A look at what's happening around the majors Sunday:MAKING A NAMECuban rookie Yordan Alvarez is off to a smashing start for the injury-depleted Houston Astros, becoming just one of four players in major league history to hit four home runs in his first five games.The 21-year-old is 8 for 17 so far. He's driven in eight runs, scored eight times and also drawn six walks.Alvarez hit an upper-deck drive at Minute Maid Park on Saturday and joined Trevor Story, who hit six homers for Colorado in 2016, Yasiel Puig (Dodgers, 2013) and Mike Jacobs (Mets, 2005) for big starts.Alvarez and the Astros take on Toronto.CHECK THEMBraves starter Sean Newcomb was forced to leave Saturday night's start against Philadelphia after being hit in the back of the head by a line drive off the bat of J.T. Realmuto. Newcomb walked off the field under his own power in Atlanta, escorted by two trainers. The ball was clocked at 102 mph and caromed off Newcomb's head and sailed into the netting behind the Phillies' dugout... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The New York Yankees neared a trade for Seattle slugger Edwin Encarnación on Saturday night, looking to boost a power-packed lineup that's been beset by injuries.A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press the teams were trying to complete the deal. The person spoke under condition of anonymity because the trade was not finalized.ESPN was the first to report the deal. It was not immediately known what the Yankees might send to the Mariners.The 36-year-old Encarnación began the day leading the AL with 21 home runs in his first season with Seattle. He has averaged 37 homers and 109 RBIs in his last seven years.Encarnación was not on the field with the Mariners as they warmed up for Saturday night's game at Oakland.Encarnación, who is a first baseman and designated hitter, is hitting .241 and is among the league leaders with 49 RBIs and 48 runs scored. The three-time All-Star moved from Cleveland to Seattle last December in a three-team trade that included... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Plate umpire Brian O'Nora has left the St. Louis Cardinals-New York Mets game after getting hit in the groin by a foul ball.Matt Carpenter fouled off a pitch from New York starter Noah Syndergaard in the third inning Saturday night, and the ball bounced up and hit O'Nora. He staggered but stayed on his feet, and was checked by a Mets athletic trainer.The 56-year-old O'Nora initially remained in the game following a brief pause to gather himself. But a few pitches later, with Dexter Fowler at the plate, the veteran ump headed for the Mets dugout in discomfort with his hand covering his mouth.Both teams came off the field during a delay that lasted about 10 minutes as first base umpire Chad Whitson went inside to put on protective gear. He moved behind the plate, and the game resumed with three umps.It was the latest in a rash of injuries and health issues for umpires lately.Three games in one day recently were completed with crews short. Mike Muchlinski replaced Jim Wolf... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations says the New York Yankees are close to getting slugger Edwin Encarnación in a trade with the Seattle Mariners.The person spoke to The Associated Press under condition of anonymity because the trade was not complete Saturday.ESPN was the first to report the deal. It was not immediately known what the Yankees might send to the Mariners.The 36-year-old Encarnación began the day leading the AL with 21 home runs in his first season with Seattle. He has averaged 37 homers and 109 RBIs in his last seven years.Encarnación was not on the field with the Mariners as they warmed up for Saturday night's game at Oakland.Encarnación, who is a first baseman and designated hitter, would boost what is already a power-packed lineup. The Yankees have managed to stay in the AL East race despite a long list of injuries.Giancarlo Stanton could return next week after being sidelined by biceps, shoulder and calf injuries, and Aaron Judge also is inching closer after he strained his left oblique in April.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Eighteen years after the Minnesota Twins took Joe Mauer with the first overall draft pick, the hometown star with the textbook left-handed swing was still having a hard time realizing his place among the franchise's all-time greats.As Mauer's jersey number formally joined the seven others retired by the Twins on Saturday night, the six-time All-Star and three-time batting champion sounded as awestruck of his place in team history as on his first day of rookie ball."Wearing the No. 7 the past 15 years has been my absolute pleasure," Mauer said, his voice cracking as he paused to compose himself, "and being able to play my entire career in that number in front of my family, friends and fans here at home means more to me than any of you will ever know."Though the Twins took the best record in the major leagues into their game against Kansas City, the sellout crowd on this night was more about the uniform retirement for Mauer, who was born and raised just across the Mississippi... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Reds rookie Nick Senzel fouled a pitch off his left eye and came out of a game against the Texas Rangers on Saturday night.The outfielder fouled a pitch from Mike Minor into the dirt, the ball deflecting off his foot and hitting the bill of his helmet and his eye. A trainer applied a towel and helped him off the field.Senzel was the second overall pick in the 2016 Major League Baseball draft out of Tennessee, getting a $6.2 million bonus. Bouts of vertigo and a broken right index finger slowed has ascent. He sprained his right ankle during spring training and made his debut on May 3.Senzel hit three homers in his first four games, a franchise record.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Desperate for help in a failing bullpen, the New York Mets acquired reliever Brooks Pounders from the Cleveland Indians for cash on Saturday.Pounders, who had been pitching at Triple-A Columbus, was immediately added to the major league roster. The Mets (33-36) also recalled right-hander Chris Flexen from Triple-A Syracuse and put him in the bullpen against St. Louis as well.Right-hander Tim Peterson was optioned to Syracuse, and veteran lefty Hector Santiago was designated for assignment.In other news, the Mets signed first-round draft pick Brett Baty, a 19-year-old third baseman out of Lake Travis High School in Texas. He received a $3.9 million bonus, below the slot value of $4,366,400 for being the 12th overall selection.New York began the night 16 for 32 in save chances, the most blown saves in the majors. The bullpen's 5.23 ERA ranked 25th out of 30 teams, and the struggling relief corps was 1-6 with a 9.28 ERA in 16 games since May 27.Dating to May 21, the Mets had... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Braves starter Sean Newcomb has left the game in a scary scene after being hit in the back of the head by a line drive off the bat of Philadelphia's J.T. Realmuto.Newcomb was checked by a trainer and walked off the field under his own power in Atlanta, escorted by two trainers Saturday.The ball was clocked at 102 mph and caromed off Newcomb's head and sailed into the netting behind the Phillies' dugout on the third base side. Realmuto covered his mouth with both hands as he ran to first base on what went as a ground-rule double.The play occurred in the third inning at SunTrust Park. Newcomb turned his head as the ball approached and knelt on the mound immediately after getting hit. Catcher Tyler Flowers had him stay down while a trainer and Braves manager Brian Snitker came out to tend to the left-hander.Touki Toussaint took Newcomb's spot.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Cubs have placed starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation.The move Saturday comes a day after one of the right-hander's worst outings of the season. He allowed five runs in 4 1/3 innings of a 5-3 loss to the Dodgers.Manager Joe Maddon says Hendricks had his usual velocity but his command was off, likely because the ball was cutting at the end of his pitches.Hendricks entered Friday's game with a 6-0 record and 1.99 ERA in his previous eight starts.He leads the Cubs in innings pitched and has a 3.36 ERA and staff-leading 4.69 strikeout-to-walk ratio.Maddon says any decisions about the rotation would be made later.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Desperate for help in a failing bullpen, the New York Mets have acquired reliever Brooks Pounders from the Cleveland Indians for cash.Pounders, who had been pitching at Triple-A Columbus, was immediately added to the major league roster for Saturday night's game against St. Louis. The Mets also recalled right-hander Chris Flexen from Triple-A Syracuse and put him in the bullpen as well.Right-hander Tim Peterson was optioned to Syracuse, and veteran lefty Hector Santiago was designated for assignment.In other news, the Mets signed first-round draft pick Brett Baty, a 19-year-old third baseman out of Lake Travis High School in Texas.Baty, the 12th overall selection, took batting practice at Citi Field, showing off his impressive left-handed power, and was formally introduced at a news conference. He received a $3.9 million bonus, below the slot value of $4,366,400.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels designated Cody Allen for assignment Saturday, a day after the veteran relief pitcher gave up four runs in a 9-4 loss to Tampa Bay.The 30-year-old Allen was signed to a one-year, $8.5 million contract in January after seven seasons with the Cleveland Indians. The Angels recalled right-hander Taylor Cole from Triple-A Salt Lake City.Allen gave up four hits, including a two-run home run, and two walks in 2/3 of an inning against the Rays. In 25 games this season, Allen is 0-2 with a 6.26 ERA and four saves in four opportunities.He was sidelined earlier in the season with a back strain.Angels manager Brad Ausmus says the move "unfortunately it was one we felt we had to make for the team. He worked his tail off. He cared. He wanted to get back to where he was, but nothing was sticking."____More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today:YU AGAIN?Yu Darvish says he expects to hear some boos when he takes the mound for the Cubs at Dodger Stadium. It will be his first outing at the ballpark since he got roughed up in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series, chased early as the Houston Astros beat Los Angeles to win their first championship. Darvish got hit hard in both of his starts in that Series, and some fans blamed him for the Dodgers' defeat.This year, Darvish is 2-3 with a 4.98 ERA in 14 starts for Chicago.NEED NOLAPhillies righty Aaron Nola (6-1, 4.58) starts at Atlanta — the NL East-leading Braves have won eight in a row. Nola has done well against Atlanta in his career, going 8-3 with a 2.05 ERA in 13 starts.OH THAT ODORIZZIComing into this season, Jake Odorizzi was 47-48 lifetime with a 3.95 ERA. But this year, he's a major reason why the Minnesota Twins have the best record in the big leagues.Odorizzi (9-2, 1.92 ERA) has excelled through 13 starts — he hasn't permitted... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The New York Yankees might have their most feared sluggers back in the lineup soon after Aaron Judge joined Giancarlo Stanton on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday.Judge, making his first rehab appearance, went 0 for 4 the designated hitter Friday night in a 16-3 loss at Durham. Stanton started in right field and hit a three-run homer off a building behind the left field wall after the Yankees transferred him from Class A Tampa to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre."We feel like they're at a point where they're doing well and obviously they've got to get through these final steps and hurdles and rack up some time here," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "But we're starting to plan and get excited for them, hopefully joining us at some point on the homestand."Judge, the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year and a two-time All-Star, has been sidelined since April 20 because of a strained left oblique. Stanton, the 2017 NL MVP, has not played for the Yankees since March... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:YU AGAIN?Yu Darvish says he expects to hear some boos when he takes the mound for the Cubs at Dodger Stadium. It will be his first outing at the ballpark since he got roughed up in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series, chased early as the Houston Astros beat Los Angeles to win their first championship. Darvish got hit hard in both of his starts in that Series, and some fans blamed him for the Dodgers' defeat.This year, Darvish is 2-3 with a 4.98 ERA in 14 starts for Chicago.NEED NOLAPhillies righty Aaron Nola (6-1, 4.58) starts at Atlanta — the NL East-leading Braves have won eight in a row. Nola has done well against Atlanta in his career, going 8-3 with a 2.05 ERA in 13 starts.OH THAT ODORIZZIComing into this season, Jake Odorizzi was 47-48 lifetime with a 3.95 ERA. But this year, he's a major reason why the Minnesota Twins have the best record in the big leagues.Odorizzi (9-2, 1.92 ERA) has excelled through 13 starts — he hasn't permitted... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Cleveland's Jake Bauers has hit for the cycle against Detroit.Bauers doubled in the second inning, then singled and tripled during the Indians' eight-run fourth. He added a two-run homer in the eighth that went an estimated 406 feet to right field.The 23-year-old Bauers became the first Cleveland player to hit for the cycle since Rajai Davis on July 2, 2016, at Toronto.Bauers, who made his big league debut last year with Tampa Bay, entered Friday's game hitting just .209.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez pulled himself out of his first minor league rehab start because of fatigue.Hernandez exited Friday after throwing 31 pitches for Triple-A Tacoma. The Mariners said Hernandez came out of the game when he wore down, not with pain.Hernandez allowed two hits and two runs in 2 1/3 innings against San Antonio before coming out. He struck out two and walked one.Seattle had hoped their former ace would throw between 50-60 pitches in his first outing since going on the injured list with right shoulder stiffness on May 12.The 33-year-old righty is 1-4 with a 6.52 ERA in eight starts for Seattle.__More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Oakland Athletics outfielder Stephen Piscotty will be out until at least next week after he had a melanoma removed from his right ear.The 28-year-old Piscotty had surgery Thursday after the melanoma on the outer lobe of his ear was discovered during a routine spot check on May 28. A biopsy came back positive a week later.Dr. Brian Parrett performed the operation at the California Pacific Medical Campus."From what I hear everything was pretty successful," A's manager Bob Melvin said Friday. "He didn't make a big deal of it. Even with the guys he didn't want a lot of fanfare. He didn't want it weighing anybody down. Obviously we're thinking about it."Piscotty will be evaluated daily and the A's expect him to return next week.General manager David Forst said the good news is the melanoma was discovered early. The A's hold an annual skin check screening for the team, coaches and employees."We believe it was caught early hopefully as a result of Stephen being vigilant,"... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:OH THAT ODORIZZIComing into this season, Jake Odorizzi was 47-48 lifetime with a 3.95 ERA. But this year, he's a major reason why the Minnesota Twins went into the weekend with the best record in the big leagues.Odorizzi (9-2, 1.92 ERA) has excelled through 13 starts — he hasn't permitted a run in six of his last eight outings, and now faces Kansas City at Target Field.MORTON MOMENTUMRays right-hander Charlie Morton (8-0, 2.10 ERA) pitches against the Angels at Tropicana Field, looking to extend his 21-start unbeaten streak that began last Aug. 17 when he played for Houston.The 35-year-old has made 14 starts this season in his first year with Tampa Bay. He's done well in his career vs. Angels stars Mike Trout (3 for 12, 1 HR) and Albert Pujols (7 for 30, no HRs).NEED NOLAPhillies righty Aaron Nola (6-1, 4.58) starts at Atlanta as the teams compete atop the NL East. Nola has done well against the Braves, going 8-3 with a 2.05 ERA in 13... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The New York Yankees might have their most feared sluggers back in the lineup soon after Aaron Judge joined Giancarlo Stanton on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday.Judge, making his first rehab appearance, was the designated hitter Friday night at Durham. Stanton was in right field after the Yankees transferred him from Class A Tampa to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre."We feel like they're at a point where they're doing well and obviously they've got to get through these final steps and hurdles and rack up some time here," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "But we're starting to plan and get excited for them, hopefully joining us at some point on the homestand."Judge, the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year and a two-time All-Star, has been sidelined since April 20 because of a strained left oblique. Stanton, the 2017 NL MVP, has not played for the Yankees since March 31 because of biceps, shoulder and calf injuries.Boone said Stanton could be ready to rejoin the... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — Boston Red Sox reliever Heath Hembree has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained right elbow.Hembree is 1-0 with a 2.51 ERA and one save in 31 appearances. He is working on a streak of nine straight games without allowing a run."I know my arm pretty good," Hembree said before the Red Sox faced the Orioles at Camden Yards on Friday. "It's nothing that I'm concerned about. I can tell that there's not really any damage; it's just soreness."The right-hander last pitched Monday, retiring all four batters he faced in a loss to Texas. Manager Alex Cora wanted to use Hembree against the Rangers on Thursday, but was forced to summon Josh Smith."I gave them my word, basically, before the game I was good-to-go and then got up in the seventh and couldn't do it," Hembree said. "We shut it down."Cora does not expect to be without the 30-year-old reliever for long."It's one of those that we'd rather stay away from him for a while. He should be fine in around 10 days," Cora said. "It's actually retroactive (to June 11). He's been throwing the ball so well we don't want to take a chance. So we made the move."Boston recalled rookie left-hander Josh Taylor to fill the void in the bullpen. Taylor has a 10.80 ERA in five games with Boston this season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports