The Houston Astros received a positive update on left-hander Framber Valdez on the same day Forrest Whitley had season-ending surgery on his right elbow. Valdez met with Dr. Steven Shin in Los Angeles on Wednesday, and new images of the pitcher's fractured left ring finger showed significant healing, according to the team. Valdez is expected to continue his rehab at the team's facility in Florida, and there is no timetable yet for his return to the mound. The 27-year-old Valdez went 5-3 with a 3.57 ERA in 11 games last year, including 10 starts. He got hurt when struck by a comebacker while pitching against the Mets on March 2. Whitley's Tommy John surgery was performed by Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, Texas. He got hurt while throwing batting practice this spring training. The 23-year-old Whitley, one of Houston's top prospects, is expected to miss at least a year. He was selected by the Astros in the first round of the 2016 amateur draft. ACES APLENTY Aces Walker Buehler of the Los... [More]

The Houston Astros received a positive update on left-hander Framber Valdez on the same day Forrest Whitley had season-ending surgery on his right elbow. Valdez met with Dr. Steven Shin in Los Angeles on Wednesday, and new images of the pitcher's fractured left ring finger showed significant healing, according to the team. Valdez is expected to continue his rehab at the team's facility in Florida, and there is no timetable yet for his return to the mound. The 27-year-old Valdez went 5-3 with a 3.57 ERA in 11 games last year, including 10 starts. He got hurt when struck by a comebacker while pitching against the Mets on March 2. Whitley's Tommy John surgery was performed by Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, Texas. He got hurt while throwing batting practice this spring training. The 23-year-old Whitley, one of Houston's top prospects, is expected to miss at least a year. He was selected by the Astros in the first round of the 2016 amateur draft. ACES APLENTY Aces Walker Buehler of the Los... [More]

The Houston Astros received a positive update on left-hander Framber Valdez on the same day Forrest Whitley had season-ending surgery on his right elbow. Valdez met with Dr. Steven Shin in Los Angeles on Wednesday, and new images of the pitcher's fractured left ring finger showed significant healing, according to the team. Valdez is expected to continue his rehab at the team's facility in Florida, and there is no timetable yet for his return to the mound. The 27-year-old Valdez went 5-3 with a 3.57 ERA in 11 games last year, including 10 starts. He got hurt when struck by a comebacker while pitching against the Mets on March 2. Whitley's Tommy John surgery was performed by Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, Texas. He got hurt while throwing batting practice this spring training. The 23-year-old Whitley, one of Houston's top prospects, is expected to miss at least a year. He was selected by the Astros in the first round of the 2016 amateur draft. ACES APLENTY Aces Walker Buehler of the Los... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Harrison Bader tripled and homered to help the St. Louis Cardinals clinch a postseason berth on the final day of the regular season with a 5-2 win over Milwaukee, and the Brewers also earned a playoff spot Sunday via help on the West Coast moments later. St. Louis (30-28) will be the fifth seed in the NL and open a three-game wild-card series at San Diego on Wednesday. By winning, the Cardinals avoided having to travel to Detroit for two makeup games Monday. The Brewers (29-31) locked up the eighth seed and a third consecutive postseason berth after the Padres beat San Francisco 5-4 in a game that ended about 15 minutes later. The Giants finished with an identical record as the Brewers but lost out on a tiebreaker due to an inferior intradivision record. Milwaukee will face the top-seeded Dodgers in Los Angeles in a three-game series that also starts Wednesday. The Brewers haven’t had a winning record at any point this season. Milwaukee and Houston will be the first teams... [More]

Royals first. Whit Merrifield grounds out to shallow infield, Ke'Bryan Hayes to Josh Bell. Adalberto Mondesi homers. Salvador Perez strikes out swinging. Maikel Franco walks. Hunter Dozier singles to shallow center field. Maikel Franco to second. Ryan McBroom strikes out on a foul tip.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Royals 1, Pirates 0.Royals third. Whit Merrifield lines out to deep left field to Adam Frazier. Adalberto Mondesi walks. Salvador Perez singles to right field. Adalberto Mondesi to third. Maikel Franco singles to shallow center field. Salvador Perez to second. Adalberto Mondesi scores. Hunter Dozier singles to center field. Maikel Franco to second. Salvador Perez to third. Ryan McBroom flies out to right field to Cole Tucker. Edward Olivares strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Royals 3, Pirates 0.Pirates fourth. Colin Moran singles to deep left field. Josh Bell singles to right center field. Colin Moran to third. Jacob Stallings doubles to deep left... [More]

Indians first. Cesar Hernandez lines out to shallow right field to Hunter Dozier. Mike Freeman doubles to deep left center field. Francisco Lindor grounds out to first base to Hunter Dozier. Mike Freeman to third. Carlos Santana homers to center field. Mike Freeman scores. Franmil Reyes grounds out to shallow left field, Matt Reynolds to Hunter Dozier.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Indians 2, Royals 0.Indians second. Tyler Naquin flies out to left field to Alex Gordon. Josh Naylor grounds out to right field, Nicky Lopez to Hunter Dozier. Sandy Leon homers to center field. Delino DeShields grounds out to shallow infield, Adalberto Mondesi to Hunter Dozier.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Indians 3, Royals 0.Royals third. Edward Olivares strikes out swinging. Nicky Lopez doubles to center field. Cam Gallagher walks. Whit Merrifield homers. Cam Gallagher scores. Nicky Lopez scores. Adalberto Mondesi called out on strikes. Hunter Dozier strikes out swinging.3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors,... [More]

White sox first. Tim Anderson singles to shallow right field. Yoan Moncada singles to shallow center field. Tim Anderson to second. Jose Abreu grounds out to shallow left field, Maikel Franco to Hunter Dozier. Edwin Encarnacion out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to Edward Olivares. Yoan Moncada to third. Tim Anderson scores. Luis Robert lines out to shallow infield to Brady Singer.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. White sox 1, Royals 0.White sox second. Eloy Jimenez singles to shallow right field. James McCann singles to shortstop. Eloy Jimenez to second. Nomar Mazara strikes out swinging. Nick Madrigal singles to second base. James McCann to third. Eloy Jimenez scores. Fielding error by Edward Olivares. Tim Anderson called out on strikes. Yoan Moncada hit by pitch. Nick Madrigal to second. Jose Abreu lines out to second base to Hunter Dozier.1 run, 3 hits, 1 error, 3 left on. White sox 2, Royals 0.Royals second. Alex Gordon walks. Edward Olivares strikes out swinging. Nicky... [More]

Royals first. Whit Merrifield lines out to center field to Luis Robert. Hunter Dozier homers to center field. Ryan O'Hearn lines out to deep right center field to Luis Robert. Maikel Franco grounds out to third base, Yoan Moncada to Jose Abreu.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Royals 1, White sox 0.White sox second. Edwin Encarnacion homers to left field. Yoan Moncada lines out to first base to Hunter Dozier. Luis Robert walks. Danny Mendick singles to right field. Luis Robert to second. Adam Engel singles to right field. Danny Mendick to second. Luis Robert to third. Tim Anderson walks. Adam Engel to second. Danny Mendick to third. Luis Robert scores. Eloy Jimenez strikes out swinging. Yasmani Grandal walks. Jose Abreu doubles to deep left center field. Yasmani Grandal out at home. Tim Anderson scores. Adam Engel scores.5 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. White sox 5, Royals 1.White sox fourth. Adam Engel pops out to Hunter Dozier. Tim Anderson homers to center field. Eloy Jimenez grounds... [More]

Indians second. Carlos Santana grounds out to shallow right field, Nicky Lopez to Ryan McBroom. Franmil Reyes singles to shallow right field. Tyler Naquin homers to center field. Franmil Reyes scores. Josh Naylor grounds out to second base, Nicky Lopez to Ryan McBroom. Roberto Perez strikes out swinging.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Indians 2, Royals 0.Indians ninth. Francisco Lindor doubles to right center field. Carlos Santana pops out to Maikel Franco. Franmil Reyes singles to right field. Francisco Lindor to third. Tyler Naquin homers to center field. Franmil Reyes scores. Francisco Lindor scores. Josh Naylor grounds out to shallow infield, Nicky Lopez to Ryan McBroom. Sandy Leon strikes out on a foul tip.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Indians 5, Royals 0.

White sox second. James McCann walks. Luis Robert flies out to deep center field to Whit Merrifield. Danny Mendick strikes out swinging. Adam Engel singles to shallow center field. James McCann to third. Nick Madrigal singles to right center field. Adam Engel to third. James McCann scores. Tim Anderson reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Nick Madrigal out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. White sox 1, Royals 0.White sox third. Eloy Jimenez grounds out to shortstop, Adalberto Mondesi to Ryan O'Hearn. Yasmani Grandal singles to center field. Jose Abreu singles to left field. Yasmani Grandal to second. James McCann doubles to left field. Jose Abreu to third. Yasmani Grandal scores. Luis Robert pops out to shallow infield to Adalberto Mondesi. Danny Mendick strikes out on a foul tip.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. White sox 2, Royals 0.Royals sixth. Nicky Lopez strikes out swinging. Cam Gallagher doubles to shallow left field. Whit Merrifield singles to left center field.... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Max Muncy drove in four runs close to home for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who can still avoid their first series loss of the season after a 7-4 win Saturday night over the Texas Rangers and potential trade target Lance Lynn.Cody Bellinger’s long two-run homer in the third put Los Angeles up 3-0. Muncy, who played high school baseball about 25 miles from the new Rangers ballpark, made it 4-2 with a deep sacrifice fly in the fifth off Lynn (4-1). The slugger then belted a three-run homer in the seventh.Blake Treinen (3-1) worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the win. Kenley Jansen got three outs for his ninth save. The trade deadline in MLB’s shortened season is Monday, and Lynn could be a target for contending teams — though it could take a hefty offer to acquire the workhorse veteran who is signed through next season.Lynn is still second in the American League with a 1.97 ERA after giving up three earned runs in six innings.YANKEES 2, METS 1NEW YORK (AP) — Clint Frazier... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Max Muncy drove in four runs close to home for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who can still avoid their first series loss of the season after a 7-4 win Saturday night over the Texas Rangers and potential trade target Lance Lynn.Cody Bellinger’s long two-run homer in the third put Los Angeles up 3-0. Muncy, who played high school baseball about 25 miles from the new Rangers ballpark, made it 4-2 with a deep sacrifice fly in the fifth off Lynn (4-1). The slugger then belted a three-run homer in the seventh.Blake Treinen (3-1) worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the win. Kenley Jansen got three outs for his ninth save. The trade deadline in MLB’s shortened season is Monday, and Lynn could be a target for contending teams — though it could take a hefty offer to acquire the workhorse veteran who is signed through next season.Lynn is still second in the American League with a 1.97 ERA after giving up three earned runs in six innings.YANKEES 2, METS 1NEW YORK (AP) — Clint Frazier... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Max Muncy drove in four runs close to home for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who can still avoid their first series loss of the season after a 7-4 win Saturday night over the Texas Rangers and potential trade target Lance Lynn. Cody Bellinger’s long two-run homer in the third put Los Angeles up 3-0. Muncy, who played high school baseball about 25 miles from the new Rangers ballpark, made it 4-2 with a deep sacrifice fly in the fifth off Lynn (4-1). The slugger then belted a three-run homer in the seventh.Blake Treinen (3-1) worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the win. Kenley Jansen got three outs for his ninth save. The trade deadline in MLB’s shortened season is Monday, and Lynn could be a target for contending teams — though it could take a hefty offer to acquire the workhorse veteran who is signed through next season.Lynn is still second in the American League with a 1.97 ERA after giving up three earned runs in six innings.YANKEES 2, METS 1NEW YORK (AP) — Clint Frazier... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Clint Frazier scored the winning run on Dellin Betances’ wild pitch in the ninth inning, and the New York Yankees averted their longest losing streak in a quarter-century Saturday with a 2-1 victory over the crosstown Mets.J.A. Happ pitched brilliantly into the eighth at Yankee Stadium and Luke Voit homered early for the injury-ravaged Bronx Bombers, who stopped a seven-game slide that followed six straight wins. They haven’t dropped eight in a row since August 1995.The Mets had won three straight and six of eight, including a Subway Series doubleheader sweep Friday at Yankee Stadium. Betances (0-1) got the loss against his former team.Wilson Ramos greeted Yankees reliever Adam Ottavino with a tying home run in the eighth. Aroldis Chapman (1-1) got three outs for the win.CUBS 3, REDS 0, GAME 1CINCINNATI (AP) — Yu Darvish scattered seven hits over six innings, Anthony Rizzo homered twice and the Cubs snapped a three-game skid.Darvish (6-1) earned his sixth straight win. He... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Clint Frazier scored the winning run on Dellin Betances’ wild pitch in the ninth inning, and the New York Yankees averted their longest losing streak in a quarter-century Saturday with a 2-1 victory over the crosstown Mets.J.A. Happ pitched brilliantly into the eighth at Yankee Stadium and Luke Voit homered early for the injury-ravaged Bronx Bombers, who stopped a seven-game slide that followed six straight wins. They haven’t dropped eight in a row since August 1995.The Mets had won three straight and six of eight, including a Subway Series doubleheader sweep Friday at Yankee Stadium. Betances (0-1) got the loss against his former team.Wilson Ramos greeted Yankees reliever Adam Ottavino with a tying home run in the eighth. Aroldis Chapman (1-1) got three outs for the win.PHILLIES 4, BRAVES 1PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Rhys Hoskins had three hits, including a three-run homer, and Zach Eflin pitched seven strong innings to lead Philadelphia to its fifth straight victory.Bryce Harper... [More]

Royals second. Maikel Franco grounds out to shallow infield, Jose Abreu to Dylan Cease. Alex Gordon homers to right field. Adalberto Mondesi grounds out to shallow infield, Dylan Cease to Jose Abreu. Nicky Lopez strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Royals 1, White sox 0.White sox third. Luis Robert singles to right field. Nomar Mazara grounds out to second base, Nicky Lopez to Ryan O'Hearn. Luis Robert to third. Nick Madrigal singles to shallow infield. Luis Robert scores. Tim Anderson singles to shallow right field. Nick Madrigal to third. Yoan Moncada walks. Tim Anderson to second. Yasmani Grandal strikes out swinging. Jose Abreu strikes out swinging.1 run, 3 hits, 1 error, 3 left on. Royals 1, White sox 1.White sox fourth. Eloy Jimenez walks. Edwin Encarnacion homers to left field. Eloy Jimenez scores. Luis Robert called out on strikes. Nomar Mazara grounds out to shallow infield, Brady Singer to Ryan O'Hearn. Nick Madrigal grounds out to shortstop, Adalberto Mondesi... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Michael Perez hit a go-ahead solo homer in the eighth inning and the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays beat the Baltimore Orioles 4-3 on Wednesday night.Perez homered to center off Mychal Givens (0-1). It was his first long ball since Aug. 10, 2018.Ryan Sherriff (1-0) worked a perfect eighth in his first big league game since May 7, 2018, due to Tommy John surgery. Diego Castillo pitched the ninth to get his first save. Ten Tampa Bay relievers have a save this season.Brandon Lowe hit his 10th homer for the Rays, who have won nine of 11. The Orioles are 8-3 on the road after losing the first two games of the series. Their only other defeat away from home came opening day at Boston.BLUE JAYS 9, RED SOX 1BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Rowdy Tellez drove in four runs with two homers and a double, and Toronto beat Boston.Vladimir Guererro Jr. hit a pair of doubles, including a three-run bouncer down the left field line that keyed a four-run seventh inning for Toronto (15-14).... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Michael Perez hit a go-ahead solo homer in the eighth inning and the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays beat the Baltimore Orioles 4-3 on Wednesday night.Perez homered to center off Mychal Givens (0-1). It was his first long ball since Aug. 10, 2018.Ryan Sherriff (1-0) worked a perfect eighth in his first big league game since May 7, 2018, due to Tommy John surgery. Diego Castillo pitched the ninth to get his first save. Ten Tampa Bay relievers have a save this season.Brandon Lowe hit his 10th homer for the Rays, who have won nine of 11. The Orioles are 8-3 on the road after losing the first two games of the series. Their only other defeat away from home came opening day at Boston.BLUE JAYS 9, RED SOX 1BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Rowdy Tellez drove in four runs with two homers and a double, and Toronto beat Boston.Vladimir Guererro Jr. hit a pair of doubles, including a three-run bouncer down the left field line that keyed a four-run seventh inning for Toronto (15-14).... [More]

Royals third. Nicky Lopez singles to left center field. Cam Gallagher homers to left field. Nicky Lopez scores. Whit Merrifield grounds out to shortstop, Paul DeJong to Paul Goldschmidt. Hunter Dozier walks. Jorge Soler grounds out to first base, Paul Goldschmidt to Dakota Hudson. Hunter Dozier to second. Ryan O'Hearn is intentionally walked. Maikel Franco flies out to center field to Dylan Carlson.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Royals 2, Cardinals 0.Cardinals third. Kolten Wong walks. Tommy Edman singles to shallow right field. Kolten Wong to third. Paul Goldschmidt out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Alex Gordon. Kolten Wong scores. Brad Miller strikes out swinging. Paul DeJong flies out to center field to Whit Merrifield.1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 left on. Royals 2, Cardinals 1.Cardinals fourth. Matt Carpenter hit by pitch. Yadier Molina pops out to Ryan O'Hearn. Tyler O'Neill called out on strikes. Dylan Carlson doubles to deep left field. Matt Carpenter scores. Kolten... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Lucas Giolito pitched the first no-hitter of the pandemic-delayed major league season, striking out 13 and permitting just one runner in leading the Chicago White Sox over the Pittsurgh Pirates 4-0 Tuesday night.With the seats at Guaranteed Rate Field empty, the hollers of his teammates echoed around the ballpark after right fielder Adam Engel caught Erik Gonzalez’s slicing drive toward the line for the final out.An All-Star last year, the 26-year-old Giolito (3-2) matched his career high for strikeouts set in his previous start against Detroit.Only a four-pitch walk to Gonzalez leading off the fourth inning got in Giolito’s way of perfection. The right-hander threw 101 pitches and made quick work of the Pirates -- Pittsburgh came into the game batting just .229 this season and has the worst record in the majors.Giolito pitched the 19th no-hitter in White Sox history and first since Philip Humber threw a perfect game at Seattle in 2012. This was the seventh time the Pirates... [More]