NEW YORK (AP) — The struggling New York Mets made a couple of roster changes Friday, cutting Hansel Robles and demoting fellow reliever Paul Sewald to the minor leagues.Right-hander Drew Smith and outfielder Kevin Kaczmarski were called up from Triple-A Las Vegas before the opener of a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.Robles was designated for assignment, removing him from the 40-man roster. New York has seven days to trade, release or send him outright to the minors. The right-hander was 2-2 with a 5.03 ERA in 16 appearances during his fourth season with the Mets. He allowed seven home runs and walked 10 in 19 2/3 innings."Hansel's been with us quite a while. We've seen him pitch well. We've seen him pitch less well. We've got a number of other young relievers, some of whom we acquired last year at the trade deadline, we want to take a look at," general manager Sandy Alderson said. "So we just felt it was time to take a look at a couple of additional people. We're excited... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Toronto Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna has agreed to a suspension through Aug. 4 under baseball's domestic violence policy, discipline that will cause him to miss about half of the season.Osuna has not pitched since May 6, two days before he was put on administrative leave when he was charged with one count of assault in Toronto.Major League Baseball said Friday the suspension is retroactive to May 8 and covers 75 games. Osuna will wind up missing 89 days, which would cost him about $2.54 million of his $5.3 million salary."I don't have much of a reaction other than you take what MLB does and trust that and live with that and let it go through its course," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said before Friday night's road game against the Los Angeles Angels. "We knew something was coming down. Actually, it took a while. Hopefully, it all gets worked out on both sides and everyone gets the help they need and everything works out fine."Osuna will participate in a confidential... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The struggling New York Mets have made a couple of roster changes, cutting Hansel Robles and demoting fellow reliever Paul Sewald to the minors.Right-hander Drew Smith and outfielder Kevin Kaczmarski were called up from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday before the opener of a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.Robles was designated for assignment, removing him from the 40-man roster. New York has seven days to trade, release or send him outright to the minors. The right-hander was 2-2 with a 5.03 ERA in 16 appearances during his fourth season with the Mets. He allowed seven home runs and walked 10 in 19 2/3 innings.Sewald and fellow right-hander Chris Flexen were optioned to Las Vegas following Thursday's loss at Colorado. Sewald was 0-4 with a 4.85 ERA in 26 games, and Flexen had an 11.57 ERA in 2 1/3 innings.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

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]

NEW YORK (AP) — Toronto Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna has agreed to a suspension through Aug. 4 under baseball's domestic violence policy, discipline that will cause him to miss about half of the season.Osuna has not pitched since May 6, two days before he was put on administrative leave when he was charged with one count of assault in Toronto.Major League Baseball said Friday the suspension is retroactive to May 8 and covers 75 games. Osuna will wind up missing 89 days, which would cost him about $2.54 million of his $5.3 million salary.Osuna will participate in a confidential and comprehensive evaluation and treatment program supervised by the joint policy board of MLB and the players' association.The 23-year-old Osuna is 0-0 with nine saves and a 2.93 ERA in 15 games this season. The righty was an All-Star last year, when he went 3-4 with 39 saves and a 3.38 ERA.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

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.

DENVER (AP) — Right-hander Jose Urena has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with right shoulder impingement, the latest setback in a disappointing season for the Miami Marlins' opening day starter.Urena is 2-9 with a 4.40 ERA. He had a shutout through five innings in his most recent start Wednesday at San Francisco and then gave up five runs in the sixth and took the loss.He complained afterward that he felt something wrong with his arm.The Marlins began a weekend series Friday in Denver, and the roster move was retroactive to Thursday. Miami also reinstated right-handed reliever Nick Wittgren from 10-day DL.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

CHICAGO (AP) — The Oakland Athletics have activated outfielder Matt Joyce from the 10-day disabled list and optioned outfielder Jake Smolinski to Triple-A Nashville.Sidelined since June 2 because of a strained lower back, Joyce was not in the lineup for the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox. But manager Bob Melvin was planning to have him play in the nightcap.An All-Star with Tampa Bay in 2011, Joyce was batting just .196 through his first 55 games. He hit .243 with 25 homers and 68 RBIs last season, his first with Oakland.Smolinski was batting .128 in 19 games. The Athletics were planning to call up lefty reliever Daniel Coulombe for the second game as the 26th man.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

CHICAGO (AP) — White Sox right fielder Avisail Garcia was activated from the 10-day disabled list Friday after missing two months because of a strained right hamstring.Garcia was in the lineup for Game 1 of Chicago's doubleheader against the Oakland Athletics — his first appearance since April 23. He was off to a slow start with a .233 average and four RBIs in 18 games after hitting .330 and driving in 80 runs last year while making his first All-Star team.Garcia also hurt his right knee taking a swing while he was on the DL, prior to going on a rehab assignment. But now that he is healthy, he hopes to get on a roll."My knee is good," he said. "My hamstring is good. I have no pain in my body right now. I feel great, great and focused and trying to compete every single day."Manager Rick Renteria said he had no hesitation starting Avisail Garcia and returning utility player Leury Garcia in the opener of the doubleheader despite the soggy conditions. He said neither player would start Game 2, though they would be available off the bench.Renteria also said there would be no limitations on them after Friday. Leury Garcia was starting in left field in his first appearance since May 23.The White Sox also optioned infielder Jose Rondon to Triple-A Charlotte, and designated outfielder Trayce Thompson for assignment on Friday.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

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

BALTIMORE (AP) — As they stagger toward the midpoint of their miserable 2018 baseball season, the Orioles own the worst record in the majors and are on pace to lose 100 games for only the third time since their move to Baltimore in 1954.Worst of all, they never saw it coming.After giving free agent Alex Cobb a four-year, $57 million contract and signing veteran right-hander Andrew Cashner, the Orioles figured they had a solid starting rotation to go with a power-laden lineup — a formula designed to produce the team's fourth postseason berth in seven years under manager Buck Showalter."We had really high hopes, as most teams do, especially in spring training," slugger Mark Trumbo said. "Our offense was really firing, and we had both Cashner and Cobb coming into the fold to go with a similar group of guys from the last couple years."Nothing has gone according to plan. Entering Friday night's game in Atlanta, the Orioles were 21-52 (10-29 on the road) and a whopping 29 ½ games behind the first-place... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox have activated right fielder Avisail Garcia from the 10-day disabled list.Garcia was in the lineup for Game 1 of a doubleheader Friday against the Oakland Athletics after being sidelined since April 23 because of a strained right hamstring. He was batting .233 with four RBIs in 18 games after hitting .330 and driving in 80 runs a year ago.The White Sox also activated utility player Leury Garcia (sprained left knee), optioned infielder Jose Rondon to Triple-A Charlotte, and designated outfielder Trayce Thompson for assignment.___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]

June 231917 — In baseball's greatest relief effort, Ernie Shore of the Boston Red Sox came in for Babe Ruth with nobody out and a man on first. The base runner was cut down stealing and Shore retired all 26 batters he faced to gain a 4-0 victory over Washington. Ruth walked Eddie Foster to open the game and was ejected after arguing with umpire Brick Owens.1950 — Hoot Evers' winning home run in the ninth inning gave the Detroit Tigers a 10-9 victory over the New York Yankees as the teams combined for 11 home runs, a major league record. The Yankees hit six and the Tigers five.1963 — Jimmie Piersall, playing for the Mets in New York, hit his 100th career home run and celebrated by running around the bases backward.1971 — Rick Wise of the Philadelphia Phillies pitched a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds and hit two homers. Wise became the first pitcher to hit two homers while throwing a no-hitter.1973 — Pitcher Ken Brett of the Philadelphia Phillies hit a home run in the fourth consecutive... [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]

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge and Miguel Andujar hit two-run homers off James Paxton in the first inning that sent the New York Yankees over the Seattle Mariners 4-3 on Thursday for a three-game sweep.Luis Severino and the Yankees boosted the best record in the majors to 50-22. They've won four in a row and 17 of 21. Seattle has lost a season-high four straight.Severino (11-2) wasn't at his best. He gave up Kyle Seager's two-run homer in the second and permitted eight hits overall, matching a season most. He was pulled with two outs in the sixth after Ben Gamel's RBI single cut Seattle's deficit to one run.David Robertson and Dellin Betances protected the lead, and Aroldis Chapman struck out Dee Gordon on three pitches with a runner on second for his 22nd save in 23 chances.Paxton (6-2) had been 5-0 in 10 starts since April, including a no-hitter at Toronto. He went five innings and threw 107 pitches, the same total as Severino.GIANTS 3, PADRES 0SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Madison Bumgarner pitched... [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) — Aaron Judge and Miguel Andujar hit two-run homers off James Paxton in the first inning that sent the New York Yankees over the Seattle Mariners 4-3 on Thursday for a three-game sweep.Luis Severino and the Yankees boosted the best record in the majors to 50-22. They've won four in a row and 17 of 21. Seattle has lost a season-high four straight.Severino (11-2) wasn't at his best. He gave up Kyle Seager's two-run homer in the second and permitted eight hits overall, matching a season most. He was pulled with two outs in the sixth after Ben Gamel's RBI single cut Seattle's deficit to one run.David Robertson and Dellin Betances protected the lead, and Aroldis Chapman struck out Dee Gordon on three pitches with a runner on second for his 22nd save in 23 chances.Paxton (6-2) had been 5-0 in 10 starts since April, including a no-hitter at Toronto. He went five innings and threw 107 pitches, the same total as Severino.RED SOX 9, TWINS 2MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Rick Porcello allowed one... [More]