BALTIMORE (AP) — Yankees shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a left calf strain, the 11th player sidelined just a week into the season.A five-time All-Star, Tulowitzki left prior to the fourth inning of Wednesday's game against Detroit. The five-time All-Star popped up in his only at-bat in the second inning."I felt it on the swing coming out of the box," he said. "I went out there tried to play defense and I knew I was in a little bit of trouble, so when I came in I thought it was best to get myself out of there.""I know I'll be down for a couple of days to see if the soreness goes away," he said, hoping that his time on the IL would be "not too long."Infielder Thairo Estrada was recalled from Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre to be a back-up infielder for a team already without starters Didi Gregorius and Miguel Andujar.Signed as a free agent at the major league minimum of $555,000 to fill in for the injured Gregorius, the 34-year-old Tulowitzki... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — The New York Yankees have placed shortstop Troy Tulowitski on the 10-day injured list with a left calf strain.New York has 11 players on the IL, most in the majors.Infielder Thairo Estrada was recalled Thursday from Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre to fill out an infield already without Didi Gregorius and Miguel Andujar.Tulowitzki, a five-time All-Star, left prior to the fourth inning of Wednesday's game against Detroit.Signed as a free agent at the major league minimum of $555,000 to fill in for the injured Gregorius, Tulowitzki returned after missing all of 2018 following surgery on both heels and is hitting .182 in five games.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's a happening around the majors Thursday:FANFAREComing off winning road trips, the surprising Orioles, Tigers and Mets play their home openers. Sellouts are expected at Camden Yards, Comerica Park and Citi Field to greet teams trying to bounce back from losing seasons.Alex Cobb will be activated off the 10-day injured list to start for the 4-2 Orioles against the Yankees. Spencer Turnbull pitches for the 4-3 Tigers vs. Kansas City and, in a matchup of aces, Noah Syndergaard starts for the 5-1 Mets against Stephen Strasburg and Washington.The Angels also play their home opener. Mike Trout's team is 1-5 going into its game against Texas.RAIN REIGNSWith bad weather expected, two home openers have been postponed in advance. The San Diego at St. Louis game and the Seattle at Chicago White Sox matchup were pushed back a day until Friday.HOBBLINGYankees shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is likely headed to the injured list with a low-grade strained left calf — that would give New York a... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is likely headed to the injured list with a low-grade strained left calf, which would give New York a major league-most 11 players on the IL a week into the season.Tulowitzki popped out in the second inning Wednesday during a 2-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers, and then told backup Tyler Wade to get loose in the dugout. Tulowitzki played another inning in the field, and even teammates didn't seem to notice any issues until Tulowitzki spoke to a trainer after the third inning and was replaced in the field for the fourth. Gleyber Torres moved to shortstop from second base, and Wade entered to play the keystone.Tulowitzki was tested at a hospital during the game, and Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tulowitzki is "almost certainly" headed for the IL. The 34-year-old has battled back issues in recent years that have severely limited the five-time All-Star.New York already has a league-leading 10 players on the IL, including left-hander CC Sabathia, who was transferred from the suspended list to the IL earlier in the day.The group also includes Luis Severino, Aaron Hicks, Didi Gregorius, Giancarlo Stanton, Miguel Andujar, Dellin Betances and Jordan Montgomery. Those players contributed 26.5 of the Yankees' 56 wins above replacement (WAR) last season, according to Fangraphs.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees shortstop Troy Tulowitzki has been pulled from a game with a strained left calf and taken to a hospital for further testing, another blow for the majors' most hobbled club.Tulowitzki fielded a routine grounder in the second inning and popped up in his only at-bat in the bottom of that frame against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday, but he showed no signs of injury. He was pulled prior to the fourth inning.Gleyber Torres moved from second base to shortstop to replace Tulowitzki, with Tyler Wade entering at second. The team announced Tulowitzki's calf injury moments later.The Yankees already have a major league-most 10 players on the injured list a week into the season, including left-hander CC Sabathia, who was transferred from the suspended list to the IL earlier in the day.The group also includes Luis Severino, Aaron Hicks, Didi Gregorius, Giancarlo Stanton, Miguel Andujar, Dellin Betances and Jordan Montgomery. Those players contributed 26.5 of the Yankees' 56 wins above replacement (WAR) last season, according to Fangraphs.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Miguel Andujar is hopeful he can avoid surgery and return to the New York Yankees' lineup this year.The third baseman has a small labrum tear in his right shoulder that landed him on the 10-day injured list Monday along with fellow slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who strained his left biceps. They joined a long list of Yankees regulars already sidelined just a few games into the season, and Andujar's status is perhaps the most uncertain."We're in the very early stages, so I think it's just got to play out over the next few days and then as he starts ramping back up, I think it'll become clear," manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday.The team will try treating Andujar's injury with physical therapy and a rehab program. If that doesn't work, he could require surgery that would "compromise his season," Boone acknowledged Monday night."It's tough," Andujar said through a translator. "But at the same time I'm optimistic because my shoulder is strong. The physical tests on my shoulder came... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:BRYCE IS BACKFrom the moment Bryce Harper signed his $330 million, 13-year deal with the Phillies, this game is the one everyone has been thinking about: Tuesday night marks Harper's initial visit to Nationals Park to face his former team. What will the crowd's reaction be the first time he steps to that plate in a uniform other than Washington's? What sort of tribute will there be from the Nationals? What sort of gesture will the outfielder himself make? And how will Harper, who loves the spotlight, fare in the reunion — especially against Max Scherzer? Philadelphia enters as baseball's only undefeated team, 3-0 after pummeling the Braves at home — an effort helped by two long home runs from Harper.ANOTHER LOOKThe Indians have sent All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor for a second opinion on a left ankle injury that could be more serious than first believed. Lindor was in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Monday, visiting foot and ankle specialist... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Domingo German overcame control problems on a chilly night to win for the first time since last June, Gary Sanchez and Brett Gardner homered and the banged-up New York Yankees beat the punchless Detroit Tigers 3-1 Monday.Aaron Judge made a sprawling, backhand catch on Niko Goodrum's hard-hit liner after Adam Ottavino walked the first two batters in the eighth inning, a drive that would have tied the score if it had gotten by the right fielder.New York lost two more regulars to the 10-day injured list before the game after they got hurt a day earlier, outfielder Giancarlo Stanton with a strained left biceps and third baseman Miguel Andujar with a small labrum tear in his right shoulder.Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Andujar, runner-up for AL Rookie of the Year last season, will be treated conservatively with a rehab program and there is some optimism he will respond well. But if not, he could need season-surgery.They joined a group of sidelined Yankees that includes pitchers... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton and Miguel Andujar joined the Yankees' lengthy injured list, putting nearly half of New York's starting lineup on the sidelines just three games into the season.Stanton strained his left biceps fouling off a 3-1 fastball from Baltimore's Dylan Bundy in the third inning of Sunday's 7-5 loss, an injury that could cause the outfielder to miss much of April.Andujar's injury is even more series: He sustained a small labrum tear in his right shoulder sliding headfirst into third base an inning later on a bases-loaded pickoff attempt by catcher Pedro Severino."We're going to treat it conservatively for a couple of week and see how it responds," manager Aaron Boone said Monday night after a 3-1 win over Detroit. "Surgery could be in play, which would obviously compromise his season. There is some optimism, though, that he would respond to the kind of rehab protocol."New York has nine players on the injured list already. The Yankees have a replacement at third in... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Domingo German overcame control problems on a chilly night to win for the first time since last June, Gary Sanchez and Brett Gardner homered and the banged-up New York Yankees beat the punchless Detroit Tigers 3-1 Monday.Aaron Judge made a sprawling, backhand catch on Niko Goodrum's hard-hit liner after Adam Ottavino walked the first two batters in the eighth inning, a drive that would have tied the score if it had gotten by the right fielder.New York lost two more regulars to the 10-day injured list before the game after they got hurt a day earlier, outfielder Giancarlo Stanton with a strained left biceps and third baseman Miguel Andujar with a small labrum tear in his right shoulder.Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Andujar, runner-up for AL Rookie of the Year last season, will be treated conservatively with a rehab program and there is some optimism he will respond well. But if not, he could need seasno-surgery.They joined a group of sidelined Yankees that includes pitchers... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton and Miguel Andujar joined the Yankees' lengthy injured list, putting nearly half of New York's starting lineup on the sidelines just three games into the season.Stanton strained his left biceps fouling off a 3-1 fastball from Baltimore's Dylan Bundy in the third inning of Sunday's 7-5 loss, an injury that could cause the outfielder to miss much of April.Andujar's injury is even more series: He sustained a small labrum tear in his right shoulder sliding headfirst into third base an inning later on a bases-loaded pickoff attempt by catcher Pedro Severino."We're going to treat it conservatively for a couple of week and see how it responds," manager Aaron Boone said Monday night after a 3-1 win over Detroit. "Surgery could be in play, which would obviously compromise his season. There is some optimism, though, that he would respond to the kind of rehab protocol."New York has nine players on the injured list already. The Yankees have a replacement at third in... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday:BRYCE IS BACKFrom the moment Bryce Harper signed his $330 million, 13-year deal with the Phillies, this game is the one everyone has been thinking about: Tuesday night marks Harper's initial visit to Nationals Park to face his former team. What will the crowd's reaction be the first time he steps to that plate in a uniform other than Washington's? What sort of tribute will there be from the Nationals? What sort of gesture will the outfielder himself make? And how will Harper, who loves the spotlight, fare in the reunion — especially against Max Scherzer? Philadelphia enters as baseball's only undefeated team, 3-0 after pummeling the Braves at home — an effort helped by two long home runs from Harper.ANOTHER LOOKThe Indians have sent All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor for a second opinion on a left ankle injury that could be more serious than first believed. Lindor was in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Monday, visiting foot and ankle specialist... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton and Miguel Andujar joined the Yankees' lengthy injured list, putting nearly half of New York's starting lineup on the sidelines just three games into the season.Stanton strained his left biceps fouling off a 3-1 fastball from Baltimore's Dylan Bundy in the third inning of Sunday's 7-5 loss, an injury that could cause the outfielder to miss much of April.Andujar strained his right shoulder sliding headfirst into third base an inning later on a bases-loaded pickoff attempt by catcher Pedro Severino.Stanton grimaced and stepped out of the batter's box when he first felt the injury but remained in the game and played all nine innings.He felt the biceps tighten after the game and went for an MRI, which led to a diagnosis of a Grade 1 strain. He won't participate in any activities for 10 days, and the Yankees will evaluate him then."I wasn't sure if it was a cramp or something more significant," Stanton said Monday. "I don't like it at all. I just worked for... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bryce Harper homered deep into the second deck in right-center field for his first hit with Philadelphia and celebrated with an emphatic curtain call, highlighting the Phillies' 8-6 win over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday.Hitless over five at-bats this season after signing a $330 million, 13-year deal, Harper crushed Jesse Biddle's fastball 465 feet with two outs in the seventh. Fans gave Harper a standing ovation and chanted "MVP! MVP!"After getting high fives in the dugout, Harper climbed out for a curtain call, throwing both fists in the air and shouting "Let's go!"Maikel Franco and J.T. Realmuto also went deep for Philadelphia. The game was tied at 4 in the fifth when Realmuto lined a two-run drive off Wes Parsons (0-1).Adam Morgan (1-0) faced one batter in the fifth inning.Dansby Swanson and Charlie Culberson homered, and Freddie Freeman had four hits and drove in two for the Braves.BREWERS 4, CARDINALS 2MILWAUKEE (AP) — Christian Yelich became the first MVP to... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bryce Harper homered deep into the second deck in right-center field for his first hit with Philadelphia and celebrated with an emphatic curtain call, highlighting the Phillies' 8-6 win over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday.Hitless over five at-bats this season after signing a $330 million, 13-year deal, Harper crushed Jesse Biddle's fastball 465 feet with two outs in the seventh. Fans gave Harper a standing ovation and chanted "MVP! MVP!"After getting high fives in the dugout, Harper climbed out for a curtain call, throwing both fists in the air and shouting "Let's go!"Maikel Franco and J.T. Realmuto also went deep for Philadelphia. The game was tied at 4 in the fifth when Realmuto lined a two-run drive off Wes Parsons (0-1).Adam Morgan (1-0) faced one batter in the fifth inning.Dansby Swanson and Charlie Culberson homered, and Freddie Freeman had four hits and drove in two for the Braves.ORIOLES 5, YANKEES 3NEW YORK (AP) — Brandon Hyde earned his first win as Baltimore's... [More]

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — In his rookie season with the Detroit Tigers, Niko Goodrum spent time at first base, second base, third base, shortstop and both corner outfield spots.The next logical step was to try him in center field, and manager Ron Gardenhire did just that during spring training this month."We're just looking for places to put him. We're going to play him everywhere," Gardenhire said. "Except catcher. We're not going to do that yet."Goodrum's bat makes him a decent asset for the Tigers, but his versatility is what really sets him apart, and there's increasing evidence that major league teams are putting more value on his type of jack-of-all-trades skill set. More players have been moved around the diamond in recent seasons, a sign of how important the modern utility player is to the flexibility of a big league lineup.According to the play index at Baseball-Reference.com, 31 players appeared in at least one game last season at first base, second base, third base and shortstop.... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Every team has a "next big thing" in the minors, waiting for the chance to dazzle in the majors, and Washington Nationals fans have been hearing about Victor Robles for years.He's an outfielder whose speed fuels his offense and defense. He's shown power, too. "Toolsy" is the way new Nationals second baseman Brian Dozier described him. "Explosive," was first baseman Ryan Zimmerman's adjective.Robles started in center field and went 0 for 3 in Washington's exhibition finale Monday, a 5-3 victory over the New York Yankees at Nationals Park. That's also where he's expected to be on opening day, finally getting his turn to begin a season in the big leagues, moving into an outfield that lost Bryce Harper to free agency."That's what we work here for, to be an everyday player in the big leagues. I feel physically and mentally ready for that," Robles said in an interview through bullpen catcher Octavio Martinez, who serves as a team translator. "Absolutely, that's something you... [More]

Justin Verlander and the Houston Astros are going to continue their successful partnership for a while longer.Verlander and the Astros have agreed to a contract adding an additional $66 million in guaranteed money for 2020 and '21, a person with direct knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press.The person spoke Saturday on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced. The agreement was first reported by KRIV-FOX 26.A 36-year-old right-hander, Verlander is due $28 million in 2019, the final guaranteed season of a $180 million, seven-year deal he signed with Detroit before the 2013 season. That contract included a $22 million option for 2020 that would have become guaranteed if Verlander finished among the top five in Cy Young Award voting this year.Verlander was traded from Detroit to Houston on Aug. 31, 2017, and helped the Astros win their first World Series that season. The 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young Award winner, he finished second in Cy Young voting last season... [More]

Justin Verlander and the Houston Astros are going to continue their successful partnership for a while longer.Verlander and the Astros have agreed to a contract adding an additional $66 million in guaranteed money for 2020 and '21, a person with direct knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press.The person spoke Saturday on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced. The agreement was first reported by KRIV-FOX 26.A 36-year-old right-hander, Verlander is due $28 million in 2019, the final guaranteed season of a $180 million, seven-year deal he signed with Detroit before the 2013 season. That contract included a $22 million option for 2020 that would have become guaranteed if Verlander finished among the top five in Cy Young Award voting this year.Verlander was traded from Detroit to Houston on Aug. 31, 2017, and helped the Astros win their first World Series that season. The 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young Award winner, he finished second in Cy Young voting last season... [More]

Justin Verlander and the Houston Astros are going to continue their successful partnership for a while longer.Verlander and the Astros have agreed to a contract adding an additional $66 million in guaranteed money for 2020 and '21, a person with direct knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press.The person spoke Saturday on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced. The agreement was first reported by KRIV-FOX 26.A 36-year-old right-hander, Verlander is due $28 million in 2019, the final guaranteed season of a $180 million, seven-year deal he signed with Detroit before the 2013 season. That contract included a $22 million option for 2020 that would have become guaranteed if Verlander finished among the top five in Cy Young Award voting this year.Verlander was traded from Detroit to Houston on Aug. 31, 2017, and helped the Astros win their first World Series that season. The 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young Award winner, he finished second in Cy Young voting last season... [More]