A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:WOOD WORKA day after hitting three homers and two doubles in just six innings, Cardinals slugger Matt Carpenter tries to torment the Cubs over a doubleheader. Carpenter drove in seven before getting pulled early in St. Louis' 18-5 thrashing at Wrigley Field on Friday. He tied the major league record for extra-base hits in a game, and became the first player to do it in just six innings. He'll look to inflict more damage against starters Tyler Chatwood (3-5, 5.04) and Mike Montgomery (3-3, 3.91).DEGROM WATCHJacob deGrom knows he could be traded this month, but he says his preference is to remain with the Mets. His agent, Brodie van Wagenen, said this week that if New York is not interested in a long-term deal for the 30-year-old All-Star right-hander, it should consider trade options. DeGrom said Friday in New York that "I want to win here" and he hopes "the feeling is mutual."Mets assistant general manager John Ricco said the team has... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — One by one, the Milwaukee Brewers filed into an auditorium at Miller Park as reliever Josh Hader offered his latest apology for years-old tweets that surfaced during the All-Star Game.Those racist, homophobic social-media messages were thoughtless mistakes he made as a teenager, Hader said. He sought to reassure fellow Brewers that the vile words didn't represent the man he has become, one who has learned — in part because of baseball — to reject the language of bigotry.His teammates had his back on Friday.Fellow All-Stars Jesus Aguilar of Venezuela and Lorenzo Cain, who is African-American, were among those who stood directly behind Hader during a news conference about 90 minutes before the Brewers returned from the break by hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers."It's amazing. It tells me that they have my back and that we are a true family," Hader said about the show of solidarity.Hader spoke to teammates earlier Friday in the clubhouse. Outfielder Brett Phillips said the reliever... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — It's a whole new beginning for Manny Machado after months of uncertainty. Perfect time for a new number, too.One with an LA story and a Baltimore past.Machado joined the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday after being acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Orioles during the All-Star break, putting one of baseball's premier players on one of the game's marquee teams. He started at shortstop and hit second in the lineup, ahead of young slugger Max Muncy and old friend Matt Kemp for the opener of a three-game series at Milwaukee.Muncy thought he might hear from Machado about his No. 13 after the deal, and he joked about possibly just having a new jersey when he arrived at Miller Park. But the 26-year-old Machado decided to try No. 8 with the Dodgers — Kobe Bryant's first number with the Los Angeles Lakers, and the same number Hall of Fame shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. wore with the Orioles.A nod to his past and his future."I wanted to change it up," said Machado, who singled and walked... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — It's a whole new beginning for Manny Machado after months of uncertainty. Perfect time for a new number, too.One with an LA story and a Baltimore past.Machado joined the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday after being acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Orioles during the All-Star break, putting one of baseball's premier players on one of the game's marquee teams. He started at shortstop and hit second in the lineup, ahead of young slugger Max Muncy and old friend Matt Kemp for the opener of a three-game series at Milwaukee.Muncy thought he might hear from Machado about his No. 13 after the deal, and he joked about possibly just having a new jersey when he arrived at Miller Park. But the 26-year-old Machado decided to try No. 8 with the Dodgers — Kobe Bryant's first number with the Los Angeles Lakers, and the same number Hall of Fame shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. wore with the Orioles.A nod to his past and his future."I wanted to change it up," said Machado, who singled in his... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Boston Red Sox second baseman Brock Holt left Friday night's game at Detroit in the fourth inning with what appeared to be a right knee injury.Holt stayed on the ground for a while at the end of a wild play. He appeared to be hurt when the Tigers' Jeimer Candelario slid safely back into second. Holt was eventually able to get up and walk off the field.With the bases loaded and nobody out, Detroit's John Hicks hit a shallow fly to left, and Andrew Benintendi made the catch. His throw home was wild, but Niko Goodrum of the Tigers stayed at third. Candelario took off from second toward third, and then had to go back when he realized Goodrum was still there. The throw went back to second, and Candelario slid in safely.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ozzie Albies has been pulled from the Atlanta Braves' game against the Washington Nationals because of right hamstring tightness.The Braves say the All-Star second baseman was lifted Friday as a precaution. Albies may have been injured running the bases during the first inning, when he hit an RBI double, stole third base and then dashed home on a groundout. Albies remained in the game until being hit for in the third inning.Albies, 21, returned from the All-Star break leading the NL in at-bats (405), runs (74), extra-base hits (52) and total bases (209). He is tied for the league lead in doubles (29) with teammate and fellow All-Star Nick Markakis. Albies is batting .283 with 20 home runs and 55 RBIs.The Braves entered Friday a half-game behind the NL-East leading Philadelphia Phillies.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers reliever Josh Hader apologized to his team after years-old racist and homophobic tweets surfaced during the All-Star Game.Hader spoke with teammates before a game Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the first action for the Brewers since the All-Star break."I just want them to know that I'm sorry for what I did back in the day and the mistakes that I made," Hader said, "and that they are a family to me and that they (the tweets) aren't me and what I meant."Outfielder Brett Phillips said Hader offered a sincere apology. Manager Craig Counsell described Hader as emotional and remorseful.Hader expressed regrets again during a news conference about 90 minutes before the game. Teammates filed into the Miller Park media auditorium as Hader spoke, with fellow All-Stars Jesus Aguilar and Lorenzo Cain among those who stood directly behind Hader."It's amazing. It tells me that they have my back and that we are a true family," Hader said about the show of solidarity.The... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said Friday that Robinson Cano will be used at a few positions when he returns from his suspension next month, including first base.Where Cano ends up defensively is one of the big questions once he's eligible to return on Aug. 14 from his 80-game suspension for violating baseball's joint drug agreement. He's been a second baseman for the entirety of his major league career, but it may not be his primary position when he comes back.Following the suspension, Seattle moved Dee Gordon from center field back to his natural position at second base."We're looking at Dee as our second baseman. There may be a time especially mid-August to the end of the season where he slides out to center field for a day, but primarily he's going to play second base," Dipoto said. "We sat down and talked with Robbie and Robbie said, 'Whatever I need to do to help this team get to the postseason.' He was great about it."Cano recently relocated to the... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yoenis Cespedes homered in his return to the New York Mets, who said he could be shifted to first base later this season.Cespedes had been out two months with a strained right hip flexor. He flied out in the first inning against the Yankees, then hit a drive down the left-field line against Domingo German with a 3-0 count leading off the third. Cespedes didn't run at first, apparently thinking it would be an out or a foul ball, but the ball glance off the foul side of the foul pole for his ninth home run.Cespedes has appeared in just 118 of the Mets' 256 games since he signed a $110 million, four-year contract, primarily because of lower-body ailments. The 32-year-old was the designated hitter in the series opener, likely will DH on Saturday and could return to the outfield on Sunday.Playing first base is a bit off."I don't know that I can say exactly when," Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. "I think he needs more reps, practicing, feels more comfortable around the bag... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — All-Star closer Brad Hand kept hearing his name discussed among potential trades last year, when the lefty ended up staying with the San Diego Padres and got a new contract during the offseason.This time, Hand has switched teams and could have a bit of a different role than what he had in the National League."Going into this year, I didn't really think it was going to happen after last year," Hand said Friday in the Cleveland Indians' clubhouse. "So I was obviously a little bit surprised. But my name was out there and talked about. ... (The Padres) got a deal worth taking."Hand and rookie right-handed sidearmer Adam Cimber joined the AL Central-leading Indians in time for the first game after the All-Star break, Friday night against the Texas Rangers. Cleveland traded switch-hitting catching prospect Francisco Mejia to the Padres on Thursday to get the two relievers.Cleveland manager Terry Francona said he spoke to both pitchers, and told them: "They won't feel new... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Nationals activated right-hander Stephen Strasburg from the 10-day disabled list and first baseman Ryan Zimmerman from the 60-day DL ahead of Friday's series opener against the Atlanta Braves.Strasburg (6-6, 3.46 ERA) started Friday against Washington's NL East foe. The right-hander landed on the DL June 10 with right shoulder inflammation. In 13 starts, Strasburg has 95 strikeouts and 19 walks.The 33-year-old Zimmerman last played on May 9 after suffering a strained right oblique. He was transferred to the 60-day disabled list on June 30. Zimmerman is hitting .217 with five homers and 16 RBIs.Washington's starting first baseman before the injury was not in the lineup against Atlanta. Manager Dave Martinez elected to start the lefty-swinging Matt Adams against Braves starter pitching Anibal Sanchez. Adams batted .342 in his last 11 games and has 15 home runs on the season."He is going to play," Martinez said of Zimmerman. "I mean Matt Adams, he's pretty much killing right-handers right now. He deserves to play. I talked to Zim and he's going to come off the bench today."Washington opened roster space by optioning pitchers Wander Suero and Trevor Gott to Triple-A Syracuse.The Nationals, fresh off hosting the All-Star Game, are third in the NL East. Washington is 5½ games behind Philadelphia and five back of Atlanta.

With the All-Star break complete, fantasy baseball players are digging in and hoping to make a run toward a championship season. With that goal in mind here are a few players that can help strengthen your team as you move on up in the standings:PLAYERS TO PICK UPJAKE BAUERS, OF, Tampa Bay Rays (55 percent owned in CBSSports.com leagues) - Bauer is batting .324 with five HRs and nine RBIs in his last eight games. He has power and is surprisingly good at stealing bases. Bauer will be a regular in the Rays lineup for the rest of the season and depending on your league's rules, he might gain outfield eligibility by season's end.ERVIN SANTANA, SP, Minnesota Twins (48 percent) - Santana spent the first part of the season on the DL and is set to make his season debut July 24. His first start is expected to be against the Blue Jays, who have the ninth worst batting average against right handed pitchers.KIRBY YATES, RP, San Diego Padres (31 percent) - Yates is set to inherit the closer's role now... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Pitcher Jacob deGrom's first preference is to remain with the New York Mets.His agent, Brodie van Wagenen, said this week that if the Mets are not interested in a long-term deal for the 30-year-old All-Star right-hander, they should consider trade options."Our way of saying, hey, we know what's going on," deGrom said before Friday's Subway Series opener at the New York Yankees. "All this trade talk, it was going to come up either way, so it was our way of kind of getting ahead of it."DeGrom is 5-4 with a big league-best 1.68 ERA for the last-place Mets, who entered the second half with the fewest wins in the National League."I want to win here," deGrom said. "Wanting to be part of the future. I hope the feeling is mutual."He has a $7.4 million salary this year is eligible for salary arbitration for two more winters, then can become a free agent after the 2020 season."We've talked with Brodie a little bit," Mets assistant general manager John Ricco said. "We certainly respect Jacob's position clearly, but we also have an obligation to do what's best for the organization, whether that's trading him, extending him or letting the contract play out."Ricco said the Mets are willing to cover salaries of veterans in trades in exchange for minor league prospects.Closer Jeurys Familia and infielder Asdrubal Cabrera, both eligible for free agency, appear likely to be dealt.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers reliever Josh Hader has apologized to his team after years-old racist and homophobic tweets surfaced during the All-Star Game.Hader spoke with teammates before a home game Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was first game for the Brewers since the All-Star break.Outfielder Brett Phillips says Hader offered a sincere apology. Manager Craig Counsell described Hader emotional and very remorseful.The 24-year-old Hader also apologized and took responsibility for the tweets after the All-Star Game, saying they did not reflect his values or the person he is now.The tweets included uses of a slur used to disparage African-Americans and one that simply said "KKK."Hader also met Friday with Billy Bean, Major League Baseball's vice president for social responsibility and inclusion. Bean says he is sympathetic to Hader, whom he described as being in a "tremendous amount of pain."Bean spoke with Hader for a couple of hours. He says Hader's experience as a professional athlete in an integrated, diverse environment "has created the person that he is today."___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers have put right-hander Michael Fulmer on the 10-day disabled list with a left oblique strain.The Tigers announced the move Friday. Detroit also activated outfielder Leonys Martin from the DL, optioned outfielder Mikie Mahtook to Triple-A Toledo and recalled right-hander Victor Alcantara from Toledo.Fulmer was initially set to start Sunday against Boston. The 2016 American League Rookie of the Year, Fulmer appeared to be Detroit's ace entering this season, but he's gone just 3-9 with a 4.50 ERA for the rebuilding Tigers.Martin is hitting .257 with nine home runs and 29 RBIs. He's been out with a left hamstring strain.Martin was in the starting lineup Friday night in center field. He hasn't played since July 1.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

CHICAGO (AP) — Matt Carpenter hit three home runs and two doubles in just six innings for the St. Louis Cardinals, then was pulled from the game against the Chicago Cubs.Carpenter went 5 for 5 and drove in seven runs at Wrigley Field on Friday before exiting with the Cardinals leading 15-1.The St. Louis leadoff man has homered in four straight games. During that stretch, he is 9 for 16 with six home runs, three doubles and 10 RBIs.Carpenter led off the game with a home run with a home run against Jon Lester. It was his team-record sixth leadoff homer of the season and the 21st of his career, matching the club mark held by Hall of Famer Lou Brock.Carpenter hit a two-run homer in the second inning off Lester. Carpenter doubled twice in the fourth and hit a three-run drive off reliever Brian Duensing in the sixth.

NEW YORK (AP) — Back with the New York Mets after two months on the disabled list caused by a strained right hip flexor, outfielder Yoenis Cespedes could be shifted to first base later this season."I don't know that I can say exactly when," Mets manager Mickey Callaway said before Friday's series opener at the Yankees. "I think he needs more reps, practicing, feels more comfortable around the bag and things like that."Cespedes has appeared in just 118 of the Mets' 256 games since he signed a $110 million, four-year contract, primarily because of lower-body ailments. The 32-year-old was the designated hitter and batting second in the series opener. He likely will DH on Saturday and could return to the outfield on Sunday."One of the thoughts about first base is that he's going to stay hot the whole game because he's moving around all the time," Callaway said. "There's not that component of standing out in left field for five, six minutes and all of a sudden having to sprint 30 yards and dive... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers have put outfielder Nomar Mazara on the 10-day disabled list and recalled outfielder Willie Calhoun from Triple-A Round Rock.The Rangers made the moves Friday before hosting the Cleveland Indians in their first game after the All-Star break.Mazara has a sprained right thumb, which is on his glove hand. He got hurt on a defensive play early in last Saturday's game at Baltimore. He finished that game but didn't play Sunday.Calhoun, a top prospect, was acquired when Rangers traded Yu Darvish to the Los Angeles Dodgers got last summer. He finished last season with the Rangers, but this is his first big league stint this year.

TORONTO (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles have designated former All-Star Chris Tillman for assignment, offering the veteran right-hander a chance to remain in the organization and pitch at Triple-A.Tillman, who started the 2016 AL Wild Card game for Baltimore, is 1-5 with a 10.46 ERA in seven starts and hasn't pitched since May 10 because of a back injury. He has not indicated whether he will accept Baltimore's offer or choose free agency.The Orioles cut Tillman at the conclusion of his 30-day minor league rehab assignment, opening a 40-man roster spot that allowed Baltimore to select infielder Renato Nunez from Triple-A. Nunez was in the lineup at third base for Friday's game at Toronto, Baltimore's first since trading Manny Machado to the Los Angeles Dodgers.Tillman was an All-Star in 2013 and started on opening day for Baltimore the next three seasons. Over that four-year span, he was 56-30 with a 3.91 ERA in 128 starts. Tillman began 2017 on the disabled list because of a shoulder injury and struggled in his return, going 1-7 with a 7.84 ERA in 24 games (19 starts). He signed a one-year contract to return to the Orioles in February, and ended an 11-month drought between wins by pitching seven shutout innings against Detroit on April 27. He didn't make it past the second inning in his next two starts.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Nationals activated right-hander Stephen Strasburg from the 10-day disabled list and first baseman Ryan Zimmerman from the 60-day DL ahead of Friday's series opener against the Atlanta Braves.Strasburg (6-6, 3.46 ERA) started Friday against Washington's NL East foe. The right-hander landed on the DL June 10 with right shoulder inflammation. In 13 starts, Strasburg has 95 strikeouts and 19 walks.The 33-year-old Zimmerman last played on May 9 after suffering a strained right oblique. He was transferred to the 60-day disabled list on June 30. Zimmerman is hitting .217 with five homers and 16 RBIs.Washington opened roster space by optioning pitchers Wander Suero and Trevor Gott to Triple-A Syracuse.The Nationals, fresh off hosting the All-Star Game, are third in the NL East. Washington is 5½ games behind Philadelphia and five back of Atlanta.