Ohtani throws 50-pitch bullpen session in return from elbow surgery; Kershaw activated  —  Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani threw a 50-pitch bullpen session Saturday, another step in his throwing program in his return from elbow surgery.  —  Ohtani advanced from the 35 pitches …

Royals' Seth Lugo will miss start vs. the Cardinals with middle-finger injury  —  Kansas City Royals right-hander Seth Lugo will miss his upcoming start on Saturday against the St. Louis Cardinals at Kauffman Stadium.  —  Lugo is dealing with inflammation in his right middle finger.

Sibling rivalry: New Rangers coach Bret Boone faces little brother Aaron's Yankees  —  CHICAGO — “Where the hell did this come from?”  —  Ah, nothing like little brother's reaction to big brother's promotion.  —  The truth is that Bret Boone received virtually the same response …

Jose Alvarado Issued 80-Game PED Suspension  —  Major League Baseball announced that Phillies reliever Jose Alvarado has been issued an 80-game suspension for a violation of the league's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.  Alvarado (who turns 30 on Wednesday) has tested positive for the PED known as exogenous Testosterone.

Yankees reliever Jake Cousins has injury setback, this time a pec issue  —  NEW YORK — Yankees reliever Jake Cousins felt pectoral discomfort after throwing a pair of batting practice sessions, another setback in his bid to return to the mound for the first time since last fall.

López, Jeffers help Twins beat Brewers 7-0 for third straight shutout and 13th consecutive victory  —  Pablo López combined with three relievers on a three-hitter as the Minnesota Twins beat the Milwaukee Brewers 7-0 on Saturday for their third straight shutout and 13th consecutive victory.

Last-place Orioles fire manager Brandon Hyde after falling 13 games under .500  —  The Baltimore Orioles fired manager Brandon Hyde on Saturday after a dismal start to the season by a team coming off two consecutive playoff appearances.  The Orioles are 15-28 and in last place in the AL East following …

Bryce Harper reaches 1,000 RBIs in the Phillies' 8-4 victory over the Pirates  —  PHILADELPHIA — Bryce Harper reached 1,000 RBIs and was part of a wild seventh inning rally in which the Philadelphia Phillies scored four runs on just one hit in an 8-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night.

Astros' Lance McCullers Jr. returns to mound after online threats that followed his previous start  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. allowed two unearned runs over four innings against the Texas Rangers on Friday, six nights after the right-hander failed …

Flores hits three home runs, drives in eight runs to back Webb as Giants thump A's 9-1  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Wilmer Flores homered three times — including a grand slam — and drove in eight runs to back a strong start by Logan Webb, leading the San Francisco Giants past the Athletics 13-5 on Friday night.

Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Justin Martinez progressing towards return, Ryan Walker on the hot seat  —  In this week's Closer Report, Jeff Hoffman and Ryan Walker are among the closers struggling to keep runs off the board.  Who's most at risk of losing the closer role?

Braves at Red Sox Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for May 16  —  It's Friday, May 16 and the Braves (22-22) are in Boston to take on the Red Sox (22-23).  Chris Sale is slated to take the mound for Atlanta against Garrett Crochet for Boston.