HOUSTON (AP) — Supermodel Kate Upton and Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander are expecting their first child.Upton announced the pregnancy on Instagram on Saturday in a post with the hashtag "pregnant in Miami." The picture of her in a red, high-waisted suit and white top revealed a slight baby bump.Verlander, who was selected to his seventh All-Star game on Sunday, reposted her post later Saturday with the caption: "You're going to be the most amazing Mom!! I can't wait to start this new journey with you! You're the most thoughtful, loving, caring, and strong woman I've ever met! I'm so proud that our little one is going to be raised in this world by a woman like you! I love you so much."Upton is 26 and Verlander 35. They married in November in Italy, just after Verlander helped the Astros win their first World Series.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

NEW YORK (AP) — Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez met with star Bryce Harper on Saturday a day after the outfielder failed to run out a ground ball in the fifth inning of Washington's 4-2 loss to the New York Mets."I've spoken to Bryce and that's a conversation that will stay between Bryce and I," Martinez said.Harper came up to the plate in the fifth against hard-throwing Noah Syndergaard with one out and two runners on after singles by Adam Eaton and Anthony Rendon. Syndergaard threw the 25-year old slugger a 96 mph slider and Harper hit the ball sharply, but right at Mets shortstop Amed Rosario for an inning-ending double play.Martinez dismissed the notion that there would be any lingering issues from having a talk with his star player."I forgot about it, I really have," the first-year manager said. "We have a ballgame to win today and he's been a big part of that."Although Harper is tied for second in the National League with 23 home runs, he's hitting a career-low .214 and... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez had to leave Saturday's game in the sixth inning with a sprained right ankle after tumbling over Toronto's Lourdes Gurriel Jr. attempting to cover first on a grounder.Rodriguez, off to his third straight scoreless start, got to the bag at nearly the same time as Gurriel with one out in the inning and fell after his left leg hit the player's helmet as he was diving in headfirst when first baseman Blake Swihart's throw sailed wildly past the bag.Both players stayed on the ground for a bit. Gurriel got up and stayed in the game. Rodriguez walked slowly to the mound, flexed his left leg and foot before walking off with a trainer after one warm-up pitch.The club announced the injury an inning later and said X-Rays were negative.Heath Hembree came in to pitch. The Red Sox lead 1-0.

BOSTON (AP) — Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez had to leave Saturday's game in the sixth inning after tumbling over Toronto's Lourdes Gurriel Jr. attempting to cover first on a grounder.Rodriguez, off to his third straight scoreless start, got to the bag at nearly the same time as Gurriel with one out in the inning and fell after his left leg hit the player's helmet as he was diving in headfirst when first baseman Blake Swihart's throw sailed wildly past the bag.There was no update yet on the injury.Both players stayed on the ground for a bit. Gurriel got up and stayed in the game. Rodriguez walked slowly to the mound, flexed his left leg and foot before walking off with a trainer after one warm-up pitch.Heath Hembree came in to pitch. The Red Sox lead 1-0.

BOSTON (AP) — Teammates have long stopped laughing at J.D. Martinez and his iPad.Boston's All-Star slugger is serious about every swing he takes, even in batting practice, and he has the tape to prove it. Get to the park early enough for Red Sox BP, and you'll see a pair of iPads attached to tripods, one on each side of the batting cage. When the 30-year-old Martinez steps up, video coordinator Billy Broadbent will point a third iPad at the batter's box — Martinez's personal device, which he's used to record his practice cuts since 2015.After batting practice, Martinez retreats to the clubhouse to review the footage, making sure every piece of his carefully crafted swing is in the right place."It makes me who I am," Martinez told The Associated Press. "I always tell everybody that I'm not a natural hitter. I'm a trained hitter."His meticulous preparation amazes even the hardest-working major leaguers, and it's paid off. He signed a $110 million, five-year deal with the Red Sox in the offseason,... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Supermodel Kate Upton and Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander are expecting their first child.Upton announced the pregnancy on Instagram on Saturday in a post with the hashtag "pregnant in Miami" where she tagged Verlander. The picture of her in a red, high-waisted suit and white top revealed a slight baby bump.Verlander, who was selected to his seventh All-Star game on Sunday, reposted her post later Saturday with the caption: "You're going to be the most amazing Mom!! I can't wait to start this new journey with you! You're the most thoughtful, loving, caring, and strong woman I've ever met! I'm so proud that our little one is going to be raised in this world by a woman like you! I love you so much."The 26-year-old Upton and 35-year-old Verlander were married on Nov. 4 in Italy, just after Verlander helped the Astros to their first World Series championship.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

WASHINGTON (AP) — During every previous All-Star Game in Washington, the president was part of the story. That might not be the case this year.Ask former Republican congressman Tom Davis about the prospect of President Donald Trump throwing out the first pitch at Nationals Park on Tuesday night, and the pageantry of the office isn't the first thing that comes to mind."It's very disruptive when a president comes to a game because they stop all the traffic. People can't get in the gates," said Davis, a Nationals season-ticket holder.He's also familiar with Trump's preference for friendly crowds, noting the president got just 4 percent of the vote inside the Washington city limits in 2016.Trump's anticipated absence Tuesday night would allow Nationals Park to perform its usual role for elected officials and other political figures: as a bipartisan oasis where differences are set aside while everyone frets about bullpen moves and Bryce Harper's approach at the plate.Trump would have a good... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — During every previous All-Star Game in Washington, the president was part of the story. That might not be the case this year.Ask former Republican congressman Tom Davis about the prospect of President Donald Trump throwing out the first pitch at Nationals Park on Tuesday night, and the pageantry of the office isn't the first thing that comes to mind."It's very disruptive when a president comes to a game because they stop all the traffic. People can't get in the gates," said Davis, a Nationals season-ticket holder.He's also familiar with Trump's preference for friendly crowds, noting the president got just 4 percent of the vote inside the Washington city limits in 2016.Trump's anticipated absence Tuesday night would allow Nationals Park to perform its usual role for elected officials and other political figures: as a bipartisan oasis where differences are set aside while everyone frets about bullpen moves and Bryce Harper's approach at the plate.Trump would have a good... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Noah Syndergaard pitched out of trouble in a rusty return from the disabled list and helped himself with an RBI single as the New York Mets beat the Washington Nationals 4-2 on Friday night.Amed Rosario tripled and doubled, both times over Bryce Harper's head in center field, and the Mets won for only the sixth time in their last 26 home games. Brandon Nimmo had three hits for New York, which built a three-run cushion in the first inning against struggling starter Tanner Roark.Roark (3-12) became the first 12-game loser in the majors this season. He allowed four runs and eight hits in five innings.Matt Adams homered for the inconsistent Nationals, who fell back to .500 at 47-47. They have lost just three of 13 games at Citi Field since the start of last season.After missing seven weeks with a strained ligament in his right index finger, Syndergaard (5-1) came out firing 99 mph fastballs.Robert Gsellman gave up Adams' upper-deck shot in the eighth but got six outs for his... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Noah Syndergaard pitched out of trouble in a rusty return from the disabled list and helped himself with an RBI single as the New York Mets beat the Washington Nationals 4-2 on Friday night.Amed Rosario tripled and doubled, both times over Bryce Harper's head in center field, and the Mets won for only the sixth time in their last 26 home games. Brandon Nimmo had three hits for New York, which built a three-run cushion in the first inning against struggling starter Tanner Roark.Roark (3-12) became the first 12-game loser in the majors this season. He allowed four runs and eight hits in five innings.Matt Adams homered for the inconsistent Nationals, who fell back to .500 at 47-47. They have lost just three of 13 games at Citi Field since the start of last season.After missing seven weeks with a strained ligament in his right index finger, Syndergaard (5-1) came out firing 99 mph fastballs.Robert Gsellman gave up Adams' upper-deck shot in the eighth but got six outs for his... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Noah Syndergaard pitched out of trouble in a rusty return from the disabled list and helped himself with an RBI single as the New York Mets beat the Washington Nationals 4-2 on Friday night.Amed Rosario tripled and doubled, both times over Bryce Harper's head in center field, and the Mets won for only the sixth time in their last 26 home games. Brandon Nimmo had three hits for New York, which built a three-run cushion in the first inning against struggling starter Tanner Roark.Roark (3-12) became the first 12-game loser in the majors this season. He allowed four runs and eight hits in five innings.Matt Adams homered for the inconsistent Nationals, who fell back to .500 at 47-47. They have lost just three of 13 games at Citi Field since the start of last season.After missing seven weeks with a strained ligament in his right index finger, Syndergaard (5-1) came out firing 99 mph fastballs.Gsellman gave up Adams' upper-deck shot in the eighth but got six outs for his fourth... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Albert Pujols will spend the All-Star break on the disabled list with left knee inflammation, a move that lets the Los Angeles Angels rest their slugger without him missing too many games.Manager Mike Scioscia said Friday that Pujols had an injection in his knee."He's been playing with it banged up for a while and he's looking very productive," Scioscia said. "This is trying to get him to a higher level and maybe make him more comfortable."Pujols tied Ken Griffey Jr. on the career home run list with his 630th blast on Thursday. Pujols is hitting .252 with 16 homers and 52 RBIs.The Angels and Dodgers meet in the Freeway Series this weekend before the break begins. With the series at Dodger Stadium, there is no designated hitter, and that combined with the break gives Pujols an extended rest."It should be improved by the end of the DL time, so we expect him back after that," Scioscia said.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

CLEVELAND (AP) — Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman won't pitch in the All-Star Game in order to rest his sore left knee.Chapman earned his 25th save Thursday against the Cleveland Indians in his first appearance since Saturday, when he was removed from a game in Toronto after facing one batter because of discomfort in the knee.Chapman, who has made the All-Star team five times, is 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA in 40 appearances. He has struck out 67 in 39 innings and held opponents to a .129 batting average."I'm trying to put together a couple of days where I don't do any baseball activity, just let the knee get better," Chapman said through a translator.Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Chapman is available to pitch in the final three games of the series that ends Sunday. Boone thinks giving him time to rest the knee will be beneficial."It certainly can't hurt him," Boone said. "Obviously this is something he's been dealing with now for a while, but that we also feel good about that he can continue... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Corey Kluber's stellar first half ended with a sudden stop.Cleveland's ace received an injection in his right knee that will force him to miss the All-Star Game. But more importantly, the Indians are hoping it will allow the right-hander to continue leading their rotation after the break — and beyond.Kluber got the shot in his knee on Friday, a day after the two-time Cy Young Award winner gave up two runs in the eighth inning and was beaten by the New York Yankees. The AL Central-leading Indians said the right-hander will need at least one week to recover and he's not expected to make his next start until July 23 against Pittsburgh.Kluber has been replaced on the AL All-Star roster by Tampa Bay's Blake Snell.While Kluber's knee issue doesn't appear to be serious, the Indians aren't taking any chances.The 32-year-old pitcher took his fifth loss of the season Thursday night, but never mentioned any issues with his knee. Kluber has given up 19 runs over his last 34 innings,... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Chase Utley's 16-year baseball career is nearing an end.A person with knowledge of the situation said Friday the six-time All-Star will retire from the Los Angeles Dodgers at the end of this season. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because Utley's decision had not been formally announced.Utley was to speak at a news conference later Friday at Dodger Stadium. The topic was not disclosed.The 2019 season would have been the final year of a $2 million, two-year contract.The 39-year-old second baseman made his name with the Philadelphia Phillies, earning five All-Star berths and winning four Silver Slugger awards. He helped the team to a World Series title in 2008, combining with shortstop Jimmy Rollins as a standout double-play duo.Utley has a .276 career average with 259 home runs. He is renowned for his base-stealing ability, with 153 steals in 175 attempts.The Phillies traded Utley to the Dodgers in August 2015.That fall, Utley broke the... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Chase Utley's 16-year baseball career is nearing an end.A person with knowledge of the situation said Friday the six-time All-Star will retire from the Los Angeles Dodgers at the end of this season. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because Utley's decision had not been formally announced.Utley was to speak at a news conference later Friday at Dodger Stadium. The topic was not disclosed.The 2019 season would have been the final year of a $2 million, two-year contract.The 39-year-old second baseman made his name with the Philadelphia Phillies, earning five All-Star berths and winning four Silver Slugger awards. He helped the team to a World Series title in 2008, combining with shortstop Jimmy Rollins as a standout double-play duo.Utley has a .276 career average with 259 home runs. He is renowned for his base-stealing ability, with 153 steals in 175 attempts.The Phillies traded Utley to the Dodgers in August 2015.That fall, Utley broke the... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Chase Utley's baseball career is nearing an end.A person with knowledge of the situation said Friday the six-time All-Star will retire from the Los Angeles Dodgers at the end of this season. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because Utley's decision had not been formally announced.Utley was to speak at a news conference later Friday at Dodger Stadium. The topic was not disclosed.The 2019 season would have been the final year of a $2 million, two-year contract.The 39-year-old second baseman made his name with the Philadelphia Phillies, earning five All-Star berths and winning four Silver Slugger awards. He helped the team to a World Series title in 2008. Utley has a .276 career average with 259 home runs.The Phillies traded Utley to the Dodgers in August 2015.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

CLEVELAND (AP) — Corey Kluber's stellar first half ended with a sudden stop.Cleveland's ace received an injection in his right knee that will force him to miss the All-Star Game. But more importantly, the Indians are hoping it will allow the right-hander to continue leading their rotation after the break — and beyond.Kluber got the shot in his knee on Friday, a day after the two-time Cy Young winner gave up two runs in the eighth inning and was beaten by the New York Yankees. The AL Central-leading Indians said the right-hander will need at least one week to recover and he's not expected to make his next start until July 23 against Pittsburgh.Kluber has been replaced on the AL All-Star roster by Tampa Bay's Blake Snell.While Kluber's knee issue doesn't appear to be serious, the Indians aren't taking any chances.The 32-year-old pitcher took his fifth loss of the season Thursday night, but never mentioned anything about having any issues with his knee. Kluber has given up 19 runs over his... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Mark Lerner's first letter to then-commissioner Bud Selig after his family bought the Nationals asked to host the All-Star Game."It's something I've wanted from the moment we got the team," Lerner said.Thirteen years after Major League Baseball returned to Washington and almost that long since Mark and father Ted Lerner were chosen as owners of their new hometown team, they finally get to throw their party. The fourth All-Star Game in the nation's capital and first since 1969 is a celebration of a new generation of Washington residents rediscovering the connection to baseball that for so long wasn't a part of the town's sporting identity."When we first came here, baseball had been gone for so long — basically an entire generation," longtime Nationals infielder Ryan Zimmerman said. "You almost had to re-learn how to be baseball fans. In the 13 years or so now, it's been fun for me to be here from the beginning because the organization, the team has kind of grown along with... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:HEAVEN 11Mookie Betts and the rolling Boston Red Sox try to win their 11th consecutive game when they host Toronto again at Fenway Park. Betts, who leads the majors with a .352 batting average, had a grand slam and five RBIs in Thursday night's 6-4 victory. Boston owns the longest current winning streak in the big leagues and hasn't lost since getting routed July 1 at Yankee Stadium. At 66-29, the major league-leading Red Sox are 37 games over .500 for the first time since 1949. Rick Porcello (11-3, 3.58 ERA) starts for Boston against rookie left-hander Ryan Borucki (0-1, 2.25).BACK IN BUSINESSMets right-hander Noah Syndergaard (4-1, 3.06 ERA) comes off the disabled list to make his first big league start since May 25. The 2016 All-Star has been sidelined by a strained ligament in his right index finger. On the mound for the Nationals is Tanner Roark (3-11, 4.76), who is tied for the major league lead in losses. He got no-decisions in two... [More]