CLEVELAND (AP) — Josh Naylor's hustle and heart will be missing from Cleveland's lineup for a while. Naylor will need surgery after gruesomely breaking his right ankle Sunday in Minnesota during a frightening collision with rookie second baseman Ernie Clement. Naylor, who has been a clutch hitter and bright spot for the Indians, smashed into Clement in the fourth inning of the Indians' 8-2 loss. Naylor was sprinting toward a shallow pop in right by Minnesota's Jorge Polanco when he hit Clement as the players were trying to make the catch. The Indians said Naylor has a “closed” fracture and dislocation. Naylor spent the night at Hennepin County Medical Center. He’ll travel to Ohio on Monday, accompanied by trainer James Quinlan and be evaluated at the Cleveland Clinic this week by foot/ankle specialist Dr. Mark Berkowitz. The team did not give a timetable for Naylor's return, but similar injuries require up to two months to heal. The impact with Clement spun Naylor, whose right foot was... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians outfielder Josh Naylor will need surgery after breaking his right ankle during a frightening collision with Cleveland second baseman Ernie Clement. Naylor smashed into the rookie in the fourth inning Sunday in Minnesota. Naylor was sprinting toward a shallow pop in short right when he hit Clement as the players were trying to make the catch. The Indians said Naylor has a “closed” fracture and dislocation. Naylor spent the night at a hospital in Minneapolis. He'll travel to Ohio on Monday and will be evaluated at the Cleveland Clinic this week by foot/ankle specialist Dr. Mark Berkowitz, who will schedule surgery. The team did not provide a timetable for Naylor's return. The impact with Clement spun Naylor, whose right foot was planted awkwardly. Naylor immediately reacted in pain, rolling around and pounding his fists into the grass. His leg was placed in an air cast and the 24-year-old was carted off the field on a stretcher. Naylor, who was acquired by Cleveland... [More]

Ever since Terry Francona took over as manager, the Cleveland Indians have been playoff contenders. This year has been no different, so far — even after the Indians traded their star shortstop. Cleveland sent Francisco Lindor to the New York Mets during the offseason, yet as of Monday morning, the Indians (41-33) have actually been a half-game better than the Mets (40-33) on the year. Cleveland isn't in first place like Lindor's new team, but the Indians are just 2 1/2 games behind the AL Central-leading White Sox. Shane Bieber leads the American League in strikeouts, showing that last season's Cy Young Award wasn't some two-month fluke. Aaron Civale leads the league with 10 wins, and José Ramirez has 16 home runs. The question now is whether the Indians can stay close to the White Sox despite mounting injuries. Bieber, Civale and right-hander Zach Plesac are on the injured list, and in Sunday's game, outfielder Josh Naylor was taken off on a stretcher after a collision with second baseman... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today: ___ ACHY ACUÑA The Braves are monitoring star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. after he was scratched from Atlanta’s lineup Wednesday due to lower back tightness. The 23-year-old star was removed not long before batting practice at Citi Field. “Came in today, his back was stiff. So they’re going to work on him and be kind of a day-to-day thing,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “I think just probably the wear and tear. You know, sometimes I think we get in these different hotels and things like that and the beds are different, but it was just enough that they don’t want him to play today. So, like I say, they’re working on him right now. We’ll see how he is tomorrow.” Acuña ranks among the major league leaders in several key offensive categories. He began the day hitting .285 with 20 home runs, 45 RBIs and a .996 OPS. The 2018 NL Rookie of the Year was leading the league in runs (58) and was tied for first in stolen bases (15). Atlanta is... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Thursday: ___ ACHY ACUÑA The Braves are monitoring star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. after he was scratched from Atlanta’s lineup Wednesday due to lower back tightness. The 23-year-old star was removed not long before batting practice at Citi Field. “Came in today, his back was stiff. So they’re going to work on him and be kind of a day-to-day thing,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “I think just probably the wear and tear. You know, sometimes I think we get in these different hotels and things like that and the beds are different, but it was just enough that they don’t want him to play today. So, like I say, they’re working on him right now. We’ll see how he is tomorrow.” Acuña ranks among the major league leaders in several key offensive categories. He began the day hitting .285 with 20 home runs, 45 RBIs and a .996 OPS. The 2018 NL Rookie of the Year was leading the league in runs (58) and was tied for first in stolen bases (15). Atlanta... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians pitcher Aaron Civale will miss more than one month with a sprained right finger, the latest blow to Cleveland's injury-ravaged rotation. Civale, who is tied for the major league lead with 10 wins, injured his middle finger in a start against the Chicago Cubs on Monday. He underwent an MRI and was examined by Dr. Thomas Graham in Dayton, Ohio, on Wednesday. The Indians said Civale will be shut down from throwing for up to two weeks and the right-hander will miss between four to five weeks of game activity. Civale's injury comes on the heels of the Indians losing reigning AL Cy Young winner Shane Bieber (shoulder) and Zach Plesac (broken thumb) to injuries. Bieber and Plesac are expected to be sidelined several more weeks. Despite being without his top two pitchers, manager Terry Francona has pieced together enough quality starts from others to keep the Indians competitive and playing beyond expectations. Cleveland only trails the Central-leading Chicago White Sox by 2 1/2 games entering Wednesday's action. The Indians will now have to survive without the 26-year-old Civale, who is having his best season. He's 10-2 with a 3.32 ERA in 15 starts. Cleveland opens a four-game series in Minnesota on Thursday. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today: WHO NEEDS A DH? Two-way star Shohei Ohtani is back on the mound, taking on Kevin Gausman and the Giants at Angel Stadium. Because the game is being played in an American League park, it has the potential to be the first where an NL team uses a designated hitter and the AL team does not. Ohtani has hit for himself in seven of his starts this season and went into Tuesday tied for the major league lead with 23 home runs. Ohtani (3-1, 2.70 ERA) will make his 11th start, his most in any season since 2016, when he started 20 times in Japan. Gausman (8-1) is tied for fourth in the majors in wins and is second with a 1.51 ERA. “Looking at Ohtani in person and how physical and athletic he is, and then seeing it, you know, play out in the numbers, it’s no easy task to get that dude out,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. “So we’ll have to be creative and figure out a way.” FAST STARTS Wander Franco homered and doubled in his major league debut for... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors on Wednesday: WHO NEEDS A DH? Two-way star Shohei Ohtani is back on the mound, taking on Kevin Gausman and the Giants at Angel Stadium. Because the game is being played in an American League park, it has the potential to be the first where an NL team uses a designated hitter and the AL team does not. Ohtani has hit for himself in seven of his starts this season and went into Tuesday tied for the major league lead with 23 home runs. Ohtani (3-1, 2.70 ERA) will make his 11th start, his most in any season since 2016, when he started 20 times in Japan. Gausman (8-1) is tied for fourth in the majors in wins and is second with a 1.51 ERA. “Looking at Ohtani in person and how physical and athletic he is, and then seeing it, you know, play out in the numbers, it’s no easy task to get that dude out,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. “So we’ll have to be creative and figure out a way.” FAST STARTS Wander Franco homered and doubled in his major league debut... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Cleveland Indians right-hander Aaron Civale appears headed to the injured list because of soreness in the middle finger on his pitching hand, another major hit for a banged-up staff. The major league leader with 10 wins, Civale left in the fifth inning of Monday night's win over the Chicago Cubs. The pitcher is scheduled to be examined by hand specialist Dr. Thomas Graham on Wednesday. “My guess is we will need to make a roster move,” manager Terry Francona said Tuesday. “Because of tomorrow's day off, we can let him get looked at first. But I think we're prepared that he's going to miss some time.” Civale had a 3-2 count on Eric Sogard with two out when he was visited by Francona and a trainer. The trainer examined Civale’s right hand before the pitcher was removed. “He's pretty sore,” Francona said. “He says he feels like he jammed it, which obviously he didn't. But that's the feeling. That's what he said it feels like.” The loss of Civale would be a big blow for Cleveland, which is playing without ace Shane Bieber and right-hander Zach Plesac due to injuries. Civale is 10-2 with a 3.32 ERA in 15 starts. The Indians had won six of eight and trailed the AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox by two games through Monday. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — Cleveland Indians right-hander Aaron Civale left Monday night's game against the Chicago Cubs with an injured middle finger on his pitching hand. Civale, who leads the majors with 10 wins, had a 3-2 count on Eric Sogard with two out in the fifth inning when he was visited by manager Terry Francona and a trainer. The trainer examined Civale's right hand before the pitcher was removed. Bryan Shaw came in and retired Sogard on his first pitch, stranding a runner at third and preserving Cleveland's 3-0 lead. The loss of Civale would be a big blow for Cleveland, which is playing without ace Shane Bieber and right-hander Zach Plesac due to injuries. Civale was 10-2 with a 3.48 ERA coming into the game. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — Cleveland Indians right-hander Aaron Civale left Monday night's game against the Chicago Cubs with an apparent injury. Civale, who leads the majors with 10 wins, had a 3-2 count on Eric Sogard with two out in the fifth inning when he was visited by manager Terry Francona and a trainer. It appeared the trainer examined Civale's right hand before the pitcher was removed. Bryan Shaw came in and retired Sogard on his first pitch, stranding a runner at third and preserving Cleveland's 3-0 lead. The loss of Civale would be a big blow for Cleveland, which is playing without ace Shane Bieber and right-hander Zach Plesac due to injuries. Civale was 10-2 with a 3.48 ERA coming into the game. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians ace Shane Bieber had been bothered by irritation in his right shoulder for most of the season. But when the pain hit a different area of his upper arm, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner knew it was time to stop. “It’s something we’ve been trying to manage for a while, but when my discomfort started to move in my last start, that’s generally not a good sign,” Bieber said Tuesday. “It made things a little bit dangerous, a little bit sketchy, so we’re giving the shoulder a little break," he said. Bieber, who is 7-4 with a 3.28 ERA in 14 starts, was put on the 10-day injured list Monday with a strained muscle. He won't be permitted to throw a baseball for at least two weeks. It was his first career stint on the inured list. One day earlier, the 26-year-old righty was tagged for a season-high five runs in 5 2/3 innings during a 6-2 loss to Seattle. He struck out eight, but his curveball command was shaky and his fastball slower than usual. “Obviously, this is super... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians ace Shane Bieber had been bothered by irritation in his right shoulder for most of the season. But when the pain hit a different area of his upper arm, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner knew it was time to stop. “It’s something we’ve been trying to manage for a while, but when my discomfort started to move in my last start, that’s generally not a good sign,” Bieber said Tuesday. “It made things a little bit dangerous, a little bit sketchy, so we’re giving the shoulder a little break," he said. Bieber, who is 7-4 with a 3.28 ERA in 14 starts, was put on the 10-day injured list Monday with a strained muscle. He won't be permitted to throw a baseball for at least two weeks. It was his first career stint on the inured list. One day earlier, the 26-year-old righty was tagged for a season-high five runs in 5 2/3 innings during a 6-2 loss to Seattle. He struck out eight, but his curveball command was shaky and his fastball slower than usual. “Obviously, this is super... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today: AILING ACES Three of baseball's best pitchers are hurting. Reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber won’t throw for at least two weeks because of a right shoulder strain, an injury that will further test Cleveland’s pitching depth. Washington right-hander Max Scherzer won't take his scheduled turn in the rotation Wednesday due to tightness in his groin. And starter Tyler Glasnow of the Tampa Bay Rays was expecting to get an MRI after leaving Monday’s game against the White Sox with right elbow inflammation. Bieber allowed a season-high 10 hits and threw 107 pitches over five innings Sunday in a loss to Seattle. The 26-year-old righty was put on the injured list for the first time in his career. “We’re still obviously reaching out for more information and sending the images to different doctors and things like that, trying to get the best information we can,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. Bieber (7-4, 3.28 ERA) leads the majors... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors on Tuesday: AILING ACE Reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber won’t throw for at least two weeks because of a right shoulder strain, an injury that will further test Cleveland’s pitching depth. Bieber allowed a season-high 10 hits and threw 107 pitches over five innings Sunday in a loss to Seattle. The 26-year-old righty was put on the injured list for the first time in his career. “We’re still obviously reaching out for more information and sending the images to different doctors and things like that, trying to get the best information we can,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “So, for right now we know it’s no-throw for a couple of weeks.” Bieber (7-4, 3.28 ERA) leads the majors with 130 strikeouts and 90 2/3 innings. NICE START Braves rookie Tucker Davidson tries again for his first major league win after an impressive showing this season. The 25-year-old lefty is 0-0 with a 1.53 ERA in three starts, covering 17 2/3 innings. Davidson... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Shane Bieber's season is suddenly on pause, leaving the Indians to survive for a while without their ace. The AL's reigning Cy Young winner won't throw for at least two weeks because of a right shoulder strain, an injury that will further test Cleveland's pitching depth and could send the Indians, who have been competitive for 2 1/2 months, into a tailspin. After allowing a season-high in hits — and throwing 107 pitches over five innings — in a loss to Seattle on Sunday that dropped him to 7-4, Bieber underwent an MRI. It showed he has a subscapularis muscle strain in his right shoulder. Manager Terry Francona said Bieber will be shelved for two weeks and then re-evaluated. “We’re still obviously reaching out for more information and sending the images to different doctors and things like that, trying to get the best information we can,” Francona said. "So, for right now we know it’s no-throw for a couple of weeks.” The Indians placed Bieber on the injured list for the... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Indians ace Shane Bieber, the reigning AL Cy Young winner, has a strained right shoulder and will not pitch for at least two weeks. Manager Terry Francona said Bieber complained of tightness in his shoulder after pitching Sunday and underwent an MRI. The tests should the muscle strain and Bieber will be temporarily shut down. The Indians placed the right-hander on the injured list and recalled reliever Kyle Nelson from Triple-A Columbus. Bieber's loss is a major blow to Cleveland, which has managed to stay in contention in the first 2 1/2 months of the season despite a rash of key injuries. The Indians will now have to survive without Bieber, one of baseball's best pitchers, for at least a few weeks. Bieber gave up a season-high 10 hits and five runs while losing to the Seattle Mariners on Sunday. His velocity was noticeably lower, but Francona didn't make much of it when asked in his postgame news conference. Last season, Bieber led the majors in wins (8), ERA (1.63) and strikeouts (122). He is 7-4 this season. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

On the surface, not much has changed in Philadelphia. The Phillies are hovering around .500 — the same place they've been for several years now. This past week provided a little more hope, however. The Phillies won three straight games in walkoff fashion, part of a four-game winning streak that has left Philadelphia at 32-31 on the season. The Phillies are still six games behind the NL East-leading New York Mets in the loss column, but they're in second place in the division and are 7-2 in June. Luke Williams beat Atlanta 2-1 on Wednesday with a two-run homer in the ninth inning — his first big league home run. The next day, Jean Segura drove in two runs with a 10th-inning single for a 4-3 win over the Braves. Then Segura came through again against the New York Yankees on Saturday, hitting an RBI infield single to end an 8-7, 10-inning victory. The Phillies didn't need any late-game dramatics in their most recent game, a 7-0 win over New York on Sunday. In 2018, Philadelphia went 80-82.... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Seattle right fielder Mitch Haniger, who leads the team in home runs and RBIs, suffered a bruised left knee after fouling off a pitch in the first inning against Cleveland on Sunday. Haniger went to the ground immediately after fouling off the pitch from Shane Bieber. Cleveland catcher Austin Hedges waved to the Seattle dugout for help. Haniger slowly got to his feet and was helped off the field by manager Scott Servais and a trainer. Haniger appeared to be putting some weight on the leg as he was assisted from the dugout to the clubhouse. Jake Fraley replaced him in right field and hit a three-run homer off Bieber in the fourth.. Seattle has used a major league-high 51 players this season. Haniger has 16 homers and 40 RBIs. Haniger made the All-Star team in 2018 when he hit .285 with 26 homers and 93 RBIs, but has battled injuries since then. He was limited to 63 games in 2019 and didn't play last season because of sports hernia surgery and a discectomy to resolve back pain. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Seattle right fielder Mitch Haniger, who leads the team in home runs and RBIs, was helped off the field after fouling a pitch off his left knee in the first inning against Cleveland on Sunday. Haniger went to the ground immediately after fouling off the pitch from Shane Bieber. Cleveland catcher Austin Hedges waved to the Seattle dugout for help. Haniger slowly got to his feet and was assisted off the field by manager Scott Servais and a trainer. Haniger appeared to be putting some weight on the leg as he was helped from the dugout to the clubhouse. Haniger’s injury is another setback for Seattle, which has used a major league-high 51 players this season. Haniger has 16 home runs and 40 RBIs. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports