MLB

LEADING OFF: Hitters slumping, cutdown day, Scherzer's exitBy The Associated PressA look at what's happening around the majors on Thursday:OFF BASEStar hitters Christian Yelich, Gary Sanchez, Hunter Pence and others are slumping badly in a season where hitters across the majors are struggling to find base hits. The league-wide...

Nats ace Scherzer leaves start vs Mets after just 1 inningWASHINGTON (AP) Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer left his start for the Nationals against the New York Mets after just one inning Wednesday night.Washington did not immediately announce why Scherzer was taken out of the game...

AP Sports WriterFrancona still not managing Indians due to medical conditionBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) Indians manager Terry Francona remains absent from the team to get rest while dealing with a gastrointestinal issue that he's battled for months.Francona will miss his fourth game in a row Wednesday night when...

AP Sports WriterCardinals return to St. Louis, get in workout ahead of gamesBy DAVE SKRETTAThe St. Louis Cardinals returned to the field for light workouts Wednesday, nearly a week after an outbreak of COVID-19 forced the club and its staff members to quarantine in Milwaukee and set the rest...

AP Sports WriterFrancona still not managing Indians due to medical conditionBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) Indians manager Terry Francona remains absent from the team to get rest while dealing with a gastrointestinal issue that he's battled for months.Francona will miss his fourth straight game Wednesday night when the Indians...

Braves place Adams, Albies on IL, reinstate MarkakisATLANTA (AP) The Atlanta Braves are facing lineup changes after placing second baseman Ozzie Albies and designated hitter Matt Adams on the 10-day injured list.In another move on Wednesday, outfielder Nick Markakis was reinstated from the restricted list. Markakis announced on...

Juan Soto to make 2020 debut for Nationals, batting cleanupWASHINGTON (AP) Juan Soto was set to make his 2020 debut for the Washington Nationals on Wednesday night against the New York Mets, starting in left field and batting cleanup after beginning the season on the COVID-19 injured list.The...

Braves place Adams, Albies on IL, reinstate MarkakisATLANTA (AP) The Atlanta Braves are facing lineup changes after placing second baseman Ozzie Albies and designated hitter Matt Adams on the 10-day injured list.In another move on Wednesday, outfielder Nick Markakis was reinstated from the restricted list. Markakis announced on...

AP Baseball WriterStaying sharp a concern during virus-induced layoffsBy NOAH TRISTERIn baseball, a day off is something to savor.A whole series is a different matter.''I think in baseball, it's very routine-oriented, and you start interrupting routines, it gets a little hairy,'' Detroit manager Ron Gardenhire said. ''We'll just ad-lib...

AP Sports WriterAngels' Ohtani wants to keep pitching despite arm troublesBy TIM BOOTHSEATTLE (AP) Shohei Ohtani still wants to be a two-way player for the Los Angeles Angels despite having another season cut short on the mound due to arm troubles.Ohtani won't pitch again this year after being...

LEADING OFF: Hitters slumping, cutdown day, Scherzer's exitBy The Associated PressA look at what's happening around the majors on Thursday:OFF BASEStar hitters Christian Yelich, Gary Sanchez, Hunter Pence and others are slumping badly in a season where hitters across the majors are struggling to find base hits. The league-wide...

AP Sports WriterDone for the year: Braves ace Soroka felled by torn AchillesBy PAUL NEWBERRYATLANTA (AP) When Mike Soroka's teammates heard him scream, they feared the worst.When they saw him being helped off the field, unable to put any weight on his right leg, they knew it was...