LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Dodgers have sent prized pitching prospect Walker Buehler back to the minors.The 23-year-old right-hander was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday, hours after allowing two runs on a pair of solo homers and six hits in a no-decision against the Angels. He struck out five and walked one in five innings of his 10th start.Manager Dave Roberts said Buehler would likely throw a simulated game next week in Oklahoma City.Buehler is 4-2 with a 3.45 ERA with the Dodgers this season. He's limited the opposition to a .228 average while striking out 59 and walking 13 in 11 games.The Dodgers are closely monitoring Buehler's workload, although they have not announced a limit for him.He tossed just five innings in 2016 after Tommy John surgery. Last year, he pitched 98 innings. He's worked 73 1-3 innings so far this season.Buehler has racked up travel miles this season, having been optioned to Oklahoma City twice previously and to Class-A Rancho Cucamonga. He's also been on the disabled list with a microfracture to his rib.The Dodgers activated left-hander Zac Rosscup, who was claimed off waivers from the Colorado Rockies earlier in the week.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

A look at what's happening around the majors today:HEAVEN 11Mookie Betts and the rolling Boston Red Sox try to win their 11th consecutive game when they host Toronto again at Fenway Park. Betts, who leads the majors with a .352 batting average, had a grand slam and five RBIs in Thursday night's 6-4 victory. Boston owns the longest current winning streak in the big leagues and hasn't lost since getting routed July 1 at Yankee Stadium. At 66-29, the major league-leading Red Sox are 37 games over .500 for the first time since 1949. Rick Porcello (11-3, 3.58 ERA) starts for Boston against rookie left-hander Ryan Borucki (0-1, 2.25).BACK IN BUSINESSMets right-hander Noah Syndergaard (4-1, 3.06 ERA) comes off the disabled list to make his first big league start since May 25. The 2016 All-Star has been sidelined by a strained ligament in his right index finger. On the mound for the Nationals is Tanner Roark (3-11, 4.76), who is tied for the major league lead in losses. He got no-decisions in two... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors on Friday:HEAVEN 11Mookie Betts and the rolling Boston Red Sox try to win their 11th consecutive game when they host Toronto again at Fenway Park. Betts, who leads the majors with a .352 batting average, had a grand slam and five RBIs in Thursday night's 6-4 victory. Boston owns the longest current winning streak in the big leagues and hasn't lost since getting routed July 1 at Yankee Stadium. At 66-29, the major league-leading Red Sox are 37 games over .500 for the first time since 1949. Rick Porcello (11-3, 3.58 ERA) starts for Boston against rookie left-hander Ryan Borucki (0-1, 2.25).BACK IN BUSINESSMets right-hander Noah Syndergaard (4-1, 3.06 ERA) comes off the disabled list to make his first big league start since May 25. The 2016 All-Star has been sidelined by a strained ligament in his right index finger. On the mound for the Nationals is Tanner Roark (3-11, 4.76), who is tied for the major league lead in losses. He got no-decisions... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rookie Walker Buehler, the Dodgers' top prospect, has been optioned to the minor leagues after struggling in a relief appearance.The team says Buehler was sent to Class-A Rancho Cucamonga before Friday night's game against Colorado.The Dodgers had no choice in making the move since he had been activated on Thursday, when Buehler gave up five runs in one-plus inning of relief in an 11-5 loss to the Cubs. There was no indication when Buehler will next pitch or when he would be recalled to the big-league team.Buehler originally was set to make a rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday after missing 19 days with a rib microfracture.He flew to Oklahoma, but the plan was changed and he was immediately called back to Los Angeles. He landed Thursday morning, was activated off the DL and came on in relief of Clayton Kershaw.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Lance McCullers pitched seven strong innings, Jake Marisnick homered and the Houston Astros beat the Tampa Bay Rays 1-0 on Thursday night to tie a franchise record with their 11th straight road win.McCullers (9-3) gave up three hits while striking out seven. The Astros have won his last six starts and have won 18 of 21 overall. Their 11th straight road win matched the club record set last May 14-June 5 on the way to winning the franchise's first World Series title.The Rays, who had won five straight overall and eight straight at home, had runners on first and third with none out in the eighth against reliever Chris Devenski, but Matt Duffy lined into a double play and Jake Bauers grounded out.Hector Rondon pitched the ninth for his fifth save in seven opportunities.Marisnick's homer in the fifth came off Ryan Yarbrough (7-4) and was his seventh of the season. It ended the Rays' streak of 26 scoreless innings, the second-longest in franchise history.RED SOX 4,... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Anthony Rizzo's three-run double and Addison Russell's two-run homer highlighted a seven-run seventh inning as the Chicago Cubs broke loose after Clayton Kershaw exited, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 11-5 on Thursday.The Cubs pounded out 15 hits, including four by Rizzo. Russell drove in four runs in the final regular-season meeting between the teams that played each other in the NL Championship Series the last two years.They met seven times in 10 days, with the Cubs winning four games over the two series.The Dodgers staked Kershaw to a 3-1 lead before he departed after five innings because of a pitch limit.The Cubs jumped on reliever Walker Buehler (4-2), who arrived earlier in the morning from Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he had been set for a rehab assignment. Albert Almora Jr. homered on Buehler's second pitch and Russell's sacrifice fly tied it at 3 in the sixth.Steve Cishek (2-0) got the win with 1 2/3 innings of relief.ROCKIES 9, GIANTS 8SAN FRANCISCO (AP) —... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Clayton Kershaw was encouraged by how he felt after a shaky, abbreviated return to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night.Kershaw came off the disabled list and allowed two runs in three innings against the New York Mets. He threw 55 pitches, starting out strong before laboring through his final inning in an 8-3 win."Good to be back," Kershaw said. "Now I can focus on getting better."The lefty ace was scheduled to make a rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City at Omaha, but Los Angeles decided Friday to have him pitch in New York because of precarious weather in Nebraska. Kershaw had been sidelined since June 1 with a lower back strain.Kershaw was electric in the first inning. He froze leadoff man Brandon Nimmo on a curveball for a three-pitch strikeout, got Todd Frazier looking for a five-pitch K and induced a weak grounder to the mound from Asdrubal Cabrera.The three-time Cy Young Award winner wasn't as sharp after that. Michael Conforto and Jose Bautista lined consecutive... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Clayton Kershaw was shaky in an abbreviated return to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night.Kershaw came off the disabled list and allowed two runs in three innings against the New York Mets. He threw 55 pitches, starting out strong before laboring through his final inning.The lefty ace was scheduled to make a rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City at Omaha, but Los Angeles decided Friday to have him pitch in New York because of precarious weather in Nebraska. Kershaw had been sidelined since June 1 with a lower back strain.Kershaw was electric in the first inning. He froze leadoff man Brandon Nimmo on a curveball for a three-pitch strikeout, got Todd Frazier looking for a five-pitch K and induced a weak grounder to the mound from Asdrubal Cabrera.The three-time Cy Young Award winner wasn't as sharp after that. Michael Conforto and Jose Bautista lined consecutive doubles off him in the second inning to tie it at 1, and Kershaw threw 25 pitches in the third inning, including... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Clayton Kershaw has been activated from the disabled list and was set to pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers despite a shaky forecast at Citi Field.The lefty ace was scheduled to make a rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City at Omaha, but Los Angeles decided Friday to have him pitch in New York on Saturday because of precarious weather in Nebraska. Kershaw has been sidelined since June 1 with a lower back strain.Skies were gray in New York throughout the day, and it might begin to rain before the game, per weather reports.Kershaw will oppose Mets ace Jacob deGrom, though Kershaw's outing will likely be short. Manager Dave Roberts said there won't be restrictions on Kershaw, though before the switch, he was expected to throw no more than four innings or 60 pitches for Oklahoma City.Rookie left-hander Caleb Ferguson (0-1, 7.59 ERA) will be ready in reserve. The 21-year-old left-hander had been slated to make his fourth major league start Saturday.Kershaw pleaded with Roberts... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:VERLANDER DAYHouston tries for its 13th straight win with AL ERA leader Justin Verlander on the mound against Tampa Bay. The Astros' ace is 9-2 with a 1.61 ERA, though he's posted a 3.79 ERA over his past three starts and matched a season high with two homers allowed last time out in a 7-3 win over Oakland. Rays lefty Blake Snell (8-4, 2.58) will try to slow down Houston after the Astros beat Tampa Bay 5-4 on Alex Bregman's game-ending two-run double Monday.ON THE MENDThe defending NL champions are beginning to get healthier. Rich Hill comes off the DL to start for the Dodgers in the nightcap of a doubleheader against the Cubs in a rematch of last year's NL Championship Series. Hill (1-2, 6.20 ERA) went on the disabled list May 20 with a blister on his left middle finger, a recurring problem for the veteran left-hander. He will be opposed by fellow lefty Mike Montgomery (2-2, 3.31), who is 2-1 with a 1.14 ERA in four starts since moving... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The last time Clayton Kershaw pitched at Wrigley Field, the ace left-hander helped lead the Los Angeles Dodgers into the World Series.It was a much different situation Monday. But still important for the Dodgers.Kershaw threw a three-inning simulated game before Los Angeles' series opener against the Chicago Cubs was postponed, taking another step forward in his recovery from a strained lower back. The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner said he felt really good and plans to pitch somewhere in four or five days, either in a minor league rehab start or for the Dodgers."It was good, very encouraged," manager Dave Roberts said. "Just the way that the ball was coming out today, the command of the fastball as good as it's been for me — and obviously this setting is not a major league game — but for me the best it's been in a month, for sure."The 30-year-old Kershaw was sidelined for nearly a month with left biceps tendinitis before returning May 31 against Philadelphia. He tossed... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday:VERLANDER DAYHouston tries for its 13th straight win with AL ERA leader Justin Verlander on the mound against Tampa Bay. The Astros' ace is 9-2 with a 1.61 ERA, though he's posted a 3.79 ERA over his past three starts and matched a season high with two homers allowed last time out in a 7-3 win over Oakland. Rays lefty Blake Snell (8-4, 2.58) will try to slow down Houston after the Astros beat Tampa Bay 5-4 on Alex Bregman's game-ending two-run double Monday.ON THE MENDThe defending NL champions are beginning to get healthier. Rich Hill comes off the DL to start for the Dodgers in the nightcap of a doubleheader against the Cubs in a rematch of last year's NL Championship Series. Hill (1-2, 6.20 ERA) went on the disabled list May 20 with a blister on his left middle finger, a recurring problem for the veteran left-hander. He will be opposed by fellow lefty Mike Montgomery (2-2, 3.31), who is 2-1 with a 1.14 ERA in four starts since moving... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday:VERLANDER DAYHouston tries for its 13th straight win with AL ERA leader Justin Verlander on the mound against Tampa Bay. The Astros' ace is 9-2 with a 1.61 ERA, though he's posted a 3.79 ERA over his past three starts and matched a season high with two homers allowed last time out in a 7-3 win over Oakland. Rays lefty Blake Snell (8-4, 2.58) will try to slow down Houston after the Astros beat Tampa Bay 5-4 on Alex Bregman's game-ending two-run double Monday.ON THE MENDThe defending NL champions are beginning to get healthier. Rich Hill comes off the DL to start for the Dodgers against the Cubs in a rematch of last year's NL Championship Series. Hill (1-2, 6.20 ERA) went on the disabled list May 20 with a blister on his left middle finger, a recurring problem for the veteran left-hander. He will be opposed by fellow lefty Mike Montgomery (2-2, 3.31), who is 2-1 with a 1.14 ERA in four starts since moving into the rotation after Yu Darvish... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday:VERLANDER DAYAmerican League ERA leader Justin Verlander takes the mound against Tampa Bay. Houston's ace is 9-2 with a 1.61 ERA, though he's posted a 3.79 ERA over his past three starts and matched a season high with two homers allowed last time out in a 7-3 win over Oakland. Rays lefty Blake Snell (8-4, 2.58) will try to slow down the rolling Astros, who entered Monday night with 12 consecutive wins.ON THE MENDThe defending NL champions are beginning to get healthier. Rich Hill comes off the DL to start for the Dodgers against the Cubs in a rematch of last year's NL Championship Series. Hill (1-2, 6.20 ERA) went on the disabled list May 20 with a blister on his left middle finger, a recurring problem for the veteran left-hander. He will be opposed by fellow lefty Mike Montgomery (2-2, 3.31), who is 2-1 with a 1.14 ERA in four starts since moving into the rotation after Yu Darvish was sidelined by right triceps tendinitis.Hill's return... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The last time Clayton Kershaw pitched at Wrigley Field, the ace left-hander helped lead the Los Angeles Dodgers into the World Series.It was a much different situation Monday. But still important for the Dodgers.Kershaw threw a three-inning simulated game before Los Angeles' series opener against the Chicago Cubs, taking another step forward in his recovery from a strained lower back. The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner said he felt really good and plans to pitch somewhere in four or five days, either in a minor league rehab start or for the Dodgers."It was good, very encouraged," manager Dave Roberts said. "Just the way that the ball was coming out today, the command of the fastball as good as it's been for me — and obviously this setting is not a major league game — but for me the best it's been in a month, for sure."The 30-year-old Kershaw was sidelined for nearly a month with left biceps tendinitis before returning May 31 against Philadelphia. He tossed five effective... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The last time Clayton Kershaw pitched at Wrigley Field, the ace left-hander helped lead the Los Angeles Dodgers into the World Series.It was a much different situation Monday. But still important for the Dodgers.Kershaw threw a three-inning simulated game before Los Angeles' series opener against the Chicago Cubs, taking another step forward in his recovery from a strained lower back. The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner said he felt really good and plans to pitch somewhere in four or five days, either in a minor league rehab start or for the Dodgers."It was good, very encouraged," manager Dave Roberts said. "Just the way that the ball was coming out today, the command of the fastball as good as it's been for me — and obviously this setting is not a major league game — but for me the best it's been in a month, for sure."The 30-year-old Kershaw was sidelined for nearly a month with left biceps tendinitis before returning May 31 against Philadelphia. He tossed five effective... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:MIGGY'S DONEMiguel Cabrera's season is over, leaving Detroit without its biggest star at a time when there wasn't much else for Tigers fans to latch onto. Cabrera ruptured his left biceps tendon on a swing Tuesday night, ending the two-time MVP's year just a couple of weeks after he returned from a DL stint due to a right hamstring strain. The 35-year-old Cabrera will have surgery this week. He batted .301 with three homers and 22 RBIs for a team that wasn't expected to compete in the AL Central.POWER PLAYMike Trout leads the majors with 23 home runs and he's gone deep twice each of the last two nights, becoming the first player with consecutive multihomer games at Safeco Field in Seattle. But that hasn't been enough for the Angels, who lost both times. Trout tries to keep it going at the plate when Los Angeles faces left-hander Marco Gonzales (7-3, 3.28 ERA) and the first-place Mariners again. Gonzales has allowed only three earned runs... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:CABRERA DONEMiguel Cabrera's season is over, leaving Detroit without its biggest star during a season when there wasn't much else for Tigers fans to latch onto. Cabrera ruptured his left biceps tendon on a swing Tuesday night, ending the two-time MVP's year just a couple of weeks after he returned from a DL stint due to a right hamstring strain. The 35-year-old Cabrera batted .301 with an .848 OPS, three homers and 22 RBIs for a team that wasn't expected to compete in the AL Central.JAKE-BITTENThe Mets try to snap a most puzzling skid when Jacob deGrom pitches against Atlanta. DeGrom has a 1.24 ERA in his past four starts, and yet New York has lost each of those outings. Only the Marlins and Reds have worse records in the NL than the Mets, and general manager Sandy Alderson is shouldering the blame. "When you're scoring runs at the anemic rate that we have, something hasn't worked. So from that standpoint, I take full responsibility for... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday:CABRERA DONEMiguel Cabrera's season is over, leaving Detroit without its biggest star during a season when there wasn't much else for Tigers fans to latch onto. Cabrera ruptured his left biceps tendon on a swing Tuesday night, ending the two-time MVP's year just a couple of weeks after he returned from a DL stint due to a right hamstring strain. The 35-year-old Cabrera batted .301 with an .848 OPS, three homers and 22 RBIs for a team that wasn't expected to compete in the AL Central.JAKE-BITTENThe Mets try to snap a most puzzling skid when Jacob deGrom pitches against Atlanta. DeGrom has a 1.24 ERA in his past four starts, and yet New York has lost each of those outings. Only the Marlins and Reds have worse records in the NL than the Mets, and general manager Sandy Alderson is shouldering the blame. "When you're scoring runs at the anemic rate that we have, something hasn't worked. So from that standpoint, I take full responsibility... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Another Dodgers pitcher has landed on the disabled list. This time, it's rookie Walker Buehler.The 23-year-old right-hander underwent an MRI that revealed a right rib microfracture, an injury he sustained when he was hit by a 108-mph line drive by Colorado's Trevor Story on May 21.Buehler remained in that game and went on to make three more starts despite feeling slight discomfort. Last Friday, he was pulled after 5 1/3 innings when manager Dave Roberts spotted issues with Buehler's mechanics.Roberts said the start of Buehler's DL stint was backdated and he will be available on June 19.Buehler played catch on Tuesday to keep his arm in shape.He has made nine starts this season, going 4-1 with a 2.63 ERA, 54 strikeouts and 11 walks.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball