MLB

Associated PressBell's homer sends Pirates to sweep of OriolesBy ALAN SAUNDERSPITTSBURGH (AP) With four games remaining in their season, the Pittsburgh Pirates will likely finish next-to-last in the majors in home runs.But rookie first baseman Josh Bell is a sign for hope in the future. Bell hit a...

Associated PressMets OF Conforto has tear in shoulder, injured taking swingBy SCOTT ORGERANEW YORK (AP) Mets outfielder Michael Conforto dislocated his left shoulder and suffered a tear while swinging at a pitch Thursday, and will go the disabled list.Hours after New York lost to Arizona 3-2, the team...

AP Sports WriterReports: Otani likely to sign with MLB in costly moveBy JIM ARMSTRONGTOKYO (AP) Shohei Otani is likely to leave Japan and sign with a Major League Baseball team after this season, multiple reports in Japanese media said Wednesday, a move that would cost the 23-year-old pitcher...

AP Sports WriterMartinez homers 4 times as Diamondbacks beat Dodgers 13-0By BETH HARRISLOS ANGELES (AP) J.D. Martinez tied a major league record by slugging four of Arizona's six home runs, helping the Diamondbacks beat the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers 13-0 on Monday night for their 11th straight...

LEADING OFF: Yankees-Indians in Game 5, Cubs try to zap NatsBy The Associated PressA look at what's happening all around the majors today:---HIGH-5It's all or nothing when the Cleveland Indians host the New York Yankees in the decisive Game 5 of the AL Division Series (8:08 p.m. EDT). Corey...

Flores leaves game after fouling ball off faceHOUSTON (AP) New York Mets third baseman Wilmer Flores left Saturday night's game against the Houston Astros after fouling a ball off his face.Flores was batting in the fourth inning when he fouled a ball from pitcher Brad Peacock and it...

AP Baseball WriterNationals first to clinch, but more will follow soonBy NOAH TRISTERThe Washington Nationals became the first major league team to clinch a postseason spot when they wrapped up the NL East on Sunday.They'll have plenty of company in the playoff picture soon enough.The Nationals lead their division...

LEADING OFF: Will Romine play 9? Plus Marlins return homeBy The Associated PressA look at what's happening all around the majors today:---ROAMING ROMINE?Tigers manager Brad Ausmus says he may play Andrew Romine at all nine positions during one of Detroit's games this week against Oakland. Romine has played everywhere...

Shohei Otani to have surgery on right ankle on ThursdayTOKYO (AP) Japanese baseball player Shohei Otani will have right ankle surgery on Thursday.The reigning Pacific League MVP, in his fifth season with the Nippon Ham Fighters, is prized as both a pitcher and hitter. He is likely to...

AP Sports WriterIncredible Indians romp, roll on 17-game winning streakBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) Over two hours before the game's first pitch, the mood inside the clubhouse of baseball's hottest team is almost fraternity-house loose.Championship-level chill.In one corner, All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor smiles while peeling off his backpack and...

Padres sign pitcher Clayton Richard to $6M, 2-year contractSAN DIEGO (AP) The rebuilding San Diego Padres and left-hander Clayton Richard agreed to a $6 million, two-year contract Wednesday that runs through 2019.The 34-year-old Richard is the oldest player on the team, which doesn't envision being competitive until 2019...

MLB's schedule opens March 29, earliest regular startNEW YORK (AP) The 2018 Major League Baseball season will begin on March 29, the earliest start in the sport's history excluding international openers.All teams will play on opening day for the first time since 1968, the last year before the...