CHICAGO (AP) — The New York Yankees neared a trade for Seattle slugger Edwin Encarnación on Saturday night, looking to boost a power-packed lineup that's been beset by injuries.A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press the teams were trying to complete the deal. The person spoke under condition of anonymity because the trade was not finalized.ESPN was the first to report the deal. It was not immediately known what the Yankees might send to the Mariners.The 36-year-old Encarnación began the day leading the AL with 21 home runs in his first season with Seattle. He has averaged 37 homers and 109 RBIs in his last seven years.Encarnación was not on the field with the Mariners as they warmed up for Saturday night's game at Oakland.Encarnación, who is a first baseman and designated hitter, is hitting .241 and is among the league leaders with 49 RBIs and 48 runs scored. The three-time All-Star moved from Cleveland to Seattle last December in a three-team trade that included... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Plate umpire Brian O'Nora has left the St. Louis Cardinals-New York Mets game after getting hit in the groin by a foul ball.Matt Carpenter fouled off a pitch from New York starter Noah Syndergaard in the third inning Saturday night, and the ball bounced up and hit O'Nora. He staggered but stayed on his feet, and was checked by a Mets athletic trainer.The 56-year-old O'Nora initially remained in the game following a brief pause to gather himself. But a few pitches later, with Dexter Fowler at the plate, the veteran ump headed for the Mets dugout in discomfort with his hand covering his mouth.Both teams came off the field during a delay that lasted about 10 minutes as first base umpire Chad Whitson went inside to put on protective gear. He moved behind the plate, and the game resumed with three umps.It was the latest in a rash of injuries and health issues for umpires lately.Three games in one day recently were completed with crews short. Mike Muchlinski replaced Jim Wolf... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations says the New York Yankees are close to getting slugger Edwin Encarnación in a trade with the Seattle Mariners.The person spoke to The Associated Press under condition of anonymity because the trade was not complete Saturday.ESPN was the first to report the deal. It was not immediately known what the Yankees might send to the Mariners.The 36-year-old Encarnación began the day leading the AL with 21 home runs in his first season with Seattle. He has averaged 37 homers and 109 RBIs in his last seven years.Encarnación was not on the field with the Mariners as they warmed up for Saturday night's game at Oakland.Encarnación, who is a first baseman and designated hitter, would boost what is already a power-packed lineup. The Yankees have managed to stay in the AL East race despite a long list of injuries.Giancarlo Stanton could return next week after being sidelined by biceps, shoulder and calf injuries, and Aaron Judge also is inching closer after he strained his left oblique in April.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Eighteen years after the Minnesota Twins took Joe Mauer with the first overall draft pick, the hometown star with the textbook left-handed swing was still having a hard time realizing his place among the franchise's all-time greats.As Mauer's jersey number formally joined the seven others retired by the Twins on Saturday night, the six-time All-Star and three-time batting champion sounded as awestruck of his place in team history as on his first day of rookie ball."Wearing the No. 7 the past 15 years has been my absolute pleasure," Mauer said, his voice cracking as he paused to compose himself, "and being able to play my entire career in that number in front of my family, friends and fans here at home means more to me than any of you will ever know."Though the Twins took the best record in the major leagues into their game against Kansas City, the sellout crowd on this night was more about the uniform retirement for Mauer, who was born and raised just across the Mississippi... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Reds rookie Nick Senzel fouled a pitch off his left eye and came out of a game against the Texas Rangers on Saturday night.The outfielder fouled a pitch from Mike Minor into the dirt, the ball deflecting off his foot and hitting the bill of his helmet and his eye. A trainer applied a towel and helped him off the field.Senzel was the second overall pick in the 2016 Major League Baseball draft out of Tennessee, getting a $6.2 million bonus. Bouts of vertigo and a broken right index finger slowed has ascent. He sprained his right ankle during spring training and made his debut on May 3.Senzel hit three homers in his first four games, a franchise record.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Braves starter Sean Newcomb has left the game in a scary scene after being hit in the back of the head by a line drive off the bat of Philadelphia's J.T. Realmuto.Newcomb was checked by a trainer and walked off the field under his own power in Atlanta, escorted by two trainers Saturday.The ball was clocked at 102 mph and caromed off Newcomb's head and sailed into the netting behind the Phillies' dugout on the third base side. Realmuto covered his mouth with both hands as he ran to first base on what went as a ground-rule double.The play occurred in the third inning at SunTrust Park. Newcomb turned his head as the ball approached and knelt on the mound immediately after getting hit. Catcher Tyler Flowers had him stay down while a trainer and Braves manager Brian Snitker came out to tend to the left-hander.Touki Toussaint took Newcomb's spot.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DETROIT (AP) — Mike Muchlinski is replacing Jim Wolf on the umpiring crew for the rest of this weekend's Indians-Tigers series in Detroit.Major League Baseball said Saturday that Wolf is tending to a medical issue. Wolf, brother of former big league pitcher Randy Wolf, left the series opener Friday night in the first inning, and the game continued with three umpires.Muchlinski is leaving his replay assignment to join Sam Holbrook's crew in Detroit for games Saturday night and Sunday. Dan Iassogna and Manny Gonzalez are also on that crew.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today:YU AGAIN?Yu Darvish says he expects to hear some boos when he takes the mound for the Cubs at Dodger Stadium. It will be his first outing at the ballpark since he got roughed up in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series, chased early as the Houston Astros beat Los Angeles to win their first championship. Darvish got hit hard in both of his starts in that Series, and some fans blamed him for the Dodgers' defeat.This year, Darvish is 2-3 with a 4.98 ERA in 14 starts for Chicago.NEED NOLAPhillies righty Aaron Nola (6-1, 4.58) starts at Atlanta — the NL East-leading Braves have won eight in a row. Nola has done well against Atlanta in his career, going 8-3 with a 2.05 ERA in 13 starts.OH THAT ODORIZZIComing into this season, Jake Odorizzi was 47-48 lifetime with a 3.95 ERA. But this year, he's a major reason why the Minnesota Twins have the best record in the big leagues.Odorizzi (9-2, 1.92 ERA) has excelled through 13 starts — he hasn't permitted... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The New York Yankees might have their most feared sluggers back in the lineup soon after Aaron Judge joined Giancarlo Stanton on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday.Judge, making his first rehab appearance, went 0 for 4 the designated hitter Friday night in a 16-3 loss at Durham. Stanton started in right field and hit a three-run homer off a building behind the left field wall after the Yankees transferred him from Class A Tampa to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre."We feel like they're at a point where they're doing well and obviously they've got to get through these final steps and hurdles and rack up some time here," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "But we're starting to plan and get excited for them, hopefully joining us at some point on the homestand."Judge, the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year and a two-time All-Star, has been sidelined since April 20 because of a strained left oblique. Stanton, the 2017 NL MVP, has not played for the Yankees since March... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:YU AGAIN?Yu Darvish says he expects to hear some boos when he takes the mound for the Cubs at Dodger Stadium. It will be his first outing at the ballpark since he got roughed up in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series, chased early as the Houston Astros beat Los Angeles to win their first championship. Darvish got hit hard in both of his starts in that Series, and some fans blamed him for the Dodgers' defeat.This year, Darvish is 2-3 with a 4.98 ERA in 14 starts for Chicago.NEED NOLAPhillies righty Aaron Nola (6-1, 4.58) starts at Atlanta — the NL East-leading Braves have won eight in a row. Nola has done well against Atlanta in his career, going 8-3 with a 2.05 ERA in 13 starts.OH THAT ODORIZZIComing into this season, Jake Odorizzi was 47-48 lifetime with a 3.95 ERA. But this year, he's a major reason why the Minnesota Twins have the best record in the big leagues.Odorizzi (9-2, 1.92 ERA) has excelled through 13 starts — he hasn't permitted... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez pulled himself out of his first minor league rehab start because of fatigue.Hernandez exited Friday after throwing 31 pitches for Triple-A Tacoma. The Mariners said Hernandez came out of the game when he wore down, not with pain.Hernandez allowed two hits and two runs in 2 1/3 innings against San Antonio before coming out. He struck out two and walked one.Seattle had hoped their former ace would throw between 50-60 pitches in his first outing since going on the injured list with right shoulder stiffness on May 12.The 33-year-old righty is 1-4 with a 6.52 ERA in eight starts for Seattle.__More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DETROIT (AP) — Friday night's game between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians is being handled by three umpires after Jim Wolf left in the first inning.Wolf, brother of former big league pitcher Randy Wolf, was the third base umpire. There was no immediate announcement of why he left the game.Dan Iassogna remained behind the plate following Wolf's departure. Manny Gonzalez and Sam Holbrook handled the infield.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:OH THAT ODORIZZIComing into this season, Jake Odorizzi was 47-48 lifetime with a 3.95 ERA. But this year, he's a major reason why the Minnesota Twins went into the weekend with the best record in the big leagues.Odorizzi (9-2, 1.92 ERA) has excelled through 13 starts — he hasn't permitted a run in six of his last eight outings, and now faces Kansas City at Target Field.MORTON MOMENTUMRays right-hander Charlie Morton (8-0, 2.10 ERA) pitches against the Angels at Tropicana Field, looking to extend his 21-start unbeaten streak that began last Aug. 17 when he played for Houston.The 35-year-old has made 14 starts this season in his first year with Tampa Bay. He's done well in his career vs. Angels stars Mike Trout (3 for 12, 1 HR) and Albert Pujols (7 for 30, no HRs).NEED NOLAPhillies righty Aaron Nola (6-1, 4.58) starts at Atlanta as the teams compete atop the NL East. Nola has done well against the Braves, going 8-3 with a 2.05 ERA in 13... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The New York Yankees might have their most feared sluggers back in the lineup soon after Aaron Judge joined Giancarlo Stanton on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday.Judge, making his first rehab appearance, was the designated hitter Friday night at Durham. Stanton was in right field after the Yankees transferred him from Class A Tampa to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre."We feel like they're at a point where they're doing well and obviously they've got to get through these final steps and hurdles and rack up some time here," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "But we're starting to plan and get excited for them, hopefully joining us at some point on the homestand."Judge, the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year and a two-time All-Star, has been sidelined since April 20 because of a strained left oblique. Stanton, the 2017 NL MVP, has not played for the Yankees since March 31 because of biceps, shoulder and calf injuries.Boone said Stanton could be ready to rejoin the... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is set to join Giancarlo Stanton on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.The Yankees announced Judge would begin his assignment Friday night. They also transferred Stanton's rehab from Class A Tampa to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.Judge, the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year and a two-time All-Star, has been sidelined since April 20 because of a strained left oblique. Stanton, the 2017 NL MVP, has not played for the Yankees since March 31 because of biceps, shoulder and calf injuries.Manager Aaron Boone has said Stanton could be activated before Tuesday's home game against Tampa Bay if he gets through this weekend with no problems. But Judge probably would need a little longer stint with the Triple-A club.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is set to join Giancarlo Stanton on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.The Yankees announced Judge would begin his assignment Friday night. They also transferred Stanton's rehab from Class A Tampa to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.Judge, the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year and a two-time All-Star, has been sidelined since April 20 because of a strained left oblique. Stanton, the 2017 NL MVP, has not played for the Yankees since March 31 because of biceps, shoulder and calf injuries.Manager Aaron Boone has said Stanton could be activated before Tuesday's home game against Tampa Bay if he gets through this weekend with no problems. But Judge probably would need a little longer stint with the Triple-A club.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is set to join Giancarlo Stanton on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.The Yankees announced Judge would begin his rehab assignment Friday night and transferred Stanton's from Class A Tampa to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.Judge, the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year and a two-time All-Star, has been sidelined since April 20 because of a strained left oblique. Stanton, the 2017 NL MVP, has not played for the Yankees since March 31 because of biceps, shoulder and calf injuries.Manager Aaron Boone has said Stanton could be activated before Tuesday's home game against Tampa Bay if he gets through this weekend with no problems. But Judge probably would need a little longer stint with the Triple-A club.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

June 161916 — Tom Hughes of the Boston Braves pitched a no-hitter in a 2-0 win over Pittsburgh Pirates.1938 — Jimmie Foxx didn't get a chance to hit as the St. Louis Browns walked him six straight times. The Boston Red Sox won anyway, 12-8.1953 — The St. Louis Browns beat New York 3-1 to break the Yankees' 18-game winning streak and end their 14-game losing streak.1957 — Relief pitcher Dixie Howell hit two home runs in the 3 2-3 innings he pitched to lead the Chicago White Sox to an 8-6 victory in the second game of a doubleheader against the Washington Senators.1971 — The Oakland Athletics hit five solo home runs in a 5-1 win over the Washington Senators. Mike Epstein and Joe Rudi had a pair homers and Dave Duncan one. Epstein's home runs came in his first two at-bats to give him homers in four straight at-bats over two games.1978 — After three ninth-inning near misses, Tom Seaver threw the first no-hitter of his 12-year career as the Cincinnati Reds beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-0.1991... [More]

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — American prosecutors said Thursday that they believe two suspects in the shooting of retired Red Sox star David Ortiz are wanted for crimes in the United States, while the father of another suspect said his son belongs to a notorious Dominican gang of drug-dealing hitmen.Ortiz was shot in the back at a bar in the Dominican Republic on Sunday. Dominican officials announced Wednesday that they had detained the suspected gunman and five accomplices. Ortiz is now in a Boston hospital recovering from surgery in both the Dominican Republic and Boston.Prosecutors in New Jersey said that a bench warrant on armed robbery and gun charges has been issued for the man who authorities in the Dominican Republic say pulled the trigger. Meanwhile, a Pennsylvania prosecutor said he believes another suspect in the Ortiz shooting is wanted for attempted homicide in the state.A grand jury has indicted Rolfi Ferreira-Cruz in connection with two armed robberies in Clifton,... [More]

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — The Latest on the shooting for former Boston Red Sox star David Ortiz (all times local):9:55 p.m.U.S. prosecutors say the man suspected of shooting retired Boston Red Sox star David Ortiz is wanted on armed robbery and gun charges in New Jersey.The Passaic County Prosecutor's Office said Thursday in a news release that a bench warrant "without geographical limitations" has been issued for Rolfi Ferreira-Cruz.A grand jury has indicted the 25-year-old of Reading, Pennsylvania, in connection with two armed robberies in Clifton, New Jersey, in 2017.Authorities in the Dominican Republic have said they have a Rolfy Ferreyra in custody. They say he has confessed to the shooting. The New Jersey prosecutors did not address the difference in spelling but said the man they were looking for was the suspected shooter.Ortiz was shot Sunday in the Dominican Republic and is being cared for at Massachusetts General Hospital.___12:50 p.m.The wife of former Boston... [More]