MLB

LEADING OFF: Harper returns to Phillies, Ramírez has surgeryBy The Associated PressA look at what's happening around the majors today:DADDY'S HOMEBryce Harper is expected to return from paternity leave as the Phillies open a home series against struggling Pittsburgh. Philadelphia dropped two of three at last-place Miami without him,...

AP Sports WriterRoyals agree with Minor, sign Taylor to $1.75M, 1-year dealBy DAVE SKRETTAKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) The Royals agreed to a two-year deal with pitcher Mike Minor and finalized a $1.75 million, one-year contract with outfielder Michael Taylor as they work to piece together a roster.The deal...

New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge has broken ribTAMPA, Fla. (AP) New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge has broken rib.

AP Sports WriterMyers enjoying bounceback season with playoff-bound PadresBy BERNIE WILSONSAN DIEGO (AP) Wil Myers is back.While Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado have grabbed most of the attention on the playoff-bound Padres, Myers' comeback performance has also been instrumental in returning San Diego to postseason play for...

Associated PressMets' Brandon Nimmo cleared to play after cardiac testBy BILL WHITEHEADPORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) After getting cleared to play by a cardiologist, Brandon Nimmo could joke.''I guess I have a little bit larger heart,'' the New York Mets outfielder said Friday. ''Hey, I've got a lot...

MLB to honor Negro Leagues centennial with patches SundayNEW YORK (AP) All major league players, managers, coaches and umpires will wear a patch on Sunday to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Negro Leagues.The logo on the patch will be a derivative of the official...

AP Sports WriterAngels honor Skaggs with emotional no-hit masterpieceBy GREG BEACHAMANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) The Los Angeles Angels all wore Tyler Skaggs' No. 45 jerseys as they stood solemnly on the field while his mother, Debbie, delivered a heartbreakingly perfect strike with her first pitch.Three incredible hours later, the...

AP Sports WriterFans see 1st Nats exho from balcony; Harper HRs off ScherzerBy HOWARD FENDRICHWASHINGTON (AP) As Max Scherzer and the reigning champion Washington Nationals hosted baseball’s first exhibition game in more than four months Saturday, a handful of fans watched from afar -- really far, seated on...

For The Associated PressNats' star Ryan Zimmerman's AP diary: Bring the DH to the NLBy RYAN ZIMMERMANEDITOR’S NOTE: Ryan Zimmerman is a two-time All-Star infielder who has played 15 years in the majors, all with the Washington Nationals. He holds most of the team’s career hitting records, and his...

Matt Adams agrees to minor league deal with New York MetsNEW YORK (AP) Matt Adams agreed to a minor league contract with the New York Mets on Friday, hoping to earn a job as a backup and a bat with pop off the bench.He would get a $1.25...

AP Baseball WriterRangers vet Choo giving $1K each to 191 Texas minor leaguersBy STEPHEN HAWKINSRangers veteran Shin-Soo Choo is helping out financially strapped minor league players with the season on hold, giving $1,000 each to 191 of them who are in the Texas organization.Choo said Wednesday that he remembers...

The Latest: MLB commissioner defends free agent signingsWASHINGTON (AP) The Latest on baseball's All-Star Game (all times local):12:30 p.m.Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred is defending teams' reluctance to sign free agents last offseason and says union head Tony Clark has not responded to a pair of invitations to have...