The St. Louis Cardinals have signed right-hander Josh James to a minor-league deal. The deal presumably comes with an invite to big-league spring training, although not yet confirmed. Once a highly-touted young arm with the Astros, the now-30-year-old's career has been decimated by injury, most recently flexor tendon surgery that cost him all of last season. In fact, James hasn't appeared on a big-league mound since Sept. 22, 2021. He saw diminished velocity after early-career injuries as he averaged 94.1 mph on his four-seam fastball in 2021 versus a 97.3 mph average in both the 2018 and 2019 seasons. James owns a career 4.64 ERA in 73 big-league outings (six starts) while posting an eye-popping 34.3% K% in that time. He is a low-risk flyer for a Cardinals team that has been busy in addressing pitching needs this winter.

Houston Astros right-hander Josh James (forearm), who has been on the 60-day injured list since June 23 with a right lat strain, underwent surgery on the flexor tendon in his right forearm, and the Astros haven't provided a timetable for his return. James had a setback during his minor league rehab assignment in the middle of last month, and now it's unclear if he'll even be ready for the start of spring training next year. The 29-year-old hasn't pitched at all for the Astros this year after making just five relief appearances in 2021 with a 5.40 ERA (3.77 FIP), a 1.20 WHIP and eight strikeouts in his five innings pitched.

The Houston Astros called up relief pitcher Josh James from Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday. The move was made after outfielder Michael Brantley (knee) was placed on the 10-day injured list. The 28-year-old James has appeared in just one game for the Astros this year. He made a relief appearance earlier this month and gave up two earned runs in an inning. He's been stellar in the minor leagues this year, however. Over 19.2 innings spread across Triple-A and Single-A, he's posted a 1.37 ERA and a 1.169 WHIP while averaging 11.4 K/9. He'll have to pitch extremely well in order to earn himself high-leverage opportunities or a spot on the team's postseason roster.

Houston Astros pitcher Josh James (hip) has been activated off the 60-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land. He was already with the organization for a rehab assignment, so he won't have to go anywhere. The 28-year-old righty has been sidelined all season due to a hip issue. He'll get some more work in the minors before likely joining the Astros at some point this season. James is a versatile pitcher who can be used in multiple roles. However, it's unlikely he holds any fantasy value in 2021. In a corresponding move, righty Ralph Garza Jr. has been designated for assignment. He held a 4.09 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 14/7 K/BB ratio over 11 innings with the Astros this season.

HOUSTON (AP) — Astros pitcher Josh James underwent hip surgery and will need six to eight months to recover. Houston general manager James Click said Saturday that James had a labral tear of his left hip repaired Friday. James initially injured his hip Aug. 20 in a game at Colorado and went on the injured list. When the right-hander returned, he had a 1.35 ERA over 6 2-3 innings in his final six appearances of the regular season. James also appeared in three postseason games, pitching four innings. For the regular season, James was 1-0 with a 7.27 ERA in 13 appearances (two starts) with 21 strikeouts.

CINCINNATI (AP) — Tim Anderson hit two of Chicago’s five solo homers, and the White Sox — already guaranteed a playoff spot — took another step toward the AL Central title by overpowering the Cincinnati Reds 5-0 on Saturday night. Chicago has won eight of its last 10 games, securing at least a wild card and its first postseason appearance since 2008. José Abreu hit his fifth homer in eight games as the White Sox piled them up, including three in a row in the eighth off Robert Stephenson. Abreu has 18 homers overall. The Reds managed six hits as they had their season-high winning streak snapped at six games. Cincinnati (26-27) wasted a chance to move above .500 for the first time since its season-opening win over the Tigers. Nomar Mazara was in a 3-for-25 slump with 11 strikeouts when he connected off Trevor Bauer (4-4) in the fifth inning for his first homer. One out later, Anderson’s ninth homer made it 2-0. Bauer went seven innings and gave up five hits while throwing 107 pitches. Matt... [More]

The Chicago White Sox clinched their first postseason berth since 2008, beating the Minnesota Twins 4-3 Thursday as Eloy Jim�nez hit a tiebreaking double that capped a two-run, seventh-inning rally. Chicago (33-17) opened a three-game lead over the second-place Twins (31-21) in the AL Central. The White Sox assured themselves of no worse than a wild-card berth. Jos� Abreu homered and drove in two runs and Edwin Encarnaci�n also homered for Chicago, which won three of four in the series. Chicago trailed 3-2 in the seventh when Abreu beat out an infield hit on a slow grounder that drove in Jarrod Dyson from third base. Jim�nez followed with a go-ahead double. Codi Heuer (3-0) pitched a scoreless 1 2/3 innings, and Alex Colom� got four outs for his 12th save in 13 chances. Tyler Clippard (1-1) gave up two runs in two-thirds of an inning. Byron Buxton homered twice, giving him seven in his last nine games and 12 this season. Josh Donaldson also went deep for Minnesota and was ejected for kicking... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Alex Bregman singled in the go-ahead run during a five-run ninth inning, and the Astros rallied past the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-5 under smoky skies Saturday night in Houston’s first visit since the infamous 2017 World Series.The Dodgers blew a three-run lead in the ninth when Kenley Jansen (3-1) got knocked around, giving up four consecutive hits without an out.Josh James (1-0) got the victory with 1 1/3 innings of relief. Ryan Pressly earned his ninth save.The game lacked the fiery emotion of the teams’ matchup on July 29. But there were multiple reminders that Dodger fans haven’t forgotten the Astros’ cheating scandal from their championship three years ago.A plane towed a banner reading “Houston Cheats Bang Bang” over the stadium.WHITE SOX 14, TIGERS 0CHICAGO (AP) — José Abreu hit two three-run homers and matched a career high with seven RBIs, and the White Sox earned their eighth straight win against the Tigers.Abreu went 4 for 4 a day after his career-best 22-game... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Alex Bregman singled in the go-ahead run during a five-run ninth inning, and the Astros rallied past the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-5 under smoky skies Saturday night in Houston’s first visit since the infamous 2017 World Series.The Dodgers blew a three-run lead in the ninth when Kenley Jansen (3-1) got knocked around, giving up four consecutive hits without an out.Josh James (1-0) got the victory with 1 1/3 innings of relief. Ryan Pressly earned his ninth save.The game lacked the fiery emotion of the teams’ matchup on July 29. But there were multiple reminders that Dodger fans haven’t forgotten the Astros’ cheating scandal from their championship three years ago.A plane towed a banner reading “Houston Cheats Bang Bang” over the stadium.WHITE SOX 14, TIGERS 0CHICAGO (AP) — José Abreu hit two three-run homers and matched a career high with seven RBIs, and the White Sox earned their eighth straight win against the Tigers.Abreu went 4 for 4 a day after his career-best 22-game... [More]

Astros second. Josh Reddick singles to deep right field. Yuli Gurriel strikes out swinging. Kyle Tucker triples to deep center field. Josh Reddick scores. Abraham Toro strikes out swinging. Taylor Jones walks. Martin Maldonado singles to deep left field. Taylor Jones to second. Kyle Tucker scores. George Springer singles to left field, advances to 2nd. Martin Maldonado to third. Taylor Jones scores. Fielding error by Raimel Tapia. Jose Altuve doubles to deep center field. George Springer scores. Martin Maldonado scores. Carlos Correa strikes out swinging.5 runs, 5 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Astros 5, Rockies 0.Rockies second. Daniel Murphy singles to left field. Ryan McMahon homers to center field. Daniel Murphy scores. Brendan Rodgers called out on strikes. Sam Hilliard singles to right center field. Tony Wolters lines out to right center field to Josh Reddick. Raimel Tapia walks. Trevor Story strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Astros 5, Rockies 2.Rockies third. Charlie... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Dansby Swanson hit a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to cap a four-run rally that gave the Atlanta Braves a stunning 7-6 victory over the Washington Nationals on Monday night.With the Braves trailing 6-3 against Washington closer Daniel Hudson (1-2), Adam Duvall made it close by hitting a two-run shot that just cleared the wall in left field. Johan Camargo followed with a single, but Hudson retired the next two hitters to put the Braves down to their final out.It never came.Swanson drove one over the wall in right-center for the game winner. The rally ruined a memorable night for Washington rookie Luis Garcia, who became the first player born in the 2000s to hit a big league homer. The youngest player in the majors at age 20, Garcia hit a two-run shot off Touki Toussaint in the second inning. Asdrubal Cabrera, Juan Soto and Eric Thames also homered for the defending World Series champs, but it wasn’t enough.DODGERS 11, MARINERS 9LOS ANGELES (AP) —... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Dansby Swanson hit a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to cap a four-run rally that gave the Atlanta Braves a stunning 7-6 victory over the Washington Nationals on Monday night.With the Braves trailing 6-3 against Washington closer Daniel Hudson (1-2), Adam Duvall made it close by hitting a two-run shot that just cleared the wall in left field. Johan Camargo followed with a single, but Hudson retired the next two hitters to put the Braves down to their final out.It never came.Swanson drove one over the wall in right-center for the game winner. The rally ruined a memorable night for Washington rookie Luis Garcia, who became the first player born in the 2000s to hit a big league homer. The youngest player in the majors at age 20, Garcia hit a two-run shot off Touki Toussaint in the second inning. Asdrubal Cabrera, Juan Soto and Eric Thames also homered for the defending World Series champs, but it wasn’t enough.TWINS 4, ROYALS 1MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Nelson... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Dansby Swanson hit a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to cap a four-run rally that gave the Atlanta Braves a stunning 7-6 victory over the Washington Nationals on Monday night.With the Braves trailing 6-3 against Washington closer Daniel Hudson (1-2), Adam Duvall made it close by hitting a two-run shot that just cleared the wall in left field. Johan Camargo followed with a single, but Hudson retired the next two hitters to put the Braves down to their final out.It never came.Swanson drove one over the wall in right-center for the game winner. The rally ruined a memorable night for Washington rookie Luis Garcia, who became the first player born in the 2000s to hit a big league homer. The youngest player in the majors at age 20, Garcia hit a two-run shot off Touki Toussaint in the second inning. Asdrubal Cabrera, Juan Soto and Eric Thames also homered for the defending World Series champs, but it wasn’t enough.TWINS 4, ROYALS 1MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Nelson... [More]

Cleveland's starting rotation is rolling through the early stages of the season.The Houston Astros, on the other hand, are having to make do with a group that bears little resemblance to the one that pitched its way to the World Series last year.Someone forgot to tell the Indians that starting pitchers might struggle early in this abbreviated campaign. The short training camp doesn't seem to have affected this Cleveland rotation. In 10 games, the Indians' starters have struck out 86 batters with only nine walks, going 5-3 with a 2.57 ERA.Cleveland had a streak of seven straight starts by pitchers who went at least six innings with two runs or fewer. That was snapped Friday, but Shane Bieber looks like an ace so far, and Zach Plesac was outstanding in his first outing.It wasn't long ago that Houston was the team with a rotation everybody feared, but Gerrit Cole is with the New York Yankees now, and Justin Verlander has been out with a strained right forearm.Zack Greinke is still with the... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Hunter Renfroe homered twice and Tampa Bay pitchers set a team nine-inning record with 19 strikeouts in the Rays’ 14-5 romp over the Atlanta Braves on Monday night.Atlanta starter Mike Foltynewicz (0-1) gave up six runs, four hits and four walks in 3 1/3 innings. The 2018 All-Star was designated for assignment after the game.Tyler Glasnow struck out nine and allowed one hit over four innings in first start after missing part of summer camp with the Rays after testing positive for the coronavirus. Diego Castillo (1-0) struck out two in a 10-pitch fifth and Jalen Beeks fanned seven over his three innings.Dansby Swanson and Matt Adams homered for the Braves. Swanson tied a career-high with five RBIs and stopped a 41-game homerless streak in Atlanta’s 14-1 win Sunday night over the New York Mets.CUBS 8, REDS 7CINCINNATI (AP) — Anthony Rizzo homered for the third time and Chicago let most of a seven-run lead slip away before Jeremy Jeffress closed out a victory over... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Hunter Renfroe homered twice and Tampa Bay pitchers set a team nine-inning record with 19 strikeouts in the Rays’ 14-5 romp over the Atlanta Braves on Monday night.Atlanta starter Mike Foltynewicz (0-1) gave up six runs, four hits and four walks in 3 1/3 innings. The 2018 All-Star was designated for assignment after the game.Tyler Glasnow struck out nine and allowed one hit over four innings in first start after missing part of summer camp with the Rays after testing positive for the coronavirus. Diego Castillo (1-0) struck out two in a 10-pitch fifth and Jalen Beeks fanned seven over his three innings.Dansby Swanson and Matt Adams homered for the Braves. Swanson tied a career-high with five RBIs and stopped a 41-game homerless streak in Atlanta’s 14-1 win Sunday night over the New York Mets.ATHLETICS 3, ANGELS 0OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Mark Canha homered for the first time this season, Chris Bassitt (1-0) escaped a big jam and Oakland beat Los Angeles as the teams... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Hunter Renfroe homered twice and Tampa Bay pitchers set a team nine-inning record with 19 strikeouts in the Rays’ 14-5 romp over the Atlanta Braves on Monday night.Atlanta starter Mike Foltynewicz (0-1) gave up six runs, four hits and four walks in 3 1/3 innings. The 2018 All-Star was designated for assignment after the game.Tyler Glasnow struck out nine and allowed one hit over four innings in first start after missing part of summer camp with the Rays after testing positive for the coronavirus. Diego Castillo (1-0) struck out two in a 10-pitch fifth and Jalen Beeks fanned seven over his three innings.Dansby Swanson and Matt Adams homered for the Braves. Swanson tied a career-high with five RBIs and stopped a 41-game homerless streak in Atlanta’s 14-1 win Sunday night over the New York Mets.ATHLETICS 3, ANGELS 0OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Mark Canha homered for the first time this season, Chris Bassitt (1-0) escaped a big jam and Oakland beat Los Angeles as the teams... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Houston ace Justin Verlander has a mild strain of a back muscle and said it would “probably take a miracle” for him to pitch on opening day at home against the Los Angeles Angels on March 26.In an effort to remain positive, Verlander quickly added, “but I don't want to leave miracles off the table.”The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner was hurt on his second-to-last pitch in Sunday's exhibition game against the New York Mets. He had an MRI on Monday and was diagnosed with a strained latissimus dorsi muscle. There is not a timetable for his return.“Talking with doctors and looking at the scans, it's definitely not worst-case scenario,” the Astros right-hander said. “Best-case scenario would be nothing. It's just probably somewhere in the middle of that.”The 37-year-old's velocity was down from his previous start, and he was removed after two scoreless innings of what had been scheduled as a four-inning outing. “Hardly noticed it to be honest,” Verlander said... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Houston ace Justin Verlander has a mild strain of a back muscle and said it would “probably take a miracle” for him to pitch in the Astros' opener at Oakland on March 26.In an effort to remain positive, Verlander quickly added, “but I don't want to leave miracles off the table.”The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner was hurt on his second-to-last pitch in Sunday's exhibition game against the New York Mets. He had an MRI on Monday and was diagnosed with a strained latissimus dorsi muscle. There is not a timetable for his return.“Talking with doctors and looking at the scans, it's definitely not worst-case scenario,” Verlander said, “Best-case scenario would be nothing. It's just probably somewhere in the middle of that.”The 37-year-old right-hander's velocity was down from his previous start, and he was removed after two scoreless innings of what had been scheduled as a four-inning outing. “Hardly noticed it to be honest,” Verlander said of the injury-inducing... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — By recent standards, the heckling the Houston Astros heard at JetBlue Park was rather tame. Some boos during pregame introductions, a chant of "cheaters!" in the ninth inning.Maybe that's because Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman and rest of their All-Stars were missing from the lineup against the Boston Red Sox.Perhaps there was another more pointed reason."It could be here, too," Astros manager Dusty Baker cautioned Thursday. "And then (the Red Sox) got to be careful of the reception."Major League Baseball continues to look into allegations the Red Sox illicitly swiped signals during their run to the 2018 World Series title. Manager Alex Cora and the team already have split — that was in the wake of his role as bench coach of the 2017 champion Astros and a sign-stealing scandal that rocked the sport and resulted in MLB punishment."We're still waiting for our investigation to be over. So it's still there," said Ron Roenicke, who took over for Cora."But I think we're pretty... [More]