New York Yankees pitcher Corey Kluber could miss up to two months of MLB action due to a shoulder injury sustained in Tuesday's 6-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Kluber only lasted three innings in the defeat, replaced by Michael King, and underwent an MRI on his right shoulder, which revealed a strain of the subscapular muscle.
On Wednesday, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said two-time Cy Young Award winner Kluber would not be able to throw for at least four weeks.
"It's tough news to get, considering how well he's throwing the ball and all he's been through to get back," Boone said, with the midweek showdown against the Blue Jays postponed due to inclement weather.
"Hopefully we can start the recovery process for him and have him back in our rotation sooner rather than later."
Boone said three-time All-Star Kluber, 35, will get a second examination for the "subscap strain".
Kluber joined the Yankees in the offseason after spending 2020 with the Texas Rangers, where he only played once due to a shoulder injury.
He also endured injury problems in his final season with the Cleveland Indians in 2019.
The right-handed pitcher had tossed down a no-hitter for the Yankees against the Rangers last week and his start against the Blue Jays was his first since.
Kluber has a 3.04 ERA this season across 10 starts for the Yankees, with 55 strikeouts.
Meanwhile, Yankees star Luke Voit has landed on the injured list with a strain of his right oblique.
Voit led the majors with 22 home runs during last season's coronavirus-shortened campaign.
"He’s frustrated," Boone said. "He's had such success with the knee, so to have a setback that's going to land him on the IL … hopefully it's not something that keeps him down too long."
The Tampa Bay Rays' 11-game winning streak ended as they went down 2-1 to the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday in the MLB.
With veteran Rich Hill on the mound, the Rays were exceptional in the outfield in the early innings with Austin Meadows and Kevin Kiermaier pulling off spectacular catches from Andrew Benintendi.
Hill, at the cherry ripe age of 41, tossed down 13 strikeouts across seven innings for the Rays.
But the Royals got their go-ahead run in the sixth inning when Cam Gallagher touched down from Salvador Perez's hit.
Shohei Ohtani hit his 15th homerun of the season, a 117 mph rocket, as the Los Angeles Angels won 11-5 over the Texas Rangers, while the San Diego Padres made it 10 wins from their past 11 with a 7-1 victory at the Milwaukee Brewers.
Guerrero moves to 16, DeGrom returns
Vladimir Guerrero moved into the outright lead for most homeruns this season in the Toronto Blue Jays' 6-2 win over the New York Yankees.
Guerrero hit his 16th homer of the 2021 MLB season in the third inning, as Yankees pitcher Corey Kluber started for the first time since last week's no-hitter.
Kluber only sent down 58 pitches across three innings, allowing his first hit in 39 batters, before being hastily replaced by Michael King, with fears of a shoulder injury.
The result ended the Blue Jays' six-game losing streak too.
Jacob deGrom returned for his first game since April 28 with ride side tightness and pitched five innings with nine strikeouts as the New York Mets won 3-1 over the Colorado Rockies.
It was not a perfect return for deGrom, allowing only his third homerun of the season, when Ryan McMahon homered in the second inning. It was the first he has allowed in the strike zone too.
Right-hander Edwin Diaz stepped up to finish the job for the Mets with three strikeouts, sending down a 100 mph pitch on the corner to end the game.
Max Scherzer was on song for the Washington Nationals but it was not enough for victory as the Cincinnati Reds triumphed 2-1 with Kyle Farmer and Eugenio Suarez homeruns.
Scherzer pitched seven innings and had nine strikeouts, including eight out of the strike zone.
Jack's rough high school reunion
Harvard-Westlake pals Jack Flaherty and Lucas Giolito reunited in the Chicago White Sox's 8-3 win over the St Louis Cardinals. Flaherty had started with an 8-0 record in his first eight appearances for the Cardinals but that came to an end in a hard day, including a wild pitch to Yermin Mercedes which allowed Nick Madrigal to score. Jose Abreu also returned to form with a homer off Flaherty.
Greinke vs Kershaw in Houston
Star pitchers Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw faced off with the latter getting the upper hand as the Los Angeles Dodgers won 9-2 at the Houston Astros. Kershaw sent down 81 pitches with 57 strikes and six Ks. He only gave up one run and did not walk anybody.
Tuesday's results
Chicago Cubs 4-3 Pittsburgh Pirates
Philadelphia Phillies 2-0 Miami Marlins
Cincinnati Reds 2-1 Washington Nationals
Toronto Blue Jays 6-2 New York Yankees
Atlanta Braves 3-1 Boston Red Sox
Kansas City Royals 2-1 Tampa Bay Rays
New York Mets 3-1 Colorado Rockies
Cleveland Indians 4-1 Detroit Tigers
San Diego Padres 7-1 Milwaukee Brewers
Minnesota Twins 7-4 Baltimore Orioles
Chicago White Sox 8-3 St Louis Cardinals
Los Angeles Dodgers 9-2 Houston Astros
Los Angeles Angels 11-5 Texas Rangers
San Francisco Giants 8-0 Arizona Diamondbacks
Seattle Mariners 4-3 Oakland Athletics
Padres at Brewers
Fernando Tatis Jr and the San Diego Padres continue their enthralling series away to the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Tampa Bay Rays extended their MLB-best winning streak after outlasting the Toronto Blue Jays 14-8 thanks to a monster 11th inning.
Tampa Bay celebrated an 11th consecutive victory following a seven-run 11th inning at TD Ballpark in Dunedin on Monday.
Francisco Mejia hit a tie-breaking, two-run single during the Rays' outburst in the 11th as Tampa Bay moved within one victory of the franchise record for successive wins.
The Rays raced out to a five-run lead in the opening inning behind Joey Wendle's grand slam before the Blue Jays rallied via Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Marcus Semien homers in the eighth and 10th innings respectively.
Guerrero hit two of Toronto's five home runs as the Blue Jays sensation now leads MLB in on-base slugging percentage (1.104), while he level with Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna for the most major homers this season (15).
The Rays now top the American League (AL) East by a half-game ahead of the idle Boston Red Sox.
Woodruff lifts Brewers
Brandon Woodruff starred as the Milwaukee Brewers held off the high-flying San Diego Padres 5-3. Woodruff – who leads the way in ERA (1.41) – dazzled over seven innings at American Family Field, where the Brewers ace allowed three singles and no walks while striking out eight batters. His performance helped snap San Diego's nine-game winning streak.
The AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox ended a three-game skid thanks to a 5-1 win over the St Louis Cardinals. Lance Lynn held the Cardinals hitless for 5.1 innings, while Andrew Vaughn launched a two-run homer in the sixth inning to put the White Sox ahead.
Adam Duvall's three-run homer ignited the Miami Marlins, who accounted for the Philadelphia Phillies 9-6.
Slumping Jays
The Blue Jays have now lost six consecutive games following a four-game sweep at the hands of AL East rivals the Rays, who are five and a half games clear of Toronto atop the standings.
Kelenic's star continues to rise
Jarred Kelenic produced another memorable moment. The Seattle Mariners prospect hit a towering solo home run in the fifth inning of his team's 4-2 victory over the Oakland Athletics – his second career homer.
Monday's results
Tampa Bay Rays 14-8 Toronto Blue Jays
Miami Marlins 9-6 Philadelphia Phillies
Cleveland Indians 6-5 Detroit Tigers
Colorado Rockies 3-2 New York Mets
Minnesota Twins 8-3 Baltimore Orioles
Milwaukee Brewers 5-3 San Diego Padres
Chicago White Sox 5-1 St Louis Cardinals
Seattle Mariners 4-2 Oakland Athletics
Dodgers at Astros
World Series champions the Los Angeles Dodgers (29-18) – riding a seven-game winning streak – open their series against the Houston Astros (26-21) on Tuesday. It will be a battle of the aces as Clayton Kershaw takes to the mound, while Zack Greinke starts for the Astros, who have lost three in a row.
Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a grand slam in a two-homer performance as the San Diego Padres swept their homestand with a 9-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners.
With the Padres leading 4-1 and bases full at the bottom of the seventh inning on Sunday, star Tatis launched over centerfield for a grand slam.
The grand slam was Tatis' second of his career and 13th homer of the MLB season, having hit his 12th earlier in the ball game.
Leading the Padres off in the second, Silver Slugger Tatis homered with a 441-foot shot off Justin Dunn in his 200th hit for the high-flying Padres – who own the best record in the majors (30-17) atop the National League (NL) West.
Tatis also got home in the sixth, when the Padres scored four runs, as they made it nine consecutive home wins before hitting the road.
Over his last four games, Tatis is batting .786 with 12 RBI and has also walked three times. According to Stats Perform, he is the first player to bat .750 or better with 12-plus RBI and three-plus walks over a four-game span since Babe Ruth in 1932.
The 22-year-old is the first shortstop in MLB history to hit at least 50 homers (52) by the time of his 200th career hit.
Dodgers sweep Giants, walk offs galore
World Series champions the Los Angeles Dodgers completed a series sweep against the San Francisco Giants with an 11-5 win. Julio Urias drove in two runs as he became the first Dodgers pitcher with three RBI in a game since 2014. Gavin Lux also hit a grand slam for the Dodgers against their NL West rivals.
The Tampa Bay Rays made it 10 wins in a row while condemning the Toronto Blue Jays to five straight defeats with a 6-4 triumph after three straight walks from Travis Bergen in the ninth inning.
Adolis Garcia drove in the winning run from Nick Solak as the Texas Rangers knocked off the Houston Astros 3-2 in a walk-off victory.
Trevor Story hit a home run to seal a 4-3 walk-off win for the Colorado Rockies over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Carlos Santana did the same with a homer to clinch a 3-2 walk-off triumph for the Kansas City Royals over the Detroit Tigers.
Four early from Rodriguez
Boston Red Sox left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez has been shaky lately and he gave up four runs in the opening inning of the team's 6-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. He responded with six strikeouts but only pitched across four innings as he finished with five hits, three walks and a homer.
Anthony DeSclafani struggled for the Giants. The San Francisco pitcher allowed 10 runs in three innings, with six the most earned runs he had previously given up all season.
Javier breaks the deadlock
Javier Baez hit a 10th-inning home run to earn the Chicago Cubs a 2-1 win over the St Louis Cardinals. It was the Cubs' first hit in 18 plate appearances with a man on base, coming at the right time.
Sunday's results
Washington Nationals 6-5 Baltimore Orioles
Philadelphia Phillies 6-2 Boston Red Sox
New York Yankees 5-4 Chicago White Sox
Tampa Bay Rays 6-4 Toronto Blue Jays
Miami Marlins 5-1 New York Mets
Milwaukee Brewers 9-4 Cincinnati Reds
Minnesota Twins 8-5 Cleveland Indians
Atlanta Braves 7-1 Pittsburgh Pirates
Kansas City Royals 3-2 Detroit Tigers
Texas Rangers 3-2 Houston Astros
Colorado Rockies 4-3 Arizona Diamondbacks
Los Angeles Dodgers 11-5 San Francisco Giants
Los Angeles Angels 6-5 Oakland Athletics
San Diego Padres 9-2 Seattle Mariners
Chicago Cubs 2-1 St Louis Cardinals
Padres at Brewers
The in-form Padres begin their series against the Brewers (23-23) on Monday. Blake Snell starts for the Padres in Milwaukee, where Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff takes to the mound.
Seven strong innings from Walker Buehler lifted the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 6-3 victory at San Francisco, pulling the defending World Series champions level with the Giants in the National League West.
Buehler allowed one run while scattering six hits in seven innings of work, improving to 3-0 while lowering his ERA to 2.78.
The Dodgers spoiled the first MLB appearance since September 2016 for Giants starter Scott Kazmir, who allowed only a first-inning solo home run to Max Muncy in four strong innings after being recalled from the minor leagues.
Austin Barnes added a solo homer of his own in the fifth for the Dodgers, who put the game away with four runs in the seventh and eighth innings.
The Dodgers' sixth consecutive win and second in a row against their northern rivals left Los Angeles a game behind the first-place San Diego Padres in the top-heavy division.
Cole silences White Sox
Gerrit Cole was all but untouchable once again, allowing four hits in seven innings as the New York Yankees blanked the Chicago White Sox 7-0 for their fifth win in succession. Gleyber Torres had another big game at the plate for New York, driving in four runs.
A day after hitting a walk-off home run against the Houston Astros, Texas Rangers sensation Adolis Garcia hit two more bombs to help the Rangers to an 8-4 triumph. The second shot tied the game and sparked a five-run seventh inning that provided the winning margin for Texas.
Garrett Cooper hit a game-winning two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth as the Miami Marlins beat the New York Mets 3-1.
Xander Bogaerts and Danny Santana had back-to-back homers to lead off the sixth inning for the Boston Red Sox in a 4-3 victory ove the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Tampa Bay Rays rallied with runs in the eighth and ninth to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 for their ninth consecutive victory.
Mariners' three errors boost Padres
The Seattle Mariners committed three errors in the fifth inning -- two of them by catcher Tom Murphy -- to help the Padres break open what had been a 1-1 game on the way to a 6-4 San Diego win. The first run of the inning scored when Murphy's throw to third on a Jorge Mateo steal attempt sailed into left field. Later, a bases-loaded single by Eric Hosmer brought home two runs, and a throw home by outfielder Jarred Kelenic went through Murphy's legs, allowing Fernando Tatis Jr to score from first base on the play.
Hernandez gives Cleveland walk-off win
Cesar Hernandez hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the 10th to give the Cleveland Indians a bounce-back 5-3 win over the Minnesota Twins.
Saturday's results
Boston Red Sox 4-3 Philadelphia Phillies
Washington Nationals 12-9 Baltimore Orioles
New York Yankees 7-0 Chicago White Sox
Cleveland Indians 5-3 Minnesota Twins
Miami Marlins 3-1 New York Mets
Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 Cincinnati Reds
Atlanta Braves 6-1 Pittsburgh Pirates
Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 Toronto Blue Jays
Texas Rangers 8-4 Houston Astros
Kansas City Royals 7-5 Detroit Tigers
St Louis Cardinals 2-1 Chicago Cubs
Colorado Rockies 7-6 Arizona Diamondbacks
Oakland Athletics 6-2 Los Angeles Angels
Los Angeles Dodgers 6-3 San Francisco Giants
San Diego Padres 6-4 Seattle Mariners
Rays at Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays (23-21) send ace Hyun Jin Ryu to the mound as they try to avoid a sweep and stop the Tampa Bay Rays' nine-game winning streak. Michael Wacha will come off the injured list to start for the Rays (28-19).
Albert Pujols is confident the Los Angeles Dodgers remain the best team in MLB and was happy to help the World Series champions with his first home run since signing.
City rivals the Los Angeles Angels designated Pujols for assignment this month, but the future Hall of Famer quickly found a new home.
The Dodgers have since gone 4-0 to improve to 26-18, although they are still only third in the NL West.
Injuries to Cody Bellinger and Corey Seager have not helped the team, but Pujols believes they are still the best around.
"Just because I'm here, that doesn't change anything," he said when asked about the recent upturn in form. "These guys are a heck of a ball club.
"Before I got here, this team is probably the best team in the major leagues.
"You look up and down the lineup, the bullpen, the starting pitcher, even though they've got a couple of guys hurt. The quality guys we have here, they know how to win.
"The young guys, the energy that they have, I'm just excited to be part of this group.
"Just because I'm here we have a winning streak? I don't believe in that. I believe this is a great team."
The Dodgers' wins with Pujols on the team have all come in a series sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks, concluding with a 3-2 victory on Thursday.
Pujols set them on their way to that success with a two-run homer in the second inning.
It was his first for the Dodgers but 668th of his career, including five for the Angels this season.
The 41-year-old therefore became the first player in MLB history to homer for two different teams in the same metropolitan area before the end of May.
"Coming through here for 20 years-plus, I saw the energy that these guys have," said Pujols, who now has 3,256 hits, 13th on the all-time list.
"Whether with the Cardinals or the Angels, it always seemed like these guys were ready to play every day.
"I'm just glad to be on this side now and enjoying the energy and jumping on the wagon with some of these guys.
"I'm just excited to contribute and obviously to help this ball club continue to win."
Future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols hit his first home run for the Los Angeles Dodgers as the World Series champions extended their winning streak in MLB.
Pujols – acquired on a one-year deal on Monday, having been designated for assignment by city rivals the Los Angeles Angels – launched a two-run homer in the second inning of the Dodgers' 3-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday.
It was Pujols' 668th career home run as the Dodgers celebrated their fourth consecutive victory.
Pujols – a two-time World Series champion, three-time MVP and 10-time All-Star – now has 3,256 hits, 13th on the all-time list.
According to Stats Perform, the 41-year-old Pujols became the first player in MLB history to homer for two different teams in the same metro area before the end of May.
Elsewhere, the San Francisco Giants showed no mercy in a 19-4 demolition of the Cincinnati Reds, who suffered a four-game sweep.
Steven Duggar hit his first career grand slam in a nine-run third inning, while Brandon Crawford drove in six runs for the Giants.
The Giants, who had season highs of 19 runs and 16 hits, now own the best record in the majors amid a five-game winning streak.
Cubs roar as Happ homers
A pair of Ian Happ home runs helped the Chicago Cubs beat the Washington Nationals 5-2. Happ also drove in three runs at Wrigley Field.
The Tampa Bay Rays routed the Baltimore Orioles 10-1, extending their winning streak to seven games, thanks to Joey Wendle's two homers.
Sandy Alcantara produced a two-hit performance of six innings as the Miami Marlins shut out the Philadelphia Phillies 6-0.
Mahle struggles
It was a game to forget for Tyler Mahle and the Reds. Cincinnati pitcher Mahle allowed seven runs, seven hits and two walks in just two innings. His ERA rose from 2.93 to 4.20.
Martinez the hero in Dunedin
J.D. Martinez hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in a three-run ninth inning as the Boston Red Sox rallied past the Toronto Blue Jays 8-7. Martinez's 250th career home run snapped a 12-game streak without a homer as the Red Sox held onto the American League (AL) East lead.
Thursday's results
San Francisco Giants 19-4 Cincinnati Reds
Tampa Bay Rays 10-1 Baltimore Orioles
New York Yankees 2-0 Texas Rangers
Chicago Cubs 5-2 Washington Nationals
Houston Astros 8-4 Oakland Athletics
Los Angeles Angles 7-1 Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins 6-3 Los Angeles Angels
Miami Marlins 6-0 Philadelphia Phillies
Pittsburgh Pirates 6-4 Atlanta Braves
Boston Red Sox 8-7 Toronto Blue Jays
Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 Arizona Diamondbacks
White Sox at Yankees
AL Central leaders the Chicago White Sox (26-16) will visit the streaking Yankees (25-19) on Friday. The Yankees have won three straight games following a slow start to the season. White Sox ace Carlos Rodon takes to the mound at Yankee Stadium, where the hosts counter with Jordan Montgomery.
Fernando Tatis Jr returned for the first time since May 9 with a bang as the San Diego Padres won 3-0 against the Colorado Rockies in MLB on Wednesday.
Tatis had been absent following a positive coronavirus test earlier in the month but picked up where he left off with four hits including a home run.
The 22-year-old hit a single down the middle with his first bat back, before showing off a little yoga after stealing second base.
At the bottom of the fourth with two outs, Tatis hit a homer from Chi Chi Gonzalez to put the Padres up 1-0.
He almost completed the cycle, needing a triple in the eighth, but he had to settle for a base hit.
San Diego also welcomed back Eric Hosmer, while Wil Myers is expected to return this weekend.
The win means the Padres have won six in a row and nine of their past 10 games.
The year of the no-hitter
Corey Kluber tossed down his career-first no-hitter as the New York Yankees eclipsed the Texas Rangers 2-0.
Kluber, who moved from the Rangers to the Yankees in the off-season, struck out nine batters across nine innings in a remarkable display.
Willie Calhoun hit a ground ball to Gleyber Torres at second who threw to first to complete Kluber's maiden no-no.
The no-hitter comes only 24 hours after Spencer Turnbull's for the Detroit Tigers, marking the first time no-hitters have occurred on consecutive days since 1969. The 35-year-old right-hander, who has battled injury over the past two years, becomes the first Yankee to toss down a no-hitter since David Cone in 1999.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said: "We're excited for him and his story and what he's been through. Tonight we celebate Corey Kluber and a masterful performance."
Kluber's feat continues a trend in the season dubbed 'The Year of the No-No' as the sixth no-hitter in MLB this year. The season record is seven no-hitters.
Shohei Ohtani was pulled as the Los Angeles Angels slipped to 18-24 with a 3-2 loss to the Cleveland Indians.
Ohtani, who was hitting and pitching in the same game for the fourth time, started well but was pulled after Jake Bauers homered in the fifth.
Randy Arozarena pulled off a spectacular outfield catch in the Tampa Bay Rays' 9-7 victory at the Baltimore Orioles, which improves their record to 25-19.
Juan Soto hit a spectacular home run with a moon shot on one knee in the Washington Nationals' 4-3 win at the Chicago Cubs.
More Twins woes
After conceding 16 runs a few days earlier to the Chicago White Sox, the Minnesota Twins hit back with a win in their series on Tuesday, before a 2-1 loss on Wednesday. The Twins tidied things up, only giving up one run, but still suffered their 11th loss from their past 14.
Acuna's walk-off home run
Ronald Acuna keeps on producing heroics with a walk-off home run, his 13th homer of the 2021 MLB season, clinching the Atlanta Braves a 5-4 win over the New York Mets.
Wednesday's results
Chicago White Sox 2-1 Minnesota Twins
San Diego Padres 3-0 Colorado Rockies
San Francisco Giants 4-0 Cincinnati Reds
Miami Marlins 3-1 Philadelphia Phillies
Tampa Bay Rays 9-7 Baltimore Orioles
Atlanta Braves 5-4 New York Mets
Boston Red Sox 7-3 Toronto Blue Jays
Washington Nationals 4-3 Chicago Cubs
St Louis Cardinals 8-5 Pittsburgh Pirates
New York Yankees 2-0 Texas Rangers
Cleveland Indians 3-2 Los Angeles Angels
Kansas City Royals 6-4 Milwaukee Brewers
Houston Astros 8-1 Oakland Athletics
Los Angeles Dodgers 4-2 Arizona Diamondbacks
Detroit Tigers 6-2 Seattle Mariners
Red Sox at Blue Jays
American League East leaders the Boston Red Sox (26-18) will continue their series away to the Toronto Blue Jays (23-18) in Dunedin.
New York Yankees pitcher Corey Kluber has thrown the sixth no-hitter of the 2021 MLB season and the second on consecutive days.
The 35-year-old right-hander tossed down nine strikeouts across nine innings in the Yankees' 2-0 win over his former franchise Texas Rangers on Wednesday.
Kluber moved from the Rangers in the off-season and becomes the first Yankee to throw a no-hitter since David Cone in 1999.
It is the two-time CY Young award winner's first career no-hitter and marked his return after two years battling injury, pitching only one inning for the Rangers last season.
"It's all kind of emotions. It's excitement but also relief because it's over," Kluber said post-game on YES Network. "We were fortunate in that they hit them right at people."
Kluber's 101-pitch feat follows on from Spencer Turnbull's no-hitter for the Detroit Tigers against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday.
Joe Musgrove, Carlos Rodon, John Means and Wade Miley have also thrown no-nos this season.
The record for the most no-hitters in a single MLB season is seven.
Spencer Turnbull had a game to remember after no-hitting the Seattle Mariners in the Detroit Tigers' 5-0 shutout.
Turnbull produced a no-hitter against the Mariners in MLB action on Tuesday – the eighth such performance in Tigers history and the first since Justin Verlander in 2011.
The 28-year-old pitcher struck out nine batters across nine masterful innings.
Turnbull had a career record of 9-25 (.265) entering his no-hitter. According to Stats Perform, he is the first pitcher in the modern era to throw a no-hitter after entering the game with a sub .300 career winning percentage (minimum 10 decisions).
As for the Mariners, they are second team in MLB history after the 1923 Philadelphia A's to get no-hit at home twice in a two-week span, per Stats Perform.
In Dunedin, Ryu Hyun-jin starred as the Toronto Blue Jays crushed American League (AL) East leaders and rivals the Boston Red Sox 8-0.
Blue Jays ace Ryu scattered four hits and struck out seven across seven innings in a dominant display against the Red Sox.
The Blue Jays won for the ninth time in 12 games and improved to a season-high six games over .500 in the AL East.
Sano homers three times
The Minnesota Twins upstaged the high-flying Chicago White Sox 5-4 behind a three-homer display from Miguel Sano – the first such performance of his career. Sano entered the game hitting .141 but proceeded to hit three homers. The is the lowest batting average entering a three-homer game in the modern era, per Stats Perform. The previous low – .153 by Babe Ruth in 1935.
Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux launched his first career grand slam as the World Series champions humbled the Arizona Diamondbacks 9-1.
The Oakland Athletics snapped the Houston Astros' six-game winning streak with a 6-5 victory. Ramon Laureano's two home runs fuelled the A's.
Harvey and Rodriguez struggle
The Tampa Bay Rays got on top of Matt Harvey in a 13-6 in over the Baltimore Orioles. Harvey gave up a pair of homers. He allowed six runs on seven hits in 1.6 innings.
Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez was roughed up by the Blue Jays. He gave up five runs and 11 hits in five innings.
Ohtani homers… again
Two-way Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani hit his MLB-leading 14th homer of the season. It was his third home run in as many games but the Angels lost 6-5 to the Cleveland Indians.
Tuesday's results
San Francisco Giants 4-2 Cincinnati Reds
Philadelphia Phillies 8-3 Miami Marlins
Tampa Bay Rays 13-6 Baltimore Orioles
New York Mets 4-3 Atlanta Braves
Toronto Blue Jays 8-0 Boston Red Sox
Minnesota Twins 5-4 Chicago White Sox
Chicago Cubs 6-3 Washington Nationals
St Louis Cardinals 5-2 Pittsburgh Pirates
New York Yankees 7-4 Texas Rangers
Kansas City Royals 2-0 Milwaukee Brewers
Cleveland Indians 6-5 Los Angeles Angels
Houston Astros 6-5 Oakland Athletics
Los Angeles Dodgers 9-1 Arizona Diamondbacks
San Diego Padres 2-1 Colorado Rockies
Detroit Tigers 5-0 Seattle Mariners
Indians at Angels
Ohtani will return to the mound as the Angels (18-22) host the Indians (21-18) in the series decider on Wednesday.
Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout could miss up to eight weeks after landing on the injured list with a right calf strain.
Trout was injured during the Angels' 7-4 win over the Cleveland Indians in MLB action on Monday.
The three-time American League (AL) MVP was running the bases in the opening inning but needed to stop after reaching third before eventually returning to the dugout.
It is a blow for the Angels (18-22), who have lost 10 of their past 15 games to languish fourth in the five-team AL West.
Trout – an eight-time All-Star and eight-time Silver Slugger – has hit eight homers this season, with 23 runs, 39 hits and 18 RBI.
The 29-year-old has been hitting .333, with an MLB-best on-base percentage (OBP) of .466, while he boasts an AL-best .624 slugging percentage (SLG).
Albert Pujols described his Los Angeles Dodgers debut as "pretty awesome" after the two-time World Series champion made his bow in a win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The 41-year-old joined from city rivals the Angels, where he had entered the final season of his 10-year, $240million contract.
Pujols, a three-time MVP and 10-time All-Star, grabbed an RBI single from his first hit on Monday. That brought in fellow superstar Mookie Betts to score in the 3-1 victory against the Diamondbacks.
He has signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers and savoured his first outing for the team, saying: "It was pretty awesome. Really high-pumped energy by the fans. I was really excited to take that field and to contribute tonight."
Now that he has a new home, Pujols will be looking to significantly add to the 667 home runs that put him fifth on the all-time list.
New team-mate Walker Buehler stole the show for the reigning World Series champions on Monday, however, throwing seven scoreless innings to help the Dodgers to a fifth win in their past six games.
Pujols could not help but be impressed.
"It's pretty amazing," said Pujols, quoted on the team's website. "I never had the opportunity to face him in the past, but just to see him and the electric stuff that he has is just unbelievable.
"He owned that mound when he was out there and it's pretty amazing."
The Chicago White Sox further enhanced their MLB World Series potential after pounding the Minnesota Twins 16-4.
Having made no secret of their World Series aspirations at the start of the season, the White Sox continue to impress following Monday's crushing win over the Twins.
American League (AL) Central leaders the White Sox – who have won nine of their past 11 games – posted season highs in hits (18) and runs.
Nick Madrigal had three hits, including his maiden MLB homer and White Sox team-mate Danny Mendick launched his first career grand slam in Minneapolis.
For the ninth time in White Sox history, a player hit their first career homer and first career grand slam, however, Monday was the first time it was achieved by two different players.
Yasmani Grandal became the first player in White Sox history with three four-plus walk games in a season, while team-mate Yermin Mercedes is the first player in franchise history to homer off a position player pitcher since 1955.
White Sox ace Dallas Keuchel pitched seven innings, allowing three runs on seven hits against the hapless Twins.
Meanwhile, two-way star Shohei Ohtani was at it again as the Los Angeles Angels took down the Cleveland Indians 7-4.
Ohtani hit his MLB-leading 13th home run of the season – a three-run homer in the second inning.
Cole makes history
The New York Yankees were beaten 5-2 by the Texas Rangers but it was a memorable outing for ace Gerrit Cole, who recorded the most strikeouts without a walk (61) in any stretch of a season since 1983, eclipsing the 58 tallied by Corbin Burnes earlier this season. The Rangers snapped a six-game skid in the victory.
The San Francisco Giants trumped the Cincinnati Reds 6-3 behind six shut-out innings from Logan Webb, who gave up six hits, struck out four and walked a batter.
Pillar left bloodied in scary incident
The New York Mets topped the Atlanta Braves 3-1 but it came at a cost. Right fielder Kevin Pillar was hit in the nose by a pitch from Atlanta's Jacob Webb in the seventh inning. Pillar fell straight to the ground as blood poured from his nose. The incident left Mets and Braves players shaken in Atlanta.
Angels star Mike Trout exited in the first inning of the team's victory. Trout walked and reached second base before sustaining a right calf strain.
Pujols makes immediate impact
Future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday, following his exit from city rivals the Angels. The 41-year-old slugger – a two-time World Series champion, three-time MVP and 10-time All-Star – made his first appearance for the Dodgers that day, his first hit an RBI single. It brought in star Mookie Betts to score in the World Series champions' 3-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Monday's results
San Francisco Giants 6-3 Cincinnati Reds
New York Mets 3-1 Atlanta Braves
Chicago White Sox 16-4 Minnesota Twins
Chicago Cubs 7-3 Washington Nationals
Texas Rangers 5-2 New York Yankees
Los Angeles Angels 7-4 Cleveland Indians
Los Angeles Dodgers 3-1 Arizona Diamondbacks
San Diego Padres 7-0 Colorado Rockies
Detroit Tigers 4-1 Seattle Mariners
Red Sox at Blue Jays
AL East leaders the Boston Red Sox (25-17) will travel to Dunedin for their series opener against division rivals the Toronto Blue Jays (22-17) on Tuesday. Blue Jays ace Ryu Hyun-jin takes to the mound, while the Red Sox counter with Eduardo Rodriguez.
Albert Pujols will continue his remarkable MLB career with World Series champions the Los Angeles Dodgers after leaving city rivals the Los Angeles Angels.
Pujols' future was in limbo after the Angels designated the future Hall of Famer for assignment earlier this month, less than two months into the last season of the slugger's 10-year, $240million contract.
Following speculation over his next move, 10-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion Pujols signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers on Monday.
The stacked Dodgers now boast four former MVPs in Pujols, Clayton Kershaw, Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger.
"I feel like I've still got some gasoline left in my tank," the 41-year-old told reporters during his introductory news conference.
The oldest active player in the majors and one of the greatest sluggers in baseball history, Pujols' 667 home runs rank fifth while his 669 doubles are also fifth-most of all time, but he has been batting mere .198 this season, though has homered five times and is fourth on the Angels with 12 RBIs.
Only Hank Aaron has more RBIs than Pujols' 2,112 since it became an official statistic in 1920, and Pujols is 13th on the all-time hits list with 3,253.
"They were really excited to have me here, and that's what led me to make this decision to come here," Pujols said. "I'm really excited to help this organisation this year to get another ring."
Pujols enjoyed great success with the St Louis Cardinals, where he led the franchise to two World Series championships, one other National League (NL) pennant and six division crowns.
A unanimous NL Rookie of the Year Award winner in 2001 when he hit .329 with 37 home runs and 130 RBIs, Pujols made his first of nine All-Star selections with the Cardinals.
In his 11 seasons in St Louis, Pujols won three NL MVP Awards and finished in the top five in voting seven other times.
He left St Louis after helping the Cardinals win the 2011 World Series to sign a lucrative deal with the Angels.
After slugging 445 home runs with 455 doubles while slashing .328/.420/.617 for a 1.037 OPS in 1,705 games over 11 seasons with the Cardinals, Pujols never lived up to expectations over 10 seasons with the Angels, hitting 222 homers with 214 doubles with a .256/.311/.447 slash line for a .758 OPS in 1,181 games.
His production dropped off significantly in the past four seasons, with 53 homers and a .239/.290/.414 slash line for a .704 OPS in 311 games.
He only earned one trip to the All-Star game since joining the Angels and the franchise made just one postseason appearance, getting swept by the Kansas City Royals in the 2014 American League Division Series (ALDS).
"I told them I'm here to do whatever -- pinch-hit, first base, whatever they want," Pujols said regarding his role with the Dodgers. "I think at the end of the day, I'm just excited to have this opportunity to wear this uniform.
"I've been playing against this organisation long enough on the other side. I can see how they go about it. That's something that I wanted to be part of."
Pujols added: "I don't have to show the Angels or anybody. I'm just going to go be myself out there and play the game. I love this game. I enjoy this game."
The New York Yankees have placed Giancarlo Stanton on the 10-day injured list with a quad strain.
Stanton's designation applies retroactively from May 14, dealing another blow to a Yankees team that has been beset by health issues.
Shortstop Gleyber Torres is still on the IL following a COVID outbreak that has also left them without three coaches and five staff members.
Center fielder Aaron Hicks' season may be over because of a wrist injury, while the Yankees hope second baseman Rougned Odor can return this week from a knee problem.
Relief pitcher Zack Britton is due to start a rehab assignment with the Double-A Somerset Patriots on Wednesday with a view towards a return in late May.
Meanwhile starting pitcher Luis Severino has begun throwing to hitters again following Tommy John surgery but is likely to still be at least six weeks away from a return.
Stanton is batting .282 with nine home runs and 24 RBI as the Yankees' designated hitter this season.
Despite their injury woes, the Yankees have won six of their last 10 and sit third in the American League East with a 22-18 record.
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