CHRISTIAN YELICH

Javier Báez has agreed to a $140 million, six-year contract with Detroit, giving the Tigers a dynamic bat for the middle of their order.

(AP Photo/John Bazemore) (John Bazemore)MILWAUKEE — (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns says nobody has been able to figure out the cause of Christian Yelich’s hitting struggles over the past couple of seasons. “I think if we did, if Christian knew exactly what happened, it’s easier to solve,” Stearns said Friday during a news conference wrapping up the Brewers’ season. “With some of Christian’s struggles this year, he still helped and contributed to a 95-win team,” Stearns said. “I think that’s important to note. The fate of the Milwaukee Brewers is not on Christian Yelich’s shoulders.

Milwaukee Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns says nobody has been able to figure out the cause of Christian Yelich’s hitting struggles over the past couple of seasons.

Milwaukee Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns says nobody has been able to figure out the cause of Christian Yelich’s hitting struggles over the past couple of seasons. “I think if we did, if Christian knew exactly what happened, it’s easier to solve,” Stearns said Friday during a news conference wrapping up the Brewers’ season. Getting him back on track is a major offseason priority for the Brewers as they continue chasing their first World Series title.

At least the Milwaukee Brewers came out swinging.

Boosted by a sharp start from Ian Anderson, Braves pitchers have now thrown 19 straight scoreless innings against Milwaukee in the NL Division Series.

NLDS Brewers Braves Baseball Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Christian Yelich, left and other players watch the game during the ninth inning of Game 3 of a baseball National League Division Series, Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Braves won 3-0. Another chance squandered by the Milwaukee Brewers, who have picked the worst time of year to go ice cold at the plate. — The Brewers are 0 for 16 with runners in scoring position, including eight more fruitless at-bats in Game 3. Will Smith finished off the Brewers with a 1-2-3 ninth, giving the Atlanta bullpen a total of nine scoreless innings in the series.

The Milwaukee Brewers have picked the worst time of year to go ice cold at the plate.

Joc Pederson enhanced his “Joctober” nickname with a three-run, pinch-hit homer and the Atlanta Braves shut down Milwaukee once again, beating the Brewers 3-0.

Max Fried pitched six sharp innings and Atlanta’s bullpen held on after manager Brian Snitker’s quick hook, sending the Braves over the Milwaukee Brewers 3-0 to tie their NL Division Series at a game apiece.

Clayton Kershaw starts at Dodger Stadium against Milwaukee to begin a season-ending, three-game series in a possible playoff preview.

The Milwaukee Brewers clinched their second NL Central title in four years, beating the sloppy New York Mets 8-4 behind Willy Adames’s two-run homer and three RBIs.

Cardinals closer Giovanny Gallegos fanned pinch-hitter Pablo Reyes for the final out and St. Louis won its 10th straight game, increasing its playoff lead by holding off the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers 2-1.

Toronto left-hander Robbie Ray leads the majors with 233 strikeouts, tops the AL with a 2.64 ERA and is 12-5 going into this start at Tampa Bay.

Daniel Vogelbach delivered a pinch-hit grand slam off Alex Reyes to cap a five-run rally in the ninth inning that gave the Milwaukee Brewers a 6-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Brandon Belt hit his second homer of the night during a four-run outburst in the 11th inning as the San Francisco Giants rallied to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 9-6 in a wild Saturday night matchup between division leaders.

Red Sox Tigers Baseball eDetroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera hits a solo home run against the Boston Red Sox in the second inning of a baseball game in Detroit, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Cabrera is vying to become the 28th player in major league history with 500 homers. All-Star infielder Trea Turner is expected to make his first start for the Dodgers after clearing COVID-19 protocols. Turner, acquired in last week’s blockbuster trade with Washington, was activated Friday and pinch-hit in the ninth inning but fouled out. The commissioner’s office said Laureano tested positive for Nandrolone in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

Miguel Cabrera’s 500th career homer could be just a few swings away.

Anthony Rizzo and the New York Yankees host surprising Seattle in the opener of a four-game series between AL wild-card contenders Thursday night.

The NL Central-leading Brewers are again shuffling their pitching staff with reliever John Axford now out for the season because of elbow trouble and starter Eric Lauer joining the team’s growing COVID-19 injured list.

Pirates Brewers Baseball Milwaukee Brewers' John Axford pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps) (Jeffrey Phelps)MILWAUKEE — (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers’ pitching staff has taken a couple more hits with John Axford now out for the season with elbow trouble and Eric Lauer joining the team's growing COVID-19 injured list. Brewers manager Craig Counsell said Axford has significant elbow damage and is going over his options after an injury foiled the 38-year-old's comeback attempt. That's when Axford's elbow started giving him problems. ___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.

The Milwaukee Brewers’ pitching staff has taken a couple more hits with John Axford now out for the season with elbow trouble and Eric Lauer joining the COVID-19 injured list.

José Altuve, Carlos Correa and the Astros have been heckled at Yankee Stadium, Cleveland, Phoenix and many other parks, the result of their sign-stealing scheme.

Diamondbacks Cubs Baseball Chicago Cubs' Kris Bryant rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Chicago. San Francisco got the four-time All-Star third baseman in a trade with the Cubs for two minor leaguers Friday. AILING TATISPadres star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. is again out of action after partially dislocating his left shoulder for the third time this season. A third reliever, Jandel Gustave, missed Saturday night’s game for the NL Central leaders at Atlanta due to contact tracing. NEW IN BLUETwo-time All-Star José Berríos is set to make his Toronto debut when starts against Kansas City at Rogers Centre.

Kris Bryant is expected to make his debut for the NL West-leading Giants on Sunday when they host Houston.

Reds Brewers Baseball Milwaukee Brewers' Jake Cousins tosses the ball as he walks back to the mound after a run-scoring wild pitch during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash) (Aaron Gash)ATLANTA — (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers pitchers Jake Cousins and Hunter Strickland tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday and will be placed in quarantine in the latest cases to affect the NL Central leaders. A third reliever, Jandel Gustave, will miss Saturday night’s game at Atlanta due to contact tracing. Earlier this week, star outfielder Christian Yelich tested positive for the coronavirus and was showing mild symptoms. Counsell said the positive tests were the latest evidence that “COVID is still around us.”“We have to understand that,” he said.

Milwaukee Brewers pitchers Jake Cousins and Hunter Strickland have tested positive for COVID-19 and will be placed in quarantine.

Pirates Diamondbacks Baseball Arizona Diamondbacks' Eduardo Escobar celebrates hitting a two-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 19, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) (Darryl Webb)PHOENIX — (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers acquired All-Star third baseman Eduardo Escobar from the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday for two prospects. The 32-year-old Escobar made his first All-Star game this season and is batting .246 with 22 homers. Escobar has played third, second and shortstop for the Diamondbacks this season and has played the outfield earlier in his career. “We’re happy with the two players we got from the Brewers,” Arizona general manager Mike Hazen said.

The Milwaukee Brewers have acquired All-Star third baseman Eduardo Escobar from the Arizona Diamondbacks for two prospects.

Tyler Anderson pitched seven sparkling innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates ended Milwaukee’s 11-game winning streak with a 2-0 victory over the Brewers.

After a historic June homer binge, Kyle Schwarber’s July got off to a less promising start.

Nolan Arenado will return to Coors Field for the first time since the Colorado Rockies traded the disgruntled third baseman to St. Louis over the offseason.

Willy Adames and Keston Hiura each hit a three-run homer during a 10-run outburst in the eighth inning that lifted the Milwaukee Brewers a 14-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

Burly slugger Daniel Vogelbach hobbled home on one leg when Arizona’s defense fell asleep, and the Diamondbacks dropped back into a rut with a 5-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

Rafael Devers and the Red Sox go for a three-game sweep at Yankee Stadium in this week’s Sunday night matchup.

Ohtani hit his major league-leading 14th home run during Tuesday night's 6-5 loss to Cleveland, connecting for the third straight day. Kluber then signed an $11 million free-agent deal with the Yankees, and is 3-2 with a 3.48 ERA in eight starts. Yelich played nine games to start the season before leaving with stiffness in his lower back on April 11 in St. Louis. He tried to return May 3 in Philadelphia but played just one game before going back on the injured list. New York second baseman Rougned Odor was activated from the injured list Tuesday and started against the Rangers, his former team.

Two-way star Shohei Ohtani makes his sixth pitching start of the season Wednesday when the Angels face Aaron Civale and the Indians.

BEEN HERE BEFORECorey Kluber takes the mound at the Texas Rangers’ retractable roof stadium for the second time, this time starting against them for the New York Yankees. Kluber then signed an $11 million free-agent deal with the Yankees, and is 3-2 with a 3.48 ERA in eight starts. He tried to return May 3 in Philadelphia but played just one game before returning to the injured list. ON HIS WAY BACKGleyber Torres could be back in the New York Yankees' lineup against Texas, a week after the fully vaccinated shortstop tested positive for COVID-19. New York second baseman Rougned Odor was activated from the injured list Tuesday and started against the Rangers, his former team.

Angels star Mike Trout could be out past the All-Star break after straining his right calf on the bases Monday night.

Ian Anderson took a no-hit try into the seventh inning, Freddie Freeman hit the 250th home run of his career and the Atlanta Braves beat the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1.

Brewers Phillies Baseball Milwaukee Brewers' Christian Yelich, left, hits a single during the first inning of a baseball game in front of Philadelphia Phillies' J.T. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton) (Derik Hamilton)PHILADELPHIA — (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich is going back on the injured list just one day after getting activated. The Brewers announced Tuesday that Yelich was returning to the IL due to the lower back strain that has bothered the 2018 NL MVP for the last three weeks. “I’m just not where I need to be to go out there on an everyday basis and compete in a Major League Baseball game,” Yelich said before the Brewers played Tuesday night at Philadelphia. “We're kind of at a point where we need to get more answers,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said.

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich is going back on the injured list just one day after getting activated.

Athletics left-hander Jesús Luzardo will be off the mound for a while.

Athletics left-hander Jesús Luzardo will be off the mound for a while.

A.

The Milwaukee Brewers are moving along with their plan for Christian Yelich after an MRI on the slugger’s strained lower back showed no major issues.

Oakland tries for its 14th consecutive victory when the Athletics play Baltimore at Camden Yards.

Oakland tries for its 14th consecutive victory when the Athletics play Baltimore at Camden Yards.

Jake Marisnick homered and matched a career high with five RBIs, and the Chicago Cubs pounded the Milwaukee Brewers 15-2 for their fourth straight victory.

Willson Contreras struck back after getting plunked again by the Brewers, hitting a two-run homer in the eighth inning as the Chicago Cubs rallied past Milwaukee 3-2 on Tuesday night.

Brandon Woodruff of the Milwaukee Brewers has lost his no-hit bid in the seventh inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.

The Vancouver Canucks now have 17 players in the NHL COVID-19 protocol with the addition of rookie forward Nils Hoglander.

In the final spring training game of the year, Betts hit two home runs Tuesday night and the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-4. GOOD SIGNOn the final day of spring training, former All-Star pitcher Mike Soroka took a big step toward getting back on a regular-season mound. Ad“It was a perfect way to end a really good spring training on a positive note,” manager Brian Snitker said. Kolten Wong hit a two-run homer and Christian Yelich singled to finish spring training with a .393 batting average. AdDIAMONDBACKS 3, INDIANS 2At Phoenix, Diamondbacks starter Taylor Widener struck out seven over 5 2/3 innings, allowing four hits.

He was 2-1 with a 6.35 ERA in three spring starts, including allowing six earned runs against Cincinnati on Friday. Alec Bohm had two hits, including his fourth double. AdFreddie Freeman had two hits, including a double and his first homer — a two-run shot in the sixth. Victor Robles had three hits, including his sixth double, with an RBI, and Kyle Schwarber doubled and walked three times. Adalberto Mondesi singled and homered and Jorge Soler had two hits, including a double.

A day after Tatis walked off the field during an exhibition game in a worrisome scene, the Padres said the discomfort in his left shoulder had improved. In fact he was lobbying to get in the lineup today, so I thought that was very encouraging,” Tingler said. I think everybody’s kind of expecting him to be back in the lineup in the next day or two. AdMichael Pineda was roughed up in his second start for Minnesota, surrendering five runs on nine hits in five innings. Ian Anderson went six innings in his fourth start, allowing four runs on eight hits and a walk.

Harris has a blood clot in his right arm and is leaving spring training camp to be examined by a specialist, manager Dave Martinez said Friday, March 19, 2021. (Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via AP)Washington Nationals reliever Will Harris has a blood clot in his right arm and the team doesn't expect him to be in the bullpen on opening day. Carlos Martínez struggled in his fourth start for St. Louis. DODGERS 7, RANGERS 2Julio Urías made his fourth start for Los Angeles, allowing two hits in four shutout innings, striking out three. Adrian Houser made his fourth start.

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.

The Boston Globe first reported Bradley's decision,Bradley will join the Brewers will into spring training, which started in mid-February. Bradley turns 31 on April 19 and is regarded as a top defensive center fielder. He won a Gold Glove in 2018 and led the American League in assists by a center fielder in 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019. The Brewers already have 2019 Gold Glove center fielder Lorenzo Cain, who opted out after playing five games last season but is back in spring training camp. They traded right fielder Mookie Betts to the Dodgers last year and sent left fielder Andrew Benintendi to the Kansas City Royals last month.

The two-time AL Central champion Twins are hoping Happ can give them a veteran presence at the back of their rotation. Ian Anderson pitched two scoreless innings, allowing three hits and a walk. Houston piggy-backed a pair of starters with Framber Valdez yielding McNeil's homer in the first two innings, striking out two. AdBLUE JAYS 4, PHILLIES 2 (6)Steven Matz allowed a hit in two scoreless innings, striking out three without a walk. CUBS 3, ROYALS 2 (7)Outfielder Rafael Ortega, who signed a minor league deal with Chicago after playing 34 games for Atlanta last season, hit a bases-loaded triple.

(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)Right-hander Kevin Gausman’s impressive day at spring training had nothing to do with any of the usual statistics, like strikeouts or innings pitched. Batting practice for San Francisco's pitchers took on a non-traditional look Thursday at Scottsdale Stadium in Arizona. But the stands won't be empty — or full — when the Giants host their spring training opener Sunday. Scottsdale Stadium will have the lowest capacity at 9%, which is about 1,000 fans for Giants home games. Spectators at Scottsdale Stadium may get to see Gausman throw his lively fastball, but not a look at his Fungo golf skills.

The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate a 4-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of a National League wild-card baseball series Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers' powerful lineup went mostly quiet against the Milwaukee Brewers. Mookie Betts had two hits and an RBI and Corey Seager homered in the Dodgers' 4-2 victory in the opener of their NL playoff Wednesday night. The eight-time NL West champion Dodgers capitalized early in a bullpen game for the Brewers and can wrap up the best-of-three series Thursday. “A walk is just as good as a hit sometimes, which we showed in the first inning,” Seager said.

MALIBU, Calif. (Reuters) - Major League Baseballs best and Hollywoods brightest teamed up to raise money for families affected by wildfires, mass shootings and other tragedies in California with a softball game in picturesque Malibu on Sunday. FILE PHOTO: Carli Skaggs, wife of late Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs, poses for a photo after throwing out the first pitch at the California Strong celebrity softball game in Malibu, California, U.S., January 12, 2020. An emotional moment came when Carli Skaggs, wife of late Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs, threw out a ceremonial first pitch before a crowd of 2,500 fans on a sun-soaked afternoon. The founders said they were dedicated to growing the upstart charity over the long term. Last seasons NL MVP, Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Cody Bellinger, said the charity spread by word of mouth among California-born athletes and those who call the state home now.

Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals and National League celebrates with the trophy after winning the T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Nationals Park on July 16, 2018 in Washington, DC. And for the first time ever, the top prize for the winner will be $1 million. The Home Run Derby pits some of the league's top sluggers against one another as they see who can hit the most home runs. Last year, the total prize pool for the home run derby was only $525,000, with the winner taking home $125,000. With $1 million of the $2.5 million prize pool going to the winner, expect the competition to be more fierce with significantly more money on the line.