STEVE CISHEK

Juan Soto could be the biggest star dealt before the Major League Baseball trade deadline if the Washington Nationals choose to make that move.

Mets Nationals Baseball New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, left, is pulled from the game by manager Buck Showalter, right, after he was hit by a pitch during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Friday, April 8, 2022, in Washington. So when Washington reliever Steve Cishek's second pitch caught Lindor in the jaw in the fifth inning Friday, Mets manager Buck Showalter led the charge, cursing as he headed to the field. Mets and Nationals players and coaches met on the grass between home and third base. Lindor squared to bunt, and Cishek’s second pitch was high and inside. Nationals: Rizzo declined to offer a timeline for when RHP Stephen Strasburg (thoracic outlet syndrome surgery last year) might be ready to pitch.

A benches-clearing interruption after Mets star Francisco Lindor was hit by a pitch overshadowed Max Scherzer’s return to Nationals Park even as the three-time Cy Young Award winner pitched New York to a 7-3 victory over Washington.

Mets Nationals Baseball Washington Nationals and New York Mets scuffle after New York Mets' Francisco Lindor, bending over at right, was hit by a pitch from Washington Nationals relief pitcher Steve Cishek during the fifth inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park, Friday, April 8, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (Alex Brandon)WASHINGTON — (AP) — Benches and bullpens emptied and the Mets and Nationals confronted each other on the infield grass after Francisco Lindor was struck by a pitch from Steve Cishek in the fifth inning Friday night. Lindor squared to bunt, and Cishek's second pitch was high and inside and hit the shortstop on the right jaw. Lindor pointed near his mouth as Showalter and a Mets trainer checked on him. On Friday, Mets starter Max Scherzer hit Nationals first baseman Josh Bell in the second inning.

Benches and bullpens emptied and the Mets and Nationals confronted each other on the infield grass after Francisco Lindor was struck by a pitch from Steve Cishek in the fifth inning.

Patience is often rewarded for both free agents and general managers during most Major League Baseball offseasons.

“I don’t even think I’ve had a 13 pitch at-bat in my career.”Hicks was scheduled to pitch one inning. Carlos Martínez worked four innings in the start for St. Louis, allowing two runs and five hits. Pittsburgh starter Steven Brault allowed three runs on five hits and a walk in three innings. YANKEES 5, BLUE JAYS 1New York starter Deivi García gave up one hit and an unearned run in three innings. Dean Kremer allowed a run on three hits, walked two and struck out four in the start for Baltimore.

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.

(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)CHICAGO Leury Garca homered from both sides of the plate, helping Dallas Keuchel and the Chicago White Sox pound the Minnesota Twins 10-3 on Saturday. Keuchel allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings in his White Sox debut after agreeing to a $55.5 million, three-year contract in December. McCann singled in Adam Engel before Garca belted a three-run drive off left-hander Devin Smeltzer in the seventh, making it 10-3 White Sox. It also was the 11th time a White Sox player had connected from both sides of the plate in a single game. WORTH NOTINGThe White Sox announced right-hander Carson Fulmer had been claimed off waivers by Detroit.