CHICAGO (AP) — Cubs infielder Javier Baez is feeling better a day after he was hit on the left elbow by a pitch.Baez was out of the starting lineup for Chicago's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night, but he could return as soon as Tuesday. He said it's still pretty swollen, but he felt good and no X-rays were needed."I was scared for a moment but after I started feeling everything, I knew everything was good," he said.Baez got hit by Jack Flaherty in the third inning of Sunday night's 5-0 loss at St. Louis. Baez, who leads the Cubs with 14 homers, then was replaced by Addison Russell."That's a tough one right there," manager Joe Maddon said. "I've actually gone through that particular instance, and it stings and you want to throw up and it's hot, but you actually come out of it."He's a tough kid. I'm not totally surprised that he's fine. It's just an awkward spot when it happens."Baez said Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina texted him Sunday night to see if he was all right.Also Monday, the Cubs placed reliever Brian Duensing on the bereavement list and recalled left-hander Rob Zastryzny from Triple-A Iowa. Duensing's grandfather died on Saturday."He is in a better place but we miss him dearly already," Duensing posted on his Twitter account.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels two-way rookie Shohei Ohtani will be re-evaluated within the next three weeks to gauge progress in his recovery from a sprained ligament in his right elbow.Angels manager Mike Scioscia announced the slight adjustment to Ohtani's timeline Monday before his club opened an interleague series against Arizona.Scioscia also said the Angels are "very optimistic" about Ohtani's prognosis. The Japanese star has been simulating swings with a bat in his left hand and participating in strength training and running for the past three to four days. A right-handed pitcher and left-handed batter, he won't throw for at least two more weeks.Ohtani is "doing as much as he can without impacting his elbow," Scioscia said.The Angels initially said Ohtani would be re-evaluated within three weeks after his injections of platelet-rich plasma and stem cells. That procedure occurred June 7, one day after the Grade 2 sprain was discovered.Scioscia said Monday the checkup will... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The last time Clayton Kershaw pitched at Wrigley Field, the ace left-hander helped lead the Los Angeles Dodgers into the World Series.It was a much different situation Monday. But still important for the Dodgers.Kershaw threw a three-inning simulated game before Los Angeles' series opener against the Chicago Cubs, taking another step forward in his recovery from a strained lower back. The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner said he felt really good and plans to pitch somewhere in four or five days, either in a minor league rehab start or for the Dodgers."It was good, very encouraged," manager Dave Roberts said. "Just the way that the ball was coming out today, the command of the fastball as good as it's been for me — and obviously this setting is not a major league game — but for me the best it's been in a month, for sure."The 30-year-old Kershaw was sidelined for nearly a month with left biceps tendinitis before returning May 31 against Philadelphia. He tossed five effective... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Getting a jump on the trade deadline to add talent to the back of their bullpen, the Washington Nationals picked up right-hander Kelvin Herrera from the Kansas City Royals on Monday for three minor leaguers.The Nationals sent infielder Kelvin Gutierrez, outfielder Blake Perkins and 17-year-old pitcher Yohanse Morel to Kansas City in the deal announced during Washington's doubleheader against the New York Yankees.Herrera has 14 saves and a 1.05 ERA this season. He's allowed three earned runs in 25 2/3 innings while striking out 22 batters and walking two.The 28-year-old is a two-time AL All-Star who helped Kansas City win the 2015 World Series — and is among the last players left from that title team. He is 23-27 with 57 saves and a 2.75 ERA across 442 games in relief over eight seasons in the majors.Herrera joins lefty closer Sean Doolittle and eighth-inning righty Ryan Madson in the back of Washington's bullpen. Brandon Kintzler, the usual seventh-inning man for Washington,... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The last time Clayton Kershaw pitched at Wrigley Field, the ace left-hander helped lead the Los Angeles Dodgers into the World Series.It was a much different situation Monday. But still important for the Dodgers.Kershaw threw a three-inning simulated game before Los Angeles' series opener against the Chicago Cubs, taking another step forward in his recovery from a strained lower back. The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner said he felt really good and plans to pitch somewhere in four or five days, either in a minor league rehab start or for the Dodgers."It was good, very encouraged," manager Dave Roberts said. "Just the way that the ball was coming out today, the command of the fastball as good as it's been for me — and obviously this setting is not a major league game — but for me the best it's been in a month, for sure."The 30-year-old Kershaw was sidelined for nearly a month with left biceps tendinitis before returning May 31 against Philadelphia. He tossed five effective... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Right-hander Kelvin Herrera has been acquired by the Washington Nationals from the Kansas City Royals for three minor leaguers.The Nationals sent infielder Kelvin Gutierrez, outfielder Blake Perkins and right-hander Yohanse Morel to Kansas City in the deal announced Monday during Washington's doubleheader against the New York Yankees.Herrera has 14 saves and a 1.05 ERA this season. He's allowed three earned runs in 25 2/3 innings while striking out 22 batters and walking two.He is a two-time AL All-Star who helped Kansas City win the 2015 World Series. He is 23-27 with 57 saves and a 2.75 ERA across 442 games in relief over eight seasons in the majors.Herrera joins lefty closer Sean Doolittle and eighth-inning righty Ryan Madson in the back of Washington's bullpen. Brandon Kintzler, the usual seventh-inning man for Washington, went on the disabled list June 10 with a right forearm flexor strain.___More AP Baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Elvis Andrus is back in the Texas lineup after his first trip to the disabled list.Andrus, a two-time All-Star for the Rangers, was activated Monday for the series opener against the Kansas City Royals. He missed 59 games after a pitch by Kenyan Middleton broke his right elbow in an April 11 game against the Los Angeles Angels.He had been inactive for only three of the Rangers' 1,515 games since making his debut on opening day in 2009. He was suspended for a 2016 game and was on the paternity list for two games in 2017."He's never gone through this," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. "He's never not played in 10 years. This is the first time."Texas went 25-34 without Andrus, who hit .327 with two home runs and five RBIs in 14 games before the injury."A guy that has played 10 consecutive years you don't replace," Banister said. "You miss everything he does and what he was able to do. He was our three-hole hitter and one of the better centerpieces of the offense.... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians caught a lucky break. Carlos Carrasco is only bruised.An MRI taken Monday revealed that Cleveland's steady starter only suffered a bruised right elbow when he was struck by a vicious line drive on Saturday against Minnesota."We dodged a huge bullet," said relieved Indians manager Terry Francona.Carrasco, who has previously sustained serious injuries after being hit by comebackers, will be treated for swelling over the next 48 hours before being evaluated on Wednesday.At this point, it's expected that Carrasco will return to the rotation and mound once his stint on the disabled list ends."He still got hit really hard and there's some trauma," Francona said before the Indians opened a three-game series with the Chicago White Sox. "The hope would be, once he gets the swelling out of there, that he'll come quick because it's a bruise and it could have been a lot worse."In the second inning on Saturday, Twins star Joe Mauer hit a line drive that Carrasco couldn't... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians starter Carlos Carrasco only sustained a bruised elbow when he was struck by a line drive against Minnesota.An MRI taken Monday on Carrasco came back negative and the right-hander will likely return once his stint on the disabled list ends. Indians manager Terry Francona expressed relief that Carrasco was not more seriously injured.Carrasco will be treated over the next 48 hours and then evaluated Wednesday.In the second inning on Saturday, Twins star Joe Mauer hit a line drive that Carrasco couldn't avoid. The 31-year-old, who has been one of the AL's most consistent pitchers the past three seasons, has a history of being hit on the mound. He was struck in the face in 2015 and missed the 2016 playoffs after breaking his hand.Despite his track record, Carrasco has not shown any jitters and Francona doesn't expect the latest incident to bother him.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians have activated starting first baseman Yonder Alonso from the family medical emergency list.Alonso returned Monday after missing a weekend series against Minnesota. Alonso is batting .248 with 11 homers and 37 RBIs in 65 games for Cleveland, which signed him as a free agent in December.To make room for Alonso, the team optioned outfielder Greg Allen to Triple-A Columbus.The Indians also signed reliever Marc Rzepczynski to a minor league contract and assigned him to the Clippers. The left-hander previously pitched for the Indians from 2013-15, appearing in 145 games. He pitched in a career-high 73 games for Cleveland in 2014.He pitched last season with Seattle and two months in 2018 with the Mariners before being designated for assignment on June 1. He has appeared in 501 career major league games.Also, outfielder Melky Cabrera cleared waivers and elected free agency. The team designated him for assignment last week.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

SEATTLE (AP) — The Mariners have activated right-handed reliever Juan Nicasio from the 10-day disabled list as they continue to add options in their bullpen.Nicasio and catcher Chris Herrmann were added to the 25-man roster on Monday ahead of a road trip against the New York Yankees and Boston that begins on Tuesday. Seattle optioned right-hander Rob Whalen and catcher David Freitas to Triple-A Tacoma.Nicasio was one of Seattle's big offseason additions to the bullpen. He was placed on the DL on June 8 with a right knee injury. His results to that point had been mixed, with an eight-game stretch of not allowing a run in late May and early June, followed by giving up four runs without retiring a batter in his previous outing on June 6 against Houston. Nicasio has appeared in 30 games and has a 5.34 ERA.Herrmann was returned from a rehab assignment at Tacoma after suffering a strained oblique in late May. He appeared in one game with Seattle before getting hurt.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

June 191927 — Jack Scott of the Philadelphia Phillies pitched two complete games in a doubleheader. Scott beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-1 and lost 3-0 in the second game. Scott was the last pitcher in major league history to complete two games on the same day.1938 - Cincinnati pitcher Johnny Vander Meer coming off two straight no-hitters, extended his string of hitless innings to 21 2/3 against the Boston Bees. Vander Meer gave up a single to Debs Garms in the fourth inning. The Red won 14-1 behind Vander Meer's four-hitter.1941 — En route to 56, Joe DiMaggio hit in his 32nd consecutive game, going 3-for-3, including a home run, against the Chicago White Sox.1942 — Paul Waner got hit number 3,000 — a single off Rip Sewell — but the Boston Braves lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-6.1952 — Brooklyn Dodger Carl Erskine pitched a 5-0 no-hitter against the Chicago Cubs at Ebbets Field.1961 — Roger Maris' ninth-inning homer off Kansas City's Jim Archer was his 25th of the year, putting him seven... [More]

On the morning of June 18 two years ago, the Atlanta Braves were 21-46. Now they're atop the NL East.Atlanta has turned its stocked farm system into a major league contender faster than expected, and after Sunday's 4-1 win over San Diego, the Braves lead second-place Washington by 3 1/2 games. At 42-29, they're even with Milwaukee for the National League's best record and look poised to be a factor in what should be an entertaining race for that league's five postseason spots.After three straight seasons with at least 90 losses, Atlanta is making a jump similar to what Minnesota did a season ago, when the Twins improved from 59 wins to 85 and earned a wild card.If you're worried Atlanta is a fluke, there aren't many obvious red flags. The Braves have a run differential of plus-67, the second-best mark in the NL. They've been fortunate at times (11-4 in one-run games) and unfortunate at times (1-6 in extra innings).The Braves are second in the NL in OPS after finishing 11th a year ago. Their... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:HOT HOUSTONThe Astros aim for their 12th straight victory, which would tie for the longest winning streak in franchise history set in 1999 and duplicated in 2004. Fresh off a 10-0 road trip to Texas, Oakland and Kansas City in which they outscored opponents 74-35, the World Series champions return to Minute Maid Park to take on Tampa Bay. Houston starter Gerrit Cole (8-1, 2.40 ERA) leads the AL with 130 strikeouts; the Rays will start a reliever for the third straight game, with Ryne Stanek opening up.DOUBLING UPThe New York Yankees and Washington meet for a doubleheader — sort of — at Nationals Park. The teams were tied at 2 in the sixth inning on May 15 when their game was stopped because of rain, and they were postponed the next night. So the Yanks and Nats will pick up in the sixth, with both clubs expected to start out with relievers. Sonny Gray will start Game 2 for the New York against rookie Erick Fedde.TRY AGAINBartolo Colon goes... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Carlos Correa and the Houston Astros won their 11th straight game, finishing off a 10-0 trip by rallying past the Kansas City Royals 7-4 on Sunday.The World Series champion Astros swept their swing through Texas, Oakland and Kansas City, outscoring opponents 74-35. Last season, Houston had an 11-game winning streak end in Kansas City. This time, the Astros trailed 4-3 in the eighth inning before Correa led off with a tying homer. Evan Gattis, who had three hits, then put them ahead during a three-run burst.Correa has three home runs and eight RBIs in six games after missing four games with discomfort in his right side. He had a first-inning single and added a sacrifice fly in the ninth.Gattis hit .366 with five home runs and 19 RBIs on the Astros' trip. He singled home Yuli Gurriel in the eighth, and Marvin Gonzalez added an RBI single in the inning.The Royals have lost six straight and 12 of 13. They have dropped 26 of 36 home games.Brandon Maurer (0-3) took the... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Carlos Correa and the Houston Astros won their 11th straight game, finishing off a 10-0 trip by rallying past the Kansas City Royals 7-4 on Sunday.The World Series champion Astros swept their swing through Texas, Oakland and Kansas City, outscoring opponents 74-35. Last season, Houston had an 11-game winning streak end in Kansas City. This time, the Astros trailed 4-3 in the eighth inning before Correa led off with a tying homer. Evan Gattis, who had three hits, then put them ahead during a three-run burst.Correa has three home runs and eight RBIs in six games after missing four games with discomfort in his right side. He had a first-inning single and added a sacrifice fly in the ninth.Gattis hit .366 with five home runs and 19 RBIs on the Astros' trip. He singled home Yuli Gurriel in the eighth, and Marvin Gonzalez added an RBI single in the inning.The Royals have lost six straight and 12 of 13. They have dropped 26 of 36 home games.Brandon Maurer (0-3) took the... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Monday:HOT HOUSTONThe Astros aim for their 12th straight victory, which would tie for the longest winning streak in franchise history set in 1999 and duplicated in 2004. Fresh off a 10-0 road trip to Texas, Oakland and Kansas City in which they outscored opponents 74-35, the World Series champions return to Minute Maid Park to take on Tampa Bay. Houston starter Gerrit Cole (8-1, 2.40 ERA) leads the AL with 130 strikeouts; the Rays will start a reliever for the third straight game, with Ryne Stanek opening up.DOUBLING UPThe New York Yankees and Washington meet for a doubleheader — sort of — at Nationals Park. The teams were tied at 2 in the sixth inning on May 15 when their game was stopped because of rain, and they were postponed the next night. So the Yanks and Nats will pick up in the sixth, with both clubs expected to start out with relievers. Sonny Gray will start Game 2 for the New York against rookie Erick Fedde.TRY AGAINBartolo Colon goes... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — Teoscar Hernandez and Yangervis Solarte hit consecutive homers in the eighth inning, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Washington Nationals 8-6 on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep.The game was tied at 6 before Hernandez and Solarte connected against Ryan Madson (1-3). Hernandez hit his 12th homer and Solarte belted his team-leading 15th.Randal Grichuk added a pair of solo homers for the Blue Jays, who have won seven straight home games. Ryan Tepera (4-2) pitched the final 1 1/3 innings for the win.Washington has lost five of six. Slumping Nationals slugger Bryce Harper went 0 for 5 with two strikeouts, dropping his average to .218.BRAVES 4, PADRES 1ATLANTA (AP) — Julio Teheran pitched six no-hit innings before being pulled from his first start since coming off the disabled list, and Atlanta relievers gave up six hits in the win over San Diego.The Braves' bid for a combined no-hitter ended with one out in the seventh when Shane Carle allowed a single to Cory Spangenberg.... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — Teoscar Hernandez and Yangervis Solarte hit consecutive homers in the eighth inning, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Washington Nationals 8-6 on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep.The game was tied at 6 before Hernandez and Solarte connected against Ryan Madson (1-3). Hernandez hit his 12th homer and Solarte belted his team-leading 15th.Randal Grichuk added a pair of solo homers for the Blue Jays, who have won seven straight home games. Ryan Tepera (4-2) pitched the final 1 1/3 innings for the win.Washington has lost five of six. Slumping Nationals slugger Bryce Harper went 0 for 5 with two strikeouts, dropping his average to .218.BRAVES 4, PADRES 1ATLANTA (AP) — Julio Teheran pitched six no-hit innings before being pulled from his first start since coming off the disabled list, and Atlanta relievers gave up six hits in the win.The Braves' bid for a combined no-hitter ended with one out in the seventh when Shane Carle allowed a single to Cory Spangenberg. Freddy Galvis... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Back on the Yankee Stadium mound for the first time in five years, Andy Pettitte looked completely in control as he warmed up, throwing fastballs, curves and sliders. Then he grooved a pitch down the middle, resulting in a grounder that was misplayed by at first base by Jason Giambi.Welcome to Old-Timers' Day, Gramps!Now a grandfather at age 46 — matching his number retired by the Yankees — Pettitte was joined by Giambi, Nick Swisher, Dion James and current New York manager Aaron Boone in their debuts at the annual event."I couldn't have asked for a better weekend," Pettitte said Sunday, two days after celebratig his birthday with his family in New York.Sunday was the 72nd edition of the festive day, featuring Hall of Famers Whitey Ford and Reggie Jackson, plus the always popular Mickey Rivers, Ron Guidry, Johnny Damon and Paul O'Neill.Swisher was a big hit, too, connecting for a home run during a playful game between the participants.Also on hand was 93-year-old Bobby Brown,... [More]