ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Orioles closer Zach Britton is ready to start a minor-league rehabilitation assignment this coming week after throwing a two-inning simulated game before Saturday's game at the Tampa Bay Rays.

Britton, who had surgery to repair a ruptured right Achilles tendon in December, took his final step before a rehab assignment ...Read more

MIAMI -- When Martin Prado limped across first base on Friday night, he felt a sharp pain in his left hamstring, an untimely and unfortunate malady that rippled through the Marlins dugout. Don Mattingly's emotions dropped. Miguel Rojas empathized with his mentor.

Prado is the captain of the Marlins, the leader in the clubhouse and the veteran ...Read more

NEW YORK -- The at-bat ended with a grounder to shortstop, a play about as ho-hum routine as baseball has to offer.

But nothing was ho hum or routine about Aroldis Chapman firing triple-digit fumes to the sport's reigning phenomenon, Shohei Ohtani. Chapman was brought in for a four-out save and specifically to battle Ohtani, left-hander against...Read more

SEATTLE--As the Seattle Mariners wait for their offense to resurface from it hitting hiatus, it helps to be able to roll out one of the best starting pitchers to help ease the return.

Starting pitcher James Paxton delivered yet another brilliant performance in a month filled with them to lead the Mariners to a solid 2-1 victory over the ...Read more

LOS ANGELES--You might soon be able to bet on baseball in California, but there are some bets you would not have taken in spring training. You would have dismissed them as prop bets proposed by your wacky uncle.

The Milwaukee Brewers would have the best record in the National League? Not taking that bet.

The Dodgers would throw a no-hitter, ...Read more

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Oakland A's manager Bob Melvin had hoped Arizona's struggles at the plate would continue for a few more days, but as Sean Manaea found out, that slump might be over.

Manaea was pummeled by the Diamondbacks for his worst outing of the season, allowing a season-high six runs on eight hits with two walks and just two strikeouts ...Read more

MIAMI -- The curse continues to follow Jose Urena.

Urena, the Marlins' unlucky, ill-fated, unfortunate right-hander hadn't started a Miami victory in any of his last dozen outings. Despite a mortal performance from Nationals starter Max Scherzer and six solid innings from Urena, the Marlins suffered a 9-5 loss to Washington on Friday night, ...Read more

CLEVELAND -- Two innings. Eleven runs allowed. Another blown lead. Another calamitous effort.

The Indians were able to hold an explosive Houston Astros quiet for seven innings before the bullpen was decimated in an 11-2 loss Friday night at Progressive Field.

Corey Kluber delivered 61/3 scoreless innings, allowing seven hits and striking out ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA -- For all the numbers-crunching and the metrics and the math, the winning formula has been rather elementary lately for the Phillies. Day after day, week after week, they have given the ball to a starting pitcher who, in turn, has thrown it effectively.

Phillies starters have allowed no more than one run in 14 games this month, ...Read more

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Through three major-league starts, the Orioles have seen glimpses of David Hess' promise and also what he's trying to learn in order to survive big-league lineups. Both were on display in the Orioles' series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night at Tropicana Field.

Sure, there haven't been many exciting ...Read more

BOSTON -- Plenty of big-league teams make pitchers pay for hanging breaking balls, but no team is more likely to right now than the Red Sox, who hit four home runs to overcome an early two-run deficit and roll to a 6-2 series-opening win over the Braves on Friday night at Fenway Park.

J.D. Martinez and Xander Bogaerts hit fourth-inning homers ...Read more

Of course, it was with the Rays.

If the Mariners were going to make a trade to address the obvious needs of bullpen and outfield depth this early in the season, why not make a deal with their favorite trade partners?

For the ninth time since he's been general manager with the Mariners, Jerry Dipoto made a trade with the Rays. And it wasn't an ...Read more

PITTSBURGH -- John Gant made a determined bid to remain in the Cardinals' rotation, or at least on their staff, with a brilliant outing through five innings Friday night at PNC Park.

It is commonly assumed that Alex Reyes, who torched minor-league hitters in four starts on the medical rehabilitation program, will take Gant's next turn in ...Read more

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Tim Lincecum may not be ready to join the Texas Rangers on Monday, the first available day he could come off the disabled list.

The right-handed veteran's rehab assignment goes through June 5, which will force Texas to make a decision, barring another injury requiring more DL time. He can't continue to pitch on a rehab once ...Read more