MLB

Ex-Pirates infielder Kang banned 1 year by Korean leagueSEOUL, South Korea (AP) The Korean Baseball Organization has suspended ex-Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Jung Ho Kang for a year and ordered him to perform 300 hours of community service over a series drunk driving cases.South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported...

Associated PressRangers activate DeShields from concussion DLBy CHARLES O'BRIENNEW YORK (AP) The Texas Rangers have activated outfielder Delino DeShields from the seven-day concussion disabled list before their series finale against the New York Yankees.DeShields was batting ninth Sunday and playing center field.In a corresponding move, Texas optioned outfielder/infielder...

AP Sports WriterA's to place scouts on furlough, end minor league payBy JOSH DUBOWThe Oakland Athletics are placing their scouts and a significant number of other front office employees on furlough, suspending pay for minor leaguers and cutting the salaries of other executives as part of a cost-cutting move...

Familia's preference was a return to the MetsNEW YORK (AP) Jeurys Familia would rather be a setup man for the New York Mets than close for another team.Familia had 123 saves for the Mets, who traded him to Oakland last July. He instructed agents Sam and Seth Levinson...

AP Baseball WriterHosmer, Perez lift AL to 4-2 All-Star win, Series home fieldBy RONALD BLUMSAN DIEGO (AP) Eric Hosmer and Salvador Perez made sure the Kansas City Royals will start at home, sweet home, if they get a chance to defend their World Series title.The Royals duo homered...

Pirates' Pablo Reyes banned 80 games for positive drug testNEW YORK (AP) The Pittsburgh Pirates' Pablo Reyes was suspended 80 games on Wednesday under the major league drug program following a positive test for the performance-enhancing drug Boldenone.He became the second player in three days suspended for Boldenone, which...

LEADING OFF: Stanton tries for 7 straight; Miller on rehabBy The Associated PressA look at what's happening all around the majors Wednesday:---RECORD CHASEStreaking slugger Giancarlo Stanton tries to hit a home run in his seventh straight game when the Marlins host the Giants. Struggling right-hander Matt Cain (3-9, 5.22...

AP Sports WriterLester pitches Cubs past Brewers 4-1 for series winBy JAY COHENCHICAGO (AP) Pitching in the rain for most of a cold Sunday night, Jon Lester gave the Chicago Cubs everything he had.It was more than enough.Lester worked his way through 6 2/3 innings, Kris Bryant hit...

LEADING OFF: Braves streaking, Harper on paternity leaveBy The Associated PressA look at what's happening around the majors today:BREEZIN'Despite tying a major league record by striking out 26 times, the Braves kept their winning streak going. The NL East leaders outlasted the Mets 2-1 in 14 innings Friday night...

BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) Major League Baseball hopes to play regular-season games in Europe within five years and return to Mexico for the first time since 1999.Rob Manfred, who took over as commissioner from Bud Selig in January, has made expansion of international play a priority.''I think the...

AP Sports WriterMets' Travis d'Arnaud tears elbow ligament, surgery possibleBy STEVEN WINEMIAMI (AP) The New York Mets noticed a recent drop-off in catcher Travis d'Arnaud's throwing, and now they know why.D'Arnaud went on the disabled list for the fifth consecutive year Wednesday with a partial tear of the...

AP Sports WriterA's clinch wild card spot, tied with Rays after loss to M'sBy TIM BOOTHSEATTLE (AP) The Oakland Athletics wrapped up a playoff spot before the first pitch, then missed a chance to move closer to hosting next week's AL wild-card game when closer Liam Hendriks gave...