SAN DIEGO (AP) — Ian Kinsler says he regrets using profanity during an emotional outburst after hitting a pivotal three-run home run for the San Diego Padres on Thursday night and maintained he was firing up his teammates and not taking a shot at fans.Kinsler hollered and gestured as he touched the plate after hitting the go-ahead home run in the sixth inning of the 4-3 win against Pittsburgh, and again in the dugout.Kinsler has been criticized by fans as he's struggled since joining the Padres on an $8 million, two-year deal. Many fans, particularly on social media, felt the outburst was directed at them."The only thing that I do regret is doing it on the field in front of everybody, so everyone can interpret it their own way," Kinsler said before Friday night's game, when he was due to start at second base and bat leadoff.Asked if he wanted to say anything to fans who thought he was directing it at them, to clear things up, he said, "No."The 36-year-old Kinsler, in his 14th big league... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Twelve years later, Carlos Gómez was back in the New York Mets' lineup.New York selected Gómez's contract from Triple-A Syracuse and had him batting sixth and in right field Friday night at Miami. He went 0 for 3 before leaving the game in a double switch.An All-Star for Milwaukee in 2013-14, Gómez last played for the Mets when he was a rookie in 2007.The Mets placed outfielder Michael Conforto on the seven-day injured list due to a concussion, and designated outfielder Keon Broxton for assignment. They recalled right-hander Paul Sewald from Syracuse.New York signed the 33-year-old Gómez to a minor league contract in March, and he batted .270 with 22 RBIs in 35 games for Syracuse."He obviously has been swinging the bat really well," Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. "The defense has been outstanding, the leadership, the baserunning. From top to bottom the reports have been excellent. That's why he's up here getting a chance to help us win some games."Broxton is batting .143... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Ian Kinsler says he regrets using profanity during an emotional outburst after hitting a pivotal three-run home run for the San Diego Padres on Thursday night and maintained he was firing up his teammates and not taking a shot at fans.Kinsler hollered and gestured as he touched the plate in the 4-3 win against Pittsburgh, and again in the dugout.Kinsler has been criticized by fans as he's struggled since joining the Padres on an $8 million, two-year deal. Many fans, particularly on social media, felt it was directed at them."The only thing that I do regret is doing it on the field in front of everybody, so everyone can interpret it their own way," Kinsler said before Friday night's game, when he was due to start at second base and bat leadoff.Asked if he wanted to say anything to fans who thought he was directing it at them, to clear things up, he said, "No."___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHOENIX (AP) — The San Francisco Giants have activated catcher Buster Posey from the seven-day concussion list.Posey was behind the plate and batted third Friday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks.He was hit on the helmet by a foul tip against Cincinnati on May 8 and placed on the injured list after playing against Colorado two days later.The Giants took a cautious approach with Posey after he went on the concussion list for the second time in two years. He missed seven games due to a concussion in 2017.Posey has played 32 games this season, hitting .245 with two homers and 13 RBIs.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MIAMI (AP) — Twelve years later, Carlos Gómez is back in the New York Mets' lineup.New York selected Gómez's contract from Triple-A Syracuse and had him batting sixth and in right field Friday night at Miami.The Mets placed outfielder Michael Conforto on the seven-day injured list due to a concussion, and designated outfielder Keon Broxton for assignment. They recalled right-hander Paul Sewald from Syracuse.Gómez, an All-Star for Milwaukee in 2013-14, last played for the Mets when he was a rookie in 2007. They signed the 33-year-old outfielder to a minor league contract in March, and he batted .270 with 22 RBIs in 35 games for Syracuse."He obviously has been swinging the bat really well," Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. "The defense has been outstanding, the leadership, the baserunning. From top to bottom the reports have been excellent. That's why he's up here getting a chance to help us win some games."Broxton is batting.143 in 34 games. The Mets hope to keep him in their system."It... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals have activated Carlos Martínez from the injured list after the right-hander missed the first 44 games of the season because of a strained right shoulder cuff.The club also designated veteran right-hander Luke Gregerson for assignment before Friday's interleague game at the Texas Rangers while recalling rookie reliever Ryan Helsley from Triple-A Memphis and sending down right-hander Dominic Leone.Martínez was a two-time All-Star as a starter for St. Louis before making 18 of his 33 appearances out of the bullpen last season. The 27-year-old is expected to be used as a reliever.It is the second time Helsley has been brought up from the minors this season. The 24-year-old right-hander gave up two runs in 6 1/3 innings over three appearances in his first stint.Gregerson, a 35-year-old who hadn't pitched since last July when he was activated May 4 coming off right shoulder impingement, allowed five runs and 11 hits over 5 2/3 innings in six relief appearances. Leone has an 8.02 ERA in 20 games out of the bullpen.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Shortstop Trea Turner has been activated from the 10-day injured list by the Washington Nationals, who placed starting pitcher Anibal Sánchez on the IL a day after he strained his left hamstring.The 25-year-old Turner missed 38 games with a broken right index figure sustained April 2 against Philadelphia. He hit .357 with a double and two homers through the first four games of the season."It was real nice to write his name in the lineup," Nationals manager Dave Martinez before prior to Friday night's game against the Chicago Cubs.Sánchez (0-6, 5.10) was removed in the second inning of Thursday's start against the New York Mets with the hamstring strain. Martinez said the 35-year-old right-hander was walking without pain Friday.Washington also optioned infielder Wilmer Difo to Triple-A Fresno and recalled right-hander Kyle McGowin from Fresno.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MIAMI (AP) — Twelve years later, Carlos Gómez is back in the New York Mets' lineup.New York selected Gómez's contract from Triple-A Syracuse and had him batting sixth and in right field Friday night at Miami.The Mets placed outfielder Michael Conforto on the seven-day injured list due to a concussion, and designated outfielder Keon Broxton for assignment. They recalled right-hander Paul Sewald from Syracuse.Gómez, an All-Star for Milwaukee in 2013-14, last played for the Mets when he was a rookie in 2007. They signed the 33-year-old outfielder to a minor league contract in March, and he batted .270 with 22 RBIs in 35 games for Syracuse."He obviously has been swinging the ball really well," Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. "The defense has been outstanding, the leadership, the baserunning. From top to bottom the reports have been excellent. That's why he's up here getting a chance to help us win some games."Broxton is batting.143 in 34 games. The Mets hope to keep him in their system."It... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Twelve years later, outfielder Carlos Gómez is back in the New York Mets' lineup.New York selected Gómez's contract from Triple-A Syracuse and had him batting sixth and in right field Friday night at Miami.The Mets placed outfielder Michael Conforto on the seven-day injured list due to a concussion, and designated outfielder Keon Broxton for assignment. They recalled right-hander Paul Sewald from Syracuse.Gómez, an All-Star for Milwaukee in 2013-14, last played for the Mets when he was a rookie in 2007. They signed him to a minor league contract in March, and he batted .270 with 22 RBIs in 35 games for Syracuse.Broxton batted .143 in 34 games for New York this season.Conforto was hurt Thursday when he collided with a teammate while chasing a popup.___Follow Steven Wine on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Steve_Wine___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

They play in an architectural nightmare of a ballpark.They are treated like pariahs in their own community.They have to get by with one of baseball's stingiest payrolls.Yet, somehow, the Tampa Bay Rays make it work.It's one of the most compelling stories in sports, even if few people take notice."Whatever you want to label us, it's honestly irrelevant," outfielder Kevin Kiermaier said. "We know we're good and we can go a long way with the guys we have here."The Rays went into a weekend series against the mighty New York Yankees leading the AL East by a half-game. Never mind that Tampa Bay started the year with a penny-pinching payroll of just $60.6 million — $10 million less than the 29th-lowest team (a Miami Marlins team headed toward a historically awful season) and barely a fourth of what the reigning World Series champion Boston Red Sox doled out to assemble the most expensive roster.To add a bit more perspective, Bryce Harper will take home $30 million this year after signing a record-breaking... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner is pleased with the performance of his injury-decimated team."Considering the adversity we've faced in the first two months of the season, it's phenomenal the job these guys have done," Steinbrenner said Friday at a Yankees extended spring training game.The Yankees have put 17 players on the injured list for 18 total stints. Still, they entered a three-game home series against AL East-leading Tampa Bay with a 26-16 record, a half-game behind the Rays.Domingo Germán, inserted into the starting rotation after ace Luis Severino got hurt, leads the major leagues with eight wins. Clint Frazier, who began the season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, it hitting .280 with six homers and 18 RBIs in 27 games. Gio Urshela, an infield replacement bought up from the minors, is batting .330 with 15 RBIs in 33 games."Young guys are stepping up," Steinbrenner said. "They realize this is an opportunity that they might not otherwise have had and... [More]

DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Rockies are running a little cool at second base.That opened the door for Brendan Rodgers, the team's top prospect who's swinging a hot bat.Colorado called up the 22-year-old for a weekend series in Philadelphia that started Friday. In addition to selecting the contract of the prospect from Albuquerque, the Rockies optioned right-hander DJ Johnson and infielder Pat Valaika to the Triple-A team and activated left-hander Jake McGee from the 10-day injured list after he recovered from a sprained left knee.Rodgers was hitting .356 with nine homers and 21 RBIs in 35 games this season with Triple-A Albuquerque. He was playing mostly at second base for the Isotopes with an occasional appearance at shortstop and third base.His promotion makes sense: So far this season, Colorado's second basemen are hitting .200 with no homers and 11 RBIs.Invited to spring training, Rodgers hit .222 in 18 games. Still, Rockies manager Bud Black appreciated his moxie."He's really confident... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired journeyman catcher Erik Kratz in a trade with the San Francisco Giants.The 38-year-old Kratz hit .125 (4 for 32) in 15 games for San Francisco. He was designated for assignment on Tuesday.As part of the trade announced Thursday, the Giants agreed to send the Rays $471,613 to cover a majority of the $877,419 remaining in Kratz's $1.2 million, one-year contract. San Francisco will receive a player to be named or cash.The Giants acquired Kratz in a March 24 trade with Milwaukee for minor league infielder C.J. Hinojosa. Kratz helped the Brewers make it to the NL Championship Series last year, batting .292 with three RBIs in nine playoff games.Kratz broke into the majors with Pittsburgh in 2010. He is a .208 hitter with 31 homers and 101 RBIs in 310 career games.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today:CHECK HIMArizona ace Zack Greinke is set for an MRI after making an early exit in his last start.Greinke pitched shutout ball into the eighth inning against the Pirates until leaving in the eighth inning because of abdominal tightness."It's not too bad," Greinke said. "Just didn't seem like a good idea to try to push it."Greinke (6-1) has a 1.09 ERA in his last six starts, allowing five earned runs in 41 1/3 innings.STOP THAT!Justin Turner is on a hitting streak that no one would envy.The Dodgers star has been hit by a pitch in four straight games, tied for the longest string in franchise history. He is the first player in team records since Hughie Jennings in 1900 to be plunked in four consecutive games, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.Carlos Quentin of the Chicago White Sox set the majors' longest streak when he was hit in six straight in 2008."I think at this point it's almost what is going on?" Dodgers teammate Alex Verdugo said.... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Christian Yelich hit his major league-leading 17th and 18th homers to help Zach Davies and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Philadelphia Phillies 11-3 Thursday.Yasmani Grandal and Mike Moustakas also went deep as the Brewers won their third in a row.Davies (5-0) allowed three runs — one earned — and four hits in six innings.Yelich homered in the first for a 1-0 lead off Zach Eflin (5-4) and added a solo drive off Edgar Garcia in the eighth to make it 8-3.ATHLETICS 17, TIGERS 3DETROIT (AP) — Jurickson Profar hit his first career grand slam, and Oakland won its 13th straight over Detroit and its eighth in a row at Comerica ParkJosh Phegley had four hits, including one of Oakland's five home runs. Matt Olson and Marcus Semien also homered for Oakland.Detroit has been outscored 41-9 while losing the first four games of a 10-game homestand.Ohio native Chris Bassitt (2-1) pitched eight shutout innings in front of a large group of friends and family.Spencer Turnbull (2-3) allowed... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Christian Yelich hit his major league-leading 17th and 18th homers to help Zach Davies and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Philadelphia Phillies 11-3 Thursday.Yasmani Grandal and Mike Moustakas also went deep as the Brewers won their third in a row.Davies (5-0) allowed three runs — one earned — and four hits in six innings.Yelich homered in the first for a 1-0 lead off Zach Eflin (5-4) and added a solo drive off Edgar Garcia in the eighth to make it 8-3.ATHLETICS 17, TIGERS 3DETROIT (AP) — Jurickson Profar hit his first career grand slam, and Oakland won its 13th straight over Detroit and its eighth in a row at Comerica ParkJosh Phegley had four hits, including one of Oakland's five home runs. Matt Olson and Marcus Semien also homered for Oakland.Detroit has been outscored 41-9 while losing the first four games of a 10-game homestand.Ohio native Chris Bassitt (2-1) pitched eight shutout innings in front of a large group of friends and family.Spencer Turnbull (2-3) allowed... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired journeyman catcher Erik Kratz in a trade with the San Francisco Giants.The 38-year-old Kratz hit .125 (4 for 32) in 15 games for San Francisco. He was designated for assignment on Tuesday.The Giants acquired Kratz in a March 24 trade with Milwaukee for minor league infielder C.J. Hinojosa. He helped the Brewers make it to the NL Championship Series last year, batting .292 with three RBIs in nine playoff games.The Rays got Kratz and cash considerations from the Giants for a player to be named or cash considerations. The deal was announced on Thursday.Kratz broke into the majors with Pittsburgh in 2010. He is a .208 hitter with 31 homers and 101 RBIs in 310 career games.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:CHECK HIMArizona ace Zack Greinke is set for an MRI after making an early exit in his last start.Greinke pitched shutout ball into the eighth inning against the Pirates until leaving in the eighth inning because of abdominal tightness."It's not too bad," Greinke said. "Just didn't seem like a good idea to try to push it."Greinke (6-1) has a 1.09 ERA in his last six starts, allowing five earned runs in 41 1/3 innings.STOP THAT!Justin Turner is on a hitting streak that no one would envy.The Dodgers star has been hit by a pitch in four straight games, tied for the longest string in franchise history. He is the first player in team records since Hughie Jennings in 1900 to be plunked in four consecutive games, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.Carlos Quentin of the Chicago White Sox set the majors' longest streak when he was hit in six straight in 2008."I think at this point it's almost what is going on?" Dodgers teammate Alex Verdugo said.... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Christian Yelich hit his major league-leading 17th and 18th homers to help Zach Davies and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Philadelphia Phillies 11-3 Thursday.Yasmani Grandal and Mike Moustakas also went deep as the Brewers won their third in a row.Davies (5-0) allowed three runs — one earned — and four hits in six innings.Yelich homered in the first for a 1-0 lead off Zach Eflin (5-4) and added a solo drive off Edgar Garcia in the eighth to make it 8-3.ATHLETICS 17, TIGERS 3DETROIT (AP) — Jurickson Profar hit his first career grand slam, and Oakland won its 13th straight over Detroit and its ninth in a row at Comerica ParkJosh Phegley had four hits, including one of Oakland's five home runs. Matt Olson and Marcus Semien also homered for Oakland.Detroit has been outscored 41-9 while losing the first four games of a 10-game homestand.Ohio native Chris Bassitt (2-1) pitched eight shutout innings in front of a large group of friends and family.Spencer Turnbull (2-3) allowed... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nationals pitcher Aníbal Sánchez will go on the injured list after leaving in the second inning of Washington's 7-6 win against the New York Mets on Thursday.Sánchez, a 35-year-old right-hander, is 0-6 with a 5.10 ERA. He was staked to a 4-0 lead that Washington's bullpen failed to hold."Scheduled to get an MRI tomorrow," manager Dave Martinez said. "As of right now he's going to end up on the IL. He'll probably miss a start."After throwing ball four to Brandon Nimmo with one out and a man on first, Sánchez walked to the rear of the mound. Martinez and director of athletic training Paul Lessard went to the mound, and Sánchez soon departed."Last year was the first time that I pulled my hammy, but this one was different — some move that I made to first and twist something on my hamstring and didn't let me stop my body with my landing leg," Sánchez said. "I couldn't stop my body to home plate."No Nationals pitcher has started 0-7 since Jason Marquis in 2010.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports