A look at what's happening around the majors on Wednesday: WHO NEEDS A DH? Two-way star Shohei Ohtani is back on the mound, taking on Kevin Gausman and the Giants at Angel Stadium. Because the game is being played in an American League park, it has the potential to be the first where an NL team uses a designated hitter and the AL team does not. Ohtani has hit for himself in seven of his starts this season and went into Tuesday tied for the major league lead with 23 home runs. Ohtani (3-1, 2.70 ERA) will make his 11th start, his most in any season since 2016, when he started 20 times in Japan. Gausman (8-1) is tied for fourth in the majors in wins and is second with a 1.51 ERA. “Looking at Ohtani in person and how physical and athletic he is, and then seeing it, you know, play out in the numbers, it’s no easy task to get that dude out,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. “So we’ll have to be creative and figure out a way.” FAST STARTS Wander Franco homered and doubled in his major league debut... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — New York Mets manager Luis Rojas said Tuesday that he expects infielder Jeff McNeil to begin a rehab assignment by the end of the weekend. McNeil hasn't played since May 16 because of a strained left hamstring. He's hitting .242 with three home runs and eight RBIs on the season, but he batted over .300 each of his first three years in the big leagues, and the injury-plagued Mets could certainly use him back. Rojas also said outfielder Michael Conforto (right hamstring strain) is probably a couple weeks from starting his rehab assignment, but he's been able to hit and do defensive work. Outfielder Albert Almora (bruised left shoulder) was set to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday night, and infielder Luis Guillorme (right oblique strain) could be activated for the weekend. McNeil was expected to be out until late June, but Rojas said he's responded well to treatment and has been able to take grounders, run and swing the bat. Despite their injuries, the Mets entered Tuesday night's game at Baltimore with a 3 1/2-game lead in the NL East. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Mets right fielder Michael Conforto and second baseman Jeff McNeil have hamstring injuries that are likely to keep them out of action for another month. “They’re significant hamstring strains,” New York general manager Zack Scott said Monday during a lengthy recounting of the Mets’ MASH unit, which currently has a major league-high 16 players on the injured list plus right-hander Jordan Yamamoto set to join. “If I’m putting a timeframe on that, we’re probably looking at late June.” Three innings after rookie Johneshwy Fargas was hurt crashing into the center-field wall on Monday night, Mets owner Steve Cohen tweeted: “Anybody want to suit up?” Conforto and McNeil both got hurt on April 30. Right-hander Carlos Carrasco, sidelined by a strained right hamstring, won’t be ready to pitch for the Mets until late June or early July, Scott said. The six-week timetable from now is the same as the projection when Carrasco first got hurt on March 18. When Carrasco was moved from the... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Mets right fielder Michael Conforto and second baseman Jeff McNeil have hamstring injuries that are likely to keep them out of action for another month. “They’re significant hamstring strains,” New York general manager Zack Scott said Monday during a lengthy recounting of the Mets’ MASH unit, which currently has a major league-high 16 players on the injured list plus right-hander Jordan Yamamoto set to join. “If I’m putting a timeframe on that, we’re probably looking at late June.” Three innings after rookie Johneshwy Fargas was hurt crashing into the center-field wall on Monday night, Mets owner Steve Cohen tweeted: “Anybody want to suit up?” Conforto and McNeil both got hurt on April 30. Right-hander Carlos Carrasco, sidelined by a strained right hamstring, won’t be ready to pitch for the Mets until late June or early July, Scott said. The six-week timetable from now is the same as the projection when Carrasco first got hurt on March 18. When Carrasco was moved from the... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Mets right fielder Michael Conforto and second baseman Jeff McNeil have hamstring injuries that are likely to keep them out of action for another month. “They’re significant hamstring strains,” New York general manager Zack Scott said Monday during a lengthy recounting of the Mets’ MASH unit, which currently has a major league-high 16 players on the injured list plus right-hander Jordan Yamamoto set to join. “If I’m putting a timeframe on that, we’re probably looking at late June.” Conforto and McNeil both got hurt on April 30. Right-hander Carlos Carrasco, sidelined by a strained right hamstring, won’t be ready to pitch for the Mets until late June or early July, Scott said. The six-week timetable from now is the same as the projection when Carrasco first got hurt on March 18. When Carrasco was moved from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on May 9, Scott said there had not been a setback. “Probably when I spoke before, the word ‘setback’ to me implied something more... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Mets right fielder Michael Conforto and second baseman Jeff McNeil have hamstring injuries that are likely to keep them out of action for another month. “They’re significant hamstring strains,” general manager Zack Scott during Monday a lengthy recounting on the Mets’ MASH unit, which currently has a major league-high 16 players on the injured list with right-hander Jordan Yamamoto set to join. “If I’m putting a timeframe on that, we’re probably looking at late June.” Conforto and McNeil both got hurt on April 30. Right-hander Carlos Carrasco, sidelined by a strained right hamstring, won’t be ready to pitch for the Mets until late June or early July, Scott said. The six-week timetable from now is the same as the projection when Carrasco first got hurt on March 18. When Carrasco was moved from the 10-day to the 60-day IL on May 9, Scott said there had not been a setback. “Probably when I spoke before, the word ‘setback’ to me implied something more specific,” Scott... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The New York Mets added right hander Taijuan Walker to their lengthy injured list on Wednesday after he lasted only three innings in this week's start against the Braves due to tightness in his left side. In a related move, the Mets selected the contract of outfielder Cameron Maybin from Triple-A Syracuse and started him in left field in Wednesday night's game against the Atlanta Braves. The Mets acquired Maybin from the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday for cash. Walker was placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Tuesday. Left-hander Stephen Tarpley and right-hander Sam McWilliams also were placed on the injured list. Mets manager Louis Rojas says plan for Walker is similar to the schedule for Jacob deGrom, who is on the 10-day IL with tightness in his lower back. Rojas said deGrom will have an injury rehabilitation start with Class A St. Lucie on Thursday. The team wants to see deGrom avoid a recurrence of the discomfort in his back while pitching in a game. “We want to... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — New York Mets outfielder Kevin Pillar suffered multiple nasal fractures when he was hit in the face by a fastball from Braves reliever Jacob Webb, a frightening scene that shook both teams. Pillar made everyone feel a lot better when he brought out the lineup card before Tuesday night's game. Pillar was at Truist Park after meeting with a facial specialist to determine the next steps in his recovery. The 32-year-old veteran was placed on the 10-day injured list before the second game of the series between the NL East rivals. “It was such a scary moment,” Mets manager Luis Rojas said. “It unbelievable that he's here and walking around.” While Pillar is expected to be out for an extended period, he jokingly told Rojas that if “he could see a little better, he'd be fighting with me to be in the lineup.” As it was, Pillar brought out the Mets lineup for the exchange at home plate with Braves coach Walt Weiss and the four umpires. Even with a bruised and badly swollen face, and... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — New York Mets outfielder Kevin Pillar suffered multiple nasal fractures when he was hit in the face by a fastball from Braves reliever Jacob Webb, a frightening scene that shook both teams. Pillar made everyone feel a lot better when he brought out the lineup card before Tuesday night's game. Pillar was at Truist Park after meeting with a facial specialist to determine the next steps in his recovery. The 32-year-old veteran was placed on the 10-day injured list before the second game of the series between the NL East rivals. “It was such a scary moment,” Mets manager Luis Rojas said. “It unbelievable that he's here and walking around.” While Pillar is expected to be out for an extended period, he jokingly told Rojas that if “he could see a little better, he'd be fighting with me to be in the lineup.” As it was, Pillar brought out the Mets lineup for the exchange at home plate with Braves coach Walt Weiss and the four umpires. Even with a bruised and badly swollen face, and... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — New York Mets outfielder Kevin Pillar suffered multiple nasal fractures when he was hit in the face by a fastball from Braves reliever Jacob Webb, a frightening scene that shook both teams. Pillar met Tuesday with a facial specialist in Atlanta to determine the next steps. He was placed on the 10-day injured list, but was at Truist Park to watch the second game of the series between the NL East rivals. “It was such a scary moment,” Mets manager Luis Rojas said. “It unbelievable that he's here and walking around.” While Pillar is expected to be out for an extended period, he jokingly told Rojas that if “he could see a little better, he'd be fighting with me to be in the lineup.” Shortly after Rojas spoke, the Mets announced they had acquired veteran outfielder Cameron Maybin from the Chicago Cubs for cash. The 34-year-old Maybin had been in the minors this season and the Mets assigned him to Triple-A Syracuse. Pillar was hit square in the nose by a 95 mph pitch from Webb with... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Mets outfielder Kevin Pillar suffered multiple nasal fractures when he was hit in the face by a fastball from Braves reliever Jacob Webb, a frightening scene that shook both teams. Pillar met Tuesday with a facial specialist in Atlanta to determine the next steps. He was placed on the 10-day injured list, but was at Truist Park to watch the second game of the series between the NL East rivals. “It was such a scary moment,” Mets manager Luis Rojas said. “It unbelievable that he's here and walking around.” While Pillar is expected to be out for an extended period, he jokingly told Rojas that if “he could see a little better, he'd be fighting with me to be in the lineup.” Shortly after Rojas spoke, the Mets announced they had acquired veteran outfielder Cameron Maybin from the Chicago Cubs for cash. The 34-year-old Maybin had been in the minors this season and the Mets assigned him to Triple-A Syracuse. Pillar was hit square in the nose by a 95 mph pitch from Webb... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Mets outfielder Kevin Pillar suffered multiple nasal fractures when he was hit in the face by a fastball. The Mets say Pillar will meet with a facial specialist in Atlanta to determine the next steps. In a frightening scene that shook both teams, Pillar was drilled square in the nose by a 95 mph pitch from Braves reliever Jacob Webb with the bases loaded in the seventh inning Monday night. Pillar was knocked to the ground, and blood poured from his nose when he lifted his head. After the game, Mets manager Luis Rojas said the veteran outfielder was taken to the hospital for a CT scan. Pillar later provided an encouraging update on his Twitter account. “Thanks to everyone that has reached out! Scary moment but I’m doing fine!” he posted. Starter Taijuan Walker also was forced to leave the 3-1 win over the Braves, joining a long list of injured Mets players. Walker pitched only three innings, allowing one hit and no runs, before exiting with tightness in his left side. He was to have an MRI. The injuries to Walker and Pillar came after the Mets added two regulars to the injured list before the game. Ace starter Jacob deGrom already is on the IL, recovering from right side tightness. New York placed outfielder Michael Conforto and second baseman Jeff McNeil on the 10-day IL with hamstring injuries. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today: ___ FISH STORY An update on Mike Trout is expected after the Los Angeles Angels star exited Monday night’s win over Cleveland before the second inning because of a strained right calf. The three-time MVP was limping after running to third on an inning-ending popup in the first. Following the game, manager Joe Maddon said Trout was undergoing further evaluation — including an MRI — and the team would know more Tuesday. “I saw nothing. I looked up and he was limping to the third base bag,” Maddon said. “It was kind of innocuous and I had no idea why. It was hurting him pretty good.” Trout began the day batting .333 but was 1 for 17 in his past six games. He snapped a five-game hitless streak Sunday in Boston. BITE OUT OF THE BIG APPLE Both teams from New York are away this week and each one is having a painful road trip. After arriving in Atlanta, the Mets placed outfielder Michael Conforto and second baseman Jeff McNeil on the 10-day injured... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors on Tuesday: ___ BITE OUT OF THE BIG APPLE Both teams from New York are away this week and each one is having a painful road trip. After arriving in Atlanta, the Mets placed outfielder Michael Conforto and second baseman Jeff McNeil on the 10-day injured list Monday with strained hamstrings. The two were hurt in Sunday’s loss at Tampa Bay. Then starter Taijuan Walker exited early against the Braves with tightness in his left side, and outfielder Kevin Pillar was hit square in the face by a 95 mph fastball from reliever Jacob Webb. Blood poured from Pillar’s nose in a frightening scene, but he was escorted off the field under his own power with towels covering his face. After a 3-1 win, Mets manager Luis Rojas said Pillar was taken to the hospital for a CT scan. Pillar then provided an encouraging update on his Twitter account. “Thanks to everyone that has reached out! Scary moment but I’m doing fine!” he posted. The Mets already have ace starter... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Taijuan Walker and Kevin Pillar joined a long list of injured New York Mets players as both were forced to leave Monday night's 3-1 win against the Atlanta Braves. Walker pitched only three innings, allowing one hit and no runs, before exiting with tightness in his left side. With the bases loaded in the seventh, Pillar was hit square in the face by a 95 mph fastball from Jacob Webb. The veteran outfielder was knocked to the ground with blood pouring from his nose. Pillar was quickly helped to his feet with towels covering his face as he was escorted off the field. After the game, Mets manager Luis Rojas said Pillar was taken to the hospital for a CT scan. Pillar then provided an encouraging update on his Twitter account. “Thanks to everyone that has reached out! Scary moment but I’m doing fine!” he posted. Braves players, including Webb, watched the scary scene in shock. As members of the Atlanta grounds crew covered the blood left in the batter's box area, Webb was removed... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors on Tuesday: ___ BITE OUT OF THE BIG APPLE Both teams from New York are away from home this week and each one is having a painful road trip. After arriving in Atlanta, the Mets placed outfielder Michael Conforto and second baseman Jeff McNeil on the 10-day injured list Monday with strained hamstrings. Both players were hurt in Sunday’s loss at Tampa Bay. “We’re taking a week-to-week approach with both of these guys,” manager Luis Rojas said. Then starter Taijuan Walker exited early against the Braves with tightness in his left side, and outfielder Kevin Pillar was hit square in the face by a pitch. Blood poured from Pillar’s nose in a frightening scene, but he walked off the field under his own power. The Mets already have ace starter Jacob deGrom, outfielder Brandon Nimmo and third baseman J.D. Davis on the IL. Valuable reliever Seth Lugo was transferred from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL. recovering from right side tightness. Meanwhile,... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Taijuan Walker and Kevin Pillar joined a long list of injured New York Mets players as both were forced to leave Monday night's game against the Atlanta Braves. Walker pitched only three innings, allowing one hit and no runs, before exiting with tightness in his left side. With the bases loaded in the seventh, Pillar was hit square in the face by a pitch from Jacob Webb. The veteran outfielder was knocked to the ground with blood pouring from his nose. Pillar was quickly helped to his feet with towels covering his face as he was escorted off the field. There was no immediate update from the Mets on his condition. Braves players, including Webb, watched the frightening scene in shock. As members of the Atlanta grounds crew covered the blood left in the batter's box area, Webb was removed from the game. The injuries to Walker and Pillar came after the Mets added two regulars to the injured list before the game. Ace starter Jacob deGrom already is on the IL, recovering from... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Taijuan Walker left the New York Mets' game against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night with tightness in his left side. Walker pitched only three innings, allowing one hit and no runs, before leaving the game. The right-hander's injury is only the latest for the Mets, who added two regulars to the injured list before the game and already have ace starter Jacob deGrom recovering from right side tightness. The Mets placed outfielder Michael Conforto and second baseman Jeff McNeil on the 10-day IL with hamstring injuries. There was no immediate update on the severity of Walker's injury. Right-hander Sean Reid-Foley replaced Walker to start the fourth inning. Conforto strained his right hamstring and McNeil strained his left in Sunday's 7-1 loss at Tampa Bay. “We’re taking a week-to-week approach with both of these guys,” manager Luis Rojas said. Conforto and McNeil will remain with the Mets while receiving treatment. Conforto said Monday he had been dealing with other injuries,... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The New York Mets' depth is being tested after outfielder Michael Conforto and second baseman Jeff McNeil were placed on the 10-day injured list on Monday with hamstring injuries. Conforto strained his right hamstring and McNeil strained his left in Sunday's 7-1 loss at Tampa Bay. “We’re taking a week-to-week approach with both of these guys,” manager Luis Rojas said. Conforto and McNeil will remain with the Mets while receiving treatment. Conforto said Monday he had been dealing with other injuries, including a sore calf. “I felt like I had a good grip on all that stuff and something obviously wasn’t right going down to first base and unfortunately it grabbed on me and that’s where we’re at,” he said. Conforto described the injury as “very, very frustrating.” McNeil missed time last week with cramping in his leg and said Sunday the injuries may be related. McNeil is hitting .242 with three homers and eight RBIs. Conforto is hitting .230 with two homers and 13 RBIs. Conforto... [More]

A look at what’s happening around the majors today: ___ WELCOME BACK Jon Lester is set to start for the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field after spending the past six seasons with the Chicago Cubs. The 37-year-old lefty is 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA in three starts for his new team. Lester was a two-time All-Star for the Cubs and went 3-1 in the 2016 postseason as they won a most elusive championship. Lester pitched in relief in Game 7 of the World Series and his catcher was David Ross, now the Cubs manager. “Our guys are excited and I’m sure Jon is excited,” Ross said. “You are always excited to see a guy you made history with, plus there will be some bragging rights on the line.” TIMEOUT A day off might give the Phillies a break to cool off following a dugout confrontation between manager Joe Girardi and second baseman Jean Segura. Segura made two errors in Sunday’s 10-8 loss to Toronto. At one point, Segura had to be restrained by coach Dusty Wathan. “I didn’t actually see it,” Philadelphia... [More]