WASHINGTON (AP) — Max Scherzer won't pitch in the All-Star Game because of a back injury, although the ace right-hander intends to represent the Washington Nationals on the sideline Monday and Tuesday in Cleveland.A three-time Cy Young Award winner and seven-time All-Star, Scherzer struck out 11 over seven shutout innings on Saturday against Kansas City. Hours later, Major League Baseball announced he would be replaced on the National League roster by Sonny Gray.Scherzer said Sunday he first began experiencing back tightness after beating Detroit on June 30. He worked through it against the Royals, but his back stiffened after his appearance.That's when it became apparent Scherzer would be better off by not pitching Tuesday night.He said Sunday: "I need some rest right now to let this thing fully heal up so that I'm completely good to go in the second half."___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein insisted Saturday he's not pinning the Chicago Cubs' struggles on manager Joe Maddon.The way Epstein sees it, there's blame to go around."I see us as in it together," Epstein said. "My job is to put him in a position to succeed. I like nothing more as an executive than sitting back — the team's playing well, the manager's on a roll, you guys are all talking about this is the best job he's ever done. That makes me feel good. Now, the team's struggling so there's going to be speculation in the other direction."The Cubs entered Saturday's game against the crosstown White Sox trailing NL Central leader Milwaukee by a half-game at 46-42. They were coming off an 11-3 romp at Pittsburgh on Thursday, but the Cubs have been in a funk for weeks, struggling at the plate and making mistakes in the field and on the bases.They were 22-28 in the 50 games prior to Saturday. That included a 14-15 mark in June — their first losing month since May... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco is being treated for leukemia, and he says it's going to make him stronger than he was before.Carrasco hasn't played for Cleveland since May 30. The 32-year-old right-hander says he got a blood test after a spring-training physical prompted some concern, and he was diagnosed with leukemia in May."I never thought that I would have something like this, because I play baseball, I'm like super healthy or something like that," Carrasco says in a video posted on the Indians' Twitter account. "But you never know what's going on inside your body."When I found out, it made me even stronger, then I push myself to work through this. Then I have a lot of people behind me, helping me, especially my teammates and family."Manager Terry Francona said the club knew the details of Carrasco's condition before the video was released. Carrasco plans to talk to the media in Cleveland next Thursday. Francona declined to talk about the pitcher's condition beyond... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco is being treated for leukemia, and he says it's going to make him stronger than he was before.Carrasco hasn't played for Cleveland since May 30. The 32-year-old right-hander says he got a blood test after a spring-training physical prompted some concern, and he was diagnosed with leukemia in May."I never thought that I would have something like this, because I play baseball, I'm like super healthy or something like that," Carrasco says in a video posted on the Indians' Twitter account. "But you never know what's going on inside your body."When I found out, it made me even stronger, then I push myself to work through this. Then I have a lot of people behind me, helping me, especially my teammates and family."The 32-year-old Carrasco also told a TV station in the Dominican Republic about his condition while visiting a hospital, where he was seeing patients. He said he feels positive about his prognosis and he'll be back with the team "at the... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians starter Carlos Carrasco is being treated for leukemia, but remains hopeful he'll pitch again this season.Carrasco, who was diagnosed in June, told a TV station in the Dominican Republic about his condition while visiting a hospital, where he was seeing patients. The 32-year-old Carrasco feels positive about his prognosis and said he'll be back with the team "at the end of July."Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. There are numerous forms of the disease, many of which are highly treatable.Carrasco was not pitching up to his standards and feeling lethargic for weeks in May before getting checked. He told CDN that doctors "saw something different in my blood."The right-hander said he received more tests, and he and his wife were given his diagnosis.The Indians have not commented on Carrasco's diagnosis.Following his diagnosis, Carrasco spoke with long-time teammate Jason Kipnis, who helped him research and understand what he was dealing... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco has revealed he is being treated for leukemia.Carrasco, who was diagnosed in June, told a TV station in the Dominican Republic about his condition while on a visit to a hospital, where he was seeing patients. Carrasco remains positive about his prognosis and believes he will pitch again this season.The 32-year-old right-hander was feeling lethargic for weeks in May before getting checked. He told CDN that doctors "saw something different in my blood."The Indians have not commented on Carrasco's diagnosis.Carrasco has developed into one of the AL's steadiest pitchers in recent years. He won 17 games last season and went 18-6 in 2017, when he finished fourth in the AL Cy Young Award voting.He has been with Cleveland since 2009. The Indians signed him to a $47 million, four-year contract in December.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco is being treated for leukemia.Carrasco made the revelation to a TV station while on a visit to the Dominican Republic, where he was visiting a hospital. Carrasco, who was diagnosed with the blood disorder in June, remains positive about his prognosis and believes he will pitch again this season.The 32-year-old right-hander was feeling lethargic in May and told CDN doctors "saw something different in my blood."The Indians have not commented on Carrasco's diagnosis.Carrasco has developed into one of the AL's steadiest pitchers in recent years. He won 17 games last season and went 18-6 in 2017, when he finished fourth in the AL Cy Young Award voting.He has been with Cleveland since 2009. The Indians signed him to a $47 million, four-year contract in December.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Retired pitcher Chris Capuano has been hired as director of operations of the Major League Baseball Players Association after receiving a master's degree in business administration degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.The 40-year-old became a player representative as a rookie in 2004 and was a member of the union's negotiating teams in 2011 and 2016.He is a graduate of Duke, where he majored in economics.Capuano was 77-92 with a 4.38 ERA in 225 starts and 91 relief appearances over 12 seasons from 2003-16 for Arizona, Milwaukee, the New York Mets, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston and the New York Yankees. He won 18 games for the Brewers in 2005 and was an All-Star the following year.His hiring was announced Friday.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Retired pitcher Chris Capuano has been hired as director of operations of the Major League Baseball Players Association after receiving a master's degree in business administration degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.The 40-year-old became a player representative as a rookie in 2004 and was a member of the union's negotiating teams in 2011 and 2016.He is a graduate of Duke, where he majored in economics.Capuano was 77-92 with a 4.38 ERA in 225 starts and 91 relief appearances over 12 seasons from 2003-16 for Arizona, Milwaukee, the New York Mets, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston and the New York Yankees. He won 18 games for the Brewers in 2005 and was an All-Star the following year.His hiring was announced Friday.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today:THE REPLACEMENTSJosé Berríos will fill in for fellow Minnesota right-hander Jake Odorizzi in the All-Star Game. Odorizzi left Tuesday's game in Oakland with a blister on his right middle finger and was headed for the injured list. Hunter Pence was replaced by Boston's Xander Bogaerts.Pence has been out since June 16 with a right groin strain and was pulled off his rehab assignment Tuesday after aggravating the injury during a minor league game. Brandon Lowe was set to replace Tommy La Stella on the AL squad. But Lowe's status also is questionable because of a right leg injury. Lowe also fouled a ball off his leg and left a game Tuesday night.TRADITIONAL STARTERSThe AL East-leading New York Yankees and second-place Tampa Bay start a four-game series in Florida on Thursday night and neither team is scheduled to use an opener.The Rays have done it 28 times, while Yankees right-hander Chad Green has filled the role seven times and left-hander... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Stephen Strasburg struck out 14 in 7 1/3 shutout innings, Brian Dozier and Matt Adams homered, and the Washington Nationals continued their midseason surge with a 3-1 win over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night.Washington has won seven of its last eight and is 25-10 since May 24. The Nationals improved to 44-41, the first time they've been three games over .500 this season.Strasburg (10-4) was, as usual, brilliant against the Marlins. He allowed two hits and two walks while extending his personal winning streak against Miami to 11. The right-hander is 20-7 with a 2.86 ERA in 34 career starts against the Marlins, who didn't get a man past first until the eighth.Strasburg's gem included the first immaculate inning of his career. Strasburg needed just nine pitches to strike out Garrett Cooper, Neil Walker and Starlin Castro in the fourth.Miami's Sandy Alcantara (4-8), making his first start since earning an All-Star nod Sunday, allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings.ANGELS 6,... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Stephen Strasburg struck out 14 in 7 1/3 shutout innings, Brian Dozier and Matt Adams homered, and the Washington Nationals continued their midseason surge with a 3-1 win over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night.Washington has won seven of its last eight and is 25-10 since May 24. The Nationals improved to 44-41, the first time they've been three games over .500 this season.Strasburg (10-4) was, as usual, brilliant against the Marlins. He allowed two hits and two walks while extending his personal winning streak against Miami to 11. The right-hander is 20-7 with a 2.86 ERA in 34 career starts against the Marlins, who didn't get a man past first until the eighth.Strasburg's gem included the first immaculate inning of his career. Strasburg needed just nine pitches to strike out Garrett Cooper, Neil Walker and Starlin Castro in the fourth.Miami's Sandy Alcantara (4-8), making his first start since earning an All-Star nod Sunday, allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings.ANGELS 6,... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Stephen Strasburg struck out 14 in 7 1/3 shutout innings, Brian Dozier and Matt Adams homered, and the Washington Nationals continued their midseason surge with a 3-1 win over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night.Washington has won seven of its last eight and is 25-10 since May 24. The Nationals improved to 44-41, the first time they've been three games over .500 this season.Strasburg (10-4) was, as usual, brilliant against the Marlins. He allowed two hits and two walks while extending his personal winning streak against Miami to 11. The right-hander is 20-7 with a 2.86 ERA in 34 career starts against the Marlins, who didn't get a man past first until the eighth.Strasburg's gem included the first immaculate inning of his career. Strasburg needed just nine pitches to strike out Garrett Cooper, Neil Walker and Starlin Castro in the fourth.Miami's Sandy Alcantara (4-8), making his first start since earning an All-Star nod Sunday, allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings.ANGELS 6,... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Stephen Strasburg struck out 14 in 7 1/3 shutout innings, Brian Dozier and Matt Adams homered, and the Washington Nationals continued their midseason surge with a 3-1 win over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night.Washington has won seven of its last eight and is 25-10 since May 24. The Nationals improved to 44-41, the first time they've been three games over .500 this season.Strasburg (10-4) was, as usual, brilliant against the Marlins. He allowed two hits and two walks while extending his personal winning streak against Miami to 11. The right-hander is 20-7 with a 2.86 ERA in 34 career starts against the Marlins, who didn't get a man past first until the eighth.Strasburg's gem included the first immaculate inning of his career. Strasburg needed just nine pitches to strike out Garrett Cooper, Neil Walker and Starlin Castro in the fourth.Miami's Sandy Alcantara (4-8), making his first start since earning an All-Star nod Sunday, allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings.ANGELS 6,... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Thursday:THE REPLACEMENTSJosé Berríos will fill in for fellow Minnesota right-hander Jake Odorizzi in the All-Star Game. Odorizzi left Tuesday's game in Oakland with a blister on his right middle finger and was headed for the injured list. Hunter Pence was replaced by Boston's Xander Bogaerts.Pence has been out since June 16 with a right groin strain and was pulled off his rehab assignment Tuesday after aggravating the injury during a minor league game. Brandon Lowe was set to replace Tommy La Stella on the AL squad. But Lowe's status also is questionable because of a right leg injury. Lowe also fouled a ball off his leg and left a game Tuesday night.TRADITIONAL STARTERSThe AL East-leading New York Yankees and second-place Tampa Bay start a four-game series in Florida on Thursday night and neither team is scheduled to use an opener.The Rays have done it 28 times, while Yankees right-hander Chad Green has filled the role seven times and left-hander... [More]

Los Angeles Angels second baseman Tommy La Stella will miss the All-Star game because of a broken bone after he fouled a 97 mph fastball off his lower right leg.La Stella had a CT scan Wednesday that revealed a broken right tibia. The Angels said La Stella likely will be out 8-10 weeks.Texas Rangers outfielder Hunter Pence, who had been selected by fans to be the AL starting designated hitter, and Minnesota right-hander Jake Odorizzi will also miss the All-Star Game in Cleveland next Tuesday because of injuries.La Stella fouled off a pitch by hard-throwing reliever Jose Leclerc in Tuesday's night's game at Texas. La Stella immediately dropped to the ground and was putting no weight on his right leg when being helped off the field.A first-time All-Star selected as a reserve, La Stella was to be replaced by Tampa Bay's Brandon Lowe on the AL squad. But Lowe's status also is questionable because of a right leg injury. Lowe also fouled a ball off a leg and left a game Tuesday night.José Berríos will fill in for fellow Minnesota right-hander Odorizzi, who left Tuesday's game in Oakland with a blister on his right middle finger and was headed for the injured list.Pence was replaced by Boston's Xander Bogaerts. Pence has been out since June 16 with a right groin strain and was pulled off his rehab assignment Tuesday after re-aggravating the injury during a minor league game.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Los Angeles Angels second baseman Tommy La Stella has been replaced on the American League All-Star team, a day after fouling a 97 mph fastball off his right shin and leaving a game against the Texas Rangers.A first-time All-Star named as a reserve, La Stella was supposed to be replaced by Tampa Bay's Brandon Lowe for next week's game in Cleveland. But Lowe's status also is questionable because of a right leg injury. Lowe also fouled a ball off his leg and left a game Tuesday night.Major League Baseball also announced Wednesday that José Berríos will fill in for fellow Minnesota right-hander Jake Odorizzi, who left Tuesday's game in Oakland with a blister on right middle finger and was headed for the injured list.Hunter Pence, the Rangers outfielder selected by fans to be the starting designated hitter, was replaced on the AL team by Xander Bogaerts of Boston. Pence has been out since June 16 with a right groin strain and was pulled off his rehab assignment Tuesday after re-aggravating the injury during a minor league game.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Los Angeles Angels second baseman Tommy La Stella has been replaced on the American League All-Star team, a day after fouling a 97 mph fastball off his right shin and leaving a game against the Texas Rangers.A first-time All-Star named as a reserve, La Stella will be replaced by Tampa Bay's Brandon Lowe for next week's game in Cleveland.Major League Baseball also announced Wednesday that José Berríos will fill in for fellow Minnesota right-hander Jake Odorizzi, who left Tuesday's game in Oakland with a blister on right middle finger and was headed for the injured list.Hunter Pence, the Rangers outfielder selected by fans to be the starting designated hitter, was replaced on the AL team by Xander Bogaerts of Boston. Pence has been out since June 16 with a right groin strain and was pulled off his rehab assignment Tuesday after re-aggravating the injury during a minor league game.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — Detroit Tigers center fielder JaCoby Jones has left the first game of a day-night doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox because of back spasms.Jones was 0 for 3 with two strikeouts before exiting in the fifth inning. Niko Goodrum moved from second base to center field. Gordon Beckham came in to play second and replaced Jones in the leadoff spot.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill has been transferred to the 60-day injured list with a left forearm strain.The 39-year-old left-hander went on the IL June 20. He is 4-1 with a 2.55 ERA in 10 starts this season.Los Angeles acquired pitcher Casey Sadler from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for pitcher Nathan Witt on Wednesday.Sadler was added to the 40-man roster and optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.The 28-year-old was 0-0 with a 1.86 ERA in nine games for the Rays. Sadler has spent part of four seasons in the major leagues with the Rays and Pittsburgh Pirates.Witt was 1-2 with a 5.32 ERA in 22 games for Single-A Great Lakes. The 23-year-old had been with the Dodgers since 2017, all in the minors.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports