Boston treasure

The PBS series “Antiques Roadshow” says it hit a home run with a collection of 1870s Boston baseball memorabilia.

A trove of signatures and rare baseball cards from Boston Red Stockings players was appraised at $1 million for insurance purposes, series producer Marsha Bemko said.

She said it’s the largest sports memorabilia find in the history of the 19-year-old public TV show, which travels America looking for varied heirlooms and treasures.

The collection was brought to an “Antiques Roadshow” taping Saturday in New York City. The owner inherited it from her great-great-grandmother, who ran a Boston boarding house where the team lived in 1871-72, PBS said. The collection had not been formally valued before but the owner had once received a $5,000 offer, PBS said.

According to “Antiques Roadshow” appraiser Leila Dunbar, the “crown jewel” of the items is a May 1871 letter to the Boston landlady that includes notes from three future Hall of Fame members: Albert Spalding, the future sporting goods magnate, and brothers Harry and George Wright. The letter included the players’ appreciation for their host’s cooking.

The baseball franchise is now the Atlanta Braves.

Appraisals from the New York City visit will be featured in three hours of “Antiques Roadshow” episodes to air on Monday nights in 2015 on public TV stations.

Pineda set to return

New York Yankees right-hander Michael Pineda will come off the disabled list Wednesday and make his first start since his suspension for using pine tar on the mound.

Pineda last pitched on April 23, when he was ejected from a game against Boston. He received a 10-game suspension from Major League Baseball for “possessing a foreign substance on his person.”

Pineda has been on the DL since May 6 with a right shoulder muscle injury.

Clearing the bases

The Royals acquired outfielder Josh Willingham from the Twins for minor league pitcher Jason Adam. … The Pirates put center fielder Andrew McCutchen on the 15-day disabled list because of a broken rib. The move was retroactive to Aug. 4. The team promoted right-hander Casey Sadler from Triple-A. … The Padres called up one of their top prospects, outfielder Rymer Liriano. Outfielder Jeff Francoeur was designated for assignment. … Orioles third baseman Manny Machado sprained his right knee in a game against the Yankees.