A look at what's happening around the majors today:CABRERA DONEMiguel Cabrera's season is over, leaving Detroit without its biggest star during a season when there wasn't much else for Tigers fans to latch onto. Cabrera ruptured his left biceps tendon on a swing Tuesday night, ending the two-time MVP's year just a couple of weeks after he returned from a DL stint due to a right hamstring strain. The 35-year-old Cabrera batted .301 with an .848 OPS, three homers and 22 RBIs for a team that wasn't expected to compete in the AL Central.JAKE-BITTENThe Mets try to snap a most puzzling skid when Jacob deGrom pitches against Atlanta. DeGrom has a 1.24 ERA in his past four starts, and yet New York has lost each of those outings. Only the Marlins and Reds have worse records in the NL than the Mets, and general manager Sandy Alderson is shouldering the blame. "When you're scoring runs at the anemic rate that we have, something hasn't worked. So from that standpoint, I take full responsibility for... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday:CABRERA DONEMiguel Cabrera's season is over, leaving Detroit without its biggest star during a season when there wasn't much else for Tigers fans to latch onto. Cabrera ruptured his left biceps tendon on a swing Tuesday night, ending the two-time MVP's year just a couple of weeks after he returned from a DL stint due to a right hamstring strain. The 35-year-old Cabrera batted .301 with an .848 OPS, three homers and 22 RBIs for a team that wasn't expected to compete in the AL Central.JAKE-BITTENThe Mets try to snap a most puzzling skid when Jacob deGrom pitches against Atlanta. DeGrom has a 1.24 ERA in his past four starts, and yet New York has lost each of those outings. Only the Marlins and Reds have worse records in the NL than the Mets, and general manager Sandy Alderson is shouldering the blame. "When you're scoring runs at the anemic rate that we have, something hasn't worked. So from that standpoint, I take full responsibility... [More]

Yes, the baseball draft can feel like a bit of a crapshoot, but it does help to be picking near the top.This year's draft took place Monday night, with the Detroit Tigers selecting Auburn right-hander Casey Mize with the top pick . San Francisco followed by picking Georgia Tech catcher Joey Bart. It could be a while before either of those players makes an impact in the majors, but if the past two decades are any indication, the top two picks are as likely as anybody to provide major value.From 1998-2017, the 20 players picked No. 1 overall have been worth a total of 313.5 wins above replacement, according to Baseball-Reference.com. That's more value than any other slot in the first round. The 20 players drafted at No. 2 have been worth 261.3 WAR, which is the second-most value.After the top two picks, the draft has been more hit-or-miss. For example, the No. 7 pick (222.4 WAR) has yielded significantly more value than the No. 4 pick (82.1). That's not to say that a team should rather pick... [More]

DENVER (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers have claimed left-hander P.J. Conlon from the New York Mets and assigned him to Triple-A Oklahoma City.Los Angeles announced the move Saturday before a game against the Colorado Rockies.The injury-plagued Dodgers currently are without starters Clayton Kershaw (back), Rich Hill (blisters) and Kenta Maeda (hip). Another starter, left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu, was transferred to the 60-day disabled list on Saturday. He originally was placed on the DL with a strained groin on May 3.The 24-year-old Conlon made his major league debut on May 7. He appeared in two games with the Mets and had an 11.12 ERA.Conlon, who is from Belfast, Northern Ireland, was selected by the Mets in the 13th round of the 2015 draft out of the University of San Diego.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

DENVER (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers have claimed left-hander P.J. Conlon from the New York Mets and assigned him to Triple-A Oklahoma City.Los Angeles announced the move Saturday before a game against the Colorado Rockies.The injury-plagued Dodgers currently are without starters Clayton Kershaw (back), Rich Hill (blisters) and Kenta Maeda (hip). Another starter, left-hander Hyun-Jim Ryu, was transferred to the 60-day disabled list on Saturday. He originally was placed on the DL with a strained groin on May 3.The 24-year-old Conlon made his major league debut on May 7. He appeared in two games with the Mets and had an 11.12 ERA.Conlon, who is from Belfast, Northern Ireland, was selected by the Mets in the 13th round of the 2015 draft out of the University of San Diego.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

DENVER (AP) — Clayton Kershaw returned from the disabled list for all of one day before going right back on.This time, with a strained lower back. It's similar to the injury that sidelined the Los Angeles Dodgers ace for about five weeks last season.Manager Dave Roberts feels the timeline for the left-hander's return could be around a month."Don't think it's too serious. That's a positive," Roberts said Friday before the Dodgers faced the NL West-leading Colorado Rockies. "But obviously any time that he's going to miss because of the back is disappointing. But to know that he will be back to help us win games this year obviously is encouraging."The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner experienced tightness during his five-inning outing against Philadelphia on Thursday. The Dodgers made the move Friday afternoon.The 30-year-old left-hander has spent time on the DL in each of the past two seasons with a back injury. His recent MRI didn't reveal any tears, Roberts said. But there is inflammation... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw has returned to the disabled list, this time with a strained lower back.The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner experienced tightness during his five-inning outing against Philadelphia on Thursday. The Dodgers made the move Friday before their game at Colorado.The 30-year-old left-hander has spent time on the DL in each of the past two seasons with a back injury.Kershaw's start this week was his first after nearly a month on the disabled list with left biceps tendinitis. He said Thursday that he's "frustrated, disappointed I can't contribute to the team. Being on the DL's no fun."Kershaw is 1-4 this season with a 2.76 ERA spanning eight starts.To take Kershaw's place on the roster, the team recalled right-hander Brock Stewart from Triple-A Oklahoma City.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

Some fantasy baseball owners often compare catchers to kickers in fantasy football. Really, they're more like tight ends, since kickers are unpredictable from week to week.Still, it's hard to get excited about anyone at the position between the top few catchers. Even worse if you're in two-catcher leagues.Let's take a look at a catcher who has more than just a pulse, as well as other players to help you in the short and long term.PLAYERS TO PICK UPMax Stassi, C, Houston (12 percent owned in Yahoo leagues) - With Brian McCann on the disabled list, enter Stassi. In 98 plate appearances this year, Stassi is hitting over .300, with five home runs and 17 RBIs. McCann is on the disabled list with sore knees, but it's his performance that has been the eyesore this year so far. If you don't own one of the top 5 catchers, Stassi should be slotted in your lineup right away.Max Muncy, 1B/3B/OF, Los Angeles Dodgers (7 percent) - Speaking of Maxes, there's one out west who is catching the eyes of fantasy... [More]

A look at what's happening around baseball today:KERSHAW'S BACKDodgers ace Clayton Kershaw will have his back checked out after manager Dave Roberts said the left-hander experienced tightness during his five-inning outing in a 2-1 loss Thursday to the Phillies. Roberts said Kershaw might have an MRI. Kershaw was making first start following a nearly monthlong stint on the disabled list with left biceps tendinitis. He also spent time on the DL each of the past two seasons with a back injury. His first pitch Thursday was a 90-mph fastball that Cesar Hernandez hit into center field for a single.MARQUEE MATCHUPTwo of the American League's top starters face off when the Boston Red Sox send left-hander Chris Sale (5-2, 2.76 ERA) to the mound against right-hander Gerrit Cole (5-1, 2.05 ERA) in Houston. Sale is coming off a subpar outing, allowing six runs in 4 1/3 innings against Atlanta. Cole is 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA over his last seven starts. Boston might be without second baseman Dustin Pedroia,... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jorge Alfaro drove in two runs, Aaron Nola pitched seven innings of two-hit ball and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 Thursday, spoiling Clayton Kershaw's first start in almost a month.Hitting out of the No. 8 spot in the Phillies' lineup, Alfaro delivered an RBI single in the second inning against Kershaw and had an RBI double off reliever Josh Fields in the seventh.Nola (7-2) struck out seven, including five of the last seven batters he faced. He walked one and allowed just two runners to reach as far as second base. Seranthony Dominguez held the Dodgers scoreless over the final two innings for his second save.Kershaw pitched in his first game since May 1, spending time on the disabled list with left biceps tendinitis. He gave up one run and four hits over five innings, throwing 62 pitches. He had five strikeouts and a walk, but acknowledged after the game that another DL trip might be necessary — this time for a third back injury in three... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jorge Alfaro drove in two runs, Aaron Nola pitched seven innings of two-hit ball and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 Thursday, spoiling Clayton Kershaw's first start in almost a month.Hitting out of the No. 8 spot in the Phillies' lineup, Alfaro delivered an RBI single in the second inning against Kershaw and had an RBI double off reliever Josh Fields in the seventh.Nola (7-2) struck out seven, including five of the last seven batters he faced. He walked one and allowed just two runners to reach as far as second base. Seranthony Dominguez held the Dodgers scoreless over the final two innings for his second save.Kershaw pitched in his first game since May 1, spending time on the disabled list with left biceps tendinitis. He gave up one run and four hits over five innings, throwing 62 pitches. He had five strikeouts and a walk.Alfaro, who had an RBI single in the second, broke a 1-1 tie in the seventh inning when he doubled to the wall in right-center... [More]

A look at what's happening around baseball Friday:KERSHAW'S BACKDodgers ace Clayton Kershaw will have his back checked out after manager Dave Roberts said the left-hander experienced tightness during his five-inning outing in a 2-1 loss Thursday to the Phillies. Roberts said Kershaw might have an MRI. Kershaw was making first start following a nearly monthlong stint on the disabled list with left biceps tendinitis. He also spent time on the DL each of the past two seasons with a back injury. His first pitch Thursday was a 90-mph fastball that Cesar Hernandez hit into center field for a single.MARQUEE MATCHUPTwo of the American League's top starters face off when the Boston Red Sox send left-hander Chris Sale (5-2, 2.76 ERA) to the mound against right-hander Gerrit Cole (5-1, 2.05 ERA) in Houston. Sale is coming off a subpar outing, allowing six runs in 4 1/3 innings against Atlanta. Cole is 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA over his last seven starts. Boston might be without second baseman Dustin Pedroia,... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw is back, making for quite a birthday for manager Dave Roberts.Kershaw is slated to start against Philadelphia on Thursday night after he was activated from the 10-day disabled list. The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner was sidelined with left biceps tendinitis."That's the perfect gift I could ask for," said Roberts, who turned 46 on Thursday. "I know he's been chomping at the bit and he's back in that Kershaw game-day mode today, so that's good."The Dodgers' rotation has been hit hard by injuries. Kenta Maeda was placed on the DL on Wednesday with a mild left hip strain. Rich Hill (blister) and Hyun-Jin Ryu (left groin strain) remain unavailable.The 30-year-old Kershaw went 1-4 with a 2.86 ERA in his first seven starts. He has hasn't appeared in a major league game since May 1.His year also started with an uncharacteristically high 10 walks over 44 innings, in marked contrast to the 11 walks he had in 149 innings for the entire 2016 regular season.It is the third consecutive year Kershaw has been on the disabled list, missing time each of the past two seasons with a back injury.The Dodgers optioned reliever Pat Venditte to Triple-A Oklahoma City to make room on the roster.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw is back, making for quite a birthday for manager Dave Roberts.Kershaw is slated to start against Philadelphia on Thursday night after he was activated from the 10-day disabled list. The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner was sidelined with left biceps tendinitis."That's the perfect gift I could ask for," said Roberts, who turned 46 on Thursday.The Dodgers' rotation has been hit hard by injuries. Kenta Maeda was placed on the DL on Wednesday with a mild left hip strain. Rich Hill (blister) and Hyun-Jin Ryu (left groin strain) remain unavailable.The 30-year-old Kershaw went 1-4 with a 2.86 ERA in his first seven starts. He has hasn't appeared in a major league game since May 1.His year also started with an uncharacteristically high 10 walks over 44 innings, in marked contrast to the 11 walks he had in 149 innings for the entire 2016 regular season.It is the third consecutive year Kershaw has been on the disabled list, missing time each of the past two seasons with a back injury.The Dodgers optioned reliever Pat Venditte to Triple-A Oklahoma City to make room on the roster.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

A look at what's happening around baseball today:TEST OF THE CHAMPIONAfter wrapping up a series at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night, Jose Altuve and the World Series champion Astros return home to face another 2017 playoff opponent in Boston. Including a four-game series at Cleveland last weekend, that makes three straight foes for Houston that participated in last year's postseason. Lance McCullers Jr. (6-3, 3.98 ERA) starts the opener of a four-game set against Red Sox lefty Drew Pomeranz (1-2, 6.75 ERA).BACK ON THE MOUNDDodgers ace Clayton Kershaw is scheduled to return to the rotation at home against the Philadelphia Phillies. The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner has been on the disabled list for nearly a month with left biceps tendinitis. He is 1-4 with a 2.86 ERA this season. Aaron Nola (6-2, 2.27 ERA) pitches for the Phillies.BEASTS OF THE NL EASTThe Nationals and Braves, in a tight race with the Phillies for the top spot in the NL East, begin a four-game series in Atlanta. Tanner... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers placed right-hander Kenta Maeda and infielder Chase Utley on the 10-day disabled list on Wednesday.Maeda was diagnosed with a mild left hip strain while Utley has a sprained left thumb. Right-hander Carlos Santana and ambidextrous pitcher Pat Venditte were recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.With Maeda headed to the disabled list, that makes four of the Dodgers' five starters from their opening-day roster are sidelined with an injury. Also on the DL are Clayton Kershaw (left biceps strain), Rich Hill (left middle finger blister) and Hyun-Jin Ryu (left groin strain). Kershaw is expected to return from the DL on Thursday and start against the Philadelphia Phillies.Utley has just one start since May 22 and is in an 0-for-14 slump. Since getting two hits against Cincinnati on May 10, Utley is 2 for 29 over a 12-game stretch. He is batting just .137 over 51 at-bats in May.Maeda was removed from his start Tuesday against the Phillies in... [More]

A look at what's happening around baseball Thursday:TEST OF THE CHAMPIONAfter wrapping up a series at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night, Jose Altuve and the World Series champion Astros return home to face another 2017 playoff opponent in Boston. Including a four-game series at Cleveland last weekend, that makes three straight foes for Houston that participated in last year's postseason. Lance McCullers Jr. (6-3, 3.98 ERA) starts the opener of a four-game set against Red Sox lefty Drew Pomeranz (1-2, 6.75 ERA).BACK ON THE MOUNDDodgers ace Clayton Kershaw is scheduled to return to the rotation at home against the Philadelphia Phillies. The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner has been on the disabled list for nearly a month with left biceps tendinitis. He is 1-4 with a 2.86 ERA this season. Aaron Nola (6-2, 2.27 ERA) pitches for the Phillies.BEASTS OF THE NL EASTThe Nationals and Braves, in a tight race with the Phillies for the top spot in the NL East, begin a four-game series in Atlanta.... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dodgers right-hander Kenta Maeda left a start Tuesday night against the Philadelphia Phillies in the second inning with a right hip strain.Maeda was twice visited by a Los Angeles trainer, including after he struck out Jake Arrieta for the second out of the second inning. Left-hander Scott Alexander then replaced Maeda and allowed a two-run single to Odubel Herrera that made it 3-0 Philadelphia.Maeda allowed a home run to Nick Williams and a double to Jorge Alfaro before leaving.The Dodgers' rotation has dealt with a number of injuries. Clayton Kershaw (left biceps tendonitis), Rich Hill (left middle finger blister) and Hyun-Jin Ryu (left groin strain) all are on the disabled list, with Kershaw expected to return ThursdayPhillies infielder Pedro Florimon also left Tuesday's game after he fouled a ball off his right foot in the first inning.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw is scheduled to return to the rotation on Thursday at home against the Philadelphia Phillies."I don't really have a number (of pitches), but I think he's fine to go deep (Thursday) depending on how he's throwing," manager Dave Roberts said.The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner has been on the disabled list nearly a month with left biceps tendinitis. He is 1-4 with a 2.86 ERA this season.Kershaw pitched a four-inning simulated game at Dodger Stadium on Saturday and will take his place in the rotation without making a minor-league rehab start.Kershaw last pitched May 1 at Arizona when he gave up two runs and six hits over six innings in a 4-3 loss.Kershaw is 3-5 against the Phillies with a 3.16 ERA in 12 starts.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Clayton Kershaw is one step closer to a return with the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kershaw pitched a four-inning simulated game Saturday, raising the possibility that he could be back in their rotation next week.The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner has been on the disabled list nearly a month with left biceps tendinitis.Asked if he should be able to go in five days, Kershaw said: "Yeah, I should be."Kershaw got up and down, mirroring game conditions, and pitched to Cody Bellinger, Chase Utley, Austin Barnes and Enrique Hernandez.Kershaw is 1-4 with a 2.86 ERA this season.It's not certain he'll pitch in five days, when the Dodgers play Philadelphia in the finale of a 10-game homestand.Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who watched the workout with Andrew Friedman, the team's president of baseball operations, wants to see how Kershaw feels before determining when and where he will pitch next.Roberts had not yet talked to Kershaw before speaking with reporters."That's really encouraging,"... [More]