SEATTLE (AP) — The Oakland Athletics clinched their first playoff berth in four years, then beat the Seattle Mariners 7-3 Monday night behind Khris Davis' major league-leading 46th home run.Jonathan Lucroy, Jed Lowrie and Matt Chapman also homered for the A's, assured no worse than an AL wild card.Oakland was one out into the game when Tampa Bay was eliminated with a 4-1 loss to the New York Yankees. The A's went on to win after Chapman broke a 3-3 tie with a two-run drive in the seventh off Shawn Armstrong (0-1).Coming off three straight last-place finishes in the AL West, the A's (95-62) are 4½ games behind AL West-leading Houston. They trail the Yankees by 1½ games for home-field advantage should they meet in a wild-card matchup.Robinson Cano and Dee Gordon homered for the Mariners.The Athletics will be making their fourth playoff appearance in the last seven seasons, all under manager Bob Melvin, and their 27th overall. The A's lost at Kansas City 9-8 in 12 innings in the 2014 wild-card... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — The Oakland Athletics clinched their first playoff berth since 2014, then beat the Seattle Mariners 7-3 Monday night behind Khris Davis' major league-leading 46th home run.Jonathan Lucroy, Jed Lowrie and Matt Chapman also homered for the A's, assured no worse than a wild-card berth.Oakland was one out into the game when Tampa Bay was eliminated with a 4-1 loss to the New York Yankees. The A's went on to win after Chapman broke a 3-3 tie with a two-run drive in the seventh off Shawn Armstrong (0-1).Coming off three straight last-place finishes in the AL West, the A's (95-62) are 4½ games behind AL West-leading Houston. They trail the Yankees by 1½ games for home-field advantage should they meet in a wild-card matchup.Robinson Cano and Dee Gordon homered for the Mariners.The Athletics will be making their fourth playoff appearance in the last seven seasons, all under manager Bob Melvin, and their 27th overall. The A's lost at Kansas City 9-8 in 12 innings in the 2014 wild-card... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Aaron Hicks injured his left hamstring running up the first-base line in the Yankees' 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night, another concern for New York heading into next week's AL wild-card game.Hicks' 11th-inning double on Saturday drove Didi Gregorius with the run that clinched a postseason berth, and on Sunday the Yankees learned Sunday that Gregorius had torn cartilage in his right wrist during his headfirst slide across the plate.Hicks, who had fouled a pitch off his left ankle just before the double, left Monday's game with left hamstring tightness.New York's win eliminated the Rays and ensured a postseason berth for Oakland, which is likely to be the wild-card opponent but also is still alive in the AL West race. At 96-60, New York is assured of its best record since going 97-65 in 2011.Gardner had a go-ahead single off Ryan Yarbrough (15-6) in a two-run fifth inning.New York used eight pitchers and gave its starters extra rest ahead of the... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Aaron Hicks injured his left hamstring running up the first-base line in the Yankees' 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night, another concern for New York heading into next week's AL wild-card game.Hicks' 11th-inning double on Saturday drove Didi Gregorius with the run that clinched a postseason berth, and on Sunday the Yankees learned Sunday that Gregorius had torn cartilage in his right wrist during his headfirst slide across the plate.Hicks, who had fouled a pitch off his left ankle just before the double, left Monday's game with left hamstring tightness.New York's win eliminated the Rays and ensured a postseason berth for Oakland, which is likely to be the wild-card opponent but also is still alive in the AL West race. At 96-60, New York is assured of its best record since going 97-65 in 2011.Gardner had a go-ahead single off Ryan Yarbrough (15-6) in a two-run fifth inning.New York used eight pitchers and gave its starters extra rest ahead of the... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Aaron Hicks injured his left hamstring running up the first-base line in the Yankees' 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night, another concern for New York heading into next week's AL wild-card game.Hicks' 11th-inning double on Saturday drove Didi Gregorius with the run that clinched a postseason berth, and on Sunday the Yankees learned Sunday that Gregorius had torn cartilage in his right wrist during his headfirst slide across the plate.Hicks, who had fouled a pitch off his left ankle just before the double, left Monday's game with left hamstring tightness.New York's win eliminated the Rays and ensured a postseason berth for Oakland, which is likely to be the wild-card opponent but also is still alive in the AL West race. At 96-60, New York is assured of its best record since going 97-65 in 2011.Gardner had a go-ahead single off Ryan Yarbrough (15-6) in a two-run fifth inning.New York used eight pitchers and gave its starters extra rest ahead of the... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer and Aaron Nola are going pitch for pitch in the NL Cy Young Award race.Problem is, that prize might not do the trio justice. Not according to baseball's advanced analytics.With 2½ weeks left in the season, it's time to ask: Should one of those three be MVP?"It's the best player in the league," deGrom said. "If that happens to be a pitcher and they can win it, then it's well deserved."There's no debating deGrom's dominance, even if it's not translating into wins for the struggling New York Mets. Scherzer's awards-season resume is more traditional, bolstered by league-leading totals in victories and strikeouts. And Nola is right there, too, in a breakout season with the Philadelphia Phillies.But an MVP? For three pitchers who are going to miss the postseason? Some don't think pitchers should even be considered for the award, though they've won 25 times before.The stats devised by sabermetricians suggest it would be a swing and a miss not to consider... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer and Aaron Nola are going pitch for pitch in the NL Cy Young Award race.Problem is, that prize might not do the trio justice. Not according to baseball's advanced analytics.With 2½ weeks left in the season, it's time to ask: Should one of those three could be MVP?"It's the best player in the league," deGrom said. "If that happens to be a pitcher and they can win it, then it's well deserved."There's no debating deGrom's dominance, even if it's not translating into wins for the struggling New York Mets. Scherzer's awards-season resume is more traditional, bolstered by league-leading totals in victories and strikeouts. And Nola is right there, too, in a breakout season with the Philadelphia Phillies.But an MVP? For three pitchers who are going to miss the postseason? Some don't think pitchers should even be considered for the award, though they've won 25 times before.The stats devised by sabermetricians suggest it would be a swing and a miss not to... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Xander Bogaerts hit a three-run homer during a six-run fifth inning, J.D. Martinez and Eduardo Nunez also went deep, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Washington Nationals 11-4 on Tuesday.Martinez drove in four and leads the majors with 26 homers and 71 RBIs. Boston has won 17 of its last 19 interleague games.Washington has lost four straight and 16 of 21 to fall to 42-42, its first time at .500 since it was 17-17.Red Sox starter Brian Johnson allowed two runs in 4 2/3 innings. Brandon Workman (1-0) pitched a perfect seventh.Nationals starter Tanner Roark (3-10) allowed a career-high nine runs in seven innings and is 1-8 with a 5.19 ERA in 12 appearances (11 starts) since May 5.YANKEES 8, BRAVES 5NEW YORK (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Hicks and Kyle Higashioka each homered and New York went ahead early and hung on to beat Atlanta.Aaron Judge had two hits and a walk, and he stole two bases for the first time in his career. Hicks also walked twice as New York drew eight... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Xander Bogaerts hit a three-run homer during a six-run fifth inning, J.D. Martinez and Eduardo Nunez also went deep, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Washington Nationals 11-4 on Tuesday.Martinez drove in four and leads the majors with 26 homers and 71 RBIs. Boston has won 17 of its last 19 interleague games.Washington has lost four straight and 16 of 21 to fall to 42-42, its first time at .500 since it was 17-17.Red Sox starter Brian Johnson allowed two runs in 4 2/3 innings. Brandon Workman (1-0) pitched a perfect seventh.Nationals starter Tanner Roark (3-10) allowed a career-high nine runs in seven innings and is 1-8 with a 5.19 ERA in 12 appearances (11 starts) since May 5.YANKEES 8, BRAVES 5NEW YORK (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Hicks and Kyle Higashioka each homered and New York went ahead early and hung on to beat Atlanta.Aaron Judge had two hits and a walk, and he stole two bases for the first time in his career. Hicks also walked twice as New York drew eight... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Xander Bogaerts hit a three-run homer during a six-run fifth inning, J.D. Martinez and Eduardo Nunez also went deep, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Washington Nationals 11-4 on Tuesday.Martinez drove in four and leads the majors with 26 homers and 71 RBIs. Boston has won 17 of its last 19 interleague games.Washington has lost four straight and 16 of 21 to fall to 42-42, its first time at .500 since it was 17-17.Red Sox starter Brian Johnson allowed two runs in 4 2/3 innings. Brandon Workman (1-0) pitched a perfect seventh.Nationals starter Tanner Roark (3-10) allowed a career-high nine runs in seven innings and is 1-8 with a 5.19 ERA in 12 appearances (11 starts) since May 5.YANKEES 8, BRAVES 5NEW YORK (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Hicks and Kyle Higashioka each homered and New York went ahead early and hung on to beat Atlanta.Aaron Judge had two hits and a walk, and he stole two bases for the first time in his career. Hicks also walked twice as New York drew eight... [More]

LHP Cliff Lee Cliff Lee has reached the end of the line and probably has pitched his last game.The 37-year-old left-hander opted not to have surgery and missed all of the 2015 season while rehabbing a torn flexor tendon in his pitching elbow. Lee a free agent, had contemplated making a comeback and word had spread that he would be showcasing his arm for a number of teams, including the Miami Marlins. But on Tuesday, his agent Darek Braunecker, told Fox Sports, "We don't anticipate him playing at this point."

After 13-plus seasons and 143 wins, it looks like Cliff Lee has reached the end of the line.Lee last pitched in the majors in 2014 for Philadelphia. The 37-year-old left-hander opted not to have surgery and missed all of the 2015 season while rehabbing a torn flexor tendon in his pitching elbow.Lee a free agent, had contemplated making a comeback and word had spread that he would be showcasing his arm for a number of teams, including the Miami Marlins.But on Tuesday, his agent Darek Braunecker, told Fox Sports, "We don't anticipate him playing at this point."From 2008-13, Lee was among the most efficient and best pitchers in the game. He ranked second in ERA (2.89) and complete games (25) and sixth in wins (85) and strikeouts (1,203) during that span.His final stat line will show a record of 143-91 with a 3.52 ERA.He spent his first seven-plus seasons with the Cleveland Indians, who acquired Lee along with second baseman Brandon Phillips and outfielder Grady Sizemore for pitcher Bartolo Colon in 2002.While with the Indians, Lee won the 2008 AL Cy Young Award.He also pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners. He made World Series appearances with Philadelphia in 2009 and with Texas in 2010.He compiled a 7-3 postseason record in 11 starts with a 2.52 ERA.

LHP Cliff Lee received clearance to pitch and hopes to return in 2016 after missing all of last season due to an elbow injury.Lee, 37, hasn't pitched in a major-league game since July 2014. He is currently a free agent after the Philadelphia Phillies declined their $27.5 million option for 2016 and paid him a $12.5 million buyout.The four-time All-Star won the American League Cy Young Award in 2008 with the Cleveland Indians when he went a career-best 22-3. Lee is 143-91 with a 3.52 ERA over 13 major-league seasons.

The Phillies declined their 2016 option on Lee (elbow), the Philadelphia Daily News reports.

Lee did not pitch this year due to a tear in the flexor tendon in his elbow. He opted for rehab over surgery, but never was able to get back on a mound during the season. It is possible his career is over.

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee had his team option for 2016 declined as he continues to attempt a recovery from an elbow injury, according to the Philadelphia Daily News.

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee had his team option for 2016 declined as he continues to attempt a recovery from an elbow injury, according to the Philadelphia Daily News. Lee did not pitch at all this season after opting for rehab instead of surgery to deal with the issue, and if the 37-year-old doesn't show any progress during the offseason his career could be over.

GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said Lee (elbow) will not start throwing for another three or four weeks, CSN Philadelphia reports.

The Phillies had hoped Lee, who is trying to rehab tear in the flexor tendon in his elbow, would be able to start throwing by now. He remains a long shot to pitch this season.

Lee (elbow) said he does not plan to pick up a baseball for at least two months, the Philadelphia Daily News reports.

Lee will let his ailing elbow rest before he attempts to begin throwing again. He hopes to return to the Phillies' rotation this summer, but doing so looks extremely unlikely. All doctors that have reviewed his latest MRI suggest he should undergo surgery. If Lee does ultimately choose to have surgery, he will be sidelined 6 to 8 months.

Lee (elbow) has been placed on the 60-day DL, but will not undergo surgery for the time being.

Lee suffered a tear in the flexor tendon in his throwing elbow, and after attempting to throw through the injury, he reported feeling no improvement in the level of pain he experienced. While surgery has been recommended, the 34-year-old indicated that he would likely opt for retirement if he were to undergo surgery, so he will try to rehab from the injury in hopes of returning at some point in the 2015 season. There's no exact timetable available at this time, but Lee will likely miss at least the first half of the season.

Lee played catch Friday and said he still felt the same level of discomfort in his pitching elbow, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Lee has been throwing to see if the pain gets worse. If not, he will attempt to pitch through a tear in his common flexor tendon this season. Surgery would sideline Lee for the entire season.

Lee (elbow) threw a bullpen session Wednesday and reported no improvement in the level of pain he experienced, the Philadelphia Daily News' Ryan Lawrence reports.

He is still hoping that the pain goes away shortly, but there is not much room for optimism here where his fantasy stock is concerned. Lee was diagnosed with a tear in the flexor tendon in his throwing elbow and it could require surgery that would lead to a 6-to-8 month recovery period. There is a chance that if Lee continues to try to pitch through the pain that he could sprain his UCL, but this sounds like a last-ditch attempt to be able to avoid surgery, which would signal Lee's retirement from the game.