TREVOR BAUER

Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Mookie Betts says he hopes major league teams consider signing pitcher Trevor Bauer this winter.

Attorneys for former major league pitcher Trevor Bauer say he and a woman who accused him of beating and sexually assaulting her in 2021 have settled their legal dispute.

Julio Urías was placed on administrative leave indefinitely by Major League Baseball, three days after the Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher was arrested on suspicion of corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant.

Wander Franco has been placed on administrative leave indefinitely by Major League Baseball while authorities in the Dominican Republic investigate the Tampa Bay Rays' All-Star shortstop for an alleged relationship with a minor.

Trevor Bauer pitched his first game in just over 22 months and scattered seven hits over 7 innings and got a 4-1 victory against the Hiroshima Carp before a record crowd of 33,202.

Former Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer is about to start his first game for his new team — the Yokohama BayStars.

Trevor Bauer has pitched in his second minor-league game in Japan.

Shunned by major league clubs, Trevor Bauer pitched his first competitive game in almost two years on Sunday with the Yokohama BayStars minor league team in nearby Yokosuka, Japan.

The Trevor Bauer era in Japan began Friday at an introductory news conference with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars.

Trevor Bauer was released by the Los Angeles Dodgers, who cut ties after the pitcher’s unprecedented 324-game suspension over sexual misconduct allegations was reduced by an arbitrator.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are cutting ties with pitcher Trevor Bauer, whose unprecedented 324-game suspension over sexual misconduct allegations was reduced two weeks ago, allowing him to resume his career with the start of the new season.

Trevor Bauer has been reinstated by Major League Baseball’s independent arbitrator, allowing the pitcher to resume his career at the start of the 2023 season.

A San Diego woman who alleges Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer sexually abused her has filed a countersuit to his defamation claim, alleging the baseball star beat her and left her bruised.

A San Diego woman who alleges Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer beat and sexually abused her has denied that any of the accusations were “false, fabricated, or bogus,” her attorneys said in a court filing.

The NFL insisted on an indefinite suspension while Deshaun Watson’s legal team argued there’s no basis for that punishment as both sides presented their cases in front of a retired judge in Delaware on Tuesday, two people in attendance told The Associated Press.

Hunter Greene allowed a bunt single to begin the game and then faced the minimum through seven innings, retiring his final 20 batters as the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-0 in a rain-shortened game.

The Los Angeles Dodgers opened the season with an all-time high $310.6 million payroll for purposes of the luxury tax and are on track to pay a record tax of nearly $47 million.

The hearing on Trevor Bauer’s attempt to overturn his unprecedented two-year suspension under Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy has begun before an arbitrator.

A person familiar with the hearing has told The Associated Press that Trevor Bauer’s arbitration appeal of his two-year suspension under Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy has been scheduled to start May 23.

Trevor Bauer is keeping up the fight to protect his pitching career, reputation and earning power in the face of his unpaid, two-season suspension by Major League Baseball.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer was given an unprecedented two-season suspension without pay by Major League Baseball for violating the league’s domestic violence and sexual assault policy, a charge he denied.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer has sued the woman who accused him of sexual assault in federal court in a move that came less than three months after prosecutors decided not to file criminal charges against the athlete.

The average salary in the major leagues rebounded to $4.4 million on opening day, boosted by a frenzy of free agent signings before and after the 99-day lockout, according to a study of baseball contracts by The Associated Press.

Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer will miss the start of the season after his administrative leave was extended through April 16 by Major League Baseball and the players’ association.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer’s administrative leave was extended for a week by Major League Baseball and the players’ association.

Los Angeles prosecutors won’t charge Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer for allegedly beating and sexually abusing a woman he met through social media.

Major League Baseball payrolls dropped 4% in 2021 compared to the league’s last full season, and the $4.05 billion total was the lowest in a fully completed year since 2015.

World Series MVP Jorge Soler, Freddie Freeman and Eddie Rosario of the champion Atlanta Braves are among 160 players who became free agents as an uncertain offseason started with a lockout threat looming.

Two missing Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers earn nearly as much as the entire Tampa Bay Rays’ major league roster heading into the playoffs.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer will miss the rest of the season.

Police have presented to prosecutors their investigation of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer.

A Los Angeles judge sided with Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer and denied a restraining order to a woman who said he choked her into unconsciousness and punched her repeatedly during two sexual encounters.

A woman seeking a five-year restraining order against Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer testified that she expressed satisfaction to friends when the case went public because she was not being attacked in the media, not because she wanted to take Bauer down.

An attorney for Trevor Bauer asked a woman why she left out “dozens of key facts” in her petition for a five-year restraining order against the Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher.

A woman testified that she felt like her soul left her body and she was terrified when Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer began punching her during sex on a night they spent at his house in May.

The Washington Post has reported that an Ohio woman sought a protective order against Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer last year after accusing him of punching and choking her without consent while they were having sex.

Trevor Bauer’s administrative leave has been extended for seven days through Aug. 13 by Major League Baseball and the players’ association while the sport’s investigators check into allegations of sexual misconduct against the Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer appeared in court to fight the extension of a protective order sought by a woman who says he sexually assaulted her.

The Los Angeles Dodgers waited 32 years to win the World Series again.

Trevor Bauer’s administrative leave was extended by nearly two weeks through July 27 by Major League Baseball and the players’ association while the sport’s investigators check into allegations of sexual misconduct against the Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher.

The Houston Astros have planned a weekend of giveaway items at Minute Maid Park that’s sure to pique the interest of the visiting New York Yankees.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have canceled Trevor Bauer’s bobblehead night and pulled his merchandise from their team stores in the wake of allegations of sexual misconduct against the Cy Young Award-winning pitcher.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expects pitcher Trevor Bauer to be out beyond the seven-day administrative leave imposed by Major League Baseball slated to end Friday.

Mookie Betts hit a go-ahead single during a nine-run in the seventh inning after Washington ace Max Scherzer departed, and the Los Angeles Dodgers surged past the Nationals 10-5 for their seventh straight win.

Trevor Bauer was placed on administrative leave by Major League Baseball three days after an allegation of assault was made against the Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher.

President Joe Biden has hosted the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers at the White House.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says pitcher Trevor Bauer is still on track to start Sunday against the Washington Nationals while police and Major League Baseball investigate an assault allegation made against the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner.

Police say they are investigating an allegation of assault against Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer and an attorney for the accuser says the woman has obtained a protection order.

Trent Grisham drew a go-ahead, bases-loaded walk with one out in the eighth and the San Diego Padres hit three solo homers off Trevor Bauer and beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3 for their first three-game sweep of the NL West rivals in eight seasons.

Jake Cronenworth and rookie Kim Ha-seong homered off Clayton Kershaw, Blake Snell pitched five scoreless innings and the San Diego Padres got their third straight win against the rival Los Angeles Dodgers, 3-2.

Jonah Heim and Nate Lowe had two-run homers among their three hits apiece, Kolby Allard pitched five scoreless innings of five-hit ball and the Texas Rangers emphatically snapped their 16-game road losing streak with a 12-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Four minor league pitchers have been suspended this season by Major League Baseball after being caught using illegal foreign substances to doctor baseballs.

Chris Taylor drove in three runs with a tiebreaking double that capped a 14-pitch at-bat in the sixth inning, rallying the Los Angeles Dodgers past the St. Louis Cardinals 9-4 to snap a three-game skid.

Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa and Aledmys Díaz homered, and the Houston Astros stopped a four-game slide by topping Trevor Bauer and the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-2.

Both the Yankees and Mets are set to host doubleheaders in New York on Thursday after their games were postponed by lousy weather Wednesday night.

Trevor Bauer threw seven shutout innings and struck out 10, Max Muncy had three hits and the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Miami Marlins 7-0 to extend their winning streak to four.

Clayton Kershaw lasted one inning in the shortest start of his stellar career in the opener, Trevor Bauer didn’t get through the fifth in the nightcap, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3 to sweep a split doubleheader.

The Dodgers and Brewers begin a four-game set between NL division leaders in Milwaukee.

Fernando Tatís Jr. scored on Eric Hosmer’s sacrifice fly in the 11th inning and the San Diego Padres rallied from a late six-run deficit for an 8-7 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Corey Seager’s two-run single in the sixth inning provided the go-ahead runs and the Los Angeles Dodgers overcame another two-homer night by Fernando Tatis Jr. to defeat the San Diego Padres 5-4.

Los Angeles right-hander Walker Buehler starts the opener of a four-game series against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on Thursday.

Los Angeles right-hander Walker Buehler starts the opener of a four-game series against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on Thursday.

Eric Hosmer delivered the tying and go-ahead RBIs in the seventh and eighth innings, helping the San Diego Padres beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-2 to avoid a sweep in the first series of the year between the NL West rivals.

The average major league salary dropped nearly 5% to more than $4.1 million on opening day from the start of the previous full season in 2019.

Both winless teams in the majors are defending division champions.

Trevor Bauer lost his no-hit bid and his shutout during the seventh inning in his Los Angeles Dodgers debut against the Colorado Rockies.

The reigning World Series champions already had a pair of Cy Young Award winners in Clayton Kershaw and David Price. Darvish has twice finished runner-up for a Cy Young Award, including last season when he was 8-3 with a 2.01 ERA in 12 starts. Lester is a three-time World Series champion, winning twice with Boston and once with the Cubs. He’s part of a rotation led by three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer, 2019 World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg and lefty Patrick Corbin. Bradley was a Gold Glove winner in 2018 when the Red Sox won the World Series.

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)What’s that piece of advice Little League coaches always tell their kids -- keep your eye on the ball, right? After giving up a single to San Diego leadoff man Jurickson Profar and then walking Tommy Pham, Bauer posted a shutout. Bauer wound up pitching three scoreless innings with the creative approach, striking out three while allowing two hits and a walk. Known for speaking his mind and going his own way, Bauer said he regularly shuts one eye during bullpen sessions and other workouts. Sandy Alcantara made his second start for Miami, striking out six in 2 1/3 innings.

Bieber bounced back with a pair of strikeouts, but Nick Heath hit a single to put the Royals up 3-0. DODGERS 10, ROCKIES 0 (6 INNINGS)Trevor Bauer, pitching for the first time since signing a $102 million, three-year contract, debuted in Dodger blue with two scoreless innings. Jameson Taillon followed with a scoreless inning. CUBS 1, PADRES 0 (7)Chicago starter Kyle Hendricks struck out two in two scoreless innings. BREWERS 7, DIAMONDBACKS 1 (8)Corbin Burnes and Freddy Peralta each threw a scoreless inning for Milwaukee before Jordan Zimmermann gave up a run.

This photo from a Zoom press conference shows New York Mets President Sandy Alderson, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020. Alderson returned as team president Friday when Steve Cohen bought the Mets from the Wilpon and Katz families. Two higher-profile incidents both involved women, including a college student who accused the 30-year-old Bauer of harassing her online. We understood what the risks were associated with some of the social media stuff. Alderson said he never spoke directly with Bauer but talked with the pitcher’s agent about the social media presence and the need for Bauer to take responsibility for it.

(AP Photo/Ron Schwane, file)When Joe Musgrove reported to spring training to start his sixth big league season, a brown and gold No. 44 San Diego Padres jersey was hanging in his locker. 44 is a nod to Jake Peavy, the fiery right-hander Musgrove grew up cheering for. "The last few days here, it just feels right.”Musgrove was obtained in a trade with rebuilding Pittsburgh on Jan. 19, the third big trade Padres general manager A.J. Musgrove said he was an energetic and emotional player as a kid, which is why he idolized Peavy, the 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner.

FILE - Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Trevor Bauer delivers against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning of a baseball game in Chicago, in this Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020, file photo. Trevor Bauer is coming home to pitch for the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner announced his decision on Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, in a two-minute video posted to his Twitter account. LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers have finalized a three-year deal with NL Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer. He announced his decision last Friday in a two-minute video posted to his social media accounts.

Trevor Bauer is coming home to pitch for the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner announced his decision on Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, in a two-minute video posted to his Twitter account. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster, File)LOS ANGELES – Trevor Bauer is coming home to pitch for the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner announced his decision on Friday in a two-minute video posted to his Twitter account. He gives the club a third Cy Young winner, joining three-time winner Clayton Kershaw and 2012 winner Price.

FILE - In this Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020 file photo, Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Alex Cobb throws a pitch to the Boston Red Sox during the first inning of a baseball game in Baltimore. The Los Angeles Angels have acquired veteran right-hander Alex Cobb from the Baltimore Orioles in a trade for prospect Jahmai Jones, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Los Angeles Angels acquired veteran right-hander Alex Cobb from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for prospect Jahmai Jones. Los Angeles also has Shohei Ohtani, Jaime Barria and Patrick Sandoval as possible rotation members. The trade is the third in 14 months between Baltimore and Los Angeles, with the Angels thrice getting proven major leaguers in exchange for prospects.

Free agent catcher James McCann and the New York Mets were close to completing a $40 million, four-year contract Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, as the team continues to upgrade its roster under new owner Steve Cohen. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)NEW YORK – Free agent catcher James McCann and the New York Mets were close to completing a $40 million, four-year contract Saturday as the team continues to upgrade its roster under new owner Steve Cohen. McCann was an All-Star with the White Sox in 2019 when he hit .273 with 18 home runs and 60 RBIs. Last week, the Mets signed free agent reliever Trevor May to a $15.5 million, two-year deal. He was regarded as the second-best catcher on the free agent market behind J.T.

Freeman easily won the NL MVP award Thursday, Nov. 12, topping off a trying year that saw him become so ill with COVID-19 he prayed please dont take me. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)NEW YORK – National League MVP Freddie Freeman was one of three Atlanta Braves selected to the All-MLB first team on Wednesday night. San Diego had two players on the top team: shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. and third baseman Manny Machado. AL MVP José Abreu of the Chicago White Sox was the first baseman on the second team, which also included Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto, Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe, Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager and Indians third baseman José Ramírez.

Bieber won the AL Cy Young Award on Wednesday night, Nov. 11, 2020. The right-handers had the same Las Vegas odds for the Cy Young Award. They are the third pair of former teammates to win Cy Young Awards in the same season, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom was third, falling short in his bid for a third consecutive Cy Young Award. Bieber gave Cleveland its fifth Cy Young Award since CC Sabathia won in 2007.

Gausman and Mets pitcher Marcus Stroman accepted $18.9 million qualifying offers Wednesday, Nov. 11, receiving one-year deals to stay with their teams rather than test what they could get in free agency. Qualifying offers began after the 2012 season, and only 10 of 96 offers have been accepted. Stroman was acquired by the Mets from Toronto in July 2019 for left-hander Anthony Kay and minor league right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson. Gausman has a 50-66 record and 4.26 ERA in nine seasons with Baltimore, Atlanta and San Francisco. Tomlin gets a $1 million salary next season, and the deal includes a $1.25 million club option with a $250,000 buyout.

(AP Photo/Eric Gay)Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts could become the second player to win the MVP award in each league, and New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom is in the running for his third consecutive NL Cy Young Award. Betts, Freddie Freeman and Manny Machado are the top finishers for NL MVP in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. DeGrom, Trevor Bauer and Yu Darvish are the finalists in the NL Cy Young race. Betts, who won the 2018 AL MVP award with Boston, helped the Dodgers win the World Series last week for the first time since 1988. Frank Robinson is the only player to win the MVP award in both leagues, accomplishing the feat in 1961 with Cincinnati and 1966 for Baltimore.

Springer, New York Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu and Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto were among just six free agents who received $18.9 million qualifying offers on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, from their former teams. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)NEW YORK – Houston outfielder George Springer, New York Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu and Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto were among just six free agents who received $18.9 million qualifying offers on Sunday from their former teams. Arizona exercised a $4.25 million option on pitcher Merrill Kelly rather than pay a $500,000 buyout, and Baltiore exercised a $3.5 million option on shortstop José Iglesias rather than pay a $500,000 buyout.

Chicago White Sox pitcher Matt Foster walks to the dugout after retiring the Oakland Athletics during the fourth inning of Game 3 of an American League wild-card baseball series Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

Then there were teams like the Indians and Chicago White Sox, whose seasons are over in large part because of control problems that popped up at the worst possible time. The Atlanta-Cincinnati contest was the first postseason game to be scoreless after 11 innings. The Chicago White Sox know all about that problem. The White Sox ended up using nine pitchers and Oakland used eight. The A's won 6-4, helped along the way when Matt Foster walked in two Oakland runs in the fourth.

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:___TRY AGAINThe Cubs and Marlins resume their series a day after poor weather caused a postponement at Wrigley Field. He wasn’t in the starting lineup for Thursday’s postponed game, but manager Don Mattingly had not ruled out using him. The ace right-hander was a steady presence for the Cubs throughout the pandemic-shortened season, joining the NL Cy Young Award conversation. The Marlins will counter with 22-year-old Sixto Sánchez, who debuted Aug. 22 and posted a 3.46 ERA in seven starts. “That’s the thing.”The Braves won’t play again until Tuesday, when they’ll open an NL Division Series against either the Cubs or Marlins in Houston.

The Atlanta Braves won 1-0. Eight postseason games, all set to start in a span of around 10 hours. For much of the 20th century, baseball had a maximum of seven games in any single postseason. “Our country needs it, it’s very therapeutic,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before his team's night game against Milwaukee. The Marlins have never lost a postseason series.

Atlanta Braves Freddie Freeman (5) celebrates driving in the game-winning run against the Cincinnati Reds in the 13th inning during Game 1 of a National League wild-card baseball series, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Braves won 1-0. The East champion Braves won a postseason opener for the first time since Game 1 of the 2001 NL Division Series. In Game 5 of the 2019 NL Division Series, Atlanta gave up a record 10 runs to the St. Louis Cardinals in their first at-bat. Braves: There were injury concerns after Atlanta's last series of the regular season, but everyone was good to go in the playoffs.

(AP Photo/John Bazemore)ATLANTA – The Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves are playing the longest scoreless game in postseason history. Wednesday's opening game of the NL wild-card series was the first in postseason history to be scoreless through 11 innings. The scoreless streak was extended through 12 innings. The teams combined for a postseason record 35 strikeouts through 12 innings, and every batter that has come to the plate has struck out at least once after the Reds' Nick Castellanos became strikeout victim No. For the postseason, baseball has set aside the new extra-innings rule it instituted for the pandemic-delayed regular season.

(AP Photo/Aaron Doster)A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday:___CRAZY EIGHTHow’s this for wild: MLB is set to stage eight postseason games on the same day for the first time. National League clubs will open their best-of-three wild-card series, while four American League teams are already facing elimination after starting Tuesday. With the expansion of the first round from a pair of wild-card games to eight best-of-three series, there are a maximum 65 possible postseason games this year. In the 1960s, there were 66 postseason games in the entire decade, with league championship series starting in 1969. Dallas Keuchel (6-2, 1.99 ERA) starts Game 2 following a successful first season with Chicago.

The .245 big league batting average was the the lowest since .237 in 1968 and down from .252 last year. LeMahieu hit .364 for the New York Yankees, the highest for an AL batting champion since Minnesota’s Joe Mauer hit .365 in 2009 and well ahead of 2019 AL batting champion Tim Anderson of the Chicago White Sox, who finished second at .322. LeMahieu won the NL batting title with Colorado in 2016. “You've got to just roll with it.”Soto batted .351 for Washington and at 21 years, 11 months, 2 days became the youngest NL batting champion. Bieber and the Chicago Cubs’ Yu Darvish tied for the major league lead in wins with eight.

If St. Louis loses and San Francisco wins, the Cardinals would make up two games against Detroit on Monday that were postponed this season due to St. Louis' coronavirus outbreak. Brewers (29-30) — Qualify with a victory over St. Louis, or with losses by the Giants and Phillies. If the Giants and Cardinals win, San Francisco needs St. Louis to lose both games against the Tigers on Monday. A career .279 hitter, he had 244 home runs and 942 RBIs for Houston, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Texas. “He had a tremendous career, did a ton for the community in San Francisco and obviously for the San Francisco Giants,” Kapler said.

(AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)A look at what's happening around the majors on Saturday:PLAYOFF CHASEAfter manager Don Mattingly’s Marlins and the Cincinnati Reds clinched postseason spots, two NL playoff slots are still open with two days left in the regular season. They are hoping to get back on track heading into their playoff appearance since 2008, but the health of Jiménez is a concern. Acquired last month in a big trade with Cleveland, Clevinger left his start against the Angels on Wednesday after just one inning. “We have not ruled out anything for next week and the first round of the playoffs,” Padres general manager A.J. If Clevinger can’t pitch the playoff opener, Dinelson Lamet could start.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Mike Clevinger works against a Los Angeles Angels batter during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in San Diego. Clevinger was suddenly pulled after only one inning of his start Wednesday and sent for an MRI on his right biceps. A NEW ERANo Brewers pitcher has won an ERA title -- Corbin Burnes could become the first. The 25-year-old righty starts at St. Louis with a 1.77 ERA, barely behind Cincinnati’s Trevor Bauer (1.73). Both pitchers are among the AL ERA leaders.

Cincinnati’s Trevor Bauer (1.80) is third and starts at home against the Brewers in a matchup of NL playoff contenders. Atlanta won its third straight NL East title with an 11-1 romp over the contending Marlins. After losses in 10 straight postseason appearances, the Braves are desperate to end the drought. There’s so much to be proud of from my point of view.”STUMBLINGThe Phillies have lost in four, dropping them out of NL playoff position. After getting in a doubleheader in Washington, they’ll try to regain their winning touch when Zach Eflin (3-2, 4.28 ERA) starts against Erick Fedde (2-3, 4.36) at Nationals Park.

The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner says he needs Tommy John surgery, likely putting him out of action through all of next year. “I tried as hard as I could to come back and play this season,” Verlander said. “Unfortunately, my body just didn’t cooperate.”The Astros hold the eighth and final spot in the AL playoff race. Verlander went 21-6 with a 2.58 ERA last year, striking out a career-high 300 and throwing his third no-hitter. His top competitors are likely two-time defending winner Jacob deGrom of the Mets, Atlanta’s Max Fried and Cincinnati’s Trevor Bauer.

Forecasters are calling for smoke to reach very unhealthy levels in Western Washington through at least Thursday. There have been smoky skies in the Bay Area, too, but the air quality has remained OK. The smoke level reached a level of very unhealthy on the air quality index, even with the roof closed at T-Mobile Park. After signing a one-year contract with Atlanta in December, Hamels arrived at spring training with a sore shoulder. And at a good time for a team that's leading the NL East despite several injuries to its pitching staff.

Forecasters are calling for smoke to reach very unhealthy levels in Western Washington through at least Thursday. There have been smoky skies in the Bay Area, too, but the air quality has remained OK. The smoke level reached a level of very unhealthy on the air quality index, even with the roof closed at T-Mobile Park. After signing a one-year contract with Atlanta in December, Hamels arrived at spring training with a sore shoulder. And at a good time for a team that's leading the NL East despite several injuries to its pitching staff.

Los Angeles ace Clayton Kershaw (5-1, 1.98) faces emerging Padres right-hander Dinelson Lamet (2-1, 2.24) in the first of three games at Petco Park. WINDY WEEKThe Minnesota Twins begin a weeklong stay in Chicago, taking on a pair of first-place teams. José Berríos (4-3, 4.40 ERA) starts the opener of a four-game series at Guaranteed Rate Field, trailing the White Sox by one game in the AL Central. The White Sox have won four in a row. After finishing on the South Side, the Twins will move to Wrigley Field next weekend to play the NL Central-leading Cubs.

A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday:___PAIR OF ACESYu Darvish and Trevor Bauer pitch at Wrigley Field in a matchup of ace right-handers headed in different directions. Darvish, one of the front-runners for the NL Cy Young Award, is going for his eighth straight victory for the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs. BRONX BLUESThe Yankees turn to rookie right-hander Deivi Garcia (0-1, 3.38) in the finale of a critical series against the Blue Jays. We all know were capable of more, significantly more, both individually and collectively.Right-hander Tanner Roark (2-1, 5.74) is set to pitch for second-place Toronto. With so many franchises struggling financially after the 2020 minor league season was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, contraction now seems likely.

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Trevor Bauer and catcher Curt Casali celebrate after game two of a baseball doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020, in Kansas City, Mo. Trevor Bauer pitched seven innings of one-hit ball, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Kansas City Royals 5-0 on Wednesday night to split a doubleheader marked by strong starting pitching. In the opener of the two seven-inning games, Brad Keller didn't allow a hit until the sixth and extended his shutout streak, leading the Royals past the Reds 4-0. Bauer allowed only a single by Adalberto Mondesi in the fifth inning. After Brett Phillips lined out to right to end the game, Bauer unbuttoned his jersey to reveal a T-shirt depicting him amid a low point in his career, a meltdown during his previous visit to Kauffman Stadium last July.

(AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)A look at what's happening around the majors on Monday:WAIT AND SEEThe Cincinnati Reds will wait for their latest COVID-19 test results to see when they can resume the season. Cincinnati had home games against Pittsburgh postponed Saturday and Sunday after a player tested positive. Cincinnati is the third team to have games postponed because one of its players tested positive for COVID-19, joining the Marlins and the Cardinals. Chapman tested positive for the coronavirus during preseason workouts and hasnt pitched yet this season. AILINGBlue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette is on the injured list, interrupting his big-hitting season.

(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)The Detroit Tigers and Cincinnati Reds were the first teams to try out baseballs new time-saving measure a doubleheader with seven-inning games. By the end of the night Sunday, 12 teams had played 10 games, but six had played seven or fewer. Making doubleheader games seven innings long can help, at least in theory. You can use your bullpen a lot different, earlier in the game and try to get through that part. But last year, there were only 33 doubleheaders total, and the New York Yankees led the way with seven.