NEW YORK (AP) — Jason Vargas has been placed on the 10-day disabled list by the New York Mets with a strained calf a day before his scheduled start against the Los Angeles Dodgers.New York announced the move following an 8-3 loss to Los Angeles on Saturday night.The left-handed Vargas is 2-6 with an 8.60 ERA in nine starts since opening the season on the DL with a broken right hand. He most recently gave up seven runs in 2 1/3 innings at Coors Field on Tuesday.New York has not announced a replacement starter for Sunday's game.Chris Flexen has been recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas to take Vargas' spot.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Wilmer Font worked into the sixth inning to get his first major league win, Willy Adames homered and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees 4-0 on Saturday.Font (1-3) allowed three hits, one walk and struck out four over 5 2/3 innings. Four relievers completed a four-hitter.Adames had an RBI single during a two-run second and added a solo homer in the seventh off Sonny Gray (5-5).The Rays have won the first two of a three-game series against the Yankees, who have the best record in the majors.New York (50-24), coming off a three-game sweep over Seattle, is the only team in the big leagues not to have dropped more than two straight games this year. This is the latest the Yankees have gone into a season without losing three in a row since August 1954.REDS 11, CUBS 2CINCINNATI (AP) — Anthony DeSclafani hit the first grand slam by a Cincinnati pitcher in 59 years, helping the last-place Reds beat the Chicago Cubs for their sixth consecutive victory.It was Cincinnati's... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Wilmer Font worked into the sixth inning to get his first major league win, Willy Adames homered and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees 4-0 on Saturday.Font (1-3) allowed three hits, one walk and struck out four over 5 2/3 innings. Four relievers completed a four-hitter.Adames had an RBI single during a two-run second and added a solo homer in the seventh off Sonny Gray (5-5).The Rays have won the first two of a three-game series against the Yankees, who have the best record in the majors.New York (50-24), coming off a three-game sweep over Seattle, is the only team in the big leagues not to have dropped more than two straight games this year. This is the latest the Yankees have gone into a season without losing three in a row since August 1954.REDS 11, CUBS 2CINCINNATI (AP) — Anthony DeSclafani hit the first grand slam by a Cincinnati pitcher in 59 years, helping the last-place Reds beat the Chicago Cubs for their sixth consecutive victory.It was Cincinnati's... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Diego Padres pitcher Jordan Lyles was scratched from his scheduled start against San Francisco because of right forearm tightness.The change was announced after the Padres batted in the top of the first inning Saturday.Matt Strahm replaced Lyles. Strahm previously started last Sunday in Atlanta when he matched a career high of five strikeouts while pitching into the fourth inning.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Indians left-hander Andrew Miller won't throw off a mound for 10 days and the team says there's no timetable for when its ace reliever will return while he continues to deal with a sore right knee.Miller has been on the 10-day disabled list since May 26. Manager Terry Francona said Saturday that Miller will play catch and work on strengthening his knee. Miller was on the DL twice last season with patella tendinitis.The Indians said Miller has rejoined the team after attending to a personal matter for a few days. He will resume throwing off flat ground on Monday.Miller pitched 10 scoreless innings this season before being put on the DL in late April with a strained left hamstring. He missed two weeks and struggled after returning. Miller is 1-3 with a 4.40 ERA in 17 appearances.The AL Central leaders have counted on Miller since acquiring him during the 2016 season. He helped the Indians reach the World Series that year, working in a variety of roles out of the bullpen.

A look at what's happening around the majors today:PHILLY SPECIALOdubel Herrera has homered in five straight games, tying a Philadelphia record. Chase Utley (twice in 2008), Bobby Abreu (2005), Mike Schmidt (1979) and Dick Allen (1969) also connected five in row for the Phillies. Ken Griffey, Jr. (1993), Don Mattingly (1987) and Dale Long (1956) share the major league record with homers in eight consecutive games.Herrera now takes aim against rookie right-hander Erick Fedde (0-2, 5.63 ERA) at Nationals Park.CITI SURPRISEClayton Kershaw is set to make an unexpected return from the disabled list, starting for the Dodgers in a marquee matchup against Mets ace Jacob deGrom. Kershaw has been sidelined since June 1 with a lower back strain. The three-time Cy Young Award winner and 2014 NL MVP originally was scheduled to make a rehab start Saturday with Triple-A Oklahoma City at Omaha, but heavy rain in the forecast caused the Dodgers to change plans. There's rain forecast at Citi Field, too,... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Cody Bellinger hit a grand slam to break a scoreless tie in the sixth inning and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the sinking New York Mets 5-2 on Friday night behind Alex Wood's effective pitching.Yasiel Puig added a solo home run in the ninth, and the defending NL champions won their 10th straight against the Mets dating to May 2016. Los Angeles has outscored New York 75-20 in those games, winning each of the past eight by at least three runs — a first in Dodgers history against any opponent, according to STATS.Wood (3-5) outdueled Zack Wheeler (2-6), allowing two runs and six hits in six innings to win his second consecutive start. The left-hander with the funky delivery struck out seven and walked one.Kenley Jansen fanned two in a perfect ninth for his 19th save.New York wasted a dazzling catch by center fielder Michael Conforto that saved a run in the third. After starting the season 11-1, the Mets lost for the 21st time in 27 games to fall a season-worst 11 games under... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Cody Bellinger hit a grand slam to break a scoreless tie in the sixth inning and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the sinking New York Mets 5-2 on Friday night behind Alex Wood's effective pitching.Yasiel Puig added a solo home run in the ninth, and the defending NL champions won their 10th straight against the Mets dating to May 2016. Los Angeles has outscored New York 75-20 in those games, winning each of the past eight by at least three runs — a first in Dodgers history against any opponent, according to STATS.Wood (3-5) outdueled Zack Wheeler (2-6), allowing two runs and six hits in six innings to win his second consecutive start. The left-hander with the funky delivery struck out seven and walked one.Kenley Jansen fanned two in a perfect ninth for his 19th save.New York wasted a dazzling catch by center fielder Michael Conforto that saved a run in the third. After starting the season 11-1, the Mets lost for the 21st time in 27 games to fall a season-worst 11 games under... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:PHILLY SPECIALOdubel Herrera has homered in five straight games, tying a Philadelphia record. Chase Utley (twice in 2008), Bobby Abreu (2005), Mike Schmidt (1979) and Dick Allen (1969) also connected five in row for the Phillies. Ken Griffey, Jr. (1993), Don Mattingly (1987) and Dale Long (1956) share the major league record with homers in eight consecutive games.Herrera now takes aim against rookie right-hander Erick Fedde (0-2, 5.63 ERA) at Nationals Park.CITI SURPRISEClayton Kershaw is set to make an unexpected return from the disabled list, starting for the Dodgers in a marquee matchup against Mets ace Jacob deGrom. Kershaw has been sidelined since June 1 with a lower back strain. The three-time Cy Young Award winner and 2014 NL MVP originally was scheduled to make a rehab start Saturday with Triple-A Oklahoma City at Omaha, but heavy rain in the forecast caused the Dodgers to change plans. There's rain forecast at Citi Field, too,... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates have put veteran catcher Francisco Cervelli on the seven-day concussion disabled list.The Pirates made the move Friday night just before the start of their game with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Rookie catcher Jacob Stallings was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis.Cervelli left the June 9 game against the Cubs at Chicago in the fourth inning after being struck on the helmet and left of his jaw by a foul tip off the bat of Jason Heyward. Cervelli passed the concussion protocol and played in six more games, but began feeling symptoms Thursday night late in the Pirates' 9-3 loss to the Diamondbacks.An 11-year veteran, Cervelli has already hit a career-high nine home runs this season, with 36 RBIs in 55 games while batting .247. His previous high for homers was seven in 2015, his first season with Pittsburgh after spending seven years with the New York Yankees.Stallings played in five games with the Pirates earlier this month and went 5 for 14 (.357).

BOSTON (AP) — Seattle manager Scott Servais kept up the ruse on Friday night, denying that he saw Ichiro Suzuki in disguise in the Mariners dugout at Yankee Stadium.And he mostly kept a straight face as he said it.In a performance almost as transparent as the fake mustache and hoodie the former outfielder wore when he crashed the team's bench, Servais said before Friday night's game against the Red Sox, "I've got to keep a closer eye on my dugout.""Mustaches? I don't know anybody that's got a mustache," Servais told chuckling reporters at Fenway Park a day after Suzuki was caught by an Associated Press photographer where he wasn't supposed to be. "I don't know who that is, but will definitely keep an eye out today."Suzuki, who is now in the Mariners front office, stretched with the team on Friday night and took batting practice before the series opener against the Red Sox. According to Major League Baseball rules, he isn't allowed to be in the dugout during games.The 44-year-old outfielder... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Brett Gardner is back in the New York Yankees' lineup after missing five games because of soreness in his right knee.The left fielder was the leadoff hitter for Friday night's game at Tampa Bay."He's been anxious to get back the last couple of days," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "Kind of our igniter, our heartbeat to a degree."The Yankees also got good news regarding right-hander Masahiro Tanaka, who went on the 10-day disabled list June 9 with a strain in both his right and left hamstrings.Tanaka did long toss and threw at 60 feet on level ground Friday, and is set for his first bullpen session Sunday. If things go well, Tanaka would have another mound session Tuesday at the Yankees' spring training complex in Tampa and take part in a simulated game later in the week."Another step along the way," Boone said. "He's progressing well."Gardner entered Friday hitting .258 with five homers, 21 RBIs and 42 runs scored in 59 games.Giancarlo Stanton started in right... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Slugger Bryce Harper will participate in the Home Run Derby if he makes the National League All-Star team.On Friday afternoon the Nationals tweeted: "tfw Bryce announces he'll do the @MLB HR Derby if he makes the NL All-Star team..." accompanied by a GIF of Harper celebrating in the dugout.The All-Star Game will be held July 17 at Nationals Park.The 25-year-old Harper is second in the voting among National League outfielders behind Nick Markakis of the Braves. The top three in the voting will be starters.Despite being in a slump that has dropped his average to .213, Harper entered play Friday leading the National League in home runs (19) and walks (55), and stood 10th in RBIs (45).Harper last participated in the derby in 2013 at Citi Field in New York.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Brett Gardner is back in the New York Yankees lineup after missing five games with right knee soreness.The left fielder was the leadoff hitter in the posted lineup in the press box for Friday night's game at Tampa Bay.Gardner entered Friday hitting .258 with five homers, 21 RBIs and 42 runs scored in 59 games.Giancarlo Stanton was slated to start in right field with Aaron Judge as the designated hitter.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

PLAYERS TO PICK UPDOMINGO GERMAN, SP, New York Yankees (41 percent owned in Yahoo) - It's looking like the Yankees have found something in German. The surface stats (4.77 ERA) don't pop out, but his underlying numbers show he's performing better than the stats. He's generating a lot of swing-and-misses, and he has a great offense backing him up.FREDDY PERALTA, SP, Milwaukee Brewers (25 percent) - Peralta got the call earlier this week, and he looks to remain in the Milwaukee rotation for the foreseeable future as the group lacks talent. He relies on his fastball a lot, so he's going to have to start mixing in some secondary pitches to continue his success. He should be considered a SP5.SHELBY MILLER, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks (6 percent) - Miller is coming off Tommy John surgery right into a two-start week. He's a risky play next week, but he's worth the stash to see if he can put it together in the pitcher-friendly environment as a backend starter.KEVIN KIERMAIER, OF, Tampa Bay Rays (21... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:PACKING A PUNCHOdubel Herrera tries to homer in his fifth straight game when the Phillies begin a three-game series at Washington. "What he's doing is special," Philadelphia manager Gabe Kapler said. "It's elite." Herrera is batting .419 (13 for 31) with two doubles, five homers and eight RBIs in the last seven games. Seven of his 12 homers have given the Phillies a lead. "He's a different breed," pitcher Jake Arrieta said. "When he gets hot, he's fun to watch."ONE-DIMENSIONAL PLAYERA sprained right index finger is expected to keep Angels star Mike Trout from playing the outfield during a four-game series against Toronto. Trout, who has reached base in 31 of 47 plate appearances over his last nine games, was the designated hitter Thursday night during an 8-5 victory over the Blue Jays. The two-time MVP went 0 for 2 with three walks in his 1,000th career game, ending his hitting streak at eight games. Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia said... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:PACKING A PUNCHOdubel Herrera tries to homer in his fifth straight game when the Phillies begin a three-game series at Washington. "What he's doing is special," Philadelphia manager Gabe Kapler said. "It's elite." Herrera is batting .419 (13 for 31) with two doubles, five homers and eight RBIs in the last seven games. Seven of his 12 homers have given the Phillies a lead. "He's a different breed," pitcher Jake Arrieta said. "When he gets hot, he's fun to watch."BASHING THE BUCSJon Jay and the Diamondbacks look to keep feasting on Pirates pitching when the teams square off in Pittsburgh again. Arizona has scored 35 runs in going 3-1 against the Pirates this season. Jay doubled in each of the first two innings Thursday night, when the Diamondbacks cruised to a 9-3 victory. The center fielder is hitting .340 in 13 games since being acquired from Kansas City in a June 6 trade. Ivan Nova (4-5, 4.42 ERA) will try to slow down Arizona — the right-hander... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Just who was that guy sitting on the Seattle Mariners bench, the odd fellow with the bushy mustache, shades and a hoodie?Wait a second — it was Ichiro!Now a team executive, Ichiro Suzuki donned a Bobby Valentine-style disguise and sneaked into the Seattle dugout Thursday to watch a bit of the action at Yankee Stadium.Exactly as he hinted, in fact."He was perfect. I never would have known it was him," Valentine texted to The Associated Press.Officially, Suzuki isn't allowed to be in the dugout during games under Major League Baseball rules. The 44-year-old outfielder with 3,089 career hits came off the Seattle roster in early May and moved into the team's front office as a special assistant to the chairman.Suzuki has been taking part in pregame drills and batting practice in a role similar to a coach. But he's required to leave the bench when games begin, and that's when he takes his place in the clubhouse — usually, anyway.This time, in a ballpark where he played for parts... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Just who was that guy sitting on the Seattle Mariners bench, the odd fellow with the bushy mustache, shades and a hoodie?Wait a second — it was Ichiro!Now a team executive, Ichiro Suzuki donned a Bobby Valentine-style disguise and sneaked into the Seattle dugout Thursday to watch a bit of the action at Yankee Stadium.Exactly as he hinted, in fact.Officially, Suzuki isn't allowed to be in the dugout during games under Major League Baseball rules. The 44-year-old outfielder with 3,089 career hits came off the Seattle roster in early May and moved into the team's front office as a special assistant to the chairman.Suzuki has been taking part in pregame drills and batting practice in a role similar to a coach. But he's required to leave the bench when games begin, and that's when he takes his place in the clubhouse — usually, anyway.This time, in a ballpark where he played for parts of three seasons, Suzuki got a much closer look.Associated Press photographer Bill Kostroun spotted... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco Giants closer Hunter Strickland apologized to his team, fans, and said he'd consider anger management counseling three days after injuring his hand punching a door in frustration after a blown save against Miami.Strickland is expected to be out six to eight weeks after breaking the pinkie on his pitching hand Monday. Sam Dyson and Tony Watson will be called upon for closing duties.Strickland has had several outbursts on a national stage.The 29-year-old right hander jawed with Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez during Game 2 of the World Series.Last season he threw at Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper three years after he homered off Strickland in the 2014 NLDS."I think that obviously my anger in these moments have gotten the best of me and caused stupid decisions, so I don't think I should be this angry person," Strickland said. "I think focused is the better word. We do have to be focused and locked in, focused on getting those outs."Strickland said he planned to address teammates later in the day."I'm responsible," Strickland said. "I'm not here to blame anybody on anything and I think that's the way it should be."Strickland had surgery Tuesday, in which two pins were put in his injured finger. He'll have more X-rays two weeks, when he hopes to have the pins taken out."That's out of my control," Strickland said. "I'll just do what I can, work hard and let the doctors decide the rest."