MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins took nine wins from an 11-game home stand into the All-Star break, a midsummer surge that can boost a middling team into the postseason race.This might not be that kind of year in the American League."I just wish we had more games ahead of us," first baseman Joe Mauer said.Ervin Santana is almost ready to rejoin the rotation. Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano are expected back soon from minor league sabbaticals. Even if reinforcements help maintain this momentum, though, the strength of the league leaders might render it moot.Boston, Houston and New York are all on pace for 100 wins, with Seattle right behind. The Twins earned the second wild card spot last season with an 85-77 record that likely won't come close to qualifying this time. They're 44-50 now, 13 games behind the Mariners with Oakland, Tampa Bay and Los Angeles between them.Catching Cleveland, which leads the AL Central division by 7½ games, is the only realistic path."I think we will play... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have reinstated shortstop Jorge Polanco, following his 80-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.The Twins also recalled right-hander Zack Littell from Triple-A Rochester among several moves before their game Monday at Milwaukee. Left-hander Adalberto Mejia was sent to Rochester after making one start. Utility infielder Ehire Adrianza went to the disabled list with a hamstring injury.To make room for Polanco on the 40-man roster, outfielder Ryan LaMarre was designated for release or assignment. Outfielder Byron Buxton was returned from his rehab assignment and sent to Rochester. Buxton has played in only 28 games for the Twins this season, due to injuries and hitting struggles.Polanco had a breakout 2017 season, batting .316 with 10 homers and 42 RBIs over his last 55 games.___For more AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have reinstated shortstop Jorge Polanco, following his 80-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.The Twins also recalled right-hander Zack Littell from Triple-A Rochester among several moves before their game Monday at Milwaukee. Left-hander Adalberto Mejia was sent to Rochester after making one start. Utility infielder Ehire Adrianza went to the disabled list with a hamstring injury.To make room for Polanco on the 40-man roster, outfielder Ryan LaMarre was designated for release or assignment. Outfielder Byron Buxton was returned from his rehab assignment and sent to Rochester. Buxton has played in only 28 games for the Twins this season, due to injuries and hitting struggles.Polanco had a breakout 2017 season, batting .316 with 10 homers and 42 RBIs over his last 55 games.___For more AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — With Eddie Rosario dug in the dirt for Minnesota in the ninth inning of a tied game and one runner on, his arms wiggling the bat as they hovered over home plate, the 2-1 fastball from Cleveland closer Cody Allen came in chest high at 94 mph.Most players would've let that pitch go.Rosario let it rip.The ball soared over the 23-foot wall above right-center field, and Rosario exuberantly raced around the bases with his right arm and right index finger extended Sunday in celebration of a walk-off Twins win on his third home run of the afternoon ."I've seen a lot of good days in the big leagues, but I don't know if I've seen one that was more dramatic than that as far as the first inning all the way through the end," said 61-year-old Twins manager Paul Molitor, whose Hall of Fame playing career lasted 21 seasons.Rosario's homers in the first and seventh innings also gave the Twins the lead on their way to a third straight victory over the division-leading Indians. For extra... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Twins first baseman Joe Mauer has not been able to shake the concussion-like symptoms he has experienced since hurting his neck three weeks ago.Mauer's return to the lineup hit another road block while working out Thursday before Minnesota's game against Cleveland, when continued sensitivity to light and noise while jogging around and fielding groundballs and forced him to back off."We kind of got a better feel for where I'm at, and I'm not there yet," Mauer said.The 35-year-old Mauer has also been dealing with a cervical strain resulting from a May 11 dive for a foul ball. He played for another week before departing mid-game May 18 and being placed on the disabled list the following day.Mauer said he has been told by the team's medical staff that some recurrence of symptoms is to be expected, but that didn't stem his disappointment. He planned to stay at the ballpark and watch the game from the dugout, another test of sorts of his ability to withstand the typical... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Byron Buxton is going back on the Minnesota Twins disabled list, while right-hander Ervin Santana has had a setback while rehabbing in the minors.Buxton went on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday as he continues to have problems with a fractured big left toe.Santana is still having problems with the middle finger on his pitching hand, which required offseason surgery.Buxton went on the disabled list on April 18 with a migraine and in his first minor league rehab game fouled a ball off his left foot, suffering the hairline fracture."It's one of those things where I felt like I could tolerate," Buxton said. "We all felt it would heal over time, but it's something that didn't do as we planned."Me in my opinion, hopefully, I find a better tolerance level, but in reality it's probably something I need to heal to keep it from lingering around. But I have to see where I set when this stint is over."He was reinstated on May 10, but hit .122 with 17 strikeouts and one walk in... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have placed outfielder Byron Buxton on the 10-day disabled list with a left big toe fracture.The Twins announced the move before Wednesday night's game against the Kansas City Royals.Buxton has played in 28 games this season, hitting .156 (14-for-90) with four doubles, four RBIs and five stolen bases.To replace Buxton on the 25-man roster, the Twins recalled right-handed pitcher Aaron Slegers from Triple-A Rochester. Slegers made nine starts for the Red Wings, going 5-2 with a 3.27 ERA, eight walks and 31 strikeouts. The 2017 Twins minor league pitcher of the year was recalled by the Twins earlier this season, but did not appear in a game.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins lost a key member of their batting order Saturday as first baseman Joe Mauer was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a cervical strain and concussion-like symptoms.The former American League MVP was pulled from Friday's game in the fifth inning with what the team called "neck stiffness" stemming from a dive for a foul ball on May 11.Twins manager Paul Molitor revealed Saturday that Mauer was also experiencing balance issues and sensitivity to light the night prior, which contributed to his removal."We ran through the protocol last night," said Molitor, "and there was no definitive answer there as far as what exactly is ongoing, but given his history ... it looks to me like it's gonna be at least a few days."Mauer suffered a concussion in 2013 that gave him lingering symptoms as he hit below .280 for three seasons in a row.The 35-year-old batted .305 last season and was hitting .283 this year with a .404 on-base percentage. He recently recorded... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins say outfielder Byron Buxton is out indefinitely with a hairline fracture of his left big toe.Twins manager Paul Molitor said Saturday that an MRI confirmed the injury, which occurred when Buxton fouled a ball off his toe in a rehab game in Florida last Sunday.Buxton had been placed on the 10-day DL on April 18 because of migraines. The team was hoping to get him back during its homestand wrapping up on Thursday. But Molitor said that's no longer likely."It's going to obviously cost us more games than we originally thought," Molitor said. "The next five days should probably give us an indication of the progress."Buxton is off to a slow start at the plate, hitting just .195 in 11 games. But he's continued to have an impact with his defense in center field. On Friday night, he was in Minneapolis to pick up his 2017 Platinum Glove Award, given to the best defensive player in each league.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

WASHINGTON (AP) — Max Scherzer stole the first base of his professional career and allowed only two singles in his fifth big league shutout, and the Washington Nationals ended a five-game losing skid while getting back to .500 with a 2-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Monday night.Scherzer (2-1), the winner of the past two NL Cy Young Awards, did not let the Braves push a runner beyond first base. Kurt Suzuki got a hit in the second, and Nick Markakis did in the fifth, but neither advanced.Scherzer managed to get farther than that: He swiped second after singling off reliever Peter Moylan in the seventh.Howie Kendrick delivered all the offense Washington needed with a two-run double.Scherzer struck out 10 and walked none in his ninth complete game in 299 major league starts. And he needed only 102 pitches, a far more efficient outing than his previous time on the mound: He threw 110 over five innings in a 7-1 loss at Atlanta on April 4.Julio Teheran (0-1) went six innings for the Braves,... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Max Scherzer stole the first base of his professional career and allowed only two singles in his fifth big league shutout, and the Washington Nationals ended a five-game losing skid while getting back to .500 with a 2-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Monday night.Scherzer (2-1), the winner of the past two NL Cy Young Awards, did not let the Braves push a runner beyond first base. Kurt Suzuki got a hit in the second, and Nick Markakis did in the fifth, but neither advanced.Scherzer managed to get farther than that: He swiped second after singling off reliever Peter Moylan in the seventh.Howie Kendrick delivered all the offense Washington needed with a two-run double.Scherzer struck out 10 and walked none in his ninth complete game in 299 major league starts. And he needed only 102 pitches, a far more efficient outing than his previous time on the mound: He threw 110 over five innings in a 7-1 loss at Atlanta on April 4.Julio Teheran (0-1) went six innings for the Braves,... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The pageantry and patriotism accompanying the buildup to the Minnesota Twins' home opener forced a pause for James Paxton in his warmup routine, leaving the Seattle starting pitcher standing alone in left field while a giant flag was unfurled nearby.The bald eagle brought in for a ceremonial flight over the field was the final piece of the pregame pomp, prior to the playing of the national anthem.Well, the big bird didn't want to visit the mound, perhaps wary of Major League Baseball's new rule limiting such trips to keep the pace of play. Instead, it picked out another target at Target Field.And Paxton wound up as the landing spot, sticking its talons into his back."I guess the eagle knew I was Canadian. I don't know. But it came for me," the left-hander said on Thursday evening after the Twins rallied past the Mariners 4-2 .Even on a 38-degree afternoon against a big-swinging lineup, the toughest task for Paxton might have been keeping his composure during that startling... [More]

The outfield used to be a prime destination for the fantasy needs of every baseball shopper. Times have changed.Other positions are more fruitful and stolen bases are more valuable than ever because they're not as readily available.In 2017, outfielders accounted for 38 percent of all plate appearance in Major League Baseball, and accordingly represented 38.9 percent of home runs and 37.9 percent of all RBIs. Looking at other standard categories, outfielders accounted for 41 percent of runs scored and 54.9 percent of stolen bases. They hit an average of .260 versus the typical .255 batting average. They were even better with on-base percentage, earning a .332 mark compared to baseball's average OBP of .324.Combine those numbers with the reality that HRs overall are up 45.8 percent since 2014, and RBIs increased by just 15 percent - but stolen bases are down 29.8 percent from their peak this decade.The takeaway: You can get power anywhere, but steals are at a premium and the outfield is a... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Twin Cities were the place to be this winter with the Super Bowl in town.The Twins, meanwhile, have worked hard to make Minnesota more of a long-term destination."I wanted to go somewhere where they had a chance to win no matter what," said right-hander Lance Lynn, the last in a series of shrewd moves made to upgrade a team that was already well on the upswing after reaching the American League wild card game with a collection of 25-and-under contributors.That outlook seemed unfathomable when the Twins lost a club-record 103 games in 2016 and chief baseball officer Derek Falvey and general manager Thad Levine barely touched the roster for 2017 upon taking over the front office. But that's what is happening: Players seeking a stable, successful environment have eagerly picked Minnesota."I think we can sense that," manager Paul Molitor said. "Everyone is, with good reason, excited about what lies ahead. I think this is an attractive place to come to right now, given... [More]

Capsules of American League Central teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Cleveland Indians2017: 102-60, first place, lost to Yankees in ALDS.Manager: Terry Francona (sixth season).He's Here: 1B-DH Yonder Alonso, LF Rajai Davis, RHP Alexi Ogando.He's Outta Here: 1B Carlos Santana, OF Jay Bruce, RHP Bryan Shaw, RHP Joe Smith, OF Austin Jackson, LHP Boone Logan.Projected Lineup: SS Francisco Lindor (.273, 33 HRs, 89 RBIs, 44 2Bs, 15 SBs, 10 errors), 2B Jason Kipnis (.232, 12 HRs, 35 RBIs in 90 games), 3B Jose Ramirez (.318, 29, 83, AL-leading 56 2Bs), DH Edwin Encarnacion (.258, 38, 107), 1B Yonder Alonso (.266, career-high 28 HRs, 67 RBIs with Athletics and Mariners), RF Lonnie Chisenhall (.288, 12, 53 in 82 games), C Roberto Perez (.207, 8, 38, club went 44-22 in his starts) or Yan Gomes (.232, 14, 56), CF Bradley Zimmer (.241, 8, 39, 18 SBs, 0 errors), LF Michael Brantley (.299, 9, 52 in 90 games) or Rajai Davis (.235, 5, 20, 29 SBs with Oakland and Boston).Rotation: RH Corey Kluber... [More]

A big second half by shortstop Jorge Polanco helped push the Minnesota Twins into the playoffs last season. This year, they'll try to start fast without him.Polanco was suspended 80 games on Sunday after testing positive for the performance-enhancing substance Stanozolol. He became the sixth player to be banned this year under the major league drug program — one more than last year.Polanco hit .256 with 13 home runs and 74 RBIs last season while starting 127 games at shortstop. The 24-year-old also stole 13 bases in helping the Twins earn an AL wild-card spot.In a statement released by the players' union, Polanco said he didn't "intentionally consume this steroid."Polanco said he requested a substance from his athletic trainer in the Dominican Republic, but was given something else.ELSEWHERE AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND CACTUS LEAGUESMETS 5, ORIOLES 4The Mets said lefty Jason Vargas will have surgery after his right hand was broken by a line drive in a minor league game Friday. No timetable... [More]

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels rookie Shohei Ohtani allowed six runs while pitching three innings in an exhibition game against the Mexican League's Tijuana Toros on Friday.The 23-year-old Ohtani struck out six and walked one.Ohtani spent five seasons with the Nippon Ham Fighters before signing with the Angels as an international free agent on Dec. 10. He is trying to become the first player in nearly 100 years to play regularly as a pitcher and hitter, but he has had mixed results so far this spring.AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND CACTUS LEAGUESDODGERS 6, ROYALS (SS) 4Los Angeles closer Kenley Jansen was held out of what was supposed to be his first big league spring training game this year due to an injured upper right hamstring."When he was getting ready today, his pregame stuff and kind of getting his legs loose, it tightened up on him," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "We had the trainers look at him and it just made sense to just not throw him out there."Roberts said he expects... [More]

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels rookie Shohei Ohtani allowed six runs while pitching three innings in an exhibition game against the Mexican League's Tijuana Toros on Friday.The 23-year-old Ohtani struck out six and walked one.Ohtani spent five seasons with the Nippon Ham Fighters before signing with the Angels as an international free agent on Dec. 10. He is trying to become the first player in nearly 100 years to play regularly as a pitcher and hitter, but he has had mixed results so far this spring.AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND CACTUS LEAGUESDODGERS 6, ROYALS (SS) 4Los Angeles closer Kenley Jansen was held out of what was supposed to be his first big league spring training game this year due to an injured upper right hamstring."When he was getting ready today, his pregame stuff and kind of getting his legs loose, it tightened up on him," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "We had the trainers look at him and it just made sense to just not throw him out there."Roberts said he expects... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — With Byron Buxton in the middle, flanked by Eddie Rosario and Max Kepler, the Minnesota Twins boast one of the most dynamic young outfields in baseball.Their average age is 25. They combined to hit 62 home runs last season. Their defense is superb, judged by both basic measurements and advanced metrics.These are Jeff Pickler's protegees."We don't feel too pressured, or feel scared to make that mistake. We've got room to improve, and he understands that," Buxton said, reflecting on his first year under Pickler's supervision. "It allows us to go out there and play free, play aggressively."Soon after Derek Falvey took over as the organization's chief baseball officer, the Twins hired Pickler as the eighth coach under manager Paul Molitor, without a defined role like the rest of the staff. Though his background was at second base, in an eight-year minor league career that topped out at Triple-A and ended in 2005, Pickler was quickly identified as the right person to... [More]

Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel will have to wait even longer before playing this season.Gurriel had surgery on his left hand Wednesday and the normal recovery time is six weeks.Opening day for the World Series champions is March 29, when the Astros visit Texas. When Gurriel returns, he will serve a five-game suspension imposed by Major League Baseball for making an inappropriate gesture toward Dodgers pitcher Yu Darvish during the World Series.Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said Gurriel's hand was broken before he came to camp. Luhnow said he did not know the original cause of the fracture."It was non-symptomatic until recently and he started to feel something," Luhnow said. "Once you start feeling something, the right course of action is to just remove it because it's a pretty reliable surgery, and we know what the outcome is going to be."The 33-year-old Gurriel hit .299 with 18 homers and 75 RBIs last year in his first full season in the majors. He played in one exhibition... [More]