NEW YORK (AP) — Gary Sánchez hit a three-run homer to help chase Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell in the first inning, CC Sabathia got his 250th career win and the New York Yankees thumped the Tampa Bay Rays 12-1 Wednesday to complete a three-game sweep.Gleyber Torres added a grand slam during a six-run seventh inning, and New York three-hit Tampa Bay to win its fifth in a row and extend its lead the AL East over the second-place Rays to 3½ games. Tampa Bay was swept for the second time this season — the other came against Boston in April.Snell (4-6) walked four, gave up two hits and was charged with six runs while getting one out on 39 pitches in the shortest start of his career.Sabathia (4-4) pitched one-run ball over six innings. He struck out seven and allowed three hits and three walks.PADRES 8, BREWERS 7SAN DIEGO (AP) — Franmil Reyes hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the seventh and Eric Hosmer added a two-run shot for San Diego, which overcame three homers by Milwaukee to sweep... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rich Hill of the Los Angeles Dodgers has left his start against the San Francisco Giants after one inning.The left-hander retired the side on 15 pitches with two strikeouts Wednesday night.Hill came out to the mound to begin the second inning and a trainer soon followed. Manager Dave Roberts visited Hill, who then walked off. He was replaced by reliever Dylan Floro.There was no immediate explanation for Hill's departure.Hill is 4-1 with a 2.60 ERA and has won four straight dating to May 17.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Gary Sánchez hit a three-run homer to help chase Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell in the first inning, CC Sabathia got his 250th career win and the New York Yankees thumped the Tampa Bay Rays 12-1 Wednesday to complete a three-game sweep.Gleyber Torres added a grand slam during a six-run seventh inning, and New York three-hit Tampa Bay to win its fifth in a row and extend its lead the AL East over the second-place Rays to 3½ games. Tampa Bay was swept for the second time this season — the other came against Boston in April.Snell (4-6) walked four, gave up two hits and was charged with six runs while getting one out on 39 pitches in the shortest start of his career.Sabathia (4-4) pitched one-run ball over six innings. He struck out seven and allowed three hits and three walks.PADRES 8, BREWERS 7SAN DIEGO (AP) — Franmil Reyes hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the seventh and Eric Hosmer added a two-run shot for San Diego, which overcame three homers by Milwaukee to sweep... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner would consider boosting payroll above the third luxury tax level in an effort to help New York win its first World Series in a decade.Despite placing 20 players on the injured list and matching last season's total, the Yankees lead the AL East as the season approaches the halfway point. New York already has added AL home run leader Edwin Encarnación."I'm really proud of the guys," Steinbrenner said Wednesday at the major league owners meetings. "We don't like to complain about injuries, but it's just a fact that this has been a season to remember when it comes to ILs and injuries, and a lot of these young kids have come up and taken advantage of the opportunity that was given to them."New York in 2018 dropped below the luxury tax threshold for the first time since the restraint on spending started in 2003, resetting the team's tax rates to lower levels. The Yankees started the season with a $225.9 million payroll for purposes of the tax, well... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The Yankees have released right-hander Danny Farquhar, ending the relief pitcher's comeback try with New York more than a year after he collapsed in the Chicago White Sox dugout because of a ruptured aneurysm and brain hemorrhage.The Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders announced the move Wednesday.Farquhar buckled during a game with Chicago on April 20, 2018, and was hospitalized until May 7. He became a free agent after the season and signed with New York on a minor league contract.The 32-year-old Farquhar pitched in three major league spring training games. After spending time in extended spring training to build up arm strength, Farquhar made two appearances with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this month, allowing seven runs in three innings.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have put right-hander Hector Velázquez on the 10-day injured list, a day after a recurrence of back trouble that sidelined him a few weeks ago.Velázquez has a low back strain, and the Red Sox made the move before playing at Minnesota on Wednesday night. Righty Josh Smith was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket.The 30-year-old Velázquez gave up one run in four innings during Tuesday night's 4-3 loss in 17 innings to the Twins. It was his first game since being activated from the injured list Monday — he'd been out since May 30 with a low back strain.Velázquez is 1-3 with a 5.59 ERA in 19 games, seven of them starts.The 31-year-old Smith is 0-2 with a 6.28 ERA in eight games for Boston, including two starts.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer is scheduled to pitch Wednesday night against the Philadelphia Phillies, a day after breaking his nose during batting practice.Scherzer was injured Tuesday when he took a ball off his face while attempting a bunt. The team says a CT scan was negative.Manager Dave Martinez says Scherzer was "very adamant" about pitching despite a bruise around his right eye.The three-time Cy Young Award winner will pitch the second game of the Nationals' day-night doubleheader. He is 5-5 with a 2.81 ERA this season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer is scheduled to pitch Wednesday night against the Philadelphia Phillies, a day after breaking his nose during batting practice.Scherzer was injured Tuesday when he took a ball off his face while attempting a bunt. The team says a CT scan was negative.Manager Dave Martinez says Scherzer was "very adamant" about pitching despite a bruise around his right eye.The three-time Cy Young Award winner will pitch the second game of the Nationals' day-night doubleheader. He is 5-5 with a 2.81 ERA this season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today:OUCH!Nationals ace Max Scherzer has a broken nose after fouling a ball off his face during batting practice Tuesday, and it's unclear when he'll return to the mound. Scherzer was attempting a bunt when he redirected a pitch off his face. The three-time Cy Young Award winner was scheduled to start one of the two games during a day-night doubleheader against Philadelphia on Wednesday. The Nationals said Scherzer's status — as well as the team's pitching plan for the doubleheader — was still to be determined.ROUGH CUTSWith Aaron Judge nearing a return from the injured list, the Yankees are facing an unusual roster crunch. Judge could be back in the Bronx any day, and Cameron Maybin would be a most logical option to get cut on his return — except Maybin has been the club's hottest hitter, homering Tuesday in his fourth consecutive game. Maybin can't be optioned to Triple-A, so keeping him would likely require the Yankees to go short-handed... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs plan to move slowly with Kyle Hendricks after tests confirmed the right-hander is dealing with a shoulder impingement.Hendricks was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday, one day after he permitted five runs in 4 1/3 innings in a 5-3 loss to NL West-leading Los Angeles. Hendricks was 6-0 with a 1.99 ERA in his previous eight starts before stumbling against the Dodgers."There's no question we'll take the length of the season into account," general manager Jed Hoyer said before Tuesday night's 3-1 loss to the crosstown White Sox. "We know how impactful he is when he's right and we want to get him right and if that means patience, we'll exercise patience."Hendricks led the majors with a 2.13 ERA over 190 innings in 2016. He went 14-11 with a 3.44 ERA in 33 starts last year.He agreed to a new contract with the team in March that adds $55.5 million from 2020 to 2023, guaranteeing he will receive $62,905,000 over the next five seasons."All the tests confirm... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox plan to extend the protective netting to the foul poles at Guaranteed Rate Field, becoming the first major league team to take that step since a couple of high-profile injuries this spring increased the focus on fan safety at ballparks.The White Sox and Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, which owns the ballpark, are hoping to complete the project this season. They say they will announce more details at a later date.Now that one team has jumped in front on the move, there likely will be more to come. It's hard to imagine a scenario where one major league team feels comfortable with less protection for fans than at another ballpark."Obviously that's a positive step in this sport," Chicago Cubs outfielder Albert Almora Jr. said before Tuesday night's 3-1 loss to the White Sox. "I don't think anybody should go home with bumps or bruises or even worse. So whatever they got to do to take care of that, I'm glad they're taking procedures."Following recommendations... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — It was a very special Father's Day for Zack Collins.Collins didn't know what was happening when he was pulled from Triple-A Charlotte's game at Rochester on Sunday, but he got back to the clubhouse and manager Mark Grudzielanek told the catching prospect he was headed to the majors with the Chicago White Sox. Collins then called his dad Pat."He was crazy and crying and jumping up and down," Zack Collins said. "It was a pretty special moment. I honestly was just in shock. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know what to say. I was just extremely happy and gave my manager a hug."The 24-year-old Collins was added to the roster before Tuesday's 3-1 victory over the crosstown Cubs. The White Sox also placed catcher Welington Castillo on the 10-day injured list with a strained left oblique and reinstated reliever Jace Fry from the IL.Collins was selected by Chicago with the 10th pick in the 2016 amateur draft out of the University of Miami. He hit .250 with nine homers and 39 RBIs... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday:OUCH!Nationals ace Max Scherzer has a broken nose after fouling a ball off his face during batting practice Tuesday, and it's unclear when he'll return to the mound. Scherzer was attempting a bunt when he redirected a pitch off his face. The three-time Cy Young Award winner was scheduled to start one of the two games during a day-night doubleheader against Philadelphia on Wednesday. The Nationals said Scherzer's status — as well as the team's pitching plan for the doubleheader — was still to be determined.ROUGH CUTSWith Aaron Judge nearing a return from the injured list, the Yankees are facing an unusual roster crunch. Judge could be back in the Bronx any day, and Cameron Maybin would be a most logical option to get cut on his return — except Maybin has been the club's hottest hitter, homering Tuesday in his fourth consecutive game. Maybin can't be optioned to Triple-A, so keeping him would likely require the Yankees to go short-handed... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two consecutive rainouts — and one batting practice injury for Max Scherzer — have thrown the Washington Nationals' pitching plans into question.The Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies were rained out Tuesday after a nearly two-hour delay, the teams' second consecutive postponement. The game will be made up on Sept. 24 at 1:05 p.m. as part of a day-night doubleheader.The truncated three-game series between NL East rivals will now start with a day-night doubleheader on Wednesday, with the front end the makeup of Monday's washout.Neither team immediately announced its pitching plans, though the one thing that seemed certain early Tuesday afternoon — that Scherzer would start one of the games — was thrown into doubt by a batting practice mishap.Scherzer suffered a broken nose when he took a ball off his face while attempting a bunt. The team said a CT scan was negative and that Scherzer's status was still to be determined.Washington will need to find at least one starter... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Major League Baseball said it was inappropriate for the umpire's union to comment on the one-game suspension levied against San Diego Padres star Manny Machado for his conduct following his ejection for arguing a called third strike Saturday at Colorado.The MLB Umpires Association said in a tweet Tuesday that Machado was suspended for contact with an umpire "and VIOLENTLY throwing his bat against the backstop with absolutely no regard to anyone's safety." The tweet added that "Violence in the workplace is not tolerated" and asked "Is this truly what MLB wants to teach our youth?"The tweet was accompanied by the hashtags #Disappointed #LeadByExample #NotAppreciated #Violence #TemperTantrum #Inaction #NotTolerated #MakeanExampleof #OneGameSuspension #RepeatOffender and #Nonsense.MLB said in a statement that MLB Chief Baseball Officer Joe Torre "considered all the facts and circumstances of Machado's conduct, including precedent, in determining the appropriate level of discipline."Mr.... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — It was a very special Father's Day for Zack Collins.Collins didn't know what was happening when he was pulled from Triple-A Charlotte's game at Rochester on Sunday, but he got back to the clubhouse and manager Mark Grudzielanek told the catching prospect he was headed to the majors with the Chicago White Sox. Collins then called his dad Pat."He was crazy and crying and jumping up and down," Zack Collins said. "It was a pretty special moment. I honestly was just in shock. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know what to say. I was just extremely happy and gave my manager a hug."The 24-year-old Collins was added to the roster before Tuesday's game against the crosstown Cubs. The White Sox also placed catcher Welington Castillo on the 10-day injured list with a strained left oblique and reinstated reliever Jace Fry from the IL.Collins was selected by Chicago with the 10th pick in the 2016 amateur draft out of the University of Miami. He hit .250 with nine homers and 39 RBIs for... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox plan to extend the protective netting to the foul poles at Guaranteed Rate Field, becoming the first major league team to take that step since a couple of high-profile injuries this spring increased the focus on fan safety at ballparks.The White Sox and Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, which owns the ballpark, are hoping to complete the project this season. They say they will announce more details at a later date.Now that one team has jumped in front on the move, there likely will be more to come. It's hard to imagine a scenario where one major league team feels comfortable with less protection for fans than at another ballpark."Obviously that's a positive step in this sport," Chicago Cubs outfielder Albert Almora Jr. said before their game against the crosstown White Sox on Tuesday night. "I don't think anybody should go home with bumps or bruises or even worse. So whatever they got to do to take care of that, I'm glad they're taking procedures."Following... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Major League Baseball says it was inappropriate for the umpire's union to comment on the one-game suspension levied against San Diego Padres star Manny Machado for his conduct following his ejection for arguing a called third strike Saturday at Colorado.The MLB Umpires Association said in a tweet Tuesday that Machado was suspended for contact with an umpire "and VIOLENTLY throwing his bat against the backstop with absolutely no regard to anyone's safety." The tweet added that "Violence in the workplace is not tolerated" and asked "Is this truly what MLB wants to teach our youth?"MLB said in a statement that MLB Chief Baseball Officer Joe Torre "considered all the facts and circumstances of Machado's conduct, including precedent, in determining the appropriate level of discipline" and it does "not believe it is appropriate for the union representing Major League Umpires to comment on the discipline of players represented by the Players Association." MLB also says it is "inappropriate" to compare Machado's outburst to the "extraordinarily serious issue of workplace violence."Machado is appealing his suspension and claims he did not touch plate ump Bill Welke during their argument.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — The slumping New York Mets have placed pitcher Jeurys Familia on the 10-day injured list and optioned pitcher Drew Gagnon to Triple-A Syracuse.Familia went on the IL Tuesday with a bone spur in his right shoulder, one day after giving up three runs while recording only one out in a 12-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves. Gagnon followed Familia to the mound and didn't fare much better, surrendering four runs on five hits and three walks in 1 1/3 innings.Gagnon departed for the minors with a 7.65 ERA in 15 games. Familia has a 7.81 ERA in 29 appearances out of New York's dismal bullpen.The Mets selected the contract of right-hander Stephen Nogosek from Triple-A and recalled lefty Daniel Zamora from Syracuse. The moves were announced before the second of three games against the first-place Braves.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs plan to move slowly with Kyle Hendricks after tests confirmed the right-hander is dealing with a shoulder impingement.Hendricks was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday, one day after he permitted five runs in 4 1/3 innings in a 5-3 loss to NL West-leading Los Angeles. Hendricks was 6-0 with a 1.99 ERA in his previous eight starts before stumbling against the Dodgers."There's no question we'll take the length of the season into account," general manager Jed Hoyer said Tuesday before a game against the crosstown White Sox. "We know how impactful he is when he's right and we want to get him right and if that means patience, we'll exercise patience."Hendricks led the majors with a 2.13 ERA over 190 innings in 2016. He went 14-11 with a 3.44 ERA in 33 starts last year.He agreed to a new contract with the team in March that adds $55.5 million from 2020 to 2023, guaranteeing he will receive $62,905,000 over the next five seasons."All the tests confirm sort... [More]