A look at what's happening around the majors Thursday:SLUMPING STANTONGiancarlo Stanton looks to make an impact in pinstripes when New York opens a series against Toronto at Yankee Stadium. Stanton is 3 for 35 (.086) with 20 strikeouts in the Bronx this season, and he has been regularly booed by the home fans. Manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday he'd consider sliding Stanton slightly down in the batting order to get the 2017 NL MVP rolling.NOT AGAINThe Braves are hoping for good news on star slugger Freddie Freeman a day after a scary — and all-too-familiar looking — hit-by-pitch. Phillies lefty Holby Milner hit Freeman's left wrist with a fastball in nearly the same spot where Freeman had a fracture from a plunking last season. Freeman was on an MVP pace in 2017 before the injury cost him nearly two months. Manager Brian Snitker did not have an update on Freeman's status as of Wednesday night.OHTANI IN ACTION?Two days after exiting a start with a blister on his pitching hand, Shohei Ohtani... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yoenis Cespedes launched a grand slam during a nine-run outburst in the eighth inning that rallied the New York Mets past the Washington Nationals 11-5 on Wednesday night, preventing a three-game sweep.Todd Frazier tied it at 4 with a two-run single and pinch-hitter Juan Lagares put New York ahead for the first time with a two-run double off ineffective setup man Ryan Madson (0-2).Shut down by Tanner Roark for seven innings, the first-place Mets broke loose in the eighth and improved to 13-4 with a stirring victory against their NL East rivals.Ryan Zimmerman homered twice, tripled and drove in four runs for the Nationals, who pulled off their own big comeback in the eighth inning of the series opener.AJ Ramos (1-1) worked a perfect inning for his first win with the Mets since being acquired from Miami last July.ATHLETICS 12, WHITE SOX 11, 14 INNINGSOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Matt Olson singled over left fielder Nicky Delmonico to drive in Marcus Semien with two outs in the 14th... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers have placed left-hander Rich Hill on the 10-day disabled list with an inflamed middle finger.The DL move is retroactive to Sunday. Los Angeles also recalled left-handed reliever Adam Liberatore from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.The 38-year-old Hill last pitched on Saturday night against Arizona, allowing seven runs and seven hits in five innings. The Dodgers say Hill's injury is not related to the blisters he has dealt with in the past.Manager Dave Roberts said the team is considering its options for the opener of a home series against Washington on Friday night, when Hill had been scheduled to start. Roberts said the Dodgers could move Clayton Kershaw up a day or bring someone up from the minors.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts won't hesitate to send Kenley Jansen out for save opportunities despite the closer's shaky start to the season."Absolutely not. No," Roberts said before Wednesday's series finale against San Diego, less than 24 hours after Jansen blew his second save opportunity of 2018, already double his total of last year. "Save situation tonight, even potentially a non-save situation to keep the game close, or whether we need an inning or not, I have no hesitance in running him out there."It took the Dodgers 12 innings to beat the Padres 7-3 Tuesday night after Jansen's rough ninth.The Dodgers took a combined two-hitter and a 3-1 lead into the ninth. Jansen allowed Eric Hosmer's towering leadoff home run to center and then a watched as center fielder Chris Taylor robbed Christian Villanueva of a homer for the second out. Jansen then walked Franchy Cordero, who stole second and took third on Jansen's balk.Pinch-hitter Chase Headley, who came in... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees signed first baseman/outfielder Adam Lind to a minor league deal on Wednesday.Lind will report to the team's complex in Tampa, Florida, for extended spring training.Lind also signed a minor league deal with New York on March 2 and was released 12 days later. He hit .200 (3 for 15) in five spring games with the Yankees.The 34-year-old Lind batted .303 with 14 homers and 59 RBIs in 116 games with Washington last season. He is a .272 hitter with 200 homers and 723 RBIs in 12 years in the majors.It looked as if Greg Bird was set to take over at first for New York during spring training, but he had right ankle surgery on March 27. Tyler Austin and Neil Walker have been handling the load at first.The Yankees were off Wednesday, but top prospect Gleyber Torres returned to the field for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The infielder went 1 for 2 with a double, two walks and a sacrifice fly in the RailRiders' 6-3 loss to Gwinnett.Torres had been out since he left Monday night's game with stiffness in the middle of his back. He could be promoted to the majors soon.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees have signed first baseman/outfielder Adam Lind to a minor league deal.The Yankees announced the contract on Wednesday. Lind will report to the team's complex in Tampa, Florida, for extended spring training.Lind also signed a minor league deal with New York on March 2 and was released 12 days later. He hit .200 (3 for 15) in five spring games with the Yankees.The 34-year-old Lind batted .303 with 14 homers and 59 RBIs in 116 games with Washington last season. He is a .272 hitter with 200 homers and 723 RBIs in 12 years in the majors.It looked as if Greg Bird was set to take over at first for New York during spring training, but he had right ankle surgery on March 27. Tyler Austin and Neil Walker have been handling the load at first.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani is expected to make his next start for the Los Angeles Angels after the Japanese two-way sensation was limited to two innings in his third career start Tuesday because of a blister on the middle finger of his right hand.Ohtani gave up three earned runs and four hits in a 10-1 loss to Boston, suffering his first loss after winning his first two major league starts."We'll monitor all the way through this week and just see where he is," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Wednesday. "It's something he has had before and he's managed and he's not very concerned with it, but we will definitely, obviously, pay a lot of attention to it this week.Scioscia said the blister would not keep Ohtani from being available to hit against the Red Sox on Thursday, but his possible inclusion as the designated hitter would depend entirely on lineup considerations. Ohtani is batting .367 with three home runs and 11 RBIs in eight games.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

PHOENIX (AP) — Diamondbacks right-hander Taijuan Walker is headed for season-ending surgery to repair a partial elbow ligament tear.The 25-year-old Walker pitched just two innings in his last start Saturday at Los Angeles before departing due to discomfort in his right arm. He had an MRI on Tuesday, then sought a second opinion and was headed back to Arizona on Wednesday after speaking with a doctor in New York.Walker went 9-9 with a 3.49 ERA in 28 starts last season, helping Arizona make the playoffs as a wild card. He had no record and a 3.46 ERA in three starts this year.Manager Torey Lovullo says Walker's injury "was significant enough that a conservative approach would not be the best bet." He says it's "terribly disappointing."

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The lights were on for Cleveland and Minnesota on Wednesday night, while much of the rest of Puerto Rico was without electricity after yet another blow to efforts across the island to recover from damage caused by Hurricane Maria.Aided by generators and with many buildings around the ballpark in the dark, the finale of the two-game series between the Indians and Twins went off as planned at Hiram Bithorn Stadium. A blackout hit the island on Wednesday morning, closing schools and businesses, snarling traffic and seeming to add to the frustration level of those still dealing with issues that the catastrophic storm caused last September.But inside the ballpark, speakers blared, lamps shined and beer flowed."Today was a bad day for Puerto Rico," said Jesus Solomon, a contractor who was at the game with his two sons. "However, we must remember, we have been through much worse."San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz said backup systems were tested and declared ready shortly... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Braves right-hander Anibal Sanchez was placed on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday after straining his right hamstring while running in the outfield before Atlanta's game against the Philadelphia Phillies.After receiving attention from Braves trainers for several minutes, Sanchez was driven off the field on a cart.The 34-year-old Sanchez was running in the outfield with other Braves pitchers before batting practice. Sanchez was scheduled to start Thursday in the opener of a series against the New York Mets.The Braves did not immediately update their rotation plans. Third baseman Johan Camargo was activated from the disabled list in a corresponding roster move. The Braves could make another move to promote a fill-in starter before Thursday's game.Sanchez is 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA in three games, including two starts.In another roster move before the injury to Sanchez, the Braves recalled left-hander Jesse Biddle from Triple-A Gwinnett and placed right-hander Jose Ramirez on the 10-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation.With Biddle, Atlanta has three left-handers in its bullpen.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners are going with five outfielders for now after recalling Ben Gamel from Triple-A Tacoma and optioning left-handed pitcher Ariel Miranda back to the minors.Seattle's roster shuffling finally allowed a chance for Gamel to rejoin the club Wednesday. Gamel was sidelined by a strained oblique during spring training.He started his rehab assignment on April 5 and hit a combined .286 with five RBIs in 10 games at Single-A Modesto and Tacoma. Gamel was Seattle's projected starting left fielder but the injury ultimately led to the club signing Ichiro Suzuki during spring training. Suzuki has split time in left field with Guillermo Heredia through the first three weeks of the season.The decision to option Miranda will mean Seattle has five outfielders — Gamel, Heredia, Suzuki, Dee Gordon and Mitch Haniger — for now.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

ATLANTA (AP) — Even with their Ryan Flaherty leading the NL in hitting, the Atlanta Braves couldn't resist the low-risk opportunity to add Jose Bautista.The six-time All-Star agreed to a minor league contract with the Braves on Wednesday after impressing team officials at a workout, and he will try to earn playing time at third base.Bautista, 37, would receive a $1 million, one-year deal if added to the 40-man major league roster. He will report to the Braves extended spring training complex in Kissimmee, Florida, to work himself into game condition while playing third base."He's a good player who if and when he gets here can lengthen our lineup," Braves manager Brian Snitker saud. "He's somebody the opposition has got to be aware of because he's that kind of player."Flaherty took a NL-leading .354 batting average into Wednesday night's game against the Philadelphia Phillies, but his career average is .221.The team added another option at third base on Wednesday when Johan Camargo was activated... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Six-time All-Star Jose Bautista and the Atlanta Braves have agreed to a minor league contractUnder the deal announced Wednesday, Bautista would receive a $1 million, one-year deal if added to the 40-man major league roster. He will report to the Braves extended spring training complex in Kissimmee, Florida, to work himself into game condition while playing third base.The 37-year-old Bautista earned $18 million under a one-year deal with Toronto last season but put up subpar numbers for the second straight year, hitting .203 with 23 homers and 65 RBIs in 157 games. He batted .240 with 40 homers, 114 RBIs and 110 walks in 2015, then dropped to .234 with 22 homers and 69 RBIs in 116 games the following year.Bauststa became a free agent and was among several prominent players who remained unsigned over the winter.He has hit at least 22 homers the last eight seasons, including a career-best 54 for the Blue Jays in 2010. He has four seasons with at least 100 RBIs.His signing is a low-risk move by the Braves to bolster their lineup, which currently has Ryan Flaherty at third base. Flaherty is off to a surprising start, hitting an NL-leading .354 through 14 games, but his career average is .221.___For more AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Major League Baseball is planning to play the finale of the Minnesota-Cleveland series in Puerto Rico as scheduled Wednesday night, despite an island-wide blackout.San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz said additional generators and resources were in place at Hiram Bithorn Stadium, and backup systems to operate the lights and scoreboards were tested and ready shortly after the blackout struck.Plans were in place well ahead of time, at MLB's request, Cruz said. "We are always aware that something like this can happen," she said.Lights at some San Juan hotels went out around 10 a.m., before generators kicked on and restored power. Roads were clogged all over San Juan because traffic lights were inoperative, and several businesses in busy downtown areas were closed.There have been countless outages across Puerto Rico since Hurricane Maria struck on Sept. 20 and damaged the island's power grid, but none of the previous ones was as widespread as this one.Cruz said she... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Coming up empty against his former team was hardly what Giancarlo Stanton had in mind.Same is true of the poor first impression he's made in Yankees pinstripes so far.Last year's NL MVP is off to a miserable start with New York — especially at home — and the hulking slugger is hearing it from impatient fans in the Bronx. After going 0 for 4 with two more strikeouts in a 9-1 loss to the last-place Miami Marlins on Tuesday night, the slumping Stanton is 3 for 35 (.086) with 20 strikeouts at Yankee Stadium this season."Obviously, he's frustrated. You want to go out there and perform, especially when you're an MVP, and obviously he expects a lot of himself," rookie manager Aaron Boone said. "But I think his focus is tremendous and I'm really confident that the work he's putting in — and he's a worker, he gets after it — and I'm confident that once he gets rolling it'll be a juggernaut. I want him to, just for peace of mind, to get going a little bit and kind of settle in and... [More]

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Francisco Lindor homered in his native Puerto Rico, Corey Kluber allowed one run in 6 2/3 innings and the Cleveland Indians beat the Minnesota Twins 6-1 on Tuesday night in the first regular-season game on the island commonwealth since 2010.Michael Brantley and Jose Ramirez each had three hits for Cleveland before a sold-out crowd of 19,516 at Hiram Bithorn Stadium. Brantley and Ramirez hit consecutive homers in the sixth, and Yonder Alonso added a solo homer in the eighth.Kluber (2-1) allowed five hits and struck out six, lowering his ERA to 1.52. Minnesota's Jake Odorizzi (1-1) gave up four runs and six hits in five-plus innings.RED SOX 10, ANGELS 1ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Mookie Betts led off with the first of his three homers, and Boston chased Shohei Ohtani just two innings into his third big-league start.Ohtani (2-1) yielded four hits and three runs on 66 pitches before exiting with a blister on his pitching hand. The two-way Japanese sensation couldn't... [More]

A look at what's happening all around the majors today:GOOD COMPANYGerrit Cole can become the first Astros pitcher since Randy Johnson in 1998 to reach double-digit strikeouts in four straight games when Houston faces Seattle. Cole would tie Nolan Ryan for the second-longest double-digit strikeout streak in franchise history — Johnson and J.R. Richard share the team record with five such games in a row. Cole (3-0, 1.29 ERA) has 36 strikeouts in 21 innings and leads all qualified starters with 15.43 strikeouts per nine innings.GIANCARLO DROP?Yankees manager Aaron Boone says he may drop struggling slugger Giancarlo Stanton slightly in the batting order. Stanton struck out twice Tuesday night and drew boos at Yankee Stadium, where he's 3 for 35 (.086) with 20 strikeouts this season. "Track record don't matter in the moment," he said. "You've got to own up to it and understand and find a way to get better, find a way to get out of it."IN SAN JUANPuerto Rican pitcher Jose Berrios will start... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — J.T. Realmuto is back in the lineup for the Miami Marlins and ready to help their rebuild.The athletic catcher was activated from the disabled list Tuesday and hit a three-run homer in his season debut against the New York Yankees. He had been sidelined by a bruised back since March 11.Under new CEO Derek Jeter, the Marlins traded away NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna, Christian Yelich and Dee Gordon during an offseason payroll purge. That left Realmuto as one of the few proven players left in Miami, and there were rumblings he wanted out, too."That stuff was all over once spring training started, regardless of how the offseason would have went," Realmuto said at Yankee Stadium. "In this situation, when something happens, you want to get back on the field and help the guys. ... I haven't been paying any attention to that. I'm here to play baseball."Realmuto was behind the plate Tuesday night for the last-place Marlins. He batted fifth against Yankees right-hander... [More]

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Francisco Lindor homered in his native Puerto Rico, Corey Kluber allowed one run in 6 2/3 innings and the Cleveland Indians beat the Minnesota Twins 6-1 on Tuesday night in the first regular-season game on the island commonwealth since 2010.Michael Brantley and Jose Ramirez each had three hits for Cleveland before a sold-out crowd of 19,516 at Hiram Bithorn Stadium. Brantley and Ramirez hit consecutive homers in the sixth, and Yonder Alonso added a solo homer in the eighth.Kluber (2-1) allowed five hits and struck out six, lowering his ERA to 1.52. Minnesota's Jake Odorizzi (1-1) gave up four runs and six hits in five-plus innings.DIAMONDBACKS 1, GIANTS 0PHOENIX (AP) — Patrick Corbin lost his no-hit bid on a checked-swing infield single with two outs in the eighth inning but finished a one-hitter to lift Arizona.Corbin (3-0) walked one but otherwise was cruising toward what would have been the franchise's third no-hitter. Brandon Belt ended it with a softly... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees reliever Tommy Kahnle was placed on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday with right shoulder tendinitis.Kahnle is 1-0 with a 6.14 ERA in six appearances. With his velocity down this season, the right-hander has struck out nine and walked eight in 7 1/3 innings.The move was made retroactive to Monday.Before the Yankees hosted Miami, manager Aaron Boone said the club was awaiting results of an MRI but was optimistic a few days of rest will get Kahnle back on track.To fill his spot, New York recalled right-hander Luis Cessa from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Cessa was optioned to Triple-A on Sunday and penciled in to start for the RailRiders so he would stay stretched out enough to make an upcoming spot start for the Yankees.But once he returned Tuesday, those plans quickly changed.Cessa entered in the sixth inning of a 9-1 loss to Miami but was removed in the eighth with a strained left oblique. He is scheduled for an MRI on Wednesday and will become the 13th player... [More]