LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Rich Hill has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a left forearm strain.The Dodgers called up right-handed pitchers JT Chargois and Josh Sborz from Triple-A Oklahoma City in time for Thursday's game against the San Francisco Giants. Los Angeles also optioned infielder Matt Beaty to Oklahoma City.Hill left Wednesday's start against the Giants after one inning due to discomfort in the forearm. He retired the side on 15 pitches with two strikeouts. Hill came out to the mound to begin the second inning but a trainer soon followed.Hill is 4-1 with a 2.55 ERA and had won four of his last five startsChargois is making his third stint in the majors this season. He has allowed two runs and two hits over 1 2/3 innings in two appearances. Shorz is still waiting to make his MLB debut.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — The Ex-Rays?Starved for fans despite success on the field, the Tampa Bay Rays have been given the go-ahead by Major League Baseball to look into playing a split season in Montreal.No timetable for the possible plan was announced. An idea under consideration is for the Rays to play early in the season in Tampa Bay and finish up in Montreal.Commissioner Rob Manfred made the announcement Thursday at the end of the owners' meetings, saying the executive council had granted the Rays "broad permission to explore what's available."Manfred said it's too soon to detail the particulars — as in, where the team would play postseason games, or in what stadiums. He did not address whether this would be a step toward a full move."It's an interesting kind of idea," Rays outfielder/infielder Brandon Lowe said before playing at Oakland on Thursday night. "It's in the future. It's so far ahead of us that it's going to be big news right now, but I feel like a lot of us are just kind of, 'it... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Chris Iannetta's two-run, bases-loaded single in the 10th inning lifted the Colorado Rockies to a 6-4 victory Thursday that completed a three-game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks.Iannetta, a former Diamondbacks catcher, singled off the center-field wall against Yoshihisa Hirano (3-4) with one out to drive in Ian Desmond and Brendan Rodgers. The Rockies had tied it at 4 on Tony Wolters' pinch-hit RBI single in the ninth off Arizona closer Greg Holland.Scott Oberg (5-0) got the win with two scoreless innings in relief, but had to pitch out of jam in the bottom of the 10th when the Diamondbacks loaded the bases with one out. He got Ildemaro Vargas to fly out, and then struck out David Peralta swinging to end the game.Charlie Blackmon and Desmond homered for the Rockies, who have won eight in a row over the Diamondbacks. Nolan Arenado left with a bruised left big toe after fouling a ball off his foot.Christian Walker's two-run, pinch-hit homer keyed a three-run sixth for the... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge is all set to swing back into action for the New York Yankees.The slugger is expected to be activated from the injured list Friday night to play against Houston, his first game since straining his left oblique on a swing April 20.The 27-year-old right fielder was batting .288 with five home runs and 11 RBIs when he got hurt."I'm not going to try to baby it or go at 80%. We're in the major leagues," Judge said Thursday night. "We're ready to go. That's not something I'm worried about happening again."Judge was smiling in the Yankees clubhouse before the series opener against the Astros in a matchup of first-place teams."To see him walk through the doors earlier today and walk into the coaches' room, really good seeing him knowing he feels really good," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.Judge's return will come the same week fellow slugger Giancarlo Stanton returned from a series of injuries that caused the former NL MVP to miss 68 games. The Yankees have added... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Nationals will extend their protective netting during the All-Star break after recent injuries in baseball increased the focus on fan safety.Nationals managing principal owner Mark Lerner announced the changes in a letter to fans on Thursday. Lerner says the club will replace the current protection with more transparent netting and extend it to just short of the foul poles in the left and right field corners.Lerner referenced a 4-year-old girl who was struck by a line drive at an Astros-Cubs game last month.Nationals manager Dave Martinez was fully supportive of the measure."I honestly think it's great, I really do," Martinez said Thursday before Washington hosted the Phillies. "I don't know if people realize how fast those balls come."Nationals closer Sean Doolittle also liked the idea of making the stadium a safer place for the fans."As players, it's something that we've pushed for and advocated for years now," he said. "As you see exit velocities that... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a sprained right thumb.The Rockies called up infielder Brendan Rodgers from Triple-A Albuquerque in time for Thursday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.Story was injured while sliding headfirst into second base trying to stretch a single into a double in the sixth inning of Wednesday night's game, which the Rockies won 6-4.Story left the game and was replaced by Pat Valaika. Manager Bud Black said X-rays were negative, but an MRI revealed the extent of the injury.An All-Star in 2018, Story is on the injured list for the third time in his career. He is batting .294 with 17 home runs, 48 RBIs, 12 stolen bases and a major league-best 65 runs.Rodgers, a top prospect in the organization, was sent down June 15 after making his big league debut on May 17.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Bryan Reynolds made a promise during his first days as a major leaguer, a vow that spoke volumes about the understated Pittsburgh Pirates rookie outfielder's mindset.It has helped him evolve from a relative unknown in the deal that sent Andrew McCutchen to the San Francisco Giants to an invaluable cog in an offense that's desperately trying to keep Reynolds' injury-plagued team afloat."I'm not a guy that's going to strive to get in front of the camera at every opportunity I get," Reynolds said shortly after making his major league debut on April 20.He wasn't kidding.When the media descended on the Pirates' clubhouse shortly after Reynolds' three-run home run capped the franchise's biggest rally in over a decade in an 8-7 victory over Detroit on Wednesday night, Reynolds' locker was already empty. No talking about a 3-for-4 night that boosted his average to .362 — tops among first-year players — or trying to put his electrifying start into perspective. That's simply not... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Drew Smyly struck out the last batter he faced for the Texas Rangers. That came right after the veteran left-hander, who already had lost his spot in the starting rotation, allowed three consecutive home runs in a five-pitch span.Smyly was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Thursday, two days after his last appearance.After not pitching in the majors the past two seasons because of Tommy John surgery, the 30-year-old Smyly was 1-5 with an 8.42 ERA in 13 games (nine starts) with the Rangers."He's coming off injury, and I don't think the expectations were overly high, but I think, it honestly didn't work out," manager Chris Woodward said. "He was fighting to figure things out. I think it's just best for him, and honestly best for us, to just have him move on."The Rangers made the move before their series finale against Cleveland, when they also optioned left-hander Joe Palumbo to Triple-A Nashville after he was the loser Wednesday night. Texas brought up a... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Veteran left-hander Drew Smyly has been designated for assignment by the Texas Rangers after losing his spot in the rotation and allowing three consecutive home runs in his last relief appearance.The Rangers made the move before their series finale against Cleveland on Thursday, when they also optioned left-hander Joe Palumbo to Triple-A Nashville. Texas brought up a pair of lefties, Kyle Bird and Locke St. John, for St. John's possible big league debut.Smyly didn't pitch in the majors the past two seasons because of Tommy John surgery. The Rangers got Smyly in November from the Chicago Cubs, who last season acquired Cole Hamels from Texas.The 30-year-old Smyly was 1-5 with an 8.42 ERA in 13 games this season, with nine starts. He allowed 19 homers in 51 1/3 innings. The Indians had three batters in a row go deep against him Tuesday night in a 10-3 loss.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

June 231917 — In baseball's greatest relief effort, Ernie Shore of the Boston Red Sox relieved pitcher Babe Ruth with nobody out and a man on first. The base runner was cut down stealing and Shore retired all 26 batters he faced to gain a 4-0 victory over Washington. Ruth walked Eddie Foster to open the game and was ejected after arguing with umpire Brick Owens.1930 — Hack Wilson drove in six runs on five hits, including the cycle, to lead the Chicago Cubs to a 21-8 rout of the Philadelphia Phillies at Wrigley Field.1950 — Hoot Evers' game-winning home run in the ninth inning gave the Detroit Tigers a 10-9 victory over the New York Yankees as the teams combined for 11 home runs, a major league record. The Yankees hit six and the Tigers five.1961 — The Philadelphia Phillies overcame two, nine-run, deficits to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 12-11. The Phillies trailed 9-0 and 11-2 before they scored four runs in eighth and six runs in ninth.1963 — Jimmie Piersall, playing for the Mets in New... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball and its fans are on the same page — they want to see more of the kids.With millennial mashers Cody Bellinger and Christian Yelich leading the way, this year's All-Star starting lineups have a chance to be the youngest ever, based on an Associated Press analysis of the latest ballot results released by the league this week.The AP studied the average age for starting All-Star position players since the first Midsummer Classic in 1933, and this year's group is almost certain to be historic, especially in the National League. The average age of the eight NL ballot leaders is just 25, a full year less than the previous youngest starting lineup, the 2017 American League roster.When combined with the AL, this year's projected starters average 26.6 years old — 0.2 older than the 2017 squads, which are the youngest ever. If 24-year-old Rays outfielder Austin Meadows edges 32-year-old Astros outfielder Michael Brantley, the average would fall to 26.3."For the... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:WELCOMEZac Gallen is set to make his major league debut when he starts for the Marlins at St. Louis. The 23-year-old righty was 9-1 with a 1.77 ERA at Triple-A New Orleans, striking out 112 in 91 1/3 innings.Gallen might see some familiar faces at Busch Stadium. He was traded by the Cardinals to Miami in the deal for outfielder Marcell Ozuna after the 2017 season.DIFFERENT DIRECTIONSAlex Bregman and the Astros have lost a season-most four straight as they open a four-game series between AL division leaders at Yankee Stadium.Houston was swept in Cincinnati this week, but former AL MVP Jose Altuve returned to the lineup after missing 35 games with a hamstring strain. He went 0 for 4 and grounded into a double play Wednesday.Big-hitting Gary Sánchez and the Yankees have won five in a row, capped by a sweep of the second-place Rays. Slugging outfielder Aaron Judge is expected to rejoin New York on Friday after being sidelined in late April... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Gary Sánchez hit a three-run homer to help chase Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell in the first inning, CC Sabathia got his 250th career win and the New York Yankees thumped the Tampa Bay Rays 12-1 Wednesday to complete a three-game sweep.Gleyber Torres added a grand slam during a six-run seventh inning, and New York three-hit Tampa Bay to win its fifth in a row and extend its lead the AL East over the second-place Rays to 3½ games. Tampa Bay was swept for the second time this season — the other came against Boston in April.Snell (4-6) walked four, gave up two hits and was charged with six runs while getting one out on 39 pitches in the shortest start of his career.Sabathia (4-4) pitched one-run ball over six innings. He struck out seven and allowed three hits and three walks.ANGELS 11, BLUE JAYS 6TORONTO (AP) — Mike Trout hit two home runs, including his sixth career grand slam, and had a career-best seven RBIs as Los Angeles beat Toronto.Justin Upton also homered for the... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Gary Sánchez hit a three-run homer to help chase Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell in the first inning, CC Sabathia got his 250th career win and the New York Yankees thumped the Tampa Bay Rays 12-1 Wednesday to complete a three-game sweep.Gleyber Torres added a grand slam during a six-run seventh inning, and New York three-hit Tampa Bay to win its fifth in a row and extend its lead the AL East over the second-place Rays to 3½ games. Tampa Bay was swept for the second time this season — the other came against Boston in April.Snell (4-6) walked four, gave up two hits and was charged with six runs while getting one out on 39 pitches in the shortest start of his career.Sabathia (4-4) pitched one-run ball over six innings. He struck out seven and allowed three hits and three walks.ANGELS 11, BLUE JAYS 6TORONTO (AP) — Mike Trout hit two home runs, including his sixth career grand slam, and had a career-best seven RBIs as Los Angeles beat Toronto.Justin Upton also homered for the... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rich Hill of the Los Angeles Dodgers left his start against the San Francisco Giants after one inning because of left forearm discomfort Wednesday night.The left-hander retired the side on 15 pitches with two strikeouts. He has 993 career strikeouts.Hill came out to the mound to begin the second inning and a trainer soon followed. Manager Dave Roberts visited Hill, who then walked off. He was replaced by reliever Dylan Floro.Hill is 4-1 with a 2.60 ERA and has won four straight dating to May 17.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Gary Sánchez hit a three-run homer to help chase Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell in the first inning, CC Sabathia got his 250th career win and the New York Yankees thumped the Tampa Bay Rays 12-1 Wednesday to complete a three-game sweep.Gleyber Torres added a grand slam during a six-run seventh inning, and New York three-hit Tampa Bay to win its fifth in a row and extend its lead the AL East over the second-place Rays to 3½ games. Tampa Bay was swept for the second time this season — the other came against Boston in April.Snell (4-6) walked four, gave up two hits and was charged with six runs while getting one out on 39 pitches in the shortest start of his career.Sabathia (4-4) pitched one-run ball over six innings. He struck out seven and allowed three hits and three walks.PADRES 8, BREWERS 7SAN DIEGO (AP) — Franmil Reyes hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the seventh and Eric Hosmer added a two-run shot for San Diego, which overcame three homers by Milwaukee to sweep... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rich Hill of the Los Angeles Dodgers has left his start against the San Francisco Giants after one inning.The left-hander retired the side on 15 pitches with two strikeouts Wednesday night.Hill came out to the mound to begin the second inning and a trainer soon followed. Manager Dave Roberts visited Hill, who then walked off. He was replaced by reliever Dylan Floro.There was no immediate explanation for Hill's departure.Hill is 4-1 with a 2.60 ERA and has won four straight dating to May 17.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies reliever Pat Neshek has left an appearance against the Washington Nationals with an apparent injury.Neshek exited with a 2-0 count on Trea Turner in the eighth inning of the second game of a doubleheader Wednesday night. The submarine right-hander gave up a solo home run to Victor Robles and retired the other two hitters he faced. It was unclear what happened to Neshek, who was replaced by right-hander JD Hammer.Neshek entered 0-1 with a 4.67 ERA in 19 games. He came off the injured list Sunday after missing more than three weeks with a shoulder strain.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Gary Sánchez hit a three-run homer to help chase Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell in the first inning, CC Sabathia got his 250th career win and the New York Yankees thumped the Tampa Bay Rays 12-1 Wednesday to complete a three-game sweep.Gleyber Torres added a grand slam during a six-run seventh inning, and New York three-hit Tampa Bay to win its fifth in a row and extend its lead the AL East over the second-place Rays to 3½ games. Tampa Bay was swept for the second time this season — the other came against Boston in April.Snell (4-6) walked four, gave up two hits and was charged with six runs while getting one out on 39 pitches in the shortest start of his career.Sabathia (4-4) pitched one-run ball over six innings. He struck out seven and allowed three hits and three walks.PADRES 8, BREWERS 7SAN DIEGO (AP) — Franmil Reyes hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the seventh and Eric Hosmer added a two-run shot for San Diego, which overcame three homers by Milwaukee to sweep... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Braves pitcher Sean Newcomb has been placed on the seven-day injured list for players with concussion symptoms, four days after he was hit on the back of the head by a line drive.Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said Wednesday that Newcomb felt uncomfortable after a light workout."After working out and all yesterday, he showed effects that he hadn't felt before," Snitker said. "It's something that happens when dealing with that type of injury. Consequently, we have to make sure he's OK."Newcomb had passed a concussion test, and the Braves were hoping he would be back in the bullpen by Wednesday.Newcomb was injured last Saturday against Philadelphia and left in the third inning. J.T. Realmuto's liner left the bat at 102 mph and hit the pitcher's head so hard that the ball bounced into the protective netting above the visitors' dugout on the third base line.Snitker said Newcomb will likely make a rehab appearance with Triple-A Gwinnett before rejoining the roster. Newcomb will pitch out of the bullpen when he returns. He's getting bumped out of the rotation by Dallas Keuchel, who will make his 2019 debut Friday in Washington.The Braves recalled Huascar Ynoa from Gwinnett to take Newcomb's roster spot.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports