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(AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

BOSTON (AP) Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale is receiving treatment for inflammation in his elbow that will shut him down for the rest of the regular season, another blow to the defending World Series champions whose postseason hopes appear all but dashed.

Orthopedist Dr. James Andrews gave Sale an injection of platelet-rich plasma on Monday and said he will be re-evaluated in six weeks.

Looking beyond this frustrating season, the treatment could be good news for the club, which feared Sale might need Tommy John surgery. That would likely have cost him the 2020 season.

ST. LOUIS (AP) Dakota Hudson and two relievers combined on a one-hitter, and Paul DeJong homered to lead the St. Louis Cardinals over the Milwaukee Brewers 3-0 Monday night in a series opener between NL Central contenders.

Yasmani Grandal's ground-rule double with two outs in the eighth inning off Giovanny Gallegos was Milwaukee's only hit. Hudson was lifted with two outs in the seventh after throwing 111 pitches, and Andrew Miller got four outs for his fifth save. (MORE)

Clemson 1st time atop AP preseason poll

Cross off another milestone for Clemson, college football's newest superpower.

For the first time, the defending national champion Tigers are No. 1 in The Associated Press preseason Top 25 presented by Regions Bank. The Tigers won the program's second national title in three seasons behind freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence in January. Clemson now can claim equal standing with Alabama at the top of the sport. (MORE)

Raiders WR Brown takes part in meetings
ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) Star receiver Antonio Brown returned to training camp with the Oakland Raiders on Monday, a day after being given an ultimatum by general manager Mike Mayock to be "all in or all out." Brown took part in meetings in Napa before the team broke camp, a person familiar with the situation said on condition of anonymity because the team didn't release details. (MORE)

Ex-Tide QB Hurts named Oklahoma starter
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) No. 4 Oklahoma has named Jalen Hurts its starting quarterback for the Sept. 1 season opener against Houston. Hurts played in three national championship games for Alabama and helped the Crimson Tide win the 2017 national title. He transferred to Oklahoma in January and has won the job over redshirt freshman Tanner Mordecai and true freshman Spencer Rattler. (MORE)

No. 5 Ohio St. names Fields starting QB

Scherzer to come off IL, pitch Thursday
PITTSBURGH (AP) Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer is expected to come off the injured list to start Thursday against Pittsburgh. The three-time Cy Young Award winner had a bullpen session Monday. A smiling Scherzer said "See you Thursday," as he walked by a group of reporters. (MORE)

Nats' outburst continues in 13-0 win

Twins' Cruz to play through wrist injury
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Twins slugger Nelson Cruz was reinstated from the injured list on Monday after the minimum 10-day stay and will play through a ruptured tendon in his left wrist. Cruz ruptured the tendon on Aug. 8, and the Twins feared he would miss significant time. But the team later learned he could play with the injury, and he has told the team he is pain-free. (MORE)

Pack's Rodgers expected to play Thursday
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) Aaron Rodgers practiced on Monday after sitting out the Packers' second preseason game in Baltimore and being sidelined during practice Sunday with back tightness. But the verdict is still out on whether the two-time MVP will make his preseason debut Thursday night against the Raiders in Canada. (MORE)