A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday:DEADLINE SHOWCASEContenders will be tuned into starts by Texas left-hander Mike Minor and Toronto righty Marcus Stroman as the July 31 trade deadline nears. The free-falling Rangers have just about played their way out of contention for an AL wild card, and the 31-year-old could fetch a useful package of future pieces. Minor (8-5, 2.86) is set to face Seattle in a matinee. Stroman (6-10, 3.06) and the Blue Jays are set to play the Indians, who will pitch All-Star Game MVP Shane Bieber (9-3, 3.69). Stroman pitched seven scoreless innings against the Tigers in his previous start.WELL METRobinson Canó has finally found his groove with the Mets. The veteran second baseman slugged three homers in a game Tuesday night for the first time in his career, helping New York beat the Padres 5-2. Canó began the day batting just .243 with six homers in his first season with the Mets. Of his nine homers this season, five have come since the All-Star... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Mariners second baseman Dee Gordon has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained left quadriceps.Gordon was placed on the IL on Tuesday, a day after leaving after the second inning of a win over Texas. Gordon said he strained the muscle rounding first base.It's the second time he's been on the injured list this season after a 19-game stint in May and June with a bruised right wrist."This is crazy," Gordon said. "I've got some bad luck or something. I need to do something different in life."Gordon is batting .280 with 16 stolen bases."It's going to be a few weeks," Seattle manager Scott Servais said after Gordon had an MRI. "I don't have an exact timeline."With second base prospect Shed Long injured, the Mariners selected the contract of infielder Tim Lopes from Triple-A Tacoma and designated right-hander reliever Parker Markel for assignment.Lopes woulld be the 12th Mariners player to make his major league debut this season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle second baseman Dee Gordon has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained left quadriceps.Gordon was placed on the IL on Tuesday, a day after leaving after the second inning of a win over Texas. Gordon said he strained the muscle rounding first base.Manager Scott Servais says an MRI showed the injury will keep Gordon sidelined several weeks.Gordon missed 19 games earlier this season with a bruised wrist. He is batting .280 with 16 stolen bases.With second base prospect Shed Long injured, the Mariners selected the contract of infielder Tim Lopes from Triple-A Tacoma and designated right-hander reliever Parker Markel for assignment.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nationals ace Max Scherzer is slated to start Thursday against the Colorado after recovering from inflammation under his right shoulder.The 34-year-old right-hander threw a bullpen session before Washington's game against the Rockies on Monday was postponed."He felt good today, did his regular routine, so he's scheduled to pitch Thursday if everything goes well," manager Dave Martinez said Tuesday.An All-Star for the seventh straight season, Scherzer is 9-5 with a 2.30 ERA but has not pitched since July 6. He was 7-0 with a 0.87 ERA in his last seven starts.By pitching Thursday, Scherzer will miss this weekend's series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Martinez said the timing of Scherzer's return allows him to pitch in each series against NL East rivals Atlanta and Philadelphia.Martinez added the three-time Cy Young Award winner also would be on track for a potential start in the NL wild card game."Let's assume that is he is," Martinez said, quickly adding: "I'm hoping that we're not the wild card team."___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TORONTO (AP) — The 3-year-old boy hit by a foul ball in Cleveland last weekend is showing no signs of serious injury, the Indians said Tuesday.The boy, identified by the team as Henry, was hit by a line drive off the bat of Indians All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor in the sixth inning of a 5-4 win over Kansas City on Sunday. An adult holding the child left the seating area immediately afterward.Cleveland said in a statement the boy was released from a hospital on Sunday evening."The Indians organization and Francisco Lindor are very thankful Henry is doing well," the team said Tuesday.Protective netting at Progressive Field runs to the end of each dugout. Lindor's line drive landed several sections beyond the netting and was about 12 to 15 rows into the stands.On Monday, the Chicago White Sox became the first team in the major leagues to extend protective netting from foul pole to foul pole for their game against the Miami Marlins.The Washington Nationals were among other teams to announce... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Yonder Alonso has been brought up to the Colorado Rockies from Triple-A Albuquerque.The 32-year-old was signed to a minor league contract on July 10, a week after he was released by the Chicago White Sox from a contract he signed with Cleveland. That deal guaranteed $9 million this season and included a $1 million buyout of a 2020 option.Alonso hit .419 (13 for 31) in nine games for Albuquerque with three doubles, one triple, two home runs, and 12 RBIs.Colorado is the seventh big league team for Alonso. He has a .259 career batting average with 97 homers and 416 RBIs. He hit .178 with seven homers and 27 RBIs in 67 games for the White Sox this season.Colorado designated right-handed pitcher Seunghwan Oh for assignment on Tuesday and optioned right-hander Yency Almonte to Albuquerque.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today:STAY OR GO?Madison Bumgarner has been mentioned a lot in the last month as a top trade target. That was before the Giants went on a big winning streak and put themselves back in playoff contention.San Francisco general manager Farhan Zaidi acknowledged over the weekend he's keeping an open mind as the July 31 trade deadline approaches and has yet to decide whether his team will be buyers or sellers.Bumgarner (5-7, 3.65 ERA) starts at home against Yu Darvish and the Cubs. No telling where the big lefty will be on Aug. 1, his 30th birthday.But consider this: Far back in the NL West race, the Giants are in the thick of the wild-card chase. Bumgarner has twice started the NL wild-card game and both times pitched four-hit shutouts on the road — against the Pirates in 2014 and the Mets in 2016.BIG STICKStephen Strasburg (12-4, 3.52 ERA) tries to win his sixth straight start and become the first 13-game winner in the majors when Washington hosts... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday:STAY OR GO?Madison Bumgarner has been mentioned a lot in the last month as a top trade target. That was before the Giants went on a big winning streak and put themselves back in playoff contention.San Francisco general manager Farhan Zaidi acknowledged over the weekend he's keeping an open mind as the July 31 trade deadline approaches and has yet to decide whether his team will be buyers or sellers.Bumgarner (5-7, 3.65 ERA) starts at home against Yu Darvish and the Cubs. No telling where the big lefty will be on Aug. 1, his 30th birthday.But consider this: Far back in the NL West race, the Giants are in the thick of the wild-card chase. Bumgarner has twice started the NL wild-card game and both times pitched four-hit shutouts on the road — against the Pirates in 2014 and the Mets in 2016.BIG STICKStephen Strasburg (12-4, 3.52 ERA) tries to win his sixth straight start and become the first 13-game winner in the majors when Washington hosts... [More]

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels pitcher Andrew Heaney urged those at a private memorial service to remember a gift fallen teammate Tyler Skaggs gave to them."Take a moment, close your eyes and think of a story or even an image that reminds you of all the good times you had with Ty," Heaney said. "Take that memory and hold it in your hearts and in your minds. That is his lasting gift to everyone here."Skaggs' teammates and family gathered Monday at a Catholic church in his native Santa Monica to remember Skaggs, who was found dead in his hotel room in Texas on July 1. He died shortly before his 28th birthday.The mourners remembered Skaggs as a beloved son, husband, teammate and friend whose upbeat personality brought joy to everyone around him. The altar was flanked by two large red-and-white floral arrangements prominently featuring No. 45, Skaggs' uniform number.Hundreds of attendees laughed and cried at the eulogies from 14 speakers. Several family members related stories... [More]

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs has been remembered at a memorial service as a beloved son, husband, teammate and friend whose upbeat personality brought joy to everyone around him.Skaggs' teammates and family gathered at a Catholic church in his native Santa Monica on Monday to remember Skaggs, who was found dead in his hotel room in Texas on July 1. He died just short of his 28th birthday.Hundreds of attendees laughed and cried at the eulogies from 14 speakers, including Angels current pitcher Andrew Heaney. The final speaker was Carli Skaggs, the pitcher's wife.The current Angels were joined by former team members including manager Mike Scioscia, Jered Weaver, Garrett Richards and David Freese.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox have become the first team in the major leagues to extend protective netting from foul pole to foul pole, starting Monday night against the Miami Marlins.The extra netting at Guaranteed Rate Field was in place for Chicago's first home game since the All-Star break. The White Sox announced the safety measure last month, a week after a foul ball at the park sent a woman to the hospital with her head bleeding.On Sunday in Cleveland, another fan was hurt by a foul. Indians star Francisco Lindor said he was told his line drive put a 3-year-old boy in the hospital."It's a great idea," White Sox pitcher Evan Marshall said. "It's a shame it wasn't done sooner and just almost a standard across baseball, I think. Finally the players are speaking out because everybody is tired of seeing people get hit."It just sucks the air right out of the game and we see it happen. It's hard to move on to the next pitch or do whatever because somebody's going to the emergency... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — The Texas Rangers have placed closer Shawn Kelley on the 10-day injured list with biceps soreness in his right arm, but manager Chris Woodward said the injury appears far less severe than first believed.The Rangers made the move with Kelley on Monday before opening a three-game series in Seattle. Texas selected the contract of reliever Rafael Montero from Triple-A Nashville to take Kelley's roster spot and designated for assignment outfielder Carlos Tocci to clear a 40-man roster spot.Kelley left Sunday's game in Houston in the bottom of the eighth after throwing several warmup pitches. Woodward said he immediately thought the injury was serious enough Kelley's season could be over.An MRI showed no acute injury and Woodward said it was "way better than we all thought." Woodward expects Jose Leclerc and Chris Martin to handle the late-inning duties with Kelley out.Kelley, 35, is 5-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 33 appearances, including 11 saves.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — All-Star pitcher Brandon Woodruff could miss up to six weeks with a left oblique strain, Brewers manager Craig Counsell said Monday.The right-hander allowed four runs in three innings against Arizona on Sunday before exiting after throwing two pitches in the fourth.He underwent an MRI and was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday. Right-handed reliever Burch Smith was recalled from Triple-A San Antonio."Less than 24 hours out, we're looking at six weeks. That's probably our best guess," Counsell said. "Kind of what we expected. Obviously, that's significant and he's going to miss some time. He'll do his best and we'll do our best to get him back as fast as we can."Woodruff (11-3, 3.75 ERA) has been the most effective starter for the Brewers, who entered Monday's game at 53-48 and are two games behind the Cubs in the Central Division. Milwaukee is 16-4 in games he started.Woodruff's 11 victories are tied for second in the N.L. He leads the Brewers in victories, innings... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates have suspended reliever Keone Kela two games for an unspecified violation of his contract.The team made the announcement on Monday shortly before opening a four-game series with St. Louis. The suspension came after the team activated Kela from the 60-day injured list. Kela went on the injured list on May 6 with right shoulder discomfort. He completed a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis over the weekend, allowing five runs in 3 1/3 innings across four appearances with the Indians.Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said over the weekend the team anticipated getting Kela — acquired in a deal with the Texas Rangers at last year's trade deadline — back in the bullpen on Monday. Hurdle, however, demurred on Monday when asked about Kela's availability, saying only that the team was still in the process of evaluating Kela's status.Kela is 1-0 with a 4.63 ERA in 14 games with the Pirates this season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DETROIT (AP) — Right-hander Edwin Jackson has agreed to a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers and will report to Triple-A Toledo.The 35-year-old was 1-5 with an 11.12 ERA this season for Toronto, his record 14th major league team over a 17-year big career. The Blue Jays released him on Friday.He was an All-Star with the Tigers a decade ago, threw a no-hitter the next year with Arizona and helped St. Louis win the World Series in 2011.Detroit traded Jackson in 2009 as part of a three-team deal with the New York Yankees and Arizona, trades that brought right-hander Max Scherzer and outfielder Austin Jackson to the Tigers.Detroit announced the deal Monday.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ryan Zimmerman was put on the 10-day injured list by the Washington Nationals because of plantar fasciitis in his right foot, the second time this season the injury has sidelined the 34-year-old first baseman.Zimmerman left Sunday's loss at Atlanta after an infield single in the second inning. Zimmerman missed 53 games between April 27 and June 28 because of the same injury. He is hitting .246 with three homers and 15 RBIs in 33 games."Now it's just really pain tolerance," manager Dave Martinez said Monday. "It can go away really fast. It can come back. It can take a while."Matt Adams is expected again to play extensively in Zimmerman's absence. He is hitting .232 with 15 homers and 40 RBIs in 71 games.Washington also selected the contract of right-hander Michael Blazek from Triple-A Fresno, recalled outfielder Andrew Stevenson from Fresno, optioned right-hander Kyle McGowin to Double-A Harrisburg and transferred right-hander Justin Miller (rotator cuff strain) to the 60-day injured list.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

It took 108 years for the Cubs to end their championship drought, so the final play of that 2016 World Series won't be forgotten any time soon.Mike Montgomery, who at that point had no saves in his big league career, got Michael Martinez to hit a weak grounder for the last out of Game 7 in Cleveland. Chicago won 8-7 in 10 innings.Montgomery was traded to Kansas City this past week in a deal that sent Martin Maldonado to the Cubs, closing the book on the left-hander's stint in Chicago. Although he hasn't had a very effective 2019 season, Montgomery's place in Cubs lore is secure because of his contribution to the title team.He's also part of an interesting bit of trivia. No, it's not about who threw the last pitch of the 2016 World Series. This goes back much further.The Society for American Baseball Research defines a "Golden Pitch" as any time the pitching team and the hitting team both have a chance to win the World Series on a given pitch. It's obviously rare. It requires a winner-take-all... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:PAYING RESPECTSRyan Braun will miss Milwaukee's home game against the Cincinnati Reds to attend the funeral of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs, who was found dead in a Texas hotel room on July 1. Braun and Skaggs were workout buddies. Mike Trout and the Angels have an off day between road series at Seattle and the Los Angeles Dodgers.NET GAINSThe Chicago White Sox are set to become the first team to have protective netting in place entirely from foul pole to foul pole when they host Miami. Washington also has extended its netting in midseason — nearly as far as the White Sox.The new netting at Guaranteed Rate Field and Nationals Park will debut a day after another fan was injured by a foul ball. Cleveland star Francisco Lindor said he was told his liner at Progressive Field sent a 3-year-old boy to the hospital.Several fans, some of them young children, have been hurt all around the majors this season by foul balls. Some teams have... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A fan casually walked to home plate and approached Philadelphia hitter Brad Miller for a handshake before being apprehended, and the Phillies later beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 Sunday on Rhys Hoskins' home run in the 11th inning.Moments after Bryce Harper argued a called third strike and Hoskins spiked his bat after being hit by a pitch, things turned bizarre in the sixth inning at PNC Park.That's when a man carrying a cellphone came out of the crowd and strolled toward Miller in the batter's box. Miller backed away and the man kept walking, leisurely getting near the Phillies' dugout on the first base side, where he was handcuffed by security personnel and led away.Miller then grounded into an inning-ending double play.Hoskins hit his 21st home run, connecting off Chris Stratton (1-3). The drive came right after Harper again seemed displeased with plate umpire Ben May when striking out looking to start the inning.Phillies reliever Ranger Suárez (3-0) got Starling Marte... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Monday:PAYING RESPECTSRyan Braun will miss Milwaukee's home game against the Cincinnati Reds to attend the funeral of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs, who was found dead in a Texas hotel room on July 1. Braun and Skaggs were workout buddies. Mike Trout and the Angels have an off day between road series at Seattle and the Los Angeles Dodgers.NET GAINSThe Chicago White Sox are set to become the first team to have protective netting in place entirely from foul pole to foul pole when they host Miami. Washington also has extended its netting in midseason — nearly as far as the White Sox.The new netting at Guaranteed Rate Field and Nationals Park will debut a day after another fan was injured by a foul ball. Cleveland star Francisco Lindor said he was told his liner at Progressive Field sent a 3-year-old boy to the hospital.Several fans, some of them young children, have been hurt all around the majors this season by foul balls. Some teams... [More]