By The Associated Press (AP) — A look at what’s happening around the majors on Saturday: ___ DELAYED DEBUT Miles Mikolas returns to the majors for the first time since starting the opener of the 2019 NL Championship Series for St. Louis. He'll start for the NL Central leaders when they play the Cubs at Busch Stadium. The 32-year-old Cardinals right-hander missed last season after surgery to repair a flexor tendon in his pitching arm. He has been on the injured list this year with a sore right shoulder. Mikolas went 1-1 with a 3.65 ERA and 11 strikeouts and two walks in 12 1/3 innings during three injury rehabilitation outings with Triple-A Memphis. Mikolas was an All-Star in 2018 when he tied for the NL lead with 18 victories. In 2019, he tied for the NL lead with 14 losses. AFTERNOON DELIGHT Gerrit Cole (5-2, 2.03 ERA) is on the mound for a Yankee Stadium matinee against AL MVP José Abreu and the Chicago White Sox, who arrived in town with the best record in the American League. “Obviously,... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit a two-out, two-run homer in the ninth inning and the Los Angeles Angels rallied past the Boston Red Sox 6-5 Sunday, ending a four-game losing streak. Matt Barnes (1-1) retired the first two batters in the ninth before giving up a bloop single to Mike Trout. Ohtani followed with his 12th homer, tying for the major league lead, a drive tucked just inside the Pesky Pole in right field. It was Ohtani’s second homer of the series and stopped Boston’s three-game winning streak. Raisel Iglesias (2-2) pitched a scoreless eighth and Mike Mayers got his second save. BLUE JAYS 10, PHILLIES 8 DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — Television cameras showed a confrontation in the dugout between Phillies manager Joe Girardi and second baseman Jean Segura, who committed two errors. Marcus Semien and Bo Bichette hit consecutive first-inning homers, and Randal Grichuk had a two-run double in a five-run second as Toronto burst to an 8-0 lead. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his 11th homer. Bryce... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit a two-out, two-run homer in the ninth inning and the Los Angeles Angels rallied past the Boston Red Sox 6-5 Sunday, ending a four-game losing streak. Matt Barnes (1-1) retired the first two batters in the ninth before giving up a bloop single to Mike Trout. Ohtani followed with his 12th homer, tying for the major league lead, a drive tucked just inside the Pesky Pole in right field. It was Ohtani’s second homer of the series and stopped Boston’s three-game winning streak. Raisel Iglesias (2-2) pitched a scoreless eighth and Mike Mayers got his second save. BLUE JAYS 10, PHILLIES 8 DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — Television cameras showed a confrontation in the dugout between Phillies manager Joe Girardi and second baseman Jean Segura, who committed two errors. Marcus Semien and Bo Bichette hit consecutive first-inning homers, and Randal Grichuk had a two-run double in a five-run second as Toronto burst to an 8-0 lead. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his 11th homer. Bryce... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Shane Bieber's record strikeout streak ended Sunday when the Seattle Mariners sent the Cleveland ace to an early exit. Bieber had fanned at least eight in 20 straight games. But the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner fell just short against the Mariners, striking out seven in 4 2/3 innings. Bieber left trailing 3-0 with the bases loaded in his shortest outing of the season. The 25-year-old right-hander leads the majors with 92 strikeouts. Bieber started the season with 10 or more strikeouts in his first four outings, another major league record. The last time Bieber didn't strike out at least eight in a regular-season game was his final start of the 2019 season. He struck out seven last year in a playoff start against the Yankees. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors on Sunday: ___ DODGEBALL Albert Pujols didn’t have to travel far to find a new opportunity -- released by the Angels, the 41-year-old slugger has reached a deal up the freeway with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Pujols is expected to finalize the agreement Monday. The oldest player in the majors batted .198 this season with five homers and 12 RBIs for the Angels. The three-time NL MVP is fifth in major league history with 667 career homers and 13th with 3,253 hits. Pujols left Anaheim hoping to play every day for another team, but that might be tough with the World Series champions. The Dodgers have veteran Max Muncy as their regular first baseman and also former NL MVP Cody Bellinger, who’s been out with a leg injury. The Dodgers, however, have not hit well against left-handed pitching and hope the righty-swinging Pujols can provide some pop. Pujols is making $30 million this year, and the Dodgers will pay him only the pro-rated portion of the major... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Shane Bieber pitched out of some early trouble before extending his strikeout record and César Hernández hit a two-run homer, sending the Cleveland Indians to a 3-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night. Bieber (4-2) struck out eight and has now fanned at least that many in 20 consecutive starts, a major league mark he builds on every time out. The right-hander’s streak was in jeopardy, but he got Nick Martini for strikeout No. 8 in the seventh. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner wasn’t as sharp as usual and needed a career-high 121 pitches to go 6 2/3 innings. James Karinchak finished the seventh for Bieber and worked the eighth. Emmanuel Clase gave up two singles in the ninth, but got Matt Duffy to bounce into a game-ending double play for his seventh save. Hernández homered in the fifth off Adbert Alzolay (1-3), who matched Bieber for six innings. ASTROS 5, ANGELS 1 HOUSTON (AP) — Shohei Ohtani struck out 10 in an impressive duel with Lance McCullers Jr., and... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Shane Bieber pitched out of some early trouble before extending his strikeout record and César Hernández hit a two-run homer, sending the Cleveland Indians to a 3-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night. Bieber (4-2) struck out eight and has now fanned at least that many in 20 consecutive starts, a major league mark he builds on every time out. The right-hander’s streak was in jeopardy, but he got Nick Martini for strikeout No. 8 in the seventh. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner wasn’t as sharp as usual and needed a career-high 121 pitches to go 6 2/3 innings. James Karinchak finished the seventh for Bieber and worked the eighth. Emmanuel Clase gave up two singles in the ninth, but got Matt Duffy to bounce into a game-ending double play for his seventh save. Hernández homered in the fifth off Adbert Alzolay (1-3), who matched Bieber for six innings. ASTROS 5, ANGELS 1 HOUSTON (AP) — Shohei Ohtani struck out 10 in an impressive duel with Lance McCullers Jr., and... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Shane Bieber pitched out of some early trouble before extending his strikeout record and César Hernández hit a two-run homer, sending the Cleveland Indians to a 3-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night. Bieber (4-2) struck out eight and has now fanned at least that many in 20 consecutive starts, a major league mark he builds on every time out. The right-hander’s streak was in jeopardy, but he got Nick Martini for strikeout No. 8 in the seventh. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner wasn’t as sharp as usual and needed a career-high 121 pitches to go 6 2/3 innings. James Karinchak finished the seventh for Bieber and worked the eighth. Emmanuel Clase gave up two singles in the ninth, but got Matt Duffy to bounce into a game-ending double play for his seventh save. Hernández homered in the fifth off Adbert Alzolay (1-3), who matched Bieber for six innings. ASTROS 5, ANGELS 1 HOUSTON (AP) — Shohei Ohtani struck out 10 in an impressive duel with Lance McCullers Jr., and... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Shane Bieber pitched out of some early trouble before extending his strikeout record and César Hernández hit a two-run homer, sending the Cleveland Indians to a 3-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night. Bieber (4-2) struck out eight and has now fanned at least that many in 20 consecutive starts, a major league mark he builds on every time out. The right-hander’s streak was in jeopardy, but he got Nick Martini for strikeout No. 8 in the seventh. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner wasn’t as sharp as usual and needed a career-high 121 pitches to go 6 2/3 innings. James Karinchak finished the seventh for Bieber and worked the eighth. Emmanuel Clase gave up two singles in the ninth, but got Matt Duffy to bounce into a game-ending double play for his seventh save. Hernández homered in the fifth off Adbert Alzolay (1-3), who matched Bieber for six innings. ASTROS 5, ANGELS 1 HOUSTON (AP) — Shohei Ohtani struck out 10 in an impressive duel with Lance McCullers Jr., and... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Shane Bieber pitched out of some early trouble before extending his strikeout record and César Hernández hit a two-run homer, sending the Cleveland Indians to a 3-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night. Bieber (4-2) struck out eight and has now fanned at least that many in 20 consecutive starts, a major league mark he builds on every time out. The right-hander’s streak was in jeopardy, but he got Nick Martini for strikeout No. 8 in the seventh. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner wasn’t as sharp as usual and needed a career-high 121 pitches to go 6 2/3 innings. James Karinchak finished the seventh for Bieber and worked the eighth. Emmanuel Clase gave up two singles in the ninth, but got Matt Duffy to bounce into a game-ending double play for his seventh save. Hernández homered in the fifth off Adbert Alzolay (1-3), who matched Bieber for six innings. ASTROS 5, ANGELS 1 HOUSTON (AP) — Shohei Ohtani struck out 10 in an impressive duel with Lance McCullers Jr., and... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Shane Bieber pitched out of some early trouble before extending his strikeout record and César Hernández hit a two-run homer, sending the Cleveland Indians to a 3-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night. Bieber (4-2) struck out eight and has now fanned at least that many in 20 consecutive starts, a major league mark he builds on every time out. The right-hander’s streak was in jeopardy, but he got Nick Martini for strikeout No. 8 in the seventh. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner wasn’t as sharp as usual and needed a career-high 121 pitches to go 6 2/3 innings. James Karinchak finished the seventh for Bieber and worked the eighth. Emmanuel Clase gave up two singles in the ninth, but got Matt Duffy to bounce into a game-ending double play for his seventh save. Hernández homered in the fifth off Adbert Alzolay (1-3), who matched Bieber for six innings. ASTROS 5, ANGELS 1 HOUSTON (AP) — Shohei Ohtani struck out 10 in an impressive duel with Lance McCullers Jr., and... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today: ___ MEANS STREAK? Orioles ace John Means got five days of rest following his no-hitter last week against Seattle, and now he'll try to match Johnny Vander Meer's record with a second straight no-no against the streaking Mets, who have won five in a row for the first time since August 2019. Vander Meer is the only pitcher in major league history with consecutive no-hitters, accomplished in 1938 for the Cincinnati Reds. Means (4-0, 1.37 ERA) was a wild pitch away from a perfect game against the Mariners — Sam Haggerty raced safely to first base after he struck out swinging on a third-inning curveball in the dirt. Marcus Stroman (3-3, 2.12) hopes to anchor New York's rotation until Jacob deGrom returns. The two-time Cy Young Award winner will be placed on the injured list before the game after exiting a start Sunday with right side soreness. The Mets said an MRI of deGrom's side taken Sunday night was “clear of any issues.” POWER SURGE Luke... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday: ___ MEANS STREAK? Orioles ace John Means got five days of rest following his no-hitter last week against Seattle, and now he'll try to match Johnny Vander Meer's record with a second straight no-no against the streaking Mets, who have won five in a row for the first time since August 2019. Vander Meer is the only pitcher in major league history with consecutive no-hitters, accomplished in 1938 for the Cincinnati Reds. Means (4-0, 1.37 ERA) was a wild pitch away from a perfect game against the Mariners — Sam Haggerty raced safely to first base after he struck out swinging on a third-inning curveball in the dirt. Marcus Stroman (3-3, 2.12) hopes to anchor New York's rotation until Jacob deGrom returns. The two-time Cy Young Award winner will be placed on the injured list before the game after exiting a start Sunday with right side soreness. The Mets said an MRI of deGrom's side taken Sunday night was “clear of any issues.” POWER SURGE... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday: ___ MEANS STREAK? Orioles ace John Means got five days of rest following his no-hitter last week against Seattle, and now he'll try to match Johnny Vander Meer's record with a second straight no-no against the streaking Mets, who have won five in a row for the first time since August 2019. Vander Meer is the only pitcher in major league history with consecutive no-hitters, accomplished in 1938 for the Cincinnati Reds. Means (4-0, 1.37 ERA) was a wild pitch away from a perfect game against the Mariners — Sam Haggerty raced safely to first base after he struck out swinging on a third-inning curveball in the dirt. Marcus Stroman (3-3, 2.12) hopes to anchor New York's rotation until Jacob deGrom returns. The two-time Cy Young Award winner will be placed on the injured list before the game after exiting a start Sunday with right side soreness. The Mets said an MRI of deGrom's side taken Sunday night was “clear of any issues.” POWER SURGE... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — John Means threw the major leagues’ third no-hitter this season and came within a wild pitch on a third strike of a perfect game, pitching the Baltimore Orioles over the Seattle Mariners 6-0 on Wednesday. Means (4-0) struck out 12. Seattle’s Sam Haggerty raced to first after he struck out swinging on a curveball in the dirt on a 1-2 count with one outs in the third inning that bounced away from catcher Pedro Severino. Haggerty wasn’t on base long, getting thrown out attempting to steal second. Means threw 79 strikes among 113 pitches, including first-pitch strikes to 26 of 27 batters. When Seattle did make contact against the 28-year-old left-hander, it was weak and there were no threats to fall in for a hit. Means lowered his ERA to 1.37 and became the first individual Orioles pitcher to toss a no-hitter since Jim Palmer against Oakland on Aug,. 13, 1969. It was the 10th no-hitter in franchise history — six in Baltimore after four as the St. Louis Browns. Means joined a... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — John Means threw the major leagues’ third no-hitter this season and came within a wild pitch on a third strike of a perfect game, pitching the Baltimore Orioles over the Seattle Mariners 6-0 on Wednesday. Means (4-0) struck out 12. Seattle’s Sam Haggerty raced to first after he struck out swinging on a curveball in the dirt on a 1-2 count with one outs in the third inning that bounced away from catcher Pedro Severino. Haggerty wasn’t on base long, getting thrown out attempting to steal second. Means threw 79 strikes among 113 pitches, including first-pitch strikes to 26 of 27 batters. When Seattle did make contact against the 28-year-old left-hander, it was weak and there were no threats to fall in for a hit. Means lowered his ERA to 1.37 and became the first individual Orioles pitcher to toss a no-hitter since Jim Palmer against Oakland on Aug,. 13, 1969. It was the 10th no-hitter in franchise history — six in Baltimore after four as the St. Louis Browns. Means joined a... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — John Means threw the major leagues’ third no-hitter this season and came within a wild pitch on a third strike of a perfect game, pitching the Baltimore Orioles over the Seattle Mariners 6-0 on Wednesday. Means (4-0) struck out 12. Seattle’s Sam Haggerty raced to first after he struck out swinging on a curveball in the dirt on a 1-2 count with one outs in the third inning that bounced away from catcher Pedro Severino. Haggerty wasn’t on base long, getting thrown out attempting to steal second. Means threw 79 strikes among 113 pitches, including first-pitch strikes to 26 of 27 batters. When Seattle did make contact against the 28-year-old left-hander, it was weak and there were no threats to fall in for a hit. Means lowered his ERA to 1.37 and became the first individual Orioles pitcher to toss a no-hitter since Jim Palmer against Oakland on Aug,. 13, 1969. It was the 10th no-hitter in franchise history — six in Baltimore after four as the St. Louis Browns. Means joined a... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today: ___ DEJINXED The Mets will see how ace Jacob deGrom fares this week after being scratched from his scheduled start Tuesday at St. Louis when he had trouble getting loose during a pregame stretch. The game was rained out and will be made up Wednesday as part of a single-admission doubleheader. The team said deGrom had inflammation in his right lat and wouldn't throw for the next few days. The two-time NL Cy Young Award winner has been baseball’s most dominant pitcher this season, with a major league-best 0.51 ERA in five starts, 59 strikeouts in 35 innings and just four walks. Still, he is just 2-2 as New York continues to have trouble scoring runs for him. TAKE IT EASY NL batting champion Juan Soto will be limited to pinch-hitting duty for now with Washington after coming off the injured list. Soto missed 10 games with a strained left shoulder and wasn’t in the starting lineup Tuesday night against Atlanta. Manager Dave Martinez said the... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors on Wednesday: ___ DEJINXED The Mets will see how ace Jacob deGrom fares this week after being scratched from his start at St. Louis when he had trouble getting loose during a pregame stretch. The team said Tuesday that deGrom had inflammation in his right lat and wouldn't throw for the next few days. The two-time NL Cy Young Award winner has been baseball’s most dominant pitcher this season, with a major league-best 0.51 ERA in five starts, 59 strikeouts in 35 innings and just four walks. Still, he is just 2-2 as New York continues to have trouble scoring runs for him. TAKE IT EASY NL batting champion Juan Soto will be limited to pinch-hitting duty for now with Washington after coming off the injured list. Soto missed 10 games with a strained left shoulder and wasn’t in the starting lineup Tuesday night against Atlanta. Manager Dave Martinez said the injury no longer bothers Soto while hitting, but he is not yet ready to play the outfield. Soto... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors on Wednesday: ___ DEJINXED The Mets will see how ace Jacob deGrom is feeling, a day after he was scratched from his start at St. Louis when he had trouble getting loose during a pregame stretch. “He let us know earlier today that he had some tightness on his right side,” Mets manager Luis Rojas said. DeGrom was getting tests to pinpoint the problem. The two-time NL Cy Young Award winner has been baseball’s most dominant pitcher this season, with a major league-best 0.51 ERA in five starts, 59 strikeouts in 35 innings and just four walks. Still, he is just 2-2 as New York continues to have trouble scoring runs for him. TAKE IT EASY NL batting champion Juan Soto will be limited to pinch-hitting duty for now with Washington after coming off the injured list. Soto missed 10 games with a strained left shoulder and wasn’t in the starting lineup Tuesday night against Atlanta. Manager Dave Martinez said the injury no longer bothers Soto while hitting,... [More]