CINCINNATI (AP) — Nick Castellanos stood over, flexed and jawed at St. Louis pitcher Jake Woodford after scoring, setting off a series of scuffles that included relievers shoving in the outfield as the Cincinnati Reds beat the Cardinals 9-6 Saturday. St. Louis starter Adam Wainwright was knocked around for six runs and chased in the third. The next inning, the teams started tagging each other. Castellanos, who homered on opening day and hopped out of the box before tossing his bat, was plunked by Woodford with two outs and none on in the fourth. Castellanos retrieved the ball and offered to toss it back to Woodford before flipping it out of play. A wild pitch soon sent Castellanos scampering home from third and he scored with a headfirst slide for a 7-2 lead as he bumped into Woodford, who took the throw from catcher Yadier Molina at the plate. As Castellanos began walking away, Molina rushed up and tapped him from behind, and the benches and bullpens emptied in a wild scene. There was... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today: ___ ALL-STAR SPOT? Major League Baseball needs to find a new home for this summer's All-Star Game after announcing it would be pulled from Atlanta's Truist Park. The move was a response to Georgia enacting a new law last month that critics say is too restrictive of voting rights. The game was scheduled for July 13 and was to include a salute to late Braves star Hank Aaron. MLB said the tribute still will be held. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has sent a letter to Commissioner Rob Manfred lobbying for his city to host the game, saying: “It is a particularly appropriate location to honor Hank Aaron who is a revered and beloved former Milwaukeean.” HELLO HARVEY Matt Harvey gets another fresh beginning, this time with the Baltimore Orioles. He's scheduled to start against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. The 2013 NL All-Star was one of the game’s best young pitchers for the New York Mets early in his career, but that success was derailed by injuries... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors on Saturday: ___ ALL-STAR SPOT? Major League Baseball needs to find a new home for this summer's All-Star Game after announcing it would be pulled from Atlanta's Truist Park. The move was a response to Georgia enacting a new law last month that critics say is too restrictive of voting rights. The game was scheduled for July 13 and was to include a salute to late Braves star Hank Aaron. MLB said the tribute still will be held. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has sent letter to Commissioner Rob Manfred lobbying for his city to host the game, saying: “It is a particularly appropriate location to honor Hank Aaron who is a revered and beloved former Milwaukeean.” HELLO HARVEY Matt Harvey gets another fresh beginning, this time with the Baltimore Orioles. He's scheduled to start against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. The 2013 NL All-Star was one of the game’s best young pitchers for the New York Mets early in his career, but that success was derailed by injuries... [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]

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Matt Harvey is back in the major leagues with the Baltimore Orioles. Baltimore selected the contract of the 31-year-old right-hander on Thursday, one week before its season opener at Boston. Harvey gets a $1 million, one-year contract. He was 0-3 with an 11.57 ERA in four starts and three relief appearances last year for the Kansas City Royals. He has a 5.40 ERA in three spring training appearances this year, allowing six runs and 10 hits in 10 innings with six strikeouts and one walk. An All-Star with the New York Mets in 2013, Harvey was derailed by Tommy John surgery in 2013 and an operation in 2016 to correct thoracic outlet syndrome, a condition in which blood vessels or nerves are compressed. Harvey went 34-37 with a 3.66 ERA for the Mets from 2012 until he was traded to Cincinnati in May 2018. He moved on to the Los Angeles Angels in 2019 and the Royals in 2020. He is 44-52 with a 4.14 ERA in 144 starts and eight relief appearances. He earned a job in a rotation... [More]

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Matt Harvey is back in the major leagues with the Baltimore Orioles. Baltimore selected the contract of the 31-year-old right-hander on Thursday, one week before its season opener at Boston. Harvey gets a $1 million, one-year contract. He was 0-3 with an 11.57 ERA in four starts and three relief appearances last year for the Kansas City Royals. He has a 5.40 ERA in three spring training appearances this year, allowing six runs and 10 hits in 10 innings with six strikeouts and one walk. An All-Star with the New York Mets in 2013, Harvey was derailed by Tommy John surgery in 2013 and an operation in 2016 to correct thoracic outlet syndrome, a condition in which blood vessels or nerves are compressed. Harvey went 34-37 with a 3.66 ERA for the Mets from 2012 until he was traded to Cincinnati in May 2018. He moved on to the Los Angeles Angels in 2019 and the Royals in 2020. He is 44-52 with a 4.14 ERA in 144 starts and eight relief appearances. He earned a job in a rotation... [More]

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Matt Harvey is back in the major leagues with the Baltimore Orioles. Baltimore selected the contract of the 31-year-old right-hander on Thursday, one week before its season opener at Boston. Harvey gets a $1 million, one-year contract and the chance to earn performance bonuses. He was 0-3 with an 11.57 ERA in four starts and three relief appearances last year for the Kansas City Royals. He has a 5.40 ERA in three spring training appearances this year, allowing six runs and 10 hits in 10 innings with six strikeouts and one walk. An All-Star with the New York Mets in 2013, Harvey was derailed by Tommy John surgery in 2013 and an operation in 2016 to correct thoracic outlet syndrome, a condition in which blood vessels or nerves are compressed. Harvey went 34-37 with a 3.66 ERA for the Mets from 2012 until he was traded to Cincinnati in May 2018. He moved on to the Los Angeles Angels in 2019 and the Royals in 2020. He is 44-52 with a 4.14 ERA in 144 starts and eight relief... [More]

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Matt Harvey is back in the major leagues with the Baltimore Orioles. Baltimore selected the contract of the 31-year-old right-hander on Thursday, one week before its season opener at Boston. Harvey gets a $1 million, one-year contract and the chance to earn performance bonuses. He was 0-3 with an 11.57 ERA in four starts and three relief appearances last year for the Kansas City Royals. He has a 5.40 ERA in three spring training appearances this year, allowing six runs and 10 hits in 10 innings with six strikeouts and one walk. An All-Star with the New York Mets in 2013, Harvey was derailed by Tommy John surgery in 2013 and an operation in 2016 to correct thoracic outlet syndrome, a condition in which blood vessels or nerves are compressed. Harvey went 34-37 with a 3.66 ERA for the Mets from 2012 until he was traded to Cincinnati in May 2018. He moved on to the Los Angeles Angels in 2019 and the Royals in 2020. He is 44-52 with a 4.14 ERA in 144 starts and eight relief appearances. He earned a job in a rotation headed by All-Star John Means. Former All-Star Félix Hernández, also at spring training with a minor league contract, left his third outing on March 16 with right elbow discomfort. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Shohei Ohtani figured he’d be careful in his return to the mound after two injury-spoiled seasons. A few batters in, the Los Angeles Angels’ two-way sensation reached back for a little extra — and brought back some of the buzz that surrounded his major league debut three years ago. Ohtani reached 100 mph with his fastball and showed off his signature splitter while striking out five over 1 2/3 innings in the Angels’ 7-3 win over the Oakland Athletics on Friday. The right-hander allowed a run, three hits and two walks, struggling to command his slider but showcasing the arm strength and stuff that allowed him to dominate in the majors before Tommy John surgery in 2018. “Since this was my first game, I wasn’t planning on letting it go in the beginning, especially early in counts,” Ohtani said via translator. “As the game went on, I felt better and I started throwing harder, but I think that led to me cutting the ball a couple times, so it’s something I have to work on.” The 26-year-old Japanese... [More]

Shohei Ohtani figured he’d be careful in his return to the mound after two injury-spoiled seasons. A few batters in, the Los Angeles Angels’ two-way sensation reached back for a little extra -- and brought back some of the buzz that surrounded his major league debut three years ago. Ohtani reached 100 mph with his fastball and showed off his signature splitter while striking out five over 1 2/3 innings in the Angels’ 7-3 win over the Oakland Athletics on Friday. The right-hander allowed a run, three hits and two walks, struggling to command his slider but showcasing the arm strength and stuff that allowed him to dominate in the majors before Tommy John surgery in 2018. “Since this was my first game, I wasn’t planning on letting it go in the beginning, especially early in counts,” Ohtani said via translator. “As the game went on, I felt better and I started throwing harder, but I think that led to me cutting the ball a couple times, so it’s something I have to work on.” The 26-year-old Japanese... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — Matt Harvey will try to revive his career with the Baltimore Orioles. The 31-year-old right-hander agreed Saturday to a minor league contract with the Orioles. He would get a $1 million, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster, and would have the chance to earn performance bonuses. Harvey was 0-3 with an 11.57 ERA in four starts and three relief appearances for the Kansas City Royals. His fastball averaged 94.5 mph, down from 97 mph in 2013. An All-Star with the New York Mets in 2013, Harvey was derailed by Tommy John surgery in October 2013 and an operation to correct Thoracic Outlet Syndrome in 2016. Harvey went 34-37 with a 3.66 ERA for the Mets from 2012 until he was traded to Cincinnati in May 2018. He moved on to the Los Angeles Angels in 2019 and the Royals in 2020, and is 44-52 with a 4.14 ERA in 144 starts and eight relief appearances. He will try to earn a job in a rotation headed by All-Star John Means. Former All-Star Félix Hernández and Wade LeBlanc also will be at Orioles spring training with minor league contracts, and rookies Dean Kremer and Keegan Akin also figure to be competing. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A team-by-team look at the American League Central entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad: ___ Minnesota Twins Manager: Rocco Baldelli (third season). 2020: 36-24, first place, lost to Houston in first round of playoffs. Training Town: Fort Myers, Florida. Park: Hammond Stadium at CenturyLink Sports Complex. First Workout: Feb. 19/23. He’s Here: SS Andrelton Simmons, RHP Alex Colomé, LHP J.A. Happ, RHP Hansel Robles, RHP Shaun Anderson, RHP Ian Hamilton, OF Keon Broxton, LHP Andrew Albers. He’s Outta Here: LF Eddie Rosario, RHP Sergio Romo, RHP Trevor May, RHP Jake Odorizzi, INF/OF Marwin Gonzalez, LHP Rich Hill, RHP Tyler Clippard, RHP Matt Wisler, INF Ehire Adrianza, C Alex Avila. Going campin’: The Twins return largely the same team that won the last two AL Central titles, aiming to end their major league-record 18-game postseason losing streak. The pitching staff was superb... [More]

Rays manager Kevin Cash stepped out of the dugout, and Blake Snell turned his head to curse. So too, no doubt, did fans watching on TV back in Tampa, Florida. Cash pulled Snell after 73 pitches and 5 1/3 sterling innings Tuesday night, turning Game 6 of the World Series over to his vaunted bullpen — a move that backfired immediately as the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied for a 3-1 victory to wrap up their first championship in 32 years. “I guess I regret it because it didn’t work out,” Cash said, later adding, “personally, I thought Blake had done his job and then some.” Cash was immediately criticized — by fans, broadcasters and players around the majors. “So who gets to pull the manager?” Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard tweeted. The decision, driven by advanced analytics, could come to define Cash, just as past pitching moves have followed other managers when they didn’t work out. A look back at other October mishaps: ___ 1951 NL PENNANT PLAYOFF GAME 3 Who knows? Bobby Thomson’s famed “Shot... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Royals placed outfielder Bubba Starling and right-hander Kyle Zimmer on the injured list and returned left-hander Mike Montgomery and outfielder Franchy Cordero from rehab assignments as part of a series of roster moves to set them up for the final five games of the season. Kansas City also recalled right-hander Jakob Junis, optioned infielder Erick Mejia to its alternate training site and transferred right-hander Matt Harvey to the 45-day injured list to create the necessary roster space. The Royals faced the Cardinals on Wednesday night before a four-game set against the Tigers to wrap up the season. Montgomery has been out since his start July 27 in Detroit with a lat strain and Cordero had been sidelined by a sprained wrist. Zimmer left his appearance Tuesday night with what manager Mike Matheny called a “zinger” in his right elbow while Starling's frustrating season at the plate will end because of back spasms. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Royals third. Nicky Lopez grounds out to shallow infield, Francisco Lindor to Carlos Santana. Cam Gallagher grounds out to shortstop, Mike Freeman to Carlos Santana. Whit Merrifield singles to center field. Adalberto Mondesi walks. Whit Merrifield to second. Hunter Dozier singles to right field. Adalberto Mondesi to second. Whit Merrifield scores. Maikel Franco singles to left field. Hunter Dozier scores. Adalberto Mondesi scores. Alex Gordon grounds out to shortstop, Mike Freeman to Carlos Santana.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 3, Indians 0.Royals sixth. Alex Gordon grounds out to second base, Francisco Lindor to Carlos Santana. Matt Reynolds called out on strikes. Edward Olivares homers to center field. Nicky Lopez grounds out to second base, Cesar Hernandez to Carlos Santana.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Royals 4, Indians 0.Royals seventh. Cam Gallagher singles to right field. Whit Merrifield grounds out to shallow infield, Dominic Leone to Carlos Santana. Cam Gallagher... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt hit a three-run homer off a struggling Jon Lester, and the St. Louis Cardinals gained ground in the NL Central race by beating the Chicago Cubs 7-3 on Sunday night.St. Louis pulled within 1 1/2 games of Chicago with its third consecutive win over the division leaders. The longtime rivals have one game left in their pandemic-shortened season series on Monday.Dakota Hudson (2-2) worked five innings of three-run ball, shrugging off a shaky start.Chicago dropped to 10-15 since its 13-3 start. Anthony Rizzo and Jason Kipnis homered for the Cubs, but Lester (2-2) lasted just 3 1/3 innings in another lackluster performance.ANGELS 9, ASTROS 5ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Anthony Rendon homered, Jared Walsh and Justin Upton delivered key hits during a four-run eighth inning and Los Angeles swept the four-game series.The Angels have a won a season-high five straight. They trailed by at least three runs in each game against Houston before rallying.Mike Mayers (1-0), the fifth... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt hit a three-run homer off a struggling Jon Lester, and the St. Louis Cardinals gained ground in the NL Central race by beating the Chicago Cubs 7-3 on Sunday night.St. Louis pulled within 1 1/2 games of Chicago with its third consecutive win over the division leaders. The longtime rivals have one game left in their pandemic-shortened season series on Monday.Dakota Hudson (2-2) worked five innings of three-run ball, shrugging off a shaky start.Chicago dropped to 10-15 since its 13-3 start. Anthony Rizzo and Jason Kipnis homered for the Cubs, but Lester (2-2) lasted just 3 1/3 innings in another lackluster performance.ANGELS 9, ASTROS 5ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Anthony Rendon homered, Jared Walsh and Justin Upton delivered key hits during a four-run eighth inning and Los Angeles swept the four-game series.The Angels have a won a season-high five straight. They trailed by at least three runs in each game against Houston before rallying.Mike Mayers (1-0), the fifth... [More]

Royals first. Whit Merrifield lines out to center field to Luis Robert. Hunter Dozier homers to center field. Ryan O'Hearn lines out to deep right center field to Luis Robert. Maikel Franco grounds out to third base, Yoan Moncada to Jose Abreu.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Royals 1, White sox 0.White sox second. Edwin Encarnacion homers to left field. Yoan Moncada lines out to first base to Hunter Dozier. Luis Robert walks. Danny Mendick singles to right field. Luis Robert to second. Adam Engel singles to right field. Danny Mendick to second. Luis Robert to third. Tim Anderson walks. Adam Engel to second. Danny Mendick to third. Luis Robert scores. Eloy Jimenez strikes out swinging. Yasmani Grandal walks. Jose Abreu doubles to deep left center field. Yasmani Grandal out at home. Tim Anderson scores. Adam Engel scores.5 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. White sox 5, Royals 1.White sox fourth. Adam Engel pops out to Hunter Dozier. Tim Anderson homers to center field. Eloy Jimenez grounds... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman threw a 101 mph fastball near the head of pinch-hitter Michael Brosseau while closing out his first save of the season, prompting the benches to empty after New York ended a six-game losing streak against the Tampa Bay Rays with a 5-3 victory Tuesday night.Chapman’s first pitch to Brosseau with two outs in the ninth inning whizzed past Brosseau’s head, and umpires met before issuing warnings to both benches amid a budding rivalry that’s been dominated this season by Tampa Bay. Chapman struck out Brosseau to end it, and Brosseau began walking toward the visiting dugout before turning back to exchange words with someone on the Yankees. The dugouts and benches emptied and players gathered near home plate, but they mostly kept their distance before dispersing to their respective clubhouses.DJ LeMahieu homered twice, and Gio Urshela hit a tiebreaking, three-run Little League homer in the sixth inning as New York beat the Rays at Yankee Stadium for... [More]