Nationals place pitcher Trevor Williams on the injured list with an elbow sprain  —  WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals placed starter Trevor Williams on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow sprain Friday, two days after the veteran right-hander gave up a season-high seven runs in an 11-2 loss to Detroit.

Yanks pitcher Clarke Schmidt placed on IL, gets forearm scan  —  NEW YORK — Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt was placed on the 15-day injured list because of right forearm soreness Friday, one day after his start in Toronto was cut short following three innings.

Phillies demote rookie pitcher Mick Abel to Triple-A two months after MLB debut  —  PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies demoted rookie right-hander Mick Abel, who has struggled since he struck out nine in his major league debut, to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Cubs starter Jameson Taillon goes on injured list, will miss more than month with calf strain  —  CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs starter Jameson Taillon may miss “more than a month” with a right calf strain, manager Craig Counsell said Friday after the team placed the veteran right-hander on the injured list.

If standings say buy at trade deadline, front office expects OK to spend: Cardinals Extra  —  CHICAGO — As the calendar pushes them toward the trade deadline and what could be a defining decision for the current club and the next few years, the Cardinals intend to let the results of the next few weeks be their guide.

OHTANI, JUDGE AND THE BAT BRAND OWNED BY EX-MLB STAR CÉSPEDES  —  As the torpedo bat craze stormed Major League Baseball to start the 2025 season, Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge were both asked about making the switch.  “I'm very satisfied with my current bat,” Ohtani told the Japanese press after an April walk-off home run.

Diamondbacks Considering Pushing Zac Gallen Back a Day  —  The Sunday starter for Arizona is still TBA, as the D-backs look to get extra rest for their stating pitchers.  —  Heading into their series finale against the Giants on Thursday night, the Arizona Diamondbacks were still showing …

Astros' Altuve homers twice, drives in five and gets booed in 18-1 historic rout of Dodgers  —  LOS ANGELES — Jose Altuve homered twice while reaching base five times and driving in five runs, and the Houston Astros routed the Los Angeles Dodgers 18-1 on Friday night in the series opener of a matchup between division leaders.

Poor hitting has Braves fending off trade deadline questions after series loss to Angels  —  ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves don't want to hear they are running out of time to prove they can still compete for a playoff spot.  —  Continued offensive woes are making a case Atlanta could be sellers instead of buyers at the trade deadline.

Sources: Guardians' Luis Ortiz subject of gambling investigation  —  Cleveland Guardians right-hander Luis Ortiz is under investigation by Major League Baseball after a betting-integrity firm flagged a pair of pitches that had received unusual gambling activity, sources told ESPN on Thursday.