Cubs fourth. Ian Happ singles to right center field. Jason Heyward reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow right field. Ian Happ out at second. Nico Hoerner doubles to deep right center field. Jason Heyward scores. Kyle Hendricks strikes out swinging. Anthony Rizzo grounds out to first base to Jose Osuna.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cubs 1, Pirates 0.Pirates seventh. Adam Frazier doubles to center field. Jose Osuna singles to shallow center field. Adam Frazier to third. Colin Moran singles to left field. Jose Osuna to second. Adam Frazier scores. Jacob Stallings singles to right center field. Colin Moran to second. Jose Osuna to third. Kevin Kramer doubles to deep right field. Jacob Stallings to third. Colin Moran scores. Jose Osuna scores. Erik Gonzalez reaches on error. Kevin Kramer scores. Jacob Stallings scores. Fielding error by Ben Zobrist. Pablo Reyes pinch-hitting for Francisco Liriano. Pablo Reyes singles to right field. Erik Gonzalez to second. Kevin Newman reaches on... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees pitcher Domingo Germán is being investigated for an alleged domestic violence incident involving his girlfriend at home this week, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Friday.The person spoke under condition of anonymity because no details have been authorized during the probe by Major League Baseball.Germán was put on administrative leave Thursday under MLB's domestic violence policy.The person said the incident occurred Monday night into Tuesday at Germán's residence in Yonkers. Germán and his girlfriend have at least one child together.MLB is not aware of any police involvement in the situation. MLB won't announce any discipline until its investigation is complete.Germán isn't permitted to be around the team during the administrative leave, which can last up to seven days, barring an extension. MLB and the players' union will speak next week to determine the next step.Germán's locker still had his jerseys, hats and cleats before Friday... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees star pitcher Domingo Germán was placed on administrative leave under Major League Baseball's domestic violence policy on Thursday, casting doubt over whether New York's top winner this season will be available for the playoffs.Manager Aaron Boone was informed of the decision while he was driving to Yankee Stadium for a game against the Los Angeles Angels. New York won 9-1 to clinch its first AL East title since 2012."Set baseball aside, this is a bigger issue, obviously," Boone said. "When you hear the words domestic violence, it's one of those things that stops you in your tracks."Details on what prompted the action weren't disclosed. The leave may last up to seven days, barring an extension.The Yankees begin the AL playoffs on Oct. 4, likely at home.A 27-year-old right-hander from the Dominican Republic who made his major league debut in 2017, Germán entered this season with a 2-7 record in 14 starts and 14 relief appearances. He became a full-time member of the... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Cubs slugger Anthony Rizzo hit a tying home run in his surprise return to the lineup Thursday night for the opener of a crucial four-game series against the NL Central-leading St. Louis Cardinals.Four days after suffering a sprained right ankle that threatened his status for the rest of the regular season, Rizzo was inserted atop Chicago's lineup 20 minutes before first pitch. He homered off Jack Flaherty in the third inning to tie the game at 1, and fans at Wrigley Field celebrated wildly as he slowly circled the bases.Rizzo left a game against Pittsburgh on Sunday after spraining the ankle fielding a bunt, and he was expected to be in a walking boot for up to a week. He warmed up in the outfield prior to Thursday's game while team medical personnel looked on, then was inserted into the leadoff spot and tabbed to play first base.The Cubs also got closer Craig Kimbrel and infielder Addison Russell back.Kimbrel has been out since Sept. 1 due to inflammation in his right elbow.... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs have activated closer Craig Kimbrel from the injured list before opening a crucial four-game series against the NL Central-leading St. Louis Cardinals.Kimbrel has been out since Sept. 1 due to inflammation in his right elbow. He'll be available Thursday against the Cardinals, who are three games ahead of the Cubs.The 31-year-old Kimbrel signed a $43 million, three-year contract as a free agent in June. He's converted 13 of 15 save chances, posting a 5.68 ERA in 21 appearances. He also spent time on the IL with right knee inflammation in August.The Cubs also got infielder Addison Russell back Thursday. He cleared concussion protocol and was set to be available off the bench. He missed 10 games after being hit in the head by a fastball.Left-hander Cole Hamels will miss his next rotation turn because of persistent fatigue in his left shoulder. The veteran hopes to pitch again during a three-game series at Pittsburgh next week.Righty Alec Mills will start Friday,... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees star pitcher Domingo Germán was placed on administrative leave under Major League Baseball's domestic violence policy on Thursday, casting doubt over whether New York's top winner this season will be available for the playoffs.Manager Aaron Boone was informed of the decision while he was driving to Yankee Stadium for a game against the Los Angeles Angels. New York was in position to clinch its first AL East title since 2012 with a victory."Set baseball aside, this is a bigger issue, obviously," Boone said. "When you hear the words domestic violence, it's one of those things that stops you in your tracks."Details on what prompted the action weren't disclosed. MLB said the leave "may last up to seven days, barring an extension."The Yankees are likely to begin the AL playoffs on Oct. 4 at home.A 27-year-old right-hander from the Dominican Republic who made his major league debut in 2017, Germán entered this season with a 2-7 record in 14 starts and 14 relief appearances.... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:HOUSTON HAMMERSRookie Yordan Alvarez and the Houston Astros have set a franchise record by totaling 36 runs in their last two games, helped by exceptionally fast starts.On Sunday, the AL West leaders built a whopping 13-0 cushion in the first three innings on their way to a 21-1 rout of Seattle — Alvarez had three doubles and a single and drove in six runs.On Monday night, Alvarez homered in each of the first two innings as Houston rushed to an 11-0 lead. The Astros hit seven homers overall and pounded Oakland 15-0.The Astros have won five in a row and next take on A's righty Tanner Roark (9-8, 3.86 ERA). Wade Miley (13-4, 3.35) starts for host Houston.TROUT OUTAngels star Mike Trout has undergone a cryoablation procedure to alleviate pain in his right foot. Manager Brad Ausmus described the procedure as relatively minor and said the slugging outfielder could return later this series against Cleveland.Trout has been bothered by nerve pain... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — All-Star shortstop Javier Báez could return to the Chicago Cubs if they reach the playoffs.Báez saw a hand specialist in Chicago who confirmed the slugger has a hairline fracture of his left thumb. He is expected to miss the rest of this month, but the team said Monday he will continue his rehab in hopes of playing in October.The slumping Cubs headed into their series opener at San Diego in the NL's second wild-card slot.Báez got hurt on a headfirst slide into second base during a 4-0 loss to Milwaukee on Sept. 1. He is batting .281 with 29 homers and 85 RBIs."We're just going to have to wait on Javy," manager Joe Maddon said.With Báez and Addison Russell sidelined, touted prospect Nico Hoerner was promoted from Double-A Tennessee and got the start against the Padres.The Cubs also recalled right-hander James Norwood from Triple-A Iowa. To make room for Hoerner on the 40-man roster, lefty Randy Rosario was designated for assignment.Right-hander Adbert Alzolay was optioned... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — All-Star shortstop Javier Báez could return to the Chicago Cubs if they reach the playoffs.Báez saw a hand specialist in Chicago who confirmed the slugger has a hairline fracture of his left thumb. He is expected to miss the rest of this month, but the team said Monday he will continue his rehab in hopes of playing in October.The slumping Cubs headed into their series opener at San Diego in the NL's second wild-card slot.Báez got hurt on a headfirst slide into second base during a 4-0 loss to Milwaukee on Sept. 1. He is batting .281 with 29 homers and 85 RBIs."We're just going to have to wait on Javy," manager Joe Maddon said.With Báez and Addison Russell sidelined, touted prospect Nico Hoerner was promoted from Double-A Tennessee and got the start against the Padres.Russell was hit in the head by a pitch from Milwaukee's Adrian Houser on Sunday. Maddon said the Cubs would know more about Russell's condition after he is seen by a local doctor.The 22-year-old Hoerner was... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:SHORT STUFFThe Cubs are awaiting word on Addison Russell after the infielder was hit in the face by a fastball Sunday. Russell remained in the game for a bit before being pulled as a precaution. The Cubs say he has a nasal contusion and is under evaluation for a possible concussion, although he was set to travel with the club to San Diego. Russell was slated to be Chicago's everyday shortstop with starter Javier Báez out indefinitely with a hairline fracture in his left thumb. David Bote could fill in for Russell if he misses time.GETTING WILDMets ace Jacob deGrom (8-8, 2.76) starts as New York hosts playoff-contending Arizona and right-hander Merrill Kelly (10-13, 4.69) to begin a four-game series. The Diamondbacks are 1½ games behind the Cubs for the final NL wild card, with New York trailing by four games. Arizona had won 11 of 12 before losing to Cincinnati in walk-off fashion Sunday, while the Mets have cooled following a stunning... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Monday:SHORT STUFFThe Cubs are awaiting word on Addison Russell after the infielder was hit in the face by a fastball Sunday. Russell remained in the game for a bit before being pulled as a precaution. The Cubs say he has a nasal contusion and is under evaluation for a possible concussion, although he was set to travel with the club to San Diego. Russell was slated to be Chicago's everyday shortstop with starter Javier Báez out indefinitely with a hairline fracture in his left thumb. David Bote could fill in for Russell if he misses time.GETTING WILDMets ace Jacob deGrom (8-8, 2.76) starts as New York hosts playoff-contending Arizona and right-hander Merrill Kelly (10-13, 4.69) to begin a four-game series. The Diamondbacks are 1½ games behind the Cubs for the final NL wild card, with New York trailing by four games. Arizona had won 11 of 12 before losing to Cincinnati in walk-off fashion Sunday, while the Mets have cooled following a stunning... [More]

Brewers first. Lorenzo Cain singles to center field. Yasmani Grandal walks. Lorenzo Cain to second. Christian Yelich walks. Yasmani Grandal to second. Lorenzo Cain to third. Ryan Braun grounds out to shortstop. Christian Yelich out at second. Yasmani Grandal to third. Lorenzo Cain scores. Eric Thames lines out to center field to Jason Heyward.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Brewers 1, Cubs 0.Cubs third. Addison Russell hit by pitch. David Bote singles to shallow right field, advances to 2nd. Addison Russell scores. Throwing error by Christian Yelich. Jon Lester doubles to right field. David Bote scores. Ben Zobrist doubles to right field. Jon Lester scores. Kyle Schwarber strikes out swinging. Nicholas Castellanos strikes out swinging. Anthony Rizzo lines out to left center field to Lorenzo Cain.3 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Cubs 3, Brewers 1.Brewers fourth. Christian Yelich singles to right field. Ryan Braun doubles to right field. Christian Yelich scores. Eric Thames strikes... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Chicago Cubs' Addison Russell left Sunday's game against Milwaukee in the third inning, after he was hit on the head by a 94 mph pitch from Milwaukee's Adrian Houser.Russell's helmet flew off as the ball hit around the area of his left cheek, and Russell fell to the ground.Manager Joe Maddon and assistant athletic trainer Nick Frangella rushed to the plate, and Russell initially stayed in the game. Russell stole second on the first pitch to David Bote and scored when Bote singled and right fielder Christian Yelich threw 20 feet to the first base side of the plate for an error.Russell was replaced in the bottom half when Ian Happ entered at third and Bote moved from third to shortstop.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Cubs fifth. Kyle Schwarber grounds out to shallow center field, Orlando Arcia to Eric Thames. Addison Russell homers to center field. Victor Caratini flies out to center field to Trent Grisham. Yu Darvish called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cubs 1, Brewers 0.Brewers sixth. Trent Grisham flies out to left field to Kyle Schwarber. Yasmani Grandal grounds out to shortstop, Addison Russell to Anthony Rizzo. Christian Yelich walks. Eric Thames walks. Ben Gamel singles to right field. Eric Thames to second. Christian Yelich scores. Lorenzo Cain pinch-hitting for Travis Shaw. Lorenzo Cain flies out to deep right field to Nicholas Castellanos.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cubs 1, Brewers 1.Cubs eighth. Victor Caratini walks. Ben Zobrist pinch-hitting for Steve Cishek. Ben Zobrist singles to right field. Robel Garcia to third. Ian Happ pinch-hitting for Albert Almora Jr.. Ian Happ walks. Ben Zobrist to second. Nicholas Castellanos called out on strikes. Anthony Rizzo walks.... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Chicago Cubs star shortstop Javier Báez has a hairline fracture in his left thumb, putting the rest of his season in jeopardy.An MRI in Chicago on Saturday revealed the extent of Báez's injury, suffered when he slid headfirst into second base last Sunday against Milwaukee at Wrigley Field. He'll undergo further examination with a hand specialist on Monday.The Cubs haven't announced a timeline for his possible return."I was concerned something like this may be the result," manager Joe Maddon said before the Cubs played the Brewers. "Now we will just have to wait to see the specialist and figure out from there."Chicago holds the second NL wild-card spot and is chasing the Central-leading St. Louis Cardinals. The playoffs begin Oct. 1.Báez, a two-time All-Star, had missed the previous four games, including the first two of a four-game series against the Brewers at Miller Park. He is hitting .281 with 29 home runs and 85 RBIs.Maddon said he's going to lean on his bench to keep... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:BACK IN ACTIONHouston Astros ace Justin Verlander takes the mound for the first time since throwing his third career no-hitter Sunday at Toronto. Verlander struck out 14 and walked one in the 2-0 victory over the Blue Jays. He is 7-1 with a 1.76 ERA in his last 10 starts, strengthening his case for a second AL Cy Young Award. He faces visiting Seattle on Saturday night. Yusei Kikuchi pitches for the last-place Mariners.WAITING GAMEChicago Cubs shortstop Javier Báez is scheduled for an MRI on Saturday on his jammed left thumb. The All-Star slugger got hurt during Sunday's 4-0 loss to the Brewers. He was in the starting lineup for Friday night's game at Milwaukee, but was scratched after he continued to feel discomfort. Báez is batting .281 with 29 homers and 85 RBIs. With Báez out, Addison Russell has been playing shortstop for Chicago.WORTH WATCHINGCleveland continues its weekend series at Minnesota, and Washington visits Atlanta in another... [More]

Cubs third. Ben Zobrist called out on strikes. Kyle Schwarber lines out to left field to Ryan Braun. Nicholas Castellanos homers to center field. Anthony Rizzo grounds out to shallow right field, Cory Spangenberg to Tyler Austin.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cubs 1, Brewers 0.Brewers third. Lorenzo Cain singles to right center field. Yasmani Grandal singles to left center field. Lorenzo Cain to second. Christian Yelich homers to center field. Yasmani Grandal scores. Lorenzo Cain scores. Ryan Braun lines out to right field to Nicholas Castellanos. Tyler Austin singles to left field. Hernan Perez singles to center field. Tyler Austin to third. Cory Spangenberg singles to shallow infield. Hernan Perez to second. Tyler Austin scores. Orlando Arcia walks. Zach Davies grounds out to shortstop. Orlando Arcia out at second.4 runs, 6 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Brewers 4, Cubs 1.Brewers fourth. Lorenzo Cain lines out to center field to Jason Heyward. Yasmani Grandal homers to center field. Christian... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:BACK IN ACTIONHouston Astros ace Justin Verlander takes the mound for the first time since throwing his third career no-hitter Sunday at Toronto. Verlander struck out 14 and walked one in the 2-0 victory over the Blue Jays. He is 7-1 with a 1.76 ERA in his last 10 starts, strengthening his case for a second AL Cy Young Award. He faces visiting Seattle on Saturday night. Yusei Kikuchi pitches for the last-place Mariners.WAITING GAMEChicago Cubs shortstop Javier Báez is scheduled for an MRI on Saturday on his jammed left thumb. The All-Star slugger got hurt during Sunday's 4-0 loss to the Brewers. He was in the starting lineup for Friday night's game at Milwaukee, but was scratched after he continued to feel discomfort. Báez is batting .281 with 29 homers and 85 RBIs. With Báez out, Addison Russell has been playing shortstop for Chicago.WORTH WATCHINGCleveland continues its weekend series at Minnesota, and Washington visits Atlanta in... [More]

Cubs first. Ben Zobrist walks. Nicholas Castellanos called out on strikes. Kris Bryant strikes out swinging. Anthony Rizzo walks. Ben Zobrist to second. Willson Contreras doubles to left field. Anthony Rizzo to third. Ben Zobrist scores. Kyle Schwarber grounds out to shallow infield, Chase Anderson to Yasmani Grandal.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cubs 1, Brewers 0.Brewers second. Ryan Braun singles to center field. Manny Pina grounds out to third base, Kris Bryant to Anthony Rizzo. Ryan Braun to second. Hernan Perez homers to right field. Ryan Braun scores. Orlando Arcia flies out to left center field to Kyle Schwarber. Cory Spangenberg grounds out to second base, Ben Zobrist to Anthony Rizzo.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Brewers 2, Cubs 1.Cubs fourth. Willson Contreras homers to center field. Kyle Schwarber doubles to deep center field. Addison Russell lines out to third base to Hernan Perez. Jason Heyward flies out to deep left field to Ryan Braun. Jose Quintana grounds out... [More]

Cubs second. Willson Contreras homers to center field. Ian Happ walks. Jason Heyward strikes out swinging. Ian Happ steals second. Addison Russell flies out to left center field to Braden Bishop. Jon Lester strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cubs 1, Mariners 0.Cubs third. Ben Zobrist walks. Kyle Schwarber doubles to deep center field. Ben Zobrist to third. Nicholas Castellanos out on a sacrifice fly to deep right field to Mallex Smith. Kyle Schwarber to third. Ben Zobrist scores. Anthony Rizzo grounds out to shallow infield to Dee Gordon. Willson Contreras walks. Ian Happ called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cubs 2, Mariners 0.Cubs fifth. Ben Zobrist singles to shallow infield. Kyle Schwarber singles to center field. Ben Zobrist to second. Nicholas Castellanos homers to center field. Kyle Schwarber scores. Ben Zobrist scores. Anthony Rizzo walks. Willson Contreras singles to left field. Anthony Rizzo to second. Ian Happ grounds out to shortstop.... [More]