Latest National League News

FILE - In this July 8, 2019, file photo, United States' Serena Williams returns the ball to Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro in a women's singles match during day seven of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London. After the traditional middle Sunday off, Wimbledon would have resumed this week with what some consider the most exciting day of tennis: The second Monday, when all 16 men’s and women’s singles matches in the fourth round are scheduled. Of the 19 times Williams has entered Wimbledon, she reached Week 2 of the fortnight on 16 occasions; that includes seven of her 23 Grand Slam singles trophies and another four runner-up finishes, including in 2018 and 2019. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)

What Would Have Been: Close MLB interleague play, Wimbledon

Jul. 6, 2020 2:25 AM EDT

There would have been a lot of close MLB rivalry games this week if not for the coronavirus pandemic, with five interleague series matching teams from the same city or state. All of those rivals will still get to play this year. The Associated Press looks at some of the sporting events that had been scheduled the...

The grounds crew works on the field at Oakland Coliseum before an Oakland Athletics baseball practice in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, July 4, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

The Latest: Two Arizona relievers tested positive for virus

Jul. 5, 2020 9:44 PM EDT

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world: ___ Arizona manager Torey Lovullo says that relief pitchers Silvino Bracho and Junior Guerra have both tested positive for COVID-19. The Diamondbacks had previously revealed that three players on the 40-man roster had tested...

San Francisco Giants' Pablo Sandoval stands on the field during a baseball practice in San Francisco, Sunday, July 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Giants manager Kapler: Pablo Sandoval's weight not an issue

Jul. 5, 2020 8:05 PM EDT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Pablo Sandoval's size and round middle have ignited the internet and brought out the body critics as baseball begins again. Manager Gabe Kapler said Sunday the San Francisco Giants fully expect their “Kung Fu Panda” to be ready and in game shape to contribute by opening...

Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo, left, stands next to manager David Ross, right, during baseball practice at Wrigley Field, Sunday, July 5, 2020, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)

King Félix opts out of MLB season, Doolittle on fence

Jul. 5, 2020 6:56 PM EDT

Former Cy Young Award winner Félix Hernández has joined the list of major leaguers opting out of the 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic, at least temporarily ending the 34-year-old’s bid to revive his career. Stars Christian Yelich of the Milwaukee Brewers and Jose Altuve of the Houston...

FILE - In this March 6, 2020, file photo, Milwaukee Brewers' Christian Yelich speaks after the Brewers announced his multi-year contract extension at the team's spring training facility in Phoenix. Yelich acknowledges he benefited from fortunate timing in how he handled his contract negotiations. The Brewers held the March 6 news conference to announce that the 2018 NL MVP had agreed to a nine-year, $215 million contract. Spring training was halted due less than a week later due to the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Matt York, File)

Brewers' Yelich knows he had fortunate timing on new deal

Jul. 5, 2020 4:21 PM EDT

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich acknowledges he benefited from fortunate timing in his contract negotiations. The Brewers held a March 6 news conference to announce that the 2018 NL MVP had agreed to a nine-year, $215 million contract. Spring training was halted less than a...

Atlanta Braves' Félix Hernandez sits during team practice at Truist Park on Friday, July 3, 2020, in Atlanta.Former Cy Young winner Félix Hernández has opted out of the 2020 season, at least temporarily ending his bid to revive his career with the Atlanta Braves. Braves manager Brian Snitker says the 34-year-old Hernández chose to skip the season due to the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Braves' Felix Hernandez opts out of season due to pandemic

Jul. 5, 2020 1:35 PM EDT

ATLANTA (AP) — Former Cy Young winner Félix Hernández has opted out of the 2020 season, at least temporarily ending his bid to revive his career with the Atlanta Braves. Braves manager Brian Snitker said Sunday that Hernández, 34, opted out due to the coronavirus pandemic. The decision was...

FILE - In this March 2, 2020, file photo, Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher David Price throws against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning of a spring training baseball game in Goodyear, Ariz. Price will not play this season because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, delaying his Los Angeles debut until next year. The five-time All-Star became the latest player to opt out, posting Saturday, July 4, 2020, on Twitter that he would not participate in the 60-game season that is scheduled to begin July 23. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

Dodgers pitcher Price won't play this year because of virus

Jul. 5, 2020 1:21 AM EDT

Dodgers pitcher David Price will not play this season because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, delaying his Los Angeles debut until next year. The five-time All-Star became the latest player to opt out, posting Saturday on Twitter that he wouldn’t participate in the 60-game season that’s...

FILE - In this Feb. 27, 2020, file photo, Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Madison Bumgarner throws during the second inning of spring training baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Scottsdale Ariz. Arizona's new pitching addition Bumgarner threw two innings of live batting practice on Saturday, July 4, 2020. It was his first outing during the team's summer camp at Chase Field as the D-backs prepare for a 60-game season. (AP Photo/Matt York, File)

D-backs' MadBum back on mound, tries to stay healthy in camp

Jul. 4, 2020 9:45 PM EDT

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona's new pitching addition Madison Bumgarner was having a little fun on the mound during his first summer workout on Saturday, dropping down sidearm and firing a fastball that buzzed catcher Stephen Vogt, who quickly spun out of harm's way. Both players were laughing. For a few moments,...

This is a 2020 photo of Freddie Freeman of the Atlanta Braves baseball team. Atlanta Braves four-time All-Star Freddie Freeman, reliever Will Smith and two teammates have tested positive for the coronavirus. Manager Brian Snitker says the four players, including right-hander Touki Toussaint and infielder Pete Kozma, agreed to have the team disclose their positive tests. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Braves star Freeman, 3 others test positive for virus

Jul. 4, 2020 8:21 PM EDT

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Braves four-time All-Star Freddie Freeman, premier reliever Will Smith and two teammates have tested positive for the coronavirus, a jarring hit to the NL East champions less than three weeks before the start of the pandemic-delayed season. “It will be a while before we can...

FILE - In this March 2, 2020, file photo, Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher David Price throws against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning of a spring training baseball game in Goodyear, Ariz. Price will not play this season because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, delaying his Los Angeles debut until next year. The five-time All-Star became the latest player to opt out, posting Saturday, July 4, 2020, on Twitter that he would not participate in the 60-game season that is scheduled to begin July 23. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

Tough day for MLB: Price out, Freeman positive, Tanaka hurt

Jul. 4, 2020 8:01 PM EDT

Freddie Freeman tests positive for COVID-19. Masahiro Tanaka gets hit in the head by a line drive. David Price announces he won’t play this season. On this Fourth of July, even the return of baseball didn’t offer much cause for celebration. As teams prepared to start their pandemic-shortened season,...

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