A look at what's happening around the majors today:MAKING A NAMECuban rookie Yordan Alvarez is off to a smashing start for the injury-depleted Houston Astros, becoming just one of four players in major league history to hit four home runs in his first five games.The 21-year-old is 8 for 17 so far. He's driven in eight runs, scored eight times and also drawn six walks.Alvarez hit an upper-deck drive at Minute Maid Park on Saturday and joined Trevor Story, who hit six homers for Colorado in 2016, Yasiel Puig (Dodgers, 2013) and Mike Jacobs (Mets, 2005) for big starts.Alvarez and the Astros take on Toronto.VOYAGING MARINERThe Yankees are expected to say when Edwin Encarnación will join them after getting the slugger in a late-night trade from Seattle.The 36-year-old Encarnación leads the AL with 21 home runs. He has averaged 37 homers and 109 RBIs in his last seven seasons. The first baseman/designated hitter is a three-time All-Star who moved from Cleveland to Seattle last December in a three-team... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The New York Yankees acquired AL home run leader Edwin Encarnación in a trade with the Seattle Mariners on Saturday night, adding another feared slugger to what could be baseball's most powerful lineup when Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton return from injuries.The Yankees also got cash in the deal while sending 19-year-old minor league pitcher Juan Then to Seattle. Encarnación is making $20 million this season.Speaking before the trade was announced, New York manager Aaron Boone declined comment. But asked about having room for another power bat, Boone coyly responded, "There's always room for good players."The 36-year-old Encarnación has hit 21 home runs this season. He has averaged 37 homers and 109 RBIs in his last seven years.There had been speculation the Yankees would be in the market for a top pitcher as the July 31 approached, but the Bronx Bombers always have room for big boppers."We know Edwin is a really good hitter," Gleyber Torres said after homering for the... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The New York Yankees acquired slugger Edwin Encarnación in a trade with the Seattle Mariners on Saturday night, looking to boost a power-packed lineup that's been beset by injuries.The Yankees also got cash in the deal while sending 19-year-old minor league pitcher Juan Then to Seattle. The Mariners will save money, too, by trading Encarnación, who was making $20 million this season.The 36-year-old Encarnación leads the AL with 21 home runs. He has averaged 37 homers and 109 RBIs in his last seven years.Encarnación was not on the field with the Mariners as they warmed up for Saturday night's game at Oakland."Edwin's been traded," manager Scott Servais said after an 11-2 loss.Encarnación, a first baseman and designated hitter, is hitting .241 and is among the league leaders with 49 RBIs and 48 runs scored. The three-time All-Star moved from Cleveland to Seattle last December in a three-team trade that included Tampa Bay.The Yankees have managed to stay in the AL East race... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Sunday:MAKING A NAMECuban rookie Yordan Alvarez is off to a smashing start for the injury-depleted Houston Astros, becoming just one of four players in major league history to hit four home runs in his first five games.The 21-year-old is 8 for 17 so far. He's driven in eight runs, scored eight times and also drawn six walks.Alvarez hit an upper-deck drive at Minute Maid Park on Saturday and joined Trevor Story, who hit six homers for Colorado in 2016, Yasiel Puig (Dodgers, 2013) and Mike Jacobs (Mets, 2005) for big starts.Alvarez and the Astros take on Toronto.CHECK THEMBraves starter Sean Newcomb was forced to leave Saturday night's start against Philadelphia after being hit in the back of the head by a line drive off the bat of J.T. Realmuto. Newcomb walked off the field under his own power in Atlanta, escorted by two trainers. The ball was clocked at 102 mph and caromed off Newcomb's head and sailed into the netting behind the Phillies' dugout... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The New York Yankees neared a trade for Seattle slugger Edwin Encarnación on Saturday night, looking to boost a power-packed lineup that's been beset by injuries.A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press the teams were trying to complete the deal. The person spoke under condition of anonymity because the trade was not finalized.ESPN was the first to report the deal. It was not immediately known what the Yankees might send to the Mariners.The 36-year-old Encarnación began the day leading the AL with 21 home runs in his first season with Seattle. He has averaged 37 homers and 109 RBIs in his last seven years.Encarnación was not on the field with the Mariners as they warmed up for Saturday night's game at Oakland.Encarnación, who is a first baseman and designated hitter, is hitting .241 and is among the league leaders with 49 RBIs and 48 runs scored. The three-time All-Star moved from Cleveland to Seattle last December in a three-team trade that included... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Plate umpire Brian O'Nora has left the St. Louis Cardinals-New York Mets game after getting hit in the groin by a foul ball.Matt Carpenter fouled off a pitch from New York starter Noah Syndergaard in the third inning Saturday night, and the ball bounced up and hit O'Nora. He staggered but stayed on his feet, and was checked by a Mets athletic trainer.The 56-year-old O'Nora initially remained in the game following a brief pause to gather himself. But a few pitches later, with Dexter Fowler at the plate, the veteran ump headed for the Mets dugout in discomfort with his hand covering his mouth.Both teams came off the field during a delay that lasted about 10 minutes as first base umpire Chad Whitson went inside to put on protective gear. He moved behind the plate, and the game resumed with three umps.It was the latest in a rash of injuries and health issues for umpires lately.Three games in one day recently were completed with crews short. Mike Muchlinski replaced Jim Wolf... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Eighteen years after the Minnesota Twins took Joe Mauer with the first overall draft pick, the hometown star with the textbook left-handed swing was still having a hard time realizing his place among the franchise's all-time greats.As Mauer's jersey number formally joined the seven others retired by the Twins on Saturday night, the six-time All-Star and three-time batting champion sounded as awestruck of his place in team history as on his first day of rookie ball."Wearing the No. 7 the past 15 years has been my absolute pleasure," Mauer said, his voice cracking as he paused to compose himself, "and being able to play my entire career in that number in front of my family, friends and fans here at home means more to me than any of you will ever know."Though the Twins took the best record in the major leagues into their game against Kansas City, the sellout crowd on this night was more about the uniform retirement for Mauer, who was born and raised just across the Mississippi... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Reds rookie Nick Senzel fouled a pitch off his left eye and came out of a game against the Texas Rangers on Saturday night.The outfielder fouled a pitch from Mike Minor into the dirt, the ball deflecting off his foot and hitting the bill of his helmet and his eye. A trainer applied a towel and helped him off the field.Senzel was the second overall pick in the 2016 Major League Baseball draft out of Tennessee, getting a $6.2 million bonus. Bouts of vertigo and a broken right index finger slowed has ascent. He sprained his right ankle during spring training and made his debut on May 3.Senzel hit three homers in his first four games, a franchise record.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Braves starter Sean Newcomb has left the game in a scary scene after being hit in the back of the head by a line drive off the bat of Philadelphia's J.T. Realmuto.Newcomb was checked by a trainer and walked off the field under his own power in Atlanta, escorted by two trainers Saturday.The ball was clocked at 102 mph and caromed off Newcomb's head and sailed into the netting behind the Phillies' dugout on the third base side. Realmuto covered his mouth with both hands as he ran to first base on what went as a ground-rule double.The play occurred in the third inning at SunTrust Park. Newcomb turned his head as the ball approached and knelt on the mound immediately after getting hit. Catcher Tyler Flowers had him stay down while a trainer and Braves manager Brian Snitker came out to tend to the left-hander.Touki Toussaint took Newcomb's spot.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Cubs have placed starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation.The move Saturday comes a day after one of the right-hander's worst outings of the season. He allowed five runs in 4 1/3 innings of a 5-3 loss to the Dodgers.Manager Joe Maddon says Hendricks had his usual velocity but his command was off, likely because the ball was cutting at the end of his pitches.Hendricks entered Friday's game with a 6-0 record and 1.99 ERA in his previous eight starts.He leads the Cubs in innings pitched and has a 3.36 ERA and staff-leading 4.69 strikeout-to-walk ratio.Maddon says any decisions about the rotation would be made later.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DETROIT (AP) — Mike Muchlinski is replacing Jim Wolf on the umpiring crew for the rest of this weekend's Indians-Tigers series in Detroit.Major League Baseball said Saturday that Wolf is tending to a medical issue. Wolf, brother of former big league pitcher Randy Wolf, left the series opener Friday night in the first inning, and the game continued with three umpires.Muchlinski is leaving his replay assignment to join Sam Holbrook's crew in Detroit for games Saturday night and Sunday. Dan Iassogna and Manny Gonzalez are also on that crew.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels designated Cody Allen for assignment Saturday, a day after the veteran relief pitcher gave up four runs in a 9-4 loss to Tampa Bay.The 30-year-old Allen was signed to a one-year, $8.5 million contract in January after seven seasons with the Cleveland Indians. The Angels recalled right-hander Taylor Cole from Triple-A Salt Lake City.Allen gave up four hits, including a two-run home run, and two walks in 2/3 of an inning against the Rays. In 25 games this season, Allen is 0-2 with a 6.26 ERA and four saves in four opportunities.He was sidelined earlier in the season with a back strain.Angels manager Brad Ausmus says the move "unfortunately it was one we felt we had to make for the team. He worked his tail off. He cared. He wanted to get back to where he was, but nothing was sticking."____More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today:YU AGAIN?Yu Darvish says he expects to hear some boos when he takes the mound for the Cubs at Dodger Stadium. It will be his first outing at the ballpark since he got roughed up in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series, chased early as the Houston Astros beat Los Angeles to win their first championship. Darvish got hit hard in both of his starts in that Series, and some fans blamed him for the Dodgers' defeat.This year, Darvish is 2-3 with a 4.98 ERA in 14 starts for Chicago.NEED NOLAPhillies righty Aaron Nola (6-1, 4.58) starts at Atlanta — the NL East-leading Braves have won eight in a row. Nola has done well against Atlanta in his career, going 8-3 with a 2.05 ERA in 13 starts.OH THAT ODORIZZIComing into this season, Jake Odorizzi was 47-48 lifetime with a 3.95 ERA. But this year, he's a major reason why the Minnesota Twins have the best record in the big leagues.Odorizzi (9-2, 1.92 ERA) has excelled through 13 starts — he hasn't permitted... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:YU AGAIN?Yu Darvish says he expects to hear some boos when he takes the mound for the Cubs at Dodger Stadium. It will be his first outing at the ballpark since he got roughed up in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series, chased early as the Houston Astros beat Los Angeles to win their first championship. Darvish got hit hard in both of his starts in that Series, and some fans blamed him for the Dodgers' defeat.This year, Darvish is 2-3 with a 4.98 ERA in 14 starts for Chicago.NEED NOLAPhillies righty Aaron Nola (6-1, 4.58) starts at Atlanta — the NL East-leading Braves have won eight in a row. Nola has done well against Atlanta in his career, going 8-3 with a 2.05 ERA in 13 starts.OH THAT ODORIZZIComing into this season, Jake Odorizzi was 47-48 lifetime with a 3.95 ERA. But this year, he's a major reason why the Minnesota Twins have the best record in the big leagues.Odorizzi (9-2, 1.92 ERA) has excelled through 13 starts — he hasn't permitted... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez pulled himself out of his first minor league rehab start because of fatigue.Hernandez exited Friday after throwing 31 pitches for Triple-A Tacoma. The Mariners said Hernandez came out of the game when he wore down, not with pain.Hernandez allowed two hits and two runs in 2 1/3 innings against San Antonio before coming out. He struck out two and walked one.Seattle had hoped their former ace would throw between 50-60 pitches in his first outing since going on the injured list with right shoulder stiffness on May 12.The 33-year-old righty is 1-4 with a 6.52 ERA in eight starts for Seattle.__More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DETROIT (AP) — Friday night's game between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians is being handled by three umpires after Jim Wolf left in the first inning.Wolf, brother of former big league pitcher Randy Wolf, was the third base umpire. There was no immediate announcement of why he left the game.Dan Iassogna remained behind the plate following Wolf's departure. Manny Gonzalez and Sam Holbrook handled the infield.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BALTIMORE (AP) — Boston Red Sox reliever Heath Hembree has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained right elbow.Hembree is 1-0 with a 2.51 ERA and one save in 31 appearances. He is working on a streak of nine straight games without allowing a run."I know my arm pretty good," Hembree said before the Red Sox faced the Orioles at Camden Yards on Friday. "It's nothing that I'm concerned about. I can tell that there's not really any damage; it's just soreness."The right-hander last pitched Monday, retiring all four batters he faced in a loss to Texas. Manager Alex Cora wanted to use Hembree against the Rangers on Thursday, but was forced to summon Josh Smith."I gave them my word, basically, before the game I was good-to-go and then got up in the seventh and couldn't do it," Hembree said. "We shut it down."Cora does not expect to be without the 30-year-old reliever for long."It's one of those that we'd rather stay away from him for a while. He should be fine in around 10 days," Cora said. "It's actually retroactive (to June 11). He's been throwing the ball so well we don't want to take a chance. So we made the move."Boston recalled rookie left-hander Josh Taylor to fill the void in the bullpen. Taylor has a 10.80 ERA in five games with Boston this season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BALTIMORE (AP) — Boston Red Sox reliever Heath Hembree has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained right elbow.Hembree is 1-0 with a 2.51 ERA and one save in 31 appearances. He is working on a streak of nine straight games without allowing a run.The right-hander last pitched Monday, retiring all four batters he faced in a loss to Texas.Boston recalled rookie left-hander Josh Taylor to fill the void in the bullpen. Taylor has a 10.80 ERA in five games with Boston this season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

June 161916 — Tom Hughes of the Boston Braves pitched a no-hitter in a 2-0 win over Pittsburgh Pirates.1938 — Jimmie Foxx didn't get a chance to hit as the St. Louis Browns walked him six straight times. The Boston Red Sox won anyway, 12-8.1953 — The St. Louis Browns beat New York 3-1 to break the Yankees' 18-game winning streak and end their 14-game losing streak.1957 — Relief pitcher Dixie Howell hit two home runs in the 3 2-3 innings he pitched to lead the Chicago White Sox to an 8-6 victory in the second game of a doubleheader against the Washington Senators.1971 — The Oakland Athletics hit five solo home runs in a 5-1 win over the Washington Senators. Mike Epstein and Joe Rudi had a pair homers and Dave Duncan one. Epstein's home runs came in his first two at-bats to give him homers in four straight at-bats over two games.1978 — After three ninth-inning near misses, Tom Seaver threw the first no-hitter of his 12-year career as the Cincinnati Reds beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-0.1991... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani became the first Japanese-born player to hit for the cycle, helping the Los Angeles Angels beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-3 Thursday night after a delay caused by a power outage.Ohtani hit a three-run homer in the first inning and completed the feat with a single in the seventh. He is the eighth Angels player to hit for the cycle and the first since Mike Trout on May 21, 2013.Albert Pujols also homered for the Angels, becoming the sixth player ever with 200 home runs in each league. He hit 445 in 11 seasons with St. Louis and has 200 in eight years with the Angels, including 12 this season.He led off the third with a double and tripled in the fifth before Pujols' home run. A two-out single in the seventh completed the cycle in just four plate appearances, and fans at Tropicana Field gave him a standing ovation.The game was held up 36 minutes by a power delay in the fourth with the Angels leading 3-0.Yarbrough (5-3) gave up five runs and five hits (all... [More]