A look at what's happening around the majors Sunday:ALL A'SThe Athletics try to beat Detroit for the 16th time when Mike Fiers starts at Comerica Park.A win by the A's would equal the franchise record for the longest winning streak against one team. Oakland took 16 in a row from the Yankees from 1989-91.Rookie Gregory Soto goes for his first major league win when he pitches for the Tigers. The Athletics are aiming for a four-game sweep — they host Detroit in a three-game series in early September.RE-SALERed Sox ace Chris Sale starts for the first time since striking out 17 in just seven innings against Colorado. He'll face the hard-hitting Houston Astros, who have won 10 in a row, at Fenway Park.Sale (1-5, 4.24 ERA) looks to continue his stellar revival after a rough start this year. After opening the season 0-5 with a 6.30 ERA in six starts, he has a 1.29 ERA in three starts in May.The lefty is now the only pitcher in major league history to allow no more than three hits, strike out at... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Sunday:ALL A'SThe Athletics try to beat Detroit for the 16th time when Mike Fiers starts at Comerica Park.A win by the A's would equal the franchise record for the longest winning streak against one team. Oakland took 16 in a row from the Yankees from 1989-91.Rookie Gregory Soto goes for his first major league win when he pitches for the Tigers. The Athletics are aiming for a four-game sweep — they host Detroit in a three-game series in early September.RE-SALERed Sox ace Chris Sale starts for the first time since striking out 17 in just seven innings against Colorado. He'll face hard-hitting Houston at Fenway Park.Sale (1-5, 4.24 ERA) looks to continue his stellar revival after a rough start this year. After opening the season 0-5 with a 6.30 ERA in six starts, he has a 1.29 ERA in three starts in May.The lefty is now the only pitcher in major league history to allow no more than three hits, strike out at least 14 and walk nobody in consecutive... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — San Francisco Giants right-hander Johnny Cueto threw a bullpen session Saturday, and the team was encouraged enough for manager Bruce Bochy to say the club hopes Cueto can return toward the end of this season.Cueto, who had major elbow surgery last August, was 18-5 in 2016 and selected to the All-Star game, but has since gone 11-10 in the last two years combined."I think he surprised a lot of us with where he's at," Bochy said before Saturday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. "It's all fastballs, but he's gotten himself in great shape, too. I think it's the best shape I've seen Johnny in, to be honest."From what you saw today, you've got to believe he's going to be pitching before the season's over. I'm not going to be surprised if he pitches in September."Cueto threw off flat ground Saturday, and the hope is that next week he will throw breaking balls and changeups.If Cueto comes back in September, it will be as a starting pitcher, Bochy said. Cueto, 33, has been... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zack Greinke is on track to make his next scheduled start Tuesday at San Diego after throwing a bullpen session before Saturday's game, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said.Greinke felt pain in his side and was diagnosed with abdominal tightness during the eighth inning of his start Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He motioned for a trainer and left the game.An MRI on Friday revealed no damage.Greinke, who would start on five days' rest if he takes the mound next week as expected, is 6-1 with a 2.78 ERA in 10 starts this season. Opponents are batting .210 against him.Also for Arizona, outfielder David Peralta, the team's leading hitter among everyday players, was scratched from the original lineup Saturday. He aggravated upper back and shoulder tightness on a dive for a ball during Friday night's game.Peralta, the Diamondbacks' leader in hits and co-leader in runs scored and RBIs, was first injured Wednesday but started Friday's game."We feel like he'll be day to day and he'll be available for (Sunday)," Lovullo said, adding that Peralta might be OK to come off the bench if needed Saturday night. "I'm willing to sacrifice today rather than seven possible days if something were wrong and he were to do more damage in there."Blake Swihart is in the lineup as the Diamondbacks' left fielder in place of Peralta against the San Francisco Giants on Saturday.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BOSTON (AP) — Red Sox left-hander David Price will return to the rotation for Monday's series opener in Toronto.Manager Alex Cora confirmed the plan Saturday.Price (1-2, 3.75 ERA) has been sidelined with left elbow tendinitis since his last start on May 3.The 33-year-old lefty threw a pair of bullpens this week, and Cora said he was ready to start.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Texas Rangers reliever Shawn Kelley was ready to start pitching again while waiting for the results of a biopsy on two lumps that were surgically removed from his throat.Kelley said Saturday that doctors took out a couple of "decent-sized" lumps on Thursday after an initial biopsy before the surgery was inconclusive."I still don't know the results of what's in my throat, but it's out and I'm going to get back to pitching for now," he said. "We'll find out when we find out, but for now I just want to get back to playing, and physically I feel good, I feel healthy. Arm feels good, body feels good."The 35-year-old right-hander expected to get the results from the latest biopsy early next week.Kelley, who doesn't use any kind of tobacco, said he noticed the issue early this season. He had the lumps checked this month after they got bigger and bothersome while trying to sleep."The doctors, from their experience and just looking at it and feeling it and all of that stuff,... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Jonny Venters, the left-hander whose comeback from his third Tommy John surgery helped him win the NL Comeback Player of the Year Award last year, has been released by the Atlanta Braves.The 34-year-old Venters had a 17.36 ERA after giving up nine earned runs in 4 2/3 innings covering nine appearances.The release came Saturday, a day after Venters gave up four runs, none earned, on one hit and two walks while recording two outs in the Braves' 12-8 win over Milwaukee on Friday night. The bullpen gave up eight runs after the Braves led 12-0.Braves manager Brian Snitker said the decision was especially tough because "everybody respects and admires everything he went through to get back to the major leagues."The Braves recalled left-hander Jerry Blevins only four days after he was designated for assignment.Venters was a combined 5-2 with three saves and a 3.67 ERA in 50 games last season for Tampa Bay and Atlanta. An All-Star with the Braves in 2011, he hadn't pitched in the majors since 2012 before returning with the Rays last year.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Texas Rangers reliever Shawn Kelley had two lumps surgically removed from his throat this week.Kelley says an initial biopsy on the lumps was inconclusive, so doctors removed a couple of "decent-sized" lumps on Thursday. The 35-year-old was put on the injured list May 9, five days after he last pitched.Kelley says he noticed the issue early this season. He had the lumps checked this month after they got bigger and bothersome while trying to sleep.He's awaiting the results, but on Saturday says he feels great and is ready to return to pitching.Kelley is 3-0 with two saves and a 1.29 ERA in 14 appearances in his first season with the Rangers.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Didi Gregorius is projected to return to the New York Yankees next month, a faster recovery from Tommy John surgery than expected.Gregorius is scheduled to play shortstop on Monday at extended spring training in Tampa, Florida, his first game action since surgery on Oct. 17 to replace a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow."It's a good step. We're getting there. Everything feels really good," Gregorius said Saturday after eight plate appearances during a simulated game in Tampa. "You've got to trust the whole thing, even though I'm impatient because I want to work. But it is what it is. Got to go with what they're saying and go with their schedule."Manager Aaron Boone does not expect Gregorius will need the equivalent of a full spring training, which is about six weeks."I think it will be shorter," Boone said Saturday. "He's been doing so much already as far as getting live ABs (at-bats), doing all this work. So he's a little further down the road than he would... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Didi Gregorius is projected to return to the New York Yankees next month, a faster recovery from Tommy John surgery than expected.Gregorius is scheduled to play shortstop on Monday at extended spring training in Tampa, Florida, his first game action since surgery on Oct. 17 to replace a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.Manager Aaron Boone does not expect Gregorius will need the equivalent of a full spring training, which is about six weeks."I think it will be shorter," Boone said Saturday. "He's been doing so much already as far as getting live ABs (at-bats), doing all this work. So he's a little further down the road than he would be at the start of spring training."Gregorius hit .268 with a career-high 27 homers and 86 RBIs last season. He injured the elbow while making a throw from left field after a ball bounced off Fenway Park's Green Monster during Game 2 of the AL Division Series at Boston last Oct. 6. When the Yankees revealed the injury six days... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:DO OVERBlake Snell makes his second straight start against the Yankees. The Rays left-handed ace was overpowering against New York on Sunday, but his 12 strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball weren't enough in a 7-1 loss. Yankees righty Masahiro Tanaka got the win in that game, throwing seven innings of one-run ball while appearing to rediscover his go-to split-finger fastball. Tampa Bay entered the weekend series with a 1/2-game lead over New York in the AL East.COUNTING UP...Houston tries for its 10th straight win in a game at Fenway Park. George Springer hit his AL-leading 17th homer Friday in a 3-1 victory against the Red Sox, a go-ahead two-run shot in the eighth inning. Houston is 12-3 this month and has matched the 2017 World Series championship team for the best start in franchise history at 30-15. Corbin Martin (1-0) is set to make his second career start for Houston.RESTED RED HEADThe Dodgers expect to be without Justin... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — White Sox left-hander Manny Bañuelos has been placed on the injured list, another blow to a Chicago pitching staff that already lost Carlos Rodón and Nate Jones for the season this week.Bañuelos left the fifth inning of a 9-0 loss against Cleveland on Tuesday because of a strained left shoulder. Bañuelos said he started to feel discomfort in the fourth inning, when he couldn't extend his arm properly."I wasn't doing it because I was scared that something bad could happen to my shoulder, or something could have popped out," Bañuelos said through a translator. "I wasn't able to extend my arm as I used to. That was one of the side effects of my command right after that pitch that was in the fourth inning."Bañuelos is 2-3 with a 7.26 ERA in five starts and four relief appearances. He was scheduled to start Monday against Houston.He was put on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Wednesday."Hopefully it's a very, very short stint," manager Rick Renteria said.Right-hander José Ruiz was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte, where he has a 5.40 ERA in 11 appearances this season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:DO OVERBlake Snell makes his second straight start against the Yankees. The Rays left-handed ace was overpowering against New York on Sunday, but his 12 strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball weren't enough in a 7-1 loss. Yankees righty Masahiro Tanaka got the win in that game, throwing seven innings of one-run ball while appearing to rediscover his go-to split-finger fastball. Tampa Bay entered the weekend series with a 1/2-game lead over New York in the AL East.COUNTING UP...Houston tries for its 10th straight win in a game at Fenway Park. George Springer hit his AL-leading 17th homer Friday in a 3-1 victory against the Red Sox, a go-ahead two-run shot in the eighth inning. Houston is 12-3 this month and has matched the 2017 World Series championship team for the best start in franchise history at 30-15. Corbin Martin (1-0) is set to make his second career start for Houston.RESTED RED HEADThe Dodgers expect to be without Justin... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:DO OVERBlake Snell makes his second straight start against the Yankees. The Rays left-handed ace was overpowering against New York on Sunday, but his 12 strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball weren't enough in a 7-1 loss. Yankees righty Masahiro Tanaka got the win in that game, throwing seven innings of one-run ball while appearing to rediscover his go-to split-finger fastball. Tampa Bay entered the weekend series with a 1/2-game lead over New York in the AL East.RESTED RED HEADThe Dodgers expect to be without Justin Turner a day after he fouled a ball off his left shin. The red-headed slugger was pulled from a 6-0 win over Cincinnati and will likely get at least a day to recover, though X-rays were negative and LA doesn't seem concerned about his long-term well-being. Walker Buehler (4-0) pitches for the Dodgers against the Reds' Tyler Mahle (0-5).FRESH FISHThe Marlins found their offensive stroke Friday against Jacob deGrom... [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 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