SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner was sharp in his first rehabilitation start since breaking the pinkie on his pitching hand in March, striking out eight while throwing 47 pitches over 3 2/3 hitless innings for Triple-A Sacramento.Bumgarner threw 31 strikes and walked one Saturday night while facing 12 hitters against the Albuquerque Isotopes.The appearance came almost two months to the day of having surgery to insert three pins into his pinkie after injuring the hand in the final game of spring training.Bumgarner's fastball was clocked between 91-93 mph and he effectively mixed pitches in his most extensive work since getting hurt.The 2014 World Series MVP also drew a rousing ovation from the sold-out crowd at Raley Field when he singled to right field leading off the bottom of the third on the first pitch from Albuquerque's Antonio Senzatela.Because Sacramento leaves for a road trip next week, Bumgarner will next pitch for Single-A San Jose on... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Justin Verlander got some run support for the first time in nearly a month and led the Houston Astros over the San Francisco Giants 4-1 on Wednesday.Verlander (6-2) struck out nine and walked one in six innings, allowing one run and three hits as his major league-leading ERA rose slightly to 1.08. He had given up just three runs over 29 innings during his previous four starts, but the Astros had scored just three runs in that span, getting shut out twice.Ken Giles pitched the ninth to remain perfect in nine save chances.George Springer hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the fifth on a 93 mph fastball from Jeff Samardzija (1-3), driving the ball off the facade above the left-field seats. Carlos Correa added an RBI single later in the inning.INDIANS 1, CUBS 0CHICAGO (AP) — Adam Plutko carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning and Andrew Miller provided stellar relief work, helping Cleveland beat Chicago.Plutko (2-0) struck out four and walked four in his second major league... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Justin Verlander got some run support for the first time in nearly a month and led the Houston Astros over the San Francisco Giants 4-1 on Wednesday.Verlander (6-2) struck out nine and walked one in six innings, allowing one run and three hits as his major league-leading ERA rose slightly to 1.08. He had given up just three runs over 29 innings during his previous four starts, but the Astros had scored just three runs in that span, getting shut out twice.Ken Giles pitched the ninth to remain perfect in nine save chances.George Springer hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the fifth on a 93 mph fastball from Jeff Samardzija (1-3), driving the ball off the facade above the left-field seats. Carlos Correa added an RBI single later in the inning.BREWERS 9, DIAMONDBACKS 2MILWAUKEE (AP) — Travis Shaw hit a three-run homer and Jesus Aguilar had a go-ahead, two-run single during a seven-run fourth inning to help Milwaukee send Arizona to its seventh straight loss.Brent Suter (4-3)... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:OLD CONNECTIONSRed Sox lefty David Price (4-4), coming off a complete-game victory over Baltimore, pitches against his original team and buddy Chris Archer (3-3) when Boston visits Tampa Bay. "There will be a little bit of banter, but it's all friendly," Archer said. Price might get a chance to face prized Rays prospect Willy Adames, who homered in his major league debut Tuesday night. The 22-year-old shortstop was acquired from Detroit in a three-team trade that sent Price from the Rays to the Tigers on July 31, 2014.THE THROWBACKHouston ace Justin Verlander (5-2) faces San Francisco at home. Verlander lowered his ERA to a big league-best 1.05 by tossing a five-hitter against the Angels last time out, his eighth career shutout and first since 2015 with Detroit. Jeff Samardzija (1-2) is up for the Giants.ON SECOND THOUGHTThe Mariners are down another second baseman after Dee Gordon joined Robinson Cano on the disabled list. Gordon, who... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday:OLD CONNECTIONSRed Sox lefty David Price (4-4), coming off a complete-game victory over Baltimore, pitches against his original team and buddy Chris Archer (3-3) when Boston visits Tampa Bay. "There will be a little bit of banter, but it's all friendly," Archer said. Price might get a chance to face prized Rays prospect Willy Adames, who homered in his major league debut Tuesday night. The 22-year-old shortstop was acquired from Detroit in a three-team trade that sent Price from the Rays to the Tigers on July 31, 2014.THE THROWBACKHouston ace Justin Verlander (5-2) faces San Francisco at home. Verlander lowered his ERA to a big league-best 1.05 by tossing a five-hitter against the Angels last time out, his eighth career shutout and first since 2015 with Detroit. Jeff Samardzija (1-2) is up for the Giants.ON SECOND THOUGHTThe Mariners are down another second baseman after Dee Gordon joined Robinson Cano on the disabled list. Gordon,... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHTOzzie Albies, Ronald Acuna Jr. and the baby Braves play their series finale against the visiting Chicago Cubs. Rookie right-hander Mike Soroka (1-1, 3.68 ERA) makes his fourth start for surprising Atlanta, which boasts the best record in the National League at 26-16. Veteran lefty Jon Lester (3-1, 2.66) is 6-2 with a 2.47 ERA in nine career starts against the Braves. He has a 1.83 ERA in six games at Atlanta.MR. AUTOMATICOdubel Herrera tries to extend his on-base streak to 43 games for the surging Phillies when they visit St. Louis. Philadelphia (24-16) has won six of seven and is eight games over .500 for the first time since the end of the 2011 season. "We're really, really positive in here right now," pitcher Nick Pivetta said. "Everybody is gelling together, you guys can see it. It's really fun in here right now."BORDER PATROLThe Oakland Athletics will be without catcher Bruce Maxwell for a four-game series in... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Thursday:THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHTOzzie Albies, Ronald Acuna Jr. and the baby Braves play their series finale against the visiting Chicago Cubs. Rookie right-hander Mike Soroka (1-1, 3.68 ERA) makes his fourth start for surprising Atlanta, which boasts the best record in the National League at 26-16. Veteran lefty Jon Lester (3-1, 2.66) is 6-2 with a 2.47 ERA in nine career starts against the Braves. He has a 1.83 ERA in six games at Atlanta.MR. AUTOMATICOdubel Herrera tries to extend his on-base streak to 43 games for the surging Phillies when they visit St. Louis. Philadelphia (24-16) has won six of seven and is eight games over .500 for the first time since the end of the 2011 season. "We're really, really positive in here right now," pitcher Nick Pivetta said. "Everybody is gelling together, you guys can see it. It's really fun in here right now."BORDER PATROLThe Oakland Athletics will be without catcher Bruce Maxwell for a four-game series... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Fernando Romero struck out nine in six innings in his second straight scoreless start to begin his major league career, leading the Minnesota Twins over the St. Louis Cardinals 6-0 on Monday night.The victory was a season-high fourth straight for the Twins, who have won 13 of their last 16 games against National League opponents dating to last year.St. Louis had its season-best five-game winning streak snapped, one night after finishing a weekend sweep of the rival Chicago Cubs at nearly 1 a.m.Romero (2-0) permitted just three hits while throwing 97 pitches. The 23-year-old right-hander tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings in his debut last week, a win over Toronto.Romero got a lift from left fielder Eddie Rosario, who reached over the wall in the first inning to catch a possible two-run homer for St. Louis' Dexter Fowler.John Gant (1-1) gave up six hits and four runs in 5 1/3 innings for the Cardinals.METS 7, REDS 6CINCINNATI (AP) — Jay Bruce hit a two-run homer against his... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Fernando Romero struck out nine in six innings in his second straight scoreless start to begin his major league career, leading the Minnesota Twins over the St. Louis Cardinals 6-0 on Monday night.The victory was a season-high fourth straight for the Twins, who have won 13 of their last 16 games against National League opponents dating to last year.St. Louis had its season-best five-game winning streak snapped, one night after finishing a weekend sweep of the rival Chicago Cubs at nearly 1 a.m.Romero (2-0) permitted just three hits while throwing 97 pitches. The 23-year-old right-hander tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings in his debut last week, a win over Toronto.Romero got a lift from left fielder Eddie Rosario, who reached over the wall in the first inning to catch a possible two-run homer for St. Louis' Dexter Fowler.John Gant (1-1) gave up six hits and four runs in 5 1/3 innings for the Cardinals.METS 7, REDS 6CINCINNATI (AP) — Jay Bruce hit a two-run homer against his... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Right-hander Johnny Cueto has been put on the 10-day disabled list by the San Francisco because of inflammation in his pitching elbow, and the Giants said left-hander Madison Bumgarner has been cleared to resume throwing.Cueto leads the major leagues with a 0.84 ERA. The two-time All-Star is 3-0 in five starts with 26 strikeouts in 32 innings. He was on the DL from April 7-17 with a sprained left ankle.Bumgarner broke the pinkie on his left hand in the team's final spring training game and is at least a month from returning. Right-hander Jeff Samardzija began the season on the disabled list because of a pectoral strain.Bumgarner was given clearance to throw off flat ground this weekend. The 2014 World Series MVP met in Arizona with Dr. Donald Sheridan, who inserted three pins into Bumgarner's pitching hand after the left-hander was hit by a line drive.Left-hander Andrew Suarez was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday.___For more AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Hoping for clearance to begin a throwing program, San Francisco Giants ace Madison Bumgarner is headed to Arizona to meet with the same doctor who performed surgery on his left pinkie.Bumgarner was scheduled to leave the Bay Area on Monday night for a checkup with Dr. Donald Sheridan, who inserted three pins into Bumgarner's pitching hand one day after the 2014 World Series MVP was hit by a line drive late in spring training.If Bumgarner is cleared to start throwing, the four-time All-Star is still likely a month away from rejoining the big league club.The Giants also said second baseman Joe Panik underwent surgery on the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb and will miss at least six weeks. Panik had flown to Los Angeles to get a second opinion before opting for surgery.It was the latest blow to the injury-ravaged Giants this season.Left fielder Hunter Pence is rehabbing from a sprained right thumb. Pence's replacement, slugger Mac Williamson, is going through the concussion protocol. San Francisco closer Mark Melancon is slowly working his way back from a right elbow flexor strain. Relief pitchers Josh Osich (right hip strain) and Will Smith (Tommy John surgery) are also on the disabled list, though Smith is expected to come off this week.Right-hander Jeff Samardzija was scheduled to make his third start of the season Monday after beginning the year on the DL with a pectoral strain.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Hoping for clearance to begin a throwing program, San Francisco Giants ace Madison Bumgarner is headed to Arizona to meet with the same doctor who performed surgery on his left pinkie.Bumgarner was scheduled to leave the Bay Area on Monday night for a checkup with Dr. Donald Sheridan, who inserted three pins into Bumgarner's pitching hand one day after the 2014 World Series MVP was hit by a line drive late in spring training.If Bumgarner is cleared to start throwing, the four-time All-Star is still likely a month away from rejoining the big league club.The Giants also said second baseman Joe Panik underwent surgery on the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb and will miss at least six weeks. Panik had flown to Los Angeles to get a second opinion before opting for surgery.It was the latest blow to the injury-ravaged Giants this season.Left fielder Hunter Pence is rehabbing from a sprained right thumb. Pence's replacement, slugger Mac Williamson, is going through the concussion protocol. San Francisco closer Mark Melancon is slowly working his way back from a right elbow flexor strain. Relief pitchers Josh Osich (right hip strain) and Will Smith (Tommy John surgery) are also on the disabled list, though Smith is expected to come off this week.Right-hander Jeff Samardzija was scheduled to make his third start of the season Monday after beginning the year on the DL with a pectoral strain.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

It's that time of the fantasy baseball season where owners really need to evaluate their rosters and see which struggling players are worth keeping on their teams, and which ones should be kicked to the curb.Let's take a look at players that can help you in the long term, as well as guys who are worth streaming this upcoming week to take advantage of good matchups.PLAYERS TO PICK UPJaCoby Jones, OF (5 percent owned in Yahoo), and Dixon Machado, 2B/SS (2 percent), Detroit: Much was made in the offseason about the elevated hard-hit rates in Detroit in 2017. This year, those rates have sustained, but two new names have raised eyebrows with how hard they are hitting the ball. JaCoby Jones has a 50 percent hard hit ball percentage, which would be seventh among hitters if he qualified. Meanwhile Machado is 25th in baseball with his 44.1 percent. Machado's numbers haven't translated over to fantasy success yet but Jones' have. Both should at least be on watch lists in 12-team leagues and deeper.Mike... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Justin Verlander pitched seven sharp innings, AL MVP Jose Altuve hit his first home run of the season and the Houston Astros beat the Angels 5-2 on Wednesday, ending Los Angeles' road winning streak at a team record-tying 11.Albert Pujols connected off Verlander for his 619th career homer. Pujols has 2,994 hits.Alex Bregman hit a three-run double and Jake Marisnick homered as Houston avoided a three-game sweep. The Angels also won 11 straight road games in 1988.Verlander (4-0) held the Angels hitless into the fifth inning. He gave up two runs and four hits, striking out nine without a walk. Verlander won his 11th regular-season decision in a row.Ken Giles pitched a scoreless ninth for his second save. Nick Tropeano (1-2) retired the first 11 batters he faced, striking out six.INDIANS 4, CUBS 1CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians reliever Andrew Miller exited with tightness in his hamstring in the win over Chicago and could miss a few days.Miller grabbed the back of his leg after throwing... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Justin Verlander pitched seven sharp innings, AL MVP Jose Altuve hit his first home run of the season and the Houston Astros beat the Angels 5-2 on Wednesday, ending Los Angeles' road winning streak at a team record-tying 11.Albert Pujols connected off Verlander for his 619th career homer. Pujols has 2,994 hits.Alex Bregman hit a three-run double and Jake Marisnick homered as Houston avoided a three-game sweep. The Angels also won 11 straight road games in 1988.Verlander (4-0) held the Angels hitless into the fifth inning before Zack Cozart singled with two outs. Verlander gave up two runs and four hits, striking out nine without a walk. Verlander won his 11th regular-season decision in a row, dating to mid-August last year, before the Detroit traded him to Houston. Ken Giles pitched a scoreless ninth for his second save.Nick Tropeano (1-2) retired the first 11 batters he faced, striking out six.NATIONALS 15, GIANTS 2SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Trea Turner got five hits, Matt Adams... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani is scheduled to throw a "full gorilla" bullpen session on Sunday that will give the Los Angeles Angels a better idea if the blister that forced the Japanese two-way sensation out of his last pitching start has healed."He's feeling much better so we're encouraged," manager Mike Scioscia said Saturday before Angels played the San Francisco Giants.Scioscia said he'll wait until after Sunday afternoon's game to confirm when Ohtani's next pitching start will be. It could be Monday at Houston.A blister on his right middle finger forced him out of Tuesday night's start against Boston after just two innings. He allowed four hits and three runs on 66 pitches, and couldn't throw his breaking pitches for strikes.Ohtani threw a light bullpen session on Friday before going 2 for 4 in an 8-1 loss to the Giants."He felt good," Scioscia said. "It was just a touch and feel. The effort level was just really to feel the baseball. It wasn't a full gorilla bullpen where... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — San Francisco Giants closer Mark Melancon was put on the 10-day disabled list with a right elbow flexor strain before Thursday's opener, joining starters Madison Bumgarner and starter Jeff Samardzija on the sideline.The move was made retroactive to Monday, and right-hander Reyes Moronta was recalled from Triple-A to fill Melancon's roster spot.Manager Bruce Bochy said Hunter Strickland will serve as the closer until Melancon returns, which Bochy hopes is in a couple of weeks.Melancon had surgery on his forearm in September. The right-hander was 1-2 with 11 saves in 16 chances last year, when he had a 4.50 ERA in 30 innings during his first season with the Giants. He signed a $62 million, four-year deal as a free agent."I was pretty confident that he would be ready when the season started," Bochy said. "He had a little setback through one outing. We don't want to risk putting him out there after not throwing for four or five days. That's why we DL'd him, to make sure he... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — San Francisco Giants closer Mark Melancon was put on the 10-day disabled list with a right elbow flexor strain before Thursday's opener, joining starters Madison Bumgarner and starter Jeff Samardzija on the sidelines.The move was made retroactive to Monday, and right-hander Reyes Moronta was recalled from Triple-A to fill Melancon's roster spot.Melancon had surgery on his forearm last September. The right-hander was 1-2 with 11 saves in 16 chances last year, when he had a 4.50 ERA in 30 innings during his first season with the Giants. He signed a $62 million, four-year deal as a free agent before the injuries.A four-time All-Star, Melancon has 179 saves and a 2.72 ERA in nine major league seasons.___More AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Clayton Kershaw will make his franchise-record eighth consecutive opening day start for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are aiming for a second straight World Series appearance with virtually the same roster as last year.Kershaw takes the mound Thursday against the rival San Francisco Giants and Ty Blach, whose only opening day starts have been in the minors. Blach drew the assignment because of injuries to Madison Bumgarner and Jeff Samardzija.After falling one win short of their first World Series title since 1988, the Dodgers have shifted their focus from losing to Houston in Game 7 to earning another shot this year."We understand what our goal is," manager Dave Roberts said. "It's to do whatever we can to win the World Series."The Giants are trying to get back in contention in the NL West after finishing last in 2017. They added former All-Stars outfielder Andrew McCutchen and third baseman Evan Longoria in the offseason.The teams are playing on opening day for the first... [More]

Shohei Ohtani has a starting assignment, and the Los Angeles Dodgers have a mess on their hands.With the regular season set to begin Thursday, the Angels scheduled Ohtani to make his major league pitching debut Sunday in their fourth game at Oakland. The two-way sensation from Japan is expected to be Los Angeles' designated hitter in at least one of the first three games, but manager Mike Scioscia said Tuesday night the team hadn't decided on an opening-day lineup yet.The 23-year-old Ohtani, who struggled in spring training, was told after the exhibition finale against the Dodgers that he'll pitch Sunday."He's gotten into the mid-80-pitch range and should be able to get over 90 if he's throwing to his capabilities," Scioscia said. "That's plenty of pitches for him to get deep into the game. We're going to take it one pitch at a time with all of our pitchers."Ohtani was supposed to get an at-bat or two Tuesday night but that didn't happen because the game was called in the bottom of the... [More]