MLB

AP Sports WriterMuzzle Mr. Met? Mascots wonder why they're banned from MLBBy DAN GELSTONPHILADELPHIA (AP) The Phillie Phanatic had stories of his favorite adventures -- from the Galapagos Islands to the cobblestone streets of Philadelphia -- read to him most weeks from his very best buds. The Philly...

AP Sports WriterPirates trade slugger Josh Bell to NationalsBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) Josh Bell embraced everything about being a Pittsburgh Pirate. He understood as the club retooled following the departure of stars Andrew McCutchen and Gerrit Cole that he would serve as the de facto face of the...

Associated PressRangers go deep twice to back Minor in 4-2 win over A'sBy MICHAEL WAGAMANOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Mike Minor pitched six scoreless innings of one-hit ball to win his fourth straight, Joey Gallo hit his 33rd home run and the Texas Rangers snapped out of their offensive slump...

AP Sports WriterAP source: Santana, White Sox agree to minor league dealBy JAY COHENPEORIA, Ariz. (AP) A person familiar with the situation says the Chicago White Sox have agreed to a minor league contract with veteran right-hander Ervin Santana.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of...

Associated PressYawkey Way outside Fenway Park changed over racist pastBy MARK PRATTBOSTON (AP) Boston officials Thursday approved changing the name of Yawkey Way, the street outside Fenway Park, because of allegations former Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey was a racist who resisted hiring black ballplayers in the 1940s...

AP Sports WriterOrioles acquire LHP Miley from MarinersBy JAY COHENCHICAGO (AP) Baltimore hopes Wade Miley can turn his solid July into a big finish with the AL East leaders.The Orioles acquired Miley from the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, giving manager Buck Showalter a veteran left-hander for his rotation...

70 years after Babe Ruth's death, fans still flock to graveHAWTHORNE, N.Y. (AP) Amid the serene graves at Gate of Heaven Cemetery sits the one where visitors leave baseballs and bats instead of bouquets, tributes to a baseball superstar who still outshines others seven decades after his death.It's...

NEW YORK (AP) This much is certain: Anyone who bemoans that baseball's gone soft never covered second base with Chase Utley bearing down on a potential double play.What's not so clear is whether Utley's takeout slide Saturday night, the one that broke the right leg of New York...

AP Sports WriterMariners expect Mitch Haniger to miss start of seasonBy TIM BOOTHSEATTLE (AP) This was already going to be a year where the Seattle Mariners would be relying heavily on young players and some of their top prospects right from the beginning of the season.Now the Mariners...

LEADING OFF: Indians play home opener, Red Sox fight fluBy The Associated PressA look at what's happening all around the majors today:---HELLO AGAINThe Indians play their first game in Cleveland since losing an epic Game 7 to the Chicago Cubs in the World Series last season. Most of the...

The eagle has landed ... on James Paxton's shoulderMINNEAPOLIS (AP) The biggest challenge for Seattle left-hander James Paxton at Minnesota's home opener came even before he started pitching on the 38-degree afternoon.Paxton was standing alone in left field at Target Field, taking a break from his warmup throws...

Barnhart RBI single leads Reds to 3-2 win over RockiesCINCINNATI (AP) Tucker Barnhart hit a tiebreaking single in the sixth inning and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Colorado Rockies 3-2 on Sunday.Barnhart improved to 4 for 5 in two games since returning on Friday after missing 22 games...