The Atlanta Braves' season-long rotation woes continued Tuesday when Max Fried, the top healthy starter, was placed on the 10-day injured list.The latest blow to the rotation could accelerate the team's plans to have Cole Hamels rushed into action for his 2020 debut.Fried had been the only current healthy member of the projected rotation before the season began.Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Fried has a left-side muscle spasm in his lumbar spine. Anthopoulos said he hopes Fried can return from the IL as soon as he is eligible on Sept. 16.Fried said his velocity “was definitely down” after he allowed three runs in five innings against the Washington Nationals on Saturday night. He is 6-0 with a 1.98 ERA after not taking a decision in the 10-4 loss.Before the injury, Fried excelled as the team's top starter, filling the void left when the Braves lost opening day starter Mike Soroka to a torn right Achilles tendon suffered on Aug. 3 against the New York Mets.Soroka's season-ending... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves failed to pull off a major deal to bolster their rotation at baseball's trade deadline Monday, leaving the NL East leaders with a huge question mark as they seek a third straight division title and an extended run in the postseason for the first time time since 2001.The only trade made by the Braves came a day earlier, when they acquired journeyman Tommy Milone from the Baltimore Orioles for two players to be named.Milone was thrown right into the mix by the pitching-starved team — and it didn't go well. The 33-year-old left-hander was given a 10-1 lead but lasted just 2 1/3 innings, giving up seven runs, two homers and eight hits to the Philadelphia Phillies. The Braves managed to hang on for a 12-10 victory."There's no doubt things have not panned out the way we hoped," general manager Alex Anthopoulos said on a conference call shortly after the 4 p.m. EDT deadline passed. “We would have loved to add more starting pitching. We had those discussions. Ultimately,... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Desperate for starting pitching as they pursue a third straight NL East title, the Atlanta Braves acquired left-hander Tommy Milone from the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday for two players to be named.The division-leading Braves have struggled to put together a rotation behind Max Fried, who is 5-0 with a 1.35 ERA. Ian Anderson, who pitched one-hit ball over six innings in his major league debut last week, is the only other Atlanta starter to earn a win this season.The 33-year-old Milone will be thrown right into the mix, starting Sunday night's game at Philadelphia. The Braves chartered a flight from Buffalo, where the Orioles were playing a weekend series against the Toronto Blue Jays, to ensure their newest starter wasn't subjected to possible exposure to the coronavirus.“We've not had any players join us after after taking a commercial flight, and we'd prefer not to do it," Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. “We're not going to take any chances. There's no script... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Desperate for starting pitching as they pursue a third straight NL East title, the Atlanta Braves acquired left-hander Tommy Milone from the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday for two players to be named.The division-leading Braves have struggled to put together a rotation behind Max Fried, who is 5-0 with a 1.35 ERA. Ian Anderson, who pitched one-hit ball over six innings in his major league debut last week, is the only other Atlanta starter to earn a win this season.The 33-year-old Milone provides another option, though the Braves are likely to continue their pursuit for additional pitching help ahead of Monday's trade deadline. He is 1-4 with a 3.99 ERA over six starts in his first season with the Orioles.After signing a minor league deal with the Orioles in February, Milone received a major league contract in July. He started on opening day as a replacement for injured John Means and has 31 strikeouts and only four walks over 29 1/3 innings.Milone's best effort of the season... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves called up top prospect Ian Anderson to make his big league debut Tuesday night against Gerrit Cole and the New York Yankees. The Braves added the 22-year-old right-hander in hopes of bolstering a rotation that has struggled to find any consistency beyond top starter Max Fried.The third overall pick in the 2016 draft, the anticipation for Anderson's arrival in Atlanta grew as he made a rapid rise through the farm system. “He's a kid who's confident in his abilities," manager Brian Snitker said. "He's been throwing really well at the alternate site. He's excited. Hopefully this is the beginning of a long big league career for this young man.”Anderson started the 2019 season at Double-A Mississippi, where he went 7-5 with a 2.68 ERA in 21 starts. He had 147 strikeouts in 111 innings.Moving up to Triple-A Gwinnett late last season, Anderson struggled a bit in five starts. He went 1-2 with a 6.57 ERA, surrendering five homers in 24 2/3 innings.Snitker's advice... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves called up top prospect Ian Anderson to make his big league debut Tuesday night against Gerrit Cole and the New York Yankees. The Braves added the 22-year-old right-hander in hopes of bolstering a rotation that has struggled to find any consistency beyond top starter Max Fried.The third overall pick in the 2016 draft, the anticipation for Anderson's arrival in Atlanta grew as he made a rapid rise in the farm system. He started the 2019 season at Double-A Mississippi, where he went 7-5 with a 2.68 ERA in 21 starts. He had 147 strikeouts in 111 innings.Moving up to Triple-A Gwinnett late last season, Anderson struggled a bit in five starts. He went 1-2 with a 6.57 ERA, surrendering five homers in 24 2/3 innings.The plan was for Anderson to spend most of this season at Gwinnett, but the coronavirus pandemic shut down the minor leagues. So he's been working at the Braves' alternate training site, awaiting his chance.Even though the Braves are leading the NL... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:WILL THEY PLAY?The Reds are scheduled for an early flight to Kansas City for a two-game series against the Royals that was put in doubt after a Cincinnati player tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend. Players, coaches and other organization members were retested for the coronavirus Saturday and Sunday after one player was sidelined because of a positive result. The final two games of a series against Pittsburgh at Great American Ball Park were postponed.The Reds made travel plans for Kansas City and expected to start Luis Castillo (0-2) in the series opener, assuming it’s played. ROUND 2The Yankees look for revenge against the Rays when they open a three-game series in the Bronx. Tampa Bay took three of four from the AL East leaders a week ago and could steal away the division lead with a sweep in the second of three series scheduled between the rivals in this pandemic-shortened season. The Yankees are still without injured stars... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday:WILL THEY PLAY?The Reds are scheduled for an early flight to Kansas City for a two-game series against the Royals that was put in doubt after a Cincinnati player tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend. Players, coaches and other organization members were retested for the coronavirus Saturday and Sunday after one player was sidelined because of a positive result. The final two games of a series against Pittsburgh at Great American Ball Park were postponed.The Reds made travel plans for Kansas City and expected to start Luis Castillo (0-2) in the series opener, assuming it’s played. ROUND 2The Yankees look for revenge against the Rays when they open a three-game series in the Bronx. Tampa Bay took three of four from the AL East leaders a week ago and could steal away the division lead with a sweep in the second of three series scheduled between the rivals in this pandemic-shortened season. The Yankees are still without injured stars... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Eric Hosmer singled in the go-ahead run with two outs in the sixth inning, and the San Diego Padres beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 in the series opener Monday night.Joc Pederson bobbled the ball on Hosmer’s hit to left and couldn’t attempt a throw as Trent Grisham scored from second after Dustin May (1-1) walked him, giving the Padres a 2-1 lead.Austin Hedges homered with two outs in the fifth to tie it at 1. It was Hedges’ third hit and first homer of the season and only the second home run given up by May.Emilio Pagán retired Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger and Justin Turner in order in the eighth, and the Dodgers managed just four hits. Betts, Bellinger and Turner were 1 for 4 with a strikeout each. Los Angeles was 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position.Cal Quantrill (2-0) got the victory with three innings of relief. He allowed two hits and struck out three.Drew Pomeranz retired the side in the ninth for his third save.ANGELS 10, ATHLETICS 9ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) —... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Eric Hosmer singled in the go-ahead run with two outs in the sixth inning, and the San Diego Padres beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 in the series opener Monday night.Joc Pederson bobbled the ball on Hosmer’s hit to left and couldn’t attempt a throw as Trent Grisham scored from second after Dustin May (1-1) walked him, giving the Padres a 2-1 lead.Austin Hedges homered with two outs in the fifth to tie it at 1. It was Hedges’ third hit and first homer of the season and only the second home run given up by May.Emilio Pagán retired Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger and Justin Turner in order in the eighth, and the Dodgers managed just four hits. Betts, Bellinger and Turner were 1 for 4 with a strikeout each. Los Angeles was 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position.Cal Quantrill (2-0) got the victory with three innings of relief. He allowed two hits and struck out three.Drew Pomeranz retired the side in the ninth for his third save.ASTROS 6, GIANTS 4HOUSTON (AP) — Lance McCullers... [More]

Phillies first. Phil Gosselin singles to right field. Rhys Hoskins singles to left field. Phil Gosselin to third. Bryce Harper homers to center field. Rhys Hoskins scores. Phil Gosselin scores. J.T. Realmuto strikes out swinging. Didi Gregorius grounds out to shallow right field to Freddie Freeman. Jean Segura walks. Jay Bruce flies out to left center field to Adam Duvall.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Phillies 3, Braves 0.Braves second. Marcell Ozuna flies out to center field to Roman Quinn. Travis d'Arnaud homers to center field. Nick Markakis grounds out to shortstop, Jean Segura to Rhys Hoskins. Adam Duvall strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Phillies 3, Braves 1.Phillies second. Scott Kingery grounds out to shallow infield, Sean Newcomb to Freddie Freeman. Roman Quinn homers to left field. Phil Gosselin singles to right center field. Rhys Hoskins walks. Phil Gosselin to second. Bryce Harper hit by pitch. Rhys Hoskins to second. Phil Gosselin to third. J.T.... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — Five pitchers combined on a four-hitter for Don Mattingly’s undermanned, gritty and first-place Miami Marlins, who beat the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 Wednesday night for a doubleheader sweep.Brian Anderson homered in opener, and Miami won 1-0 despite getting only two hits.The sweep kept the Marlins atop the NL East and earned Mattingly his 281st win as Miami’s manager, tying Jack McKeon’s club record.The Marlins won their third straight game since emerging from a coronavirus-prompted layoff that left them with a roster filled with callups, free agents and rookies. Miami has allowed a total of one run and 10 hits in those three games at Camden Yards.In the nightcap. Jon Berti hit an RBI double off Asher Wojciechowski (0-2) in the first inning and scored on a fly ball by Jesús Aguilar. That proved to be enough. Josh A. Smith started, Brian Moran (1-0) struck out three over one inning and Stephen Tarpley got four outs for his first save.In the opener, Anderson produced the game’s... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — Five pitchers combined on a four-hitter for Don Mattingly’s undermanned, gritty and first-place Miami Marlins, who beat the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 Wednesday night for a doubleheader sweep.Brian Anderson homered in opener, and Miami won 1-0 despite getting only two hits.The sweep kept the Marlins atop the NL East and earned Mattingly his 281st win as Miami’s manager, tying Jack McKeon’s club record.The Marlins won their third straight game since emerging from a coronavirus-prompted layoff that left them with a roster filled with callups, free agents and rookies. Miami has allowed a total of one run and 10 hits in those three games at Camden Yards.In the nightcap. Jon Berti hit an RBI double off Asher Wojciechowski (0-2) in the first inning and scored on a fly ball by Jesús Aguilar. That proved to be enough. Josh A. Smith started, Brian Moran (1-0) struck out three over one inning and Stephen Tarpley got four outs for his first save.In the opener, Anderson produced the game’s... [More]

Blue jays second. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. grounds out to shallow infield, Sean Newcomb to Austin Riley. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubles to deep right center field. Randal Grichuk singles to center field. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to third. Danny Jansen out on a sacrifice fly to right field to Ronald Acuna Jr.. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. scores. Brandon Drury lines out to second base to Charlie Culberson.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Blue jays 1, Braves 0.Blue jays fifth. Brandon Drury flies out to deep center field to Ender Inciarte. Anthony Alford strikes out swinging. Bo Bichette singles to center field. Cavan Biggio singles to right field. Bo Bichette scores. Teoscar Hernandez flies out to left field to Adam Duvall.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Blue jays 2, Braves 0.Braves seventh. Travis d'Arnaud lines out to deep left field to Lourdes Gurriel Jr.. Adam Duvall homers to right field. Freddie Freeman pinch-hitting for Austin Riley. Freddie Freeman strikes out swinging. Johan Camargo called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Blue jays 2, Braves 1.

ATLANTA (AP) — When Mike Soroka's teammates heard him scream, they feared the worst.When they saw him being helped off the field, unable to put any weight on his right leg, they knew it was bad.“If Mike Soroka can't walk off the field, you know it's pretty serious,” said Freddie Freeman, the Atlanta Braves' slugging first baseman.One of baseball's brightest young pitching stars, Soroka is done for the year after tearing his right Achilles tendon during a seemingly routine play Monday night against the New York Mets.On a grounder to Freeman's right, Soroka broke toward first to cover the bag.He made it only one step.Soroka tumbled to the ground in serious pain, got up for a few tentative steps, then dropped to his knees on the infield grass."I heard him yell,” Freeman said. “It’s just a terrible injury for somebody so young, so bright, so determined to be great at this game.”The loss of Soroka is certainly a huge blow to the two-time reigning NL East champions, who already were struggling... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — When Mike Soroka's teammates heard him scream, they feared the worst.When they saw him being helped off the field, unable to put any weight on his right leg, they knew it was bad.“If Mike Soroka can't walk off the field, you know it's pretty serious,” said Freddie Freeman, the Atlanta Braves' slugging first baseman.One of baseball's brightest young pitching stars, Soroka is done for the year after tearing his right Achilles tendon during a seemingly routine play Monday night against the New York Mets.On a grounder to Freeman's right, Soroka broke toward first to cover the bag. He made it only one step.Soroka tumbled to the ground in serious pain, got up for a few tentative steps, then dropped to his knees on the infield grass. "I heard him yell,” Freeman said. “It’s just a terrible injury for somebody so young, so bright, so determined to be great at this game.”The loss of Soroka is certainly a huge blow to the two-time reigning NL East champions, who already were struggling... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Max Fried retired Tampa Bay's first 14 batters and then insisted it didn't feel like a special start.Braves manager Brian Snitker had a different opinion.Fried took a perfect game into the fifth inning and combined with three relievers on a four-hitter as Atlanta beat the Rays 2-1 on Thursday night.Dansby Swanson had a run-scoring single in Atlanta’s two-run second inning. Fried (1-0) struck out seven and walked one while allowing one run in 6 2/3 innings. The left-hander improved to 4-0 in four interleague starts.“I wouldn’t say it was anything out of the ordinary that felt like anything extra special,” Fried said after lowering his ERA to 2.31 in two starts.It looked special to Snitker.“He’s just growing as a pitcher,” Snitker said. “He was efficient. You could tell he was locked in too. He was really focused. It was fun to sit and watch him.”Luke Jackson, and Shane Greene combined for four outs before Mark Melancon pitched the ninth for his second save.Left fielder Adam... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Max Fried retired Tampa Bay's first 14 batters and combined with three relievers on a four-hitter as the Atlanta Braves beat the Rays 2-1 on Thursday night.Dansby Swanson had a run-scoring single in Atlanta's two-run second inning. Fried (1-0) struck out seven and walked one while allowing one run in 6 2/3 innings. The left-hander improved to 4-0 in four interleague starts.Luke Jackson, and Shane Greene combined for four outs before Mark Melancon pitched the ninth for his second save.Left fielder Adam Duvall made a diving catch on the warning track of José Martinez's drive off Melancon to open the ninth. Brandon Lowe singled before pinch-runner Kevin Kiermaier was caught stealing without a slide on Tyler Flowers' throw to second base. Melancon struck out Hunter Renfroe to end it.The 26-year-old Fried struck out the side in the first to set the pace for his dominant start. Ryan Yarbrough (0-1) allowed two runs on only two hits with three walks in 6 1/3 innings. The Braves... [More]

Opening day rosters gained clarity on Tuesday when the Atlanta Braves reached an agreement with Yasiel Puig, and Tampa Bay pitcher Tyler Glasnow provided hopes for teams awaiting players to be cleared following positive tests for the coronavirus.Puig agreed to a one-year deal pending a physical, a person with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement is not official until Puig passes the physical.The 29-year-old Puig, who began his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, hit a combined .267 with 24 homers and 84 RBIs for Cincinnati and Cleveland in 2019. He also stole 19 bases.Puig was the last big-name free agent from the offseason who had not signed with a team. He helps the Braves fill a void left when Nick Markakis opted out for the season.Glasnow rejoined the Rays after missing the first 11 days of summer camp following his positive test. The right-hander immediately jumped into a simulated game at Tropicana... [More]

Opening day rosters gained clarity on Tuesday when the Atlanta Braves reached an agreement with Yasiel Puig, while Tampa Bay pitcher Tyler Glasnow provided hopes for teams awaiting players to be cleared following positive tests for the coronavirus.Puig agreed to a one-year deal pending a physical, a person with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement is not official until Puig passes the physical.The 29-year-old Puig, who began his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, hit a combined .267 with 24 homers and 84 RBIs for Cincinnati and Cleveland in 2019. He also stole 19 bases.Puig was the last big-name free agent from the offseason who had not signed with a team. He helps the Braves fill a void left when Nick Markakis opted out for the season.Glasnow re-joined the Rays on after missing the first 11 days of summer camp following his positive test. The right-hander immediately jumped into a simulated game at Tropicana... [More]