WASHINGTON (AP) — Rich Hill went back on the Los Angeles Dodgers' disabled list, a day after a blister burst on his left middle finger, and ace Clayton Kershaw threw a bullpen session for the first time since getting hurt.Hill lasted just two pitches when he started the second game of a doubleheader against Washington on Saturday."Four weeks is fair to get back on a major league mound," manager Dave Roberts said Sunday.The 38-year-old left-hander also was on the DL because of the blister from April 15 through May 7.Kershaw has been on the DL since May 6 with left biceps tendinitis. He threw about 30 pitches Sunday."It was really encouraging," Roberts said. "Real good intensity."Kershaw used his entire mix of pitches. He will throw another bullpen session before the Dodgers decide the next step in his rehabilitation.Los Angeles recalled ambidextrous reliever Pat Venditte from Oklahoma City to take Hill's roster spot and optioned right-hander Yimi Garcia to the Triple-A farm team. He had been brought up as the 26th man for the doubleheader.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

MIAMI (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts leaned back in his chair and it did not collapse, which is surprising given the way the season has gone.The defending NL champions had just endured one of their six consecutive defeats through Wednesday, all against last-place teams. The two most recent losses came in Miami, and Roberts contemplated his team's place in the universe, which includes the same 16-26 record as the Marlins, baseball's perennial punch line."I need a Presidente," he said, before pausing to reconsider. "I need more than one."Here's a toast to the most disappointing team in the majors. The Dodgers began the season with expectations to match their high payroll, but they've been bad and getting worse. Since May 5, they are 0-8 against the Marlins, Reds and Padres, the NL's cellar-dwellers.On Tuesday the Dodgers failed to score against Miami starter Wei-Yin Chen, who entered with a 10.22 ERA. On Wednesday, they scored one run against Elieser Hernandez, a Rule 5 pickup... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts leaned back in his chair and it did not collapse, which is surprising given the way the season has gone.The defending NL champions had just endured their fifth defeat in a row, all against last-place teams. The latest loss came in Miami, and Roberts contemplated his team's place in the universe, including a mere one-game lead over the Marlins, baseball's perennial punch line."I need a Presidente," he said, before pausing to reconsider. "I need more than one."Here's a toast to the most disappointing team in the majors. The Dodgers began the season with expectations to match their high payroll, but they've been bad and getting worse. Since May 5, they are 0-7 against the Marlins, Reds and Padres, the NL's cellar-dwellers.On Tuesday the Dodgers failed to score against Miami starter Wei-Yin Chen, who entered with a 10.22 ERA. The 4-2 defeat left them at 16-25, putting Roberts' team on pace for 99 losses."This is testing every bit of fight... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts leaned back in his chair and it did not collapse, which is surprising given the way the season has gone.The defending NL champions had just endured their fifth defeat in a row, all against last-place teams. The latest loss came in Miami, and Roberts contemplated his team's place in the universe, including a mere one-game lead over the Marlins, baseball's perennial punch line."I need a Presidente," he said, before pausing to reconsider. "I need more than one."Here's a toast to one of the most surprising teams in the majors, although not in a good way. The Dodgers began the season with expectations to match their high payroll, but they've been bad and getting worse. Since May 5, they are 0-7 against the Marlins, Reds and Padres, the NL's cellar-dwellers.On Tuesday the Dodgers failed to score against Miami starter Wei-Yin Chen, who entered with a 10.22 ERA. The 4-2 defeat left them at 16-25, putting Roberts' team on pace for 99 losses."This... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Two starting pitchers are hurt. So is the slugging third baseman. The team's best player is in one of his worst slumps. And yet the Arizona Diamondbacks keep winning, taking two of three from the World Series champion Houston Astros over the weekend.After going 4-3 last week against Houston and the Los Angeles Dodgers — the two teams that played in last year's World Series — Arizona still has the best record in the National League at 23-11, 3½ games ahead of the Colorado Rockies in the NL West."I don't think we were intimidated, I don't think we were worried about it," Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said of last week's games. "We just knew if we played our game and did our thing that way that we know we can, that we would be OK. And we embrace that. We love these challenges."The Diamondbacks, idle Monday before a two-game set with the Dodgers in Los Angeles, still haven't lost a series this season (They split with the Dodgers 2-2).They have lost two of their five starting... [More]

At this time last season, the Dodgers were in third place, so it's not as though Los Angeles needs to panic about an even slower start in 2018.Still, the defending National League champions are having their depth tested.Corey Seager is out for the season . Clayton Kershaw, Justin Turner, Rich Hill and Yasiel Puig are among the other Dodgers on the disabled list. Los Angeles has sputtered to a 15-19 mark, and that's only part of the problem. The Dodgers also have to contend with an Arizona team that has raced out to the NL's best record and leads Los Angeles by eight games in the NL West.Last season, the Dodgers strolled to a division title with 104 wins, and at times they seemed to have more starting pitching than they needed. Kenta Maeda won 13 games and wasn't even part of the postseason rotation. Hyun-Jin Ryu made 24 starts and posted a 3.77 ERA — and didn't pitch at all in the playoffs or World Series.Now Ryu is on the DL, and Kershaw joined him there Sunday. Hill hasn't pitched since... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Gleyber Torres became the youngest Yankees player to hit a walkoff homer, a three-run shot in the ninth inning that gave New York a 7-4 win over the Cleveland Indians on Sunday for its 15th victory in 16 games.At 21 years and 144 days, bettered Mickey Mantle, who was 21 years and 185 days when he hit three-run, ninth-inning drive of Boston's Ellis Kinder in a 6-3 win on April 23, 1953.Aaron Hicks and Neil Walker, who began the day batting .182, opened the ninth with consecutive doubles to tie it, chasing Allen (2-1). One out later, pinch-hitter Giancarlo Stanton was intentionally walked and Torres drove a full-count pitch from Dan Otero over the center-field fence.Chasen Shreve (2-0) struck out two in a perfect ninth for the win.ANGELS 8, MARINERS 2SEATTLE (AP) — Shohei Ohtani returned from a sprained ankle and took a shutout into the seventh inning while outpitching Felix Hernandez, Mike Trout hit his 12th home run and the Angels beat the Mariners.Ohtani (3-1) made his... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Gleyber Torres became the youngest Yankees player to hit a walkoff homer, a three-run shot in the ninth inning that gave New York a 7-4 win over the Cleveland Indians on Sunday for its 15th victory in 16 games.At 21 years and 144 days, bettered Mickey Mantle, who was 21 years and 185 days when he hit three-run, ninth-inning drive of Boston's Ellis Kinder in a 6-3 win on April 23, 1953.Aaron Hicks and Neil Walker, who began the day batting .182, opened the ninth with consecutive doubles to tie it, chasing Allen (2-1). One out later, pinch-hitter Giancarlo Stanton was intentionally walked and Torres drove a full-count pitch from Dan Otero over the center-field fence.Chasen Shreve (2-0) struck out two in a perfect ninth for the win.ANGELS 8, MARINERS 2SEATTLE (AP) — Shohei Ohtani returned from a sprained ankle and took a shutout into the seventh inning while outpitching Felix Hernandez, Mike Trout hit his 12th home run and the Angels beat the Mariners.Ohtani (3-1) made his... [More]

MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) — Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw was put on the 10-day disabled list with left biceps tendinitis and returned to Los Angeles on Sunday for tests.Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said the left-hander got hurt before Saturday*s game against San Diego."It*s little bit head-scratching, but we have to keep moving forward," Roberts said. "I know he*s frustrated, because he wants to carry the load."Kershaw is 1-4 with a 2.68 ERA this season with 48 strikeouts and 10 walks in 44 innings."I got word from the training staff yesterday when he was trying to play catch that it just was not feeling right," Roberts said. "He said that during his last start he felt it just a little bit, and we gave him a couple of extra days."Kershaw allowed two runs and six hits over six innings on Tuesday against Arizona. Roberts hopes the injury is limited to the biceps."If it was more of a other part of the arm, it would be more concerning, but being the biceps we are more hopeful," Roberts said.Kershaw... [More]

MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) — Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw was put on the 10-day disabled list with left biceps tendinitis and returned to Los Angeles on Sunday for tests.Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said the left-hander got hurt before Saturday*s game against San Diego."It*s little bit head-scratching, but we have to keep moving forward," Roberts said. "I know he*s frustrated, because he wants to carry the load."Kershaw is 1-4 with a 2.68 ERA this season with 48 strikeouts and 10 walks in 44 innings."I got word from the training staff yesterday when he was trying to play catch that it just was not feeling right," Roberts said. "He said that during his last start he felt it just a little bit, and we gave him a couple of extra days."Kershaw allowed two runs and six hits over six innings on Tuesday against Arizona. Roberts hopes the injury is limited to the biceps."Of it was more of a other part of the arm, it would be more concerning, but being the biceps we are more hopeful," Roberts said.A... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw was put on the 10-day disabled list with left biceps tendinitis.The 30-year-old left-hander is 1-4 with a 2.68 ERA this season with 48 strikeouts and 10 walks in 44 innings. He allowed two runs and six hits over six innings on Tuesday against Arizona.A three-time NL Cy Young Award winner, Kershaw is on the disabled list for the fourth time. He was sidelined from March 23 to May 5, 2014, with a major muscle strain in his back, from June 27 to Sept. 9, 2016, with a herniated disk in his lower back and from July 24 to Sept. 1 last year with a lower back strain.Kershaw is earning $30.4 million this year in the fifth season of a $215 million, seven-year contract, but has the right to opt out after the World Series and become a free agent, giving up salaries of $32 million next year and $33 million in 2020.Los Angeles recalled right-hander Brock Stewart from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday. The 26-year-old made one appearance for the Dodgers this year, giving up one run in 1 2/3 innings against the Diamondbacks in a relief appearance on April 30. He is 1-0 with a 2.41 ERA in four starts with Oklahoma City.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw was put on the 10-day disabled list with left biceps tendinitis.The 30-year-old left-hander is 1-4 with a 2.68 ERA this season with 48 strikeouts and 10 walks in 44 innings. He allowed two runs and six hits over six innings on Tuesday against Arizona.A three-time NL Cy Young Award winner, Kershaw is on the disabled list for the fourth time. He was sidelined from March 23 to May 5, 2014, with a major muscle strain in his back, from June 27 to Sept. 9, 2016, with a herniated disk in his lower back and from July 24 to Sept. 1 last year with a lower back strain.Kershaw is earning $30.4 million this year in the fifth season of a $215 million, seven-year contract, but has the right to opt out after the World Series and become a free agent, giving up salaries of $32 million next year and $33 million in 2020.Los Angeles recalled right-hander Brock Stewart from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday. The 26-year-old made one appearance for the Dodgers this year, giving up one run in 1 2/3 innings against the Diamondbacks in a relief appearance on April 30. He is 1-0 with a 2.41 ERA in four starts with Oklahoma City.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

WASHINGTON (AP) — Slumping Bryce Harper was moved to the leadoff spot for the first time since 2013 and responded with a three-run homer that helped Max Scherzer win his fifth straight start as the Washington Nationals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 12-4 Wednesday night.Harper entered in a 5-for-35 slump and had not gotten an extra-base hit since April 16. He grounded out in the first inning against Chad Kuhl (3-2), followed Wilmer Difo's go-ahead homer in the third with a flyout, then gave the Nationals a 5-0 lead in the fifth with his ninth homer this season.Scherzer (6-1) allowed two runs and three hits in 6 1/3 innings, striking out eight and walked one.YANKEES 4, ASTROS 0HOUSTON (AP) — Gary Sanchez hit a three-run homer in the ninth off Ken Giles (0-1), who punched himself on the face and chin when he walked to the dugout after he was knocked out later in the inning, then threw a bat in the dugout and kicked it. New York won for the ninth time in 10 games.Yankees starter Jordan Montgomery... [More]

A look at what's happening all around the majors today:___GOT YOUR NUMBERDodgers ace Clayton Kershaw (1-4, 2.84 ERA) tries to slow down A.J. Pollock and the first-place Diamondbacks (20-8) in Arizona. Pollock hit three home runs Monday night during an 8-5 victory in the series opener as the Diamondbacks won for the 12th time in the last 13 regular-season meetings between the NL West rivals — six of seven this year. In the 2017 playoffs, the Dodgers cruised to a three-game sweep of Arizona, but they've had trouble with Pollock this season. He had a two-homer game at Dodger Stadium on April 14 and is batting .361 with five home runs, 10 RBIs and 10 runs scored in his last nine games. To make matters worse for the injury-depleted Dodgers (12-16), the defending NL champions just learned star shortstop Corey Seager will have season-ending Tommy John surgery this week.GROUNDED IN HOUSTONDidi Gregorius and the powerful Yankees have been putting up big offensive numbers — except against the World... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Justin Verlander pitched seven sharp innings, AL MVP Jose Altuve hit his first home run of the season and the Houston Astros beat the Angels 5-2 on Wednesday, ending Los Angeles' road winning streak at a team record-tying 11.Albert Pujols connected off Verlander for his 619th career homer. Pujols has 2,994 hits.Alex Bregman hit a three-run double and Jake Marisnick homered as Houston avoided a three-game sweep. The Angels also won 11 straight road games in 1988.Verlander (4-0) held the Angels hitless into the fifth inning. He gave up two runs and four hits, striking out nine without a walk. Verlander won his 11th regular-season decision in a row.Ken Giles pitched a scoreless ninth for his second save. Nick Tropeano (1-2) retired the first 11 batters he faced, striking out six.INDIANS 4, CUBS 1CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians reliever Andrew Miller exited with tightness in his hamstring in the win over Chicago and could miss a few days.Miller grabbed the back of his leg after throwing... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:___RISING RONALDTop outfield prospect Ronald Acuna is set to join the Atlanta Braves in Cincinnati. The 20-year-old teased Braves fans with a monster spring training, batting .432 with four homers, four stolen bases and a 1.247 OPS in 16 games. By delaying his promotion a few weeks past opening day, the Braves pushed back Acuna's free-agent eligibility until after the 2024 season. Acuna and 21-year-old second baseman Ozzie Albies will give Atlanta the two youngest players in the majors.HOBBLINGThe Texas Rangers will see how Adrian Beltre is feeling, a day after he exited a game with a strained left hamstring. Beltre limped most of his way to first base after his 3,075th career hit. The team says the 39-year-old third baseman is set for further evaluation.MISS HIMSan Diego first baseman Eric Hosmer is out of the lineup for a couple days. He's been put on family medical leave and the Padres hope to have him back Friday."He had some things... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday:___REMEMBER HIM?The Tampa Bay Rays face former teammate Alex Cobb when they play at Camden Yards. They had been set to meet up Tuesday night, but the game in Baltimore was rained out. The 30-year-old Cobb spent his entire career with the Rays before joining the Orioles in late March. Over six years with Tampa Bay, the right-hander was 48-35 and one of the leaders of the staff.Cobb signed a $57 million, four-year deal with Baltimore. He got off to a late start because he missed most of spring training, and since his return has gone 0-2 with a 15.43 ERA.LOOKS ODDDodgers ace Clayton Kershaw has a 2.45 ERA after five starts, not far off his career mark of 2.36. But his won-loss record this season looks unusual — he's 1-3. The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner was a combined 67-18 over the previous four years. He'll try to get back in the victory column when he starts against Miami at Dodger Stadium.NEED A DOME!There have been 28 postponements... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals are the only teams on track to pay baseball's luxury tax this year, according to opening-day payroll totals compiled by Major League Baseball and obtained by The Associated Press.Boston's payroll at the start of the season for purposes of the tax was $233.9 million, which would cause the Red Sox to pay a $9.4 million tax. Washington's payroll was $201 million, which would result in a tax of $1.2 million.San Francisco was just below the $197 million tax threshold at $196.66 million. The Giants were followed by the Chicago Cubs at $183.9 million, Houston at $182.4 million, the Los Angeles Dodgers at $181.99 million and the New York Yankees at $178.8 million.New York was over the threshold from 2003-17, paying $341 million. The Dodgers have had the highest tax bill for the past four seasons and have paid nearly $150 million over the last five years.By not paying tax this year, the Yankees and Dodgers would reset their base tax rates... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:___CY VS. CYThe marquee pitching matchup of the young season takes place in Los Angeles, where Nationals ace Max Scherzer faces Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers. It will be the 13th time in history, 10th in the regular season and first since 2006, with two three-time Cy Young Award winners on the mound. Seven of the past eight involved Roger Clemens, whose Houston Astros beat Greg Maddux and the Chicago Cubs on July 19, 2006, in the most recent such game. Scherzer won the AL Cy Young Award in 2013 with Detroit and picked up his next two in 2016 and 2017 with Washington. Kershaw won the NL prize in 2011, 2013 and 2014. This season, Kershaw is 1-2 with a 1.73 ERA in four starts. Scherzer is 3-1 with a 1.33 ERA, also in four starts.HE KNOWS THE DRILLThe Reds play their first game with Jim Riggleman as interim manager, a situation Riggleman is familiar with. This is the fourth time in his career he's been promoted during a season. Cincinnati... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:___CY VS. CYThe marquee pitching matchup of the young season takes place in Los Angeles, where Nationals ace Max Scherzer faces Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers. It will be the 13th time in history, 10th in the regular season and first since 2006, with two three-time Cy Young Award winners on the mound. Seven of the past eight involved Roger Clemens, whose Houston Astros beat Greg Maddux and the Chicago Cubs on July 19, 2006, in the most recent such game. Scherzer won the AL Cy Young Award in 2013 with Detroit and picked up his next two in 2016 and 2017 with Washington. Kershaw won the NL prize in 2011, 2013 and 2014. This season, Kershaw is 1-2 with a 1.73 ERA in four starts. Scherzer is 3-1 with a 1.33 ERA, also in four starts.HE KNOWS THE DRILLThe Reds play their first game with Jim Riggleman as interim manager, a situation Riggleman is familiar with. This is the fourth time in his career he's been promoted during a season. Cincinnati... [More]