I won’t be playing for you this year, but look forward to representing... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — With Masahiro Tanaka crumpled motionless on the mound, Aaron Judge repeatedly waved behind home plate and scolded a video journalist for taking images.This wasn't a scene anyone wanted to see at Yankee Stadium. Tanaka was alert and sent to a hospital after being hit in the head by a line drive off the bat of New York slugger Giancarlo Stanton during live batting practice Saturday, a frightening scene moments into the team’s first official summer camp workout.Tanaka's hat flew off and he immediately collapsed to the ground and grabbed his head. Trainers quickly ran to the Japanese right-hander, who stayed down for a few minutes before sitting up.“That’s kind of a freak accident, one in a million chance of happening," said left-hander Jordan Montgomery, who replaced Tanaka on the mound moments later. “When it does, it’s terrifying.”Trainers tended to Tanaka's head and appeared to check his vision. He was helped to his feet and walked off the field with help.The Yankees said... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — With Masahiro Tanaka crumpled motionless on the mound, Aaron Judge repeatedly waved behind home plate and scolded a video journalist for taking images.This wasn't a scene anyone wanted to see at Yankee Stadium. Tanaka was alert and sent to a hospital after being hit in the head by a line drive off the bat of New York slugger Giancarlo Stanton during live batting practice Saturday, a frightening scene moments into the team’s first official summer camp workout.Tanaka's hat flew off and he immediately collapsed to the ground and grabbed his head. Trainers quickly ran to the Japanese right-hander, who stayed down for a few minutes before sitting up.“That’s kind of a freak accident, one in a million chance of happening," said left-hander Jordan Montgomery, who replaced Tanaka on the mound moments later. “When it does, it’s terrifying.”Trainers tended to Tanaka's head and appeared to check his vision. He was helped to his feet and walked off the field with help.The Yankees said... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Josh Bell wanted to make a statement with his actions, a way to channel the disgust the Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman felt in the wake of George Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police in late May.Yet as the crowds surged in downtown Pittsburgh last month during a planned peaceful protest, he fought the urge to join in.He couldn't help but notice the helicopters buzzing. He checked the Internet and saw what began with a positive vibe had shifted to something darker. Wary of the optics and the fallout, Bell, who is Black, heeded the advice of his girlfriend.“(She told me) ‘You’re going to make a lot more impact with your platform than going to this riot right now. That’s how people get hurt. That’s where the conversation turns bad," Bell said on Saturday. “'Josh Bell is at a protest is a good thing. But Josh Bell is at a riot is a terrible thing. That’s something that could change your career in a heartbeat.’”And not the kind of change the 27-year-old All-Star... [More]

Dodgers pitcher David Price will not play this season because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, delaying his Los Angeles debut until next year.The five-time All-Star became the latest player to opt out, posting Saturday on Twitter that he wouldn’t participate in the 60-game season that’s scheduled to begin July 23.“After considerable thought and discussion with my family and the Dodgers, I have decided it is in the best interest of my health and my family’s health for me to not play this season,” he said.Price’s announcement came a day after Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout said he wasn’t “comfortable” with the current climate and might not play. On Saturday, San Francisco catcher Buster Posey said “there’s still some reservation on my end” about playing.First baseman Ryan Zimmerman of the World Series champion Washington Nationals, Colorado outfielder Ian Desmond and Arizona pitcher Mike Leake are among those who have already said they’re out this year.The Dodgers got Price... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka was alert and sent to a hospital after being hit in the head by a line drive off the bat of slugger Giancarlo Stanton during live batting practice Saturday, a frightening scene during the team’s first official summer camp workout.Tanaka's hat flew off and he immediately collapsed to the ground, cradling his head at Yankee Stadium. Trainers quickly ran to Tanaka, who stayed down for a few minutes before sitting up.Trainers tended to his head and appeared to check his vision. Tanaka was helped to his feet and walked off the field with help.The Yankees said in a statement that Tanaka was responsive and walking under his own power. He was sent to New York-Presbyterian Hospital for further evaluation.Stanton, who had his jaw broken by a high fastball in 2014, bent over at home plate and watched motionlessly. New York star Aaron Judge repeatedly waved behind home plate and asked a video journalist to stop taking images.Yankees players, some still... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka was hit in the head by a line drive off the bat of slugger Giancarlo Stanton during live batting practice Saturday, a frightening scene during the team’s first official summer camp workout.Tanaka's hat flew off and he immediately collapsed to the ground, cradling his head at Yankee Stadium. Trainers quickly ran to Tanaka, who stayed down for a few minutes before sitting up.Trainers tended to his head and appeared to check his vision. Tanaka was helped to his feet and walked off the field with help.Stanton, who had his jaw broken by a high fastball in 2014, bent over at home plate and watched motionlessly. New York star Aaron Judge repeatedly waved behind home plate and asked a video journalist to stop taking images.Yankees players, some still stretching at the start of the club’s first official practice since Major League Baseball set a truncated 60-game schedule last month, stood or knelt silently.Stanton was the third batter Tanaka faced... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Grayson Greiner compared it to college, and JaCoby Jones wonders if it's possible to make this training camp a little more ... interesting.“Maybe we’ll have little fun bets and little wagers on it and just make it a little more fun, and a little more competition," said Jones, an outfielder for the Detroit Tigers.It's been clear for while that preparing for this baseball season will be different. Instead of a full schedule of formal spring training games, teams are mostly on their own ahead of opening day in less than three weeks.That could make things particularly tricky for the Tigers, who have several top prospects in their player pool and need to decide just how soon they want to turn them loose at the major league level.Detroit manager Ron Gardenhire said Saturday the team is looking into the possibility of setting up exhibition games with another team before the start of the regular season.“We are working on that, to play a couple exhibition games with a team before... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka was hit in the head by a line drive off the bat of slugger Giancarlo Stanton during live batting practice Saturday, a frightening scene during the team’s first official summer camp workout.Tanaka's hat flew off and he immediately collapsed to the ground, cradling his head at Yankee Stadium. Trainers quickly ran to Tanaka, who stayed down for a few minutes before sitting up.Trainers appeared to treat the left side of his head. Tanaka was helped to his feet and walked off the field with help.Stanton, who had his jaw broken by a high fastball in 2014, bent over at home plate and watched motionlessly. New York star Aaron Judge repeatedly waved behind home plate and asked a video journalist to stop taking images.Yankees players, some still stretching at the start of the club’s first official practice since Major League Baseball set a truncated 60-game schedule last month, stood or knelt silently.Stanton was the third batter Tanaka faced to start the session, and no protective screen was in place.The music that was playing over the sound system was turned off and a screen was put in front of the mound. Pitcher Jordan Montgomery began warming up and started to throw to hitters about five minutes after Tanaka walked off.The 31-year-old Tanaka was 11-9 with a 4.45 ERA last season. The Japanese star is 75-43 in six years with the Yankees.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — With teams in two sports taking a second look at names deemed offensive to Native Americans, the Atlanta Braves on Saturday gave no indication they are willing to consider a similar change.The Cleveland Indians said Friday they’re reconsidering their nickname following the furor over the NFL Washington Redskins name. The Braves released a statement saying the team “honors, supports, and values the Native American community. That will never change.”The Braves said they “have much work to do on and off the field.” The team said in recent months it has “created an even stronger bond with various Native American tribes, both regionally and nationally, on matters related to the Braves and Native American culture."“We have also held meetings with our Native American Working Group which will collaborate with us on cultural issues, education and community outreach to amplify their voices and show our fans they are still proudly here,” the statement said.“The Atlanta Braves have a... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Braves four-time All-Star Freddie Freeman, premier reliever Will Smith and two teammates have tested positive for the coronavirus, a jarring hit to the NL East champions less than three weeks before the start of the pandemic-delayed season.“It will be a while before we can get him back,” manager Brian Snitker said Saturday about Freeman.Snitker said the four players, including right-hander Touki Toussaint and infielder Pete Kozma, agreed to have the team disclose their positive tests.Snitker said Freeman had a negative intake test early in the week before having a positive test on Friday. Snitker said the first baseman has a fever and “is not feeling great.” Major League Baseball has scheduled the 60-game season to start on July 23. Freeman is the biggest star in the sport so far to have his positive virus test publicly announced by his team.It is too early to know if Freeman's status for the start of the season could be jeopardized.“It’s a serious matter,” Braves... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Braves four-time All-Star Freddie Freeman, reliever Will Smith and two teammates have tested positive for the coronavirus.Manager Brian Snitker said Saturday the four players, including right-hander Touki Toussaint and infielder Pete Kozma, agreed to have the team disclose their positive tests.Snitker said Freeman had a negative intake test before having a positive test on Friday. Snitker said the first baseman has a fever and “is not feeling great.” “It will be a while before we can get him back," Snitker said of Freeman.Major League Baseball has scheduled the 60-game season to start on July 23. Freeman is the biggest star in the sport so far to have his positive virus test publicly announced by his team.The 30-year-old Freeman set career highs with 38 home runs and 121 RBIs last season in helping Atlanta win its second straight NL East title.The Braves signed Smith, the former Giants reliever, to a three-year, $39 million deal in the offseason.Snitker said Smith and Toussaint have no symptoms. He said Kozma, who is working with top minor leaguers at the team's Triple-A Gwinnett facilty, has a fever.Snitker also said first base coach Eric Young Sr., 53, has opted out of for the season due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic. ___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports