MLB

LEADING OFF: Rizzo up 1st, Bellinger on 1st, Santana startsBy The Associated PressA look at what's happening all around the majors Wednesday:---THINKING BIGIn their first season since Dexter Fowler's departure, the Cubs ranked 24th in the majors with a .306 on-base percentage from the leadoff spot. So on Tuesday...

AP Sports WriterYanks' pitcher Pineda, 1B Bird both could face surgeriesBy KYLE HIGHTOWERBOSTON (AP) New York starting pitcher Michael Pineda is mulling over what could be season-ending surgery after being diagnosed with a partial ligament tear in his pitching elbow.General manager Brian Cashman also said Friday that first...

Rangers put Perez on DL after LHP hurts right thumb at hotelNEW YORK (AP) Martin Perez has been placed on the 10-day disabled list after injuring the thumb on his non-pitching hand in an accident at the team hotel, the latest setback for a depleted Texas Rangers rotation.The...

AP Sports WriterHarper has bone bruise, Nats hopeful he's back this seasonBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) The Washington Nationals say Bryce Harper has a ''significant'' bone bruise in his left knee but no ligament damage, and general manager Mike Rizzo is hopeful the star oufielder will be back this...

Team: Rally cat to return to Cardinals after quarantineST. LOUIS (AP) Rally Cat may be coming back to Busch Stadium.The St. Louis Cardinals are taking claim to the now-famous cat that darted across the field during the Aug. 9 game against Kansas City, just moments before Cardinals catcher...

Associated PressBeat the Freeze: Braves' promotional race off and runningBy ANDY BUHLERATLANTA (AP) When Atlanta Braves grounds crewmember Nigel Talton was asked during the offseason if he wanted to race fans as a part of an in-game promotion, he had no idea it was the start of something...

AP Sports Writer'Nap Room' is perk to keep baseball players perkyBy JIMMY GOLENBOSTON (AP) Day-night doubleheaders. Cross-country travel. Rain delays and extra innings.A baseball schedule can play havoc with sleep, but some major league teams are trying to combat the grind of the long season by giving their...

AP Sports WriterHarper has bone bruise, Nats hopeful he's back this seasonBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) The Washington Nationals say Bryce Harper has a ''significant'' bone bruise in his left knee but no ligament damage, and general manager Mike Rizzo is hopeful the star outfielder will be back this...

Chapman may be cleared to start throwing SaturdayNEW YORK (AP) Injured All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman may be cleared by the New York Yankees to start a throwing program on Saturday.Yankees manager Joe Girardi said the reliever is scheduled to see a doctor Friday and the team hopes he...

AP Sports WriterCardinals score 9 in 8th, cool off Cubs with 11-4 winBy JAY COHENCHICAGO (AP) Paul DeJong hit a tiebreaking two-run double in St. Louis' nine-run eighth inning, and the Cardinals cooled off the Chicago Cubs with an 11-4 victory on Friday.Chicago carried a 3-2 lead into...

All-Star ratings up slightly from last year's record lowNEW YORK (AP) Television viewership for the All-Star Game ticked up slightly from last year's record low.The American League's 2-1, 10-inning win at Miami on Tuesday got a 5.5 national rating, 11 share and average audience of 9.28 million on...

AP Sports WriterAll-Star closer Kintzler joins Nationals, bolsters bullpenBy STEVEN WINEMIAMI (AP) All-Star closer Brandon Kintzler has joined the Washington Nationals and shared with manager Dusty Baker his backstory, including three seasons pitching - and even selling tickets - in independent leagues.Baker described the conversation as ''very interesting''...