ATLANTA (AP) — Austin Riley is feeling a whole lot better.Dansby Swanson? Not so much.Riley, the slugging rookie for the Atlanta Braves, will not need surgery on his injured right knee and expects to return to the lineup in about two weeks.He revealed the good news before the NL East leaders opened a three-game series against the New York Mets on Tuesday. An MRI revealed a partial tear that will require him to wear a brace but nothing more. Surgery likely would have ended his season."It looks super strong," Riley said. "(The doctor) was surprised that it was so strong. That's always good news."But Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson continues to rehab a bruised right foot that already has kept him out far longer than the team expected. He went on the 10-day injured list retroactive to July 24 and still is not sure when he'll be able to return."It's kind of a frustrating injury," Swanson said. "Obviously, it's kind of impossible to avoid it because you've got to walk and put pressure on it all... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Phillies have hired former manager Charlie Manuel to replace John Mallee as hitting coach.Manuel was working as senior adviser to the general manager. The Phillies announced Tuesday that he would assume his new position for the remainder of the season.Manuel led the Phillies to five straight division titles, two NL pennants and the franchise's second World Series championship, in 2008.His 780 wins as Philadelphia's manager are the most in team history. He was 1,000-826 in nine seasons as manager of the Phillies and three seasons managing the Cleveland Indians.The 75-year-old Manuel previously served as hitting coach for the Indians from 1988-89 and 1994-99.The Phillies are fourth in the NL East at 60-58 but only two games out of the second wild-card spot.Their offense has underperformed despite the addition of slugger Bryce Harper, All-Star J.T. Realmuto, two-time All-Star Jean Segura and former 2013 MVP Andrew McCutchen, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in June.The Phillies are 19th in runs, 24th in batting average (.245) and 23rd in home runs (149).___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians outfielder Yasiel Puig has dropped the appeal for his three-game suspension for his involvement in a brawl when he was with Cincinnati.Puig will begin serving his ban Monday night when the Indians, who have climbed back into a tie for first in the AL Central, open a three-game series against Boston.Puig was disciplined for his involvement in the latest benches-clearing incident between the Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates on July 30. The fracas began shortly after Puig was dealt to the Indians as part of a three-team trade that sent right-hander Trevor Bauer from Cleveland to Cincinnati.The animated 28-year-old Puig is batting .357 with one homer and six RBIs in 11 games for Cleveland. He has given the Indians an infusion of power and energy, helping their surge to catch the Minnesota Twins.Puig is eligible for free agency after the World Series.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BURKE, Texas (AP) — A Houston Astros fan in Texas has marked her 105th birthday with a baseball-themed party including some gifts courtesy of her favorite team.The Lufkin Daily News reports Uba Lee "Tuey" Davis celebrated Saturday at Burke United Methodist. Pastor Mike Waters helped arrange for the Astros to send Davis some birthday presents, including an Alex Bregman bobblehead and a baseball signed by Jose Altuve.Davis was born Aug.10, 1914, in Burke, a town of about 730 people located 100 miles northeast of Houston and her beloved Astros.Her great-niece and care provider, Sherry Tutt, says Davis loves dark chocolate, Dr Pepper, daily devotions and watching the Astros on television.___Information from: The Lufkin Daily News, http://www.lufkindailynews.com

BURKE, Texas (AP) — A Houston Astros fan in Texas has marked her 105th birthday with a baseball-themed party including some gifts courtesy of her favorite team.The Lufkin Daily News reports Uba Lee "Tuey" Davis celebrated Saturday at Burke United Methodist. Pastor Mike Waters helped arrange for the Astros to send Davis some birthday presents, including an Alex Bregman bobblehead and a baseball signed by Jose Altuve.Davis was born Aug.10, 1914, in Burke, a town of about 730 people located 100 miles northeast of Houston and her beloved Astros.Her great-niece and care provider, Sherry Tutt, says Davis loves dark chocolate, Dr Pepper, daily devotions and watching the Astros on television.___Information from: The Lufkin Daily News, http://www.lufkindailynews.com

Aug. 121948 — In the second game of a doubleheader, the Cleveland Indians beat the St. Louis Browns 26-3 with a 29-hit barrage. The Indians set a major league record as 14 different players hit safely.1964 — Mickey Mantle hit a home run both left- and right-handed in a 7-3 win over the Chicago White Sox. It was the 10th time in his career and a major league record for switch-hit homers in a game.1966 — Art Shamsky of the Cincinnati Reds connected for three home runs in a 14-11, 13-inning loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates at Crosley Field. Two of the homers came in the 10th and 11th innings.1970 — Curt Flood lost his $41 million antitrust suit against baseball.1974 — Nolan Ryan of the California Angels set an American League record by striking out 19 in a 4-2 win over the Boston Red Sox. Ryan, who walked two, bettered the 18 strikeouts set by Bob Feller in 1938 and tied the major league record set by Steve Carlton in 1969 and Tom Seaver in 1970.1984 — Perhaps one of the ugliest brawl-filled... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:METS MAGICAce Jacob deGrom (7-7, 2.77) and the streaking Mets go for their ninth straight win and a three-game sweep of Washington.New York has won 15 of 16, posting a pair of late-inning comeback wins this weekend at energized Citi Field. The Mets have pulled within a half-game of Washington for the first NL wild card.DeGrom is 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA in his past six starts. He'll try to stay hot against Aníbal Sanchez (7-6, 3.67) in the series finale.ASTROS BLAST OFFComing off the highest-scoring game in franchise history, Houston tries for its ninth straight win when it takes on Baltimore.The Astros teed off at Camden Yards on Saturday night, with rookie Yordan Alvarez hitting three home runs in a 23-2 romp. Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa also homered as Houston set a team record with 13 extra-base hits.The Orioles have allowed a major league-leading 240 homers and lost five straight.Justin Verlander (15-4, 2.68 ERA), who has... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Sunday:METS MAGICAce Jacob deGrom (7-7, 2.77) and the streaking Mets go for their ninth straight win and a three-game sweep of Washington.New York has won 15 of 16, posting a pair of late-inning comeback wins this weekend at energized Citi Field. The Mets have pulled within a half-game of Washington for the first NL wild card.DeGrom is 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA in his past six starts. He'll try to stay hot against Aníbal Sanchez (7-6, 3.67) in the series finale.ASTROS BLAST OFFComing off the highest-scoring game in franchise history, Houston tries for its ninth straight win when it takes on Baltimore.The Astros teed off at Camden Yards on Saturday night, with rookie Yordan Alvarez hitting three home runs in a 23-2 romp. Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa also homered as Houston set a team record with 13 extra-base hits.The Orioles have allowed a major league-leading 240 homers and lost five straight.Justin Verlander (15-4, 2.68 ERA), who has... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:CLEVELAND CLOSES INThe Indians can take over the AL Central lead with another win at Target Field. After trailing the Twins by 11½ games on June 3, Cleveland has gone 41-16 to tie them for the division lead.José Ramírez and the Indians have won the first two in a four-game series at Minnesota. His slow start was one reason they faced a large deficit — the two-time All-Star was hitting .201 as of June 20, but has hit .338 with 17 doubles, 11 home runs and 33 RBIs since. He has an extra-base hit in eight straight games.Adam Plutko (4-2, 4.55 ERA) tries to pitch Cleveland into first place when he faces All-Star Jake Odorizzi (12-5, 3.61). The Twins have lost four in a row for the first time this season.SANCHEZ STRINGAaron Sanchez (4-14, 5.76 ERA) makes his second start for Houston, facing the Orioles at Camden Yards. Acquired from Toronto on July 31, he had quite a debut for the Astros, going the first six innings in a combined no-hitter against... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:CLEVELAND CLOSES INThe Indians can take over the AL Central lead with another win at Target Field. After trailing the Twins by 11½ games on June 3, Cleveland has gone 41-16 to tie them for the division lead.José Ramírez and the Indians have won the first two in a four-game series at Minnesota. His slow start was one reason they faced a large deficit — the two-time All-Star was hitting .201 as of June 20, but has hit .338 with 17 doubles, 11 home runs and 33 RBIs since. He has an extra-base hit in eight straight games.Adam Plutko (4-2, 4.55 ERA) tries to pitch Cleveland into first place when he faces All-Star Jake Odorizzi (12-5, 3.61). The Twins have lost four in a row for the first time this season.SANCHEZ STRINGAaron Sanchez (4-14, 5.76 ERA) makes his second start for Houston, facing the Orioles at Camden Yards. Acquired from Toronto on July 31, he had quite a debut for the Astros, going the first six innings in a combined no-hitter... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — Brett Gardner lost his cool and the New York Yankees lost their nine-game winning streak, beaten by the Toronto Blue Jays 8-2 Friday night.Teoscar Hernandez homered twice, Danny Jansen hit a three-run drive and Randal Grichuk added a two-run shot. Toronto connected three times off homer-prone lefty J.A. Happ (9-7).Blue Jays rookie Bo Bichette went hitless for the first time in his 12-game career, ending a major league record streak that saw him hit at least one double in nine consecutive games. Instead of contributing with his bat, the 21-year-old shortstop bailed the Blue Jays out with his glove, making a run-saving catch on Did Gregorius' bases-loaded liner to end the fifth.Gardner was ejected and had to be restrained from going after home plate umpire Chris Segal in the fourth.Mike Tauchman and Mike Ford hit solo home runs for the Yankees, who have two or more homers in a season-high eight straight games.Blue Jays right-hander Sean Reid-Foley (2-2) allowed one run in five... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Jay Bruce has been put on the injured list, only one day after he returned following a three-week absence for a different injuryBruce is out this time with strained left flexor. The Phillies made the move before Friday night's game at San Francisco.Bruce started and played in left field during Thursday night's 5-0 loss to the San Francisco Giants. The 32-year-old made a handful of plays but injured his hip making a throw back to the infield in the third inning. Bruce remained in the game and went 0 for 3.Bruce began the season with Seattle Mariners before the Phillies acquired him and cash in a trade on June 2 for minor league infielder Jake Scheiner. Bruce has 24 home runs and 57 games combined this season and is the only player in history to have 10 or more home runs for two different teams before the All-Star break.Adam Haseley replaced Bruce in the lineup and was batting eighth playing in center field. Haseley was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley to make room for Bruce but had not left San Francisco.__More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today:UNEXPECTED IN THE EASTThe Nationals and Mets begin a three-game series in Queens with surprising significance considering both teams have been more than 10 games below .500 this season. Washington now leads the NL wild-card race, and New York is only 2 1/2 games behind. The Mets have won 13 of 14 after stunningly deciding to be buyers at the trade deadline, and former Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman (6-11, 3.07) will make his second start since being acquired last month. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg (14-5, 3.72) is up for the Nats, who recently swept a three-game set at San Francisco.BIG SWINGS UP NORTHThe Yankees and Blue Jays are set to slug it out again a night after making history in Toronto. New York hit three home runs — two from Gio Urshela — to set a big league record with 19 homers over four games. Meanwhile, Blue Jays rookie Bo Bichette became the first player ever to double in nine straight games, and he also homered... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:UNEXPECTED IN THE EASTThe Nationals and Mets begin a three-game series in Queens with surprising significance considering both teams have been more than 10 games below .500 this season. Washington now leads the NL wild-card race, and New York is only 2 1/2 games behind. The Mets have won 13 of 14 after stunningly deciding to be buyers at the trade deadline, and former Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman (6-11, 3.07) will make his second start since being acquired last month. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg (14-5, 3.72) is up for the Nats, who recently swept a three-game set at San Francisco.BIG SWINGS UP NORTHThe Yankees and Blue Jays are set to slug it out again a night after making history in Toronto. New York hit three home runs — two from Gio Urshela — to set a big league record with 19 homers over four games. Meanwhile, Blue Jays rookie Bo Bichette became the first player ever to double in nine straight games, and he also homered... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:UNEXPECTED IN THE EASTThe Nationals and Mets begin a three-game series in Queens with surprising significance considering both teams have been more than 10 games below .500 this season. Washington now leads the NL wild-card race, and New York is only 2 1/2 games behind. The Mets have won 13 of 14 after stunningly deciding to be buyers at the trade deadline, and former Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman (6-11, 3.07) will make his second start since being acquired last month. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg (14-5, 3.72) is up for the Nats, who recently swept a three-game set at San Francisco.PRICE DOWNThe Red Sox will try to remain relevant to the AL playoff picture without left-hander David Price, who was placed on the 10-day IL on Thursday after an MRI revealed a cyst on his left wrist. The team announced the 33-year-old Price was treated with a shot of cortisone in the wrist. Price is 7-5 record with a 4.36 ERA over 21 starts this season.... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets have signed free agent right-handed pitcher Brad Brach and optioned left-hander Donnie Hart to Triple-A Syracuse.Also Thursday, New York transferred outfielder Brandon Nimmo to the 60-day injured list with a neck injury.The 33-year-old Brach, a 2016 All-Star with Baltimore, has a career 3.32 ERA with 33 saves over nine major league seasons with the Padres, Orioles, Braves and Cubs. The 6-foot-6, 215-pound native of Freehold, New Jersey, has pitched in 311 games since 2015, ninth most in the majors. He had 45 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings, going 4-3 in 42 games with the Cubs this season before being released this week.Brach was drafted in 2008 by the Padres out of Monmouth. In his All-Star season, he was 10-4 with a 2.05 ERA. He had a 1.52 ERA in 27 games for Atlanta last year after he was acquired ahead of the non-waiver trade deadline.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs placed closer Craig Kimbrel on the 10-day injured list Monday and announced All-Star catcher Willson Contreras will be sidelined for four weeks with a right hamstring strain.The pair of injuries will test Chicago's depth and the ingenuity of its front office as it tries to win the roller-coaster NL Central for the third time in four years. While manager Joe Maddon has some veteran bullpen options, the catching situation is more perilous and the team can't trade for help under a new set of rules that began this year.Kimbrel, who got a late start this year after he finalized a $43 million, three-year deal with the Cubs in June, is dealing with inflammation in his right knee. He said it started bothering him while he was closing out Saturday's 4-1 victory over the Brewers."We assessed it yesterday morning and it looked like there was a strain and some swelling in there and we're just going to let it calm down," Kimbrel said before Chicago's 6-5 victory over... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs have placed closer Craig Kimbrel on the 10-day injured list with right knee inflammation, and All-Star catcher Willson Contreras will miss the next four weeks with a right hamstring strain.The injuries are a pair of significant blows for the NL Central-leading Cubs, who are trying to hold off St. Louis and Milwaukee to win the division for the third time in four years.Kimbrel says his knee started bothering him while he was closing out Saturday's 4-1 victory over the Brewers. The IL stint is retroactive to Sunday, and Kimbrel thinks he will be ready when he is eligible to return.Contreras also got hurt Saturday. He had an MRI on Monday that showed a Grade 2 strain. He experienced a similar injury in 2017.The Cubs recalled right-hander Duane Underwood Jr. before their series opener against Oakland. They also announced reliever Brad Brach cleared waivers and was released.___Jay Cohen can be reached at https://twitter.com/jcohenap___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BOSTON (AP) — Red Sox slugger J.D. Martinez has been scratched from Monday night's lineup due to back tightness.Boston manager Alex Cora told the media about two hours before the Red Sox were slated to host the Kansas City Royals at Fenway Park."It's been acting up, a little bit tight," Cora said. "This morning he felt it, got treatment, so we're going to stay away from him."The Red Sox enter the game on an eight-game losing streak, their longest since they dropped eight in a row in July of 2015. Their next longest is 10 straight, done in May of 2014.The defending World Series champions are also 6 ½ games out of a playoff spot and trail the AL East-leading Yankees by 14 ½ games after getting swept in a four-game series over the weekend against their rivals in New York.With Martinez, the club's usual cleanup hitter out, Christian Vázquez was moved into the DH spot and will bat sixth. Andrew Benintendi was slotted fourth in the order.Martinez is batting .299 with 24 home runs and 65 RBIs, far off the pace of last season when he put up 43 homers and a major-league leading 130 RBIs.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PITTSBURGH (AP) — New York Mets star Robinson Canó limped off the field after straining his left hamstring while rounding first base.Canó grabbed at the back of his leg and pulled up after lining a hit to right in the fourth inning Sunday against Pittsburgh, his third hit of the game and ninth hit in his last 15 at-bats. Melky Cabrera threw to shortstop Kevin Newman, who tagged out Canó.In his first season with the Mets after being acquired from Seattle, the 36-year-old Canó was limited to one game between May 22 and June 16 because of a strained left quadriceps. He is hitting .252 with 10 homers and 32 RBIs.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports