PHOENIX (AP) — San Francisco Giants right-hander Johnny Cueto threw a bullpen session Saturday, and the team was encouraged enough for manager Bruce Bochy to say the club hopes Cueto can return toward the end of this season.Cueto, who had major elbow surgery last August, was 18-5 in 2016 and selected to the All-Star game, but has since gone 11-10 in the last two years combined."I think he surprised a lot of us with where he's at," Bochy said before Saturday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. "It's all fastballs, but he's gotten himself in great shape, too. I think it's the best shape I've seen Johnny in, to be honest."From what you saw today, you've got to believe he's going to be pitching before the season's over. I'm not going to be surprised if he pitches in September."Cueto threw off flat ground Saturday, and the hope is that next week he will throw breaking balls and changeups.If Cueto comes back in September, it will be as a starting pitcher, Bochy said. Cueto, 33, has be... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zack Greinke is on track to make his next scheduled start Tuesday at San Diego after throwing a bullpen session before Saturday's game, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said.Greinke felt pain in his side and was diagnosed with abdominal tightness during the eighth inning of his start Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He motioned for a trainer and left the game.An MRI on Friday revealed no damage.Greinke, who would start on five days' rest if he takes the mound next week as expected, is 6-1 with a 2.78 ERA in 10 starts this season. Opponents are batting .210 against him.Also for Arizona, outfielder David Peralta, the team's leading hitter among everyday players, was scratched from the original lineup Saturday. He aggravated upper back and shoulder tightness on a dive for a ball during Friday night's game.Peralta, the Diamondbacks' leader in hits and co-leader in runs scored and RBIs, was first injured Wednesday but started Friday's... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Jonny Venters, the left-hander whose comeback from his third Tommy John surgery helped him win the NL Comeback Player of the Year Award last year, has been released by the Atlanta Braves.The 34-year-old Venters had a 17.36 ERA after giving up nine earned runs in 4 2/3 innings covering nine appearances.The release came Saturday, a day after Venters gave up four runs, none earned, on one hit and two walks while recording two outs in the Braves' 12-8 win over Milwaukee on Friday night. The bullpen gave up eight runs after the Braves led 12-0.Braves manager Brian Snitker said the decision was especially tough because "everybody respects and admires everything he went through to get back to the major leagues."The Braves recalled left-hander Jerry Blevins only four days after he was designated for assignment.Venters was a combined 5-2 with three saves and a 3.67 ERA in 50 games last season for Tampa Bay and Atlanta. An All-Star with the Braves in 2011, he hadn't pitched in the majors since 2012 before returning with the Rays last year.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

May 191910 — Cy Young won the 500th game of his career as the Cleveland Indians beat the Washington Senators, 5-4, in 11 innings.1910 — Boston beat the Pirates 6-3 for the first time in 26 tries.1942 — Paul Waner of the Boston Braves got his 3,000th career hit off Pittsburgh's Rip Sewell in a 7-6, 11-inning loss to the Pirates.1956 — Pittsburgh's Dale Long hit a ninth-inning homer against the Chicago Cubs. It was Long's first of eight straight games with a homer.1962 — Stan Musial of St. Louis became the NL career hits leader. The 41-year-old got a ninth-inning single for his 3,431st hit and moved past Honus Wagner. The Cardinals beat the Los Angeles Dodgers, 8-1.1968 — After hitting 10 home runs in six games, Frank Howard of the Washington Senators was stopped by pitcher Earl Wilson of Detroit, which won the game 5-4.1981 — Pittsburgh's Jim Bibby gave up a leadoff single to Terry Harper of the Atlanta Braves, then retired the next 27 batters for a 5-0 one-hitter. Bibby a... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:DO OVERBlake Snell makes his second straight start against the Yankees. The Rays left-handed ace was overpowering against New York on Sunday, but his 12 strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball weren't enough in a 7-1 loss. Yankees righty Masahiro Tanaka got the win in that game, throwing seven innings of one-run ball while appearing to rediscover his go-to split-finger fastball. Tampa Bay entered the weekend series with a 1/2-game lead over New York in the AL East.COUNTING UP...Houston tries for its 10th straight win in a game at Fenway Park. George Springer hit his AL-leading 17th homer Friday in a 3-1 victory against the Red Sox, a go-ahead two-run shot in the eighth inning. Houston is 12-3 this month and has matched the 2017 World Series championship team for the best start in franchise history at 30-15. Corbin Martin (1-0) is set to make his second career start for Houston.RESTED RED HEADThe Dodgers expect to be without Justi... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates have placed right-hander Trevor Williams on the 10-day injured list with a strain in his right side.Williams, who played at San Diego's Rancho Bernardo High, came out of Thursday night's game after just 3 2/3 innings.To take his roster spot, right-hander Clay Holmes was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday. It's Holmes' second stint with the Pirates this season.The Pirates also optioned right-hander Richard Rodríguez to Triple-A and selected the contract of right-hander Geoff Hartlieb from Indianapolis. Hartlieb has no previous big league experience.Additionally, catcher Jacob Stallings cleared outright waivers and was assigned to Indianapolis.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:DO OVERBlake Snell makes his second straight start against the Yankees. The Rays left-handed ace was overpowering against New York on Sunday, but his 12 strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball weren't enough in a 7-1 loss. Yankees righty Masahiro Tanaka got the win in that game, throwing seven innings of one-run ball while appearing to rediscover his go-to split-finger fastball. Tampa Bay entered the weekend series with a 1/2-game lead over New York in the AL East.COUNTING UP...Houston tries for its 10th straight win in a game at Fenway Park. George Springer hit his AL-leading 17th homer Friday in a 3-1 victory against the Red Sox, a go-ahead two-run shot in the eighth inning. Houston is 12-3 this month and has matched the 2017 World Series championship team for the best start in franchise history at 30-15. Corbin Martin (1-0) is set to make his second career start for Houston.RESTED RED HEADThe Dodgers expect to be without Ju... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:DO OVERBlake Snell makes his second straight start against the Yankees. The Rays left-handed ace was overpowering against New York on Sunday, but his 12 strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball weren't enough in a 7-1 loss. Yankees righty Masahiro Tanaka got the win in that game, throwing seven innings of one-run ball while appearing to rediscover his go-to split-finger fastball. Tampa Bay entered the weekend series with a 1/2-game lead over New York in the AL East.RESTED RED HEADThe Dodgers expect to be without Justin Turner a day after he fouled a ball off his left shin. The red-headed slugger was pulled from a 6-0 win over Cincinnati and will likely get at least a day to recover, though X-rays were negative and LA doesn't seem concerned about his long-term well-being. Walker Buehler (4-0) pitches for the Dodgers against the Reds' Tyler Mahle (0-5).FRESH FISHThe Marlins found their offensive stroke Friday against Jacob deGrom... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Ian Kinsler says he regrets using profanity during an emotional outburst after hitting a pivotal three-run home run for the San Diego Padres on Thursday night and maintained he was firing up his teammates and not taking a shot at fans.Kinsler hollered and gestured as he touched the plate after hitting the go-ahead home run in the sixth inning of the 4-3 win against Pittsburgh, and again in the dugout.Kinsler has been criticized by fans as he's struggled since joining the Padres on an $8 million, two-year deal. Many fans, particularly on social media, felt the outburst was directed at them."The only thing that I do regret is doing it on the field in front of everybody, so everyone can interpret it their own way," Kinsler said before Friday night's game, when he was due to start at second base and bat leadoff.Asked if he wanted to say anything to fans who thought he was directing it at them, to clear things up, he said, "No."The 36-year-old Kinsler, in his 14th big lea... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Twelve years later, Carlos Gómez was back in the New York Mets' lineup.New York selected Gómez's contract from Triple-A Syracuse and had him batting sixth and in right field Friday night at Miami. He went 0 for 3 before leaving the game in a double switch.An All-Star for Milwaukee in 2013-14, Gómez last played for the Mets when he was a rookie in 2007.The Mets placed outfielder Michael Conforto on the seven-day injured list due to a concussion, and designated outfielder Keon Broxton for assignment. They recalled right-hander Paul Sewald from Syracuse.New York signed the 33-year-old Gómez to a minor league contract in March, and he batted .270 with 22 RBIs in 35 games for Syracuse."He obviously has been swinging the bat really well," Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. "The defense has been outstanding, the leadership, the baserunning. From top to bottom the reports have been excellent. That's why he's up here getting a chance to help us win some games."Broxton is batt... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Ian Kinsler says he regrets using profanity during an emotional outburst after hitting a pivotal three-run home run for the San Diego Padres on Thursday night and maintained he was firing up his teammates and not taking a shot at fans.Kinsler hollered and gestured as he touched the plate in the 4-3 win against Pittsburgh, and again in the dugout.Kinsler has been criticized by fans as he's struggled since joining the Padres on an $8 million, two-year deal. Many fans, particularly on social media, felt it was directed at them."The only thing that I do regret is doing it on the field in front of everybody, so everyone can interpret it their own way," Kinsler said before Friday night's game, when he was due to start at second base and bat leadoff.Asked if he wanted to say anything to fans who thought he was directing it at them, to clear things up, he said, "No."___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHOENIX (AP) — The San Francisco Giants have activated catcher Buster Posey from the seven-day concussion list.Posey was behind the plate and batted third Friday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks.He was hit on the helmet by a foul tip against Cincinnati on May 8 and placed on the injured list after playing against Colorado two days later.The Giants took a cautious approach with Posey after he went on the concussion list for the second time in two years. He missed seven games due to a concussion in 2017.Posey has played 32 games this season, hitting .245 with two homers and 13 RBIs.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MIAMI (AP) — Twelve years later, Carlos Gómez is back in the New York Mets' lineup.New York selected Gómez's contract from Triple-A Syracuse and had him batting sixth and in right field Friday night at Miami.The Mets placed outfielder Michael Conforto on the seven-day injured list due to a concussion, and designated outfielder Keon Broxton for assignment. They recalled right-hander Paul Sewald from Syracuse.Gómez, an All-Star for Milwaukee in 2013-14, last played for the Mets when he was a rookie in 2007. They signed the 33-year-old outfielder to a minor league contract in March, and he batted .270 with 22 RBIs in 35 games for Syracuse."He obviously has been swinging the bat really well," Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. "The defense has been outstanding, the leadership, the baserunning. From top to bottom the reports have been excellent. That's why he's up here getting a chance to help us win some games."Broxton is batting.143 in 34 games. The Mets hope to keep him in their sys... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals have activated Carlos Martínez from the injured list after the right-hander missed the first 44 games of the season because of a strained right shoulder cuff.The club also designated veteran right-hander Luke Gregerson for assignment before Friday's interleague game at the Texas Rangers while recalling rookie reliever Ryan Helsley from Triple-A Memphis and sending down right-hander Dominic Leone.Martínez was a two-time All-Star as a starter for St. Louis before making 18 of his 33 appearances out of the bullpen last season. The 27-year-old is expected to be used as a reliever.It is the second time Helsley has been brought up from the minors this season. The 24-year-old right-hander gave up two runs in 6 1/3 innings over three appearances in his first stint.Gregerson, a 35-year-old who hadn't pitched since last July when he was activated May 4 coming off right shoulder impingement, allowed five runs and 11 hits over 5 2/3 innings in six relief appearances. Leone has an 8.02 ERA in 20 games out of the bullpen.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Shortstop Trea Turner has been activated from the 10-day injured list by the Washington Nationals, who placed starting pitcher Anibal Sánchez on the IL a day after he strained his left hamstring.The 25-year-old Turner missed 38 games with a broken right index figure sustained April 2 against Philadelphia. He hit .357 with a double and two homers through the first four games of the season."It was real nice to write his name in the lineup," Nationals manager Dave Martinez before prior to Friday night's game against the Chicago Cubs.Sánchez (0-6, 5.10) was removed in the second inning of Thursday's start against the New York Mets with the hamstring strain. Martinez said the 35-year-old right-hander was walking without pain Friday.Washington also optioned infielder Wilmer Difo to Triple-A Fresno and recalled right-hander Kyle McGowin from Fresno.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MIAMI (AP) — Twelve years later, Carlos Gómez is back in the New York Mets' lineup.New York selected Gómez's contract from Triple-A Syracuse and had him batting sixth and in right field Friday night at Miami.The Mets placed outfielder Michael Conforto on the seven-day injured list due to a concussion, and designated outfielder Keon Broxton for assignment. They recalled right-hander Paul Sewald from Syracuse.Gómez, an All-Star for Milwaukee in 2013-14, last played for the Mets when he was a rookie in 2007. They signed the 33-year-old outfielder to a minor league contract in March, and he batted .270 with 22 RBIs in 35 games for Syracuse."He obviously has been swinging the ball really well," Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. "The defense has been outstanding, the leadership, the baserunning. From top to bottom the reports have been excellent. That's why he's up here getting a chance to help us win some games."Broxton is batting.143 in 34 games. The Mets hope to keep him in their sy... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Kenta Maeda fouled a ball off his left thigh in his last start, leaving a bruise that prompted the Los Angeles Dodgers to put him on the 10-day injury list.Maeda gave up only three hits and struck out a dozen batters in 6 2/3 innings of a 2-0 win over the Padres on Wednesday. He also had the decisive hit, a two-out, two-run single in the second inning. He fouled a pitch off his left thigh in a later at-bat. The Dodgers decided Friday to put him on the injury list, giving him time to heal."It's not serious," manager Dave Roberts said. "It's a thing where the ball hits it and there's some inflammation. If we can kind of protect him, we're going to do that."Maeda became the first Dodgers pitcher to have two hits and two RBIs in a game since Zack Greinke in 2014. He is 5-2 in nine starts with a 3.52 ERA and hasn't allowed a run in his last two starts."I'll be back soon," Maeda said through a translator. "Nothing to worry about."The Dodgers also recalled infielder Matt B... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Twelve years later, outfielder Carlos Gómez is back in the New York Mets' lineup.New York selected Gómez's contract from Triple-A Syracuse and had him batting sixth and in right field Friday night at Miami.The Mets placed outfielder Michael Conforto on the seven-day injured list due to a concussion, and designated outfielder Keon Broxton for assignment. They recalled right-hander Paul Sewald from Syracuse.Gómez, an All-Star for Milwaukee in 2013-14, last played for the Mets when he was a rookie in 2007. They signed him to a minor league contract in March, and he batted .270 with 22 RBIs in 35 games for Syracuse.Broxton batted .143 in 34 games for New York this season.Conforto was hurt Thursday when he collided with a teammate while chasing a popup.___Follow Steven Wine on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Steve_Wine___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Dodgers put Kenta Maeda on the 10-day injured list after he hurt his left thigh, costing them one of their best starters in May.Maeda gave up only three hits in 6 2/3 innings of a 2-0 win over the Padres on Wednesday. The right-hander is 5-2 in nine starts with a 3.52 ERA. He hasn't allowed a run in his last two starts.The Dodgers called up infielder Matt Beaty and outfielder Kyle Garlick for the start of a series against the Reds on Friday.Beaty is in his second stint with the Dodgers. He went 2 for 3 in a brief stint last month. The 27-year-old Garlick will make his major league debut.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Rockies are running a little cool at second base.That opened the door for Brendan Rodgers, the team's top prospect who's swinging a hot bat.Colorado called up the 22-year-old for a weekend series in Philadelphia that started Friday. In addition to selecting the contract of the prospect from Albuquerque, the Rockies optioned right-hander DJ Johnson and infielder Pat Valaika to the Triple-A team and activated left-hander Jake McGee from the 10-day injured list after he recovered from a sprained left knee.Rodgers was hitting .356 with nine homers and 21 RBIs in 35 games this season with Triple-A Albuquerque. He was playing mostly at second base for the Isotopes with an occasional appearance at shortstop and third base.His promotion makes sense: So far this season, Colorado's second basemen are hitting .200 with no homers and 11 RBIs.Invited to spring training, Rodgers hit .222 in 18 games. Still, Rockies manager Bud Black appreciated his moxie."He's really con... [More]