WASHINGTON (AP) — Second baseman DJ LeMahieu was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list by the New York Yankees on Thursday as they set their opening day 30-man roster before playing Game 1 against the Washington Nationals.Closer Aroldis Chapman and starter Masahiro Tanaka begin the season on injured lists — Chapman on the COVID IL, and Tanaka on the 7-day IL after getting hit in the head by a batted ball.Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced on July 4 that LeMahieu and right-hander Luis Cessa tested positive for the coronavirus before traveling to New York for the team's summer camp and said they were self-isolating at home.LeMahieu signed with the Yankees before last season and hit .327, setting career highs with 26 homers and 102 RBIs.The Yankees also recalled infielder Thairo Estrada and righty pitchers Ben Heller and Michael King from the alternate site Thursday. That trio is part of a group of eight Yankees making their first career opening day active roster, along with outfielder... [More]

Yoenis Céspedes expects to be the designated hitter for the New York Mets on Friday when they open the season against the Atlanta Braves.It will be his first major league game in more than two years. Injuries to his feet and legs have sidelined him since July 20, 2018.Céspedes said he’s feeling good and is confident that he’ll also play left field at some point this season. But he told reporters through a translator Tuesday that “at least for the first game, for opening day, I’ll be the DH.”The 34-year-old slugger, an All-Star in 2014 and 2016, had surgery on both heels and then broke his right ankle in a nasty fall at his Florida ranch. Now he's healthy and eager to help the Mets.“I think the strongest part of me is my mind, is my mentality,” Céspedes said. “I think whether it’s a good day or a bad day, my mentality has always been strong. I’ll be ready to play once the time comes.”BRUISEDAstros second baseman Jose Altuve bruised his left leg in Houston's exhibition win over Kansas City... [More]

Yoenis Céspedes expects to be the designated hitter for the New York Mets on Friday when they open the season against the Atlanta Braves.It will be his first major league game in more than two years. Injuries to his feet and legs have sidelined him since July 20, 2018.Céspedes said he’s feeling good and is confident that he’ll also play left field at some point this season. But he told reporters through a translator Tuesday that “at least for the first game, for opening day, I’ll be the DH.”The 34-year-old slugger, an All-Star in 2014 and 2016, had surgery on both heels and then broke his right ankle in a nasty fall at his Florida ranch. Now he's healthy and eager to help the Mets.“I think the strongest part of me is my mind, is my mentality,” Céspedes said. “I think whether it’s a good day or a bad day, my mentality has always been strong. I’ll be ready to play once the time comes.”BRUISEDAstros second baseman Jose Altuve bruised his left leg in Houston's exhibition win over Kansas City... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Masahiro Tanaka threw 20 pitches during batting practice Tuesday and is on track to make his first start July 31 against Boston after missing one turn in the New York Yankees' rotation.Tanaka walked two in his one inning, his first time facing batters since he was hit in the head by Giancarlo Stanton's line drive on July 4.“I thought he was strong. Fastball had life to it,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.New York placed Tanaka on the 7-day concussion injured list. He is to throw batting practice again on Sunday at the Yankees' alternate training camp at Scranton, Pennsylvania, likely 35-40 pitches.“If everything comes out OK, I should be ready to go,” he said through a translator.He did not use a protective screen. Tanaka thought about getting hit only before delivering his first pitch.“After I threw that, it was back to business, back to normal,” he said.The 31-year-old right-hander is 75-43 in six major league seasons and is entering the final year of his contract.With... [More]

Yoenis Céspedes expects to be the designated hitter for the New York Mets on Friday when they open the season against the Atlanta Braves.It will be his first major league game in more than two years. Injuries to his feet and legs have sidelined him since July 20, 2018.Céspedes said he’s feeling good and is confident that he’ll also play left field at some point this season. But he told reporters through a translator Tuesday that “at least for the first game, for opening day, I’ll be the DH.”The 34-year-old slugger, an All-Star in 2014 and 2016, had surgery on both heels and then broke his right ankle in a nasty fall at his Florida ranch. Now he's healthy and eager to help the Mets.“I think the strongest part of me is my mind, is my mentality,” Céspedes said. “I think whether it’s a good day or a bad day, my mentality has always been strong. I’ll be ready to play once the time comes.”BRUISEDAstros second baseman Jose Altuve suffered a bruise to his left leg in Houston's exhibition win over... [More]

Yoenis Céspedes expects to be the designated hitter for the New York Mets on Friday when they open the season against the Atlanta Braves.It will be his first major league game in more than two years. A string of injuries to his feet and legs have sidelined him since July 20, 2018.Céspedes said he’s feeling good and is confident that he’ll also play left field at some point this season. But he told reporters through a translator Tuesday that “at least for the first game, for opening day, I’ll be the DH.”The 34-year-old slugger, an All-Star in 2014 and 2016, had surgery on both heels and then broke his right ankle in a nasty fall at his Florida ranch. Now he's healthy and eager to help the Mets.“I think the strongest part of me is my mind, is my mentality,” Céspedes said. “I think whether it’s a good day or a bad day, my mentality has always been strong. I’ll be ready to play once the time comes.”TANAKA RETURNSMasahiro Tanaka threw 20 pitches during batting practice Tuesday and is on track... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Masahiro Tanaka threw 20 pitches during batting practice Tuesday and is on track to make his first start July 31 against Boston after missing one turn in the New York Yankees' rotation.Tanaka walked two in his one inning, his first time facing batters since he was hit in the head by Giancarlo Stanton's line drive on July 4.He is to throw batting practice again on Sunday, likely 35-40 pitches.“If everything comes out OK, I should be ready to go,” he said through a translator.He did not use a protective screen. Tanaka thought about getting hit only before delivering his first pitch.“After I threw that, it was back to business, back to normal,” he said.The 31-year-old right-hander is 75-43 in six major league seasons and is entering the final year of his contract.SCHMIDT HONORED: Pitcher Clarke Schmidt earned the James P. Dawson Award as the outstanding Yankees rookie in spring trainingA 24-year-old right-hander selected 16th overall in the 2017 amateur draft, Schmidt had a 2.57 ERA over seven innings and four appearances, striking out eight.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees pitcher Luis Cessa threw a 31-pitch bullpen on Monday as he returned from a layoff caused by a positive test for the coronavirus.The 28-year-old right-hander is not sure how he became infected. He had been in Arizona, where he lives with his girlfriend, and they both tested positive before he was scheduled to travel to New York for the resumption of training.Cessa said he felt sinus problems but no fever during his bout with COVID-19.“I wouldn't say opening day is realistic,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.While waiting to recover, Cessa worked out with equipment in his garage and bought a net and took it to a park to throw.“I just tried to stay in shape,” he said.LEMAHIEU WATCHSecond baseman DJ LeMahieu, the other Yankees player sidelined by a positive test for the virus, played his second straight exhibition. He went 0 for 3 against Philadelphia with a warning-track flyout to right field and got grazed on the thigh by a pitch from Vince Velasquez. LeMahieu played... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees pitcher Luis Cessa threw a 31-pitch bullpen on Monday as he returned from a layoff caused by a positive test for the coronavirus.The 28-year-old right-hander is not sure how he became infected. He had been in Arizona, where he lives with his girlfriend, and he and his girlfriend both tested positive before he was scheduled to travel to New York for the resumption of training.Cessa said he felt sinus problems but no fever during his bout with COVID-19.While waiting to recover, he worked out with equipment in his garage and bought a net and took it to a park to play catch.“I just tried to stay in shape,” he said.Second baseman DJ LeMahieu, the other Yankees player sidelined by a positive test for the virus, rejoined the Yankees and made his exhibition return on Sunday. After going 0 for 2 and playing three innings in the field against the New York Mets, he was back at second base against Philadelphia on Monday and was grazed on the left thigh leading off the first... [More]

A seventh-inning stretch without fans at Yankee Stadium was far from the oddest happening on the second day of summer exhibitions in the majors.The first inning ended at Dodger Stadium without Los Angeles making a single out Sunday night, a game went to the 10th inning in Philadelphia even with the Orioles leading the Phillies 4-1, and the Yankees hit in the bottom of the ninth with a 6-0 lead over the Mets.It’s not quite baseball like you’re used to seeing. Then again, we'd never seen baseball amid the COVID-19 pandemic.The most peculiar situation occurred during the first exhibition between Arizona and the Dodgers, with the game having an intrasquad feel.Diamondbacks starter Taylor Widener got off to rough opening when he walked the first two batters and then gave up a single to Justin Turner that loaded the bases. Cody Bellinger followed with a grand slam to make it 4-0. Corey Seager then walked and was heading to first base when he learned the inning was over. Widener had thrown 25... [More]

A seventh-inning stretch without fans at Yankee Stadium was far from the oddest happening on the second day of summer exhibitions in the majors.The first inning ended at Dodger Stadium without Los Angeles making a single out Sunday night, a game went to the 10th inning in Philadelphia even with the Orioles leading the Phillies 4-1, and the Yankees hit in the bottom of the ninth with a 6-0 lead over the Mets.It’s not quite baseball like you’re used to seeing. Then again, we'd never seen baseball amid the COVID-19 pandemic.The most peculiar situation occurred during the first exhibition between Arizona and the Dodgers, with the game having an intrasquad feel.Diamondbacks starter Taylor Widener got off to rough opening when he walked the first two batters and then gave up a single to Justin Turner that loaded the bases. Cody Bellinger followed with a grand slam to make it 4-0. Corey Seager then walked and was heading to first base when he learned the inning was over. Widener had thrown 25... [More]

A seventh-inning stretch without fans at Yankee Stadium was far from the oddest happening on the second day of summer exhibitions in the majors.The first inning ended at Dodger Stadium without Los Angeles making a single out Sunday night, a game went to the 10th inning in Philadelphia even with the Orioles leading the Phillies 4-1, and the Yankees hit in the bottom of the ninth with a 6-0 lead over the Mets.It’s not quite baseball like you’re used to seeing. Then again, we'd never seen baseball amid the COVID-19 pandemic.The most peculiar situation occurred during the first exhibition between Arizona and the Dodgers, with the game having an intrasquad feel.Diamondbacks starter Taylor Widener got off to rough opening when he walked the first two batters and then gave up a single to Justin Turner that loaded the bases. Cody Bellinger followed with a grand slam to make it 4-0. Corey Seager then walked and was heading to first base when he learned the inning was over. Widener had thrown 25... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — James Paxton and Aaron Judge were back on the field for an instrasquad game Wednesday, making the New York Yankees look more like themselves eight days before the latest opening day in team history.Pitching under game conditions for the first time since back surgery five months ago, Paxton gave up a home run on his second pitch to Judge. Two batters later, Paxton allowed a long ball to Giancarlo Stanton.“It’s a great lineup. I’m glad that it's ours,” the 31-year-old left-hander said. “I'm glad that I'm not facing those guys all the time.”Judge had not played in an intrasquad game since Thursday because of a stiff neck, another in a series of health concerns for the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year.Judge estimated his neck motion had improved from 35% to 90%. He homered into the net above Monument Park.“Good enough to play,” Judge said. “Sometimes you just wake up on the wrong side of bed.”Judge was limited to 214 games during the past two regular seasons. He had a broken right... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — James Paxton and Aaron Judge were back on the field for an instrasquad game, making the New York Yankees look more like themselves eight days before the latest opening day in team history.Pitching under game conditions for the first time since back surgery five months ago, Paxton gave up a home run on his second pitch to Judge. Two batters later, Paxton allowed a long ball to Giancarlo Stanton.“It’s a great lineup. I’m glad that it's ours,” the 31-year-old left-hander said. “I'm glad that I'm not facing those guys all the time.”Judge had not played in an intrasquad game since Thursday because of a stiff neck, another in a series of health concerns for the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year.Judge estimated his neck motion had improved from 35% to 90%. He homered into the net above Monument Park.“Good enough to play,” Judge said. “Sometimes you just wake up on the wrong side of bed.”Judge was limited to 214 games during the past two regular seasons. He had a broken right wrist when... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Opening day is next week, and there is concern for New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom and Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo because of back issues. It looks as if New York Yankees star Aaron Judge is feeling much better.The Mets sent deGrom for an MRI on Wednesday after the right-hander pitched just one inning in a summer camp appearance due to back tightness. An MRI of Rizzo on Tuesday showed rib-head inflammation on his left side that is causing back spasms — a condition he has dealt with before in his career.“Frustrating, just because how physically in shape I felt like I was coming in,” Rizzo said. “Just can't control the flareups. The MRI getting kind of what we knew, just confirming it. Just kind of getting it to calm down and get back out there as fast as I can.”Judge has been hampered by a stiff neck, but the outfielder homered off James Paxton during New York's intrasquad game at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees also said Masahiro Tanaka was scheduled for a bullpen... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Right fielder Aaron Judge homered off James Paxton when the slugger returned to the New York Yankees’ intrasquad lineup on Wednesday after missing five days due to a stiff neck.Judge homered to center on the second pitch from Paxton, who was pitching his first intrasquad game following back surgery on Feb. 5. Giancarlo Stanton also homered against Paxton in the first inning.New ace Gerrit Cole is scheduled to start the July 23 opener at Washington, and manager Aaron Boone said Paxton will start the second game at the Nationals on July 25. Right-hander Masahiro Tanaka is scheduled for a bullpen session Thursday, his first action since he was struck on the head by a liner off the bat of Stanton on July 4.“Every step of the way, as we’ve ramped up his workload he’s responded well,” Boone said. “We’d hope that he’d be able to see live hitters before opening day. Obviously, you’d want to get a couple bullpens in and then face live hitters.”Boone wouldn’t commit to a starter for... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Opening day is next week, and there is concern for New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom and Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo because of back issues. It looks as if New York Yankees star Aaron Judge is feeling much better.The Mets sent deGrom for an MRI on Wednesday after the right-hander pitched just one inning in a summer camp appearance due to back tightness. An MRI on Rizzo on Tuesday showed rib-head inflammation on his left side that is causing back spasms — a condition he has dealt with before in his career.“Frustrating, just because how physically in shape I felt like I was coming in,” Rizzo said. “Just can't control the flareups. The MRI getting kind of what we knew, just confirming it. Just kind of getting it to calm down and get back out there as fast as I can.”Judge has been hampered by a stiff neck, but the outfielder was in the lineup for New York's intrasquad game at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday. The Yankees also said Masahiro Tanaka was scheduled for a bullpen... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Right fielder Aaron Judge returned to the New York Yankees’ intrasquad lineup after missing five days due to a stiff neck.“Had a good day of work yesterday,” manager Aaron Boone said before Wednesday's session.Right-hander Masahiro Tanaka is scheduled for a bullpen session Thursday, his first action since he was struck on the head by a liner off the bat of Giancarlo Stanton on July 4.“Every step of the way, as we’ve ramped up his workload he’s responded well,” Boone said. “We’d hope that he’d be able to see live hitters before opening day. Obviously, you’d want to get a couple bullpens in and then face live hitters.”New ace Gerrit Cole is scheduled to start the July 23 opener at Washington, and Boone said left-hander James Paxton will start the second game at the Nationals on July 25. Paxton was to start Wednesday night’s intrasquad game after recovering from back surgery on Feb. 5.Boone wouldn’t commit to a starter for the third game, on July 26 against the Nats.New York... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka is unsure whether he will be able to take his first turn in the rotation as he recovers from a line drive off his head.Tanaka was hit on the right side near the temple by Giancarlo Stanton's shot during batting practice on July 4. While the 31-year-old right-hander says he has no concussion symptoms, he has not thrown off a mound since.New York opens the season July 23 at Washington, and Tanaka is projected as part of a rotation behind new ace Gerrit Cole, joined by James Paxton, J.A. Happ and perhaps Jordan Montgomery. Tanaka still hopes to avoid missing any starts.“I want to be optimistic and say yes,” he said Tuesday through a translator. “But obviously the injury is at the head, so I think it’s something that I need to be cautious about and kind of take it careful, more so than other injuries.”Right fielder Aaron Judge sat out his third straight intrasquad game due to a stiff neck but took batting practice on the field. Manager Aaron Boone... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka is unsure whether he will be able to take his first turn through the rotation as he recovers from a line drive off his head.Tanaka was hit on the right side near the temple by Giancarlo Stanton's shot during batting practice on July 4. While the 31-year-old right-hander says he has no concussion symptoms, he has not thrown off a mound since.New York opens the season July 23 at Washington, and Tanaka is projected as part of a rotation behind new ace Gerrit Cole, joined by James Paxton, J.A. Happ and perhaps Jordan Montgomery. He still hopes to avoid missing any starts.“I want to be optimistic and say yes,” Tanaka said Tuesday through a translator. “But obviously the injury is at the head, so I think it’s something that I need to be cautious about and kind of take it careful, more so than other injuries.”Right fielder Aaron Judge sat out his third straight intrasquad game due to a stuff neck but took batting practice on the field. Manager Aaron... [More]