DETROIT (AP) — Shohei Ohtani returned from Tommy John surgery and took a called third strike from Detroit's Daniel Norris in his first plate appearance this season.The Los Angeles Angels activated the AL Rookie of the Year from the injured list before Tuesday night's game at Detroit and he was in the lineup batting third as the designated hitter."Baseball is certainly not the type of sports that you focus on one night," Angels manager Brad Ausmus said. "We're looking at using him as a DH for the vast majority of the next 4½ months. I'm not overly concerned about the immediate results, but just the long-term results."The 24-year-old Ohtani is not expected to pitch this year as he recovers from Tommy John surgery on Oct. 1, but the Angels projected the two-way star would be able to bat in major league games at some point in May."He injects some offense, for sure," Ausmus said. "He's got big power."Ohtani hit .285 with 22 homers and 61 RBIs in 367 plate appearances last year. He became the... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Shohei Ohtani returned from Tommy John surgery and took a called third strike from Detroit's Daniel Norris in his first plate appearance this season.The Los Angeles Angels activated the AL Rookie of the Year from the injured list before Tuesday night's game at Detroit and he was in the lineup batting third as the designated hitter."Baseball is certainly not the type of sports that you focus on one night," Angels manager Brad Ausmus said. "We're looking at using him as a DH for the vast majority of the next 4½ months. I'm not overly concerned about the immediate results, but just the long-term results."The 24-year-old Ohtani is not expected to pitch this year as he recovers from Tommy John surgery on Oct. 1, but the Angels projected the two-way star would be able to bat in major league games at some point in May."He injects some offense, for sure," Ausmus said. "He's got big power."Ohtani hit .285 with 22 homers and 61 RBIs in 367 plate appearances last year. He became the... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Shohei Ohtani turned out of the visiting clubhouse at Comerica Park and took several steps before stopping to select his bat out of a huge crate filled with lumber.The AL Rookie of the Year took a couple swings in the hallway and smiled before batting practice indoors.Ohtani's long wait for his season debut was over.The Los Angeles Angels activated him from the injured list before Tuesday night's game at Detroit and he was in the lineup batting third as the designated hitter."Baseball is certainly not the type of sports that you focus on one night," Angels manager Brad Ausmus said. "We're looking at using him as a DH for the vast majority of the next 4½ months. I'm not overly concerned about the immediate results, but just the long-term results."The 24-year-old Ohtani is not expected to pitch this year as he recovers from Tommy John surgery on Oct. 1, but the Angels projected the two-way star would be able to bat in major league games at some point in May."He injects some... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Shohei Ohtani is set to make his season debut for the Los Angeles Angels.The AL Rookie of the Year was activated from the injured list before Tuesday night's game at Detroit and was set to bat third as the designated hitter.Ohtani is not expected to pitch this year as he recovers from Tommy John surgery on Oct. 1, but the Angels projected the 24-year-old two-way star would be able to bat in major league games at some point in May.Los Angeles activated right-hander Cody Allen and infielder Zack Cozart from the injured list. They designated outfielder Peter Bourjos and right-hander Chris Stratton for assignment and optioned infielder Luis Rengifo to Triple-A Salt Lake.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BOSTON (AP) — Chris Davis ended his record slump at 0 for 54 and drew applause from rival fans at Fenway Park, getting three hits and driving in four runs as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Boston Red Sox 9-5 on Saturday to end a four-game losing streak.Davis walked to the plate in the first inning to what mostly appeared to be mock cheers when he was announced. But many of those quickly changed when he lined a bases-loaded, two-run single over the head of second baseman Dustin Pedroia, ending the longest hitless streak ever by a position player. Once he safely reached first, Davis tipped his cap to the Orioles dugout and many of his teammates raised their arms and hollered in support. He smiled and made a motion that he wanted to ball, which he got.Davis, a former two-time major league home run champion, later hit two doubles. He had been 0 for 33 this season. The all-time record for a hitless streak by any player is an 0-for-85 drought by pitcher Bob Buhl in 1962-63.Christian Vázquez hit... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Chris Davis ended his record slump at 0 for 54 and drew applause from rival fans at Fenway Park, getting three hits and driving in four runs as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Boston Red Sox 9-5 on Saturday to end a four-game losing streak.Davis walked to the plate in the first inning to what mostly appeared to be mock cheers when he was announced. But many of those quickly changed when he lined a bases-loaded, two-run single over the head of second baseman Dustin Pedroia, ending the longest hitless streak ever by a position player. Once he safely reached first, Davis tipped his cap to the Orioles dugout and many of his teammates raised their arms and hollered in support. He smiled and made a motion that he wanted to ball, which he got.Davis, a former two-time major league home run champion, later hit two doubles. He had been 0 for 33 this season. The all-time record for a hitless streak by any player is an 0-for-85 drought by pitcher Bob Buhl in 1962-63.Christian Vázquez hit... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Chris Davis ended his record slump at 0 for 54 and drew applause from rival fans at Fenway Park, getting three hits and driving in four runs as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Boston Red Sox 9-5 on Saturday to end a four-game losing streak.Davis walked to the plate in the first inning to what mostly appeared to be mock cheers when he was announced. But many of those quickly changed when he lined a bases-loaded, two-run single over the head of second baseman Dustin Pedroia, ending the longest hitless streak ever by a position player. Once he safely reached first, Davis tipped his cap to the Orioles dugout and many of his teammates raised their arms and hollered in support. He smiled and made a motion that he wanted to ball, which he got.Davis, a former two-time major league home run champion, later hit two doubles. He had been 0 for 33 this season. The all-time record for a hitless streak by any player was an 0-for-85 drought by pitcher Bob Buhl in 1962-63.Christian Vázquez... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Cincinnati Reds All-Star second baseman Scooter Gennett injured his right leg while fielding a grounder against Milwaukee and was helped off the field.Gennett ranged to his left for a ball off the bat of Yasmani Grandal leading off the second inning Friday. Gennett slid to make the stop and threw to pitcher Robert Stephenson covering first for the out. Gennett went to his knees and was helped off by Reds head athletic trainer Steve Baumann and manager David Bell."I don't know exactly if it was when he fell or when he made the throw," Bell said. "He felt something in his groin.Cincinnati says Gennett was to have an MRI.The 28-year-old Gennett reached the majors with the Brewers in 2013 and was claimed off waivers by his hometown Reds near the end of spring training two years ago. He made his first All-Star team last season, hitting .310 with 23 homers and 92 RBIs.Top prospect Nick Senzel could be a candidate to replace Gennett. Senzel was reassigned to minor league camp earlier... [More]

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Albert Pujols had a busy weekend. On Friday, he was in New York at the United Nations to receive an award. On Saturday, he played in a "B'' game on a back field at the Los Angeles Angels' complex, and Sunday, he tuned up for the season by going 3 for 3, including his first spring home run.When Pujols eventually retires from baseball, he wants to be remembered more for what he's done off the playing field rather than his monster home runs.On Friday, the U.N. Women for Peace Association presented its Humanitarian Award to Pujols, wife Deidre and their "Strike Out Slavery" anti-human trafficking group. The Pujols have devoted themselves to fighting human trafficking in the U.S. and around the world."It was an opportunity to receive an award but it's an award that I share with so many people," Pujols said Sunday. "We are just one of the groups of so many people who are fighting against human trafficking. To be honored like that is great but it's something that we share with... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — For the first time in the 21st century, the Los Angeles Angels are looking for a manager.The person who lands the job will play a major role in determining whether the Angels keep Mike Trout, get the most out of Shohei Ohtani — and finally end a nine-year postseason victory drought for this big-budget underachiever of a baseball club.A day after the Angels finished 80-82 and missed the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season, general manager Billy Eppler set no timetables and confirmed no candidates as he began what's expected to be a lengthy process to identify the successor to Mike Scioscia, who stepped down Sunday after 19 seasons in the Big A's home dugout.Eppler praised Scioscia as "a lighthouse for this organization" and touted the manager as a Hall of Fame candidate. The GM also gave a few indications of what he's seeking in a leader when he puts his numerous managerial candidates through a lengthy interview process."What we're looking for in that next manager... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Los Angeles Angels rookie reliever Jake Jewell has a broken right leg and could miss the rest of the season.The Angels put Jewell on the 10-day disabled list Thursday, a day after he was injured in a game against Boston. He's scheduled to have surgery Friday.Jewell was carted off the field at Fenway Park on Wednesday night. Called up from Triple-A earlier in the day, he appeared to catch his cleat as he covered the plate on a run-scoring wild pitch and fractured his fibula. The 25-year-old was hurt in his third big league game.The Angels recalled right-handed pitcher Eduardo Paredes from Triple-A Salt Lake and added right-hander Taylor Cole to the major league roster.The club also optioned infielder Nolan Fontana to Salt Lake and transferred infielder Zack Cozart to the 60-day DL. Cozart is scheduled to have season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder on Friday.

BOSTON (AP) — Los Angeles Angels rookie reliever Jake Jewell has a broken right leg and could miss the rest of the season.The Angels put Jewell on the 10-day disabled list Thursday, a day after he was injured in a game against Boston.Jewell was carted off the field at Fenway Park on Wednesday night. Called up from Triple-A earlier in the day, he appeared to catch his cleat as he covered the plate on a run-scoring wild pitch and fractured his fibula. The 25-year-old was hurt in his third big league game.The Angels recalled right-handed pitcher Eduardo Paredes from Triple-A Salt Lake and added right-hander Taylor Cole to the major league roster.The club also optioned infielder Nolan Fontana to Salt Lake and transferred infielder Zack Cozart to the 60-day DL. Cozart is scheduled to have season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder on Friday.

BOSTON (AP) — Los Angeles Angels infielder Zack Cozart will have season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.The team made the announcement during Wednesday night's game against the Boston Red Sox.The 32-year-old Cozart went for a second opinion on his shoulder after experiencing continued discomfort. He plans to have surgery in Los Angeles soon.A free agent last offseason, Cozart left the Cincinnati Reds to sign a $38 million, three-year contract with the Angels and agreed to switch positions from shortstop to third base. He played in just 58 games during his first season with Los Angeles, batting .219 with five homers and 18 RBIs."I think this has been battling him on and off for a little bit, I mean in previous years. And it got to the point where something needs to be done and for Zack it's the best course of action, for our organization the best course of action, and he'll be 100 percent for next year," manager Mike Scioscia said after his team's 9-6 loss to the Red Sox.Cozart spent his first seven years in the big leagues with Cincinnati.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Tyler Skaggs' return to the Los Angeles Angels' rotation for a makeup game against the Royals on Monday was only the start of what manager Mike Scioscia hopes is a wave of positive news.The ailing Angels, who were in Kansas City to make up a game frozen out on April 15, have seen just about everybody experience some kind of injury this season. They've ranged from the typical nicks and bumps to the strained elbow ligament that has Japanese sensation Shohei Ohtani on the shelf.The Angels had 15 players on the disabled list just over a week ago, the first time they've had that many since the stat began being tracked in 1987, and still had a dozen there when they flew into Kansas City.Skaggs was the latest to rejoin the fold after being scratched from last week's start with tightness in his hamstring. When asked who's next, Scioscia deadpanned: "We're not going to handicap it."But, the skipper added, "We have a whole team back in Southern California that works out every... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:HOT AS THE WEATHEREvan Gattis and the World Series champion Astros have the longest active winning streak in the majors. They go for their 10th straight victory when they play at Kansas City, where temperatures are expected to approach triple digits. Houston left-hander Dallas Keuchel (3-8) pitches against Danny Duffy (3-6). Keuchel, the 2015 AL Cy Young Award winner, has allowed 13 runs over 11 innings in two June starts — raising his ERA from 3.65 to 4.45. The Royals have lost four in a row and 10 of 11.OUCH!With a franchise-record 15 players on the disabled list, the Angels try for a second consecutive victory in Oakland. Los Angeles added four more players to the DL on Friday: infielder Zack Cozart (partially dislocated right shoulder), right-hander Jim Johnson (lower back strain), right-hander Garrett Richards (strained left hamstring) and right-hander Nick Tropeano (right shoulder inflammation). Only 12 players from the opening day... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:HOT AS THE WEATHEREvan Gattis and the World Series champion Astros have the longest active winning streak in the majors. They go for their 10th straight victory when they play at Kansas City, where temperatures are expected to approach triple digits. Houston left-hander Dallas Keuchel (3-8) pitches against Danny Duffy (3-6). Keuchel, the 2015 AL Cy Young Award winner, has allowed 13 runs over 11 innings in two June starts — raising his ERA from 3.65 to 4.45. The Royals have lost four in a row and 10 of 11.OUCH!With a franchise-record 15 players on the disabled list, the Angels try for a second consecutive victory in Oakland. Los Angeles added four more players to the DL on Friday: infielder Zack Cozart (partially dislocated right shoulder), right-hander Jim Johnson (lower back strain), right-hander Garrett Richards (strained left hamstring) and right-hander Nick Tropeano (right shoulder inflammation). Only 12 players from the opening day... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels lost four more players to the disabled list Friday, putting the club's total at a franchise-record 15 players on the DL at one time.Infielder Zack Cozart went on the DL with a partially dislocated left shoulder, while right-hander Jim Johnson has a lower back strain; right-hander Garrett Richards is nursing a strained left hamstring; and right-hander Nick Tropeano has inflammation in his pitching shoulder.Meanwhile, Japanese two-way star Shohei Ohtani is taking some one-handed swings as the Angels wait out his sprained elbow to be re-evaluated in a few weeks.The timeline for Richards, plagued by injuries the past two seasons that limited him to 12 total starts over 2016 and '17, to return is unclear, though manager Mike Scioscia said the injury is considered mild. "Hamstrings," he said, "they're a different animal."Richards left his Wednesday start at Seattle after two innings with tightness in the hamstring, then Cozart went down the next inning... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels lost four more players to the disabled list Friday, putting the club's total at a franchise-record 15 players on the DL at one time.Infielder Zack Cozart went on the DL with a partially dislocated right shoulder, while right-hander Jim Johnson has a lower back strain; right-hander Garrett Richards is nursing a strained left hamstring; and right-hander Nick Tropeano has inflammation in his pitching shoulder.Manager Mike Scioscia said he would do anything to take on all the injuries of his players because he doesn't have to be feeling good, with the former catcher noting he already has plenty of aches and pains.The Angels called up four right-handed pitchers from Triple-A Salt Lake: Eduardo Paredes, Akeel Morris, Felix Pena and Jake Jewell. Left-hander John Lamb will be called up to start Saturday, meaning the Angels must make another roster move.___For more AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

WASHINGTON (AP) — Brandon Crawford went 4 for 4 with a two-run homer, and the San Francisco Giants dealt Max Scherzer his first loss in more than two months, defeating the Washington Nationals 2-0 on Sunday.After Pablo Sandoval walked leading off the fourth, Crawford homered into the second deck in right for his eighth of the season. He singled in the first and doubled in the sixth and eighth innings. Since May 1, Crawford is hitting an MLB-best .439 (58-for-132) and has raised his average to .338.Scherzer (10-2) had won nine straight decisions since his last loss on April 4. He allowed two runs and four hits while striking out nine over seven innings.Derek Holland (4-6), a 10-year veteran facing Washington for the first time, allowed three hits and two walks in five innings as five pitchers combined for the three-hitter. Hunter Strickland pitched the ninth for his 13th save.PADRES 3, MARLINS 1MIAMI (AP) — Clayton Richard became the latest pitcher to flirt with the first no-hitter in San... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Brandon Crawford went 4 for 4 with a two-run homer, and the San Francisco Giants dealt Max Scherzer his first loss in more than two months, defeating the Washington Nationals 2-0 on Sunday.After Pablo Sandoval walked leading off the fourth, Crawford homered into the second deck in right for his eighth of the season. He singled in the first and doubled in the sixth and eighth innings. Since May 1, Crawford is hitting an MLB-best .439 (58-for-132) and has raised his average to .338.Scherzer (10-2) had won nine straight decisions since his last loss on April 4. He allowed two runs and four hits while striking out nine over seven innings.Derek Holland (4-6), a 10-year veteran facing Washington for the first time, allowed three hits and two walks in five innings as five pitchers combined for the three-hitter. Hunter Strickland pitched the ninth for his 13th save.METS 2, YANKEES 0NEW YORK (AP) — Seth Lugo (2-1) pitched six dominant innings in a stellar spot start, Todd Frazier... [More]