ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani struck out nine while throwing 7 2/3 innings of excellent six-hit ball in his seventh career start, and the Los Angeles Angels snapped their five-game skid with a 5-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday.Martin Maldonado homered and drove in two runs, and Zack Cozart drove in two more runs on sacrifice flies as the Angels wrapped up a disappointing 11-game homestand with only four victories — including both games started by Ohtani (4-1).Los Angeles' rookie two-way sensation had another strong outing in the longest start of his stateside career. Ohtani retired 12 straight Rays after yielding rookie Johnny Field's homer leading off the third. Blake Parker pitched the ninth for his second save.While Ohtani threw 110 pitches, reliever Sergio Romo started for Tampa Bay for the second consecutive day. He faced the Angels' first six batters and got four outs while becoming the first pitcher in 38 years to last at least one inning in back-to-back starts.... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Monday:BIG SEXY AND THE BRONX BOMBERSThree days before his 45th birthday, Bartolo Colon (2-1, 2.82 ERA) pitches for last-place Texas against the hard-hitting New York Yankees, who socked nine homers and totaled 18 runs in the final two games of their series at Kansas City. Colon is 6-9 with a 6.11 ERA in 21 career appearances against the Yankees, one of his former teams. Masahiro Tanaka (4-2, 4.73) starts for New York.SNAKE BITPaul Goldschmidt and the slumping Diamondbacks try to snap out of their funk in Milwaukee. Arizona, which still leads the NL West, has lost four in a row and 10 of 11 — scoring just 22 runs in that span. "Everybody here is a victim of trying to do too much," manager Torey Lovullo said. "They want it so bad that we're doing things in a pressing manner. I just want us to remember that we're good when we're ourselves." Zack Greinke (3-2) goes on an extra day of rest against right-hander Chase Anderson (3-3), who is set to... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani struck out nine while throwing 7 2/3 innings of excellent six-hit ball in his seventh career start, and the Los Angeles Angels snapped their five-game skid with a 5-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday.Martin Maldonado homered and drove in two runs, and Zack Cozart drove in two more runs on sacrifice flies as the Angels wrapped up a disappointing 11-game homestand with only four victories — including both games started by Ohtani (4-1).Los Angeles' rookie two-way sensation had another strong outing in the longest start of his stateside career. Ohtani retired 12 straight Rays after yielding rookie Johnny Field's homer leading off the third. Blake Parker pitched the ninth for his second save.While Ohtani threw 110 pitches, reliever Sergio Romo started for Tampa Bay for the second consecutive day. He faced the Angels' first six batters and got four outs while becoming the first pitcher in 38 years to last at least one inning in back-to-back starts.... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Outfielder Juan Soto struck out in his major league debut for the Washington Nationals, at 19 becoming the youngest player in the major leagues.He pinch hit to leading off the eighth inning Sunday and saw four pitches from Erik Goeddel in a 7-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers."I like his swing, I really do," Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. "He just missed a fastball, fouled it back."Martinez plans to insert Soto into the starting lineup at some point during a three-game series against San Diego."I'm going to look at the matchups but I definitely want him to play over the next two days," Martinez said.Soto played for three teams in the minor leagues this season and hit .362 with 14 homers and 52 RBIs."I was in shock," Soto said before the game. "I didn't think it would happen that quick but I feel pretty good."Soto became the first 19-year-old to debut since Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias in 2016 and just the second Nationals player to debut at 19 years after Bryce Harper,... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Outfielder Juan Soto struck out in his major league debut for the Washington Nationals, at 19 becoming the youngest player in the major leagues.He pinch hit to leading off the eighth inning Sunday and saw four pitches from Erik Goeddel in a 7-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers."I like his swing, I really do," Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. "He just missed a fastball, fouled it back."Martinez plans to insert Soto into the starting lineup at some point during a three-game series against San Diego."I'm going to look at the matchups but I definitely want him to play over the next two days," Martinez said.Soto played for three teams in the minor leagues this season and hit .362 with 14 homers and 52 RBIs."I was in shock," Soto said before the game. "I didn't think it would happen that quick but I feel pretty good."Soto became the first 19-year-old to debut since Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias in 2016 and just the second Nationals player to debut at 19 years after Bryce Harper,... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Cleveland Indians have called up veteran outfielder Melky Cabrera from Triple-A Columbus.Cabrera was in the lineup for Sunday night's game against the Houston Astros, playing right field and batting sixth.The 33-year-old Cabrera agreed to a minor league contract with Cleveland in April. Cabrera, a 2012 All-Star, played 156 combined games last season for the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals, batting .285 with 17 homers and 85 RBIs.In 10 games with Columbus since signing on April 23, Cabrera hit .286 in 42 plate appearances.To make room for Cabrera on the 40-man roster, the Indians optioned right-hander Evan Marshall to Columbus and designated right-hander Alexi Ogando for assignment.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Outfielder Juan Soto made his major league debut for the Washington Nationals, at 19 becoming the youngest player in the major leagues.Soto played for three teams in the minor leagues this season and hit .362 with 14 homers and 52 RBIs. He pinch hit in the eighth inning Sunday and struck out against Erik Goeddel in a 7-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers."I was in shock," Soto said before the game. "I didn't think it would happen that quick but I feel pretty good."Soto became the first 19-year-old to debut since Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias in 2016 and just the second Nationals player to debut at 19 years after Bryce Harper, who was 19 years, 195 days in 2012."He's going to get a chance to play," manager Dave Martinez said. "I want to put him in situations where he can succeed."Washington made the move one day after Howie Kendrick tore his right Achilles tendon, an injury that ended his season. Adam Eaton and Brian Godwin are also on the disabled list.Soto started the season at Class A Hagerstown, made his debut at Class A Potomac on April 24 then moved up to Double-A Harrisburg on May 10.Right-hander Jefry Rodriguez was optioned to Harrisburg, and outfielder Moises Sierra was designated for assignment to make room for Soto, whose contract was selected from the Senators. Washington also recalled shortstop Adrian Sanchez from Syracuse.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

WASHINGTON (AP) — Outfielder Juan Soto was brought up by the Washington Nationals, at 19 becoming the youngest player in the major leagues.Soto played for three teams in the minor leagues this season and hit .362 with 14 homers and 52 RBIs. He was not in Sunday's lineup against the Los Angeles Dodgers."I was in shock," Soto said. "I didn't think it would happen that quick but I feel pretty good."Soto would become the first 19-year-old to debut since Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias in 2016 and just the second Nationals player to debut at 19 years after Bryce Harper, who was 19 years, 195 days in 2012."He's going to get a chance to play," manager Dave Martinez said. "I want to put him in situations where he can succeed."Washington made the move one day after Howie Kendrick tore his right Achilles tendon, an injury that ended his season. Adam Eaton and Brian Godwin are also on the disabled list.Soto started the season at Class A Hagerstown, made his debut at Class A Potomac on April 24 then moved up to Double-A Harrisburg on May 10.Right-hander Jefry Rodriguez was optioned to Harrisburg, and outfielder Moises Sierra was designated for assignment to make room for Soto, whose contract was selected from the Senators. Washington also recalled shortstop Adrian Sanchez from Syracuse.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

WASHINGTON (AP) — Outfielder Juan Soto was brought up by the Washington Nationals, at 19 becoming the youngest player in the major leagues.Soto played for three teams in the minor leagues this season and hit .362 with 14 homers and 52 RBIs. He was not in Sunday's lineup against the Los Angeles Dodgers."I was in shock," Soto said. "I didn't think it would happen that quick but I feel pretty good."Soto would become the youngest player to debut since Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias in 2016 and just the second Nationals player to debut at 19 years after Bryce Harper, who was 19 years, 195 days in 2012."He's going to get a chance to play," manager Dave Martinez said. "I want to put him in situations where he can succeed."Washington made the move one day after Howie Kendrick tore his right Achilles tendon, an injury that ended his season. Adam Eaton and Brian Godwin are also on the disabled list.Soto started the season at Class A Hagerstown, made his debut at Class A Potomac on April 24 then moved up to Double-A Harrisburg on May 10.Right-hander Jefry Rodriguez was optioned to Harrisburg, and outfielder Moises Sierra was designated for assignment to make room for Soto, whose contract was selected from the Senators. Washington also recalled shortstop Adrian Sanchez from Syracuse.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Josh Harrison has been activated from the disabled list by the Pittsburgh Pirates after missing five weeks with a broken left pinkie, a week less than originally forecast.Harrison started Sunday against San Diego, his first appearance since he was hit by a pitch from Miami's Jose Urena on April 15. The two-time All-Star broke the same bone last September when he was hit by Cincinnati's Tyler Mahle.Right-hander Nick Kingham was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis to open a roster spot.Pittsburgh went 15-15 while Harrison was out. He was hitting .263 with a .328 on-base percentage as the Pirates primary leadoff hitter, and Adam Frazier and Sean Rodriguez split time in his absence."Adam and Sean have done everything that they could do, but we've missed some production at the top of the lineup," general manager Neal Huntington said,The 26-year-old Kingham is 2-1 with a 3.44 ERA in three starts. The rookie got opportunities due to Joe Musgrove's shoulder injury. Musgrove is expected to make his season debut Friday against St. Louis.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have released Jose Bautista a month after picking up the veteran slugger and will make Johan Camargo their starting third baseman.General manager Alex Anthopolous said the team made the decision Saturday before Camargo drove in two runs in an 8-1 win over Miami. Camargo, a switch-hitter, will play every day.The 37-year-old Bautista hit .143 with two homers and five RBIs in 12 games with the Braves after having his contract purchased from Triple-A Gwinnett. The six-time All-Star struck out 12 times in 35 at-bats."We agreed, for him, if there wasn't going to be at-bats here and there wasn't going to be playing time here, that it was not right for him," Anthopolous said Sunday.Bautista played outfield during most of his 14-year career, but the Braves signed him to a minor league contract last month, hoping the former Toronto star could add depth to the National League's top-scoring offense and shore up third base.Camargo, a 24-year-old from Panama, was the... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles have recalled right-hander David Hess from Triple-A Norfolk to start Sunday's series finale against the Boston Red Sox.It's the second major league start for the 24-year-old Hess. Baltimore optioned left-hander Donnie Hart to Norfolk to make room on the roster.Hess made his big league debut on May 12, when he held Tampa Bay to three runs in six innings at Camden Yards in the opener of a doubleheader against the Rays.Hart was 0-0 with a 1.93 ERA in four games.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rich Hill went back on the Los Angeles Dodgers' disabled list, a day after a blister burst on his left middle finger, and ace Clayton Kershaw threw a bullpen session for the first time since getting hurt.Hill lasted just two pitches when he started the second game of a doubleheader against Washington on Saturday."Four weeks is fair to get back on a major league mound," manager Dave Roberts said Sunday.The 38-year-old left-hander also was on the DL because of the blister from April 15 through May 7.Kershaw has been on the DL since May 6 with left biceps tendinitis. He threw about 30 pitches Sunday."It was really encouraging," Roberts said. "Real good intensity."Kershaw used his entire mix of pitches. He will throw another bullpen session before the Dodgers decide the next step in his rehabilitation.Los Angeles recalled ambidextrous reliever Pat Venditte from Oklahoma City to take Hill's roster spot and optioned right-hander Yimi Garcia to the Triple-A farm team. He had been brought up as the 26th man for the doubleheader.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

CHICAGO (AP) — The Texas Rangers have activated reliever Chris Martin from the 10-day disabled list and optioned right-hander Ariel Jurado to Double-A Frisco.Martin had been sidelined by right forearm irritation. He made two rehab appearances with Frisco, pitching a scoreless inning in each game.The 31-year-old Martin is 0-1 with a 5.14 ERA in 16 games in his first season with the Rangers. The Arlington, Texas, native signed a two-year contract with the Rangers in December after spending the previous two seasons in Japan.Jurado made his major league debut Saturday night against the Chicago White Sox. He allowed four runs and six hits in 4 2/3 innings in Texas' 5-3 loss.The Rangers announced the moves on Sunday.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have released Jose Bautista a month after picking up the veteran slugger and will make Johan Camargo their starting third baseman.General manager Alex Anthopolous said the team made the decision Saturday before Camargo drove in two runs in an 8-1 win over Miami. Camargo, a switch-hitter, will play every day.The 37-year-old Bautista hit .143 with two homers and five RBIs in 12 games with the Braves after having his contract purchased from Triple-A Gwinnett. The six-time All-Star struck out 12 times in 35 at-bats."We agreed, for him, if there wasn't going to be at-bats here and there wasn't going to be playing time here, that it was not right for him," Anthopolous said Sunday.Bautista played outfield during most of his 14-year career, but the Braves signed him to a minor league contract last month, hoping the former Toronto star could add depth to the National League's top-scoring offense and shore up third base.Camargo, a 24-year-old from Panama, was the... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:OHTANI TIMEAngels two-way star Shohei Ohtani pitches at home against Tampa Bay. He's 3-1 with a 3.58 ERA in six starts, and struck out 11 Twins in his last outing. The 23-year-old rookie is hitting .321 with six home runs and 17 RBIs in 84 at-bats.STARTING A NEW TREND?Veteran reliever Sergio Romo, who made his first big league start Saturday night, will start for the second straight day for Tampa Bay. It's an unusual move by manager Kevin Cash, who liked the idea of the righty Romo going against the Angels' right-handed hitters at the top of the lineup this weekend. The bold experiment paid off big-time when Romo struck out Zack Cozart, Mike Trout and Justin Upton on 18 pitches to begin the bottom of the first at Anaheim.That was the only inning Romo pitched after 588 relief appearances in a row. Cash says Romo will throw one or two innings in his return as a starter.NOT AGAINThe Dodgers will see how Rich Hill is feeling, a day after the... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Tampa Bay Rays reliever Sergio Romo played 11 seasons before making his first major league start.Not even 24 hours later, Romo will make his second.Romo will start for the second consecutive day in the finale of a four-game series against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday, Rays manager Kevin Cash said following a 5-3 win on Saturday night."I'm sure it will be talked about, but hopefully it works," Cash said.Romo struck out all three batters he faced in the first inning, using 18 pitches to fan Zack Cozart, Mike Trout and Justin Upton.Cash said Romo would have continued pitching if not for Daniel Robertson's grand slam in the second inning. Instead, Cash decided to take advantage of the 4-0 lead and immediately turn to rookie left-hander Ryan Yarbrough, who gave up one run in 6 1/3 innings.Cash's plan going into the game was to minimize the number of times Yarbrough would have to face the heart of an Angels' lineup heavy on right-handed batters."Try not to read too... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Blisters on the middle finger of his pitching hand are nothing new for veteran Dodgers left-hander Rich Hill, but the latest one is worse than usual and he doesn't know how to solve the problem.Hill threw just two pitches against the Washington Nationals on Saturday night before he was pulled with a recurrence of the blister problem that has already put him on the disabled list twice this season."It's frustrating as anything for me. To go out there and put the bullpen and team in this position," Hill said after the Dodgers used seven relievers to piece together a 5-4 win over the Washington Nationals and sweep a doubleheader. "Unfortunately, I don't have answers at this time for the blister issue."Hill said he felt something "break open" on his second-to-last warmup pitch, and his fingernail was broken and bloody when he left the game."Just continued to pitch," he said. "I know at some point I'd have to come out."Blisters have plagued the 38-year-old Hill for the past... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Matt Kemp had a pinch-hit, two-run double in the ninth inning, and the Los Angeles Dodgers survived a sterling performance by Max Scherzer to beat the Washington Nationals 5-4 on Saturday night and sweep a day-night doubleheader.Scherzer struck out 13 in seven innings, and Washington led 4-3 entering the ninth. But closer Sean Doolittle (1-2) allowed singles to Austin Barnes and Logan Forsythe, and Kemp then hit a line drive to the wall in left field to score them both.Erik Goeddel (3-0) worked a scoreless eighth in his Dodgers debut after being acquired off waivers on Friday from Seattle Mariners. Kenley Jansen worked the ninth for his eighth save, and his second on the day.The Dodgers used eight pitchers. Starter Rich Hill threw just two pitches before leaving with a recurrence of the blister on his left middle finger that has already put him on the disabled list twice this season.In the first game, Ross Stripling (1-1) struck out a career-high nine in six strong innings... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rich Hill lasted just two pitches against the Washington Nationals.The veteran Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander was pulled with an 0-2 count to leadoff hitter Trea Turner on Saturday night with a recurrence of the blister problem that has already put him on the disabled list twice this season.Television close-ups showed a broken and bloody fingernail on Hill's left middle finger.Blisters have plagued the 38-year-old Hill for the past several seasons.Left-hander Scott Alexander replaced Hill in the second game of a day-night doubleheader.