ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Josh Hamilton says he hasn't really thought much about baseball since knee issues ended his career. He last played for the Texas Rangers in 2015, and went to spring training each of the two years after that.The Rangers said Monday that 2010 AL MVP Hamilton and former Arlington Mayor Richard Greene will be inducted into the team's Hall of Fame on August. 17.The former slugger, who turns 38 on Tuesday, says it's a great honor.After Hamilton was the first overall pick in the 1999 amateur draft by Tampa Bay, his career was nearly destroyed by drug addiction. He returned to baseball with Cincinnati and made his big league debut in 2007, when he hit 19 homers in 90 games before getting traded to the Rangers. He was part of their only two World Series teams and was an All-Star five seasons in a row.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians pitcher Corey Kluber will have an X-ray on Thursday to evaluate his right arm, broke when hit by a line drive on May 1.Kluber has had his arm in a cast since being injured. Cleveland manager Terry Francona said Monday the cast could be removed and replaced with a removable splint, depending on the results of the X-ray.A two-time AL Cy Young Award winner, Kluber was diagnosed with a nondisplaced fracture to his ulna when struck by a line drive off the bat of Miami's Brian Anderson. The Indians said surgery was not needed,Kluber is 2-3 with a 5.80 ERA in seven starts. Francona said the pitcher has been working on the stationary bike.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Take away George Springer and Jose Altuve, and maybe the Houston Astros start to look a little more beatable.Maybe.The Boston Red Sox finally snapped Houston's 10-game winning streak Sunday with a 4-3 victory after Springer left the game with lower back stiffness. The Astros were already playing without Altuve, on the injured list with a strained left hamstring, but that injury did little to slow Houston. Even after Sunday's loss, the Astros have the best record and best run differential in the major leagues. They lead the AL West by 8 ½ games.Altuve hasn't played since May 10, so Houston's recent torrid stretch took place largely without him. That's a scary thought for the rest of the American League. In their first four games without their star second baseman, the Astros scored 45 runs against the Rangers and Tigers."Our guys are seeing the ball really well and making it tough on them," Houston manager AJ Hinch said while the Astros were in Detroit. "Driving the pitch counts through the... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Chicago Cubs have dropped their protest over the pitching delivery of Washington reliever Sean Doolittle.Cubs manager Joe Maddon made the announcement before Sunday night's game against the Nationals.Maddon came out twice in the ninth inning of a 5-2 loss Saturday night to complain to plate umpire San Holbrook about Doolittle. Maddon said he believed the left-handed Doolittle was tapping his right toe on the ground before coming to the plate.Cubs reliever Carl Edwards Jr. was informed at the end of spring training that his delivery, which featured a similar toe-tap, was illegal. That ruling miffed Maddon and the Cubs."The whole thing I really wanted to get done was to protect Carl," Maddon said Sunday. "I really didn't anticipate a whole lot to be done with (the protest) even though I still don't agree with the conclusion because I think it's exactly what Carl did, only a different version of it."But the point was, I would not be a good parent had I not spoken up for... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Chicago Cubs have dropped their protest over the pitching delivery of Washington reliever Sean Doolittle.Cubs manager Joe Maddon made the announcement before Sunday night's game against the Nationals.Maddon came out twice in the ninth inning of a 5-2 loss Saturday night to complain to plate umpire Sam Holbrook about Doolittle. Maddon said he believed the left-handed Doolittle was tapping his right toe on the ground before coming to the plate.After being told Doolittle's delivery was legal, Maddon announced the Cubs were playing the game under protest.Cubs reliever Carl Edwards Jr. was informed at the end of spring training that his delivery, which featured a similar toe-tap, was illegal. That ruling miffed Maddon and the Cubs.On Sunday, Maddon said the protest was done to protect Edwards.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BOSTON (AP) — Red Sox left-hander David Price will return to the rotation for Monday's series opener in Toronto.Manager Alex Cora confirmed the plan Saturday.Price (1-2, 3.75 ERA) has been sidelined with left elbow tendinitis since his last start on May 3.The 33-year-old lefty threw a pair of bullpens this week, and Cora said he was ready to start.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Texas Rangers reliever Shawn Kelley was ready to start pitching again while waiting for the results of a biopsy on two lumps that were surgically removed from his throat.Kelley said Saturday that doctors took out a couple of "decent-sized" lumps on Thursday after an initial biopsy before the surgery was inconclusive."I still don't know the results of what's in my throat, but it's out and I'm going to get back to pitching for now," he said. "We'll find out when we find out, but for now I just want to get back to playing, and physically I feel good, I feel healthy. Arm feels good, body feels good."The 35-year-old right-hander expected to get the results from the latest biopsy early next week.Kelley, who doesn't use any kind of tobacco, said he noticed the issue early this season. He had the lumps checked this month after they got bigger and bothersome while trying to sleep."The doctors, from their experience and just looking at it and feeling it and all of that stuff,... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Texas Rangers reliever Shawn Kelley had two lumps surgically removed from his throat this week.Kelley says an initial biopsy on the lumps was inconclusive, so doctors removed a couple of "decent-sized" lumps on Thursday. The 35-year-old was put on the injured list May 9, five days after he last pitched.Kelley says he noticed the issue early this season. He had the lumps checked this month after they got bigger and bothersome while trying to sleep.He's awaiting the results, but on Saturday says he feels great and is ready to return to pitching.Kelley is 3-0 with two saves and a 1.29 ERA in 14 appearances in his first season with the Rangers.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — White Sox left-hander Manny Bañuelos has been placed on the injured list, another blow to a Chicago pitching staff that already lost Carlos Rodón and Nate Jones for the season this week.Bañuelos left the fifth inning of a 9-0 loss against Cleveland on Tuesday because of a strained left shoulder. Bañuelos said he started to feel discomfort in the fourth inning, when he couldn't extend his arm properly."I wasn't doing it because I was scared that something bad could happen to my shoulder, or something could have popped out," Bañuelos said through a translator. "I wasn't able to extend my arm as I used to. That was one of the side effects of my command right after that pitch that was in the fourth inning."Bañuelos is 2-3 with a 7.26 ERA in five starts and four relief appearances. He was scheduled to start Monday against Houston.He was put on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Wednesday."Hopefully it's a very, very short stint," manager Rick Renteria said.Right-hander José Ruiz was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte, where he has a 5.40 ERA in 11 appearances this season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Ian Kinsler says he regrets using profanity during an emotional outburst after hitting a pivotal three-run home run for the San Diego Padres on Thursday night and maintained he was firing up his teammates and not taking a shot at fans.Kinsler hollered and gestured as he touched the plate after hitting the go-ahead home run in the sixth inning of the 4-3 win against Pittsburgh, and again in the dugout.Kinsler has been criticized by fans as he's struggled since joining the Padres on an $8 million, two-year deal. Many fans, particularly on social media, felt the outburst was directed at them."The only thing that I do regret is doing it on the field in front of everybody, so everyone can interpret it their own way," Kinsler said before Friday night's game, when he was due to start at second base and bat leadoff.Asked if he wanted to say anything to fans who thought he was directing it at them, to clear things up, he said, "No."The 36-year-old Kinsler, in his 14th big league... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Ian Kinsler says he regrets using profanity during an emotional outburst after hitting a pivotal three-run home run for the San Diego Padres on Thursday night and maintained he was firing up his teammates and not taking a shot at fans.Kinsler hollered and gestured as he touched the plate in the 4-3 win against Pittsburgh, and again in the dugout.Kinsler has been criticized by fans as he's struggled since joining the Padres on an $8 million, two-year deal. Many fans, particularly on social media, felt it was directed at them."The only thing that I do regret is doing it on the field in front of everybody, so everyone can interpret it their own way," Kinsler said before Friday night's game, when he was due to start at second base and bat leadoff.Asked if he wanted to say anything to fans who thought he was directing it at them, to clear things up, he said, "No."___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals have activated Carlos Martínez from the injured list after the right-hander missed the first 44 games of the season because of a strained right shoulder cuff.The club also designated veteran right-hander Luke Gregerson for assignment before Friday's interleague game at the Texas Rangers while recalling rookie reliever Ryan Helsley from Triple-A Memphis and sending down right-hander Dominic Leone.Martínez was a two-time All-Star as a starter for St. Louis before making 18 of his 33 appearances out of the bullpen last season. The 27-year-old is expected to be used as a reliever.It is the second time Helsley has been brought up from the minors this season. The 24-year-old right-hander gave up two runs in 6 1/3 innings over three appearances in his first stint.Gregerson, a 35-year-old who hadn't pitched since last July when he was activated May 4 coming off right shoulder impingement, allowed five runs and 11 hits over 5 2/3 innings in six relief appearances. Leone has an 8.02 ERA in 20 games out of the bullpen.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired journeyman catcher Erik Kratz in a trade with the San Francisco Giants.The 38-year-old Kratz hit .125 (4 for 32) in 15 games for San Francisco. He was designated for assignment on Tuesday.As part of the trade announced Thursday, the Giants agreed to send the Rays $471,613 to cover a majority of the $877,419 remaining in Kratz's $1.2 million, one-year contract. San Francisco will receive a player to be named or cash.The Giants acquired Kratz in a March 24 trade with Milwaukee for minor league infielder C.J. Hinojosa. Kratz helped the Brewers make it to the NL Championship Series last year, batting .292 with three RBIs in nine playoff games.Kratz broke into the majors with Pittsburgh in 2010. He is a .208 hitter with 31 homers and 101 RBIs in 310 career games.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired journeyman catcher Erik Kratz in a trade with the San Francisco Giants.The 38-year-old Kratz hit .125 (4 for 32) in 15 games for San Francisco. He was designated for assignment on Tuesday.The Giants acquired Kratz in a March 24 trade with Milwaukee for minor league infielder C.J. Hinojosa. He helped the Brewers make it to the NL Championship Series last year, batting .292 with three RBIs in nine playoff games.The Rays got Kratz and cash considerations from the Giants for a player to be named or cash considerations. The deal was announced on Thursday.Kratz broke into the majors with Pittsburgh in 2010. He is a .208 hitter with 31 homers and 101 RBIs in 310 career games.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Texas Rangers placed shortstop Elvis Andrus on the injured list with a strained right hamstring and recalled outfielder Willie Calhoun from Triple-A Nashville amid a flurry of roster moves Wednesday.Left-hander Jeffrey Springs was also recalled from Nashville and right-hander Wei-Chieh Huang sent to the same club before the Rangers played the middle game of their three-game set against the Royals.Andrus hurt his hamstring while running out a ground ball in the seventh inning of the series opener Tuesday night. Rangers manager Chris Woodward said he thinks Andrus should be ready to come back within 10 days, but he wants to make sure the injury is fully healed."I hope it's before that," Woodward said, "because then he'll be ready. You don't want this to linger with him being an older guy and a shortstop. There are a lot of demands on that position."Andrus, who was hitting .325 with six homers and 26 RBIs, had started a team-high 38 games. The only one he missed... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Texas Rangers placed shortstop Elvis Andrus on the injured list with a strained right hamstring and recalled outfielder Willie Calhoun from Triple-A Nashville amid a flurry of roster moves Wednesday.Left-hander Jeffrey Springs was also recalled from Nashville and right-hander Wei-Chieh Huang sent to the same club before the Rangers played the middle game of their three-game set against the Royals.Andrus hurt his hamstring while running out a ground ball in the seventh inning of the series opener Tuesday night. Rangers manager Chris Woodward said he thinks Andrus should be ready to come back within 10 days, but he wants to make sure the injury is fully healed.Calhoun was once a top-100 prospect who had struggled in brief big league stints the past couple of years. But he's been raking at Triple-A, earning the return to the majors.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DALLAS (AP) — Adrian Beltre isn't missing baseball as much as he thought he would when he retired after 21 seasons and 3,166 hits.The former Texas Rangers third baseman says he's still at peace with the announcement he made last November, which came months after he had actually decided to retire.Beltre spoke at the SMU Athletic Forum on Wednesday, about 2½ weeks before he will be back in Texas when the Rangers retire his No. 29 jersey on June 8.Beltre says he had pretty much made his decision last July. But he never said anything publicly so he could prepare himself mentally for his playing career to end.The career hits leader for foreign-born players turned 40 last month. The Dominican-born Beltre spends his time with his family in California, transporting his three kids to school and their various activities. He says retirement is nice, and keeping him busy.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — The Yankees have acquired veteran slugger Kendrys Morales from the Oakland Athletics.New York is also getting $8,491,452 from Oakland to cover most of the $8,903,226 remaining in Morales' $12 million salary. That leaves the Yankees to pay $411,774, a prorated share of the $555,000 minimum.As part of the deal announced Tuesday night, the Yankees will send Oakland a player to be named or cash.Oakland acquired Morales from Toronto on March 27, and the Blue Jays agreed to send the A's $11,445,000 as part of that swap. The 13-year major league veteran appeared in 34 games. A switch-hitter, he batted .204 with one homer and seven RBIs before being designated for assignment Monday.The Yankees added Morales a day after putting Miguel Andújar back on the injured list with a small labrum tear in his right shoulder. New York has 13 players on the IL, and Andújar had been the Yankees' best remaining fit at designated hitter.Morales is in the final year of a $33 million, three-year contract.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — The Yankees have acquired veteran slugger Kendrys Morales from the Oakland Athletics.New York is also getting cash from Oakland and will send a player to be named or cash in the deal announced by the teams Tuesday night.The A's acquired Morales from Toronto on March 27, and the 13-year major league veteran appeared in 34 games. The switch-hitter batted .204 with one homer and seven RBIs before being designated for assignment Monday.The Yankees added Morales a day after putting Miguel Andújar back on the injured list with a small labrum tear in his right shoulder. New York has 13 players on the IL, and Andújar had been the Yankees' best remaining fit at designated hitter.Morales is in the final year of a $33 million, three-year contract.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle Mariners starter Felix Hernandez is expected to miss four to six weeks after being diagnosed with a grade 1 lat strain in his right side.Seattle manager Scott Servais said Tuesday that an MRI revealed the extent of the injury. Hernandez was placed on the 10-day injured list on Sunday and was originally diagnosed as having a shoulder strain. Servais said the injury is similar to the lat strain suffered by Hunter Strickland early in the season, just not as severe.Hernandez landed on the injured list a day after he pitched 2 1/3 innings against Boston, giving up six hits and seven earned runs in his second-shortest start of the season. Hernandez lasted only one inning in April against Kansas City, but left that game because of an illness.Hernandez said he's hopeful he will be out only a couple of weeks.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports