NEW YORK (AP) — Looking to spice up the All-Star Game election, Major League Baseball essentially introduced a primary this year.Candidates were narrowed down in fan voting to three finalists per position, including nine outfielders for three starting spots in each league. Fans then had 28 hours beginning Wednesday at noon EDT to go online and choose from those finalists the starters for the July 9 showcase in Cleveland.Results will be announced Thursday night, with pitchers and reserves revealed Sunday.So, with that in mind, let's take a look at who belongs.Each roster has 32 slots, with 12 going to pitchers. Perhaps the most difficult part is that every club must be represented — although Miami is really the only team without a worthy All-Star this season.Alex Cora of the World Series champion Boston Red Sox will manage the American League, which has won six times in a row and is 18-3-1 in the last 22 years.After capturing consecutive pennants, Dave Roberts from the Los Angeles Dodgers... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Looking to spice up the All-Star Game election, Major League Baseball essentially introduced a primary this year.Candidates were narrowed down in fan voting to three finalists per position, including nine outfielders for three starting spots in each league. Fans then had 28 hours beginning Wednesday at noon EDT to go online and choose from those finalists the starters for the July 9 showcase in Cleveland.Results will be announced Thursday night, with pitchers and reserves revealed Sunday.So, with that in mind, let's take a look at who belongs.Each roster has 32 slots, with 12 going to pitchers. Perhaps the most difficult part is every club must be represented — although Miami is really the only team without a worthy All-Star this season.Alex Cora of the World Series champion Boston Red Sox will manage the American League, which has won six times in a row and is 18-3-1 in the last 22 years.After capturing consecutive pennants, Dave Roberts from the Los Angeles Dodgers pilots... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Johan Camargo had a two-run, pinch-hit homer in the 10th inning, and the Atlanta Braves beat the Washington Nationals 4-3 Sunday to win their fifth straight series.Overcoming an injury to standout rookie starting pitcher Mike Soroka, the Braves used the long ball and their bullpen to win the deciding matchup of a three-game set between NL East rivals.Camargo connected off Tanner Rainey (1-2) after Ozzie Albies drew a one-out walk, and Atlanta held on for its seventh victory in 10 extra-inning games this season.Josh Donaldson and Ronald Acuña Jr. also went deep for the first-place Braves.Juan Soto homered for the Nationals, who have lost two in a row following a five-game win streak.A.J. Minter (2-4) worked the ninth and Luke Jackson earned his 11th save despite giving up a run, two hits and a walk.ASTROS 9, YANKEES 4NEW YORK (AP) — Jose Altuve hit a leadoff homer, rookie Yordan Alvarez connected again and Houston ended its first seven-game skid in four years.New York had... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Johan Camargo had a two-run, pinch-hit homer in the 10th inning, and the Atlanta Braves beat the Washington Nationals 4-3 Sunday to win their fifth straight series.Overcoming an injury to standout rookie starting pitcher Mike Soroka, the Braves used the long ball and their bullpen to win the deciding matchup of a three-game set between NL East rivals.Camargo connected off Tanner Rainey (1-2) after Ozzie Albies drew a one-out walk, and Atlanta held on for its seventh victory in 10 extra-inning games this season.Josh Donaldson and Ronald Acuña Jr. also went deep for the first-place Braves.Juan Soto homered for the Nationals, who have lost two in a row following a five-game win streak.A.J. Minter (2-4) worked the ninth and Luke Jackson earned his 11th save despite giving up a run, two hits and a walk.ASTROS 9, YANKEES 4NEW YORK (AP) — Jose Altuve hit a leadoff homer, rookie Yordan Alvarez connected again and Houston ended its first seven-game skid in four years.New York had... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Pete Alonso has hit his 27th home run, passing Darryl Strawberry for the New York Mets rookie record in just his 77th game.Alonso hit a solo drive against Chicago Cubs starter Cole Hamels in the fourth inning at Wrigley Field on Sunday. The 24-year-old slugger entered the day second in the majors in home runs, trailing NL MVP Christian Yelich of the Milwaukee Brewers with 29.Strawberry won NL Rookie of the Year by hitting 26 homers in 122 games in 1983. He issued a statement via the Mets congratulating Alonso, saying "what he's done in a short period of time is most impressive. No goal seems out of reach."___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Veteran left-hander Drew Smyly has been designated for assignment by the Texas Rangers after losing his spot in the rotation and allowing three consecutive home runs in his last relief appearance.The Rangers made the move before their series finale against Cleveland on Thursday, when they also optioned left-hander Joe Palumbo to Triple-A Nashville. Texas brought up a pair of lefties, Kyle Bird and Locke St. John, for St. John's possible big league debut.Smyly didn't pitch in the majors the past two seasons because of Tommy John surgery. The Rangers got Smyly in November from the Chicago Cubs, who last season acquired Cole Hamels from Texas.The 30-year-old Smyly was 1-5 with an 8.42 ERA in 13 games this season, with nine starts. He allowed 19 homers in 51 1/3 innings. The Indians had three batters in a row go deep against him Tuesday night in a 10-3 loss.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DENVER (AP) — Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado is in the lineup Thursday after leaving Wednesday's game after getting hit with a pitch on the left forearm.Arenado said he was a little stiff and sore, and he would test his arm during batting practice before Thursday's game against the San Diego Padres."It's going to be stiff for a while, a little sore and bruised but something I have to play through," he said. "It's bruised but I can play through a bruise."We have a day off Monday so I should be fine the next four games and hopefully the day off will help me big time."Arenado took batting practice and fielded grounders before Thursday's game while wearing a wrap around the forearm."I'll wear something to cover it throughout the game and definitely protect it just in case something happens again," he said. "I feel fortunate in that I haven't gotten hit there before, or not in a long time. I think I'll be OK."Arenado was batting in the bottom of the third when Chicago starter Cole... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado was in the lineup Thursday, a day after being hit by a pitch on the left forearm.Arenado said he would test his arm during batting practice before the game against the San Diego Padres. He was pulled from Wednesday's game."It's going to be stiff for a while, a little sore and bruised but something I have to play through," he said. "It's bruised, but I can play through a bruise."We have a day off Monday, so I should be fine the next four games and hopefully the day off will help me big time."Arenado took batting practice and fielded grounders before Thursday's game while wearing a wrap around the forearm."I'll wear something to cover it throughout the game and definitely protect it just in case something happens again," he said. "I feel fortunate in that I haven't gotten hit there before, or not in a long time. I think I'll be OK."Arenado was batting in the bottom of the third when Chicago starter Cole Hamels hit him with a 90 mph... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado is in the lineup on Thursday after leaving Wednesday's game after getting hit with a pitch on the left forearm.Arenado said he was a little stiff and sore, and he would test his arm during batting practice before Thursday's game against the San Diego Padres.Arenado was batting in the bottom of the third when Chicago starter Cole Hamels hit him with a 90 mph fastball during Colorado's 10-1 loss to the Cubs on Wednesday. Arenado looked toward the mound before bending down and taking off his shin guard. He said something to the Chicago dugout before walking to first base.Arenado stayed in the game to run the bases and was forced out at second. He played the field in the fourth, throwing out Addison Russell to start the inning, but was replaced by Ryan McMahon in the top of the fifth.X-rays on the arm showed there was no break.Arenado leads the Rockies in home runs (17) and RBIs (57) and is second in average (.330).___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DENVER (AP) — Cole Hamels struck out nine in seven scoreless innings, singled twice and drove in two runs to lead the Chicago Cubs past the Colorado Rockies 10-1 in a testy game on Wednesday.Rockies All-Star third-baseman Nolan Arenado left in the fifth inning with a left forearm contusion after Hamels (6-2) hit him with a pitch in the third, and three more batters — including Hamels — were hit by pitches later in the game.Chicago's Kris Bryant was hit by pitches three times in the first two games of the series.Javier Báez and Kyle Schwarber homered for Chicago, which snapped a five-game road losing streak. Colorado's 10-game home winning streak ended.Chicago scored five times in the second off Antonio Sentenzela (5-5).BREWERS 6, ASTROS 3, 14 INNINGSHOUSTON (AP) — Justin Verlander set a career high with 15 strikeouts, but Mike Moustakas hit a two-run homer during Milwaukee's three-run 14th inning and the Brewers rallied to beat Houston.Christian Yelich started the 14th with a single against... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Cole Hamels struck out nine in seven scoreless innings, singled twice and drove in two runs to lead the Chicago Cubs past the Colorado Rockies 10-1 in a testy game on Wednesday.Rockies All-Star third-baseman Nolan Arenado left in the fifth inning with a left forearm contusion after Hamels (6-2) hit him with a pitch in the third, and three more batters — including Hamels — were hit by pitches later in the game.Chicago's Kris Bryant was hit by pitches three times in the first two games of the series.Javier Báez and Kyle Schwarber homered for Chicago, which snapped a five-game road losing streak. Colorado's 10-game home winning streak ended.Chicago scored five times in the second off Antonio Sentenzela (5-5).MARLINS 9, CARDINALS 0MIAMI (AP) — Jordan Yamamoto pitched seven innings to win his major league debut, Garrett Cooper hit a grand slam and Miami blanked St. Louis to end a six-game skid.Yamamoto, acquired last year in the Christian Yelich trade, allowed three hits and two... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Cole Hamels struck out nine in seven scoreless innings, singled twice and drove in two runs to lead the Chicago Cubs past the Colorado Rockies 10-1 in a testy game on Wednesday.Rockies All-Star third-baseman Nolan Arenado left in the fifth inning with a left forearm contusion after Hamels (6-2) hit him with a pitch in the third, and three more batters — including Hamels — were hit by pitches later in the game.Chicago's Kris Bryant was hit by pitches three times in the first two games of the series.Javier Báez and Kyle Schwarber homered for Chicago, which snapped a five-game road losing streak. Colorado's 10-game home winning streak ended.Chicago scored five times in the second off Antonio Sentenzela (5-5).RED SOX 4, RANGERS 3BOSTON (AP) — Mookie Betts drew a bases-loaded walk in the ninth inning, giving Boston the win over Texas.Andrew Benintendi hit a triple and two doubles, driving in two runs for the Red Sox as they ended a three-game skid and avoided falling below .500... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado has left Wednesday's game with a left forearm contusion after getting hit by a pitch.Arenado was batting in the bottom of the third inning when Chicago Cubs starter Cole Hamels hit him with a 90-mph fastball. Arenado looked toward the mound before bending down and taking off his shin guard. He said something to the Chicago dugout before walking to first base.Colorado manager Bud Black and trainer Keith Dugger came out to check on Arenado, and Dugger wrapped Arenado's arm.Arenado stayed in the game to run the bases and was forced out at second. He played the field in the fourth, throwing out Addison Russell to start the inning, but was replaced by Ryan McMahon in the top of the fifth.Arenado, who has won the Gold Glove in each of his six seasons in the majors, leads the Rockies with a .330 average, 17 home runs and 57 RBIs.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today:BRAVE NEW WORLDIt appears free agent pitcher Dallas Keuchel has finally found a home. Keuchel and the Atlanta Braves agreed to a one-year contract that would pay the 2015 AL Cy Young Award winner about $13 million, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday night because the agreement was subject to Keuchel passing a physical, which was scheduled for Friday.Keuchel's contract would include a salary of about $21.21 million, and he would get a prorated share that amounts to approximately $13 million because 114 days will remain in the 186-day season. A 31-year-old left-hander, Keuchel was 12-11 with a 3.74 ERA in 34 starts last season for Houston and turned down a $17.9 million qualifying offer in November. The two-time All-Star is 76-63 with a 3.66 ERA in seven major league seasons, all with the Astros.SHORT STORYDidi Gregorius is expected back in the Yankees' lineup... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:BRAVE NEW WORLDIt appears free agent pitcher Dallas Keuchel has finally found a home. Keuchel and the Atlanta Braves agreed to a one-year contract that would pay the 2015 AL Cy Young Award winner about $13 million, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday night because the agreement was subject to Keuchel passing a physical, which was scheduled for Friday.Keuchel's contract would include a salary of about $21.21 million, and he would get a prorated share that amounts to approximately $13 million because 114 days will remain in the 186-day season. A 31-year-old left-hander, Keuchel was 12-11 with a 3.74 ERA in 34 starts last season for Houston and turned down a $17.9 million qualifying offer in November. The two-time All-Star is 76-63 with a 3.66 ERA in seven major league seasons, all with the Astros.SHORT STORYDidi Gregorius is expected back in the Yankees' lineup... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:BRAVE NEW WORLDIt appears free agent pitcher Dallas Keuchel has finally found a home. Keuchel and the Atlanta Braves were near agreement on a one-year contract that would pay the 2015 AL Cy Young Award winner about $13 million, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday night because the agreement had not been finalized.Keuchel's contract would include a salary of about $21 million, and he would get a prorated share of that because only about 115 days will remain in the 186-day season. A 31-year-old left-hander, Keuchel was 12-11 with a 3.74 ERA in 34 starts last season for Houston and turned down a $17.9 million qualifying offer in November. The two-time All-Star is 76-63 with a 3.66 ERA in seven major league seasons, all with the Astros.SHORT STORYDidi Gregorius is expected back in the Yankees' lineup for the first time this season when New York opens a three-game... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:SHORT STORYDidi Gregorius is expected back in the Yankees' lineup for the first time this season when New York opens a three-game series at Cleveland. The shortstop has recovered quickly from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow Oct. 17. Gregorius batted .268 with a career-high 27 homers last season. He also had 86 RBIs and an .829 OPS in 134 games. New York is still missing several injured stars, but Gregorius' left-handed bat provides some balance for a Yankees lineup loaded with right-handed power when healthy.MAX POWERTwins outfielder Max Kepler turned around his week in a big way Thursday, ending an 0-for-21 skid with a three-homer game against Cleveland. Minnesota leads the majors with 117 homers, including 15 from Kepler, who is already closing in on his career high of 20. The AL Central leaders are set to start a three-game set in Detroit, facing breakout left-hander Matthew Boyd (5-4, 3.01 ERA) in the opener.UNBEATABLEDating... [More]

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]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Max Scherzer struck out a season high 15, allowing three hits over eight innings to lead the Washington Nationals over Cincinnati 4-1 on Sunday, their 12th win in 14 games against the Reds.When manager Dave Martinez visited the mound with a runner on second and two outs in the ninth, Scherzer told him emphatically to keep him in the game. Scherzer then fanned Joey Votto on three straight called strikes.Scherzer (3-5) reached double figures in strikeouts for the fourth time in 13 starts this season and 86th time in his career,Sean Doolittle pitched a perfect ninth for his 12th save as Washington won for the seventh time in nine games.Sonny Gray (2-5) gave up two runs and five hits in five innings.Anthony Rendon had three hits, including an RBI single in the first, and raised his average to .331.YANKEES 8, RED SOX 5NEW YORK (AP) — David Price finally won at Yankee Stadium for the first time with the Boston Red Sox, backed by early homers from J.D. Martinez and Xander Bogaerts.Boston... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Max Scherzer struck out a season high 15, allowing three hits over eight innings to lead the Washington Nationals over Cincinnati 4-1 on Sunday, their 12th win in 14 games against the Reds.When manager Dave Martinez visited the mound with a runner on second and two outs in the ninth, Scherzer told him emphatically to keep him in the game. Scherzer then fanned Joey Votto on three straight called strikes.Scherzer (3-5) reached double figures in strikeouts for the fourth time in 13 starts this season and 86th time in his career,Sean Doolittle pitched a perfect ninth for his 12th save as Washington won for the seventh time in nine games.Sonny Gray (2-5) gave up two runs and five hits in five innings.Anthony Rendon had three hits, including an RBI single in the first, and raised his average to .331.TWINS 9, RAYS 7ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Jake Odorizzi (8-2) won his eighth straight decision, allowing three hits and striking out nine in six scoreless innings to lower his AL-best... [More]