NEW YORK (AP) — David Wright is scheduled to participate in a simulated game Saturday at Citi Field, the next step for the New York Mets' captain as he tries to make a major league comeback from neck, back and shoulder injuries.The third baseman hasn't played in the big leagues since May 2016. He batted a combined .171 (7 for 41) with one double in 10 games for Class A St. Lucie and two with Triple-A Las Vegas last month before his rehab assignment expired on the final day of August."Where he got to at the end of the 20 days was not where we thought he needed to be," Mets assistant general manager John Ricco said Friday. "Honestly, it does get more difficult to foresee a situation where he could come back to that level."Right-handed reliever Anthony Swarzak, on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation, will be among the pitchers to face Wright in the simulated game."We're going to put him through the grinder a little bit and we're going to get to see exactly where he's at. And more... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — David Wright is scheduled to participate in a simulated game Saturday at Citi Field, the next step for the New York Mets' captain as he tries to make a major league comeback from back and shoulder injuries.The third baseman hasn't played in the big leagues since May 2016. He batted a combined .171 (7 for 41) with one double in 10 games for Class A St. Lucie and two with Triple-A Las Vegas last month before his rehab assignment expired on the final day of August.With the season over for New York's minor league affiliates, Wright and the Mets are looking for other ways to measure his progress. He's expected to get six at-bats Saturday and take live grounders in the field.A seven-time All-Star, Wright is under contract through 2020. He is making $20 million this year and is owed $27 million over the next two seasons.If the Mets reinstate him from the 60-day disabled list, it would likely diminish the amount of insurance money they could collect on his contract.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — David Wright rejoined the New York Mets on Friday, though he remains on the disabled list, and said he met with team officials to discuss what he needs to prove physically in order to get back in a major league game for the first time since 2016.The seven-time All-Star third baseman took grounders before the Mets faced the San Francisco Giants and said he's "cautiously optimistic" he'll get into a game in September. The Mets have not announced a timetable for his return.Wright is trying to come back from back, neck and shoulder injuries that have required three surgeries and kept the 35-year-old off the field since May 27, 2016. He said team management discussed what he needs to show to rejoin the lineup."I've been told I need to do certain things to be activated. There are some plays I'm still having a hard time with," he said, without being specific. "They truly want me to get to the point that I can play, now it's up to me to do it."Wright hit .171 in 12 minor-league... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — David Wright is moving up to Triple-A to continue his rehab assignment, but the New York Mets say it's unlikely the third baseman will play in the majors anytime soon as he attempts an arduous comeback from back and shoulder injuries.Wright hasn't appeared in a big league game since May 2016. He batted .188 (6 for 32) with a double, two RBIs and two walks in 10 games at Class A St. Lucie this month, seeing considerable time in the field.He was hoping to play a third day in a row Sunday but didn't feel comfortable and was given a couple of days off, manager Mickey Callaway said Monday in Chicago.On a conference call Tuesday with reporters, Mets assistant general manager John Ricco said Wright frankly hasn't hit some of the benchmarks the team established for his rehab stint. But the Mets' captain will play a couple of games with Triple-A Las Vegas this week, as previously scheduled, to see how it goes.Wright's 20-day rehab assignment expires Friday, and most minor league... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — David Wright is moving up to Triple-A to continue his rehab assignment, but the New York Mets say it's unlikely the third baseman will play in the majors anytime soon as he attempts an arduous comeback from back and shoulder injuries.Wright hasn't appeared in a big league game since May 2016. He batted .188 (6 for 32) with a double, two RBIs and two walks in 10 games at Class A St. Lucie this month, seeing considerable time in the field.He was hoping to play a third day in a row Sunday but didn't feel comfortable and was given a couple of days off, manager Mickey Callaway said Monday in Chicago.On a conference call Tuesday with reporters, Mets assistant general manager John Ricco said Wright frankly hasn't hit some of the benchmarks the team established for his rehab stint. But the Mets' captain will play a couple of games with Triple-A Las Vegas this week, as previously scheduled, to see how it goes.Wright's 20-day rehab assignment expires Friday, and most minor league... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — David Wright is moving up to Triple-A to continue his rehab assignment, but the New York Mets say it's unlikely the third baseman will play in the majors anytime soon as he attempts an arduous comeback from back and shoulder injuries.Wright hasn't appeared in a big league game since May 2016. He batted .188 (6 for 32) with a double, two RBIs and two walks in 10 games at Class A St. Lucie this month, seeing considerable time in the field.He was hoping to play a third day in a row Sunday but didn't feel comfortable and was given a couple of days off, manager Mickey Callaway said Monday in Chicago.On a conference call Tuesday with reporters, Mets assistant general manager John Ricco said Wright frankly hasn't hit some of the benchmarks the team established for his rehab stint. But the Mets' captain will play a couple of games with Triple-A Las Vegas this week, as previously scheduled, to see how it goes.Wright's 20-day rehab assignment expires Friday, and most minor league... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — David Wright is moving up to Triple-A to continue his rehab assignment, but the New York Mets say it's unlikely the third baseman will play in the majors anytime soon as he attempts an arduous comeback from back and shoulder injuries.Wright hasn't appeared in a big league game since May 2016. He batted .188 (6 for 32) with a double, two RBIs and two walks in 10 rehab games at Class A St. Lucie this month.He was hoping to play a third day in a row Sunday but didn't feel comfortable and was given a couple of days off.On a conference call Tuesday with reporters, Mets assistant general manager John Ricco said Wright frankly hasn't hit some of the benchmarks the team established for his rehab stint. But the Mets' captain will play a couple of games with Triple-A Las Vegas this week, as previously scheduled, to see how it goes.Ricco also said power-hitting prospect Peter Alonso won't be called up from Triple-A when rosters expand in September.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — David Wright is moving up to Triple-A to continue his rehab assignment, but the New York Mets say it's unlikely the third baseman will play in the majors this season as he attempts an arduous comeback from back and shoulder injuries.Wright hasn't appeared in a big league game since May 2016. He batted .188 (6 for 32) with a double, two RBIs and two walks in 10 rehab games at Class A St. Lucie this month.He was hoping to play a third day in a row Sunday but didn't feel comfortable and was given a couple of days off.On a conference call Tuesday with reporters, Mets assistant general manager John Ricco said Wright frankly hasn't hit the benchmarks the team was looking for to consider activating him from the 60-day disabled list in September. But the Mets' captain will play a couple of games with Triple-A Las Vegas this week, as previously planned, to see how it goes.Ricco also said power-hitting prospect Peter Alonso won't be called up from Triple-A when rosters expand in September.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) — Jason Vargas never talks to fans from the on-deck circle, just like major league teams never line up after a game and shake hands.Put a big league game in a tiny park full of 11 and 12 year olds, though, and those kinds of customs get tossed aside.Amed Rosario had three hits and drove in three runs, and the New York Mets went from cheering on players in the Little League World Series to impressing the youngsters in an 8-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday night.Jeff McNeil added a two-run single to back Vargas (3-8) as the Mets claimed the second Little League Classic and prevented the Phillies from moving into first place in the NL East. Philadelphia dropped into a three-way tie for the top NL wild card."I had some cool interactions with the kids," Vargas said of his in-game dialogue. "They were having a great time."Carlos Santana hit a two-run homer for the Phillies, but Nick Pivetta (7-10) allowed six runs in 3 2/3 innings in Philadelphia's seventh... [More]

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) — Amed Rosario had three hits and drove in three runs, and the New York Mets went from cheering on players in the Little League World Series to impressing the youngsters in an 8-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday night.Jeff McNeil added a two-run single to back Jason Vargas (3-8) as the Mets claimed the second Little League Classic and prevented the Phillies from moving into first place in the NL East.Carlos Santana hit a two-run homer for the Phillies, but Nick Pivetta (7-10) allowed six runs in 3 2/3 innings in Philadelphia's seventh loss in 11 games.Players and families from the 16 teams competing in the nearby LLWS packed into 2,500-seat Bowman Field, the 92-year-old home of the Phillies' Class A affiliate in the New York-Penn League.The spotlight shined on New York's Todd Frazier and Michael Conforto and Philadelphia's Scott Kingery, who are among 54 players who reached the majors after playing in the LLWS."Pretty surreal because I walked into... [More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — New York Mets third baseman David Wright played his first game in almost a year Sunday, going 0 for 3 to start a minor league rehabilitation assignment.Wright struck out twice and flied out for St. Lucie in the Class A Florida State League. The seven-time All-Star played five innings in the field and didn't get a grounder during a 4-1 loss to Clearwater.The 35-year-old Wright has been beset by back, neck and shoulder trouble in recent seasons. His last game in the major leagues was May 27, 2016 — he had a brief stint in the minors last August before being shut down.The Mets captain is hoping to play again in the majors this year."I wouldn't be out here in 95-degree sunny Florida dripping sweat if I didn't think I could make it back," he told reporters."What I've kind of come to realize, these last two months of this baseball-rehab stuff, is that I certainly need off days periodically," he said. "We're going to look at that when we start scheduling for the next week or so."

A look at what's happening around baseball today: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.SALE SETRed Sox ace Chris Sale returns from a two-week stint on the disabled list because of shoulder inflammation. Manager Alex Cora said the lefty could throw 100 pitches if he's not too rusty. Sale (11-4) leads the AL with a 2.04 ERA and will try to pitch Boston to a four-game sweep of the Orioles at Camden Yards.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... [More]

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.SALE SETRed Sox ace Chris Sale returns from a two-week stint on the disabled list because of shoulder inflammation. Manager Alex Cora said the lefty could throw 100 pitches if he's not too rusty. Sale (11-4) leads the AL with a 2.04 ERA and will try to pitch Boston to a four-game sweep of the Orioles at Camden Yards.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,... [More]

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]

NEW YORK (AP) — His voice quavering at an unexpected news conference, Sandy Alderson revealed what he had just told his team moments before.His cancer has returned, he's taking a leave of absence — and his up-and-down tenure as New York Mets general manager is essentially over.With the team in a massive tailspin, chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon and the 70-year-old Alderson made the announcement before Tuesday night's game against Pittsburgh."With respect to the future, I would say two things: One is, notwithstanding the good prognosis, my health is an uncertainty going forward," said Alderson, who agreed to a contract extension in December. "And secondly, if I were to look at it on the merits, I'm not sure coming back is warranted."Asked whether he would like Alderson to resume his GM duties if his health eventually allowed that, Wilpon answered the same way twice: "I think his health and his family are first and foremost."Assistant general manager John Ricco and special assistants... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Choking back tears at a surprise news conference, Sandy Alderson revealed what he had just told his team moments before.His cancer has returned, he's taking a leave of absence — and his up-and-down tenure as New York Mets general manager is essentially over.With the team in a massive tailspin, chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon and the 70-year-old Alderson made the announcement before Tuesday night's game against Pittsburgh."With respect to the future, I would say two things: One is, notwithstanding the good prognosis, my health is an uncertainty going forward," said Alderson, who agreed to a contract extension in December. "And secondly, if I were to look at it on the merits, I'm not sure coming back is warranted."Asked whether he would like Alderson to resume his GM duties if his health eventually allowed that, Wilpon answered the same way twice: "I think his health and his family are first and foremost."Assistant general manager John Ricco and special assistants J.P.... [More]

June 231917 — In baseball's greatest relief effort, Ernie Shore of the Boston Red Sox came in for Babe Ruth with nobody out and a man on first. The base runner was cut down stealing and Shore retired all 26 batters he faced to gain a 4-0 victory over Washington. Ruth walked Eddie Foster to open the game and was ejected after arguing with umpire Brick Owens.1950 — Hoot Evers' winning home run in the ninth inning gave the Detroit Tigers a 10-9 victory over the New York Yankees as the teams combined for 11 home runs, a major league record. The Yankees hit six and the Tigers five.1963 — Jimmie Piersall, playing for the Mets in New York, hit his 100th career home run and celebrated by running around the bases backward.1971 — Rick Wise of the Philadelphia Phillies pitched a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds and hit two homers. Wise became the first pitcher to hit two homers while throwing a no-hitter.1973 — Pitcher Ken Brett of the Philadelphia Phillies hit a home run in the fourth consecutive... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The New York Mets have recalled right-hander Jacob Rhame from Triple-A Las Vegas and optioned right-hander Corey Oswalt to the Pacific Coast League club.The Mets also claimed left-hander Buddy Baumann off waivers from San Diego and optioned him to Las Vegas. To make room on the 40-man roster, David Wright was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.Rhame was available for Friday night's series opener against the Padres. He began the year with the Mets, recording one save and a 7.36 ERA in four appearances, before being optioned to the 51s on April 13.Baumann appeared in one game for the Padres, allowing five runs, two earned, in one-third inning.Oswalt made his major league debut on April 25 at St. Louis with 4 2/3 innings of relief.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

NEW YORK (AP) — From the start of spring training in Florida, their lockers were lined up all in a row at one end of the rectangular clubhouse.Left to right: Matt Harvey, Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom, Steven Matz, Zack Wheeler.The dream rotation for the New York Mets — if only their health would cooperate.More than a month later, with opening day in sight, those five prized pitchers were still feeling good and the Mets finally had a chance to roll out that entire quintet together for the very first time.Wheeler, however, failed to do his part. After compiling an 8.10 ERA and giving up 22 hits in 10 Grapefruit League innings, he was optioned to minor league camp Saturday and will begin the season at Triple-A Las Vegas.Seth Lugo is likely to open as the team's No. 5 starter.Still, four out of five ain't bad — and Lugo has chops, too. So after hiring rookie manager Mickey Callaway and spending nearly $90 million to fill holes in free agency, New York (with fingers crossed) is counting on... [More]

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Anthony Rizzo is a three-time All-Star and the 2017 winner of the Roberto Clemente Award, baseball's biggest honor for sportsmanship and community involvement. Jon Lester is a three-time World Series champion, and Jason Heyward organized the most important meeting in franchise history.Plenty of leaders with the Chicago Cubs. No captain.One of the most revered titles in sports is hanging by a thread in baseball, which treats its history with hallowed tones in almost every case, but doesn't seem the slightest bit concerned about the absence of the iconic C on the front of its uniforms. New York Mets third baseman David Wright is the majors' only captain on the eve of the season, and it's unclear if he will ever play again."Leadership is a taken role and people want to follow you just based on how you are, how you treat them, how well you listen, how well you interact daily, how much you really are into them as opposed to yourself," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said, "and that... [More]