At Wrigley Field, misters in the back of the bleachers tried to cool the crowd. At Yankee Stadium, only one player took batting practice on the field. In Cleveland, rules were relaxed on what fans could bring into the park.Even for a sport that promotes high heat, Saturday was a scorcher across the major leagues. The National Weather Service said it was part of "a dangerous heat wave" gripping much of the country.From the Northeast through the Midwest, no player, manager or umpire was spared as temperatures soared near triple digits in big league broilers.Hours before Baltimore played Boston at sweltering Camden Yards, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde pulled aside starting catcher Chance Sisco and issued a stiff directive."I told Chance, 'Do not go outside until the game starts,'" Hyde said.Sisco went all nine innings Friday night and was in the lineup again while backup Pedro Severino recovers from an illness."I told Chance, I don't want him hustling on and off the field. I want to see him... [More]

At Wrigley Field, misters in the back of the bleachers tried to cool the crowd. At Yankee Stadium, only one player took batting practice on the field. In Cleveland, rules were relaxed on what fans could bring into the park.Even for a sport that promotes high heat, Saturday was a scorcher across the major leagues. The National Weather Service said it was part of "a dangerous heat wave" gripping much of the country.From the Northeast through the Midwest, no player, manager or umpire was spared as temperatures soared near triple digits.Hours before Baltimore played Boston at sweltering Camden Yards, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde pulled aside starting catcher Chance Sisco and issued a stiff directive."I told Chance, 'Do not go outside until the game starts,'" Hyde said.Sisco went all nine innings Friday night and was in the lineup again while backup Pedro Severino recovers from an illness."I told Chance, I don't want him hustling on and off the field. I want to see him walking," Hyde said. "When... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Rain keeps interrupting the New York Yankees' sunny season.The scheduled game between the Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays was postponed Wednesday night due to a forecast of thunderstorms and severe weather.Though no showers were falling yet on a humid evening in the Bronx, the game was called about 35 minutes before it was supposed to start — drawing groans from some fans scattered throughout the stands. But less than two hours later, it was pouring at Yankee Stadium as lightning flashed in the sky.The game will be made up Thursday as part of a single-admission doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m. After that, Tampa Bay is not scheduled to return to New York this season."Obviously, it kind of stinks. But maybe not the worst thing," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "I kind of like the off day to freshen up the bullpen a little bit."New York leads the AL East by six games over the Rays. The teams split their first two matchups this week and the Yankees hold a 10-5 advantage in the season... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Rain keeps interrupting the New York Yankees' sunny season.The scheduled game between the Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays was postponed Wednesday night due to a forecast of thunderstorms and severe weather.Though no showers were falling yet on a humid evening in the Bronx, the game was called about 35 minutes before it was supposed to start — drawing groans from some fans scattered throughout the stands. But less than two hours later, it was pouring at Yankee Stadium as lightning flashed in the sky.The game will be made up Thursday as part of a single-admission doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m. After that, Tampa Bay is not scheduled to return to New York this season."Obviously, it kind of stinks. But maybe not the worst thing," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "I kind of like the off day to freshen up the bullpen a little bit."New York leads the AL East by six games over the Rays. The teams split their first two matchups this week and the Yankees hold a 10-5 advantage in the season... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Cameron Maybin is the 21st player to go on the injured list this year for the New York Yankees, exceeding their total for the entire 2018 season.The 32-year-old Maybin has a strained left calf. To replace the veteran outfielder on the roster, the AL East leaders recalled left-hander Nestor Cortes Jr. from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre before Sunday's game against Houston.The Yankees acquired Maybin in a trade with Cleveland on April 25. He is batting .314 with five homers and 14 RBIs in 42 games.Maybin got hurt in the third inning of Friday's 4-1 win over the Astros. Manager Aaron Boone said he has a Grade 2 strain and will be out for a while.Cortes is 2-0 with a 4.09 ERA in seven appearances for New York this year.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Looking for a big start, the New York Yankees found an unorthodox spot for Aaron Judge in his long-awaited return to the lineup.After missing two months with a left oblique injury, Judge was back Friday night against Houston and batted leadoff for the first time in his major league career."I loved it. More at-bats. That's the best part about it," Judge said after going 0 for 4 with two strikeouts in a 4-1 victory. "Every time I came up it felt like there was somebody on base somewhere, so it's a good little spot. Hope it was not my last time doing it."Normally the team's No. 2 hitter, the 6-foot-7, 282-pound slugger was moved to the top spot as manager Aaron Boone toys with how best to arrange his power-packed batting order. Regular leadoff man DJ LeMahieu was rested."I'm just trying to get my best players up there as much as possible," Boone said.Judge received a boisterous ovation from the Yankee Stadium crowd when No. 99 was introduced with a "Welcome back!" from public... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Looking for a big start, the New York Yankees found an unorthodox spot for Aaron Judge in his long-awaited return to the lineup.After missing two months with a left oblique injury, Judge was back Friday night against Houston and batted leadoff for the first time in his major league career.Normally the team's No. 2 hitter, the 6-foot-7, 282-pound slugger was moved to the top spot as manager Aaron Boone toys with how best to arrange his power-packed batting order. Regular leadoff man DJ LeMahieu was rested."I'm just trying to get my best players up there as much as possible," Boone said.Judge received a boisterous ovation from the Yankee Stadium crowd when No. 99 was introduced with a "Welcome back!" from public address announcer Paul Olden. Judge ran the count full his first time up before grounding out to first base against right-hander Brad Peacock.Astros skipper AJ Hinch deadpanned that Judge is the largest leadoff hitter he'll ever manage against."He brings an immediate... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Looking for a big start, the New York Yankees found an unorthodox spot for Aaron Judge in his long-awaited return to the lineup.After missing two months with a left oblique injury, Judge was back Friday night against Houston and batted leadoff for the first time in his major league career.Normally the team's No. 2 hitter, the 6-foot-7, 282-pound slugger was moved to the top spot as manager Aaron Boone toys with how best to arrange his power-packed batting order."I'm just trying to get my best players up there as much as possible," Boone said.Judge received a boisterous ovation from the Yankee Stadium crowd when No. 99 was introduced with a "Welcome back!" from public address announcer Paul Olden. Judge ran the count full his first time up before grounding out to first base against right-hander Brad Peacock.Astros skipper AJ Hinch deadpanned that Judge is the largest leadoff hitter he'll ever manage against."He brings an immediate threat from the first pitch of the game tonight,"... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge is back in the New York Yankees' lineup and batting leadoff for the first time in his major league career.After missing two months with a left oblique injury, Judge returned Friday night against Houston. Normally the team's No. 2 hitter, the 6-foot-7, 282-pound slugger was moved to the top spot as manager Aaron Boone toys with how best to arrange his power-packed batting order now that Edwin Encarnación has arrived and several Yankees stars are healed up.Along with his prodigious power, Judge has a sharp eye at the plate. He batted leadoff in spring training 2018 as the Yankees explored the idea — but he'd never started there in a regular-season game until now.Gary Sánchez, with 22 homers and 50 RBIs, hit second for New York ahead of lefty-swinging Didi Gregorius and cleanup man Giancarlo Stanton. Encarnación, leading the American League with 23 home runs, was fifth in front of lefty Brett Gardner, Gleyber Torres, Gio Urshela and Cameron Maybin.Encarnación was acquired last weekend in a trade with Seattle.Astros skipper AJ Hinch deadpanned that Judge is the largest leadoff hitter he'll ever manage against.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge is all set to swing back into action for the New York Yankees.The slugger is expected to be activated from the injured list Friday night to play against Houston, his first game since straining his left oblique on a swing April 20.The 27-year-old right fielder was batting .288 with five home runs and 11 RBIs when he got hurt."I'm not going to try to baby it or go at 80%. We're in the major leagues," Judge said Thursday night. "We're ready to go. That's not something I'm worried about happening again."Judge was smiling in the Yankees clubhouse before the series opener against the Astros in a matchup of first-place teams."To see him walk through the doors earlier today and walk into the coaches' room, really good seeing him knowing he feels really good," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.Judge's return will come the same week fellow slugger Giancarlo Stanton returned from a series of injuries that caused the former NL MVP to miss 68 games. The Yankees have added... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner would consider boosting payroll above the third luxury tax level in an effort to help New York win its first World Series in a decade.Despite placing 20 players on the injured list and matching last season's total, the Yankees lead the AL East as the season approaches the halfway point. New York already has added AL home run leader Edwin Encarnación."I'm really proud of the guys," Steinbrenner said Wednesday at the major league owners meetings. "We don't like to complain about injuries, but it's just a fact that this has been a season to remember when it comes to ILs and injuries, and a lot of these young kids have come up and taken advantage of the opportunity that was given to them."New York in 2018 dropped below the luxury tax threshold for the first time since the restraint on spending started in 2003, resetting the team's tax rates to lower levels. The Yankees started the season with a $225.9 million payroll for purposes of the tax, well... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:OUCH!Nationals ace Max Scherzer has a broken nose after fouling a ball off his face during batting practice Tuesday, and it's unclear when he'll return to the mound. Scherzer was attempting a bunt when he redirected a pitch off his face. The three-time Cy Young Award winner was scheduled to start one of the two games during a day-night doubleheader against Philadelphia on Wednesday. The Nationals said Scherzer's status — as well as the team's pitching plan for the doubleheader — was still to be determined.ROUGH CUTSWith Aaron Judge nearing a return from the injured list, the Yankees are facing an unusual roster crunch. Judge could be back in the Bronx any day, and Cameron Maybin would be a most logical option to get cut on his return — except Maybin has been the club's hottest hitter, homering Tuesday in his fourth consecutive game. Maybin can't be optioned to Triple-A, so keeping him would likely require the Yankees to go short-handed... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday:OUCH!Nationals ace Max Scherzer has a broken nose after fouling a ball off his face during batting practice Tuesday, and it's unclear when he'll return to the mound. Scherzer was attempting a bunt when he redirected a pitch off his face. The three-time Cy Young Award winner was scheduled to start one of the two games during a day-night doubleheader against Philadelphia on Wednesday. The Nationals said Scherzer's status — as well as the team's pitching plan for the doubleheader — was still to be determined.ROUGH CUTSWith Aaron Judge nearing a return from the injured list, the Yankees are facing an unusual roster crunch. Judge could be back in the Bronx any day, and Cameron Maybin would be a most logical option to get cut on his return — except Maybin has been the club's hottest hitter, homering Tuesday in his fourth consecutive game. Maybin can't be optioned to Triple-A, so keeping him would likely require the Yankees to go short-handed... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Austin Romine and Cameron Maybin each drove in two runs during New York's five-run second inning, and the Yankees beat the Kansas City Royals 6-5 on Saturday night to complete a doubleheader sweep and run their win streak to seven in a row.Maybin also had an RBI single in the third as New York won both games after severe thunderstorms postponed Friday night's contest.Luke Voit hit a go-ahead home in the seventh inning to power the Yankees to a 7-3 victory in the opener. J.A. Happ (4-3) struck out 10 in six innings.Chance Adams (1-0) threw four innings to earn his first major league victory in the second game after Chad Green threw one inning as the Yankees' opener. Aroldis Chapman earned his 250th career save.Kansas City's Hunter Dozier doubled twice after going hitless in the opener, driving in Adalberto Mondesi in the first inning and coming around to score on Jorge Soler's double in the fourth inning.Scott Barlow (1-1) and Jorge Lopez (0-6) got the losses for... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Austin Romine and Cameron Maybin each drove in two runs during New York's five-run second inning, and the Yankees beat the Kansas City Royals 6-5 on Saturday night to complete a doubleheader sweep and run their win streak to seven in a row.Maybin also had an RBI single in the third as New York won both games after severe thunderstorms postponed Friday night's contest.Luke Voit hit a go-ahead home in the seventh inning to power the Yankees to a 7-3 victory in the opener. J.A. Happ (4-3) struck out 10 in six innings.Chance Adams (1-0) threw four innings to earn his first major league victory in the second game after Chad Green threw one inning as the Yankees' opener. Aroldis Chapman earned his 250th career save.Kansas City's Hunter Dozier doubled twice after going hitless in the opener, driving in Adalberto Mondesi in the first inning and coming around to score on Jorge Soler's double in the fourth inning.Scott Barlow (1-1) and Jorge Lopez (0-6) got the losses for... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Austin Romine and Cameron Maybin each drove in two runs during New York's five-run second inning, and the Yankees beat the Kansas City Royals 6-5 on Saturday night to complete a doubleheader sweep and run their win streak to seven in a row.Maybin also had an RBI single in the third as New York won both games after severe thunderstorms postponed Friday night's contest.Luke Voit hit a go-ahead home in the seventh inning to power the Yankees to a 7-3 victory in the opener. J.A. Happ (4-3) struck out 10 in six innings.Chance Adams (1-0) threw four innings to earn his first major league victory in the second game after Chad Green threw one inning as the Yankees' opener. Aroldis Chapman earned his 250th career save.Kansas City's Hunter Dozier doubled twice after going hitless in the opener, driving in Adalberto Mondesi in the first inning and coming around to score on Jorge Soler's double in the fourth inning.Scott Barlow (1-1) and Jorge Lopez (0-6) got the losses for... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Michael Tauchman reported to the New York Yankees for the first time before an exhibition game at Washington, three days before opening day and two days after he was acquired from Colorado in a trade."Aaron Judge came over during batting practice, said, 'Hey man, you're here to help us win. You need anything, let me know.'" the outfielder recalled. "That's such a little thing. It took maybe 15 seconds, but it's great to know these guys really made me feel like part of a team from the minute I stepped in the clubhouse."Little did Tauchman and the Yankees know how much the club would need him.New York already has placed 16 players on the injured list this season, four shy of its disabled list total for all of last year. Still, the Yankees are 23-16, 1½ games behind first-place Tampa Bay in the AL East.Tauchman and Cameron Maybin were acquired in trades. Infielder Thairo Estrada, first baseman Mike Ford and pitcher Joseph Harvey were brought up from the minors to make their... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Michael Tauchman reported to the New York Yankees for the first time before an exhibition game at Washington, three days before opening day and two days after he was acquired from Colorado in a trade."Aaron Judge came over during batting practice, said, 'Hey man, you're here to help us win. You need anything, let me know.'" the outfielder recalled. "That's such a little thing. It took maybe 15 seconds, but it's great to know these guys really made me feel like part of a team from the minute I stepped in the clubhouse."Little did Tauchman and the Yankees know how much the club would need him.New York already has placed 16 players on the injured list this season, four shy of its disabled list total for all of last year. Still, the Yankees started Saturday with a 23-15 record, a half-game behind first-place Tampa Bay in the AL East.Tauchman and Cameron Maybin were acquired in trades. Infielder Thairo Estrada, first baseman Mike Ford and pitcher Joseph Harvey were brought up... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Mike Fiers of the Oakland Athletics pitched his second career no-hitter by shutting down the Cincinnati Reds with help from two spectacular defensive plays in a 2-0 victory Tuesday night.Fiers (3-3) followed up his 2015 gem against the Dodgers with a 131-pitch masterpiece to become the 35th pitcher with multiple no-hitters in his career. He walked two, struck out six and ended it by fanning Eugenio Suarez with a big curveball.The A's poured out of the dugout to mob Fiers in celebration after the final out in front of a few thousand fans remaining — the game started more than 1 ½ hours later because of a light malfunction at the Coliseum. Fiers tipped his hat to the crowd and raised his arms in triumph as he walked off.This one didn't come without tense moments as Fiers was bailed out by back-to-back great defensive plays in the sixth inning. Second baseman Jurickson Profar made a diving catch on Kyle Farmer's popup into short right field for the second out, prompting... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Shohei Ohtani went 0 for 4 with an RBI groundout and walked once in his season debut as the Los Angeles Angels beat the Detroit Tigers 5-2 Tuesday night.The Angels activated the AL Rookie of the Year from the injured list and looking very eager to make an impact, Ohtani swung so hard at times that his helmet flew off his head.The 24-year-old two-way player isn't expected to pitch this year as he recovers from Tommy John surgery in October. But the Angels, who are under .500, are hoping Ohtani can provide a boost as their designated hitter.Griffin Canning (1-0) earned the win in his second career start, giving up two runs and four hits over 5 1/3 innings while striking out seven. Hansel Robles pitched the ninth for his third save in as many chances.Daniel Norris (1-1) took the loss.CUBS 5, MARLINS 2CHICAGO (AP) — Kris Bryant hit a tiebreaking, three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning, lifting the Chicago Cubs over Miami.With runners on the corners, Bryant drove a... [More]