NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia is getting set to close his career as a reliever.New York manager Aaron Boone said before Friday night's game against Toronto that Sabathia will work out of the bullpen next week as the AL East champions prepare for the playoffs.The 39-year-old lefty has pitched in relief just once in his 19-season career, going 1 1/3 innings in a deciding Game 5 loss to Detroit in the 2011 AL Division Series.Sabathia's other 583 appearances have all come as a starter. He is 5-8 in 22 starts with a 4.99 ERA this season and has dealt with knee trouble.Sabathia has said this will be his last year playing in the majors.The Yankees are still figuring out their rotation for the postseason, which begins Oct. 4 with the best-of-five Division Series. Masahiro Tanaka, James Paxson, J.A. Happ and Luis Severino are among the candidates to start.Severino came back from a lat injury and made his season debut with four shutout innings in a start Tuesday. Domingo Germán, the... [More]

Cubs second. Kyle Schwarber doubles to deep right center field. Willson Contreras grounds out to shortstop, Paul DeJong to Paul Goldschmidt. Kyle Schwarber to third. David Bote reaches on error. Kyle Schwarber scores. Fielding error by Tommy Edman. Jason Heyward singles to right field. David Bote to third. Nico Hoerner grounds out to shortstop. Jason Heyward out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Cubs 1, Cardinals 0.Cardinals sixth. Paul Goldschmidt walks. Marcell Ozuna walks. Paul Goldschmidt to second. Matt Carpenter walks. Marcell Ozuna to second. Paul Goldschmidt to third. Yadier Molina singles to center field. Matt Carpenter to second. Marcell Ozuna scores. Paul Goldschmidt scores. Paul DeJong pops out to shallow infield to Ian Happ. Harrison Bader flies out to right center field to Nicholas Castellanos. Matt Wieters pinch-hitting for Ryan Helsley. Matt Wieters reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Yadier Molina out at second.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cardinals 2, Cubs 1.

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees pitcher Domingo Germán is being investigated for an alleged domestic violence incident involving his girlfriend at home this week, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Friday.The person spoke under condition of anonymity because no details have been authorized during the probe by Major League Baseball.Germán was put on administrative leave Thursday under MLB's domestic violence policy.The person said the incident occurred Monday night into Tuesday at Germán's residence in Yonkers. Germán and his girlfriend have at least one child together.MLB is not aware of any police involvement in the situation. MLB won't announce any discipline until its investigation is complete.Germán isn't permitted to be around the team during the administrative leave, which can last up to seven days, barring an extension. MLB and the players' union will speak next week to determine the next step.Germán's locker still had his jerseys, hats and cleats before Friday... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Don Mattingly says he's glad to be returning next year as the Miami Marlins manager to provide stability for a struggling franchise, because as a player he experienced the other extreme.Mattingly played for the New York Yankees from 1982 to 1995, when they made 12 managerial changes."I played for Billy Martin three different times," Mattingly said. "I played for Lou Piniella two different times. There was Stump Merrill, Dallas Green, one guy to the next, year after year. As a player you got the point where if things were going bad you're thinking, 'This guy is probably not going to be back.'"Mattingly will be back for a fifth season with Miami in 2020. His contract announced Friday is for two years plus a mutual option for 2022.The Marlins also announced a two-year contract with shortstop Miguel Rojas that includes an option for 2022.Mattingly's contract had been set to expire after this season, his fourth in Miami. CEO Derek Jeter, another former Yankee, said Mattingly remains... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Don Mattingly says he's glad to be returning next year as the Miami Marlins manager to provide stability for a struggling franchise, because as a player he experienced the other extreme.Mattingly played for the New York Yankees from 1982-95, when they made 12 managerial changes.He'll be back for a fifth season with Miami in 2020. His contract announced Friday is for two years plus a mutual option for 2022.The Marlins also announced a two-year contract with shortstop Miguel Rojas that includes an option for 2022.Mattingly's contract had been set to expire after this season, his fourth in Miami. CEO Derek Jeter, another former Yankee, said Mattingly remains the right person for the job.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports___Follow Steven Wine on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Steve_Wine

Sept. 221911 — Cy Young, 44, beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 1-0 for his 511th and final major league victory.1936 — The Detroit Tigers swept the St. Louis Browns 12-0 and 14-0 to record the biggest double shutout in major league history.1954 — Karl Spooner of Brooklyn became the first pitcher in the majors to strike out 15 in his first game as the Dodgers beat the New York Giants 3-0.1966 — The Baltimore Orioles clinched their first AL pennant in 22 years with a 6-1 victory over the Kansas City A's. Their last pennant came in 1944 when they were the St. Louis Browns.1968 — Cesar Tovar played one inning at each position for the Minnesota Twins, becoming the second major leaguer in history to do it. Bert Campaneris of the Oakland A's was the other.1969 — Willie Mays of the San Francisco Giants became the second player to hit 600 career home runs — joining Babe Ruth. The two-run shot off San Diego's Mike Corkins in the seventh inning, gave the Giants a 4-2 win.1973 — Baltimore's Al Bumbry tied... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:POPPIN'Ronald Acuña Jr. and the Braves are poised to break out the bubbly, with a magic number of one to clinch their second straight NL East title. They can celebrate when Mike Foltynewicz (7-5, 4.80 ERA) starts at SunTrust Park against San Francisco. A win by Atlanta or a loss by second-place Washington at Miami will seal it.At 21, Acuña will be able to take part in a champagne toast. The star outfielder with 40 home runs wasn't yet of legal age when the Braves won the division a year ago."They wouldn't let me drink because I was a minor," Acuña recalled, breaking into a big smile. "This year, it's going to be different. I'm looking forward to it."CHICAGO BLUESThe Cubs have fallen to third place in the NL Central for the first time since April, but they can fix that as they continue a four-game set against first-place St. Louis. The Cardinals regrouped after blowing a late lead in the opener, winning on Matt Carpenter's 10th-inning homer... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:POPPIN'Ronald Acuña Jr. and the Braves are poised to break out the bubbly, with a magic number of one to clinch their second straight NL East title. They can celebrate when Mike Foltynewicz (7-5, 4.80 ERA) starts at SunTrust Park against San Francisco. A win by Atlanta or a loss by second-place Washington at Miami will seal it.At 21, Acuña will be able to take part in a champagne toast. The star outfielder with 40 home runs wasn't yet of legal age when the Braves won the division a year ago."They wouldn't let me drink because I was a minor," Acuña recalled, breaking into a big smile. "This year, it's going to be different. I'm looking forward to it."CHICAGO BLUESThe Cubs have fallen to third place in the NL Central for the first time since April, but they can fix that as they continue a four-game set against first-place St. Louis. The Cardinals regrouped after blowing a late lead in the opener, winning on Matt Carpenter's 10th-inning homer... [More]

Royals second. Alex Gordon grounds out to second base, Jorge Polanco to Marwin Gonzalez. Ryan McBroom singles to third base. Erick Mejia walks. Ryan McBroom to second. Meibrys Viloria singles to shallow center field. Erick Mejia to third. Ryan McBroom out at home. Nicky Lopez singles to left field. Meibrys Viloria to second. Erick Mejia scores. Whit Merrifield walks. Nicky Lopez to second. Meibrys Viloria to third. Adalberto Mondesi walks. Whit Merrifield to second. Nicky Lopez to third. Meibrys Viloria scores. Jorge Soler walks. Adalberto Mondesi to second. Whit Merrifield to third. Nicky Lopez scores. Hunter Dozier grounds out to third base, Miguel Sano to Marwin Gonzalez.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Royals 3, Twins 0.Twins third. Ryan LaMarre flies out to deep center field to Erick Mejia. Mitch Garver singles to left field. Jorge Polanco doubles to deep right center field. Mitch Garver to third. Nelson Cruz homers to right field. Jorge Polanco scores. Mitch Garver scores. Eddie... [More]

Cardinals third. Tommy Edman singles to right field. Harrison Bader walks. Tommy Edman to second. Jack Flaherty singles to shallow infield. Harrison Bader to second. Tommy Edman to third. Dexter Fowler grounds out to second base. Jack Flaherty out at second. Harrison Bader to third. Tommy Edman scores. Kolten Wong flies out to deep right field to Nicholas Castellanos.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 1, Cubs 0.Cubs third. Nico Hoerner grounds out to shortstop, Paul DeJong to Paul Goldschmidt. Kyle Hendricks pops out to shallow right field to Paul Goldschmidt. Anthony Rizzo homers to center field. Nicholas Castellanos singles. Kris Bryant flies out to deep left field to Marcell Ozuna.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 1, Cubs 1.Cardinals fifth. Tommy Edman triples to right field. Harrison Bader singles to center field. Tommy Edman scores. Jack Flaherty out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Anthony Rizzo to Ben Zobrist. Harrison Bader to second. Dexter Fowler... [More]

Indians first. Francisco Lindor doubles to deep left field. Oscar Mercado out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Daniel Norris to Jeimer Candelario. Francisco Lindor to third. Carlos Santana out on a sacrifice fly to left field to Christin Stewart. Francisco Lindor scores. Yasiel Puig strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Indians 1, Tigers 0.Indians fourth. Carlos Santana singles to center field. Yasiel Puig doubles to deep left field. Carlos Santana scores. Jordan Luplow grounds out to shortstop, Jordy Mercer to Jeimer Candelario. Yasiel Puig to third. Franmil Reyes homers to center field. Yasiel Puig scores. Roberto Perez singles to center field. Yu Chang called out on strikes. Mike Freeman called out on strikes.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Indians 4, Tigers 0.Indians fifth. Francisco Lindor doubles to deep right field. Oscar Mercado singles to center field. Francisco Lindor scores. Carlos Santana flies out to deep center field to Harold Castro. Yasiel Puig singles to left center field. Oscar Mercado to second. Greg Allen pinch-hitting for Jordan Luplow. Greg Allen called out on strikes. Yasiel Puig steals second. Oscar Mercado steals third. Franmil Reyes walks. Roberto Perez singles to center field. Franmil Reyes to second. Yasiel Puig scores. Oscar Mercado scores. Yu Chang grounds out to shallow infield, Grayson Greiner to Jeimer Candelario.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Indians 7, Tigers 0.

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees star pitcher Domingo Germán was placed on administrative leave under Major League Baseball's domestic violence policy on Thursday, casting doubt over whether New York's top winner this season will be available for the playoffs.Manager Aaron Boone was informed of the decision while he was driving to Yankee Stadium for a game against the Los Angeles Angels. New York won 9-1 to clinch its first AL East title since 2012."Set baseball aside, this is a bigger issue, obviously," Boone said. "When you hear the words domestic violence, it's one of those things that stops you in your tracks."Details on what prompted the action weren't disclosed. The leave may last up to seven days, barring an extension.The Yankees begin the AL playoffs on Oct. 4, likely at home.A 27-year-old right-hander from the Dominican Republic who made his major league debut in 2017, Germán entered this season with a 2-7 record in 14 starts and 14 relief appearances. He became a full-time member of the... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly has agreed to a contract extension and will return for a fifth season in 2020, a person familiar with the negotiations said Thursday.The person confirmed the agreement to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Marlins hadn't announced the deal. A news conference with CEO Derek Jeter was scheduled for Friday.Mattingly's contract was to expire after this season. He became the Marlins' manager in 2016 and has guided the team during a rebuilding project under Jeter, who traded away All-Stars Christian Yelich, Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna, Dee Gordon and J.T. Realmuto.With the roster depleted, the Marlins this season have the worst record in the National League at 53-99, and they're set to exceed 100 losses for the first time since 1998. But Mattingly has been supportive of the team's reboot since Jeter's group bought the franchise two years ago, and the Marlins believe they're on the verge of a turnaround thanks to an... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:POPPIN'Ronald Acuña Jr. and the Braves are poised to break out the bubbly, with a magic number of one to clinch their second straight NL East title. They can celebrate when Mike Foltynewicz (7-5, 4.80 ERA) starts at SunTrust Park against San Francisco. A win by Atlanta or a loss by second-place Washington at Miami will seal it.At 21, Acuña will be able to take part in a champagne toast. The star outfielder with 40 home runs wasn't yet of legal age when the Braves won the division a year ago."They wouldn't let me drink because I was a minor," Acuña recalled, breaking into a big smile. "This year, it's going to be different. I'm looking forward to it."GOING, GOING ...A year after setting a team record with 108 wins on their way to the World Series championship, Mookie Betts and the Red Sox are on the brink of being eliminated from playoff contention.Boston (80-72) will be bounced with one loss in this weekend's series against Tampa Bay.... [More]

Orioles third. Austin Wynns singles to center field. Jonathan Villar grounds out to third base, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to Rowdy Tellez. Austin Wynns to second. Hanser Alberto flies out to left field to Lourdes Gurriel Jr.. Trey Mancini doubles to deep right center field. Austin Wynns scores. Anthony Santander reaches on third strike. Trey Mancini to third. Renato Nunez grounds out to shortstop, Bo Bichette to Rowdy Tellez.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Orioles 1, Blue jays 0.Blue jays fourth. Bo Bichette grounds out to second base, Hanser Alberto to Renato Nunez. Cavan Biggio homers to center field. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. homers to center field. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. flies out to deep center field to Austin Hays. Justin Smoak lines out to right field to Trey Mancini.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Blue jays 2, Orioles 1.Orioles fifth. Jonathan Villar strikes out swinging. Hanser Alberto singles to center field. Trey Mancini singles to center field. Hanser Alberto to third. Anthony... [More]

Yankees second. Cameron Maybin walks. Brett Gardner reaches on a fielder's choice to first base. Cameron Maybin out at second. Clint Frazier flies out to right field to Kole Calhoun. Austin Romine singles to shallow infield. Brett Gardner to second. DJ LeMahieu homers to center field. Austin Romine scores. Brett Gardner scores. Giancarlo Stanton strikes out swinging.3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Yankees 3, Angels 0.Angels fourth. Kole Calhoun homers to center field. Albert Pujols lines out to shortstop to Didi Gregorius. Jared Walsh grounds out to first base, Luke Voit to Masahiro Tanaka. Andrelton Simmons grounds out to shortstop, Didi Gregorius to Luke Voit.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Yankees 3, Angels 1.Yankees fourth. Cameron Maybin called out on strikes. Brett Gardner homers to center field. Clint Frazier flies out to deep right field to Kole Calhoun. Austin Romine pops out to second base to David Fletcher.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Yankees 4, Angels 1.Yankees... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Cubs slugger Anthony Rizzo hit a tying home run in his surprise return to the lineup Thursday night for the opener of a crucial four-game series against the NL Central-leading St. Louis Cardinals.Four days after suffering a sprained right ankle that threatened his status for the rest of the regular season, Rizzo was inserted atop Chicago's lineup 20 minutes before first pitch. He homered off Jack Flaherty in the third inning to tie the game at 1, and fans at Wrigley Field celebrated wildly as he slowly circled the bases.Rizzo left a game against Pittsburgh on Sunday after spraining the ankle fielding a bunt, and he was expected to be in a walking boot for up to a week. He warmed up in the outfield prior to Thursday's game while team medical personnel looked on, then was inserted into the leadoff spot and tabbed to play first base.The Cubs also got closer Craig Kimbrel and infielder Addison Russell back.Kimbrel has been out since Sept. 1 due to inflammation in his right elbow.... [More]

Brewers first. Lorenzo Cain flies out to right field to Hunter Renfroe. Keston Hiura strikes out swinging. Mike Moustakas walks. Ryan Braun doubles to deep center field. Mike Moustakas scores. Tyler Austin grounds out to third base, Seth Mejias-Brean to Eric Hosmer.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Brewers 1, Padres 0.Brewers third. Keston Hiura doubles to deep left field. Mike Moustakas flies out to center field to Wil Myers. Ryan Braun singles to left field. Keston Hiura to third. Tyler Austin strikes out swinging. Hernan Perez reaches on third strike. Ryan Braun to second. Keston Hiura scores. Manny Pina walks. Hernan Perez to second. Ryan Braun to third. Orlando Arcia flies out to deep right field to Hunter Renfroe.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Brewers 2, Padres 0.Padres fourth. Eric Hosmer homers to center field. Hunter Renfroe grounds out to third base, Mike Moustakas to Tyler Austin. Seth Mejias-Brean grounds out to shallow infield, Jordan Lyles to Tyler Austin. Luis Urias... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs have activated closer Craig Kimbrel from the injured list before opening a crucial four-game series against the NL Central-leading St. Louis Cardinals.Kimbrel has been out since Sept. 1 due to inflammation in his right elbow. He'll be available Thursday against the Cardinals, who are three games ahead of the Cubs.The 31-year-old Kimbrel signed a $43 million, three-year contract as a free agent in June. He's converted 13 of 15 save chances, posting a 5.68 ERA in 21 appearances. He also spent time on the IL with right knee inflammation in August.The Cubs also got infielder Addison Russell back Thursday. He cleared concussion protocol and was set to be available off the bench. He missed 10 games after being hit in the head by a fastball.Left-hander Cole Hamels will miss his next rotation turn because of persistent fatigue in his left shoulder. The veteran hopes to pitch again during a three-game series at Pittsburgh next week.Righty Alec Mills will start Friday,... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians third baseman José Ramírez took batting practice Thursday for the first time since breaking his right hand last month and is hoping to return before the end of the regular season.Ramírez had surgery for a broken hamate bone Aug. 26, and the expected recovery window had him slated for game action in early October. The last day of the regular season is Sept. 29.Cleveland manager Terry Francona said there's no new timeline for Ramírez's return, but it was encouraging that Ramírez felt good after swinging from both sides of the plate.Ramírez is batting .254 with 20 home runs and 75 RBIs despite a sluggish start. He hit .325 with 15 homers, 47 RBIs and a 1.045 OPS in the 53 games before the surgery.The club is already without second baseman Jason Kipnis for the rest of the season, also because of a broken right hamate bone.Cleveland is four games behind first-place Minnesota in the AL Central and a half-game behind Tampa Bay for the second AL wild card. The Indians trail Oakland by 2 ½ games for the top wild card.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports