BALTIMORE (AP) — Locked in a desperate push to get back into the playoffs, the Boston Red Sox had no intention of waiting until the end of the month to upgrade their starting rotation.Getting a jump on the July 31 trade deadline, the Red Sox obtained burly right-hander Andrew Cashner from the Baltimore Orioles for two 17-year-old prospects.The deal was announced Saturday after Baltimore beat Tampa Bay 2-1 in the first game of a day-night doubleheader.Cashner is 9-3 with a 3.83 ERA in 17 starts for the team with the worst record in the majors. He has gone at least six innings in his last five starts and has a 1.41 ERA since the beginning of June."He'll be here (Sunday) and start on Tuesday," Red Sox general manager Dave Dombrowski said.Better sooner than later."We just felt that this makes sense for us, to get him right into the rotation," Dombrowski said. "He's excited to be here, excited to pitch, excited to join the club and be part of the pennant race."The 32-year-old Cashner goes from... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Washington Nationals have put Max Scherzer on the 10-day injury list because the ace right-hander has a mid-back strain.An MRI on Scherzer's back came back negative, and the three-time Cy Young Award winner had his start pushed back from Sunday to Tuesday. But he was placed on the injury list retroactive to July 10 after throwing a bullpen session before Saturday's game.Catcher Spencer Kieboom was recalled from Double-A Harrisburg to take Scherzer's roster spot.Scherzer was 7-0 with a 0.84 ERA in his last nine starts before the All-Star break. He is 9-5 with a 2.30 ERA overall.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have upgraded their starting rotation by obtaining right-hander Andrew Cashner in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles.The deal was announced Saturday after Baltimore beat Tampa Bay 2-1 in the first game of a day-night doubleheader. The Red Sox also got cash while sending a pair of 17-year-old prospects to the Orioles.Cashner is 9-3 with a 3.83 ERA in 17 starts for the team with the worst record in the majors. He has gone at least six innings in his last five starts and has a 1.41 ERA since the beginning of June.The 32-year-old Cashner goes from the rebuilding Orioles to the defending World Series champion Red Sox, who are striving to get back into the postseason after getting off to a poor start. Boston began the day far back of AL East-leading New York but in the thick of the wild-card race.The trade came less than three weeks before the July 31 trade deadlineCashner is in the final season of a two-year, $16 million contract. He has a lifetime record of 55-82 with a 4.00 ERA.Baltimore agreed to send Boston $1,777,839 to cover all but $1,577,000 of the $3,354,839 Cashner is due from his $8 million salary this year. Baltimore also agreed to make contingent payments on some of Cashner's performance bonuses if he should achieve them.The Orioles received infielder Noelberth Romero and outfielder Elio Prado.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MIAMI (AP) — Former three-time All-Star outfielder Matt Kemp has been released by the New York Mets.Kemp signed a minor league contract with the Mets on May 24 and played in eight games for Triple-A Syracuse, hitting .235 with one home run and three RBIs."We're going to exhaust every effort we can to find the best players we can and we've got a couple of veteran guys we have tried out, some work, some don't," Mets manager Mickey Callaway said.The 34-year-old Kemp made the NL All-Star team last season in his second stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers, finishing with a .290 batting average, 21 home runs and 85 RBIs.He was traded to Cincinnati in the offseason as part of a deal with Yasiel Puig and appeared in 20 games for the Reds this season, hitting .200 with one home run and five RBIs before sustaining a broken rib after colliding into the outfield wall during a game in San Diego on April 21."I like Matt," said Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly, who was Kemp's manager for four seasons... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees have activated first baseman Luke Voit from the 10-day injured list Saturday prior to their game against the Toronto Blue Jays.Voit missed seven games after being sidelined with an abdominal strain on June 29 during the first of New York's two games against the Boston Red Sox in London.The move returns one of New York's steadiest sluggers to its already formidable lineup. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Voit is hitting .270 with 17 homers, 50 RBIs and a .901 OPS. Voit was batting third for the Yankees, who boast the best record in the American League.In a corresponding move, infielder Breyvic Valera was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre following Friday's game.

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees have activated first baseman Luke Voit from the 10-day injured list Saturday prior to their game against the Toronto Blue Jays.Voit missed seven games after being sidelined with an abdominal strain on June 29 during the first of New York's two games against the Boston Red Sox in London.The move returns one of New York's steadiest sluggers to its already formidable lineup. The 6-foot-3, 225-point Voit is hitting .270 with 17 homers, 50 RBIs and a .901 OPS. Voit was batting third for the Yankees, who boast the best record in the American League.In a corresponding move, infielder Breyvic Valera was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre following Friday's game.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — When the Los Angeles Angels think about Tyler Skaggs in the months and years ahead, Andrew Heaney is grateful they'll have the memory of one incredible night to assuage their sadness.With Skaggs' name and No. 45 on all of their jerseys Friday night, the Angels played practically perfect baseball throughout their first home game since their 27-year-old teammate's death.After they completed a combined no-hitter and a 13-0 victory over Seattle, the Angels gathered on the field and placed those No. 45 jerseys on the mound until it was more red than brown.The Angels then stood reverently in a circle to pay one more tribute to the ebullient, lanky left-hander who definitely would have called them nasty."For us, it's emotionally therapeutic," said Heaney, Skaggs' best friend and fellow starting pitcher. "After the game, we ran out on the field and everybody was celebrating. Like three hours earlier, I don't know about everybody else, (but) I had tears in my eyes. You're... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:REMEMBER WHENRed Sox left-hander Chris Sale faces the Dodgers for the first time since he came out of the bullpen to finish last year's World Series, striking out the side in the ninth inning of Boston's 5-1 victory in Game 5. Sale struggled in his final two starts before the All-Star break, allowing 10 runs and 15 hits in 11 2/3 innings. Ross Stripling pitches for NL-leading Los Angeles.ON THE MENDAll-Star infielder Alex Bregman could return to Houston's starting lineup after he took a groundball off his chin during the Astros' 5-0 loss at Texas on Thursday night. Manager AJ Hinch says Bregman, who needed four stitches, has been evaluated a couple of times since getting hit and is doing OK. He says Bregman "has not been diagnosed with a concussion at all." Bregman was playing shortstop in the series opener when a grounder by Shin-Soo Choo popped up and hit him below his mouth in the third inning. Bregman, the team's primary third baseman,... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels all wore Tyler Skaggs' No. 45 jerseys as they stood solemnly on the field while his mother, Debbie, delivered a heartbreakingly perfect strike with her first pitch.Three incredible hours later, the Angels walked back onto the Angel Stadium field, some with tears in their eyes. One by one, they removed those No. 45 jerseys and spread them over the mound until nearly all of the dirt was covered in red.In between those two melancholy, magical moments, the Angels played their heavy hearts out in their first home game since their beloved pitcher's death.Their 13-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday was a combined no-hitter by Taylor Cole and Félix Peña. Mike Trout contributed six RBIs, including a 454-foot homer on the first pitch he saw.On the day before what would have been Skaggs' 28th birthday, these astonishing Angels played a practically perfect game with his memory in their minds."Tonight was in honor of him," Trout said. "He was... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels all put on Tyler Skaggs' No. 45 jerseys and stood solemnly on the field while his mother, Debbie, delivered a heartbreakingly perfect strike on the first pitch.The Angels then proceeded to play their heavy hearts out in their first home game since their beloved pitcher's death.Two Angels pitchers combined to throw the 11th no-hitter in franchise history, and Mike Trout drove in six runs in a stunning 13-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.On the day before what would have been Skaggs' 28th birthday, these astonishing Angels played a practically perfect game with his memory in their minds."Tonight was in honor of him," Trout said. "He was definitely looking over us tonight. He's probably up there saying we're nasty. What an unbelievable game to be a part of. I'm speechless. This is the best way possible to honor him tonight. It was pretty crazy."This tribute ended up exceeding all logic and expectation. Still reeling from the... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels put on Tyler Skaggs' No. 45 jerseys and stood solemnly on the field while his mother, Debbie, delivered a heartbreakingly perfect strike on the first pitch.The Angels then proceeded to play their heavy hearts out in their first home game since their beloved pitcher's death.Two Angels pitchers combined to throw the 11th no-hitter in franchise history, and Mike Trout drove in six runs in a stunning 13-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.On the day before what would have been Skaggs' 28th birthday, these astonishing Angels played a practically perfect game with his memory in their minds."Tonight is about him," injured Angels infielder Zack Cozart said before the game. "We're going to do what we can to honor him and keep his legacy going."This tribute ended up exceeding all logic and expectation, however.Still reeling from the loss of their left-handed starter early last week in Texas, the Angels somehow excelled in every aspect... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels put on Tyler Skaggs' No. 45 jerseys and stood solemnly on the field while his mother, Debbie, delivered a heartbreakingly perfect strike on the first pitch.The Angels then proceeded to play their heavy hearts out in their first home game since their beloved pitcher's death.Two Angels pitchers combined to throw the 11th no-hitter in franchise history, and Mike Trout drove in six runs in a stunning 13-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.On the day before what would have been Skaggs' 28th birthday, these astonishing Angels played a practically perfect game with his memory in their minds."Tonight is about him," injured Angels infielder Zack Cozart said before the game. "We're going to do what we can to honor him and keep his legacy going."This tribute ended up exceeding all logic and expectation, however.Still reeling from the loss of their left-handed starter early last week in Texas, the Angels somehow excelled in every aspect... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Angels throw a combined no-hitter in first home game since death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels pitcher Taylor Cole and Felix Pena have combined for eight no-hit innings against the Seattle Mariners.The only Seattle player to reach base was designated hitter Omar Narvaez, who walked with one out in the fifth inning.Cole was the opener and worked two innings, striking out two on 22 pitches, 13 strikes. Pena has worked six innings and struck out six with one walk. The right-hander has thrown 76 pitches, 48 strikes.Pena got some help in the sixth inning when third baseman Matt Thaiss made a diving stop, gloved Mac Williamson's grounder and threw him out at first.The Angels have 10 no-hitters in their history, but only one combined. Mark Langston and Mike Whitt combined to no hit Seattle on April 11, 1990.The Angels led 13-0 after eight innings. It is Los Angeles' first home game since the death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs.Skaggs was found in his hotel room in Texas on July 1.On Friday, the day before what would have been Skaggs' 28th birthday, every Angels' players wore Skaggs' No. 45 jersey. Skaggs' mother, Debbie, threw out the first pitch during an emotional pregame ceremony which included a 45-second moment of silence after a tribute video was played___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bubba Starling finally reached his goal of getting to the major leagues with the Kansas City Royals.It was a long, hard trek.The three-sport star from nearby Gardner-Edgerton (Kan.) High School was taken by the Royals in the first round of the 2011 draft. While many people in his hometown expected him to be patrolling the outfield and hitting home runs for the big-league club very quickly, it took 7 1/2 seasons in the minor league system before he was called up and inserted in the starting lineup on Friday night against the Detroit Tigers."It's very special. I dreamed about it as a little guy coming to the ballgames in Kansas City," said Starling, who will turn 27 on Aug. 3. "I've been waiting for this my whole life. Ever since I was a kid coming to the stadium."Starling donned uniform No. 11 and was in center field and batting seventh for his major league debut.He was greeted by a standing ovation from the crowd of 25,059. He walked in his first at-bat in the second... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Jonathan Lucroy can't remember what happened after he reached out to catch the throw at the plate in Houston last week.The Los Angeles Angels catcher is recovering from the third diagnosed concussion of his baseball career after that nasty collision with the Astros' Jake Marisnick.Lucroy isn't sure when he'll be ready to return to action, but he is grateful his injuries weren't even more serious."The last thing I remember is inching up the line and waiting for the baseball," Lucroy said Friday. "The first thing I remember after that is they put me on the golf cart. He knocked me out."Lucroy also got a broken nose and a black eye in the collision, and he was placed on the seven-day concussion list Friday. Marisnick received a two-game suspension for the dangerous play.Despite his latest concussion and his more visible injuries, Lucroy was remarkably upbeat about his prospects before the Angels' first game back from the All-Star break. Lucroy, a 10-year major league... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Tyler Skaggs' jersey hangs in his untouched locker in the Los Angeles Angels' clubhouse, his pristine cleats and gloves ready for a ballgame.The big stereo system in the room's center is silent because the affable left-hander who controlled the Angels' musical choices is no longer here.And on the far wall of the clubhouse, two photos of Skaggs now flank his competitive catchphrase printed in tall letters: "WE'RE NASTY."The pitcher's grieving teammates returned to Angel Stadium on Friday night for the first time since Skaggs was found in his hotel room in Texas nearly two weeks ago. On the day before what would have been Skaggs' 28th birthday, every Los Angeles player wore Skaggs' No. 45 jersey as they faced the Seattle Mariners."He's still a part of the team, even though he's not here," Angels manager Brad Ausmus said.During a poignant pregame ceremony, both teams lined the basepaths as Skaggs' family took the mound led by his mother, Debbie, the longtime softball... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bubba Starling has finally reached his goal of getting to the major leagues with the Kansas City Royals.It was a long, hard trek.The three-sport star from nearby Gardner-Edgerton (Kan.) High School was taken by the Royals in the first round of the 2011 draft. While many people in his hometown expected him to be patrolling the outfield and hitting home runs for the big-league club very quickly, it took 7 1/2 seasons in the minor league system before he was called up and inserted in the starting lineup on Friday night against the Detroit Tigers."It's very special. I dreamed about it as a little guy coming to the ballgames in Kansas City," said Starling, who will turn 27 on Aug. 3. "I've been waiting for this my whole life. Ever since I was a kid coming to the stadium."Starling donned uniform No. 11 and was in center field and batting seventh for his major league debut.The 6-4, 220-pound right-handed hitter has been plagued by subpar performance and injuries throughout... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:REMEMBER WHENRed Sox left-hander Chris Sale faces the Dodgers for the first time since he came out of the bullpen to finish last year's World Series, striking out the side in the ninth inning of Boston's 5-1 victory in Game 5. Sale struggled in his final two starts before the All-Star break, allowing 10 runs and 15 hits in 11 2/3 innings. Ross Stripling pitches for NL-leading Los Angeles.ON THE MENDAll-Star infielder Alex Bregman could return to Houston's starting lineup after he took a groundball off his chin during the Astros' 5-0 loss at Texas on Thursday night. Manager AJ Hinch says Bregman, who needed four stitches, has been evaluated a couple of times since getting hit and is doing OK. He says Bregman "has not been diagnosed with a concussion at all." Bregman was playing shortstop in the series opener when a grounder by Shin-Soo Choo popped up and hit him below his mouth in the third inning. Bregman, the team's primary third baseman,... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The San Diego Padres have placed catcher Austin Hedges and left-hander Eric Lauer on the bereavement list.The Padres also traded reliever Phil Maton to Cleveland on Friday for international bonus pool money. Maton had been optioned to Triple-A El Paso on July 2.San Diego recalled catcher Austin Allen from Triple-A El Paso and selected the contract of right-handed reliever Andres Muñoz from Double-A Amarillo.The team announced the moves before the opener of a three-game series against the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports