HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros surrendered a tiebreaking two-run single to rookie Kyle Lewis in the eighth inning of a 7-6 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, and then announced ace Justin Verlander will be shut down for at least two weeks with a strained right forearm.Astros manager Dusty Baker denied a report that said the injury would end Verlander’s season. He said Verlander would be evaluated after two weeks.Lewis and Shed Long Jr. each had two hits and two RBIs for the Mariners, who had dropped their last 15 games against Houston.Dan Altavilla (1-0) got the win. Taylor Williams yielded an RBI double to Michael Brantley before striking out Alex Bregman for his first career save.Martín Maldonado drove in two runs for Houston. Chris Devenski (0-1) got the loss.MARLINS 11, PHILLIES 6PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Miami scratched right-hander José Ureña from its victory at Philadelphia and delayed its postgame trip home amid concerns about a possible coronavirus outbreak within the team. No... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros surrendered a tiebreaking two-run single to rookie Kyle Lewis in the eighth inning of a 7-6 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, and then announced ace Justin Verlander will be shut down for at least two weeks with a strained right forearm.Astros manager Dusty Baker denied a report that said the injury would end Verlander’s season. He said Verlander would be evaluated after two weeks.Lewis and Shed Long Jr. each had two hits and two RBIs for the Mariners, who had dropped their last 15 games against Houston.Dan Altavilla (1-0) got the win. Taylor Williams yielded an RBI double to Michael Brantley before striking out Alex Bregman for his first career save.Martín Maldonado drove in two runs for Houston. Chris Devenski (0-1) got the loss.MARLINS 11, PHILLIES 6PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Miami scratched right-hander José Ureña from its victory at Philadelphia and delayed its postgame trip home amid concerns about a possible coronavirus outbreak within the team. No... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros surrendered a tiebreaking two-run single to rookie Kyle Lewis in the eighth inning of a 7-6 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, and then announced ace Justin Verlander will be shut down for at least two weeks with a strained right forearm.Astros manager Dusty Baker denied a report that said the injury would end Verlander’s season. He said Verlander would be evaluated after two weeks.Lewis and Shed Long Jr. each had two hits and two RBIs for the Mariners, who had dropped their last 15 games against Houston.Dan Altavilla (1-0) got the win. Taylor Williams yielded an RBI double to Michael Brantley before striking out Alex Bregman for his first career save.Martín Maldonado drove in two runs for Houston. Chris Devenski (0-1) got the loss.MARLINS 11, PHILLIES 6PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Miami scratched right-hander José Ureña from its victory at Philadelphia and delayed its postgame trip home amid concerns about a possible coronavirus outbreak within the team. No... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros surrendered a tiebreaking two-run single to rookie Kyle Lewis in the eighth inning of a 7-6 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, and then announced ace Justin Verlander will be shut down for at least two weeks with a strained right forearm.Astros manager Dusty Baker denied a report that said the injury would end Verlander’s season. He said Verlander would be evaluated after two weeks.Lewis and Shed Long Jr. each had two hits and two RBIs for the Mariners, who had dropped their last 15 games against Houston.Dan Altavilla (1-0) got the win. Taylor Williams yielded an RBI double to Michael Brantley before striking out Alex Bregman for his first career save.Martín Maldonado drove in two runs for Houston. Chris Devenski (0-1) got the loss.MARLINS 11, PHILLIES 6PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Miami scratched right-hander José Ureña from its victory at Philadelphia and delayed its postgame trip home amid concerns about a possible coronavirus outbreak within the team. No... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros surrendered a tiebreaking two-run single to rookie Kyle Lewis in the eighth inning of a 7-6 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, and then announced ace Justin Verlander will be shut down for at least two weeks with a strained right forearm.Astros manager Dusty Baker denied a report that said the injury would end Verlander’s season. He said Verlander would be evaluated after two weeks.Lewis and Shed Long Jr. each had two hits and two RBIs for the Mariners, who had dropped their last 15 games against Houston.Dan Altavilla (1-0) got the win. Taylor Williams yielded an RBI double to Michael Brantley before striking out Alex Bregman for his first career save.Martín Maldonado drove in two runs for Houston. Chris Devenski (0-1) got the loss.MARLINS 11, PHILLIES 6PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Miami scratched right-hander José Ureña from its victory at Philadelphia and delayed its postgame trip home amid concerns about a possible coronavirus outbreak within the team. No... [More]

Herb Vincent closes his eyes and drifts back a half-century, to his boyhood bedroom in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He’s 9, trying to stay awake deep into the night, the transistor radio tuned to distant KMOX in St. Louis, listening to Cardinals baseball.Bob Gibson’s shutouts, Lou Brock’s stolen bases and Joe Torre's slugging made for sweet dreams. What he heard in-between pitches sounded even better.“The muffled murmur of the crowd,” said Vincent, the associate commissioner of the Southeastern Conference. “It was like the soundtrack of the summer.”“I can hear it right now. You can make out a voice sometimes, maybe a peanut vendor or a yell,” he said. “It’s soothing, it’s reassuring.”Probably speaking for fans all over these days, he added: “I don’t know what it’s going to sound like this year.”No one does, really.Major League Baseball began its most bizarre season ever Thursday night, a 60-game sprint rather than the traditional 162-game marathon, a skewed schedule cut and carved around... [More]

Herb Vincent closes his eyes and drifts back a half-century, to his boyhood bedroom in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He’s 9, trying to stay awake deep into the night, the transistor radio tuned to distant KMOX in St. Louis, listening to Cardinals baseball.Bob Gibson’s shutouts, Lou Brock’s stolen bases and Joe Torre's slugging made for sweet dreams. What he heard in-between pitches sounded even better.“The muffled murmur of the crowd,” said Vincent, the associate commissioner of the Southeastern Conference. “It was like the soundtrack of the summer.”“I can hear it right now. You can make out a voice sometimes, maybe a peanut vendor or a yell,” he said. “It’s soothing, it’s reassuring.”Probably speaking for fans all over these days, he added: “I don’t know what it’s going to sound like this year.”No one does, really.Major League Baseball began its most bizarre season ever Thursday night, a 60-game sprint rather than the traditional 162-game marathon, a skewed schedule cut and carved around... [More]

Herb Vincent closes his eyes and drifts back a half-century, to his boyhood bedroom in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He’s 9, trying to stay awake deep into the night, the transistor radio tuned to distant KMOX in St. Louis, listening to Cardinals baseball.Bob Gibson’s shutouts, Lou Brock’s stolen bases and Joe Torre's slugging made for sweet dreams. What he heard in-between pitches sounded even better.“The muffled murmur of the crowd,” said Vincent, the associate commissioner of the Southeastern Conference. “It was like the soundtrack of the summer.”“I can hear it right now. You can make out a voice sometimes, maybe a peanut vendor or a yell,” he said. “It’s soothing, it’s reassuring.”Probably speaking for fans all over these days, he added: “I don’t know what it’s going to sound like this year.”No one does, really.Major League Baseball begins its most bizarre season ever Thursday night, a 60-game sprint rather than the traditional 162-game marathon, a skewed schedule cut and carved around... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Manager Dave Martinez got a kick out of seeing World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg and other Washington Nationals finally open their championship rings a couple of weeks ago in the clubhouse — even if it was months later than originally planned and with no one around but other members of the organization.“It’s definitely sad that we couldn’t have the fans here with us," Martinez said, then relayed his players' reaction while checking out the bling: “They all said, ‘Hey, let’s try to go get another one.’” Easier said than done, of course, especially lately. Beginning with Thursday night's opener of the pandemic-delayed season against the New York Yankees, the Nationals will attempt to do something no major league club has done in quite some time: win back-to-back World Series. It’s been two decades since the 2000 New York Yankees capped a run of three titles in a row, making the current stretch the longest drought without anyone winning consecutive championships in baseball's... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Juan Soto and Howie Kendrick found pictures of themselves and a “Welcome back” message waiting in the home clubhouse at Nationals Park when they finally joined the World Series champions for “summer camp” and played in an intrasquad scrimmage Thursday night.“I just feel back at home, back with my team,” said Soto, adding that it was uncomfortable to be stuck at home — an apartment he called too small to swing a bat — while seeing everyone else around the majors getting ready for the season for nearly two full weeks.“It was tough for me, because I wanted to be back so bad,” he said. “But I got through all that and now we’re back.” While the Nationals never explicitly announced why Soto and Kendrick were absent for the ramp-up, there is a city rule mandating that anyone coming into contact with someone who had the coronavirus needed to self-quarantine for 14 days.Pitcher Luís Garcia also was back with the team Thursday. Still missing from the Nationals, though: starting... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Middle-of-the-order batters Juan Soto and Howie Kendrick finally joined the Washington Nationals for “summer camp” and played in an intrasquad scrimmage Thursday night, after missing nearly two weeks of workouts.While the Nationals never explicitly announced why the key players were absent for the ramp-up to the regular season, there is a city rule mandating that anyone coming into contact with someone who had the coronavirus needed to self-quarantine for 14 days.Still missing: starting center fielder Victor Robles.Kendrick, an infielder and possible DH who was the MVP of Washington's NL Championship Series sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals last season, and Soto, the starting left fielder and breakout star of the team's run to the 2019 World Series title, each went to the plate in each inning in the early going Thursday.Kendrick was in the No. 3 spot in the top half of innings, and he singled off lefty starter Patrick Corbin in the first. Soto was in the No. 2 hole in the bottom half, lining a single over leaping shortstop Trea Turner's outstretched glove in the second against righty reliever Ryne Harper.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Gerrit Cole could make his New York Yankees debut in a tasty opening-day treat for fans, facing Juan Soto and World Series champion Washington at Nationals Park.The Yankees and Nationals are set meet when the virus-delayed season begins next month, a person familiar with the game told The Associated Press on Saturday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because there hasn’t been an official announcement.The New York Post first reported the matchup.MLB will start a 60-game season on July 23 or 24. The schedule is still being worked out -- there could be a game or two on the first day of play, or a full slate.Cole started the previous game played at Nationals Park. He pitched the Houston Astros past the Nationals 7-1 last October for a 3-2 edge in the World Series.Howie Kendrick, Anthony Rendon and the Nationals won the last two games to earn their first championship. Max Scherzer started Game 7 and fellow ace Stephen Strasburg was the World Series MVP, and either of... [More]

April 61972 — For the first time in history, the major leagues failed to open on schedule because of a player strike, which started on April 1. The traditional season opener between Houston and Cincinnati was canceled and a total of 86 games were lost before the strike was settled.1973 — Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees became the first major league designated hitter. With the bases loaded in the first inning, he was walked by pitcher Luis Tiant, but the Red Sox won 15-5.1973 — At the Oakland Coliseum, Tony Oliva became the first designated hitter to homer. The Twins DH hit a two-run shot in the first inning off of Catfish Hunter to Minnesota to an 8-3 win.1974 — Due to renovations at Yankee Stadium, the New York Yankees’ home opener took place at Shea Stadium. It was their first home game outside Yankee Stadium since 1922.1977 — The Seattle Mariners played their first regular-season game and lost 7-0 to the California Angels at the Kingdome.1982 — A freak storm that brought subfreezing... [More]

April 61972 — For the first time in history, the major leagues failed to open on schedule because of a player strike, which started on April 1. The traditional season opener between Houston and Cincinnati was canceled and a total of 86 games were lost before the strike was settled.1973 — Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees became the first major league designated hitter. With the bases loaded in the first inning, he was walked by pitcher Luis Tiant, but the Red Sox won 15-5.1973 — At the Oakland Coliseum, Tony Oliva became the first designated hitter to homer. The Twins DH hit a two-run shot in the first inning off of Catfish Hunter to Minnesota to an 8-3 win.1974 — Due to renovations at Yankee Stadium, the New York Yankees' home opener took place at Shea Stadium. It was their first home game outside Yankee Stadium since 1922.1977 — The Seattle Mariners played their first regular-season game and lost 7-0 to the California Angels at the Kingdome.1982 — A freak storm that brought subfreezing... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - (AP) — Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer was scratched from Tuesday's scheduled start against Miami because of fatigue on his right side.“There's not even a strain. There's no MRIs. There's nothing like that,” Scherzer said. “This is purely just a fatigue and endurance thing.”The 35-year-old right-hander said his right side has lagged behind the rest of his body as he attempts to build strength in preparation for the season.The fatigue is in the area of the latissimus dorsi, serratus and oblique muscles.“It's the one spot that's a little bit behind,” Scherzer said.He currently isn't feeling pain when he throws.“In the grand scheme of things, knock on wood, arm, shoulder, elbow, that all feels great,” Scherzer said.Scherzer had made three spring training starts. He expects to pitch Sunday against the Mets and remain on track to start the World Series champions' opener on March 26 at New York. Nationals manager Dave Martinez has not announced his opening day... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - (AP) — Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer was scratched from Tuesday's scheduled start against Miami because of fatigue on his right side.“There's not even a strain. There's no MRIs. There's nothing like that,” Scherzer said. “This is purely just a fatigue and endurance thing.”The 35-year-old right-hander said his right side has lagged behind the rest of his body as he attempts to build strength in preparation for the season.“In the grand scheme of things, knock on wood, arm, shoulder, elbow, that all feels great,” Scherzer said.Scherzer had made three spring training starts. He expects to pitch Sunday against the Mets and remain on track to start the World Series champions' opener on March 26 at New York. Nationals manager Dave Martinez has not announced his opening day starter.Scherzer is followed in the rotation by World Series MVP, Stephen Strasburg, Patrick Corbin and Aníbal Sánchez. There is a competition for the fifth slot.A three-time Cy Young Award winner, Scherzer was 11-7 with a 2.92 ERA last year, when he pitched 172 1/3 innings during the regular season and 30 in the postseason.___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Erick Fedde and Austin Voth take their pets to the dog beach together. They check out new restaurants together, too. Fedde and Joe Ross play each other in video games. When Fedde was called up to the majors for the first time, he crashed on Ross' couch in the Navy Yard neighborhood not far from Nationals Park.The trio of right-handers has known each other for years by now. They're pals. Their lockers are all in a row at spring training -- Ross, then Voth, then Fedde. And their futures in Washington are connected, too. In all likelihood, one member of the group will earn a spot in the rotation as the No. 5 starter, one will land a bullpen job as a long reliever and one will not make the opening day roster at all. It's one of the few areas of competition for last year's champions as the start of the regular season approaches in less than three weeks.Could make for some uncomfortable moments in the close quarters of a clubhouse."I really don't think it's awkward,... [More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — For the Philadelphia Phillies to compete in a tough division, they need better starting pitching. There's hope because none of their returning starters performed up to expectations last year, the team strengthened the top of the rotation by signing Zack Wheeler and new pitching coach Bryan Price has a track record of success working with pitchers."I like what our rotation brings because there's different looks, there's power, there's very good breaking balls, there's sinkers, there's different stuff," manager Joe Girardi said after a 10-2 win over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday. "It's going to be a different look every day which I think is important." Wheeler joins ace Aaron Nola to form a formidable 1-2 punch. Veteran Jake Arrieta, coming off an injury-shortened season, is the No. 3 starter. Zach Eflin appears to have the fourth spot locked up. Ranger Suarez has turned the competition for the fifth spot in into a three-man race with Vince Velasquez and Nick Pivetta.... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Stephen Strasburg chatted by his locker early in spring training with Wil Crowe — just a World Series MVP and a non-roster invitee for the Washington Nationals plopping themselves on a pair of folding chairs to talk shop during camp's ample idle time. Strasburg discussed "little pointers and some cues" about throwing out of the stretch, Crowe said, before an unexpected offer arrived."He said to meet him outside the next morning at 8, on the mound," said Crowe, a 2017 second-round draft pick from the University of South Carolina who split 2019 between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Fresno. "It was just me and him; no coaches, no staff. He watched me do my movements and try to take what he does and blend it into what I do."Fans know what Strasburg and three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer can do when they're on a mound for the Nationals, whose exhibition schedule resumes Thursday against St. Louis after Wednesday's day off. Their bona fides make that... [More]

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Patrick Corbin's longer-than-normal wait for his first spring start left him more refreshed that rusty.The Washington Nationals lefty made his Grapefruit League debut on Saturday, allowing one run to St. Louis in two quick innings of a 6-3 loss.“I liked what I saw out of Pat today,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. “He had some nice fluidity. He was getting extended, which was kind of nice. He said he felt good.”Corbin threw 202 innings regular-season innings last year and 23 1/3 more in the postseason, prompting the Nationals to slow his workload in the spring. He's the last of the reigning World Series champions' starters to appear in a spring game.In the postseason, Corbin started three games and made five relief appearances. “For a lot of us last year we threw a lot more than we have in the past or longer,” Corbin said. “I think it could help.”Corbin needed only 24 pitches to complete two innings. He walked two, and the lone hit he surrendered was a wind-aided,... [More]