MILWAUKEE (AP) — It's a whole new beginning for Manny Machado after months of uncertainty. Perfect time for a new number, too.One with an LA story and a Baltimore past.Machado joined the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday after coming over in a blockbuster trade with the Orioles during the All-Star break, putting one of baseball's premier players on one of the game's marquee teams. Batting in the second slot, ahead of young slugger Max Muncy and old friend Matt Kemp, he had two hits and walked twice in Los Angeles' 6-4 victory at Milwaukee.Muncy thought he might hear from Machado about his No. 13 after the deal, and he joked about possibly just having a new jersey when he arrived at Miller Park. But the 26-year-old Machado decided to try No. 8 with the Dodgers — Kobe Bryant's first number with the Los Angeles Lakers, and the same number Hall of Fame shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. wore with the Orioles.A nod to his past and his future."I wanted to change it up," said Machado, who grounded a single... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Stephen Strasburg was batted around by the Atlanta Braves, then engaged in a heated spat with Nationals ace Max Scherzer in the dugout during Washington's 8-5 loss Friday night.It was unclear what prompted the exchange between the star pitchers in their first game after the All-Star break.The dispute occurred after Strasburg (6-7), activated from the 10-day disabled list earlier in the day and throwing on his 30th birthday, gave up six runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. He walked into the dugout, got a pat on the back from Scherzer and sat down on the bench. They began barking at each other, then both quickly went off-camera by leaving the dugout.The Braves lost All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies in the third inning, and the team said he was lifted as a precaution because of right hamstring tightness. He had an RBI double and stole a base in a two-run first inning.Anibal Sanchez (5-2) allowed three runs over six innings for the Braves, who started the second half... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Justin Upton ended Dallas Keuchel's bid for a no-hitter in the seventh inning when shortstop Marwin Gonzalez couldn't snag his high line drive.The Houston Astros left-hander hadn't allowed a hit with two outs in the seventh inning Friday night when Upton smoked a line drive. Gonzalez leaped and got a glove on the Los Angeles Angels slugger's drive, but it trickled into the outfield.The Angel Stadium scorer awarded a hit to Upton, who was just the second baserunner allowed by Keuchel in the first game back from the All-Star break for the defending World Series champions.The heavily bearded Keuchel has never allowed fewer than three hits in a complete game during his career, but he got within seven of becoming the first left-hander to throw a no-hit complete game for the Astros, who have 11 no-hitters in franchise history.Keuchel retired the Angels' first nine batters, and then the next nine after walking leadoff hitter David Fletcher in the fourth.Houston led 3-0 after seven innings.___More AP baseball: www.apnews.com/tags/MLBbaseball

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Houston Astros left-hander Dallas Keuchel has not allowed a hit through six innings against the Los Angeles Angels.Keuchel has walked only one Friday night in the first game back from the All-Star break for the defending World Series champions.The heavily bearded Keuchel has never allowed fewer than three hits in a complete game during his career, but is in position to become the first left-hander to throw a no-hit complete game for the Astros, who have 11 no-hitters in franchise history.Houston led 3-0 after six innings. Keuchel retired the Angels' first nine batters, and then the next nine after walking leadoff hitter David Fletcher in the fourth.___More AP baseball: www.apnews.com/tags/MLBbaseball

WASHINGTON (AP) — All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies of the Atlanta Braves will probably miss a couple of games after an early exit because of tightness in his right hamstring.Albies was pulled for a pinch-hitter Friday night in an 8-5 win at Washington.The 21-year-old Albies hit an RBI double in the first inning, stole third base and then dashed home on a groundout. Albies remained in the game until being pinch-hit for in the third inning."He's OK. Right hamstring is tight," Braves manager Brian Snitker said. "I saw him when he was on the bases. He amped up that first at-bat. He was all over the place. He felt it enough that I didn't want to take any chances so we'll just go day-to-day with him and see if we can stay in front of it."Atlanta plays in Washington Saturday and Sunday."I think not pushing him - because that's one of those (injuries) you keep going and something goes and that's a two-month thing — so we'll try and get him some treatment and stay away from him for a day or two and see how he is," Snitker said.Albies played in the All-Star Game on Tuesday night at Nationals Park. He leads the NL in runs (75), extra-base hits (53), doubles (30) and total bases (211).Albies is batting .283 with 20 home runs and 56 RBIs.Charlie Culberson entered as a pinch-hitter for Albies and later hit a solo home run.The Braves are a half-game behind the NL-East leading Philadelphia Phillies.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

MILWAUKEE (AP) — One by one, the Milwaukee Brewers filed into an auditorium at Miller Park as reliever Josh Hader offered his latest apology for years-old tweets that surfaced during the All-Star Game.Those racist, homophobic social-media messages were thoughtless mistakes he made as a teenager, Hader said. He sought to reassure fellow Brewers that the vile words didn't represent the man he has become, one who has learned — in part because of baseball — to reject the language of bigotry.His teammates had his back on Friday.Fellow All-Stars Jesus Aguilar of Venezuela and Lorenzo Cain, who is African-American, were among those who stood directly behind Hader during a news conference about 90 minutes before the Brewers returned from the break by hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers."It's amazing. It tells me that they have my back and that we are a true family," Hader said about the show of solidarity.Hader spoke to teammates earlier Friday in the clubhouse. Outfielder Brett Phillips said the reliever... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani is throwing baseballs again, and the Los Angeles Angels hope he'll eventually feel good enough to return to the mound this season.The Angels' two-way rookie sensation played catch from about 60 feet for the second straight day Friday, with a dozen clicking cameras documenting his every move in the Angel Stadium outfield.Ohtani was cleared by doctors Thursday to begin a throwing progression after he took six weeks off to rest the sprained ligament in his pitching elbow. He had a stem cell platelet-rich plasma injection one day after his most recent pitching appearance on June 6, and the sprain shows signs of healing.The Angels are eager to find out how well the treatment worked, and they're still hopeful that Ohtani can avoid Tommy John surgery. But they won't rush their prized newcomer back onto the mound — particularly while he's still contributing to the club's increasingly daunting playoff push as a designated hitter."It's very tough to foresee the... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:WOOD WORKA day after hitting three homers and two doubles in just six innings, Cardinals slugger Matt Carpenter tries to torment the Cubs over a doubleheader. Carpenter drove in seven before getting pulled early in St. Louis' 18-5 thrashing at Wrigley Field on Friday. He tied the major league record for extra-base hits in a game, and became the first player to do it in just six innings. He'll look to inflict more damage against starters Tyler Chatwood (3-5, 5.04) and Mike Montgomery (3-3, 3.91).DEGROM WATCHJacob deGrom knows he could be traded this month, but he says his preference is to remain with the Mets. His agent, Brodie van Wagenen, said this week that if New York is not interested in a long-term deal for the 30-year-old All-Star right-hander, it should consider trade options. DeGrom said Friday in New York that "I want to win here" and he hopes "the feeling is mutual."Mets assistant general manager John Ricco said the team has... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:WOOD WORKA day after hitting three homers and two doubles in just six innings, Cardinals slugger Matt Carpenter tries to torment the Cubs over a doubleheader. Carpenter drove in seven before getting pulled early in St. Louis' 18-5 thrashing at Wrigley Field on Friday. He tied the major league record for extra-base hits in a game, and became the first player to do it in just six innings. He'll look to inflict more damage against starters Tyler Chatwood (3-5, 5.04) and Mike Montgomery (3-3, 3.91).DEGROM WATCHJacob deGrom knows he could be traded this month, but he says his preference is to remain with the Mets. His agent, Brodie van Wagenen, said this week that if New York is not interested in a long-term deal for the 30-year-old All-Star right-hander, it should consider trade options. DeGrom said Friday in New York that "I want to win here" and he hopes "the feeling is mutual."Mets assistant general manager John Ricco said the team has... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — One by one, the Milwaukee Brewers filed into an auditorium at Miller Park as reliever Josh Hader offered his latest apology for years-old tweets that surfaced during the All-Star Game.Those racist, homophobic social-media messages were thoughtless mistakes he made as a teenager, Hader said. He sought to reassure fellow Brewers that the vile words didn't represent the man he has become, one who has learned — in part because of baseball — to reject the language of bigotry.His teammates had his back on Friday.Fellow All-Stars Jesus Aguilar of Venezuela and Lorenzo Cain, who is African-American, were among those who stood directly behind Hader during a news conference about 90 minutes before the Brewers returned from the break by hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers."It's amazing. It tells me that they have my back and that we are a true family," Hader said about the show of solidarity.Hader spoke to teammates earlier Friday in the clubhouse. Outfielder Brett Phillips said the reliever... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — It's a whole new beginning for Manny Machado after months of uncertainty. Perfect time for a new number, too.One with an LA story and a Baltimore past.Machado joined the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday after being acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Orioles during the All-Star break, putting one of baseball's premier players on one of the game's marquee teams. He started at shortstop and hit second in the lineup, ahead of young slugger Max Muncy and old friend Matt Kemp for the opener of a three-game series at Milwaukee.Muncy thought he might hear from Machado about his No. 13 after the deal, and he joked about possibly just having a new jersey when he arrived at Miller Park. But the 26-year-old Machado decided to try No. 8 with the Dodgers — Kobe Bryant's first number with the Los Angeles Lakers, and the same number Hall of Fame shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. wore with the Orioles.A nod to his past and his future."I wanted to change it up," said Machado, who singled and walked... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — It's a whole new beginning for Manny Machado after months of uncertainty. Perfect time for a new number, too.One with an LA story and a Baltimore past.Machado joined the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday after being acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Orioles during the All-Star break, putting one of baseball's premier players on one of the game's marquee teams. He started at shortstop and hit second in the lineup, ahead of young slugger Max Muncy and old friend Matt Kemp for the opener of a three-game series at Milwaukee.Muncy thought he might hear from Machado about his No. 13 after the deal, and he joked about possibly just having a new jersey when he arrived at Miller Park. But the 26-year-old Machado decided to try No. 8 with the Dodgers — Kobe Bryant's first number with the Los Angeles Lakers, and the same number Hall of Fame shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. wore with the Orioles.A nod to his past and his future."I wanted to change it up," said Machado, who singled in his... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Boston Red Sox second baseman Brock Holt left Friday night's game at Detroit in the fourth inning with what appeared to be a right knee injury.Holt stayed on the ground for a while at the end of a wild play. He appeared to be hurt when the Tigers' Jeimer Candelario slid safely back into second. Holt was eventually able to get up and walk off the field.With the bases loaded and nobody out, Detroit's John Hicks hit a shallow fly to left, and Andrew Benintendi made the catch. His throw home was wild, but Niko Goodrum of the Tigers stayed at third. Candelario took off from second toward third, and then had to go back when he realized Goodrum was still there. The throw went back to second, and Candelario slid in safely.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ozzie Albies has been pulled from the Atlanta Braves' game against the Washington Nationals because of right hamstring tightness.The Braves say the All-Star second baseman was lifted Friday as a precaution. Albies may have been injured running the bases during the first inning, when he hit an RBI double, stole third base and then dashed home on a groundout. Albies remained in the game until being hit for in the third inning.Albies, 21, returned from the All-Star break leading the NL in at-bats (405), runs (74), extra-base hits (52) and total bases (209). He is tied for the league lead in doubles (29) with teammate and fellow All-Star Nick Markakis. Albies is batting .283 with 20 home runs and 55 RBIs.The Braves entered Friday a half-game behind the NL-East leading Philadelphia Phillies.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers reliever Josh Hader apologized to his team after years-old racist and homophobic tweets surfaced during the All-Star Game.Hader spoke with teammates before a game Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the first action for the Brewers since the All-Star break."I just want them to know that I'm sorry for what I did back in the day and the mistakes that I made," Hader said, "and that they are a family to me and that they (the tweets) aren't me and what I meant."Outfielder Brett Phillips said Hader offered a sincere apology. Manager Craig Counsell described Hader as emotional and remorseful.Hader expressed regrets again during a news conference about 90 minutes before the game. Teammates filed into the Miller Park media auditorium as Hader spoke, with fellow All-Stars Jesus Aguilar and Lorenzo Cain among those who stood directly behind Hader."It's amazing. It tells me that they have my back and that we are a true family," Hader said about the show of solidarity.The... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said Friday that Robinson Cano will be used at a few positions when he returns from his suspension next month, including first base.Where Cano ends up defensively is one of the big questions once he's eligible to return on Aug. 14 from his 80-game suspension for violating baseball's joint drug agreement. He's been a second baseman for the entirety of his major league career, but it may not be his primary position when he comes back.Following the suspension, Seattle moved Dee Gordon from center field back to his natural position at second base."We're looking at Dee as our second baseman. There may be a time especially mid-August to the end of the season where he slides out to center field for a day, but primarily he's going to play second base," Dipoto said. "We sat down and talked with Robbie and Robbie said, 'Whatever I need to do to help this team get to the postseason.' He was great about it."Cano recently relocated to the... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yoenis Cespedes homered in his return to the New York Mets, who said he could be shifted to first base later this season.Cespedes had been out two months with a strained right hip flexor. He flied out in the first inning against the Yankees, then hit a drive down the left-field line against Domingo German with a 3-0 count leading off the third. Cespedes didn't run at first, apparently thinking it would be an out or a foul ball, but the ball glance off the foul side of the foul pole for his ninth home run.Cespedes has appeared in just 118 of the Mets' 256 games since he signed a $110 million, four-year contract, primarily because of lower-body ailments. The 32-year-old was the designated hitter in the series opener, likely will DH on Saturday and could return to the outfield on Sunday.Playing first base is a bit off."I don't know that I can say exactly when," Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. "I think he needs more reps, practicing, feels more comfortable around the bag... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — All-Star closer Brad Hand kept hearing his name discussed among potential trades last year, when the lefty ended up staying with the San Diego Padres and got a new contract during the offseason.This time, Hand has switched teams and could have a bit of a different role than what he had in the National League."Going into this year, I didn't really think it was going to happen after last year," Hand said Friday in the Cleveland Indians' clubhouse. "So I was obviously a little bit surprised. But my name was out there and talked about. ... (The Padres) got a deal worth taking."Hand and rookie right-handed sidearmer Adam Cimber joined the AL Central-leading Indians in time for the first game after the All-Star break, Friday night against the Texas Rangers. Cleveland traded switch-hitting catching prospect Francisco Mejia to the Padres on Thursday to get the two relievers.Cleveland manager Terry Francona said he spoke to both pitchers, and told them: "They won't feel new... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Nationals activated right-hander Stephen Strasburg from the 10-day disabled list and first baseman Ryan Zimmerman from the 60-day DL ahead of Friday's series opener against the Atlanta Braves.Strasburg (6-6, 3.46 ERA) started Friday against Washington's NL East foe. The right-hander landed on the DL June 10 with right shoulder inflammation. In 13 starts, Strasburg has 95 strikeouts and 19 walks.The 33-year-old Zimmerman last played on May 9 after suffering a strained right oblique. He was transferred to the 60-day disabled list on June 30. Zimmerman is hitting .217 with five homers and 16 RBIs.Washington's starting first baseman before the injury was not in the lineup against Atlanta. Manager Dave Martinez elected to start the lefty-swinging Matt Adams against Braves starter pitching Anibal Sanchez. Adams batted .342 in his last 11 games and has 15 home runs on the season."He is going to play," Martinez said of Zimmerman. "I mean Matt Adams, he's pretty much killing right-handers right now. He deserves to play. I talked to Zim and he's going to come off the bench today."Washington opened roster space by optioning pitchers Wander Suero and Trevor Gott to Triple-A Syracuse.The Nationals, fresh off hosting the All-Star Game, are third in the NL East. Washington is 5½ games behind Philadelphia and five back of Atlanta.

With the All-Star break complete, fantasy baseball players are digging in and hoping to make a run toward a championship season. With that goal in mind here are a few players that can help strengthen your team as you move on up in the standings:PLAYERS TO PICK UPJAKE BAUERS, OF, Tampa Bay Rays (55 percent owned in CBSSports.com leagues) - Bauer is batting .324 with five HRs and nine RBIs in his last eight games. He has power and is surprisingly good at stealing bases. Bauer will be a regular in the Rays lineup for the rest of the season and depending on your league's rules, he might gain outfield eligibility by season's end.ERVIN SANTANA, SP, Minnesota Twins (48 percent) - Santana spent the first part of the season on the DL and is set to make his season debut July 24. His first start is expected to be against the Blue Jays, who have the ninth worst batting average against right handed pitchers.KIRBY YATES, RP, San Diego Padres (31 percent) - Yates is set to inherit the closer's role now... [More]