A look at what's happening around the majors today:___TOUGH TESTShohei Ohtani (2-1, 3.60 ERA) makes his fourth major league start for the Los Angeles Angels, this one against Charlie Morton (3-0, 0.72) and the World Series champion Houston Astros. Ohtani, the two-way rookie sensation from Japan, left his previous outing against Boston after only two innings because of a blister on his right middle finger. He threw a bullpen Sunday and is set to face Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, George Springer and the powerful Astros. Morton, meanwhile, has 33 strikeouts in 25 innings. He has allowed only six walks and 16 hits.OCTOBER MEMORIESCleveland opens an 11-game homestand with an interleague series against the Cubs, the first meeting between the teams since Chicago won the 2016 World Series in seven games to end a 108-year championship drought. Josh Tomlin (0-2) pitches for the AL Central-leading Indians against Cubs newcomer Tyler Chatwood (0-3).NORTH OF THE BORDERBoston right-hander Rick Porcello... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Yuli Gurriel was thrown out at third base by catcher Martin Maldonado to end the game after an original safe call was reversed on replay, giving the Los Angeles Angels a 2-0 win over Houston on Monday night that ended the Astros' six-game winning streak.Third base umpire Cory Blaser signaled safe. Blaser also called Colorado's Nolan Arenado safe at home plate Sunday trying to advance on a ball in the dirt. That call was then reversed on replay for the final out in the Chicago Cubs' 9-7 win.Tyler Skaggs (3-1) allowed four hits in seven innings for the Angels, and Keynan Middleton earned his sixth save. The Astros outscored the White Sox 27-2 during a three-game sweep last weekend.Kole Calhoun had an RBI single and Justin Upton added an RBI double. Los Angeles had lost five of six following a seven-game winning streak. The Angels are 10-1 on the road, but 5-7 at home.Gerrit Cole (2-1) retired his first 13 hitters, striking out five. He gave up two runs and four hits in seven... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Yuli Gurriel was thrown out at third base by catcher Martin Maldonado to end the game after an original safe call was reversed on replay, giving the Los Angeles Angels a 2-0 win over Houston on Monday night that ended the Astros' six-game winning streak.Third base umpire Cory Blaser signaled safe. Blaser also called Colorado's Nolan Arenado safe at home plate Sunday trying to advance on a ball in the dirt. That call was then reversed on replay for the final out in the Chicago Cubs' 9-7 win.Tyler Skaggs (3-1) allowed four hits in seven innings for the Angels, and Keynan Middleton earned his sixth save. The Astros outscored the White Sox 27-2 during a three-game sweep last weekend.Kole Calhoun had an RBI single and Justin Upton added an RBI double. Los Angeles had lost five of six following a seven-game winning streak. The Angels are 10-1 on the road, but 5-7 at home.Gerrit Cole (2-1) retired his first 13 hitters, striking out five. He gave up two runs and four hits in seven... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Yuli Gurriel was thrown out at third base by catcher Martin Maldonado to end the game after an original safe call was reversed on replay, giving the Los Angeles Angels a 2-0 win over Houston on Monday night that ended the Astros' six-game winning streak.Third base umpire Cory Blaser signaled safe. Blaser also called Colorado's Nolan Arenado safe at home plate Sunday trying to advance on a ball in the dirt. That call was then reversed on replay for the final out in the Chicago Cubs' 9-7 win.Tyler Skaggs (3-1) allowed four hits in seven innings for the Angels, and Keynan Middleton earned his sixth save. The Astros outscored the White Sox 27-2 during a three-game sweep last weekend.Kole Calhoun had an RBI single and Justin Upton added an RBI double. Los Angeles had lost five of six following a seven-game winning streak. The Angels are 10-1 on the road, but 5-7 at home.Gerrit Cole (2-1) retired his first 13 hitters, striking out five. He gave up two runs and four hits in seven... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The Yankees have acquired pitcher A.J. Cole from the Washington Nationals, hoping the once-promising righty can find his rhythm in a new place.New York announced it obtained Cole for cash following a 14-1 win over Minnesota on Monday night. Right-hander David Hale was designated for assignment after pitching two scoreless innings to finish off the rout.The 26-year-old Cole was cut by the Nationals on Friday. He was 1-1 with a 13.06 ERA in four games.Cole won the fifth spot in the rotation out of spring training, but was tagged by Atlanta for 10 runs in 3 2/3 innings in his first start. He made one more start, then was shifted to the bullpen when Jeremy Hellickson joined the Nationals.The 6-foot-5 Cole is 5-8 with a 5.32 ERA in parts of four seasons with Washington.Hellickson was signed less than two weeks before opening day. Once he became available after an extended spring, he was added to Washington's roster and Cole became expendable.Hellickson has made two starts for the Nationals and kept them in the game both times.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

HOUSTON (AP) — Yuli Gurriel was thrown out at third base by catcher Martin Maldonado to end the game after an original safe call was reversed on replay, giving the Los Angeles Angels a 2-0 win over Houston on Monday night that ended the Astros' six-game winning streak.Third base umpire Cory Blaser signaled safe. Blaser also called Colorado's Nolan Arenado safe at home plate Sunday trying to advance on a ball in the dirt. That call was then reversed on replay for the final out in the Chicago Cubs' 9-7 win.Tyler Skaggs (3-1) allowed four hits in seven innings for the Angels, and Keynan Middleton earned his sixth save. The Astros outscored the White Sox 27-2 during a three-game sweep last weekend.Kole Calhoun had an RBI single and Justin Upton added an RBI double. Los Angeles had lost five of six following a seven-game winning streak. The Angels are 10-1 on the road, but 5-7 at home.Gerrit Cole (2-1) retired his first 13 hitters, striking out five. He gave up two runs and four hits in seven... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Free agent outfielder Melky Cabrera has agreed to a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians.The deal is contingent on the 33-year-old passing a physical. Cabrera spent last season with the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals, batting .285 with 17 homers and 85 RBIs in 156 games.Cabrera's agreement was first reported by MLB Network.A 13-year veteran, Cabrera will add depth to Cleveland's outfield and give the club another veteran with playoff experience. Once he is cleared medically and signed, Cabrera is expected to spend some time with Triple-A Columbus before the Indians consider adding him to their roster.Cabrera has a .286 career average, 131 homers and 768 RBIs. He was an All-Star in 2012 with San Francisco.Cabrera also has played for the Yankees, Braves and Blue Jays.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday:___TOUGH TESTShohei Ohtani (2-1, 3.60 ERA) makes his fourth major league start for the Los Angeles Angels, this one against Charlie Morton (3-0, 0.72) and the World Series champion Houston Astros. Ohtani, the two-way rookie sensation from Japan, left his previous outing against Boston after only two innings because of a blister on his right middle finger. He threw a bullpen Sunday and is set to face Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, George Springer and the powerful Astros. Morton, meanwhile, has 33 strikeouts in 25 innings. He has allowed only six walks and 16 hits.OCTOBER MEMORIESCleveland opens an 11-game homestand with an interleague series against the Cubs, the first meeting between the teams since Chicago won the 2016 World Series in seven games to end a 108-year championship drought. Josh Tomlin (0-2) pitches for the AL Central-leading Indians against Cubs newcomer Tyler Chatwood (0-3).NORTH OF THE BORDERBoston right-hander Rick Porcello... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — White Sox reliever Danny Farquhar is talking to his doctors and family after surgery over the weekend to address a ruptured aneurysm that occurred during Friday night's game against Houston.Farquhar, a married father of three children, remains in critical but stable condition in the intensive care unit at Rush University Medical Center. The team announced Monday the 31-year-old right-hander is expected to remain hospitalized for the next few weeks.Farquhar passed out in the sixth inning Friday night after getting two outs against Houston. He was helped by team medical personnel and on-site EMTs, and he regained consciousness before he was taken to a hospital by ambulance.Additional testing revealed a brain hemorrhage caused by a ruptured aneurysm. He had surgery Saturday to address the aneurysm, and the team reported his medical team felt he was "progressing well." He has use of his extremities and is responding to questions and commands, according to the team."We are very... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — White Sox reliever Danny Farquhar is talking to his doctors and family after surgery over the weekend to address a ruptured aneurysm that occurred during Friday night's game against Houston.Farquhar, a married father of three children, remains in critical but stable condition in the intensive care unit at Rush University Medical Center. The team announced Monday the 31-year-old right-hander is expected to remain hospitalized for the next few weeks.Farquhar passed out in the sixth inning Friday night after getting two outs against Houston. He was helped by team medical personnel and on-site EMTs, and he regained consciousness before he was taken to a hospital by ambulance.Additional testing revealed a brain hemorrhage caused by a ruptured aneurysm. He had surgery Saturday to address the aneurysm, and the team reported his medical team felt he was "progressing well." He has use of his extremities and is responding to questions and commands, according to the team."We are very... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals are the only teams on track to pay baseball's luxury tax this year, according to opening-day payroll totals compiled by Major League Baseball and obtained by The Associated Press.Boston's payroll at the start of the season for purposes of the tax was $233.9 million, which would cause the Red Sox to pay a $9.4 million tax. Washington's payroll was $201 million, which would result in a tax of $1.2 million.San Francisco was just below the $197 million tax threshold at $196.66 million. The Giants were followed by the Chicago Cubs at $183.9 million, Houston at $182.4 million, the Los Angeles Dodgers at $181.99 million and the New York Yankees at $178.8 million.New York was over the threshold from 2003-17, paying $341 million. The Dodgers have had the highest tax bill for the past four seasons and have paid nearly $150 million over the last five years.By not paying tax this year, the Yankees and Dodgers would reset their base tax rates... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — White Sox reliever Danny Farquhar is talking to his doctors and family after surgery over the weekend to address a ruptured aneurysm that occurred during Friday night's game against Houston.Farquhar remains in critical but stable condition in the intensive care unit at Rush University Medical Center. The team announced Monday the 31-year-old right-hander is expected to remain hospitalized for the next few weeks.Farquhar passed out in the sixth inning Friday night after getting two outs against Houston. He was helped by team medical personnel and on-site EMTs, and he regained consciousness before he was taken to a hospital by ambulance.Additional testing revealed a brain hemorrhage caused by a ruptured aneurysm. He had surgery Saturday to address the aneurysm, and the team reported his medical team felt he was "progressing well."___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers have designated right-hander Drew VerHagen for assignment and recalled outfielder Mike Gerber from Triple-A Toledo.The team announced the moves Monday. The Tigers had the day off before playing at Pittsburgh on Tuesday night.VerHagen is 0-1 with a 6.30 ERA in nine relief appearances this season. He took the loss Sunday against Kansas City, walking two of the three hitters he faced.Gerber made his major league debut Friday night as a pinch runner. He was with the Tigers that day as the 26th man for their doubleheader against the Royals.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

A look at what's happening around the majors today:___START HIM UPPrized Dodgers prospect Walker Buehler makes his first big league start, taking on visiting Miami. The 23-year-old righty reached the majors last September and had a 7.71 ERA in eight relief appearances. Buehler was a first-round draft pick in 2015. He's getting this chance because starter Rich Hill is on the disabled list with a cracked fingernail.REST HELPSThe Cubs are off, meaning slugger Kris Bryant gets to heal from a beaning. He had a cut above his eye, caused by his sunglasses, after a fastball from Colorado's German Marquez hit off helmet Sunday. The team said Bryant passed tests and had no sign of a concussion. The 2016 NL MVP is hitting .319 with two home runs and 11 RBIs. The Cubs next play on Tuesday night at Cleveland."As good as can be expected," manager Joe Maddon said after Chicago's 9-7 win. "I haven't heard the word concussion yet, so hopefully good."ASCENDING ASTROSFresh off sweeping a three-game series... [More]

Forget Fenway Park — David Price and the Boston Red Sox are feeling every bit at home at the Flush Factory. And in Houston, George Springer and the Astros are just as likely to be talking Boogie Bombs as balls and strikes.Why is Xander Bogaerts making an L with his fingers and dancing on second base? Who's the Ninja on Phil Hughes' Twitter feed? What's with Derek Fisher and llamas?Just like gamers everywhere, major leaguers have fallen hard for the Fortnite craze. And while it's not how John McGraw would teach teamwork, Port-a-Forts and Slurp Juice may be the biggest thing bonding some big leaguers."We play all day, every day," Springer said.Fortnite Battle Royale is perhaps the world's most popular video game, and baseball players are among its most voracious players. The game pits up to 100 competitors in a last-man-standing scenario, letting them mine materials from an ever-shrinking map while hunting down enemies with a variety of weapons. Working in teams is often critical, which is... [More]

The latter part of April is a good time to check in on some of baseball's top prospects.The New York Yankees hope they have a good one in Gleyber Torres.Torres made his anticipated debut for the Yankees on Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays, and although the 21-year-old infielder went hitless , his arrival drew plenty of attention. Torres' promotion occurred late enough that he isn't eligible for free agency until after the 2024 season. It made sense for his major league debut to come now, especially after he hit .347 at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.A few other top prospects remain in the minors, but they're also worth keeping an eye on:—Ronald Acuna, Braves. Acuna hit .432 in 44 spring training at-bats for Atlanta this year, and although he started slowly at Triple-A Gwinnett, a three-hit day Sunday lifted his average to .217.—Nick Senzel, Reds. Cincinnati is a major league-worst 3-18 and already fired manager Bryan Price . In other words, the addition of a top prospect could certainly... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Khris Davis hit a tiebreaking, three-run homer off David Price with two outs in the eighth inning and the Oakland Athletics beat Boston 4-1 on Sunday, to deal the Red Sox consecutive losses for the first time under new manager Alex Cora.Boston had won its first six series before losing two of three at the Coliseum, where they were no-hit Saturday by Sean Manaea. They still have the best record in the majors at 17-4.Davis drove in all four runs for the A's, and Blake Treinen (1-1) retired five batters to win. Price (2-2) allowed four runs and nine hits in 7 2/3 innings.YANKEES 5, BLUE JAYS 1Gleyber Torres went 0 for 4 with a strikeout, double-play grounder, popup and flyout in his big league debut, and the youthful Yankees beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-1 on Sunday when New York used a starting lineup that didn't include a player 30 or older for the first time since Sept. 29, 1989.Luis Severino (4-1) allowed three hits and struck out six in seven innings, and David Robertson... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Chicago Cubs star Kris Bryant was hit on the head with a 96 mph pitch from Colorado's German Marquez on Sunday but appeared to have escaped serious injury.Cubs spokesman Peter Chase said Bryant passed tests and had no sign of a concussion. Chase said Bryant had a cut above his left eye and will be on the team charter flight to Cleveland."As good as can be expected," manager Joe Maddon said after Chicago's 9-7 win. "I haven't heard the word concussion yet, so hopefully good."Bryant appeared stunned as manager Maddon and the Cubs' training staff attended to him. Bryant walked off the field very slowly, with one arm around head athletic trainer PJ Mainville and the other around assistant athletic trainer Matt Johnson."Matty was asking him questions, and he was answering them correctly," Maddon said. "That's just a bad moment. I didn't know where KB was at when I got there, but I just knew he needed to be held onto."You get hit in the head, you get wobbly. You get punched in the... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Monday:___START HIM UPPrized Dodgers prospect Walker Buehler makes his first big league start, taking on visiting Miami. The 23-year-old righty reached the majors last September and had a 7.71 ERA in eight relief appearances. Buehler was a first-round draft pick in 2015. He's getting this chance because starter Rich Hill is on the disabled list with a cracked fingernail.REST HELPSThe Cubs are off, meaning slugger Kris Bryant gets to heal from a beaning. He had a cut above his eye, caused by his sunglasses, after a fastball from Colorado's German Marquez hit off helmet Sunday. The team said Bryant passed tests and had no sign of a concussion. The 2016 NL MVP is hitting .319 with two home runs and 11 RBIs. The Cubs next play on Tuesday night at Cleveland."As good as can be expected," manager Joe Maddon said after Chicago's 9-7 win. "I haven't heard the word concussion yet, so hopefully good."ASCENDING ASTROSFresh off sweeping a three-game series... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Khris Davis hit a tiebreaking, three-run homer off David Price with two outs in the eighth inning and the Oakland Athletics beat Boston 4-1 on Sunday, to deal the Red Sox consecutive losses for the first time under new manager Alex Cora.Boston had won its first six series before losing two of three at the Coliseum, where they were no-hit Saturday by Sean Manaea. They still have the best record in the majors at 17-4.Davis drove in all four runs for the A's, and Blake Treinen (1-1) retired five batters to win. Price (2-2) allowed four runs and nine hits in 7 2/3 innings.YANKEES 5, BLUE JAYS 1Gleyber Torres went 0 for 4 with a strikeout, double-play grounder, popup and flyout in his big league debut, and the youthful Yankees beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-1 on Sunday when New York used a starting lineup that didn't include a player 30 or older for the first time since Sept. 29, 1989.Luis Severino (4-1) allowed three hits and struck out six in seven innings, and David Robertson... [More]