A look at what's happening around the majors on Monday: WELCOME BACK Jon Lester is set to start for the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field after spending the past six seasons with the Chicago Cubs. The 37-year-old lefty is 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA in three starts for his new team. Lester was a two-time All-Star for the Cubs and went 3-1 in the 2016 postseason as they won a most elusive championship. Lester pitched in relief in Game 7 of the World Series and his catcher was David Ross, now the Cubs manager. “Our guys are excited and I’m sure Jon is excited,” Ross said. “You are always excited to see a guy you made history with, plus there will be some bragging rights on the line.” TIMEOUT A day off might give the Phillies a break to cool off following a dugout confrontation between manager Joe Girardi and second baseman Jean Segura. Segura made two errors in Sunday’s 10-8 loss to Toronto. At one point, Segura had to be restrained by coach Dusty Wathan. “I didn’t actually see it,” Philadelphia... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cubs placed outfielder Jake Marisnick on the 10-day injured list Tuesday and recalled reliever Brad Wieck from Triple-A Iowa. Marisnick is dealing with a right hamstring strain. He got hurt in the first inning of Sunday's 6-5 loss to Pittsburgh. The 30-year-old Marisnick also had trouble with each of his hamstrings last year during the pandemic-shortened season. “A couple weeks it's kind of been a little tight,” Marisnick said Tuesday. “Finally got to the point where I felt it kind of snag there a little bit. It's definitely frustrating, but like I said, to have a full season to be able to fully rehab this thing, get it back to where I need to be, it's going to be good.” The Cubs had shortstop Javier Báez in the starting lineup for the first of two games in Cleveland, but he was scratched with lower back stiffness. Eric Sogard moved from second base to shortstop, and Ildemaro Vargas was inserted at second. Báez also left Saturday's 3-2 victory over the Pirates with... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Cincinnati Reds reliever Amir Garrett was suspended for seven games by Major League Baseball on Tuesday for his role in a benches-clearing incident last weekend. Garrett was penalized for inciting the events in the top of the eighth inning on Saturday against the Chicago Cubs. Garrett appealed the discipline, which included a fine. No suspension will be served until the appeals process is complete. A right-hander who turned 29 on Monday, Garrett struck out Anthony Rizzo with one out in the eighth with the Reds trailing by a run and celebrated by punching himself in the chest several times. Garrett appeared to yell something in Rizzo’s direction, and Chicago's Javier Báez yelled at Garrett from the dugout. Garrett took a few steps in that direction, prompting both benches and bullpens to empty. Báez also was fined. “I really don’t know what happened with their team,” Reds manager David Bell said after the game, which the Cubs won 3-2. “This is an emotional game and Amir has... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs placed former NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday because of an abrasion on his right thumb. The Cubs also placed second baseman Nico Hoerner (strained left forearm) and reliever Dan Winkler (right triceps tendinitis) on the IL, recalled left-handed pitcher Kyle Ryan and right-handed pitcher Keegan Thompson and selected infielder Ildemaro Vargas from Triple-A Iowa. Arrieta, in his second stint with the Cubs after signing as a free agent in the offseason, lasted a season-low 3 1/3 innings in a loss Friday at Cincinnati. Manager David Ross said the Cubs decided to skip Arrieta's turn in the rotation after he threw a bullpen session on Monday. Adbert Alzolay will start in his place against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday. Hoerner was hurt in a collision in short center field with outfielder Ian Happ during Sunday's loss at Cincinnati. Hoerner kneed his teammate in the head and kicked his ribs in what he described as “probably the scariest play I've been a part of." Happ, who was taken from the field on a cart, suffered bruised ribs in the collision. Ross said he was improving though was still “super sore” and considered day to day. He added that tests showed Happ did not suffer a concussion. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs activated Joc Pederson from the 10-day injured list on Monday, giving the slugger a chance to face his former team. Pederson was in the starting lineup for Chicago's series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers, leading off and playing left field. But the game was postponed because of inclement weather in the forecast. Pederson had been sidelined by left wrist tendinitis. He is batting just .137 with a homer and four RBIs with his new team. “Competing against your old teammates and a little bit of (a) chance to face some of your old friends is always something that I think a lot of players take a lot of pride in,” manager David Ross said. “It's fun. He's got a lot of history with those guys, a really good history, a winning history with that group.” Catcher Willson Contreras also was set for his first start since he left Friday night's 8-6 loss at Cincinnati with tightness in his right thigh. But Ian Happ was out of the starting lineup a day after he was... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today: ___ CENTURY MARK Corey Kluber goes for his 100th career victory when he starts for the Yankees at home against Detroit. The 35-year-old Kluber (1-2, 4.15) is 99-60 in a big league career that started in 2011. The two-time AL Cy Young Award winner has posted just three wins in the last three years with Cleveland, Texas and New York while beset by injuries. Kluber faces the worst-hitting team in the majors. The Tigers have a team batting average of just under .200 — former Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera went 0 for 5 on Saturday and fell to .125. PHILLY SPECIAL A couple of NL East rivals play the rubber match of their three-game series in prime time when slumping Francisco Lindor and the New York Mets visit Philadelphia. Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto could both be back in the Phillies’ lineup, manager Joe Girardi said. Harper has missed three straight games since getting hit in the face and right wrist by a pitch Wednesday in St. Louis.... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors on Sunday: ___ CENTURY MARK Corey Kluber goes for his 100th career victory when he starts for the Yankees at home against Detroit. The 35-year-old Kluber (1-2, 4.15) is 99-60 in a big league career that started in 2011. The two-time AL Cy Young Award winner has posted just three wins in the last three years with Cleveland, Texas and New York while beset by injuries. Kluber faces the worst-hitting team in the majors. The Tigers have a team batting average of just under .200 — former Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera went 0 for 5 on Saturday and fell to .125. PHILLY SPECIAL A couple of NL East rivals play the rubber match of their three-game series in prime time when slumping Francisco Lindor and the New York Mets visit Philadelphia. Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto could both be back in the Phillies’ lineup, manager Joe Girardi said. Harper has missed three straight games since getting hit in the face and right wrist by a pitch Wednesday in St.... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors on Sunday: ___ CENTURY MARK Corey Kluber goes for his 100th career victory when he starts for the Yankees at home against Detroit. The 35-year-old Kluber (1-2, 4.15) is 99-60 in a big league career that started in 2011. The two-time AL Cy Young Award winner has posted just three wins in the last three years with Cleveland, Texas and New York while beset by injuries. Kluber faces the worst-hitting team in the majors. The Tigers have a team batting average of just under .200 — former Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera went 0 for 5 on Saturday and fell to .125. PHILLY SPECIAL A couple of NL East rivals play the rubber game of their three-game series in prime time when slumping Francisco Lindor and the New York Mets visit Philadelphia. Bryce Harper could be back in the Phillies’ lineup -- he’s missed three straight games since getting hit in the face and right wrist by a pitch Wednesday in St. Louis. Harper was ejected from Saturday night’s loss... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Freddie Freeman loved facing Anthony Rizzo in a lopsided game Wednesday night. He just didn’t like striking out. Freeman, the reigning NL MVP of the Atlanta Braves, was 4 for 4 before stepping in against Rizzo, the Cubs’ first baseman who had pleaded with manager David Ross to let him face Freeman with Chicago wanting to save its bullpen in the seventh inning of a 10-0 loss. “Obviously I’ve gotten to know Anthony over the years and our friendship has grown,” Freeman said. “We’ve gotten real close. I just wish I didn’t strike out.” Both players were smiling broadly as Rizzo leaned in to get the signs with Freeman in the batter’s box. They didn’t stop grinning throughout the at-bat, even when Freeman whiffed on a 61 mph curveball. Rizzo started playfully taunting Freeman once he was certain to face him. “I was on the on-deck circle (in the top of the seventh), and I had a straight shot to Freddie,” Rizzo said. “I was kind of loosening my arm up. ‘I want you,’ pointing at him.... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Kent Emanuel worked 8 2/3 innings in relief in his major league debut, saving Houston’s bullpen after Jake Odorizzi left early with an injury, and the Astros pounded the Los Angeles Angels 16-2 on Saturday. Emanuel (1-0) allowed five hits and two runs. The 28-year-old became the fourth pitcher in the modern era to have a relief outing of 8 2/3 innings or more in his debut. Alex Bregman hit a three-run homer, Yordan Alvarez had a season-high four RBIs and Carlos Correa had three hits including a homer for Houston. The Astros had season highs in runs and hits (18) to win their third straight following a three-game skid. Odorizzi exited with tightness in his right forearm after retiring leadoff batter David Fletcher on five pitches. The Angels got solo homers from Albert Pujols in the second and Shohei Ohtani in the third. Bregman padded the lead when he sent a slider from Griffin Canning (1-2) to make it 6-2 in the third. YANKEES 2, INDIANS 1 CLEVELAND (AP) — Gerrit Cole was... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Kent Emanuel worked 8 2/3 innings in relief in his major league debut, saving Houston’s bullpen after Jake Odorizzi left early with an injury, and the Astros pounded the Los Angeles Angels 16-2 on Saturday. Emanuel (1-0) allowed five hits and two runs. The 28-year-old became the fourth pitcher in the modern era to have a relief outing of 8 2/3 innings or more in his debut. Alex Bregman hit a three-run homer, Yordan Alvarez had a season-high four RBIs and Carlos Correa had three hits including a homer for Houston. The Astros had season highs in runs and hits (18) to win their third straight following a three-game skid. Odorizzi exited with tightness in his right forearm after retiring leadoff batter David Fletcher on five pitches. The Angels got solo homers from Albert Pujols in the second and Shohei Ohtani in the third. Bregman padded the lead when he sent a slider from Griffin Canning (1-2) to make it 6-2 in the third. YANKEES 2, INDIANS 1 CLEVELAND (AP) — Gerrit Cole was... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Kent Emanuel worked 8 2/3 innings in relief in his major league debut, saving Houston’s bullpen after Jake Odorizzi left early with an injury, and the Astros pounded the Los Angeles Angels 16-2 on Saturday. Emanuel (1-0) allowed five hits and two runs. The 28-year-old became the fourth pitcher in the modern era to have a relief outing of 8 2/3 innings or more in his debut. Alex Bregman hit a three-run homer, Yordan Alvarez had a season-high four RBIs and Carlos Correa had three hits including a homer for Houston. The Astros had season highs in runs and hits (18) to win their third straight following a three-game skid. Odorizzi exited with tightness in his right forearm after retiring leadoff batter David Fletcher on five pitches. The Angels got solo homers from Albert Pujols in the second and Shohei Ohtani in the third. Bregman padded the lead when he sent a slider from Griffin Canning (1-2) to make it 6-2 in the third. YANKEES 2, INDIANS 1 CLEVELAND (AP) — Gerrit Cole was... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Kent Emanuel worked 8 2/3 innings in relief in his major league debut, saving Houston’s bullpen after Jake Odorizzi left early with an injury, and the Astros pounded the Los Angeles Angels 16-2 on Saturday. Emanuel (1-0) allowed five hits and two runs. The 28-year-old became the fourth pitcher in the modern era to have a relief outing of 8 2/3 innings or more in his debut. Alex Bregman hit a three-run homer, Yordan Alvarez had a season-high four RBIs and Carlos Correa had three hits including a homer for Houston. The Astros had season highs in runs and hits (18) to win their third straight following a three-game skid. Odorizzi exited with tightness in his right forearm after retiring leadoff batter David Fletcher on five pitches. The Angels got solo homers from Albert Pujols in the second and Shohei Ohtani in the third. Bregman padded the lead when he sent a slider from Griffin Canning (1-2) to make it 6-2 in the third. YANKEES 2, INDIANS 1 CLEVELAND (AP) — Gerrit Cole was... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Kent Emanuel worked 8 2/3 innings in relief in his major league debut, saving Houston’s bullpen after Jake Odorizzi left early with an injury, and the Astros pounded the Los Angeles Angels 16-2 on Saturday. Emanuel (1-0) allowed five hits and two runs. The 28-year-old became the fourth pitcher in the modern era to have a relief outing of 8 2/3 innings or more in his debut. Alex Bregman hit a three-run homer, Yordan Alvarez had a season-high four RBIs and Carlos Correa had three hits including a homer for Houston. The Astros had season highs in runs and hits (18) to win their third straight following a three-game skid. Odorizzi exited with tightness in his right forearm after retiring leadoff batter David Fletcher on five pitches. The Angels got solo homers from Albert Pujols in the second and Shohei Ohtani in the third. Bregman padded the lead when he sent a slider from Griffin Canning (1-2) to make it 6-2 in the third. NATIONALS 7, METS 1 NEW YORK (AP) — Joe Ross tossed... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Kyle Seager, Sam Haggerty and Ty France each had three hits, leading Chris Flexen and the Seattle Mariners to an 8-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday. Seager singled in a run in the first inning, tripled home two more in the second and doubled with the bases empty in the fifth. France scored three times, and Haggerty drove in two runs. Flexen (2-1) permitted one run and four hits in seven innings. It was the third time in his four starts this season that he has allowed one or fewer runs. Alex Verdugo and Rafael Devers each had two hits for Boston. Nathan Eovaldi (3-2) allowed five runs — four earned — and seven hits in five innings. ROYALS 2, TIGERS 1 DETROIT (AP) — Brady Singer pitched seven impressive innings, and Kansas City took advantage of some defensive sloppiness by Detroit. Willi Castro homered for Detroit in the fifth, but that wasn’t enough to overcome Kansas City’s two runs in the top of that inning. Singer (1-2) allowed three hits and struck out eight.... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today: ___ WELL RESTED Jacob deGrom and the Mets hope to finally play some baseball. New York has had four games in six days either postponed or suspended due to weather, including a snow out Friday night for the opener of their series at Colorado. The club has had seven postponements this season, including all three games of its opening series against Washington, which was called off due to the Nationals’ COVID-19 outbreak. Saturday’s forecast in Denver looks chilly but clear, making it likely deGrom (0-1, 0.64) will finally get back on the mound two days after he was initially supposed to take his turn. New York’s ace will start the opener of a doubleheader against Chi Chi Gonzalez (1-0, 3.60), and Mets lefty Joe Lucchesi (0-0, 0.00) will face Germán Márquez (0-1, 4.02) in the late game. BEAT-UP BEARS Willson Contreras and the Cubs are feeling understandably unsettled in the box. Chicago batters were plunked four times by Braves starter Kyle... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today: ___ WELL RESTED Jacob deGrom and the Mets hope to finally play some baseball. New York has had four games in six days either postponed or suspended due to weather, including a snow out Friday night for the opener of their series at Colorado. The club has had seven postponements this season, including all three games of its opening series against Washington, which was called off due to the Nationals’ COVID-19 outbreak. Saturday’s forecast in Denver looks chilly but clear, making it likely deGrom (0-1, 0.64) will finally get back on the mound two days after he was initially supposed to take his turn. New York’s ace will start the opener of a doubleheader against Chi Chi Gonzalez (1-0, 3.60), and Mets lefty Joe Lucchesi (0-0, 0.00) will face Germán Márquez (0-1, 4.02) in the late game. BEAT-UP BEARS Willson Contreras and the Cubs are feeling understandably unsettled in the box. Chicago batters were plunked four times by Braves starter Kyle... [More]

A look at what’s happening around the majors Friday: ___ SO-CAL SHOWDOWN San Diego rookie Ryan Weathers makes his first big league start when Mookie Betts and the champion Dodgers visit Petco Park in the first matchup this season between the NL West rivals. Los Angeles swept the Padres in the NL Division Series last year, and both teams added more stars in the offseason. The series opener could mark the return of San Diego shortstop Fernando Tatís Jr., who's eligible to come off the disabled list after partially dislocating his shoulder. Walker Buehler is lined up to pitch for the Dodgers, who own the best record in the majors this year. Weathers, a 21-year-old lefty, has a 1.50 ERA in three relief appearances since making his debut this season. “I think it’s a little different heading in,” Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer said. “Obviously having a little bit of history with them in the postseason last year, maybe that’ll spice things up a little bit.” WATCH OUT The Cubs will be minus manager... [More]

A look at what’s happening around the majors Friday: ___ SO-CAL SHOWDOWN San Diego rookie Ryan Weathers makes his first big league start when Mookie Betts and the champion Dodgers visit Petco Park in the first matchup this season between the NL West rivals. Los Angeles swept the Padres in the NL Division Series last year, and both teams added more stars in the offseason. Walker Buehler is lined up to pitch for the Dodgers, who own the best record in the majors this year. Weathers, a 21-year-old lefty, has a 1.50 ERA in three relief appearances since making his debut this season. “I think it’s a little different heading in,” Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer said. “Obviously having a little bit of history with them in the postseason last year, maybe that’ll spice things up a little bit.” WATCH OUT The Cubs will be minus manager David Ross for the series opener against Atlanta at Wrigley Field. He’s been suspended for one game by Major League Baseball in the aftermath of a dust-up in Milwaukee... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Corbin Burnes always sensed the Milwaukee Brewers were on the verge of producing an exceptional starting rotation. It just took some time to put it all together. Burnes now is the hottest pitcher in a rotation that has produced a remarkable run of consistency in the first two weeks of the season. Brewers starters have worked at least five innings while allowing no more than one run in eight consecutive games, the longest such streak in franchise history. During that stretch, Brewers starters have allowed a total of three earned runs over 46 innings, and opposing batters have hit just .136 against them. “It’s just knowing what we’ve got,” Burnes said Tuesday. “It’s taken some of us a little bit longer than others to bring everything to the top, but we’ve seen it for a long time, having come up together and playing in the minor leagues. The first couple of years in the big leagues, you see glimpses of it and know it’s just a matter of time before we’d all put it all together.”... [More]