BOSTON (AP) — Hanley Ramirez has been designated for assignment by the Boston Red Sox, who are responsible for the $15.25 million remaining on his contract but avoided him triggering a $22 million salary for 2019.Boston made the move Friday to clear a roster spot for All-Star second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who was activated from the disabled list and after recovering from knee surgery."We've been looking at making a move because we knew that this day with Dustin would come," Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Friday prior to a game against Atlanta. "We talked about all different types of possibilities."Dombrowski said the final call was his to make, but credited manager Alex Cora with the idea, saying the first-year manager told him he wanted to get Mitch Moreland more regular time in the lineup. Dombrowski said the move was less about saving on Ramirez's salary next year than it was about improving this year's team."It is unusual, but it's an unusual situation.... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Los Angeles Angels catcher Rene Rivera had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee and likely will be sidelined for 4-to-6 weeks.Dr. Brian Schultz operated on Friday in Los Angeles following an MRI."It's obviously a tough break for Rene right now, a tough break for us," manager Mike Scioscia said.A 10-year major league veteran, Rivera is hitting .259 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 59 plate appearances over 22 games as backup to Martin Maldonado. Rivera was placed on the 10-day disabled list May 20, a move retroactive to May 17.The Angels said right-hander Matt Shoemaker had mild fluid in his pitching forearm, according to an MRI on Thursday in Los Angeles. He also was examined in St. Louis this week by Dr. Susan Mackinnon, who ruled out peripheral nerve involvement.Shoemaker also had a bone scan. He made his only appearance of the season March 31 at Oakland, pitching 5 2/3 innings to beat the Athletics. He was moved to the 60-day disabled list on May 19.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

CHICAGO (AP) — Ben Zobrist says he's awaiting a resolution after being warned a few weeks ago by Major League Baseball for wearing black cleats in violation of the sport's uniform regulations.The Chicago Cubs infielder says baseball needs a "consensus from the teams" and players have to come to one. He says he expects an agreement in a few weeks, but warned players have some "freedom" for now.Zobrist has worn black cleats for days games at Wrigley Field to honor the game's past. He posted a letter from the league on Instagram two weeks ago citing him for violating regulations requiring at least 51 percent of the exterior of a player's shoes be the club's designated primary shoe color — blue for the Cubs.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

DETROIT (AP) — Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera made one thing clear when he went on the disabled list May 4 with a right hamstring strain: He plans to return on his timetable.Cabrera, who told reporters May 15 that fans don't appreciate when he tries to play hurt, could return to the lineup in the coming days.He took batting practice and ran in the outfield before Friday's home game against the Chicago White Sox. The Tigers are beginning a stretch of 12 games in 11 days at Comerica Park.After running Friday, Cabrera said he felt "good" and expects to return "soon."Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire, who defended his star slugger after Cabrera's testy comments, is looking forward to having him back."I haven't put a timetable on it," Gardenhire said before Friday's game. "He's feeling better. (It) could be today. The trainers are doing their treatment, he's getting stretched and he's hitting."Although Cabrera shook his head "no" when asked if he would play in Friday's game — he was not in the starting lineup — Gardenhire said it's not unrealistic that Cabrera could be back during the home stand, possibly this weekend."He's pretty much going to tell us when he thinks he's ready to go," Gardenhire said. "I can't tell you what his body's feeling, and neither can the trainer. It's going to be up to him to tell us when he's ready to go."The Tigers entered Friday's game 21-28, 3 1/2 games behind the first-place Cleveland Indians in the American League Central Division.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Reliever George Kontos has been designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates to clear a roster spot for right-hander Joe Musgrove from the disabled list.Kontos was removed from his role as the primary setup man for closer Felipe Vazquez last week. In 21 games, Kontos was 2-3 with one save and a 5.03 ERA.Kontos says he has a "lot left to give" and hopes "someone out there needs a pitcher who has experience and has had success."The 32-year-old spent his first seven seasons with San Francisco and was on their World Series-winning teams in 2012 and 2014. He was claimed off waivers by the Pirates last Aug. 5. He has made 343 career appearances with an 18-18 record, two saves and a 3.11 ERA.Musgrove was set to make his Pirates' debut Friday night with a start against St. Louis. He was acquired from Houston as part of a package for Gerrit Cole in January. Musgrove had been on the DL all season with a shoulder strain.

BOSTON (AP) — Hanley Ramirez was designated for assignment by the Boston Red Sox, who are responsible for the $15.25 remaining on his contract but avoided him triggering a $22 million salary for 2019.Boston made the move Friday to clear a roster spot for All-Star second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who was activated from the disabled list and was set to make his season debut against Atlanta after recovering from knee surgery."It was a bit of a stunner," Yankees manager Aaron Boone. "Glad we don't have to see him, because he's gotten some big hits already against us this year."The 34-year-old Ramirez was hitting .254 with six homers and 29 RBIs in 44 games this season while splitting his time between first base and designated hitter. He hit .163 with three homers and 12 RBIs in May after starting the season with a .330 average, three homers and 17 RBIs.Ramirez signed an $88 million, four-year contract with the Red Sox as a free agent before the 2015 season, and Boston is responsible for the $15,258,065... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Hanley Ramirez was designated for assignment by the Boston Red Sox, who are responsible for the $15.25 remaining on his contract but avoided him triggering a $22 million salary for 2019.Boston made the move Friday to clear a roster spot for All-Star shortstop Dustin Pedroia, who was activated from the disabled list and was set to make his season debut against Atlanta after recovering from knee surgery.The 34-year-old Ramirez was hitting .254 with six homers and 29 RBIs in 44 games this season while splitting his time between first base and designated hitter. He hit .163 with three homers and 12 RBIs in May after starting the season with a .330 average, three homers and 17 RBIs.Ramirez signed an $88 million, four-year contract with the Red Sox as a free agent before the 2015 season, and Boston is responsible for the $15,258,065 still owed for this season. The deal contains a $22 million option that would become guaranteed if he has 1,050 plate appearances in 2017-18 combined... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein insists his team has not engaged in trade talks, despite speculation about a potential deal for Baltimore Orioles superstar Manny Machado.Epstein wouldn't comment on reports that the Cubs could be a landing spot for the slick-fielding slugger. He says there are "zero trade talks" at the moment. He also says the Cubs have enough to win the World Series for the second time in three years.The Manny Watch intensified in Chicago this week when the Orioles visited the White Sox. The three-time All-Star has an expiring contract and could be dealt this season.The Cubs have struggled to hit their stride with a 25-21 record entering Friday's game against the San Francisco Giants.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox designated Hanley Ramirez for assignment on Friday to make room for Dustin Pedroia on the 25-man roster as he returns from the disabled list.The 34-year-old Ramirez was hitting .254 with six homers and 29 RBIs in 44 games this season while splitting his time between first base and designated hitter. Ramirez had been with the Red Sox since 2015 after signing a four-year, $88 million contract as a free agent.During his four seasons with the Red Sox, Ramirez batted .260 with 78 homers and 255 RBIs. By designating Ramirez for assignment, the Red Sox clear the way for Pedroia to make his 2018 debut. The 34-year-old Pedroia has spent all season on the disabled list after undergoing surgery on his left knee in October.Pedroia, a four-time All-Star, had been Boston's opening day second baseman every year from 2007-17. He was the American League Rookie of the Year in 2007 and Most Valuable Player in 2008.Both of Boston's big free-agent signings ahead of the 2015 season have been designated for assignment. Third baseman Pablo Sandoval was let go last July. Sandoval's deal was $94 million over four years.The Red Sox begin a three-game home series with the Atlanta Braves on Friday night.

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox designated Hanley Ramirez for assignment on Friday to make room for Dustin Pedroia on the 25-man roster as he returns from the disabled list.The 34-year-old Ramirez was hitting .254 with six homers and 29 RBIs in 44 games this season while splitting his time between first base and designated hitter. Ramirez had been with the Red Sox since 2015 after signing a four-year, $88 million contract as a free agent.During his four seasons with the Red Sox, Ramirez batted .260 with 78 homers and 255 RBIs. By designating Ramirez for assignment, the Red Sox clear the way for Pedroia to make his 2018 debut. The 34-year-old Pedroia has spent all season on the disabled list after undergoing surgery on his left knee in October.Pedroia, a four-time All-Star, had been Boston's opening day second baseman every year from 2007-17. He was the American League Rookie of the Year in 2007 and Most Valuable Player in 2008.The Red Sox begin a three-game home series with the Atlanta Braves on Friday night.

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have designated Hanley Ramirez for assignment to make room for Dustin Pedroia on the 25-man roster as he returns from the disabled list.Ramirez was hitting .254 with six homers and 29 RBIs in 44 games this season while splitting his time between first base and designated hitter. Ramirez had been with the Red Sox since 2015 after signing a four-year, $88 million contract as a free agent.By designating the 34-year-old Ramirez for assignment, the Red Sox clear the way for Pedroia to make his 2018 debut. The 34-year-old Pedroia has spent all season on the disabled list after undergoing surgery on his left knee in October.Pedroia, a four-time All-Star, had been Boston's opening day second baseman every year from 2007-17.

PLAYERS TO PICK UPJack Flaherty, SP, St. Louis (54 percent owned in Yahoo) - Thirteen strikeouts. One walk. One earned run. Those were the numbers from Flaherty's last outing. How is he owned in just over half of leagues? If Flaherty is available in your league, you need to open a new tab, add him and then return here to read the rest of this column. With an outstanding slider, Flaherty is dominating hitters each outing. He's given up a total of six earned runs in 23 1/3 innings this year. Despite the too-many-guys-but-not-enough-spots problem the Cardinals' rotation has right now, Captain Jack's spot is safe.Tyler O'Neill, OF, St. Louis (41 percent) - Speaking of young Cardinals making a difference, O'Neill had a stretch of three home runs in three games earlier this week. Dexter Fowler is lost at the plate, and Marcel Ozuna is failing to replicate his success from a season ago. As long as O'Neill hits, Mike Matheny will find room for him in the Cardinals' lineup. There's a lot of Aaron... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:WELCOME BACKStar second baseman Dustin Pedroia is set to be activated by the Red Sox after missing Boston's first 50 games while recovering from knee surgery. Manager Alex Cora says Pedroia will come off the disabled list for a weekend series at Fenway Park against Atlanta and will start one of the first two games.Pedroia's return to the AL East leaders will come exactly seven months after cartilage-restoration surgery on his left knee. The 34-year-old former AL MVP went 1 for 14 in a five-game rehab assignment at Triple-A Pawtucket.SKIDDINGThe Diamondbacks have lost seven in a row and 13 of 14, scoring a total of just 26 runs in that span and dropping out of the NL West lead. Slugger Paul Goldschmidt, an All-Star in each of the last five seasons, is batting .200 and has only four RBIs in his last 34 games. Arizona hopes for better results all around when Patrick Corbin (4-1, 2.60 ERA) starts a weekend series at Oakland.FAST STARTPittsburgh... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — From across the diamond, Kansas City closer Kelvin Herrera marveled at the oldest player in the major leagues — Texas pitcher Bartolo Colon, who turned 45 Thursday."I used to have pictures of him in my bedroom," Herrera recalled of his countryman, from his teenage days in the Dominican Republic. "He was my idol."Colon is pitching for his 11th big league club, having signed a minor league free-agent contract with Texas during spring training. He has made 10 appearances with the Rangers, including eight starts, and is 2-2 with a 3.51 ERA.Colon's 242 career wins rank 55th all time. He's one win short of tying Juan Marichal for the most career victory for a pitcher from the Dominican Republic."He's 45 and he's pitching and he does it very well," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said.Colon's practice is to speak to the media only after his starts. He's scheduled to start Saturday night against the Royals.Listed at 5-foot-11 and 280 pounds, Colon was given the nickname "Big... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:WELCOME BACKStar second baseman Dustin Pedroia is set to be activated by the Red Sox after missing Boston's first 50 games while recovering from knee surgery. Manager Alex Cora says Pedroia will come off the disabled list for a weekend series at Fenway Park against Atlanta and will start one of the first two games.Pedroia's return to the AL East leaders will come exactly seven months after cartilage-restoration surgery on his left knee. The 34-year-old former AL MVP went 1 for 14 in a five-game rehab assignment at Triple-A Pawtucket.SKIDDINGThe Diamondbacks have lost seven in a row and 13 of 14, scoring a total of just 26 runs in that span and dropping out of the NL West lead. Slugger Paul Goldschmidt, an All-Star in each of the last five seasons, is batting .200 and has only four RBIs in his last 34 games. Arizona hopes for better results all around when Patrick Corbin (4-1, 2.60 ERA) starts a weekend series at Oakland.FAST STARTPittsburgh... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Star second baseman Dustin Pedroia will be activated by the Red Sox on Friday after missing Boston's first 50 games while recovering from knee surgery.Manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Pedroia will come off the disabled list for a weekend series at Fenway Park against Atlanta.Pedroia's return to the AL East leaders will come exactly seven months after cartilage-restoration surgery on his left knee. He played his final game for Triple-A Pawtucket on Thursday, finishing 1 for 14 in his five-game rehab assignment."He's saving his hits for Fenway," Cora joked. "He was able to track pitches, and he had seven- and eight-pitch at-bats, so he'll be fine. The fact that he was able to play today, full-out, with no concerns, that's good enough for me."The 34-year-old Pedroia is in his 13th season with the Red Sox. He was the American League MVP in 2008 and ranks sixth among all Red Sox hitters in doubles (394) and stolen bases (138), and eighth in hits (1,802) and total... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays bullpen day is now a three-day affair.Rays manager Kevin Cash announced Thursday that reliever Sergio Romo is scheduled to start Friday night and Sunday against Baltimore, and Ryne Stanek is set to face the Orioles on Saturday.Tampa Bay planned to begin the regular season with four starting pitchers and have one bullpen day, but Nathan Eovaldi hurt his surgically repaired right elbow in his last spring training start. Another starter, Jake Faria, could miss six to eight weeks after straining his left oblique Tuesday."We're not trying to do anything that's cute," Cash said. "We're trying to do something that's right for us to win games."Romo, who had only pitched in relief in 588 games, started games last Saturday and Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels. He pitched one inning the first time, then 1 1/3 scoreless innings."Hey guys, I'm starting again," a smiling Romo said. "It's fun. We're trying to win ballgames. I'm going to try and do my best to make them look like geniuses."The Rays split the two previous games Romo started.Eovaldi is expected to join the rotation next Monday or Tuesday after coming back from a procedure to remove loose bodies in the elbow that has undergone two Tommy John surgeries. He last pitch in the majors August 10, 2016, for the New York Yankees.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have reinstated third baseman Miguel Sano from the disabled list after he missed the last 24 games with a strained left hamstring.The Twins sent outfielder Jake Cave on Thursday to Triple-A Rochester.Sano went 6 for 16 with two homers and three walks on a five-game rehab assignment at Rochester. Before he was hurt, Sano batted just .213 with five homers and 14 RBIs with 36 strikeouts in 20 games. Sano, an All-Star in 2017, has never played in more than 116 games in the majors due to injuries.The Twins start a three-game series in Seattle against the Mariners on Friday. They are still missing three regulars from their lineup: shortstop Jorge Polanco (suspension), first baseman Joe Mauer (neck strain) and catcher Jason Castro (knee surgery).___For more AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

NEW YORK (AP) — Chicago White Sox catcher Welington Castillo has been suspended for 80 games by Major League Baseball following a positive test for a performance-enhancing substance.The commissioner's office said Thursday he tested positive for EPO. Erythropoietin is a hormone that stimulates the red blood cell production and often has turned up in the test results for cyclists.He is the eighth player suspended this year under the major league drug-testing program.Castillo is in his ninth major league season. The Dominican is batting .267 with six homers and 15 RBIs this year on a team that is 15-31.Barring rainouts, he would be eligible to return Aug, 24 at Detroit. He would lose more than $3.5 million of his $7.25 million salary.

CHICAGO (AP) — Adam Plutko was nervous. Not about making his second major league start, really. It was all about stepping to the plate.Once that was over, everything fell into place.Plutko carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning and Andrew Miller provided stellar relief work, helping the Cleveland Indians beat the Chicago Cubs 1-0 on Wednesday night."We know when (Plutko) commands everything, he can be pretty good," manager Terry Francona said. "But on a night when he didn't command real well, he still did pretty damn good."Plutko (2-0) was promoted from Triple-A Columbus to replace the struggling Josh Tomlin in Cleveland's rotation. The right-hander issued each of his four walks in the first two innings, but settled down after a successful sacrifice in the third in his first at-bat since he was a junior in high school in 2009."I was really nervous to hit, and so as soon as I got that bunt down in the third, I felt like a lot more calm and everything was a lot better," he said.Plutko's... [More]