A look at what's happening around the majors today:RED HOT, BUT STILL LASTCincinnati is the hottest team in baseball, taking a six-game winning streak into a series at San Francisco, and another win would finally get them out of the NL cellar. The Reds (14-27) still have the league's worst winning percentage, but they would pass idle Miami by beating the Giants. They have more work to do in the NL Central, though. Cincinnati trails the fourth-place Cubs by nine games, even after sweeping the Dodgers over four games this weekend.YOU AGAINAthletics left-hander Sean Manaea faces the Red Sox at Fenway Park about three weeks after no-hitting Boston at home. Manaea (4-4, 2.11 ERA) has been on a bit of a slide since, losing his past two starts while allowing four runs in each game. Red Sox right-hander Rick Porcello (5-0, 2.79) can match Corey Kluber and Luis Severino for the AL wins lead a start after allowing five runs in 5 1/3 innings at Yankee Stadium.ROBBED OF ROBINSONSeattle heads to Minnesota... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Monday:RED HOT, BUT STILL LASTCincinnati is the hottest team in baseball, taking a six-game winning streak into a series at San Francisco, and another win would finally get them out of the NL cellar. The Reds (14-27) still have the league's worst winning percentage, but they would pass idle Miami by beating the Giants. They have more work to do in the NL Central, though. Cincinnati trails the fourth-place Cubs by nine games, even after sweeping the Dodgers over four games this weekend.YOU AGAINAthletics left-hander Sean Manaea faces the Red Sox at Fenway Park about three weeks after no-hitting Boston at home. Manaea (4-4, 2.11 ERA) has been on a bit of a slide since, losing his past two starts while allowing four runs in each game. Red Sox right-hander Rick Porcello (5-0, 2.79) can match Corey Kluber and Luis Severino for the AL wins lead a start after allowing five runs in 5 1/3 innings at Yankee Stadium.ROBBED OF ROBINSONSeattle heads to Minnesota... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The San Francisco Giants have transferred Johnny Cueto to the 60-day disabled list, meaning it will be late June at the earliest before the right-hander returns to the rotation.Giants manager Bruce Bochy also announced Thursday that fellow ace Madison Bumgarner will throw his first bullpen session next week as the leftie begins to work his way back from a broken pinkie finger suffered in spring training.The Giants made the move with Cueto on Thursday to free a 25-man roster spot for right-hander Jose Valdez, who was promoted from Triple-A Sacramento. Right-hander Derek Law was optioned to Triple-A, a day after throwing 2 2/3 scoreless innings in an 11-3 loss to Philadelphia.The Giants announced earlier this week that Cueto would miss 6-8 weeks with a strained right elbow.Bochy said Cueto perhaps could have returned within 60 days, but they want to be cautious.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Right-hander Johnny Cueto has been put on the 10-day disabled list by the San Francisco because of inflammation in his pitching elbow, and the Giants said left-hander Madison Bumgarner has been cleared to resume throwing.Cueto leads the major leagues with a 0.84 ERA. The two-time All-Star is 3-0 in five starts with 26 strikeouts in 32 innings. He was on the DL from April 7-17 with a sprained left ankle.Bumgarner broke the pinkie on his left hand in the team's final spring training game and is at least a month from returning. Right-hander Jeff Samardzija began the season on the disabled list because of a pectoral strain.Bumgarner was given clearance to throw off flat ground this weekend. The 2014 World Series MVP met in Arizona with Dr. Donald Sheridan, who inserted three pins into Bumgarner's pitching hand after the left-hander was hit by a line drive.Left-hander Andrew Suarez was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday.___For more AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

A look at what's happening all around the majors today:___GOT YOUR NUMBERDodgers ace Clayton Kershaw (1-4, 2.84 ERA) tries to slow down A.J. Pollock and the first-place Diamondbacks (20-8) in Arizona. Pollock hit three home runs Monday night during an 8-5 victory in the series opener as the Diamondbacks won for the 12th time in the last 13 regular-season meetings between the NL West rivals — six of seven this year. In the 2017 playoffs, the Dodgers cruised to a three-game sweep of Arizona, but they've had trouble with Pollock this season. He had a two-homer game at Dodger Stadium on April 14 and is batting .361 with five home runs, 10 RBIs and 10 runs scored in his last nine games. To make matters worse for the injury-depleted Dodgers (12-16), the defending NL champions just learned star shortstop Corey Seager will have season-ending Tommy John surgery this week.GROUNDED IN HOUSTONDidi Gregorius and the powerful Yankees have been putting up big offensive numbers — except against the World... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Hoping for clearance to begin a throwing program, San Francisco Giants ace Madison Bumgarner is headed to Arizona to meet with the same doctor who performed surgery on his left pinkie.Bumgarner was scheduled to leave the Bay Area on Monday night for a checkup with Dr. Donald Sheridan, who inserted three pins into Bumgarner's pitching hand one day after the 2014 World Series MVP was hit by a line drive late in spring training.If Bumgarner is cleared to start throwing, the four-time All-Star is still likely a month away from rejoining the big league club.The Giants also said second baseman Joe Panik underwent surgery on the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb and will miss at least six weeks. Panik had flown to Los Angeles to get a second opinion before opting for surgery.It was the latest blow to the injury-ravaged Giants this season.Left fielder Hunter Pence is rehabbing from a sprained right thumb. Pence's replacement, slugger Mac Williamson, is going through the concussion protocol. San Francisco closer Mark Melancon is slowly working his way back from a right elbow flexor strain. Relief pitchers Josh Osich (right hip strain) and Will Smith (Tommy John surgery) are also on the disabled list, though Smith is expected to come off this week.Right-hander Jeff Samardzija was scheduled to make his third start of the season Monday after beginning the year on the DL with a pectoral strain.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Hoping for clearance to begin a throwing program, San Francisco Giants ace Madison Bumgarner is headed to Arizona to meet with the same doctor who performed surgery on his left pinkie.Bumgarner was scheduled to leave the Bay Area on Monday night for a checkup with Dr. Donald Sheridan, who inserted three pins into Bumgarner's pitching hand one day after the 2014 World Series MVP was hit by a line drive late in spring training.If Bumgarner is cleared to start throwing, the four-time All-Star is still likely a month away from rejoining the big league club.The Giants also said second baseman Joe Panik underwent surgery on the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb and will miss at least six weeks. Panik had flown to Los Angeles to get a second opinion before opting for surgery.It was the latest blow to the injury-ravaged Giants this season.Left fielder Hunter Pence is rehabbing from a sprained right thumb. Pence's replacement, slugger Mac Williamson, is going through the concussion protocol. San Francisco closer Mark Melancon is slowly working his way back from a right elbow flexor strain. Relief pitchers Josh Osich (right hip strain) and Will Smith (Tommy John surgery) are also on the disabled list, though Smith is expected to come off this week.Right-hander Jeff Samardzija was scheduled to make his third start of the season Monday after beginning the year on the DL with a pectoral strain.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Giants right-hander Johnny Cueto has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with a sprained left ankle.The move is retroactive to Saturday, when he injured himself during an indoor workout. With ace lefty Madison Bumgarner sidelined by a broken pinkie finger in his pitching hand, this marks the second straight season the Giants' top two in the rotation are on the DL.Cueto (1-0) had already been pushed back from a scheduled start Tuesday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Andrew Suarez is set to start the series finale Wednesday afternoon. Manager Bruce Bochy said Cueto threw a bullpen Tuesday before going through a series of tests with the training staff before the club decided on the DL.San Francisco recalled lefty Steven Okert from Triple-A Sacramento and he was available.___More AP Baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit his first major league home run in his first Angel Stadium at-bat, helping the Los Angeles Angels beat the Cleveland Indians 13-2 on Tuesday night.Ohtani capped a six-run first inning with a three-run drive to center off Josh Tomlin (0-1). The Japanese two-way player got the silent treatment from teammates when he returned to the dugout, but not from the crowd. After players broke character and jumped around Ohtani to celebrate, Mike Trout pointed to the field and instructed Ohtani to take a curtain call.Trout, Justin Upton, Luis Valbuena and Rene Rivera also homered for the Angels, who broke a 12-game losing streak to the Indians. Garrett Richards (1-0) got the win.Jose Ramirez hit a two-run home run in the first for the Indians.BREWERS 5, CARDINALS 4MILWAUKEE (AP) — Christian Yelich and Ryan Braun hit consecutive homers off Dominic Leone with two out in the ninth, sending Milwaukee to the win.Leone (0-1) retired the first two batters, but then... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit his first major league home run in his first Angel Stadium at-bat, helping the Los Angeles Angels beat the Cleveland Indians 13-2 on Tuesday night.Ohtani capped a six-run first inning with a three-run drive to center off Josh Tomlin (0-1). The Japanese two-way player got the silent treatment from teammates when he returned to the dugout, but not from the crowd. After players broke character and jumped around Ohtani to celebrate, Mike Trout pointed to the field and instructed Ohtani to take a curtain call.Trout, Justin Upton, Luis Valbuena and Rene Rivera also homered for the Angels, who broke a 12-game losing streak to the Indians. Garrett Richards (1-0) got the win.Jose Ramirez hit a two-run home run in the first for the Indians.YANKEES 11, RAYS 4NEW YORK (AP) — Didi Gregorius hit a pair of three-run homers and drove in a career-high eight RBIs, and the Yankees won Aaron Boone's chilly first home opener as manager.Gregorius had four hits and walked,... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Didi Gregorius hit a pair of three-run homers and drove in a career-high eight RBIs, and the New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 11-4 on Tuesday in Aaron Boone's chilly first home opener as manager.Gregorius had four hits and walked, setting a major league record for RBIs by a player in a home opener. He also set a Yankees record for RBIs by a shortstop.He doubled and scored in the second, and his first homer put the Yankees ahead 4-1 in the third against Chris Archer. After New York's bullpen wasted a three-run lead for the second straight game, Gregorius drove an 0-2 pitch from Austin Pruitt (1-1) into the second deck in the seventh. He blooped an opposite-field two-run single to left in the eighth.New York improved to 3-2 under Boone, who took over when Joe Girardi was fired. Tommy Kahnle (1-0) got the win.Tampa Bay has lost four straight since beating Boston in its opener.MARINERS 6, GIANTS 4SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Mitch Haniger hit a two-run single, helping the Mariners... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — San Francisco Giants closer Mark Melancon was put on the 10-day disabled list with a right elbow flexor strain before Thursday's opener, joining starters Madison Bumgarner and starter Jeff Samardzija on the sideline.The move was made retroactive to Monday, and right-hander Reyes Moronta was recalled from Triple-A to fill Melancon's roster spot.Manager Bruce Bochy said Hunter Strickland will serve as the closer until Melancon returns, which Bochy hopes is in a couple of weeks.Melancon had surgery on his forearm in September. The right-hander was 1-2 with 11 saves in 16 chances last year, when he had a 4.50 ERA in 30 innings during his first season with the Giants. He signed a $62 million, four-year deal as a free agent."I was pretty confident that he would be ready when the season started," Bochy said. "He had a little setback through one outing. We don't want to risk putting him out there after not throwing for four or five days. That's why we DL'd him, to make sure he... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — San Francisco Giants closer Mark Melancon was put on the 10-day disabled list with a right elbow flexor strain before Thursday's opener, joining starters Madison Bumgarner and starter Jeff Samardzija on the sidelines.The move was made retroactive to Monday, and right-hander Reyes Moronta was recalled from Triple-A to fill Melancon's roster spot.Melancon had surgery on his forearm last September. The right-hander was 1-2 with 11 saves in 16 chances last year, when he had a 4.50 ERA in 30 innings during his first season with the Giants. He signed a $62 million, four-year deal as a free agent before the injuries.A four-time All-Star, Melancon has 179 saves and a 2.72 ERA in nine major league seasons.___More AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

A look at what's happening all around the majors today:___FIRST DEFENSEThe Houston Astros begin the season as reigning World Series champions for the first time following their victory over the Dodgers last fall. AL Championship Series MVP Justin Verlander will make his first opening-day start with Houston after nine with Detroit. Verlander will face Texas ace Cole Hamels, who is making his fourth season-opening start, including his second with the Rangers.NEW FACESGiancarlo Stanton joins Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez in the Yankees' imposing lineup, while J.D. Martinez suits up for Boston and Eric Hosmer for San Diego after signing nine-figure deals in free agency. Five skippers — Washington's Dave Martinez, Boston's Alex Cora, the Yankees' Aaron Boone, the Mets' Mickey Callaway and Philadelphia's Gabe Kapler — will make their managerial debuts, while Detroit's Ron Gardenhire will manage his first opening day since 2014 with Minnesota.ACES UPClayton Kershaw, Corey Kluber, Chris Sale and... [More]

A look at what's happening all around the majors Thursday:___FIRST DEFENSEThe Houston Astros begin the season as reigning World Series champions for the first time following their victory over the Dodgers last fall. AL Championship Series MVP Justin Verlander will make his first opening-day start with Houston after nine with Detroit. Verlander will face Texas ace Cole Hamels, who is making his fourth season-opening start, including his second with the Rangers.NEW FACESGiancarlo Stanton joins Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez in the Yankees' imposing lineup, while J.D. Martinez suits up for Boston and Eric Hosmer for San Diego after signing nine-figure deals in free agency. Five skippers — Washington's Dave Martinez, Boston's Alex Cora, the Yankees' Aaron Boone, the Mets' Mickey Callaway and Philadelphia's Gabe Kapler — will make their managerial debuts, while Detroit's Ron Gardenhire will manage his first opening day since 2014 with Minnesota.ACES UPClayton Kershaw, Corey Kluber, Chris Sale... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Clayton Kershaw will make his franchise-record eighth consecutive opening day start for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are aiming for a second straight World Series appearance with virtually the same roster as last year.Kershaw takes the mound Thursday against the rival San Francisco Giants and Ty Blach, whose only opening day starts have been in the minors. Blach drew the assignment because of injuries to Madison Bumgarner and Jeff Samardzija.After falling one win short of their first World Series title since 1988, the Dodgers have shifted their focus from losing to Houston in Game 7 to earning another shot this year."We understand what our goal is," manager Dave Roberts said. "It's to do whatever we can to win the World Series."The Giants are trying to get back in contention in the NL West after finishing last in 2017. They added former All-Stars outfielder Andrew McCutchen and third baseman Evan Longoria in the offseason.The teams are playing on opening day for the first... [More]

Shohei Ohtani has a starting assignment, and the Los Angeles Dodgers have a mess on their hands.With the regular season set to begin Thursday, the Angels scheduled Ohtani to make his major league pitching debut Sunday in their fourth game at Oakland. The two-way sensation from Japan is expected to be Los Angeles' designated hitter in at least one of the first three games, but manager Mike Scioscia said Tuesday night the team hadn't decided on an opening-day lineup yet.The 23-year-old Ohtani, who struggled in spring training, was told after the exhibition finale against the Dodgers that he'll pitch Sunday."He's gotten into the mid-80-pitch range and should be able to get over 90 if he's throwing to his capabilities," Scioscia said. "That's plenty of pitches for him to get deep into the game. We're going to take it one pitch at a time with all of our pitchers."Ohtani was supposed to get an at-bat or two Tuesday night but that didn't happen because the game was called in the bottom of the... [More]

Once again, Greg Bird is hurt as spring training comes to a close.The oft-injured New York Yankees first baseman will need surgery on his ailing right ankle and could be sidelined for two months. The team learned of the setback Monday while in Atlanta for its final exhibition game, three days before the season opener at Toronto."Obviously, we were hoping it was going to be a shorter-term thing," said rookie manager Aaron Boone, who took over a club that reached Game 7 of the AL Championship Series last year. "But we feel like we got some answers. We feel like we know what the surgery's going to accomplish."Bird will have surgery to remove a small broken spur on the outside of his right ankle. Dr. Martin O'Malley is scheduled to operate Tuesday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.The slugger is expected to be out for six to eight weeks."Hopefully this is something he will now put behind him for good," Boone said. "We feel pretty good that the surgery is fairly minor and they're... [More]

Chris Sale and his fellow aces are having all sorts of trouble with these tuneup starts.Sale was knocked off the mound by a line drive Saturday and exited with a bruised left hip. He said the injury wasn't serious and wouldn't jeopardize his opening day start Thursday for the AL East champion Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay."I don't see anything lingering from this," Sale said. "Looked a lot worse than it really is."Sale was hit by a liner off the bat of Houston's J.D. Davis in the first inning. The left-hander crumpled to the ground, then walked off the field under his own power.On Friday, San Francisco ace Madison Bumgarner sustained a broken pinkie on his pitching hand when he was struck by a line drive. He is expected to miss at least two months.The same day, Tampa Bay star Chris Archer — set to pitch against Sale — was hit by a grounder in the forearm of his pitching arm and had to leave a minor league game.Hours after Sale was hurt, Kansas City lefty Danny Duffy exited in the third inning... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Giants ace Madison Bumgarner is expected to miss at least the first two months of the season after undergoing surgery Saturday to have three pins inserted into the broken pinkie on his pitching hand.The 28-year-old lefty was injured Friday when he was hit by a line drive off the bat of Kansas City's Whit Merrifield in a spring training game. The outing was supposed to be the final tuneup for Bumgarner before starting on opening day."We're looking at a couple months, give or take," manager Bruce Bochy said before San Francisco's exhibition game against its Triple-A club in Sacramento. "It's going to take a while. I guess the good news we got this morning is they really felt good about the surgery."Bumgarner will have the pins in his pinkie for a month, according to Bochy. It will take another two weeks after that before the 2014 World Series MVP can resume throwing."We're hoping by early June he'll be pitching for us," Bochy said.Bumgarner had a 3.43 ERA with 30 strikeouts... [More]