NEW YORK (AP) — Looking to replenish their depth, the banged-up New York Mets agreed to minor league contracts Friday with veteran outfielder Matt Kemp and pitcher Ervin Santana.Each move is pending a successful physical, and both players are expected to report to the club's spring training complex in Port St. Lucie, Florida.The 34-year-old Kemp, who made his third All-Star team last season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, was released May 4 by Cincinnati. He batted .200 with a home run and five RBIs for the Reds and had been sidelined since April 23 with a broken left rib.The 36-year-old Santana, a two-time All-Star, became a free agent on April 29, three days after he was designated for assignment by the White Sox, who signed him for a $4.3 million salary this year. He was 0-2 with a 9.45 ERA in three starts for Chicago this season."It's just another depth piece for us and one that has some upside to it, because when he gets rolling, he can be a pretty good pitcher," Mets manager Mickey... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics have placed designated hitter Khris Davis on the 10-day injured list with a left hip/oblique contusion.Davis was injured May 5 chasing a foul ball in Pittsburgh when he ran into the railing near left field at PNC Park. Davis was removed from the game and played sparingly over the next two weeks before the decision was made to put him on the IL.The move Friday is retroactive to May 22.Davis hit 40-plus home runs with at least 102 RBIs in each of the past three seasons. He has 12 home runs and 29 RBIs in 43 games this year.Outfielder Skye Bolt was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas. ___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Encouraged by his progress, the Milwaukee Brewers have activated pitcher Jimmy Nelson off the injured list and put him at Triple-A San Antonio.The Brewers made the move Friday.The 29-year-old righty hasn't pitched in the big leagues since September 2017. He was enjoying his best season when he injured his pitching shoulder diving back into first base after a base hit.Nelson missed the entire 2018 season. He has made four rehab appearances this month, including three starts, in Triple-A and gone 2-0 with a 4.74 ERA. He struck out 22 and walked nine in 19 innings."We decided to option him and it's really for him to just to continue to get back to where we think he can get to," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. "We think he's making good progress. He's answered the health questions, and I think he's on his way back.""At this point, an option was kind of, for us, what we thought was best for the roster and best for him to continue on a regular schedule pitching," he said.Nelson... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — A person familiar with the deal says veteran outfielder Matt Kemp and the New York Mets have agreed to a minor league contract.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was pending a physical and had not been announced.It was the second move the banged-up Mets made Friday to replenish their depth. Hours earlier, they announced an agreement with pitcher Ervin Santana on a minor league contract, pending a successful physical.Both players are expected to report to the club's spring training complex in Port St. Lucie, Florida.The 34-year-old Kemp, who made his third All-Star team last season with the Dodgers, was released May 4 by Cincinnati. He batted .200 with a home run and five RBIs for the Reds and had been sidelined since April 23 with a broken left rib.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have placed left fielder David Peralta on the 10-day injured list with an injured right shoulder.The Diamondbacks also called up first baseman Kevin Cron and outfielder Tim Locastro from Triple-A Reno on Friday. Arizona had an open spot on the 25-man roster after sending pitcher Jimmie Sherfy down to the minors.Peralta is leading Arizona in batting with a .309 average with seven homers, 16 doubles and 30 RBIs this season. Peralta is the second key hitter placed on the IL this week for the Diamondbacks. Infielder Wilmer Flores was sidelined earlier this week with a broken right foot.Cron was batting .339 with 21 homers and 62 RBIs for Reno this season.Locastro has played six games this season for Arizona, batting .235 in 17 at-bats.Arizona will have to make an additional move before Saturday's game against San Francisco to make room for projected starter Taylor Clarke.__More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo says second-year manager Dave Martinez's job is safe for now despite Washington's sluggish start to the season.The Nationals have lost five straight and entered Friday at 19-31, better than only the Miami Marlins, Kansas City Royals and Baltimore Orioles.Rizzo says there is blame to go around. Asked specifically about his confidence in Martinez, he says "we're not making any decisions with a third of the season gone.""We've got a lot of season left. Davey's not happy with what's going on. Nobody's happy with what's going on — the fanbase, the ownership, and myself," he added.The team has dealt with injures to star hitters Anthony Rendon, Trea Turner, Juan Soto and Ryan Zimmerman, but the biggest culprit has been the poor bullpen.Washington has the highest bullpen ERA in the majors at 7.02 and leads the NL with 10 blown saves."Lot of people in this group right here that predicted us to win 90, 92 games and win the division and the World Series," Rizzo said in explaining why he's willing to stand pat. "That was our expectation coming into this, and a third into the season I'm certainly not going to pull the pin on that and blow it up."___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TORONTO (AP) — Canadian slugging prospect Josh Naylor has been called up for his major league debut by the San Diego Padres during a rare interleague series at Toronto.Naylor is from Mississauga, Ontario, about an hour away from Toronto. He was promoted by San Diego on Friday and was set to bat sixth as the designated hitter.He is one of two Canadian youngsters playing for the Padres this weekend. Right-hander Cal Quantrill, the son of former big league pitcher Paul Quantrill, is set to start Saturday.Naylor was the 12th overall pick in the 2015 draft by Miami, the earliest a Canadian-born position player has been selected. San Diego acquired him a year later in a deal that sent back Andrew Cashner.Naylor is hitting .299 with 10 homers in 45 games with Triple-A El Paso this season.The Padres placed outfielder Alex Dickerson (right wrist) on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to May 20. Left-hander Aaron Loup (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day injured list.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TORONTO (AP) — Blue Jays prospect Cavan Biggio, the son of Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, was brought up by Toronto on Friday and set to make his major league debut against San Diego.Biggio was in the lineup to bat eighth and play second base, the position where his father won four Gold Glove awards playing for Houston. The elder Biggio is in Toronto to attend his son's debut.Toronto last month gave a debut to the son of a Hall of Famer, and third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has become a regular starter. Among the Blue Jays top minor league prospects is Bo Bichette, whose father Dante played in the majors.A fifth-round pick in the 2016 amateur draft, Cavan Biggio hit .307 with six homers and 26 RBIs in 42 games at Triple-A.Biggio was one of four players to join the Blue Jays on Friday. Toronto recalled infielder/outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr., and left-hander Thomas Pannone from Triple-A, and added lefty Zac Rosscup, who was claimed on waivers from Seattle on Thursday.Biggio's contract was selected from Buffalo of the International League, and outfielder Billy McKinney and infielder Richard Ureña were optioned to Triple-A. Left-handed knuckleballer Ryan Feirabend was designated for assignment and right-hander Elvis Luciano was placed on the bereavement list.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TORONTO (AP) — Blue Jays prospect Cavan Biggio, the son of Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, was selected to Toronto's roster Friday to make his debut against the San Diego Padres.Biggio will bat eighth and play second base, the position his father won four Gold Glove awards playing for the Houston Astros.The elder Biggio is in Toronto to attend his son's debut.The Blue Jays already have the son of a Hall of Famer in their infield in third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. One of their top minor league prospects is Bo Bichette, whose father Dante played in the majors.A fifth-round draft pick in 2016, Biggio hit .207 with six homers and 26 RBIs in 42 games at Triple-A.Biggio was one of four players to join the Blue Jays on Friday. Toronto recalled INF/OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr., and left-hander Thomas Pannone from Triple-A, and added lefty Zac Rosscup, who was claimed on waivers from Seattle on Thursday.The Blue Jays optioned outfielder Billy McKinney and infielder Richard Urena to Triple-A. Left-handed knuckleballer Ryan Feirabend was designated for assignment and right-hander Elvis Luciano was placed on the bereavement list.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

May 261916 — Benny Kauff of the Giants was picked off first base three times by Boston's Lefty Tyler. The miscues didn't hurt as New York won its 14th consecutive road victory beating the Braves, 12-1.1925 — In Detroit's 8-1 win over the Chicago White Sox, Ty Cobb became the first to collect 1,000 career extra-base hits. He finished his career with 1,139.1929 — Pinch-hitters Pat Crawford of the Giants and Les Bell of the Boston Braves hit grand slams in New York's 15-9 victory.1930 — Joe Sewell of the Cleveland Indians, who fanned only three times in 353 at-bats during the season, was struck out twice in the same game by Pat Caraway of the White Sox.1933 — Philadelphia's Chuck Klein hit for cycle in a 5-4 14-inning loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. Dizzy Dean went the distance for St. Louis.1937 — Billy Sullivan and Bruce Campbell appeared for the Cleveland Indians as pinch hitters. Each hit a home run, making it the first time two American League pinch hitters hit home runs in the same... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Ervin Santana has agreed to a minor league contract with the New York Mets pending a successful physical and will report to the team's spring training complex in Port St. Lucie, Florida.Santana became a free agent on April 29, three days after he was designated for release by the Chicago White Sox, who signed him for a $4.3 million salary this year.A two-time All-Star, the 36-year-old right-hander was 0-2 with a 9.45 ERA in three starts. He has a 149-127 record in 15 major league seasons.New York announced the deal Friday.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees pitcher James Paxton still has discomfort in his ailing left knee, and shortstop Didi Gregorius planned to start a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment that Saturday that has him returning to the big league team by mid-June.Paxton allowed one hit in four innings and struck out seven against Detroit in extended spring training Friday. He has not pitched for the Yankees since May 3."I felt it a little bit, but I still was able to make my pitches, which is what I wanted to see," Paxton said.Paxton had a cortisone shot on May 4."If I come in tomorrow with more pain than I had walking in today, then we'll have to do something," Paxton added. "But, if I come in tomorrow and it feels the same as it did walking in today, then that's just how I'm going to have to pitch for right now."Paxton threw 42 of 55 pitches for strikes."I executed pretty well," Paxton said. "I was able to get my fastball inside."The 30-year-old left-hander, 3-2 with a 3.11 ERA in... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees pitcher James Paxton still has discomfort in his ailing left knee, and shortstop Didi Gregorius planned to start a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment that Saturday that has him returning to the big league team by mid-June.Paxton allowed one hit in four innings and struck out seven against Detroit in extended spring training Friday. He has not pitched for the Yankees since June 3."I felt it a little bit, but I still was able to make my pitches, which is what I wanted to see," Paxton said.Paxton had a cortisone shot on June 4."If I come in tomorrow with more pain than I had walking in today, then we'll have to do something," Paxton added. "But, if I come in tomorrow and it feels the same as it did walking in today, then that's just how I'm going to have to pitch for right now."Paxton threw 42 of 55 pitches for strikes."I executed pretty well," Paxton said. "I was able to get my fastball inside."The 30-year-old left-hander, 3-2 with a 3.11 ERA... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:MARLINS ON THE MOVESomething unexpected is happening with the baseball team in Miami. The Marlins are actually winning some games.Miami (16-31) has won six straight, capped by Garrett Cooper's two-out grand slam in the ninth inning to beat Detroit on Thursday. There might be a chance for the Marlins to take the streak even further: The next four games at Washington against the struggling Nationals, who have lost five in a row under manager Dave Martinez.Miami still probably won't be a playoff contender anytime soon, but the wins have to be an encouraging sign for team CEO Derek Jeter, who has made known he believes the club is underachieving. The winning streak has come right after a seven-game skid that saddled the Marlins with the worst record in the majors."Just as bad as it looks one day, it looks great six days later," manager Don Mattingly said.SALE VS. ASTROS, PART IIRed Sox ace Chris Sale gets his second crack in a week at facing... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:MARLINS ON THE MOVESomething unexpected is happening with the baseball team in Miami. The Marlins are actually winning some games.Miami (16-31) has won six straight, capped by Garrett Cooper's two-out grand slam in the ninth inning to beat Detroit on Thursday. There might be a chance for the Marlins to take the streak even further: The next four games at Washington against the struggling Nationals, who have lost five in a row under manager Dave Martinez.Miami still probably won't be a playoff contender anytime soon, but the wins have to be an encouraging sign for team CEO Derek Jeter, who has made known he believes the club is underachieving. The winning streak has come right after a seven-game skid that saddled the Marlins with the worst record in the majors."Just as bad as it looks one day, it looks great six days later," manager Don Mattingly said.SALE VS. ASTROS, PART IIRed Sox ace Chris Sale gets his second crack in a week at facing... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The hard cast is off Corey Kluber's broken right arm, providing a dose of positive news for the struggling Indians.Kluber, who may be months away from pitching in a game for Cleveland, said Thursday that he felt relief in having the cast protecting his broken arm removed after a few weeks."I can do a little bit more," said Kluber. "So that's good."The two-time Cy Young winner underwent imaging texts, which showed that his ulna is mending properly."He got what we were expecting," manager Terry Francona said before the opener of a four-game series with Tampa Bay. Francona said the team's medical staff told him Kluber had "expected healing. So, he gets that cast off and he can start doing range of motion. And in two weeks he will be re-examined."The right-hander broke his arm when he was struck flush by a line drive hit by Miami's Brian Anderson on May 1. At the time, the Indians said surgery wasn't needed, and it appears Kluber will be able to avoid an operation.Still, it's... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians ace Corey Kluber had the hard cast protecting his broken right arm removed and the two-time Cy Young winner is healing as hoped.Kluber underwent imaging texts Thursday, which showed that his ulna is mending properly. Cleveland manager Terry Francona said Kluber can begin range of motion and that he will be re-examined in two weeks.The right-hander broke his arm when he was struck flush by a line drive hit by Miami's Brian Anderson on May 1. At the time, the Indians said surgery wasn't needed, and Francona said the medical staff told him Kluber was having "expected healing."Kluber has been fitted with a protective brace. He said it was a relief to have the cast off and is excited that he "can do a lot more now."The 33-year-old ran sprints in the outfield before the series opener against Tampa Bay.Kluber won 20 games last season and at least 18 in each of the past three seasons. He is 2-3 with a 5.80 ERA in seven starts this year.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Dave Martinez's theatrical exit brought life to Washington's bats Thursday, sparking a late rally against the New York Mets.Nothing seems to be able to solve the club's bullpen woes, though, and that has the Nationals' second-year manager working from a wobbly seat.Martinez was ejected in the eighth inning of a 6-4 loss to the New York Mets, making quite a scene at the onset of a three-run, eighth-inning comeback by the Nats that was undone by yet another blown save.Plate umpire Bruce Dreckman rang up Washington's Howie Kendrick for a strikeout as he tried to check his swing, then tossed the veteran player. Martinez charged from the dugout, spiked his hat and kicked dirt on home plate during an extended, heated argument."I just didn't think he swung," Martinez said. "We just got into it. All I did was tell him to ask for help. That's why the first base umpire is there. He didn't like it."Washington trailed 3-1 at the time and had already lost four in a row. Immediately after... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets say slugger Yoenis Cespedes is expected to miss the entire season after having ankle surgery.The Mets said the 33-year-old Cespedes had the operation on Thursday.The team announced Monday that the oft-injured outfielder had broken his right ankle in an accident on his ranch.Cespedes hadn't played this season while recovering from surgery on both heels. The two-time All-Star played just 38 games last year.Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said this week the team was told Saturday night that Cespedes sustained multiple ankle fractures on his ranch in Port St. Lucie, Florida, where the club's spring training complex is located.

NEW YORK (AP) — Washington manager Dave Martinez was ejected in the eighth inning of a game against the New York Mets and didn't leave until making quite a scene.Plate umpire Bruce Dreckman rang up Washington's Howie Kendrick for a strikeout as he tried to check his swing Thursday, then tossed the veteran player. Martinez charged from the dugout, spiked his hat and kicked dirt on home plate during an extended, heated argument.Washington trailed 3-1 at the time and had already lost four in a row. Immediately after Martinez got ejected, the Nationals rallied for three runs.After starting the season with postseason aspirations, the Nats entered the game 19-30, a record better than only the Miami Marlins, Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports