NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees manager Aaron Boone says All-Star slugger Aaron Judge could return to New York's lineup this week during a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox.Boone said Sunday that Judge is "getting real close" to returning from a broken right wrist. Judge has been cleared to play the outfield and run the bases, and he played two innings in right Friday night. He's still working his way back at the plate, though.Judge was scheduled to hit off a high-velocity pitching machine prior to a game Sunday against Toronto. He's been taking batting practice on the field, and he might face rehabbing closer Aroldis Chapman in a simulated game Monday or Tuesday.Chapman is working back from left knee tendinitis. He threw a bullpen session Saturday, and Boone says the left-hander came out of it feeling well.Boston leads the AL East by 10½ games and has a magic number of four to clinch the division entering Sunday.Top pitching prospect Justus Sheffield will join the Yankees on Tuesday looking to make his major league debut. He and Domingo German will be called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, which finished its season Saturday.___Follow Jake Seiner: https://twitter.com/jake_seiner___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Washington Nationals pitcher Jeremy Hellickson may miss the rest of the season after reinjuring his right wrist while batting in the fourth inning of Saturday's 7-1 win over the Atlanta Braves.Hellickson sprained his right on Aug. 15 when he landed awkwardly while covering home plate after throwing a wild pitch at St. Louis.He made his first appearance since and got hurt again. The 2011 AL Rookie of the Year is scheduled for an MRI on Sunday.Hellickson missed 22 games in June because of a right hamstring strain. He is 5-3 with a 3.45 ERA in 19 starts."The injuries have been pretty frustrating," Hellickson said. "All three were out of my control. To only make 19 starts stinks, so I've just got to think about other things and just try to get healthy."Hellickson grimaced after fouling off the first pitch of his at-bat in the fourth inning, then swung and missed at a low and outside pitch. Hellickson walked to the dugout and was examined by director of athletic training Paul... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Washington Nationals pitcher Jeremy Hellickson left his start against the Atlanta Braves after re-injuring his right wrist while batting in the fourth inning.Hellickson had been sidelined by a sprained right wrist, and Saturday's start was his first since Aug. 15.He grimaced after fouling off the first pitch of his at-bat in the fourth, then swung and missed at a low and outside pitch. Hellickson walked to the dugout and was examined by director of athletic training Paul Lessard.Andrew Stevenson pinch hit, took two balls and swung and missed at strike three, a strikeout charged to Hellickson. Jefry Rodriguez relieved to start the bottom half.Hellickson allowed two hits and one unearned run in three innings.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Trevor Bauer moved a little closer to pitching in the postseason, throwing 40 pitches off the mound inside an empty Progressive Field on Saturday.It was a positive step in the All-Star right-hander's recovery from a broken leg that has kept him out of the rotation for more than a month.Bauer has been sidelined since Aug. 11 with a stress fracture in his right leg, which happened when he was struck by a line drive in Chicago. Earlier this week, he completed a bullpen session in Tampa and followed it with a workout that was closely monitored by team president Chris Antonetti, pitching coach Carl Williams and team trainers."Felt good," Bauer said afterward. "Mechanics were a little out of sequence, but I haven't really been on a mound a whole lot in a month and a half. I expect those will come back pretty quickly. Physically it felt good."Bauer said it was difficult to replicate game conditions, but he did all he could to mimic competing against major league hitters in a loud... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:PEN PALSThe Cubs will try a closer-by-committee approach down the stretch after learning Pedro Strop is out for the rest of the regular season because of a strained left hamstring. Strop, who had posted 11 saves since closer Brandon Morrow went on the disabled list in July, hurt himself trying to beat out a double-play grounder this week.On Friday night, Jorge De La Rosa worked around a double and walk in the ninth inning for his first career save, preserving a 3-2 win over Cincinnati at Wrigley Field. Cubs manager Joe Maddon said he envisions calling on veterans including Steve Cishek, Justin Wilson and Jesse Chavez to finish games.ONE MOREMike Clevinger starts at Progressive Field as Cleveland tries to clinch its third straight AL Central title. The Indians have a magic number of one — they can wrap up the division with a win over Detroit, or a loss by Minnesota at Kansas City.RATS!The New York Mets had an unwelcome visitor to their dugout... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:PEN PALSThe Cubs will try a closer-by-committee approach down the stretch after learning Pedro Strop is out for the rest of the regular season because of a strained left hamstring. Strop, who had posted 11 saves since closer Brandon Morrow went on the disabled list in July, hurt himself trying to beat out a double-play grounder this week.On Friday night, Jorge De La Rosa worked around a double and walk in the ninth inning for his first career save, preserving a 3-2 win over Cincinnati at Wrigley Field. Cubs manager Joe Maddon said he envisions calling on veterans including Steve Cishek, Justin Wilson and Jesse Chavez to finish games.ONE MOREMike Clevinger starts at Progressive Field as Cleveland tries to clinch its third straight AL Central title. The Indians have a magic number of one — they can wrap up the division with a win over Detroit, or a loss by Minnesota at Kansas City.RATS!The New York Mets had an unwelcome visitor to their... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge returned to the Yankees for the first time since his right wrist was broken seven weeks ago, taking over in right field for the final two innings of New York's 11-0 romp over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night.Judge had not played since July 26, when he was hit by a pitch from Kansas City's Jakob Junis. The Yankees say for now Judge will be limited to defense and pinch running, but they hope he will become a regular at some point in the regular season's final two weeks.Masahiro Tanaka (12-5), bidding to start a likely wild-card game against Oakland on Oct. 3, extended his scoreless streak to 20 innings and won his third straight start. Dominating with a sharp splitter, Tanaka struck out eight in six innings and allowed four hits. Luis Cessa got his second save in New York's largest shutout win margin since a 15-0 victory over the Mets on June 14, 2009.New York improved to 13-4 against Toronto this season. Starting their final homestand, the Yankees remained... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees star Aaron Judge took another step in his return from a broken right wrist when he played right field for a couple of innings Friday night.The Yankees activated him from the disabled list before the game against Toronto. The team said he is limited for now to defense and pinch running — still no hitting for the slugger.Judge got a big ovation when he trotted to the outfield for the top of the eighth inning. He had not played since July 26, when he was hit by a pitch from Kansas City's Jakob Junis.The Yankees initially expected Judge to return in about three weeks."With the roster, it makes some sense to have him available to, if there's a spot where we can get him in, to run the bases or play some defense," New York manager Aaron Boone said before the start of New York's final regular-season homestand. "He's getting real close to being an option for us."Judge on Monday took his first on-field batting practice since the injury. Boone said Friday the team is a couple... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge took another small step in his return from a broken right wrist when the New York Yankees activated him from the disabled list on Friday but said he is limited for now to playing in the outfield and pinch running.Judge has not played since July 26, when he was hit by a pitch from Kansas City's Jakob Junis. The Yankees initially expected Judge to return in about three weeks."With the roster, it makes some sense to have him available to, if there's a spot where we can get him in, to run the bases or play some defense," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said before the start of New York's final regular-season homestand. "He's getting real close to being an option for us."Judge on Monday took his first on-field batting practice since the injury. Boone said Friday the team is a couple days from making a decision on at-bats for Judge in a simulated game, a step before he will hit in a game. Judge has to take more swings and face higher velocity before he hits in a game."It's... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The Yankees are activating Aaron Judge from the disabled list but for now only intend to use him in the outfield and as a baserunner.Judge has not played since July 26 because of a broken right wrist sustained when hit by a pitch from Kansas City's Jakob Junis. The Yankees initially had expected Judge to return in about three weeks.Manager Aaron Boone said Friday the team is a couple days from making a decision on at-bats for Judge in a simulated game, a step before he will hit in a game. The Yankees want Judge to get any rust off before the postseason.Judge is hitting .285 with 26 home runs and 61 RBIs.Injured closer Aroldis Chapman is to throw another bullpen session Saturday, a simulated game on Monday and then could be activated in the middle of next week, Chapman has not pitched in a game since Aug. 21 because of left knee tendinitis.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DENVER (AP) — Opposing managers Dave Roberts and Bud Black are close friends. Star infielders Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt talk all the time.Just maybe not so much right now.This NL West title chase is serious business and shaping up to go down to the wire. Colorado holds a 1 1/2-game lead over Los Angeles and stretched its margin to 4 1/2 over Arizona by taking three of four this week. The Rockies are aiming for their first division title in franchise history."I expected us to be in this position," Arenado said . "I thought we had the type of players who could do something like this."Typically, Dodgers left-hander Rich Hill doesn't start looking at the standings until mid-September. He made an exception after his win over the Rockies on Sunday, just to see where things stood.It's scoreboard-watching season."We have a beautiful scoreboard out there," Rockies manager Black cracked. "We have to have that heightened focus we've had all season long. I don't think you ratchet it up any... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — J.D. Martinez hit his 41st home run and the Boston Red Sox moved closer to winning the AL East title, completing a three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays with a 4-3 victory Thursday night.Xander Bogaerts scored the go-ahead run on an eighth-inning error after the Blue Jays rallied in the top half with two runs to tie it 3-all.Rafael Devers also homered for the major league-leading Red Sox (101-46). They pulled 10 1/2 games ahead of the idle New York Yankees and decreased their magic number to six for clinching a third straight division crown. Boston is the only team in the majors that's already locked up a playoff berth.Brandon Workman (5-0) faced one batter, ending Toronto's eighth-inning rally, and got the win. Craig Kimbrel earned his 40th save. Danny Barnes (3-3) took the loss.Lourdes Gurriel Jr. homered for the Blue Jays.ROCKIES 10, DIAMONDBACKS 3DENVER (AP) — Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story homered, Kyle Freeland pitched effectively into the seventh, and Colorado beat... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — J.D. Martinez hit his 41st home run and the Boston Red Sox moved closer to winning the AL East title, completing a three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays with a 4-3 victory Thursday night.Xander Bogaerts scored the go-ahead run on an eighth-inning error after the Blue Jays rallied in the top half with two runs to tie it 3-all.Rafael Devers also homered for the major league-leading Red Sox (101-46). They pulled 10 1/2 games ahead of the idle New York Yankees and decreased their magic number to six for clinching a third straight division crown. Boston is the only team in the majors that's already locked up a playoff berth.Brandon Workman (5-0) faced one batter, ending Toronto's eighth-inning rally, and got the win. Craig Kimbrel earned his 40th save. Danny Barnes (3-3) took the loss.Lourdes Gurriel Jr. homered for the Blue Jays.ROCKIES 10, DIAMONDBACKS 3DENVER (AP) — Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story homered, Kyle Freeland pitched effectively into the seventh, and Colorado beat... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — J.D. Martinez hit his 41st home run and the Boston Red Sox moved closer to winning the AL East title, completing a three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays with a 4-3 victory Thursday night.Xander Bogaerts scored the go-ahead run on an eighth-inning error after the Blue Jays rallied in the top half with two runs to tie it 3-all.Rafael Devers also homered for the major league-leading Red Sox (101-46). They pulled 10 1/2 games ahead of the idle New York Yankees and decreased their magic number to six for clinching a third straight division crown. Boston is the only team in the majors that's already locked up a playoff berth.Brandon Workman (5-0) faced one batter, ending Toronto's eighth-inning rally, and got the win. Craig Kimbrel earned his 40th save. Danny Barnes (3-3) took the loss.Lourdes Gurriel Jr. homered for the Blue Jays.ROCKIES 10, DIAMONDBACKS 3DENVER (AP) — Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story homered, Kyle Freeland pitched effectively into the seventh, and Colorado beat... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — J.D. Martinez hit his 41st home run and the Boston Red Sox moved closer to winning the AL East title, completing a three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays with a 4-3 victory Thursday night.Xander Bogaerts scored the go-ahead run on an eighth-inning error after the Blue Jays rallied in the top half with two runs to tie it 3-all.Rafael Devers also homered for the major league-leading Red Sox (101-46). They pulled 10 1/2 games ahead of the idle New York Yankees and decreased their magic number to six for clinching a third straight division crown. Boston is the only team in the majors that's already locked up a playoff berth.Brandon Workman (5-0) faced one batter, ending Toronto's eighth-inning rally, and got the win. Craig Kimbrel earned his 40th save. Danny Barnes (3-3) took the loss.Lourdes Gurriel Jr. homered for the Blue Jays.ROCKIES 10, DIAMONDBACKS 3DENVER (AP) — Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story homered, Kyle Freeland pitched effectively into the seventh, and Colorado beat... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A surprising first half and a surge in early August had the Philadelphia Phillies in prime position to reach the postseason.Then they fell apart.Since completing a four-game sweep over the Miami Marlins on Aug. 5, the Phillies (74-71) are 11-23 and 0-10-1 in those series. They went from 1 1/2 games ahead of Atlanta in the NL East to 7 1/2 games behind with only 17 games to play.Philadelphia was only one game behind the Cubs for best record in the National League before the tailspin began. Now, finishing with a winning mark will be a challenge.Manager Gabe Kapler's positive approach hasn't wavered, but even he can't find a way to sugarcoat this collapse."There's no question that we can play better baseball," Kapler said. "We are more talented and more prepared than the outcomes that we're getting, the losses we've racked up recently."So, what happened?"It's not one thing," Kapler said. "It's a collection of many, many things. And to try to boil it down to one thing doesn't... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Seattle pitchers James Paxton and Felix Hernandez will not make their scheduled starts this weekend against the Los Angeles Angels.Mariners manager Scott Servais said before Thursday's series opener that Paxton and Hernandez did not accompany the team to Anaheim. Paxton, who was slated to go on Friday, is dealing with pneumonia. Hernandez left last Saturday's game against the Yankees with hamstring tightness.Servais did not name a starter for Friday, saying the Mariners will go with a bullpen day. Right-hander Erasmo Ramirez will start Saturday, and left-hander Marco Gonzales will pitch Sunday.Servais said he expects Paxton to be able to return sometime during the last two weeks of the season. The left-hander, who pitched a no-hitter on May 8 at Toronto, is 11-6 with a 3.83 ERA. His career high for wins is 12, set last season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Michael Conforto and Todd Frazier hit back-to-back homers with two outs in the ninth inning, and the New York Mets stunned the Miami Marlins 4-3 on Thursday in the first game of a doubleheader.Conforto drove in three more runs in the second game, and Jason Vargas pitched six effective innings to help the Mets win 5-2.In the opener, Kyle Barraclough entered with one out in the ninth and retired pinch-hitter Dominic Smith before Conforto lined a 1-0 changeup into the second deck in right to tie it. Frazier then hit a 1-1 pitch to left center field for his first walk-off homer since June 2015 for Cincinnati.Barraclough (0-6) blew a save for the seventh time in 17 opportunities. Jerry Blevins (3-2) pitched a scoreless ninth for the win.Rookie starter Sandy Alcantara befuddled the Mets, permitting just two hits, with his only real blemish coming off the bat of the opposing pitcher. Steven Matz hit his first career homer, a two-run shot in the second inning to tie it at 2. Peter... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Michael Conforto and Todd Frazier hit back-to-back homers with two outs in the ninth inning, and the New York Mets stunned the Miami Marlins 4-3 on Thursday in the first game of a doubleheader.Kyle Barraclough entered with one out in the ninth and retired pinch-hitter Dominic Smith before Conforto lined a 1-0 changeup into the second deck in right to tie it. Frazier then hit a 1-1 pitch to left center field for his first walk-off homer since June 2015 for Cincinnati.Barraclough (0-6) blew a save for the seventh time in 17 opportunities.Jerry Blevins (3-2) pitched a scoreless ninth for the win.Rookie starter Sandy Alcantara befuddled the Mets offense, permitting just two hits, with his only real blemish coming off the bat of the opposing pitcher. Steven Matz hit his first career homer, a two-run shot into the left-field seats in the second inning to tie it at 2.Peter O'Brien and Isaac Galloway went deep in the top of the second against Matz.ROCKIES 10, DIAMONDBACKS 3DENVER... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Unusual scheduling spawned even more atypical travel attire for Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo.The three-time All-Star wore a uniform, complete with a blue jersey and gray pants, on the Cubs' early Thursday morning flight for a makeup game against the Washington Nationals, then arrived in the clubhouse with the same outfit."It's all I got," Rizzo said.The Cubs returned to Washington for the second time in a week after Sunday's game was postponed. The four-day series, which included another rainout Friday and a doubleheader Saturday, featured nearly 11 hours in rain delays.Thursday's game was scheduled on the only remaining common day off for the teams before the end of the regular season, and it split up what was to be a six-game homestand for the Cubs. It also came after a state of emergency was declared in Washington in anticipation of the effects of Hurricane Florence.The makeup date also extended the Cubs' streak of 23 consecutive scheduled game dates to... [More]