SHANE BIEBER

The Cleveland Indians won their last home game before they become the Guardians, beating the Kansas City Royals 8-3 to close a run that started in 1915 and will continue in 2022 with a new identity.

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole starts the opener of a crucial three-game series at Fenway Park with the Red Sox two games ahead of New York for the top AL wild card.

White Sox Indians Baseball Chicago White Sox's Eloy Jimenez, right, celebrates with Leury Garcia after Jimenez hit a solo home run in the second inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians, Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak) (Tony Dejak)CLEVELAND — (AP) — The Chicago White Sox clinched their first AL Central title since 2008 with a 7-2 win over the Cleveland Indians in a doubleheader opener Thursday behind two home runs by Tim Anderson. The White Sox are in their first season under Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa, who will turn 77 on Oct. 4. The White Sox have not advanced in the postseason since winning the 2005 World Series and last hosted a playoff game 13 years ago. Aaron Bummer (4-5) retired all three batters in the fifth as four White Sox relievers combined for 3 2/3 scoreless innings in a game shortened to seven innings under pandemic rules.

The Chicago White Sox clinched their first AL Central title since 2008 with a 7-2 win over the Cleveland Indians behind two home runs by Tim Anderson in the opener of a doubleheader spit.

Salvador Perez hit his 46th home run, breaking Johnny Bench’s record for most by a catcher in a season to highlight the opener, then the Kansas City Royals completed a doubleheader sweep by beating the Cleveland Indians 4-2.

Houston Astros right-hander Zack Greinke makes his first start Tuesday night since testing positive for COVID-19 last month.

Mitch Moreland homered twice, Chris Bassitt posted his AL-leading 12th win and the Oakland Athletics routed the Cleveland Indians 17-0 for their seventh straight victory.

Franmil Reyes homered twice, the first a second-inning blast that bounced out of Progressive Field and almost dinged a bicyclist pedaling past on the street, and the Cleveland Indians beat the St. Louis Cardinals 7-2.

The second half of the major league baseball season begins with one game Thursday night when Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers and the AL East-leading Red Sox visit Yankee Stadium.

All Star Game Baseball National League's Corbin Burnes, of the Milwaukee Brewers, throws during the second inning of the MLB All-Star baseball game, Tuesday, July 13, 2021, in Denver. The fans on social media weren't exactly raving about the new All-Star jerseys that were on display Tuesday night. DOUBLE DUTYThere’s no two ways about it: Shohei Ohtani could be ushering in an era of two-way players. The Los Angeles pitcher/hitter phenom pitched a perfect first inning in the All-Star Game on Tuesday. On the mound, he's been just as dazzling with a 4-1 record and 87 strikeouts courtesy of a fastball that can touch 100 mph.

Fashion forward.

Philadelphia’s J.

Shohei Ohtani achieved a first in the near century history of baseball’s All-Star Game: selection as both a hitter and a pitcher.

Mets ace Jacob deGrom, Milwaukee’s Brandon Woodruff, Texas’ Kyle Gibson and the Yankees’ Gerrit Cole are among those likely to picked as All-Stars when pitchers and reserves are announced Sunday.

The Braves are monitoring star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. after he was scratched from Atlanta’s lineup Wednesday due to lower back tightness.

Indians pitcher Aaron Civale will miss more than one month with a sprained right finger, the latest blow to Cleveland’s injury-ravaged rotation.

Two-way star Shohei Ohtani is back on the mound, taking on Kevin Gausman and the Giants at Angel Stadium.

Cleveland Indians right-hander Aaron Civale appears headed to the injured list because of soreness in the middle finger on his pitching hand, another major hit for a banged-up staff.

Bieber allowed a season-high 10 hits and threw 107 pitches over five innings Sunday in a loss to Seattle. ROAD TO NOWHEREApproaching a dubious record, the Arizona Diamondbacks try to avoid their 21st consecutive road loss when they visit the San Francisco Giants. Arizona has lost 11 straight overall, its second double-digit losing streak this season after a 13-game skid from May 17-29. Meanwhile, the Baltimore Orioles have dropped 16 in a row on the road heading into their game at Cleveland. Matt Harvey (3-7), who has lost seven of his past eight starts, faces Cal Quantrill (0-2) and the Indians.

Three of baseball’s best pitchers are hurting.

Orioles Indians Baseball Cleveland Indians' Jose Ramirez watches his ball after hitting a one-run double in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Monday, June 14, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak) (Tony Dejak)CLEVELAND — (AP) — The Indians didn't let a rough day get any worse by losing to the woeful Orioles. The Indians' victory was tempered by the Bieber going on the injured list for an unknown period due to a shoulder strain. “It’s kind of a kick in the stomach when you hear that about Bieber,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “The bottom line is we just didn't play defense tonight,” said Orioles manager Brandon Hyde, who was ejected in the first inning.

Orioles Indians Baseball Cleveland Indians' Jose Ramirez watches his ball after hitting a one-run double in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Monday, June 14, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak) (Tony Dejak)CLEVELAND — (AP) — José Ramírez picked up a pair of RBIs — made possible by Baltimore blunders in the field — and the Cleveland Indians extended the Orioles' road losing streak to 16 straight games with a 4-3 win Monday night. Ramirez added an RBI double in the sixth after Orioles second baseman Stevie Wilkerson dropped his foul pop, giving him another try. Indians rookie reliever Nick Sandlin (1-0) picked up his first career win by striking out three of the five batters he faced. The start was pushed back one hour by rain, but the Orioles couldn't delay extending their team record road losing slide.

José Ramírez picked up a pair of RBIs made possible by Baltimore blunders in the field and the Cleveland Indians extended the Orioles’ road losing streak to 16 straight games with a 4-3 win.

Bieber allowed a season-high 10 hits and threw 107 pitches over five innings Sunday in a loss to Seattle. NICE STARTBraves rookie Tucker Davidson tries again for his first major league win after an impressive showing this season. The 25-year-old lefty is 0-0 with a 1.53 ERA in three starts, covering 17 2/3 innings. Boston lefty Eduardo Rodríguez (5-4, 6.03 ERA) is 0-4 with an 8.49 ERA in his last six starts. Padres ace Yu Darvish starts against Colorado for the third time this season, taking on Charlie Blackmon at Coors Field.

Reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber won’t throw for at least two weeks because of a right shoulder strain, an injury that will further test Cleveland’s pitching depth.

Mariners Indians Baseball Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Shane Bieber delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak) (Tony Dejak)CLEVELAND — (AP) — Cleveland Indians ace Shane Bieber, the reigning AL Cy Young winner, has a strained right shoulder and will not pitch for at least two weeks. The Indians will now have to survive without Bieber, one of baseball's best pitchers, for at least a few weeks. Bieber gave up a season-high 10 hits and five runs while losing to the Seattle Mariners on Sunday. Last season, Bieber led the majors in wins (8), ERA (1.63) and strikeouts (122).

Indians ace Shane Bieber, the reigning AL Cy Young winner, has a strained right shoulder and will not pitch for at least two weeks.

On the surface, not much has changed in Philadelphia.

Slumping DJ LeMahieu and the skidding Yankees hope to get back on target when they start a set at Target Field against the Twins on Tuesday night.

Indians manager Terry Francona was drained and looking forward to some sleep after a long weekend in Rhode Island for a family wedding. The Indians were just as tired. José Ramírez's two-run homer and a solid start by reliever Cal Quantrill led Cleveland to a 3-1 win over the Chicago White Sox on Monday, giving the Indians their second straight split of a seven-inning doubleheader in two days.

Indians Tigers Baseball Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Shane Bieber throws during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Thursday, May 27, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) (Carlos Osorio)DETROIT — (AP) — Cleveland's Shane Bieber has a no-hitter through six innings against the Detroit Tigers. Bieber is trying to pitch the seventh no-hitter in the major leagues this season, which would tie for the most since 1900 and be one shy of the mark set in 1884. Bieber, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, has nine strikeouts and three walks through six innings. The Indians have kept an eye on his pitch count since he threw a career-high 121 on May 11 against the Chicago Cubs.

Cleveland’s Shane Bieber has a no-hitter through six innings against the Detroit Tigers.

Indians Mariners Baseball Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Shane Bieber throws against the Seattle Mariners in the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, May 16, 2021, in Seattle. Mikolas was an All-Star in 2018 when he tied for the NL lead with 18 victories. Abreu returned to the lineup Friday night after missing three straight games in Minnesota with left ankle inflammation. Buehler pitched seven innings of one-hit ball in his last start to beat Arizona. He is 4-0 in seven games against San Francisco.

Miles Mikolas is set to return to the majors for the first time since starting the opener of the 2019 NL Championship Series for St. Louis.

SEATTLE — (AP) — Shane Bieber's record strikeout streak ended Sunday when the Seattle Mariners sent the Cleveland ace to an early exit. But the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner fell just short against the Mariners, striking out seven in 4 2/3 innings. Bieber left trailing 3-0 with the bases loaded in his shortest outing of the season. Bieber started the season with 10 or more strikeouts in his first four outings, another major league record. The last time Bieber didn't strike out at least eight in a regular-season game was his final start of the 2019 season.

Shane Bieber’s record strikeout streak ended when the Seattle Mariners sent the Cleveland ace to an early exit.

Angels Astros Baseball Los Angeles Angels' Albert Pujols watches his two-run home run against the Houston Astros during the sixth inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 22, 2021, in Houston. The oldest player in the majors batted .198 this season with five homers and 12 RBIs for the Angels. The Dodgers, however, have not hit well against left-handed pitching and hope the righty-swinging Pujols can provide some pop. HEATING UPCleveland ace Shane Bieber tries to extend his record strikeout streak when he faces highly touted rookie Jarred Kelenic and the Mariners. Boston has won three in a row overall, Los Angeles has dropped four straight.

Albert Pujols didn’t have to travel far to find a new opportunity.

Cubs Indians Baseball Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Shane Bieber delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, May 11, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak) (Tony Dejak)CLEVELAND — (AP) — Shane Bieber pitched out of some early trouble before extending his strikeout record and César Hernández hit a two-run homer, sending the Cleveland Indians to a 3-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night. José Ramírez added a solo homer for the up-and-down Indians, who have been no-hit twice but won seven of eight. Eric Sogard homered for the Cubs, who made Bieber work hard. With his pitch count climbing in the seventh, Bieber gave up a leadoff walk to Joc Pederson and then won a nine-pitch battle with Martini to increase his record.

Shane Bieber pitched out of some early trouble before extending his strikeout record and César Hernández hit a two-run homer, sending the Cleveland Indians to a 3-2 win over the Chicago Cubs.

Orioles ace John Means got five days of rest following his no-hitter last week against Seattle, and now he’ll try to match Johnny Vander Meer’s record with a second straight no-no against the streaking Mets.

The team said deGrom had inflammation in his right lat and wouldn't throw for the next few days. TAKE IT EASYNL batting champion Juan Soto will be limited to pinch-hitting duty for now with Washington after coming off the injured list. Soto missed 10 games with a strained left shoulder and wasn’t in the starting lineup Tuesday night against Atlanta. Manager Dave Martinez said the injury no longer bothers Soto while hitting, but he is not yet ready to play the outfield. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner has fanned at least eight batters in a major league-record 18 straight starts.

The Mets will see how ace Jacob deGrom fares this week after being scratched from his scheduled start at St. Louis when he had trouble getting loose during a pregame stretch.

The team said Tuesday that deGrom had inflammation in his right lat and wouldn't throw for the next few days. TAKE IT EASYNL batting champion Juan Soto will be limited to pinch-hitting duty for now with Washington after coming off the injured list. Soto missed 10 games with a strained left shoulder and wasn’t in the starting lineup Tuesday night against Atlanta. Manager Dave Martinez said the injury no longer bothers Soto while hitting, but he is not yet ready to play the outfield. The reigning AL CY Young Award winner has fanned at least eight batters in a major league record 18 straight starts.

Red Sox Mets Baseball New York Mets' Jacob deGrom delivers a pitch during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Wednesday, April 28, 2021, in New York. “He let us know earlier today that he had some tightness on his right side,” Mets manager Luis Rojas said. TAKE IT EASYNL batting champion Juan Soto will be limited to pinch-hitting duty for now with Washington after coming off the injured list. Soto missed 10 games with a strained left shoulder and wasn’t in the starting lineup Tuesday night against Atlanta. Manager Dave Martinez said the injury no longer bothers Soto while hitting, but he is not yet ready to play the outfield.

The New York Mets will see how ace Jacob deGrom is feeling, a day after he was scratched from his start at St. Louis when he had trouble getting loose during a pregame stretch.

Indians White Sox Baseball Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Shane Bieber delivers during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Chicago White Sox on Friday, April 30, 2021, in Chicago. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner struck out 11, setting a major league record in the process and pitching the Cleveland Indians past the Chicago White Sox 5-3 on Friday night. Keuchel posted fours across the board — runs, hits, strikeouts and walks. The White Sox got OF Adam Eaton back from a one-game suspension and returned SS Danny Mendick to the alternate site. UP NEXTThe White Sox have RHP Lance Lynn (1-1, 0.92 ERA) back from the 10-day IL to take the mound against RHP Triston McKenzie (0-0, 4.32 ERA).

Shane Bieber struck out 11, setting a major league record in the process and pitching the Cleveland Indians past the Chicago White Sox 5-3.

Arizona LHP Madison Bumgarner starts against Colorado in his first appearance since pitching a seven-inning no-hitter against Atlanta last Sunday, a game that Major League Baseball does not consider to be a no-hitter.

Gerrit Cole was one pitch better than Shane Bieber in a heavyweight matchup of aces as Rougned Odor and Aaron Hicks homered off Cleveland’s Cy Young winner in the fifth inning, giving the New York Yankees a 2-1 win over the Indians.

Giancarlo Stanton busted out of his slump with two rocketed home runs — one with the highest exit velocity this season — and New York connected four times, sending the Yankees to a 5-3 win over the Cleveland Indians.

Jacob deGrom struck out a career-high 15, pitched a two-hitter and boosted the Mets' sagging offense with a go-ahead double from the No. 8 spot in the batting order, leading New York over the Washington Nationals 6-0.

As pitching matchups go, this one is aces.

Shane Bieber kept up his record strikeout run, fanning 13 and pitching the Cleveland Indians past the Cincinnati Reds 6-3.

Josh Naylor lined into a triple play in the eighth inning, then let a routine grounder roll through his legs at first base with two outs in the ninth that led to Cincinnati’s tying run as the Reds beat the Cleveland Indians 3-2 in 10 innings.

The Red Sox and Twins are scheduled to begin their series in Minnesota a day late.

First-year Tigers manager A.

First-year Tigers manager A.

Miguel Cabrera homered through the snow in his first at-bat of the season, then added a sparkling play at first base to lift the Detroit Tigers to a 3-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians.

Patty and Steve Smith watch the baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Indians as snow falls, Thursday, April 1, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)DETROIT – Miguel Cabrera hit the first home run of the new Major League Baseball season, a drive through the snow in Detroit's chilly opener against Cleveland on Thursday. It wasn't easy to see through the ball through the snow, and Cabrera slid into second base, unsure if he'd cleared the wall. The 37-year-old Cabrera is five homers shy of tying Lou Gehrig and Fred McGriff for 28th on the career list. The new season began at Yankee Stadium, where Gerrit Cole threw the first pitch of the year, a ball to Toronto's Marcus Semien.

EARLY TESTSThe Washington Nationals will be short-handed due to a positive coronavirus test for the second straight season opener. General manager Mike Rizzo did not reveal who the five players were, and the only certainty as of Wednesday night was that opening day starter Max Scherzer wasn't one of them. The Nationals did not have any players test positive during spring training prior to that. But in a what-are-the-odds moment, all three are set to start on opening day. To be pitching the same day as those guys is pretty cool.”MITTS AND MITTENSNolan Arenado, Kris Bryant and Miguel Cabrera will be wearing gloves on opening day.

All 30 teams are scheduled to be in action, with Gerrit Cole set to throw the first pitch of the season against Toronto at Yankee Stadium. A year after no fans were allowed during the virus-shortened 60-game season, every stadium is open, in varying degrees as teams adhere to coronavirus protocols. But in a what-are-the-odds moment, all three are set to start on opening day. To be pitching the same day as those guys is pretty cool.”AdMITTS AND MITTENSNolan Arenado, Kris Bryant and Miguel Cabrera will be wearing gloves on opening day. Rain is in the forecast along the East Coast, which could affect games at Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium, Citizens Bank Park and Nationals Park.

Scherzer will make his Nationals-record sixth opening day start April 1, facing the New York Mets in Washington. The original lineup released by Washington before the game featured a designated hitter; that was revised to include Scherzer batting for himself. DeGrom struck him out, part of his 4 2/3 scoreless innings with three hits and five Ks. YANKEES 8, BLUE JAYS 3Gerritt Cole struck out eight in five innings, allowing one run in his fourth spring start for New York. BRAVES 11, RAYS 1Atlanta starter Max Fried gave up three hits and struck out five over six innings.

“We’re just talking.”The Mets obtained Lindor from Cleveland in January, and he's signed for this season at $22.3 million. Canning now has 13 strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings. The two-time Cy Young Award winner has permitted three hits in 8 2/3 innings with 16 strikeouts and a walk. Nola has given up 15 hits in 8 2/3 innings, seeing his ERA rise to 10.38. Kyle Wright made his fourth start, giving up two runs on three hits and two walks in 2 2/3 innings.

Bieber will receive a $679,700 salary while in the major leagues and $311,600 in the unlikely event he is optioned to the minors. Bieber was an All-Star in 2019 and led the major leagues during last year's shortened season in wins (eight), ERA (1.63) and strikeouts (122). AdMets outfielder Jeff McNeil was renewed at a salary of $642,251 in the majors and $308,838 in the minors. Another top young Mets player, left-hander David Peterson, agreed to a one-year contract with a salary of $585,750 in the major leagues. Seattle outfielder Kyle Lewis, the reigning AL Rookie of the Year, was renewed for $625,000 in the majors and $282,750 in the minors.

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.

FILE - In this Sept. 17, 2020, file photo, Cleveland Indians pitcher Shane Bieber smiles as he walks to the dugout in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in Detroit. Bieber has reported to training camp with the Cleveland Indians after recovering from COVID-19. The right-hander took part in drills on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, a day before the Indians hold their first full-squad workout in Goodyear, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)CLEVELAND – Cy Young winner Shane Bieber reported to training camp on Saturday with the Indians after the right-hander was quarantined with COVID-19. Bieber, who was baseball's best pitcher in 2020, was medically cleared and joined Cleveland's other pitchers and catchers in Goodyear, Arizona. Cleveland has one of the AL's best starting staffs, led by Bieber, who is 34-14 in three major league seasons.