A look at what's happening around baseball Sunday:MAX MATCHUPNationals ace Max Scherzer (15-5, 2.28 ERA) will try to become the first 16-game winner in the majors when he starts the Sunday night game at Wrigley Field. Owner of three Cy Young Awards, he also leads the majors in strikeouts this year with 216 in 161 2/3 innings. Cole Hamels starts for the Cubs — he's allowed just one earned run in 11 innings during the first two starts since being acquired from Texas.WELCOME BACKMets third baseman David Wright is set to play in a minor league game, more than two years since the oft-injured team captain last appeared in the majors. The 35-year-old Wright has been beset by back, neck and shoulder trouble. He's scheduled to start a rehab assignment by playing five innings in the field for Class A St. Lucie. His last game in the bigs was May 27, 2016 — he had brief stint in the minors last August before being shut down.WAITINGThe Rockies will see how third baseman Nolan Arenado is feeling, a day... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Ryan Zimmerman hit two home runs off a shaky Jon Lester and tied a career high with six RBIs, sending the Washington Nationals over the Chicago Cubs 9-4 on Saturday.Zimmerman hit a two-run homer in the first inning and a sacrifice fly to the warning track in the third. He chased Lester with a three-run drive in the fourth that made it 9-1. He is batting .355 (16 for 45) with four homers and 16 RBIs in 14 games since returning from the disabled list last month.Daniel Murphy also homered and had three hits, helping Tanner Roark (7-12) win his fourth straight start.Lester (12-5) was tagged for eight earned runs and 10 hits in 3 2/3 innings. The left-hander is winless in his last five starts for the NL Central leaders, going 0-3 with a 10.32 ERA during that span.Anthony Rizzo got his 1,000th career hit for the Cubs.YANKEES 5, RANGERS 3NEW YORK (AP) — Rain pouring off his hat, Aroldis Chapman struck out Jurickson Profar with the bases loaded in a steady storm, preserving the Yankees'... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Ryan Zimmerman hit two home runs off a shaky Jon Lester and tied a career high with six RBIs, sending the Washington Nationals over the Chicago Cubs 9-4 on Saturday.Zimmerman hit a two-run homer in the first inning and a sacrifice fly to the warning track in the third. He chased Lester with a three-run drive in the fourth that made it 9-1. He is batting .355 (16 for 45) with four homers and 16 RBIs in 14 games since returning from the disabled list last month.Daniel Murphy also homered and had three hits, helping Tanner Roark (7-12) win his fourth straight start.Lester (12-5) was tagged for eight earned runs and 10 hits in 3 2/3 innings. The left-hander is winless in his last five starts for the NL Central leaders, going 0-3 with a 10.32 ERA during that span.Anthony Rizzo got his 1,000th career hit for the Cubs.YANKEES 5, RANGERS 3NEW YORK (AP) — Rain pouring off his hat, Aroldis Chapman struck out Jurickson Profar with the bases loaded in a steady storm, preserving the Yankees'... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels rookie Shohei Ohtani took his next step in a possible return to pitching by throwing a light bullpen session on Saturday.The 24-year-old Japanese star threw 23 pitches, mixing in fastballs, sliders and curveballs. It was the first time he had thrown off a mound since he last pitched in a game, on June 6.It's uncertain whether the two-way player will pitch again in the majors this season after being sidelined by a sprained right elbow. He was 4-1 with a 3.10 ERA in nine starts, striking out 61 in 49 1/3 innings."He has to make sure he's continuing to move forward and evaluate him afterwards," manager Mike Scioscia said before the Angels played Oakland. "Right now, there hasn't been any adjustments. He's been terrific. I think he's feeling very, very comfortable with the fact that everything is sound in his elbow. As we continue to test it in the next couple of weeks, we'll get a better idea of where it is."Ohtani was put on the disabled list on June 8. He has returned to the lineup as a designated hitter for the Angels and done well, batting .273 with 12 home runs and 32 RBIs. In his last seven games, he's batting .360 with three home runs, seven RBIs and three stolen bases.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DENVER (AP) — Colorado's Nolan Arenado was held out of Saturday night's starting lineup against the Los Angeles Dodgers because of a right shoulder strain, though the Rockies remain hopeful the injury won't result in a trip to the disabled list for their power-hitting third baseman."He got looked at by our medical staff. They all seem to think that this is something minor," manager Bud Black said. "Hopefully this resolves itself quickly where he can get back on the diamond as an infielder. I suspect that this is not anything that's going to last too long. I think it's going to be manageable."Arenado was lifted from Friday night's game in the fifth inning after it became too painful to use his right arm to throw the ball. Black said the All-Star would continue to dress for games and could be called on to pinch hit if needed, though he remains day to day as far as returning to the infield.Arenado, 27, is hitting .307 with 29 home runs and 82 RBIs this season.In the clubhouse before the game,... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Colorado's Nolan Arenado is being held out of Saturday night's starting lineup against the Los Angeles Dodgers because of a right shoulder strain. The Rockies remain hopeful the injury won't result in a trip to the disabled list for their power-hitting third baseman.Arenado was lifted from Friday night's game in the fifth inning after it became too painful to use his right arm to throw the ball. Manager Bud Black said Arenado would continue to suit up for games and could be called on to pinch hit if needed, though he remains day to day as far as returning to the infield.In the clubhouse before the game, Arenado told reporters that his shoulder is still "a little sore."He believes several throws in previous games in which he didn't get his legs under his throws also may have contributed to the injury.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

HOUSTON (AP) — Felix Hernandez vowed Saturday that his first-ever stint in Seattle's bullpen won't last long."I'll be a starter before the end of the year," Hernandez told The Associated Press. "No question about it."The struggling Mariners ace has made 398 career starts in 14 seasons, never once pitching in relief. He was bumped from the rotation on Thursday night, the latest setback in a tough year in which he has a career-high 5.73 ERA and is 0-4 in his last five starts.For the longtime face of this franchise, it was difficult to digest the team's decision to have him pitch in relief and he said it took him a couple of days to come to terms with it. Conversations with family and friends and encouragement from his wife Sandra, who he has been with since he was 14, helped."My wife is here. She flew here," Hernandez said. "We had a good conversation. And she told me: 'Just go out there and be the leader that you've been all these years. Be you. Be you.'"And that, Hernandez said, is exactly... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Cleveland Indians slugger Edwin Encarnacion was examined Saturday because of discomfort in his left biceps and there wasn't a decision yet on whether to put him on the disabled list.Manager Terry Francona said the AL Central leaders were awaiting the results of an MRI.Encarnacion was being checked in Cleveland. He left Friday night's game in Chicago against the White Sox.Third on the team with 25 homers and second with 81 RBIs, he has struggled since being hit on the right hand by Yankees reliever Chad Green before the All-Star break. He has often been swinging with one hand, putting more stress on his upper arms.Losing their cleanup hitter for any significant time would be a blow for the Indians, who were leading the division by 11 games.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today:NO WORD YETThe Dodgers are still waiting for definitive word on how long closer Kenley Jansen might be out because of an irregular heartbeat. He was put on the 10-day disabled list Friday and manager Dave Roberts wasn't sure if his absence would be 10 days or possibly even closer to a month — like it was when the right-hander went on the DL for the same thing seven years ago."I'm hoping as soon as I can to get something, just for my peace of mind, the guys on the field — our peace of mind," Roberts said. "His health is most important. Whatever they have to do, the doctors have to do, to protect him."The 30-year-old Jansen was tied for the NL lead with 32 saves. In his absence, Roberts will use a closer-by-committee approach.ARENADO AILINGThe Rockies will see how star third baseman Nolan Arenado is feeling, a day after his early exit during a 5-4 win over the Dodgers at Coors Field. The Gold Glover has been bothered by a sore shoulder for... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Ronald Guzman became the first rookie to hit three home runs in a game against the Yankees, powering the Texas Rangers past New York 12-7 on Friday night.Eight days after Boston's Steve Pearce connected three times off the Yankees, Guzman duplicated the feat in ending New York's four-game winning streak.Guzman grounded out his first time up, then hit solo home runs in three straight at-bats. The 23-year-old first baseman batted again in the eighth with a chance to tie the big league record for homers in a game — no rookie has ever hit four — but struck out swinging against Chad Green.Guzman's two homers off Masahiro Tanaka (9-3) and one off A.J. Cole made him the first Texas player to hit three home runs in a game since Adrian Beltre in 2012.Overall, Guzman has 12 home runs this season, six against the Yankees.Beltre also joined in the fun with his seventh homer of the season, tying recent Hall of Fame inductee Chipper Jones for the 33rd spot on baseball's career list with... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Ronald Guzman became the first rookie to hit three home runs in a game against the Yankees, powering the Texas Rangers past New York 12-7 on Friday night.Eight days after Boston's Steve Pearce connected three times off the Yankees, Guzman duplicated the feat in ending New York's four-game winning streak.Guzman grounded out his first time up, then hit solo home runs in three straight at-bats. The 23-year-old first baseman batted again in the eighth with a chance to tie the big league record for homers in a game — no rookie has ever hit four — but struck out swinging against Chad Green.Guzman's two homers off Masahiro Tanaka (9-3) and one off A.J. Cole made him the first Texas player to hit three home runs in a game since Adrian Beltre in 2012.Overall, Guzman has 12 home runs this season, six against the Yankees.Beltre also joined in the fun with his seventh homer of the season, tying recent Hall of Fame inductee Chipper Jones for the 33rd spot on baseball's career list with... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:NO WORD YETThe Dodgers are still waiting for definitive word on how long closer Kenley Jansen might be out because of an irregular heartbeat. He was put on the 10-day disabled list Friday and manager Dave Roberts wasn't sure if his absence would be 10 days or possibly even closer to a month — like it was when the right-hander went on the DL for the same thing seven years ago."I'm hoping as soon as I can to get something, just for my peace of mind, the guys on the field — our peace of mind," Roberts said. "His health is most important. Whatever they have to do, the doctors have to do, to protect him."The 30-year-old Jansen was tied for the NL lead with 32 saves. In his absence, Roberts will use a closer-by-committee approach.HOW MANY?J.D. Martinez has become the first major leaguer this season to top the century mark in RBIs — the Boston bopper is at 101 after driving in two more Friday night at Baltimore.Martinez set a career high with... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Ronald Guzman became the first rookie to hit three home runs in a game against the Yankees, powering the Texas Rangers past New York 12-7 on Friday night.Eight days after Boston's Steve Pearce connected three times off the Yankees, Guzman duplicated the feat in ending New York's four-game winning streak.Guzman grounded out his first time up, then hit solo home runs in three straight at-bats. The 23-year-old first baseman batted again in the eighth with a chance to tie the big league record for homers in a game — no rookie has ever hit four — but struck out swinging against Chad Green.Guzman's two homers off Masahiro Tanaka (9-3) and one off A.J. Cole made him the first Texas player to hit three home runs in a game since Adrian Beltre in 2012.Overall, Guzman has 12 home runs this season, six against the Yankees.Beltre also joined in the fun with his seventh homer of the season, tying recent Hall of Fame inductee Chipper Jones for the 33rd spot on baseball's career list with... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Ronald Guzman became the first rookie to hit three home runs in a game against the Yankees, powering the Texas Rangers past New York 12-7 on Friday night.Eight days after Boston's Steve Pearce connected three times off the Yankees, Guzman duplicated the feat in ending New York's four-game winning streak.Guzman grounded out his first time up, then hit solo home runs in three straight at-bats. The 23-year-old first baseman batted again in the eighth with a chance to tie the big league record for homers in a game — no rookie has ever hit four — but struck out swinging against Chad Green.Guzman's two homers off Masahiro Tanaka (9-3) and one off A.J. Cole made him the first Texas player to hit three home runs in a game since Adrian Beltre in 2012.Overall, Guzman has 12 home runs this season, six against the Yankees.Beltre also joined in the fun with his seventh homer of the season, tying recent Hall of Fame inductee Chipper Jones for the 33rd spot on baseball's career list with... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Colorado Rockies All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado left the game against the Dodgers in the top of the fifth inning with a sore right shoulder.Arenado may have tweaked his shoulder while turning a double play in the third inning against Los Angeles. He was covering second base on a play that was scored 3-5-3.He was 0 for 2 against Dodgers starter Kenta Maeda. Arenado is hitting .307 this season with 29 homers and 82 RBIs.Ryan McMahon replaced the five-time Gold Glove-winning Arenado at third base.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — Jason Heyward broke up a no-hitter with a tying two-run single in the sixth inning, Anthony Rizzo drew a bases-loaded walk in the seventh and the Chicago Cubs beat the Washington Nationals 3-2 on Friday.In the first meeting between the teams since Chicago beat Washington in the NL Division Series, the Cubs won even though they didn't get a hit against Nationals starter Jeremy Hellickson.Rizzo walked three times. Manager Joe Maddon got ejected, but the Cubs pulled out the victory.Hellickson was sailing along, retiring 17 in a row after issuing a leadoff walk to Rizzo in the first. But things took a wild turn with two out in the sixth.He walked Rizzo on 13 pitches and both Javier Baez and Ben Zobrist on four to load the bases. Heyward took two balls from Sammy Solis (1-2) before lining the tying single past second baseman Daniel Murphy.Chicago took a 3-2 lead in the seventh after Maddon got tossed for arguing an interference call against Willson Contreras on the bases.Kyle... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Star outfielder Mike Trout was put on the 10-day disabled list Friday because of an inflamed right wrist, a move that Los Angeles Angels had hoped to avoid.Manager Mike Scioscia sounded confident that Trout's stay on the DL would not be extended beyond the minimum time. The Angels head out on a road trip to San Diego and Texas after the weekend."We anticipate him being back when his DL is up," Scioscia said. "Definitely in Texas he is going to play (Thursday), so most likely he will travel (to San Diego). The treatment he is getting is easy to administer."The move was retroactive to Monday, when Trout received a cortisone injection in his wrist. The two-time AL MVP has missed seven consecutive games.The 27-year-old Trout is batting .309 with 30 home runs and 60 RBIs. He leads the majors with a .459 on-base percentage.Trout hasn't played since Aug. 1, when he hurt his wrist during a feet-first slide into third base in Tampa Bay.Trout was out for 39 games last season after tearing a ligament in his left thumb in a headfirst slide.Scioscia initially didn't think Trout would need to go on the DL. He said Friday there should be no long-term ramifications from the injury.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies have acquired first baseman Justin Bour and cash from the Miami Marlins for a minor league pitcher.Bour is batting .227 with 19 homers and 54 RBIs. He's expected to be a pinch-hitter in Philadelphia, where Carlos Santana is the starting first baseman in the first year of a $60 million, three-year contract.The left-handed hitting Bour has a .347 on-base percentage. The 30-year-old hit .289 with 25 homers and 83 RBIs last season."I envision him being a dynamic, power-hitting weapon off the bench," Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said."The numbers against righties are outrageously good and the plate discipline fits right in with our lineup. He knows how to look over the baseball. He attacks it when it's in the zone. He fouls balls off. He fights. He is a tough out," he said.The Marlins got Single-A left-hander McKenzie Mills. The 22-year-old was 2-5 with a 3.51 ERA at Clearwater.The Phillies also will receive $466,129 from Miami, which... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Kenley Jansen spent the day in the doctor's office getting checked out for an irregular heartbeat.The conclusion: Nothing definitive yet.The Los Angeles Dodgers closer was placed on the 10-day disabled list Friday and manager Dave Roberts wasn't sure if his absence would be 10 days or possibly even closer to a month — like it was when the right-hander landed on the DL for the same thing seven years ago."I'm hoping as soon as I can to get something, just for my peace of mind, the guys on the field — our peace of mind," Roberts said. "His health is most important. Whatever they have to do, the doctors have to do, to protect him."I know there are things out there as far as a timeline. I haven't heard definitive as far as any time."Jansen was at the hotel before the game Thursday against the Colorado Rockies and didn't feel right. He was taken to a Denver hospital for tests and then sent back to Los Angeles for more evaluation.When Jansen dealt with an irregular heartbeat in 2011,... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies have acquired first baseman Justin Bour and cash from the Miami Marlins for a minor league pitcher.Bour is batting .227 with 19 homers and 54 RBIs. He's expected to be a pinch-hitter in Philadelphia, where Carlos Santana is the starting first baseman in the first year of a $60 million, three-year contract.The left-handed hitting Bour has a .347 on-base percentage. The 30-year-old hit .289 with 25 homers and 83 RBIs last season.The Marlins got Single-A left-hander McKenzie Mills. The Phillies also will receive $466,129 from Miami, which is half of Bour's remaining salary this year.Bour is earning $3.4 million after winning in arbitration. He is eligible for free agency after the 2020 season.The Phillies acquired infielder Asdrubal Cabrera and All-Star catcher Wilson Ramos last month.They entered a three-game series in San Diego on Friday night with a one-game lead over Atlanta and 5 ½ games ahead of Washington.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports