LEADING OFF: Sale faces Machado, Stroman sees slugging Yanks

A look at what's happening all around the majors today:

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EASY DOES IT

Red Sox ace Chris Sale faces the Orioles for the first time since throwing a fastball behind the legs of Baltimore star Manny Machado last month. The incident escalated the feud between the teams, led to warnings for both clubs and got Machado and Sale chirping after the game. They meet this time at Camden Yards.

JUST RELAX

Cubs shortstop Addison Russell could return to the lineup for this night-time matchup vs. St. Louis at Wrigley Field. Manager Joe Maddon didn't start Russell on Saturday, giving him a break to clear his mind. Russell later grounded out as a pinch hitter and is batting .211, without a hit in his last four games.

NOT YOUR FATHER'S PIRATES

Tyler Pill makes his second major league start for the Mets in their series finale against Pittsburgh. Pill's father, Michael, was drafted in the second round by the Pirates and pitched in their minor league system from 1977-79. The younger Pill lost in relief during his big league debut last weekend at Pittsburgh but then started Tuesday against Milwaukee and tossed 5 1/3 effective innings in a no-decision. "Never gives in. Has the ability to make a pitch when he really, really has to," New York manager Terry Collins said. With starters Steven Matz and Seth Lugo expected to come off the disabled list in a few days, the 27-year-old Pill could soon be headed back to the minors. So this might represent his last shot at a major league win - at least for a while.

POWERED UP

Marcus Stroman is 5-0 with a 2.96 ERA in his past eight starts for the Blue Jays, and hasn't lost since April 18. He'll face a Yankees team that broke loose in the eighth Saturday at Toronto to hit four home runs, tying the franchise record for most homers in an inning.

ENCORE, ENCORE

Vance Worley starts for Miami, a day after teammate Edinson Volquez pitched the first no-hitter in the majors this year. Volquez was tied for the big league lead in losses when he faced Arizona. Worley is 0-2 going into this game against the visiting Diamondbacks.

YOU AGAIN?

Giants star Buster Posey has a 17-game hitting streak against the Phillies dating to July 24, 2014. He extended the string with a single Saturday in Philadelphia.

LEADING OFF: Sale tries for 9th double-digit K game in row

A look at what’s happening all around the majors today:

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A BIG FAN

Red Sox ace Chris Sale can set a major league record by striking out at least 10 batters in his ninth straight game when he starts against Texas at Fenway Park. The lefty has already matched the mark of eight in a row, which he did in 2015 with the White Sox and Pedro Martinez accomplished with Boston in 1999. Sale has fanned 95 in 65 2/3 over nine starts in his first year with the Red Sox.

TWIN WIN


Minnesota goes for its first three-game sweep at Camden Yards since 1996 when emerging right-hander Jose Berrios pitches against Chris Tillman. The AL Central-leading Twins won the series opener 14-7, then turned to pitching as Ervin Santana shut out the Orioles 2-0 Tuesday night.

NEED HELP

Jeremy Hellickson is off to a nice start for the Phillies, taking a 5-1 record into this outing at home vs. Colorado. But he could use some help — he has more wins the rest of Philadelphia’s rotation has combined (four).

NICE START

Mariners righty Sam Gaviglio looks to build upon his first big league start, when he threw five shutout innings against the White Sox last week. Gaviglio will pitch in Washington, where Bryce Harper and the Nationals homered four times in romping past Seattle 10-1 Tuesday night.

LEADING OFF: Sale faces Santana, Mets' Cabrera gets MRI

By The Associated Press

A look at what's happening all around the majors today:

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MARQUEE MATCHUP

Two of the top pitchers in the American League this season square off when Chris Sale (2-2, 1.38 ERA) and the Boston Red Sox face Ervin Santana (5-0, 0.66) and the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Sale has 63 strikeouts and eight walks while allowing only 26 hits in 45 2/3 innings. Santana has been even more stingy, giving up just 16 hits in 41 innings.

NOT AGAIN

Already missing a string of key players due to injuries, the New York Mets hope for good news when steady shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera has an MRI. Cabrera hurt his left thumb trying to make a diving stop Saturday night against Miami. The team said X-rays were negative. New York is also without ace pitcher Noah Syndergaard (lat muscle), outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (hamstring), first baseman Lucas Duda (elbow), catcher Travis d'Arnaud (wrist), left-hander Steven Matz (elbow) and right-hander Seth Lugo (elbow).

HEY OLD FRIEND

Jon Lester gets the ball for the Cubs when the World Series champions close out a weekend series against the Yankees at Wrigley Field. Lester is making his 30th start against New York, matching teammate John Lackey for the most starts by an active NL pitcher against the club. The left-hander, who began his career with Boston, is 13-6 with a 3.78 ERA against New York. Luis Severino starts for the Yankees after he was charged with five runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings in a 7-1 loss to Toronto in his previous start Monday.

BUM WING

Baltimore will lean on Brad Brach as closer for a bit longer after Zach Britton was put back on the disabled list Saturday. Britton said he probably rushed his return from a left forearm strain, earning himself a second DL stint this season. Brach was solid as a fill-in the first time Britton went down and entered Saturday with six saves and a 2.12 ERA this season. In better news for the Orioles, Chris Tillman is set to make his first start this season after battling right shoulder bursitis. He'll face White Sox lefty Jose Quintana (2-4, 4.10 ERA), who pitched eight scoreless innings of four-hit ball against Kansas City on Tuesday.

TAKING IT EASY

Braves manager Brian Snitker gave Dansby Swanson a night off Saturday, hoping that a short rest can get the 23-year-old on track. Swanson, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2015, entered Saturday hitting .150 with two homers and six RBIs in 100 at-bats. He was 1 for 10 in the first four games of this homestand. Swanson batted .302 in 38 games last season.

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More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

Report: Chris Sale traded to Boston by White Sox

FOX Sports MLB Analysis Ken Rosenthal reported on Tuesday that the Boston Red Sox reportedly acquire LHP Chris Sale from the Chicago White Sox for INF Yoan Moncada, RHP Michael Kopech, and 2 additional prospects.

Neither club has confirmed the deal.

The Washington Nationals also made offers to the White Sox to land Sale, but Boston's deal must have been liked more by Chicago.

White Sox suspend top pitcher Chris Sale for 5 days

By the Associated Press.

CHICAGO (AP) – The Chicago White Sox were set to wear throwback uniforms. Chris Sale had other ideas.

The White Sox suspended their ace five days without pay for destroying collared throwback uniforms the team was scheduled to wear.

The team announced the punishment on Sunday after Sale was scratched from his scheduled start and sent home the previous night.

The suspension comes to $250,000 of his $9.15 million salary. He was also fined about $12,700 - the cost of the destroyed jerseys - according to a person familiar with the penalty. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because no statements were authorized.

"Obviously we're all extremely disappointed that we have to deal with this issue at this time both from the standpoint of the club as well as Chris' perspective," general manager Rick Hahn said. "It's unfortunate that it has become this level of an issue and potential distraction taking away from what we're trying to accomplish on the field."

Sale was not expected at the ballpark on Sunday. He is eligible to return Thursday against the crosstown Cubs at Wrigley Field, though Hahn would not say if the left-hander would start that game.

The Major League Baseball Players Association declined comment, spokesman Greg Bouris said. Sale could ask the union to file a grievance.

FanRag Sports first reported Sale was protesting the 1976-style jerseys, which were navy and sported unusual collars on a hot and humid night.

Sale then cut up an unknown number of jerseys before the game and was told to leave the stadium. With not enough usable 1976 jerseys available, the White Sox wore white throwback uniforms from the 1983 season.

The incident comes with the White Sox in a tailspin after a 23-10 start and Sale's name circulating in trade rumors.

"The actions or behaviors of the last 24 hours does not change in any aspect, any respect, our belief that Chris Sale can help this club win a championship and win multiple championships," Hahn said. "It does not move the needle one iota in terms of his value to this club, his value to any other club that may be interested in his services or the likelihood of him being moved or kept whatsoever. None of that stuff is impacted at all by these events."

The incident does raise some questions in general about throwback uniforms, how players feel about them and whether they should be forced to wear jerseys that aren't comfortable - particularly starting pitchers.

"If I'm playing with Chris Sale I want him to pitch," Colorado Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez said. "If he wants to play with no shirt, we play with no shirt. I just want him to pitch."

New York Yankees pitcher Chasen Shreve said: "Pitchers like their stuff. Me, it doesn't bother me, but for him, obviously it does. It's crazy. I don't think I'm that bad."

White Sox pitcher James Shields wouldn't comment on whether players should be made to wear throwback jerseys. But he did say: "I don't really mind the throwbacks. I haven't had any issues with that."

Manager Robin Ventura said players occasionally wearing uniforms they don't like comes with the job.

"But you wear it," he said. "If you want to rip it after, you can rip it up after. I've seen guys rip it up after."

Hahn said throwback uniforms the White Sox wore last season were a bit baggy so the team took measurements in spring training so they would fit the players better. He also mentioned the money the uniforms generate.

"Part of the element of being in position to win a championship is the revenue side of the operation and respect for their reasonable requests to increase revenue," Hahn said.

This wasn't the first flare-up involving the 27-year-old Sale, who is known for his competitive streak and strict training regimen.

He was openly critical of team executive Ken Williams during spring training when he said Drake LaRoche, the son of teammate Adam LaRoche, would no longer be allowed in the clubhouse. Adam LaRoche retired as a result, and Sale hung the LaRoches' jerseys in his locker.

He was also suspended five games by Major League Baseball last season for his role in a brawl at Kansas City that started with a flare-up between teammate Adam Eaton and the Royals' Yordano Ventura. Sale went to the Royals clubhouse after he got tossed and was seen pounding on the door.

Hahn said the punishment was unrelated to previous incidents. He also said the two had a "very candid" meeting in his office with Sale after the pitcher had some exchanges with staff members in the clubhouse and that both "expressed remorse." They spoke again on Sunday.

"At that point last night Chris stood by his actions," Hahn said. "Part of what makes Chris great, part of what makes him elite, is his passion and commitment. We've seen that sometimes spill out from between the white lines. Yesterday was one of those instances and it unfortunately led to events that required discipline."

White Sox ace Chris Sale scratched for 'clubhouse incident'

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale was scratched from his start against the Detroit Tigers on Saturday night after he was involved in what the team said was a "non-physical clubhouse incident."

Sale, who was to attempt to become the majors' first 15-game winner, was sent home from the park.

FanRag Sports first reported the incident involved Sale's protest of the throwback jerseys the team was scheduled to wear. Fox Sports reported Sale cut up the throwback jerseys during batting practice.

"The incident, which was non-physical in nature, currently is under further investigation by the club," general manager Rick Hahn said in a statement. "The White Sox will have no additional comment until the investigation is completed."

The White Sox marketing department described the night as the "Throwback Game." It announced the team would wear collared, blue and white V-neck jerseys first worn during the 1976 season.

The players instead wore more conventional, throwback white jerseys with no collar and no navy.

Right-hander Matt Albers started in Sale's place and the White Sox planned to use multiple relievers. The crowd booed when Albers was announced as the starter as the teams warmed up.

With the White Sox fading from playoff contention, Sale's name has been mentioned as a possible trade target for contending teams.

The left-hander, 14-3 with a 3.18 ERA, has been outspoken in the past.

Sale was openly critical of team president Ken Williams during spring training when he said the son of teammate Adam LaRoche would no longer be allowed in the clubhouse. LaRoche retired as a result, and Sale hung LaRoche's jersey in his locker.

The 27-year-old Sale has said he'd like to stay in Chicago. He was the 13th overall pick out of Florida Gulf Coast in 2010 and has been selected as an All-Star five times. He started for the American League in this month's All-Star Game.

Sale, who is 71-43 in his career, entered the day leading the majors with 133 innings pitched and three complete games.

In his last outing Monday, Sale allowed one hit over eight shutout innings before closer David Robertson gave up four runs in the ninth in Chicago's loss to Seattle.

The White Sox, who started 23-10, had dropped eight of nine games before Saturday and sat in fourth place in the AL Central, creating speculation that Sale and fellow lefty Jose Quintana could be dealt.

Tigers GM Al Avila said before the game that many teams are looking for starting pitching.

"Yet there are not as many good starting pitchers available," Avila said. "And the guys that may come available are going to come at a steep price."

Hahn said Thursday the White Sox were "mired in mediocrity" and hinted at possible big roster changes.