A look at what's happening around the majors today: ___ The Washington Nationals are finally set to start their season, hosting Atlanta after their three-game series against the New York Mets was postponed by a coronavirus outbreak. The Nats still have 11 players sidelined — four of whom tested positive for COVID-19. The Nationals haven’t announced who is in isolation because of test results or which additional seven players are under quarantine because contact tracing determined they could have been exposed to the illness. Asked whether it’s possible his Game 1 lineup for 2021 could feature as many as five starting position players that weren’t expected to be there on opening day, manager Dave Martinez replied: “It is possible. We’re going to make it work.” Washington’s active players practiced Monday — a group that included Game 1 starter Max Scherzer, outfielders Juan Soto and Victor Robles, and third baseman Starlin Castro. Among the key folks not present on the field while the media... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday: ___ The Washington Nationals are finally set to start their season, hosting the Atlanta Braves after their three-game series against the New York Mets was postponed by a coronavirus outbreak. The Nats still have 11 players sidelined -- four of whom tested positive for COVID-19. The Nationals haven’t announced who is in isolation because of test results or which additional seven players are under quarantine because contact tracing determined they could have been exposed to the illness. Asked whether it’s possible his Game 1 lineup for 2021 could feature as many as five starting position players that weren’t expected to be there on opening day, manager Dave Martinez replied: “It is possible. We’re going to make it work.” Washington’s active players practiced Monday -- a group that included Game 1 starter Max Scherzer, outfielders Juan Soto and Victor Robles and third baseman Starlin Castro. Among the key folks not present on the field... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — It's rare for there to be an abundance of intrigue associated with an otherwise mundane workout the day before a baseball club opens its regular season. Run the bases. Field. Hit. Yawn. In the Washington Nationals' case, the “full-team workout” held at their stadium under a clear blue sky Monday afternoon was worth watching because it hardly involved the full team. A coronavirus outbreak has sidelined 11 players — four of whom tested positive for COVID-19 — and delayed Washington's first game that counts until Tuesday. “Just anxious to finally get our season going,” said Max Scherzer, slated to face the visiting Atlanta Braves on Tuesday. The Nationals haven't announced who is in isolation because of test results or which additional seven players are under quarantine because contact tracing determined they could have been exposed to the illness. Asked whether it's possible his Game 1 lineup for 2021 could feature as many as five starting position players that weren’t expected... [More]

The Arizona Diamondbacks are ready to open the season in familiar fashion: with Mad Bum on the mound. Madison Bumgarner was tabbed by manager Torey Lovullo to make his second straight opening day start for the Diamondbacks on Thursday at San Diego. The 31-year-old four-time All-Star struggled last season — his first in Arizona — going 1-4 with a 6.48 ERA. He was 2-1 with a 6.35 ERA in three spring starts, including allowing six earned runs against Cincinnati on Friday. But Bumgarner, who signed a five-year, $85 million contract before last season, will still lead off a Diamondbacks rotation that includes Merrill Kelly, Caleb Smith, Taylor Widener and Luke Weaver. This will be the seventh opening day start in Bumgarner's career after doing so five times with San Francisco. The Yankees also are setting their rotation, announcing Sunday that Corey Kluber will follow ace Gerrit Cole against Toronto. Kluber, who signed a one-year, $11 million contract with New York, has thrown one inning in... [More]

The Arizona Diamondbacks are ready to open the season in familiar fashion: with Mad Bum on the mound. Madison Bumgarner was tabbed by manager Torey Lovullo to make his second straight opening day start for the Diamondbacks on Thursday at San Diego. The 31-year-old four-time All-Star struggled last season — his first in Arizona — going 1-4 with a 6.48 ERA. He was 2-1 with a 6.35 ERA in three spring starts, including allowing six earned runs against Cincinnati on Friday. But Bumgarner, who signed a five-year, $85 million contract before last season, will still lead off a Diamondbacks rotation that includes Merrill Kelly, Caleb Smith, Taylor Widener and Luke Weaver. This will be the seventh opening day start in Bumgarner's career after doing so five times with San Francisco. The Yankees also are setting their rotation, announcing Sunday that Corey Kluber will follow ace Gerrit Cole against Toronto. Kluber, who signed a one-year, $11 million contract with New York, has thrown one inning in... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Slumping Jesse Winker hit a three-run homer — one of four off White Sox starter Jonathan Stiever — and the Cincinnati Reds extended their surge into playoff contention with a 7-1 win Friday night for their season-high sixth victory in a row. The Reds moved to .500 (26-26) for the first time since Aug. 3. Their winning streak has them in playoff position, in second place in the NL Central behind the Cubs. The AL Central-leading White Sox clinched their first playoff berth since 2008 with a win over the Twins on Thursday night. Their momentum hit a snag as Stiever (0-1) got hit hard in his first major league road appearance. The 23-year-old right-hander allowed Winker’s shot and solo homers by Joey Votto, Nick Castellanos and Tucker Barnhart. Tyler Mahle (2-2) got his first win since Aug. 28, allowing four hits and fanning eight in 5 2/3 innings. CARDINALS 6, PIRATES 5, 1st game PITTSBURGH (AP) — Kolten Wong hit the second leadoff home run of his career, Tyler O’Neill added... [More]

Rays first. Austin Meadows pops out to shallow left field to Trea Turner. Brandon Lowe flies out to deep left center field to Juan Soto. Randy Arozarena hit by pitch. Nate Lowe doubles to deep right field. Randy Arozarena scores. Manuel Margot strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Rays 1, Nationals 0.Nationals sixth. Trea Turner flies out to deep right field to Manuel Margot. Juan Soto walks. Asdrubal Cabrera homers to right field. Juan Soto scores. Yan Gomes strikes out swinging. Carter Kieboom flies out to right center field to Kevin Kiermaier.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 2, Rays 1.Rays ninth. Mike Brosseau pinch-hitting for Michael Perez. Mike Brosseau strikes out on a foul tip. Austin Meadows flies out to right center field to Michael A. Taylor. Brandon Lowe homers to right field. Yoshi Tsutsugo strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 2, Rays 2.Nationals tenth. Luis Garcia homers to center field. Carter Kieboom scores. Victor Robles called out on strikes. Michael A. Taylor strikes out swinging. Jake Noll strikes out swinging.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 4, Rays 2.

Braves first. Ronald Acuna Jr. strikes out swinging. Freddie Freeman doubles to deep center field. Marcell Ozuna strikes out swinging. Travis d'Arnaud doubles to deep right center field. Freddie Freeman scores. Dansby Swanson flies out to deep center field to Victor Robles.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Braves 1, Nationals 0.Nationals second. Asdrubal Cabrera homers to right field. Kurt Suzuki grounds out to second base, Ozzie Albies to Freddie Freeman. Eric Thames strikes out swinging. Carter Kieboom strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Braves 1, Nationals 1.Braves fourth. Travis d'Arnaud singles to deep right field. Dansby Swanson called out on strikes. Nick Markakis doubles to center field. Travis d'Arnaud scores. Adam Duvall lines out to center field to Victor Robles. Austin Riley called out on strikes.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Braves 2, Nationals 1.Nationals fourth. Juan Soto doubles to center field. Asdrubal Cabrera lines out to deep right field to... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Alex Bregman singled in the go-ahead run during a five-run ninth inning, and the Astros rallied past the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-5 under smoky skies Saturday night in Houston’s first visit since the infamous 2017 World Series.The Dodgers blew a three-run lead in the ninth when Kenley Jansen (3-1) got knocked around, giving up four consecutive hits without an out.Josh James (1-0) got the victory with 1 1/3 innings of relief. Ryan Pressly earned his ninth save.The game lacked the fiery emotion of the teams’ matchup on July 29. But there were multiple reminders that Dodger fans haven’t forgotten the Astros’ cheating scandal from their championship three years ago.A plane towed a banner reading “Houston Cheats Bang Bang” over the stadium.WHITE SOX 14, TIGERS 0CHICAGO (AP) — José Abreu hit two three-run homers and matched a career high with seven RBIs, and the White Sox earned their eighth straight win against the Tigers.Abreu went 4 for 4 a day after his career-best 22-game... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Alex Bregman singled in the go-ahead run during a five-run ninth inning, and the Astros rallied past the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-5 under smoky skies Saturday night in Houston’s first visit since the infamous 2017 World Series.The Dodgers blew a three-run lead in the ninth when Kenley Jansen (3-1) got knocked around, giving up four consecutive hits without an out.Josh James (1-0) got the victory with 1 1/3 innings of relief. Ryan Pressly earned his ninth save.The game lacked the fiery emotion of the teams’ matchup on July 29. But there were multiple reminders that Dodger fans haven’t forgotten the Astros’ cheating scandal from their championship three years ago.A plane towed a banner reading “Houston Cheats Bang Bang” over the stadium.WHITE SOX 14, TIGERS 0CHICAGO (AP) — José Abreu hit two three-run homers and matched a career high with seven RBIs, and the White Sox earned their eighth straight win against the Tigers.Abreu went 4 for 4 a day after his career-best 22-game... [More]

Nationals first. Adam Eaton doubles. Trea Turner walks. Juan Soto doubles to deep right field. Trea Turner scores. Adam Eaton scores. Eric Thames singles to right field. Juan Soto scores. Brock Holt grounds out to shallow infield. Eric Thames out at second. Yan Gomes doubles to deep left field. Luis Garcia pops out to shortstop to Dansby Swanson.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 3, Braves 0.Nationals third. Trea Turner doubles to left field. Juan Soto singles to left field. Trea Turner scores. Eric Thames strikes out swinging. Brock Holt grounds out to shallow infield, Ozzie Albies to Freddie Freeman. Juan Soto to third. Yan Gomes singles to shallow center field. Juan Soto scores. Luis Garcia grounds out to shallow right field, Ozzie Albies to Freddie Freeman.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 5, Braves 0.Braves fourth. Adam Duvall strikes out swinging. Nick Markakis doubles to deep right field. Ozzie Albies walks. Ender Inciarte flies out to deep right field to... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Yadiel Hernández, who played for five years at a top level in his native Cuba before signing with Washington in 2016, made his major league debut at age 32 for the Nationals on Thursday night.The highly experienced rookie entered as a pinch-runner in the ninth inning of the Nationals' 7-6 loss to the Atlanta Braves. His first big league at-bat will have to wait.Hernández put up impressive numbers in the minors but was stuck in the Nationals' system behind younger outfielders like Juan Soto and Victor Robles.Washington manager Dave Martinez said Hernández reminded him of his former teammate Jim Morris, a relief pitcher who made his major league debut at age 35 and whose story was dramatized in the Dennis Quaid movie “The Rookie.”“It’s an older guy trying to live out his dream and that’s to play in the major leagues,” Martinez said. “To be the guy to tell him, yeah, ‘Congratulations, you worked really hard, keep doing what you’re doing.’ ... To see his face today was awesome.”Hernández... [More]

Nationals first. Victor Robles called out on strikes. Adam Eaton singles to deep left field. Trea Turner triples. Adam Eaton scores. Juan Soto doubles. Trea Turner scores. Asdrubal Cabrera triples to deep left center field. Juan Soto scores. Josh Harrison grounds out to shallow infield, Ozzie Albies to Freddie Freeman. Yan Gomes flies out to left center field to Adam Duvall.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 3, Braves 0.Nationals second. Michael A. Taylor doubles. Carter Kieboom lines out to deep center field to Ronald Acuna Jr.. Michael A. Taylor to third. Victor Robles lines out to shallow infield to Freddie Freeman. Adam Eaton homers to center field. Michael A. Taylor scores. Trea Turner walks. Juan Soto is intentionally walked. Asdrubal Cabrera walks. Juan Soto to second. Trea Turner to third. Josh Harrison reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Asdrubal Cabrera out at second.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 4 left on. Nationals 5, Braves 0.Braves fourth. Ronald Acuna... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Nationals have selected the contract of 32-year-old rookie Yadiel Hernández, who played for five years at a top level in his native Cuba before signing with Washington in 2016.Hernández has put up impressive numbers in the minors but has yet to play in the majors, stuck in the Nationals' system behind younger outfielders like Juan Soto and Victor Robles.Washington manager Dave Martinez said Hernández reminded him of his former teammate Jim Morris, a relief pitcher who made his major league debut at age 35 and whose story was dramatized in the Dennis Quaid movie “The Rookie.”“It’s an older guy trying to live out his dream and that’s to play in the major leagues,” Martinez said. “To be the guy to tell him, yeah, ‘Congratulations, you worked really hard, keep doing what you’re doing.’ ... To see his face today was awesome.”Hernández hit 33 homers in the minors last year and was Washington’s minor league player of the year. Martinez said the Nationals chose Hernández over... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Nationals have selected the contract of 32-year-old rookie Yadiel Hernández, who played professionally for five years in his native Cuba before signing with Washington in 2016.Hernández has put up impressive numbers in the minors but has yet to play in the majors, stuck in the Nationals' system behind younger outfielders like Juan Soto and Victor Robles.Washington manager Dave Martinez said Hernández reminded him of his former teammate Jim Morris, a relief pitcher who made his major league debut at age 35 and whose story was dramatized in the Dennis Quaid movie “The Rookie.”“It’s an older guy trying to live out his dream and that’s to play in the major leagues,” Martinez said. “To be the guy to tell him, yeah, ‘Congratulations, you worked really hard, keep doing what you’re doing.’ ... To see his face today was awesome.”Hernández hit 33 homers in the minors last year and was Washington’s minor league player of the year. Martinez said the Nationals chose Hernández over... [More]

Nationals first. Victor Robles hit by pitch. Adam Eaton out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Yoshi Tsutsugo to Ji-Man Choi. Victor Robles to second. Trea Turner walks. Juan Soto grounds out to shallow infield, Yoshi Tsutsugo to Ji-Man Choi. Trea Turner to third. Victor Robles scores. Kurt Suzuki grounds out to second base, Ji-Man Choi to Ryan Yarbrough.1 run, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 1, Rays 0.Nationals second. Asdrubal Cabrera strikes out swinging. Josh Harrison flies out to deep left center field to Randy Arozarena. Brock Holt doubles to deep right field. Carter Kieboom doubles to deep left field. Brock Holt scores. Victor Robles flies out to center field to Kevin Kiermaier.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 2, Rays 0.Nationals third. Adam Eaton flies out to center field to Kevin Kiermaier. Trea Turner doubles to deep left field. Juan Soto singles to second base. Trea Turner to third. Kurt Suzuki hit by pitch. Juan Soto to second. Asdrubal Cabrera out on... [More]

Nationals second. Kurt Suzuki flies out to deep right field to Brandon Lowe. Josh Harrison walks. Eric Thames singles to deep center field. Josh Harrison to third. Carter Kieboom reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Eric Thames out at second. Josh Harrison scores. Michael A. Taylor grounds out to second base, Joey Wendle to Ji-Man Choi.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 1, Rays 0.Nationals third. Victor Robles doubles to deep left center field. Adam Eaton flies out to Brandon Lowe. Victor Robles to third. Trea Turner singles to left field. Victor Robles scores. Brock Holt lines out to left field to Austin Meadows. Kurt Suzuki doubles to deep left field. Trea Turner scores. Josh Harrison pops out to Yoshi Tsutsugo.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 3, Rays 0.Nationals sixth. Brock Holt doubles to deep right field. Kurt Suzuki singles to shallow right field. Brock Holt to third. Josh Harrison singles to deep right field. Kurt Suzuki to second. Brock Holt... [More]

Nationals second. Asdrubal Cabrera strikes out swinging. Brock Holt singles to center field. Yan Gomes pops out to shallow center field to Dansby Swanson. Eric Thames singles to deep right field. Brock Holt scores. Carter Kieboom grounds out to shallow infield to Freddie Freeman.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 1, Braves 0.Braves fourth. Travis d'Arnaud called out on strikes. Austin Riley singles to shallow left field. Adam Duvall doubles. Austin Riley to third. Tyler Flowers doubles. Adam Duvall scores. Austin Riley scores. Adeiny Hechavarria grounds out to third base, Carter Kieboom to Eric Thames. Ronald Acuna Jr. is intentionally walked. Dansby Swanson singles to shortstop. Ronald Acuna Jr. to second. Tyler Flowers to third. Freddie Freeman flies out to left field to Brock Holt.2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Braves 2, Nationals 1.Braves fifth. Marcell Ozuna homers to left field. Travis d'Arnaud grounds out to third base, Carter Kieboom to Eric Thames. Austin Riley... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Anthony Rendon hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning, Albert Pujols drove in three runs and the Los Angeles Angels rallied for a 7-6 victory over the Houston Astros to sweep Saturday’s doubleheader.It was not a walk-off win for the Angels, though. They were the visiting team in the nightcap because it was a makeup of the Aug. 26 game in Houston that was postponed due to Tropical Storm Laura.Mike Trout became the Angels’ home run leader in the first game with No. 300 of his career and Jo Adell celebrated with a game-winning, two-run single in the seventh to give Los Angeles a 10-9 win.Rendon hitting homers to sink the Astros is nothing new. He had a three-run shot for Washington in Game 6 of last year’s World Series and then a solo drive in the deciding game to start the Nationals’ comeback.Noe Ramirez (1-0) worked a scoreless sixth and Ty Buttrey earned his fifth save.Los Angeles trailed 6-4 in the seventh. Justin Upton singled and Trout walked before Rendon... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Mike Trout became the Angels’ career home run leader and Jo Adell celebrated with a game-ending, two-run single in the seventh, lifting Los Angeles to a 10-9 victory over the Houston Astros in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday.The Angels trailed by two going into the seventh. Trout and Shohei Ohtani drew walks before Justin Upton doubled to drive in Trout. One out later, Adell lined a two-run single to right off Enoli Paredes (1-2) for his first game-ending hit.Trout hit career homer No. 300 in the third inning to pass Tim Salmon as the franchise leader. He also had a pair of doubles.Adell and Upton also homered, and Felix Peña (3-0) got the win.Kyle Tucker homered and drove in three runs for the Astros, who lost in walk-off fashion for the second straight game.INDIANS 4, BREWERS 3CLEVELAND (AP) — Milwaukee closer Josh Hader allowed his first hit of the season, and then gave up César Hernández’s game-winning single in the ninth inning.Oscar Mercado, who... [More]