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SAN DIEGO — Matt Williams was back with the San Diego Padres for the start of their current homestand Thursday, less than two weeks after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous growth near his colon.

Williams, 57, won’t resume his regular role as third-base coach for at least another four weeks but will sit in the dugout during the Padres’ home games and hopes to be cleared for travel during a follow-up visit Friday.

“It’s a relief, but there’s still a long way to go,” Williams said of getting through the initial surgery. “This diagnosis and this process is long-term, but I’m happy and I’m satisfied so far.”

Williams was diagnosed with colon cancer about three weeks before the start of the season, when a standard physical revealed a low red blood cell count that prompted additional testing. Doctors were confident they were able to remove all the cancer cells at the edge of the tissue, Williams said, but more follow-ups are needed, including genetic tests to determine if his children might ultimately be at risk.

Former St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Shildt will continue to coach third base in the near future, but Williams said he’ll be around the Padres “for as long as they’ll let me.”

Williams was a five-time All-Star who was considered one of the game’s best third basemen throughout the 1990s, then went on to serve as a manager for two organizations — the Washington Nationals, as well as the Kia Tigers of South Korea — and coach for three others. He has been involved in professional baseball for nearly 40 years.

“I’ve been doing this my whole life,” Williams said. “When you can’t, it’s difficult. I faced a little bit of that last year [because of hip replacement surgery]. I don’t want that to happen anymore. I wanna be able to do what I can in my job. If I can lend in this interim period, I’m happy to do that.”

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Red Sox slam O’s 19-5 behind Devers (8 RBIs)

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Red Sox slam O's 19-5 behind Devers (8 RBIs)

BOSTON — Rafael Devers had a career-high eight RBIs, hitting a three-run homer in the sixth inning and a grand slam in a 13-run eighth, to lead the Boston Red Sox over the Baltimore Orioles 19-5 on Friday in the opener of what was supposed to be a day-night doubleheader.

Boston trailed 2-1 entering the sixth, when Ceddanne Rafaela hit an RBI single off Seranthony Dominguez (2-1), Jarren Duran had an RBI single against Gregory Soto and Devers followed with his fifth homer in 10 career at-bats against Soto.

Devers had four hits and leads the major leagues with 47 RBIs. He hit his seventh career slam and his second in a six-day span, his 12th homer this season. The drive came off rookie infielder Emmanuel Rivera, who gave up eight runs and got three outs, leaving him with a 72.00 ERA. Devers hit an RBI single earlier in the inning against Cionel Pérez.

“Everybody is surprised about what he’s doing, but that’s who he is,” said Red Sox starter Brayan Bello, according to MLB.com. “Everybody was also surprised he got off to a slow start in the first five or six games, but we know the type of hitter that he is, the type of player that he is and the numbers he can put up.”

Boston scored its most runs since a 20-8 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Aug. 11, 2021, and finished with 20 hits.

Its 13 runs in the eighth inning are the franchise’s second most in an inning over the past 50 seasons (14 on June 27, 2003, against the Marlins). They were also the most runs by any team in the eighth inning or later since the New York Yankees on June 21, 2005, against the Tampa Bay Rays (also 13).

Baltimore has lost nine of 10 and and 15 of 18, dropping to 16-33. The Orioles are 1-5 since manager Brandon Hyde was fired and replaced on an interim basis by third-base coach Tony Mansolino.

Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman left because of right quadriceps tightness after singling in the fifth inning.

Rob Refsnyder had four RBIs, including a three-run homer in the eighth off Pérez. Duran had three RBIs.

The Red Sox had eight players score multiple runs, one shy of tying the franchise record.

Garrett Whitlock (3-0) allowed one hit in two scoreless innings.

Game 2 of the scheduled doubleheader was postponed later Friday because of rain. The teams will play a split doubleheader Saturday (1:05 p.m., 6:35 p.m.).

Information from ESPN Research and The Associated Press was used in this report.

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Slumping A’s shake up roster, call up five players

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Slumping A's shake up roster, call up five players

Mired in a nine-game losing streak, the Athletics shook up their roster Friday and called up five players, including highly touted prospect Denzel Clarke.

Veteran Seth Brown was designated for assignment amid moves that general manager David Forst hopes will give the club more flexibility.

“Ultimately, obviously we’re in a stretch right now we’re not finding ways to win,” Forst said in a video news conference. “I think we’re better than we’ve shown the last 10 days.”

Clarke, a 25-year-old center fielder known for his standout defense, speed and power, was the team’s fourth-round selection in the 2021 amateur draft. He was set to start and make his major league debut Friday night for the A’s (22-29) in the opener of a three-game home series against the Philadelphia Phillies at home in West Sacramento.

Clarke was batting .286 with no home runs, 21 RBIs and seven stolen bases in 31 games with Las Vegas. His .436 on-base percentage ranked fourth in the Pacific Coast League.

Also recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas were left-hander Jacob Lopez and infielder CJ Alexander, while catcher Willie MacIver and infielder Logan Davidson were selected from Las Vegas.

During the skid, the club has been outscored 72-26, is batting .209 and has a team ERA of 8.23 while allowing 23 home runs.

Outfielder JJ Bleday was optioned to Triple-A along with right-hander Carlos Duran and catcher Jhonny Pereda. The A’s also transferred second baseman Zack Gelof to the 60-day injured list.

Forst said Bleday needed a “reset” to find a rhythm at the plate and on defense — something he couldn’t find playing every day at the big league level right now. Manager Mark Kotsay spoke to Bleday on Friday about the move.

“Hopefully he’ll be back here very soon,” Forst said.

Third baseman Gio Urshela was placed on the 10-day injured list after straining his left hamstring in a loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday. He underwent an MRI on Friday.

Urshela left the game in the sixth inning with the injury of the 10-5 defeat.

Urshela went 1 for 2 with a bases-loaded walk in the game. He is batting .224 with no homers and 13 RBIs in 32 games this season.

The 32-year-old Brown had been the longest-tenured player on the team but struggled to get regular opportunities. He spent time in the minor leagues last year for a stretch, and Forst remained hopeful he would clear waivers and play for Las Vegas before returning at some point to the A’s.

He was hitting .192 with a home run and three RBIs in 33 games.

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Rehabbing Ohtani to face hitters for first time

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Rehabbing Ohtani to face hitters for first time

NEW YORK — Shohei Ohtani is scheduled to face hitters Saturday for the first time in his recovery from right elbow surgery.

The two-way superstar will throw live batting practice at Citi Field before the Los Angeles Dodgers play the New York Mets, manager Dave Roberts announced Friday.

It’s the next step for Ohtani as he works toward returning to the mound. He had right elbow surgery Sept. 19, 2023, and hasn’t pitched in a major league game since Aug. 23 that year for the Los Angeles Angels.

There is no target date for his pitching debut with the Dodgers, though expectations are that it could come in July.

Roberts said he wasn’t sure how many pitches Ohtani will throw Saturday or which Dodger teammates he will face.

The right-hander mixed in breaking pitches during a throwing session Tuesday for the first time in his rehabilitation program. Before that, he had been limited to fastballs and splitters.

Ohtani threw a 50-pitch bullpen last Saturday, increasing from 35 pitches in his previous session.

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