MASAHIRO TANAKA

Imagine Olympic swimming without the world’s top 100.

Yuki Yanagita tied it with an RBI grounder off Scott McGough in the ninth inning, Takuya Kai hit a winning single against Edwin Jackson in the 10th and Japan beat the United States 7-6 Monday night to reach the Olympic semifinals.

Kai Takuya drove in the tying run with a perfectly placed sacrifice bunt, Hayato Sakamoto followed with a game-ending, bases-loaded single and the Japanese rallied from three runs down in the ninth inning to beat the Dominican Republic 4-3 in the Olympic baseball opener.

A showcase for Shohei Ohtani became a grand stage for Vladimir Guerrero Jr., too.

At 35 and close to the end of his baseball career, Todd Frazier is on the U.S. Olympic team for the Tokyo Games.

While most Olympic events are a competition among the best, the better you are in baseball, the less of a chance you have of playing for gold.

The last-place New York Yankees lost their fifth straight game as Yoshi Tsutsugo hit a tiebreaking double off Gerrit Cole in the seventh inning that lifted the Tampa Bay Rays to a 4-2 win and a three-game sweep.

Gerrit Cole struck out 13 and walked none over seven scoreless innings in his most dominant start since joining the New York Yankees, overwhelming the Baltimore Orioles 7-2 for his first win this season.

FILE - In this July 9, 2020, file photo, Texas Rangers pitcher Corey Kluber throws during an intrasquad game in Arlington, Texas. The New York Yankees reached a deal with Kluber worth $11 million for one year, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. Happ to become free agents, signed Kluber to an $11 million, one-year contract and acquired Taillon from Pittsburgh for four prospects. To drop payroll below the $210 million luxury tax threshold, Cashman traded right-hander Adam Ottavino to rival Boston, saving $7.15 million. New York enters spring training with a projected rotation of Gerrit Cole, Deivi García, left-hander Jordan Montgomery, Kluber and Taillon.

FILE - New York Yankees' Masahiro Tanaka, of Japan, delivers a pitch during the second inning of the team's baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in New York, in this Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, file photo. Former New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka has signed a two-year contract with the Rakuten Eagles in Japanese baseball, the club said Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)TOKYO – Masahiro Tanaka is returning to pitch for his former team in Japan after seven seasons with the New York Yankees. The Rakuten Eagles of the Pacific League said Thursday the 32-year-old free agent had signed a two-year contract. “I have decided to return to Japan and play for the Rakuten Eagles for the 2021 season,” Tanaka wrote on Twitter.

FILE - In this April 25, 2019, file photo, Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jameson Taillon delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Pittsburgh. A person familiar with the trade talks tells The Associated Press the New York Yankees made the second addition to their starting rotation of the offseason, agreeing to acquire right-hander Taillon from the Pirates for four prospects. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)NEW YORK – The Yankees made another high-risk offseason addition to their starting rotation, acquiring right-hander Jameson Taillon from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday for four prospects. Taillon, 29, has not pitched since May 1, 2019, following his second Tommy John surgery. Taillon was 2-3 with a 4.10 ERA in seven starts during the 2019 season, when he started on opening day for the Pirates.

Lindor, the star shortstop acquired last week by the New York Mets from Cleveland, got the largest of the deals at $22.3 million. Bellinger and Seager got big raises after helping the Los Angeles Dodgers win heir first World Series title since 1988. New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge, coming off his second straight injury-wrecked season, agreed at $10,175,000. Ace pitcher Walker Buehler asked for $4.15 million and was offered $3.3 million, and catcher Austin Barnes asked for $2 million and was offered $1.5 million. Also exchanging were New York Mets third baseman-outfielder J.D.

Gausman and Mets pitcher Marcus Stroman accepted $18.9 million qualifying offers Wednesday, Nov. 11, receiving one-year deals to stay with their teams rather than test what they could get in free agency. Qualifying offers began after the 2012 season, and only 10 of 96 offers have been accepted. Stroman was acquired by the Mets from Toronto in July 2019 for left-hander Anthony Kay and minor league right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson. Gausman has a 50-66 record and 4.26 ERA in nine seasons with Baltimore, Atlanta and San Francisco. Tomlin gets a $1 million salary next season, and the deal includes a $1.25 million club option with a $250,000 buyout.

Springer, New York Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu and Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto were among just six free agents who received $18.9 million qualifying offers on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, from their former teams. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)NEW YORK – Houston outfielder George Springer, New York Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu and Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto were among just six free agents who received $18.9 million qualifying offers on Sunday from their former teams. Arizona exercised a $4.25 million option on pitcher Merrill Kelly rather than pay a $500,000 buyout, and Baltiore exercised a $3.5 million option on shortstop José Iglesias rather than pay a $500,000 buyout.

The Rays are seeking revenge after Houston beat them in five games in the AL Division Series last year. The Astros are in the ALCS for the fourth straight year, looking for a third trip to the World Series in that span. The Rays are trying to get to their second World Series after losing to the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008. ANOTHER EARLY OFFSEASONAfter finishing its 11th consecutive season without a World Series, the Yankees and general manager Brian Cashman face a series of key decisions. New York has a $17 million option on pitcher J.A.

The Rays are seeking revenge after Houston beat them in five games in the AL Division Series last year. The Astros are in the ALCS for the fourth straight year, looking for a third trip to the World Series in that span. The Rays are trying to get to their second World Series after losing to the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008. ANOTHER EARLY OFFSEASONAfter finishing its 11th consecutive season without a World Series, the Yankees and general manager Brian Cashman face a series of key decisions. New York has a $17 million option on pitcher J.A.

(AP Photo/Gregory Bull)SAN DIEGO – The Tampa Bay Rays are unanimous in their praise of Randy Arozarena, who is living up to his nickname, “The Cuban Rocket." Arozarena hit a shot deep to left leading off the fifth Wednesday night to chase Masahiro Tanaka and give Tampa Bay a 5-1 lead. The Rays took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five Division Series. On Tuesday night, Rays starter Tyler Glasnow called Arozarena “the best baseball player on earth right now. He lasted two-thirds of an inning against the Rays on Sept. 2, allowing two-run homers to Arozarena and Mike Brosseau.

Stanton has three homers this series and five in four postseason games. His grand slam in the ninth inning Monday night was the Bronx Bombers’ fourth homer in the 9-3 Game 1 win. We needed every bit of them.”Four Rays pitchers struck out 18, an MLB postseason record for a nine-inning game and a postseason record for Yankees batters. Stanton, who’s from Los Angeles, joined Reggie Jackson and Lou Gehrig as the only Yankees to homer in four straight postseason games overall. His 10 strikeouts surpass the previous Rays postseason record of nine, done three times.

Stanton hit a grand slam in the ninth inning for New York's fourth home run of the game, and the Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 9-3 on Monday in the opener of their AL Division Series at Petco Park. Beginning with this round, all postseason series were moved to neutral sites because of the coronavirus. The Yankees set a franchise record by hitting at least three home runs in three consecutive postseason games. Tampa Bay dominated the contentious regular-season series, going 8-2 against the rival Yankees and winning the AL East by seven games over second-place New York. Cole beat Tampa Bay twice in last year’s ALDS with Houston.

(AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)SAN DIEGO – After losing eight of 10 games in a contentious regular-season series, the New York Yankees just can’t shake the AL East rival Tampa Bay Rays. “They got the best of us this year, arguably the best team in baseball,” Gardner said of the Rays, the AL’s top seed. He went 2-0 with a 0.57 ERA in two starts against Tampa Bay in last year’s ALDS. COMFORTABLE SNELLSnell was injured last year when the Rays visited the Padres, but he loves Petco Park. “It’s going to be even more weird when it’s like, ‘The Tampa Bay Rays host the New York Yankees at San Diego.’ It’ll be weird but I’m enjoying it.

New York Yankees' Gio Urshela (29) and Mike Ford celebrate after the Yankees defeated the Cleveland Indians 10-9 in Game 2 of an American League wild-card baseball series, early Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)CLEVELAND – It took the New York Yankees nearly five hours on the field, carried them from Wednesday to Thursday and September into October to complete the sweep. "They weren’t going to lose.”At 4 hours, 50 minutes — even without two rain delays totaling another 76 minutes — it was draining. New York went 2-8 during a testy season series with top-seeded Tampa Bay, which won the AL East by seven games over the second-place Yankees. RECORD STOREIndians pitchers walked 12, tied for the most in any postseason game.

(AP Photo/David Dermer)CLEVELAND – On a night for debates, Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole and the New York Yankees made quite an opening statement. Staked to an early lead on Judge's homer, Cole showed why the Yankees shelled out $324 million for him in the offseason. Cole's strikeouts were the second-most by a New York pitcher in postseason history. Judge's first homer since coming off the injured list on Sept. 16 — and the first allowed by Bieber at home this season — gave the Yankees a stunning 2-0 lead. He'll face Tanaka, who pitched seven shutout innings in Game 3 of the 2017 ALDS against the Indians.

Toronto Blue Jays' Jacob Waguespack reacts as New York Yankees' Kyle Higashioka runs the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)NEW YORK – Kyle Higashioka hit a career-high three home runs, DJ LeMahieu connected twice and the resurgent New York Yankees hit a season-best seven homers in another Bronx air show, thumping the Toronto Blue Jays 13-2 on Wednesday night. LeMahieu, Voit and Frazier also connected Tuesday — Voit homered twice — when New York hit six home runs and pummeled Toronto 20-6. Gerrit Cole (6-3) had another overpowering start for New York, carrying a no-hitter into the sixth. Higashioka had never topped three homers in a season but has four in the past six days while emerging as Cole's preferred batterymate.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole throws during the second inning of the team's baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Baltimore. Cole (4-3) lost a third straight start for the first time since July 30-Aug. 10, 2018, with Houston. Cole struck out eight of the first nine batters he faced, the exception a grounder to shortstop by Ryan Mountcastle. Stewart was 0 for 17 this season before leading off with a drive over the right-field wall. Orioles: Hyde chose to wait to see how this game impacted his pitching staff before naming a starter for Sunday.

Red Sox catcher Kevin Plawecki, top, looks on. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)NEW YORK Ted Williams was piloting fighter jets in Korea the last time the New York Yankees dominated the Boston Red Sox like this. Luke Voit homered twice, Aroldis Chapman returned from the COVID-19 injured list to pitch the ninth inning and the Yankees beat the Red Sox 6-3 Monday night for their 10th straight victory in the famed rivalry. The tarp was rolled out with the Red Sox rallying in the fourth inning. Yankees: RHP Masahiro Tanaka (0-0, 2.31) opposes Rays LHP Blake Snell (1-0, 2.08) at Yankee Stadium.

Players, coaches and other organization members were retested for the coronavirus Saturday and Sunday after one player was sidelined because of a positive result. The Reds made travel plans for Kansas City and expected to start Luis Castillo (0-2) in the series opener, assuming its played. TIGER TRYOUTSDetroit is unleashing a few of its top prospects this week, including left-hander Tarik Skubal. The Braves hope that formula works again with Tomlin, used mostly as a reliever during his two seasons in Atlanta. But, for now, the team has decided not to turn to a pair of top prospects, Ian Anderson and Tucker Davidson.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)NEW YORK Injury fill-in Clint Frazier had three hits, including a home run, and scored twice in his season debut as the Yankees beat Atlanta 6-3 Wednesday night, sweeping a two-game set. The Yankees tied it in the bottom of the frame, clubbing back-to-back homers for the first time this season. Yankees: Judge (lower body tightness) did not play, a night after the oft-injured slugger was lifted for a pinch-hitter. Yankees: RHP Gerrit Cole (3-0, 3.22 ERA) should get his first taste of baseballs longest-running rivalry.

New York Yankees relief pitcher Nick Nelson throws in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, in New York. He had pitched three hitless innings for his major league debut in the New York Yankees' 5-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday night. Thats as good a velocity as weve seen on his fastball really in the last couple of years, Boone said. I dont think he pitched as bad as what the score was," Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke said. ... Red Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi was back in the lineup after a night off.

(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)NEW YORK His chambers left empty, Aaron Judge still rules right field at Yankee Stadium. Red Sox-Yankees in the Bronx, we knew this place would have been packed, Judge said. Gio Urshela and Brett Gardner hit their first home runs of the season, and New York improved to 5-1. "A breaking ball up and in and somehow he stays inside it and it goes out the other way, Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke said. The left-hander limited the Red Sox to a run, five hits and a walk with four strikeouts.

New York Yankees' Aaron Judge (99) greets DJ LeMahieu, right, after LaMahieu hit a solo home run off Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Asher Wojciechowski during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, July 29, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

New York Yankees' Aaron Judge (99) greets DJ LeMahieu, right, after LaMahieu hit a solo home run off Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Asher Wojciechowski during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, July 29, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)BALTIMORE If the New York Yankees must adjust on the fly to a sudden change in the schedule, there's no team they'd rather face than the Baltimore Orioles. So Major League Baseball thrust the Yankees and Orioles together while the Marlins and Phillies recover. I thought our mindset was really good," New York manager Aaron Boone said of the team's need to change direction without much notice. Orioles: Means was 0-2 with a 12.27 ERA in two starts against the Yankees as a rookie last year.

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)WASHINGTON Gleyber Torres helped the New York Yankees prevent the Washington Nationals from tooting their own horn. Torres had started 2020 by going 0 for 7 before delivering hits in three consecutive at-bats Sunday. But with one out in the seventh, Torres took Corbin deep on a first-pitch fastball to make it 2-1. Honestly, I really dont know what theyre planning on doing with that thing, Martinez said about the trumpet. On Monday, Washington RHP Anbal Snchez faces RHP Trent Thornton.

Washington Nationals' Howie Kendrick (47) is greeted with "air high fives" by Juan Soto (22) after Kendrick scored them both on a two-run home run off Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Alex Cobb during an exhibition baseball game, Monday, July 20, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)WASHINGTON Washington Nationals slugger Juan Soto tested positive for COVID-19 and was put on the injured list Thursday, forcing him to miss the start of the pandemic-delayed season. Soto had missed the first two weeks of the teams summer camp this month after he was exposed to someone with COVID-19. Also Thursday, Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list as New York set its opening day 30-man roster before playing Game 1. "If you told me my dream, making the opening day roster for the yankees, as a young kid in New Jersey would come true, I wouldnt have believed you.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

New York Mets Michael Conforto, left, watches as Yoenis Cespedes takes batting practice in the cage before an exhibition game against the New York Yankees, Sunday, July 19, 2020, at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)Yoenis Cspedes expects to be the designated hitter for the New York Mets on Friday when they open the season against the Atlanta Braves. Cspedes said hes feeling good and is confident that hell also play left field at some point this season. I think whether its a good day or a bad day, my mentality has always been strong. Tanaka is to throw batting practice again on Sunday, likely 35-40 pitches.

New York Yankees hitting coach Marcus Thames, left, watches Aaron Judge take batting practice during a baseball summer training camp workout, Wednesday, July 8, 2020, at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)NEW YORK Yankees slugger Aaron Judge was held out of action for a second straight day Sunday due to a stiff neck. New York manager Aaron Boone said Judge got treatment at Yankee Stadium on Sunday and was improving. Judge was diagnosed with a broken rib in March and used the coronavirus hiatus to recover. Right-hander Masahiro Tanaka played catch Sunday to 100 feet and is ramping up his cardio but remains in concussion protocol.

Protective face coverings won't be out of sight when Major League Baseball resumes in less than two weeks. New York Yankees outfielder Clint Frazier has been experimenting with various masks during intrasquad scrimmages. At 68, Washington has seen fellow Braves coach Eric Young Sr. and Mets hitting coach Chili Davis opt out this season. I trust the protocol that MLB has in place and I also trust Ron Washington even more.This is very safe, he said Sunday, adding, Sixty games? More umpires are expected to start working intrasquad games this week.

The opener carried a somber feel after Stantons comebacker drilled Tanaka in the right side of his head in the third at-bat of the session. Tanaka was released from the hospital Saturday night after a CT scan came back negative, and he is in concussion protocol. Chapman threw a bullpen, and Snchez took live at-bats against Paxton, who looked sharp in his first simulated game of this camp. The big left-hander walked Snchez to start, then struck out Miguel Andjar, Tyler Wade and Snchez successively. That predator once crashed into the protective netting along the first base line shortly before a game while hunting a pigeon.

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)Freddie Freeman tests positive for COVID-19. Due to concerns about medical privacy laws, MLB isnt making a practice of disclosing which players test positive. For example, Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said the team doesnt intend to reveal to the general public if anyone has tested positive. In the Braves case, the four players who tested positive permitted Snitker to reveal their names. Freeman joins Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon as four-time All-Stars who have tested positive.

The Boston Red Sox are scheduled resume training camp Friday at Fenway. (AP Photo/Jimmy Golen)Texas Rangers manager Chris Woodward was going to address his entire team before the start of MLB's unprecedented summer training camp, just like he did when spring training opened about 4 1/2 months ago. Things certainly are different for baseball's resumption amid the coronavirus pandemic, three weeks before the start of a 60-game regular season. Charlie Baker signed an order Thursday allowing the Red Sox to open Fenway Park without fans. The Chicago Cubs will open camp without left-handed pitcher Jos Quintana, who underwent surgery Thursday on his lacerated left thumb.