NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees slugger Aaron Judge was held out of action for a second straight day Sunday due to a stiff neck.The 2017 AL Rookie of the Year was scratched from a simulated game Saturday after waking up with a sore neck, and the right fielder was not included in either lineup for an intrasquad scrimmage Sunday.New York manager Aaron Boone said Judge got treatment at Yankee Stadium on Sunday and was improving.“Just thought it was better not to push through it today,” Boone said. The Yankees are set to open a pandemic-shortened season July 23 at Washington.New York is planning just a light workout Monday, and Judge will get more treatment with hopes of returning to intrasquad action Tuesday. “I don’t think it's something that’s going to keep him down too long," Boone said. The club is scheduled to play its first exhibition game against the New York Mets on Saturday.Judge was diagnosed with a broken rib in March and used the coronavirus hiatus to recover. He had been swinging at full... [More]

July 131896 — Philadelphia’s Ed Delahanty hit four home runs in a losing effort, a 9-8 loss to Chicago.1934 — Babe Ruth hit his 700th home run in a 4-2 victory over Tommy Bridges and the Detroit Tigers. Lou Gehrig left in the first with a severe case of lumbago, the most serious threat to his streak. He returned for one at bat the next day.1943 — The first night game in All-Star history, at Philadelphia’s Shibe Park, went to the AL, 5-3, despite a single, triple and home run by NL center fielder Vince DiMaggio of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The big blow was a three-run homer by Bobby Doerr of the Boston Red Sox, which gave the AL the lead for good.1945 — Chicago’s Pat Seerey hit three home runs, a triple and drove in eight runs to lead the White Sox in a 16-4 win over New York at Yankee Stadium.1954 — Pitcher Dean Stone did not retire a batter but received credit for the AL’s 11-9 All-Star victory at Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium. Red Schoendienst tried to steal a run for the NL after Stone... [More]

July 131896 — Philadelphia’s Ed Delahanty hit four home runs in a losing effort, a 9-8 loss to Chicago.1934 — Babe Ruth hit his 700th home run in a 4-2 victory over Tommy Bridges and the Detroit Tigers. Lou Gehrig left in the first with a severe case of lumbago, the most serious threat to his streak. He returned for one at bat the next day.1943 — The first night game in All-Star history, at Philadelphia’s Shibe Park, went to the AL, 5-3, despite a single, triple and home run by NL center fielder Vince DiMaggio of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The big blow was a three-run homer by Bobby Doerr of the Boston Red Sox, which gave the AL the lead for good.1945 — Chicago’s Pat Seerey hit three home runs, a triple and drove in eight runs to lead the White Sox in a 16-4 win over New York at Yankee Stadium.1954 — Pitcher Dean Stone did not retire a batter but received credit for the AL’s 11-9 All-Star victory at Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium. Red Schoendienst tried to steal a run for the NL after Stone... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman has tested positive for the coronavirus and is experiencing mild symptoms.New York manager Aaron Boone said Saturday that Chapman “overall is doing well” but “will not be here for the foreseeable future.”The AL East champions are scheduled to start the virus-delayed season on July 23 at Washington.Hours after Chapman's diagnosis, Yankees slugger Aaron Judge was scratched from a simulated game with a stiff neck. The 2017 AL Rookie of the Year was set to bat second and play right field at Yankee Stadium but was taken out of the lineup shortly before first pitch.Judge declared himself “game ready” earlier this week after being diagnosed with a broken rib in March. The 6-foot-7 slugger used the coronavirus shutdown to get healthy and had been swinging at full strength for at least a couple of weeks before reporting for preseason camp last week.Boone said Judge's neck “locked up" but he doesn't expect it to be a long-term issue.“Hopefully he can... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman has tested positive for the coronavirus and is experiencing mild symptoms.New York manager Aaron Boone said Saturday that Chapman “overall is doing well” but “will not be here for the foreseeable future.”The AL East champions are scheduled to start the virus-delayed season on July 23 at Washington.Hours after Chapman's diagnosis, Yankees slugger Aaron Judge was scratched from a simulated game with a stiff neck. The 2017 AL Rookie of the Year was set to bat second and play right field at Yankee Stadium but was taken out of the lineup shortly before first pitch.Judge declared himself “game ready” earlier this week after being diagnosed with a broken rib in March. The 6-foot-7 slugger used the coronavirus shutdown to get healthy and had been swinging at full strength for at least a couple of weeks before reporting for preseason camp last week.Chapman threw a bullpen session Tuesday, and Boone wouldn't comment on whether the left-hander had been... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman has tested positive for the coronavirus and is experiencing mild symptoms.New York manager Aaron Boone said Saturday that Chapman “overall is doing well” but “will not be here for the foreseeable future.”The AL East champions are scheduled to start the virus-delayed season on July 23 at Washington.Chapman threw a bullpen session Tuesday, and Boone wouldn't comment on whether the left-hander had been at Yankee Stadium since. Boone said the team had done contact tracing, and no other players or personnel would be forced to isolate because of Chapman's positive test.“We’re following all protocols,” Boone said. "We have not had any other positive tests. We adhere to all the contact tracing things. We feel like we’ve handled it and are handling it. “Again, you know, this is something that even moving forward, a positive test is probably going to come our way. It's about doing all the things that hopefully as a whole keep us safe and healthy,” he... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman has tested positive for the coronavirus and is experiencing mild symptoms.New York manager Aaron Boone said Saturday that Chapman “overall is doing well” but “will not be here for the foreseeable future.”The AL East champions are scheduled to start the virus-delayed season on July 23 at Washington.Chapman threw a bullpen session Tuesday, and Boone wouldn't comment on whether the left-hander had been at Yankee Stadium since. Boone said the team had done contact tracing, and no other players or personnel would be forced to isolate because of Chapman's positive test.“We’re following all protocols,” Boone said. "We have not had any other positive tests. We adhere to all the contact tracing things. We feel like we’ve handled it and are handling it. “Again, you know, this is something that even moving forward, a positive test is probably going to come our way. It's about doing all the things that hopefully as a whole keep us safe and healthy,” he... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — Blue Jays infielder Travis Shaw says he's not interested in confining himself to the hotel attached to the Rogers Centre for the summer if major league baseball is granted an exemption from the Canadian government to play baseball in Toronto amid the pandemic. The Blue Jays have created a quarantine environment at Rogers Centre and the adjoining Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel during training camp. The current exemption does not cover the regular season and player travel between the U.S. and Canada.MLB requires an exemption as anyone entering Canada for nonessential reasons must self-isolate for 14 days. The U.S.-Canada border remains closed to nonessential travel until at least July 21 and that is widely expected to be extended. Any exemption likely means the Blue Jays would not be allowed to leave the hotel attached to the Rogers Center when they play home games in the city. “All summer isn’t gonna happen. Not an option,” Shaw tweeted Friday. Players have not been allowed... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — Blue Jays infielder Travis Shaw says he's not interested in confining himself to the hotel attached to the Rogers Centre for the summer if major league baseball is granted an exemption from the Canadian government to play baseball in Toronto amid the pandemic. The Blue Jays have created a quarantine environment at Rogers Centre and the adjoining Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel during training camp. The current exemption does not cover the regular season and player travel between the U.S. and Canada.MLB requires an exemption as anyone entering Canada for nonessential reasons must self-isolate for 14 days. The U.S.-Canada border remains closed to nonessential travel until at least July 21 and that is widely expected to be extended. Any exemption likely means the Blue Jays would not be allowed to leave the hotel attached to the Rogers Center when they play home games in the city. “All summer isn’t gonna happen. Not an option,” Shaw tweeted Friday. Players have not been allowed... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Giants star catcher Buster Posey became the latest big-name player to skip this season because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, announcing his decision Friday.The six-time All-Star said his family finalized the adoption of identical twin girls this week. The babies were born prematurely and Posey said after consultations with his wife and doctor he decided to opt out of the season.Posey had missed three San Francisco practices while dealing with a personal issue.The 2012 NL MVP and three-time World Series champion joined Dodgers pitcher David Price, Washington first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, Colorado’s Ian Desmond, Arizona pitcher Mike Leake and other in deciding not to take part in the 60-game season this year.The 33-year-old Posey said it was difficult to miss an entire season but that this was the best decision for his family.“These babies, being as fragile as they are for the next four months minimum, this wasn’t ultimately that difficult a decision for me,” he said.Posey hit .455 in exhibition games this year before spring training was halted March 12 because of the virus outbreak.Major League Baseball is scheduled to start the season with July 23. There were two games set for opening day, including the Giants taking on Los Angeles ace Clayton Kershaw at Dodger Stadium.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The tools are there. They always have been from the moment Gregory Polanco crashed into the big leagues six years ago as a raw jangly mix of power and potential. The looping swing that can occasionally send baseballs to the banks of the Allegheny River that flows beyond the right-field stands at PNC Park. The long stride that makes it seem like he can get from first to second in a handful of steps. For six seasons the 28-year-old right fielder has tantalized, to the point where the Pirates signed him to a contract extension in 2016 that could be worth $35 million through 2023 if the club chooses to hold on to him.An “if” Polanco is well aware of. When the Pirates traded center fielder Starling Marte in January, it left Polanco as the last member of the group that led the Pirates to three straight playoff appearances from 2013-15. Polanco wants to be a part of the group that returns the club to contention. Yet he might be just as valuable as a trade chip for an organization... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The tools are there. They have been from the moment Gregory Polanco crashed into the big leagues six years ago as a raw mix of power and potential. The looping swing that can occasionally send baseballs to the banks of the Allegheny River that flows beyond the right-field stands at PNC Park. The long stride that makes it seem like he can get from first to second in a handful of steps. For six seasons the 28-year-old right fielder has tantalized, to the point where the Pirates signed him to a contract extension in 2016 that could be worth $35 million through 2023 if the club chooses to hold on to him.An “if” Polanco is well aware of. He's the last remaining regular from the core that led the Pirates to three straight playoff appearances from 2013-15 after the team traded center fielder Starling Marté to Arizona in the offseason. Polanco wants to be a part of the next wave designed to get the team back into contention. Or he could be a trade chip designed to help a team... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels' new $245 million third baseman mostly spent the first few months of his seven-year contract changing his daughters' diapers and occasionally throwing a tennis ball at a wall.Anthony Rendon is more than ready to get to work earning his riches, and the World Series winner doesn't think it will take long for baseball's best players to get back into championship form.“As we get older, we know what we need to do to prepare ourselves for a game as men, as professionals,” Rendon said Thursday. “I think there's a little bit of a light switch deal, where we know that we’ve got to go right now. We can kind of turn it on and say we need to get down to business, and I need to bear down because the real deal is about to happen. If the season started today, I think a lot of the guys, including myself, would be ready.”Rendon is getting to know his teammates again after his first year with the Angels was interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic before he even... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — J.T. Realmuto isn’t worried about his contract situation. The All-Star catcher and the Philadelphia Phillies had preliminary discussions about a long-term deal before the coronavirus pandemic but talks between the two sides haven’t progressed since baseball returned last week.Realmuto is eligible for free agency after the season unless the Phillies sign him before he can test the market. He's expected to seek at least $20 million per season.Last week, Phillies general manager Matt Klentak said the pandemic has changed the landscape of baseball. Lost revenue could affect salaries around the league going forward.“It definitely concerns me, not necessarily for myself, but for the free agency class as a whole,” Realmuto said Thursday. “The top guys usually find a way to get their dollars. Teams are going to want them. Maybe it’s not 20 teams in on you, maybe five or 10. A lot of teams will be able to look at this as a time to take advantage and actually go for it instead... [More]

July 111914 — Babe Ruth made his major league debut for the Boston Red Sox and received credit for a 4-3 victory over Cleveland. He was removed for a pinch hitter in the seventh, and Duffy Lewis’ single led to the winning run.1944 — Phil Cavaretta set an All-Star game record by reaching base safely five straight times — triple, single, three walks — to lead the NL to a 7-1 victory over the AL at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh.1950 — The All-Star game returned to Comiskey Park, the site of the first game, and was won by the NL 4-3 on Red Schoendienst’s 14th-inning home run off Ted Gray. It was the first extra-inning All-Star game, the first time the NL won at an AL park and the first All-Star game shown on network television.1961 — Despite a record seven errors and pitcher Stu Miller getting blown off the Candlestick Park mound by a gale wind, the NL edged the AL 5-4 in the first of two All-Star games played that year.1967 — Tony Perez’s home run off Catfish Hunter in the 15th inning gave the... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Giants first baseman Brandon Belt has been using a walking boot as he nurses a sore right heel that will keep him out at least a week. San Francisco manager Gabe Kapler said Belt will be re-evaluated in five to seven days but it's too soon to know whether the injury could affect his status for the season opener July 23 at Dodger Stadium. “I think making an assessment for the opening series against the Dodgers is probably a little bit premature as it relates to Brandon's heel,” Kapler said. “I talked to him today, he was feeling pretty good. We walked across the field and then up the stairs to the clubhouse together. He was feeling fairly confident. I think more than anything else it's probably smart to be patient and take a look at where he is in a couple of days.” The 32-year-old Belt has dealt with heel pain previously and aggravated it this time doing agility work in a ladder drill. He played in 156 games last year following two injury-plagued seasons and batted... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Giants first baseman Brandon Belt has been using a walking boot as he nurses a sore right heel that will keep him out at least a week. Manager Gabe Kapler said Belt would be re-evaluated in 5-to-7 days but wasn't ready to put in doubt Belt's availability for the season opener July 23 at Dodger Stadium.“I think making an assessment for the opening series against the Dodgers is probably a little bit premature as it relates to Brandon's heel,” Kapler said. “I talked to him today, he was feeling pretty good. We walked across the field and then up the stairs to the clubhouse together. He was feeling fairly confident. I think more than anything else it's probably smart to be patient and take a look at where he is in a couple of days.” The 32-year-old Belt has dealt with heel pain previously and aggravated it this time doing agility work in a ladder drill. He played in 156 games last season following two injury-plagued years and batted .234 with 17 home runs and 57 RBIs.“He's... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Robbie Ray already knew 2020 would be a big season for his financial future because it's his last one before becoming a free agent.Now the Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander has less time to make a strong impression.Major League Baseball's coronavirus-delayed 60-game season is much shorter than the usual 162-game grind. That means pitchers like Ray will probably make about 11 or 12 starts instead of the typical 30-plus.Because of the compressed calendar, the 28-year-old Ray made sure he kept in shape during the spring hiatus from baseball. In his first live work off the mound Sunday, he threw nearly 80 pitches and said he's very close to being ready for the regular season, which begins July 24 against the Padres.The motivation is obvious: A bad start to the season could cost him millions of dollars in what's expected to be a tight free-agent market during the offseason. Conversely, two good months might lead to a big payoff this winter.“I had the assumption that once everything... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — When the Minnesota Twins signed Rich Hill from the bargain aisle of free agency last winter, they expected the left-hander to be available around midseason after his recovery from elbow surgery. Now the 40-year-old is on track to be ready right away, thanks to the virus outbreak that shoved the schedule back by four months and shrunk it to 60 games. The Twins, who open on the road against the Chicago White Sox on July 24, are setting up a rotation with Hill in it. The 15-year veteran faced hitters at Target Field on Monday, logging four simulated innings in his latest step forward in yet another injury comeback.“There’s a lot of people who put in the time and the effort and gave me their time to make sure that I can be in the best position possible to go out there and perform,” Hill said Tuesday on a video conference call with reporters. "I put in the time and put in the effort, and it’s definitely paid off. I feel great, and yesterday was just one step in the right direction.”Over... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Jake Diekman has serious questions about Major League Baseball's ability to pull off a season given the issues everywhere getting timely test results, forcing delays and cancellations of workouts.For now, Diekman still plans to play. He must be extra careful given he has the autoimmune condition ulcerative colitis.“Once the regular season hits there’s no way I’m opting out, but if they don’t get the testing figured out then this whole thing will get shut down,” Diekman said Tuesday. “During the season there’s no way we can go 72 hours or longer without knowing our result, there’s just no way. There’s no way that can possibly happen and this be safe for all 60, 70 days or whatever it is.”The Oakland lefty said “I'm high risk so I'm going to have to speak out. I don't want to get sick” and represents others who must take added precautions because of an underlying condition.“There's a little part in everyone's mind that thinks this whole thing's going to get shut down,”... [More]