ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani has new damage in his pitching elbow and the team says Tommy John surgery has been recommended.A couple hours before Ohtani hit two home runs against Texas on Wednesday, the Angels said he had an MRI earlier in the day that revealed the problem in his right ulnar collateral ligament."There's more questions out there right now than answers. We'll take it one step at a time," manager Mike Scioscia said. "There's a lot of consulting that Shohei will do with doctors and just see what the best course of action is, and we'll see where we are."The 24-year-old rookie was the Angels' designated hitter for their series finale against the Rangers. He was 4 for 4 with two homers, scoring four runs and driving in three, through the first eight innings.Asked whether Ohtani would stay in the lineup as a DH beyond Wednesday, Scioscia said: "We'll see. That's going to be determined from our medical department."Angels general manager Billy... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani has new damage in his pitching elbow and the team says Tommy John surgery has been recommended.A couple hours before Ohtani hit a home run against Texas, the Angels said he had an MRI on Wednesday that revealed the problem in his right ulnar collateral ligament."There's more questions out there right now than answers. We'll take it one step at a time," manager Mike Scioscia said. "There's a lot of consulting that Shohei will do with doctors and just see what the best course of action is, and we'll see where we are."The 24-year-old rookie was the Angels' designated hitter for their series finale against the Rangers. He walked his first time up, singled and scored in his next at-bat and hit a solo homer in the fifth inning.Asked whether Ohtani would stay in the lineup as a DH beyond Wednesday, Scioscia said: "We'll see. That's going to be determined from our medical department."Angels general manager Billy Eppler said Ohtani... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani has new damage in his pitching elbow and the team says Tommy John surgery has been recommended.The Angels said Ohtani had an MRI on Wednesday in Texas that revealed the problem in his right ulnar collateral ligament."There's more questions out there right now than answers. We'll take it one step at a time," manager Mike Scioscia said. "There's a lot of consulting that Shohei will do with doctors and just see what the best course of action is, and we'll see where we are."The 24-year-old rookie was the Angels' designated hitter for their series finale against the Rangers, and walked his first time up. Asked whether Ohtani would stay in the lineup as a DH after this game, Scioscia said: "We'll see. That's going to be determined from our medical department."Angels general manager Billy Eppler said Ohtani hasn't formally decided to have Tommy John surgery. Eppler and Ohtani plan to have an in-depth conversation about his future... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani has new damage in his right elbow and the team says Tommy John surgery has been recommended.The Angels said Ohtani had an MRI on Wednesday in Texas that revealed the problem in his ulnar collateral ligament."There's more questions out there right now than answers. We'll take it one step at a time," manager Mike Scioscia said. "There's a lot of consulting that Shohei will do with doctors and just see what the best course of action is, and we'll see where we are."Ohtani had been scheduled to throw a light bullpen session Wednesday, but never did after reporting that his elbow was sore. The medical staff then decided that he should get the new MRI.The 24-year-old rookie was still in the Angels' lineup as the designated hitter for their series finale against the Rangers. Asked whether Ohtani would stay in the lineup as a DH after this game, Scioscia said: "We'll see. That's going to be determined from our medical department."Ohtani... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels say Japanese two-way star Shohei Ohtani has new damage in his right elbow and Tommy John surgery has been recommended.The Angels said Ohtani had an MRI on Wednesday in Texas that revealed the problem in his ulnar collateral ligament.Ohtani had been scheduled to throw a light bullpen session. He was still in the Angels' lineup as the designated hitter for their series finale against the Rangers.The 24-year-old rookie was diagnosed with a sprained UCL following a start June 6 and was treated with a platelet-rich plasma injection and an injection of stem cells. He was hitting again in early July, and returned to the mound with his start Sunday at Houston.Ohtani lasted only 2 1/3 innings in the start Sunday, when he had a drastic drop in velocity during the game.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Steve Pearce had three hits and three RBIs, Rick Porcello allowed two hits in five innings and the Boston Red Sox beat the Atlanta Braves 5-1 on Tuesday night for their second straight win in a matchup of division leaders.Porcello (16-7) gave up one run and struck out five, improving to 10-3 on the road this year. He had been 0-2 in his previous three starts overall since an Aug. 14 win at Philadelphia.Atlanta pitchers walked nine, including five by starter Sean Newcomb (11-8), who matched his season high. He allowed three runs and four hits in 4 1/3 innings.The Braves' lead over second-place Philadelphia in the NL East was cut to three games.Kurt Suzuki homered for the Braves.BREWERS 11, CUBS 1MILWAUKEE (AP) — Lorenzo Cain reached base five times, Wade Miley pitched six stingy innings and Milwaukee romped past Chicago to climb within three games of the NL Central leaders.Miley (3-2) allowed one run and three hits, struck out five and walked none as Milwaukee won for the... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Steve Pearce had three hits and three RBIs, Rick Porcello allowed two hits in five innings and the Boston Red Sox beat the Atlanta Braves 5-1 on Tuesday night for their second straight win in a matchup of division leaders.Porcello (16-7) gave up one run and struck out five, improving to 10-3 on the road this year. He had been 0-2 in his previous three starts overall since an Aug. 14 win at Philadelphia.Atlanta pitchers walked nine, including five by starter Sean Newcomb (11-8), who matched his season high. He allowed three runs and four hits in 4 1/3 innings.The Braves' lead over second-place Philadelphia in the NL East was cut to three games.Kurt Suzuki homered for the Braves.BREWERS 11, CUBS 1MILWAUKEE (AP) — Lorenzo Cain reached base five times, Wade Miley pitched six stingy innings and Milwaukee romped past Chicago to climb within three games of the NL Central leaders.Miley (3-2) allowed one run and three hits, struck out five and walked none as Milwaukee won for the... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Steve Pearce had three hits and three RBIs, Rick Porcello allowed two hits in five innings and the Boston Red Sox beat the Atlanta Braves 5-1 on Tuesday night for their second straight win in a matchup of division leaders.Porcello (16-7) gave up one run and struck out five, improving to 10-3 on the road this year. He had been 0-2 in his previous three starts overall since an Aug. 14 win at Philadelphia.Atlanta pitchers walked nine, including five by starter Sean Newcomb (11-8), who matched his season high. He allowed three runs and four hits in 4 1/3 innings.The Braves' lead over second-place Philadelphia in the NL East was cut to three games.Kurt Suzuki homered for the Braves.BREWERS 11, CUBS 1MILWAUKEE (AP) — Lorenzo Cain reached base five times, Wade Miley pitched six stingy innings and Milwaukee romped past Chicago to climb within three games of the NL Central leaders.Miley (3-2) allowed one run and three hits, struck out five and walked none as Milwaukee won for the... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:ASCENDING ASTROAlex Bregman has homered in three straight games for Houston, part of his surge since making the All-Star team. The third baseman has reached base safely in 31 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the majors, and looks to extend the string at home vs. Minnesota. Bregman tops the AL West leaders with his career-high 28 home runs and has 72 extra-base hits, the most by an Astros player since Lance Berkman's 79 in 2008.OHTANI UPDATEThe Angels are hopeful Shohei Ohtani will make his next start as scheduled Sunday at Chicago against the White Sox. The two-way rookie was evaluated a day after making an early exit in his return to the mound. He was pulled after 2 1/3 innings at Houston when his velocity drastically dropped — Ohtani hadn't pitched in the majors since June 6 because of a strained right elbow.Ohtani, who continued to be a designated hitter while his elbow recovered, wasn't in the starting lineup Monday night... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday:ASCENDING ASTROAlex Bregman has homered in three straight games for Houston, part of his surge since making the All-Star team. The third baseman has reached base safely in 31 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the majors, and looks to extend the string at home vs. Minnesota. Bregman tops the AL West leaders with his career-high 28 home runs and has 72 extra-base hits, the most by an Astros player since Lance Berkman's 79 in 2008.OHTANI UPDATEThe Angels are hopeful Shohei Ohtani will make his next start as scheduled Sunday at Chicago against the White Sox. The two-way rookie was evaluated a day after making an early exit in his return to the mound. He was pulled after 2 1/3 innings at Houston when his velocity drastically dropped — Ohtani hadn't pitched in the majors since June 6 because of a strained right elbow.Ohtani, who continued to be a designated hitter while his elbow recovered, wasn't in the starting lineup Monday... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Shohei Ohtani has been evaluated after coming out of his pitching return early, and Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia is hopeful the right-hander will be good to make his next scheduled start Sunday.Scioscia said Monday that Ohtani had no apprehension about his elbow when his velocity dropped drastically the previous night. The two-way player lasted only 2 1/3 innings at Houston on Sunday night in his first game on the mound since June 6 because of an elbow strain. He was dealing with tightness in his back and a sore right ring finger after a ball deflected off of it in the second inning, but neither issue should cause him to miss more time."The most important thing is his elbow feels great," Scioscia said.Ohtani wasn't in the lineup as a hitter for the Angels in their series opener at Texas, which is normal the game after he pitches.As a hitter, Scioscia said Ohtani was day to day.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Matt Kemp beat the Diamondbacks for the second straight game, hitting a two-run double in the ninth inning that lifted the Los Angeles Dodgers over Arizona 3-2 Sunday for sole possession of first place in the NL West.A day after Kemp launched a go-ahead, three-run homer in the eighth against Archie Bradley, the Dodgers' slugger tagged him again.Kemp's one-out drive off the wall in left-center field put Los Angeles alone atop the West for the first time since Aug. 7. The Dodgers beat the Diamondbacks by identical 3-2 scores three days in a row, after Arizona won the series opener at Dodger Stadium.Brad Boxberger (2-5) started the ninth and put the potential tying and go-ahead runs on with consecutive walks to pinch-hitter Alex Verdugo and Max Muncy. The runners advanced on Enrique Hernandez's sacrifice bunt and set up Kemp.Daniel Descalso homered leading off the ninth against Caleb Ferguson to put Arizona ahead 2-1.Kenley Jansen (1-5) got the last three outs.ASTROS 4,... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Sunday:SHO TIMEAngels rookie Shohei Ohtani is set to pitch again, and will start at night against the Astros at Minute Maid Park. The two-way sensation from Japan hasn't been on the mound in the majors since spraining the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow nearly three months ago.Ohtani excelled in his first nine starts before getting hurt, going 4-1 with a 3.10 ERA. He's continued to do well at the plate as a designated hitter.Gerrit Cole (12-5, 2.85) starts for AL West-leading Houston.ACESIt's a marquee matchup at Citizens Bank Park when Aaron Nola (15-3, 2.10 ERA) starts for playoff-contending Philadelphia vs. lefty Jon Lester (14-5, 3.67) and the NL Central-leading Cubs. Nola has given up more than two runs just once in his last 12 starts, building his case for the Cy Young Award.START HIM UPTwins manager Paul Molitor says he will use a reliever as the starter in the series finale at Texas, and is leaning toward lefty Gabriel Moya.... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Shohei Ohtani is a two-way player again.Angels manager Mike Scioscia announced Thursday the Japanese rookie sensation will start for Los Angeles on Sunday night for the first time since spraining the ulnar collateral ligament in his right pitching elbow nearly three months ago.Ohtani will make his return on national television against the defending World Series champion Houston Astros. Ohtani has thrown up to 50 pitches in the bullpen as he attempts to work back from the UCL injury that many feared might require Tommy John surgery and keep him out of action through the 2019 season. He'll be on a limited pitch count."We will monitor that very closely," Scioscia said. "We will have a range, but we are going to wait and talk internally to see what he is going to be able to do and see how the game is going."Ohtani was diagnosed following a start on June 6 and has been treated with a platelet-rich plasma injection and an injection of stem cells. He returned to hitting in early... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels slugger Albert Pujols is likely to miss the rest of his 18th major league season after undergoing surgery on his left knee.The Angels announced Wednesday that Pujols has undergone arthroscopic knee surgery performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles. Recovery time is typically at least six weeks, and the Angels' season likely will be over in 4 1/2 weeks.Pujols is sixth in baseball history with 633 career homers after passing Ken Griffey Jr. last month. He is seventh in history with 1,982 career RBIs, just behind Lou Gehrig (1,995) and Barry Bonds (1,996), and close to becoming only the fifth member of the 2,000-RBI club.Pujols is batting .245 with 19 homers and 64 RBIs this season, but the Angels (64-69) are all but mathematically eliminated from the playoff race for the sixth time in his seven years with the club. Pujols' 117 games played this season will be his fewest since 2013 and the second-fewest of his big-league career, which began in... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels slugger Albert Pujols is likely to miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on his left knee.The Angels announced Pujols' arthroscopic knee surgery Wednesday. Recovery time is typically at least six weeks.Pujols is batting .245 with 19 homers and 64 RBIs for the Angels, who are all but mathematically eliminated from the playoff race for the sixth time in his first seven seasons with the club. Pujols also has played extensively at first base this season after the arrival of designated hitter Shohei Ohtani.Pujols is sixth with 633 career homers.The three-time NL MVP will be 39 years old when next season begins. He still has three seasons remaining on his 10-year, $240 million contract.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BALTIMORE (AP) — Kendrys Morales had his home run streak snapped at seven games by the Baltimore Orioles, who ended an eight-game skid by defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 7-0 on Monday night.Striving to tie the major league record of homering in eight straight games, Morales went 0 for 3 with a walk and did not hit the ball out of the infield. In his final chance, the Toronto slugger swung through a slider from Paul Fry to strike out in the eighth inning.Though he failed to match the mark shared by Dale Long, Don Mattingly and Ken Griffey Jr., Morales owns the big league record for successive games with a home run by a switch-hitter. He also owns the franchise record for consecutive games with a long ball.Facing Baltimore rookie David Hess, against whom he homered last week, Morales struck out in the first inning, grounded out in the fourth and drew a four-pitch walk in the sixth.Hess (3-8) tossed six innings of four-hit ball to earn his first win since May 25. He was 0-7 in his previous... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani believes he can pitch for the Los Angeles Angels again this season after a simulated game went well.Ohtani threw 50 pitches in three innings at Angel Stadium on Monday in the latest step in his gradual comeback from a sprained elbow ligament.The two-way star hasn't pitched in a game since June 6 but would like to get back on the mound during the Angels' final 30 games.Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Ohtani will throw a bullpen session later in the week before the Angels determine his next step. Scioscia said the Angels' brass believes Ohtani is pitching well enough to pitch in games, but the team has been cautious with his arm.Ohtani got off to a strong start in his first big-league season as a starting pitcher, going 4-1 with a 3.10 ERA in nine starts.He is still hitting while he rests his pitching arm, compiling 14 homers and 40 RBIs while batting .273. Ohtani batted cleanup as the Angels' designated hitter Monday night against Colorado.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TORONTO (AP) — Kendrys Morales became the seventh player in major league history to homer in at least seven consecutive games, going deep in the third inning of the Toronto Blue Jays' 8-3 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday.Morales hit a two-run shot off Vince Velasquez, his 21st homer of the season. He has a chance to equal the major league record of homers in eight consecutive games, shared by Ken Griffey Jr., Dale Long and Don Mattingly.Rhys Hoskins and Carlos Santana hit back-to-back home runs for Philadelphia. Maikel Franco and Wilson Ramos each had two-run shots as the Phillies avoided a three-game sweep.Ramos had four hits. He singled in the first, doubled home a run in the second, singled in the sixth and homered off Tyler Clippard in the eighth, his 15th.Velasquez (9-9) allowed two runs and three hits in five innings for the victory as Philadelphia won for the second time in eight games.Marco Estrada (7-10) allowed five runs and seven hits in two-plus innings as Toronto's... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — Kendrys Morales became the seventh player in major league history to homer in at least seven consecutive games, going deep in the third inning of the Toronto Blue Jays' 8-3 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday.Morales hit a two-run shot off Vince Velasquez, his 21st homer of the season. He has a chance to equal the major league record of homers in eight consecutive games, shared by Ken Griffey Jr., Dale Long and Don Mattingly.Rhys Hoskins and Carlos Santana hit back-to-back home runs for Philadelphia. Maikel Franco and Wilson Ramos each had two-run shots as the Phillies avoided a three-game sweep.Ramos had four hits. He singled in the first, doubled home a run in the second, singled in the sixth and homered off Tyler Clippard in the eighth, his 15th.Velasquez (9-9) allowed two runs and three hits in five innings for the victory as Philadelphia won for the second time in eight games.Marco Estrada (7-10) allowed five runs and seven hits in two-plus innings as Toronto's... [More]