NEW YORK (AP) — Rain keeps interrupting the New York Yankees' sunny season.The scheduled game between the Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays was postponed Wednesday night due to a forecast of thunderstorms and severe weather.Though no showers were falling yet on a humid evening in the Bronx, the game was called about 35 minutes before it was supposed to start — drawing groans from some fans scattered throughout the stands. But less than two hours later, it was pouring at Yankee Stadium as lightning flashed in the sky.The game will be made up Thursday as part of a single-admission doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m. After that, Tampa Bay is not scheduled to return to New York this season."Obviously, it kind of stinks. But maybe not the worst thing," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "I kind of like the off day to freshen up the bullpen a little bit."New York leads the AL East by six games over the Rays. The teams split their first two matchups this week and the Yankees hold a 10-5 advantage in the season... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Rain keeps interrupting the New York Yankees' sunny season.The scheduled game between the Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays was postponed Wednesday night due to a forecast of thunderstorms and severe weather.Though no showers were falling yet on a humid evening in the Bronx, the game was called about 35 minutes before it was supposed to start — drawing groans from some fans scattered throughout the stands. But less than two hours later, it was pouring at Yankee Stadium as lightning flashed in the sky.The game will be made up Thursday as part of a single-admission doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m. After that, Tampa Bay is not scheduled to return to New York this season."Obviously, it kind of stinks. But maybe not the worst thing," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "I kind of like the off day to freshen up the bullpen a little bit."New York leads the AL East by six games over the Rays. The teams split their first two matchups this week and the Yankees hold a 10-5 advantage in the season... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees first baseman Luke Voit was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday after straining his abdomen against the Boston Red Sox in London last weekend.The move leaves the AL East leaders without one of their steadiest sluggers this season. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Voit is hitting .280 with 17 homers, 50 RBIs and a .901 OPS."Since we've gotten him in the trade last year he's been a great player for us — period," New York manager Aaron Boone said.The move is retroactive to Sunday, a day after Voit got hurt. Edwin Encarnación started at first base Tuesday night in the Subway Series opener against the Mets at Citi Field.Encarnación has primarily been used at designated hitter since he was acquired from Seattle. He began the night leading the AL with 24 home runs.The team thinks Voit can return against Toronto during the weekend right after the All-Star break."Even the Sunday game in London, he was out doing his ground balls — it felt pretty good," Boone said. "But when we... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees first baseman Luke Voit has been put on the injured list after straining his abdomen against Boston in London last weekend.He is New York's 21st player to go on the injured list this season, one more than last year. He is the Yankees' 14th player currently on the list, which includes outfielder Giancarlo Stanton and pitchers Luis Severino and Dellin Betances.The move was announced before Tuesday night's Subway Series opener at the Mets and is retroactive to Sunday, a day after Voit was hurt. He is batting .280 with 17 homers and 50 RBIs.Infielder Mike Ford and left-hander Nestor Cortes Jr. were recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Monument Park has a new addition that celebrates diversity.A plaque behind the center field fence at Yankee Stadium was dedicated Tuesday night to commemorate the Stonewall Inn uprising 50 years ago, which sparked a pivotal rebellion in the LGBTQ rights movement.The marker was unveiled before New York played the Toronto Blue Jays. It is located on a wall alongside tablets honoring Jackie Robinson and Nelson Mandela for their work fighting prejudice, breaking barriers and creating equality."It's incredible. It means everything. It really symbolizes human rights," said Stacy Lentz, co-owner of the Stonewall Inn and CEO of Stonewall Gives Back Initiative. "Stonewall Inn is part of that human rights story, but it is overwhelming to see it next to Jackie Robinson and Nelson Mandela."Steps away sit monuments and plaques that salute Yankees greats from Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig to Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera.New York pitchers CC Sabathia and Dellin Betances, along with general... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — A plaque in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium has been dedicated to commemorate the Stonewall Inn uprising 50 years ago, which sparked a pivotal rebellion in the LGBTQ rights movement.The plaque was unveiled Tuesday night before New York played the Toronto Blue Jays. It is located on a wall alongside tablets honoring Jackie Robinson and Nelson Mandela for their work fighting prejudice, breaking barriers and creating equality.Steps away sit monuments and plaques that celebrate Yankees greats from Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig to Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera.New York pitchers CC Sabathia and Dellin Betances, along with general manager Brian Cashman, were on hand for the ceremony.In the wee hours of June 28, 1969, a police raid of the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City's Greenwich Village, gave rise to a series of riots that fueled the LGBT rights movement.The Yankees celebrated the 50th anniversary and "New York's legacy of pride" on Tuesday night with ceremonies that also highlighted the team's Yankees-Stonewall Scholars Initiative.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — There's a valid reason for Domingo Germán's recent struggles.The New York Yankees placed the right-hander on the injured list with a left hip flexor, an injury that has bothered him for a few weeks but he didn't disclose to the team until Saturday.Germán became the 19th Yankees player on the IL this season, one shy of last year's total for the entire season.He has an 8.59 ERA in his past three starts, a span in which he has given up seven homers in 14 2/3 innings. He was touched for two homers, including a two-run, tiebreaker by Carlos Santana in the sixth inning Friday in a 5-2 loss that denied Germán his 10th win."The first I heard of it was yesterday after he got done playing catch here," said manager Aaron Bone, adding Germán said he initially felt discomfort during a start in Kansas City on May 26.In that game, Germán gave up seven runs and nine hits in five innings — his worst start by far this season.Boone said he wasn't mad at Germán for keeping his injury private."It's... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — There's a valid reason for Domingo Germán's recent struggles.The New York Yankees placed the right-hander on the injured list with a left hip flexor, an injury that has bothered him for a few weeks but he didn't disclose to the team until Saturday.Germán has an 8.59 ERA in his past three starts, a span in which he has given up seven homers in 14 2/3 innings. He was touched for two homers, including a two-run, tiebreaker by Carlos Santana in the sixth inning Friday in a 5-2 loss that denied Germán his 10th win."The first I heard of it was yesterday after he got done playing catch here," said manager Aaron Bone, adding Germán said he initially felt discomfort during a start in Kansas City on May 26.In that game, Germán gave up seven runs and nine hits in five innings — his worst start by far this season.Boone said he wasn't mad at Germán for keeping his injury private."It's hard to know what level of discomfort he's in," Boone said. "We always want our players to treat any... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Yankees starter Domingo Germán has been placed on the injured list with a hip flexor, another blow to New York's pitching staff.The team made the move Sunday before completing a three-game series against the Indians. Germán has been ineffective in his past three starts, but he didn't tell the Yankees about his injury until Saturday.Manager Aaron Boone said the right-hander will undergo an MRI on Monday.To take his spot on the roster, the Yankees recalled left-hander Stephen Tarpley from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.Germán was denied his 10th win Friday night as he lost for the second time after going six innings in a 4-2 loss to the Indians. He has an 8.59 ERA in his past three starts, allowing seven homers in 14 2/3 innings.The Yankees are already missing starter Luis Severino (shoulder), reliever Dellin Betances (shoulder) and are using their bullpen to get through Sunday's game after placing Masahiro Tanaka on the paternity list.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Didi Gregorius taught himself to play piano while recovering from elbow surgery.The Yankees are counting on his other talents.Eight months after undergoing Tommy John surgery, Gregorius was activated from the injured list and will start at shortstop Friday night as the AL East-leading New York opens a three-game series against the Indians.Gregorius got hurt making a throw in last year's Division Series against Boston and had surgery in October shortly after the Yankees season ended. He made a quicker-than-expected recovery and now rejoins a team that found a way to keep winning without him — and others.Gregorius said he's felt good enough to play since April, but there was no rush after the Yankees placed him on the 60-day disabled list."It's always good to be back and playing, no hiccups," Gregorius said. "Everything has been fine. I did everything the right way."While he was sidelined, Gregorius, who also paints, sketches and dabbles in photography, bought pianos for... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Didi Gregorius is back, giving the New York Yankees one of their major missing pieces.Eight months after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, Gregorius was activated from the injured list and is expected to start at shortstop Friday night as the AL East-leading Yankees open a three-game series against the Indians.Gregorius got hurt making a throw in last year's Division Series against Boston and had surgery in October. He made a quicker-than-expected recovery and now rejoins a Yankees team that found a way to keep winning without him — and others.The 29-year-old Gregorius batted .268 last season with a career-high 27 homers and 86 RBIs. Beyond his offensive stats, Gregorius plays Gold Glove-caliber defense and is New York's best all-around player. His return balances a lineup missing several key players, including injured sluggers Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.Manager Aaron Boone will ease Gregorius back by not playing him every day.To make roster space... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — Slugger Aaron Judge could return to the Yankees by the time the New York plays Boston in London on June 29 and 30, and reliever Dellin Betances felt good after facing hitters for the first time in almost three months.Judge, out since April 21 because of a strained left oblique, is working out at the team's minor league complex in Tampa, Florida. The Yankees and Red Sox play the first major league regular-season games in Europe when they meet at Olympic Stadium."Don't say I said 'he's going to be back by London,'" manager Aaron Boone explained Wednesday. "But is there a way? Yes. We'll let the timeline continue to unfold. Bottom line is he's been doing really good now for a couple of weeks where feel like the injury is out of there. ... He's got to get built up a little bit differently than some guys coming back. As long as he continues to respond and get built up, we feel good about where he's at."Judge still has not been playing in extended spring training, a step before... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees reliever Dellin Betances faced hitters for the first time in almost three months, throwing 20 pitches to minor leaguers in a simulated game Wednesday.Betances has not pitched in a game since March 17, his fourth and final spring training appearance, because of a right shoulder impingement"It felt good," Betances said. "Nice to face hitters. It's been a while. Nice to be out there again and not feel what I was feeling last time. I think that's a positive."Betances expects to throw a bullpen session in a couple of days and then face hitters again.Slugger Giancarlo Stanton, sidelined since March 31, progressed to an extended spring training intrasquad game and went 1 for 5. Stanton didn't run out of the batters' box in any of his at-bats. He had nine plate appearances in a simulated game TuesdayStanton originally strained his left biceps, then his left shoulder. He played in one game for Class A Tampa on May 20, then was told to rest because of left calf tightness.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Using the search engine at Baseball-Reference.com, The Associated Press evaluated each team's draft performance from 1996 through 2018, adding up wins above replacement (WAR) figures for drafted players.For each pick, the player's career WAR was added to the appropriate total for the team, depending on whether or not the player signed with the team after being drafted. Some players had their WAR totals included multiple times, if they were drafted more than once.Stats are through May 25. Compensation picks were considered part of the first round where applicable.___ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKSTotal WAR for all drafted players: 581.8 (MLB rank: 4th)Total WAR for drafted players who signed: 440.1 (rank: 5th)Total WAR for drafted players who did not sign: 141.7Impact players (10 WAR or more) drafted: 17 (rank: tie-9th)Impact players drafted and signed: 13 (rank: 12th)Most recent impact player drafted and signed: Trevor Bauer, 2011, first round, pick No. 3 (15.2 WAR)Lowest pick for impact player drafted... [More]

The top draft class of the past two decades is now a mere footnote in baseball history. Its players began scattering almost immediately, and many fans probably have no idea that they were all once drafted by the same team. Plus, that team doesn't even exist anymore.In 2000, the Montreal Expos selected Cliff Lee, Grady Sizemore, Jason Bay and Russell Martin. In hindsight, it was a group that could have potentially altered the franchise's fortunes. In reality, it was another missed opportunity for baseball in Quebec.None of those four standouts ever played a game for the Expos."It's kind of just something that we have to live with," said Jim Fleming, who was the Expos' scouting director in 2000 and later went to the Marlins. "Sometimes we didn't get to keep them."A common cliche about baseball is that it's a game of failure because the best only get hits 30% of the time. Now imagine being a scouting director when the draft rolls around. Hundreds of players are chosen, but only a small number... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Left-hander James Paxton will rejoin the New York Yankees' rotation in the new few days, followed by CC Sabathia this weekend against Boston.On a day of updates for many of the Yankees' 15 players on the injured list, reliever Dellin Betances threw his first bullpen session Monday, and ace Luis Severino said he planned to throw on flat ground Tuesday.Paxton has not pitched for the Yankees since May 3 because of left knee inflammation that required a cortisone shot May 4. He felt sore after a 55-pitch, four-inning outing Friday at extended spring training, then threw a bullpen session Sunday."It felt the best that it's felt since going on the IL," Paxton said.He said the pain was similar to that of a bruise. Paxton, 3-2 with a 3.11 ERA in seven starts, was cleared to pitch by head team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad. Paxton estimated he would be able to throw about 75 pitches."As long as it's not going to be a thing where I can make this thing worse by pitching on it, I... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Left-hander James Paxton is likely to rejoin the New York Yankees' rotation on Wednesday against San Diego, followed by CC Sabathia this weekend against Boston.On a day of updates for many of the Yankees' 15 players on the injured list, reliever Dellin Betances threw his first bullpen session Monday and ace Luis Severino said he planned to throw on flat ground Tuesday.Paxton has not pitched for the Yankees since May 3 because of left knee inflammation that required a cortisone shot May 4. He felt sore after a 55-pitch, four-inning outing Friday at extended spring training, then threw a bullpen session Sunday."It felt the best that it's felt since going on the IL," Paxton said.He said the pain was similar to that of a bruise. Paxton, 3-2 with a 3.11 ERA in seven starts, is waiting for clearance from head team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad. Paxton estimated he would be able to throw about 75 pitches against the Padres."As long as it's not going to be a thing where I can... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Left-hander James Paxton is likely to rejoin the New York Yankees' rotation on Wednesday against San Diego, followed by CC Sabathia this weekend against Boston.On a day of updates for many of the Yankees' 15 players on the injured list, reliever Dellin Betances threw his first bullpen session Monday and ace Luis Severino said he planned to throw on flat ground Tuesday.Paxton has not pitched for the Yankees since May 3 because of left knee inflammation that required a cortisone shot May 4.Sabathia, 3-1 with a 3.48 ERA in eight starts, went on the injured list Thursday and needed to have fluid drained from his surgically repaired right knee.Eighteen Yankees have made a total of 20 stints on the injured list, close to last year's total of 20 players making 23 trips to the list.___More AP baseball coverage: www.apnews.com/MLB and www.twitter.com/AP_Sports

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Left-hander James Paxton and shortstop Didi Gregorius are closing in on their returns to the New York Yankees while right-hander Jake Barrett is heading to the injured list.The 30-year-old Paxton has had discomfort in his left knee but is on track to rejoin the rotation this week, manager Aaron Boone said before Sunday's game against the Kansas City Royals.Paxton pitched four innings of one-hit ball Friday in extended spring training. He threw long toss and took pitcher's fielding practice Sunday. Paxton has said there's still discomfort when he throws, but he thinks it will be manageable."Everything went pretty well, hoping he's now in line to join the rotation," Boone said.Paxton will have one more meeting with Boone, Yankees team doctor Christopher Ahmad and athletic trainer Steve Donohue on Monday in New York."Through all of this, every step of the way, his bullpens, everything's gone well," Boone said. "But we want him also to feel like he's in a good place... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Left-hander James Paxton and shortstop Didi Gregorius are closing in on their returns to the New York Yankees while right-hander Jake Barrett is heading to the injured list.The 30-year-old Paxton has had discomfort in his left knee but is on track to rejoin the rotation this week, manager Aaron Boone said before Sunday's game against the Kansas City Royals.Paxton pitched four innings of one-hit ball Friday in extended spring training. He threw long toss and took pitcher's fielding practice Sunday. Paxton has said there's still discomfort when he throws, but he thinks it will be manageable."Everything went pretty well, hoping he's now in line to join the rotation," Boone said.Paxton will have one more meeting with Boone, Yankees team doctor Christopher Ahmad and athletic trainer Steve Donohue on Monday in New York."Through all of this, every step of the way, his bullpens, everything's gone well," Boone said. "But we want him also to feel like he's in a good place... [More]