The Latest Breaking News on Baseball

LOS ANGELES — Mookie Betts made his fourth consecutive start in the infield Friday night, a move that Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said had more to do with second baseman Miguel Vargas’ month-long slump than Betts’ penchant for turbocharging his bat when he plays “in the dirt.”

SAN DIEGO — Yu Darvish climbed the mound on Friday some seven pounds lighter than his last start on June 21.

MINNEAPOLIS — As much as the Twins believe their offensive approach has improved throughout the last week, Orioles pitchers sure know how exploit their weaknesses.

Cubs starter Jameson Taillon held the Yankees to one hit in eight scoreless innings for his best outing of the season.

WASHINGTON — Cody Bradford described his first MLB win as “hot and sweaty.”

Going on the IL right before the All-Star break was a way of addressing mounting fatigue as his current innings total (86) approaches his single-season career high (119 1/3).

MIAMI — There was a time, shortly after Cristian Pache was acquired, when his at-bats would bring a sense of dread. Some fans suggested that a pitcher would have a better chance of getting a hit. The thought of manager Rob Thomson pinch-hitting that version of Pache was unfathomable.

BOSTON — Since being taken out of the starting rotation in mid-May Nick Pivetta has emerged as a formidable weapon out of the bullpen, and Friday he made his strongest case yet for a potential return to full-time starting duty.

DETROIT — Alex Faedo, out since June 3 with a finger injury, returned to the Tigers’ rotation Friday night.