NORTH PORT, Fla. (AP) — Max Fried throws a firm fastball and features a sharp curve, keys to a breakout season last year with the Atlanta Braves.Moving ahead, he's focusing on a few other factors that aren't so easily apparent.Fried has been working on meditation. He believes in visualization. He incorporates breathing into his movements while working out, also using it as a way to calm down and relax."I think a big step I can take is taking the mental game to the next level," Fried said. "There's only so much your body can do before you break down. Meditation helps because there's a of stress on the field, high pressure. You have to find ways to calm yourself down and take a relaxed approach."At 26, the left-hander has already made huge strides.Fried went 17-6 with a 4.02 ERA last season as Atlanta won its second straight NL East title. In 30 starts and 165 2/3 innings, he walked just 47 while striking out 173.From being open to new ideas, plus working with a good support system and a... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League East entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:___Atlanta Braves Manager: Brian Snitker (fifth season). 2019: 97-65, first place, lost to Cardinals in Division Series.Training Town: North Port, Florida.Park: CoolToday Park. First Workout: Feb. 13/18. He's Here: LF Marcell Ozuna, C Travis d'Arnaud, LHP Cole Hamels, LHP Will Smith, RHP F�lix Hern�ndez.He's Outta Here: 3B Josh Donaldson, LHP Dallas Keuchel, RHP Julio Teheran, C Brian McCann, OF Matt Joyce, RHP Anthony Swarzak, RHP Josh Tomlin, LHP Jerry Blevins, OF Billy Hamilton, C Francisco Cervelli. Going campin': The Braves are coming off their second straight NL East title, led by one of baseball's brightest young stars. In his first full season in the big leagues, 22-year-old OF Ronald Acu�a Jr. hit 41 homers, led the league with 127 runs and tallied 37 stolen bases to become the second-youngest... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Johan Camargo has a second chance to be the Atlanta Braves' starting third baseman.Camargo's renewed motivation to make the most of this opportunity comes after hard lessons learned in a demotion to the minors last season. His commitment shows with a renewed commitment to conditioning this offseason that has impressed his manager, Brian Snitker, and his teammates.“I want to be back, that's why,” Camargo said Saturday at the team's fan event at the newly renamed Truist Park.The Braves are looking for a new starter at third base after failing to re-sign Josh Donaldson, who landed a four-year deal with Minnesota.Atlanta filled Donaldson's vacated cleanup role by signing outfielder Marcell Ozuna to an $18 million, one-year deal. Camargo will compete with Austin Riley at third base this spring.The 26-year-old Camargo's edge is experience. He held the starting job most of the 2018 season, when he hit .272 with 19 homers and 76 RBIs.“He was great,” first baseman Freddie Freeman... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves found their new cleanup hitter when then reached an agreement with free agent outfielder Marcell Ozuna on an $18 million, one-year deal Tuesday.Ozuna joins the team he helped beat in the playoffs last October. He hit .429 with two home runs for the St. Louis Cardinals in their five-game win over the Braves in the NL Division Series.“We just focused on the player we thought was the best fit here,” Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. “We were looking for a middle of the order bat.”The 29-year-old Ozuna hit .241 with 29 home runs and 89 RBIs last season. His low batting average was something on an oddity because he ranked among the major league leaders in the highest percentage of hard-hit balls, according to Statcast.Ozuna will be the probable choice to fill the fourth spot in the Braves lineup that was left vacant when third baseman Josh Donaldson signed a $92 million, four-year deal with Minnesota.“The projection is he will bat cleanup for us,... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Adeiny Hechavarría agreed to a $1 million, one-year contract to remain with the Braves, a move Thursday that boosted Atlanta's infield depth.The 30-year-old signed with the Braves on Aug. 16, two days after he was released by the New York Mets. Hechavarria, known for defense, hit .328 with four home runs in 24 games with Atlanta.Hechavarria batted only .204 with five homers in 60 games with the Mets. He has a .253 career average in eight seasons with Toronto, Miami, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, the Yankees, Mets and Braves.Hechavarria's primary position is shortstop but he also has played second base and third base. His potential to serve as a utility infielder could be especially important if Johan Camargo opens the season as the starter at third base. Atlanta fell short in its attempt to re-sign free agent third baseman Josh Donaldson, who instead agreed to a $92 million, four-year contract with Minnesota, a deal that is pending. Camargo played a utility role last year, when Donaldson started at third base.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Shortstop Dansby Swanson and right-hander Mike Foltynewicz were among six Atlanta Braves eligible for salary arbitration who agreed to one-year contracts Friday.Swanson agreed at $3.15 million and Foltynewicz at $6,425,000. Also reaching deals were outfielder Adam Duvall ($3.25 million), right-hander Luke Jackson ($1,825,000), infielder Johan Camargo ($1.7 million) and left-hander Grant Dayton ($655,000).The team did not reach an agreement and now faces arbitration with right-hander Shane Greene, who was 0-1 with a 4.01 ERA in 27 games with Atlanta after a midseason move from Detroit, where he was the closer. Greene has filed for a salary of $6.75 million, while Atlanta has offered $6.25 million.Swanson, who hit a career-high 17 homers despite missing 30 games with a right foot contusion, agreed to a $3.15 million deal for the 2020 season. He earned a big raise from $585,000.Foltynewicz, who revived his career last season following a demotion to Triple-A Gwinnett, earned... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Shortstop Dansby Swanson and right-hander Mike Foltynewicz were among six Atlanta Braves who agreed to one-year contracts Friday and avoided salary arbitration.Swanson agreed at $3.15 million and Foltynewicz at $6,425,000. Also reaching deals were outfielder Adam Duvall ($3.25 million), right-hander Luke Jackson ($1,825,000), infielder Johan Camargo ($1.7 million) and left-hander Grant Dayton ($655,000).The team did not reach an agreement and now faces arbitration with right-hander Shane Greene, who was 0-1 with a 4.01 ERA in 27 games with Atlanta after a midseason move from Detroit, where he was the closer. Swanson, who hit a career-high 17 homers despite missing 30 games with a right foot contusion, agreed to a $3.15 million deal for the 2020 season. He earned a big raise from $585,000.Foltynewicz, who revived his career last season following a demotion to Triple-A Gwinnett, earned $5.5 million in 2018 and enters spring training as one of the top four starters in a rotation... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Braves are not promising Will Smith the closer’s role.Smith isn’t complaining.During his first news conference with his new team Tuesday, Smith said he’s fine with pitching in any inning. The Georgia native said he’s just happy to move close to home and to pitch “for an organization I grew up watching with my family.”A 30-year-old left-hander, Smith wore No. 47 as a kid because that was Atlanta left-hander Tom Glavine’s number.Smith agreed to a $40 million, three-year contract with the Braves on Thursday following an All-Star season with San Francisco. The free agent turned down a $17.8 million qualifying from San Francisco and agreed to a deal that includes a $13 million annual salaries and a $13 million club option for 2023 with a $1 million buyout.The Braves continued to work on their bullpen by signing right-hander Chris Martin to a two-year, $14 million deal later Tuesday. Martin finished the 2019 season with Atlanta.Smith’s former clubhouse neighbor with the Giants,... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Braves are not promising Will Smith the closer’s role.Smith isn’t complaining.During his first news conference with his new team on Tuesday, Smith said he’s fine with pitching in any inning. The Georgia native said he’s just happy to move close to home and to pitch “for an organization I grew up watching with my family.”A 30-year-old left-hander, Smith wore No. 47 as a kid because that was Atlanta left-hander Tom Glavine’s number.Smith agreed to a $40 million, three-year contract with the Braves on Thursday following an All-Star season with San Francisco. The free agent turned down a $17.8 million qualifying from San Francisco and agreed to a deal that includes a $13 million annual salaries and a $13 million club option for 2023 with a $1 million buyout.Smith’s former clubhouse neighbor with the Giants, Mark Melancon, was 11 for 11 in saves opportunities with the Braves in 2019 following a midseason trade from San Francisco.Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves are not promising Will Smith the closer’s role.Smith isn’t complaining.At his first news conference with his new team on Tuesday, Smith said he’s fine with pitching in any inning. Smith, a Georgia native, said he’s just happy to move close to home and to pitch “for an organization I grew up watching with my family.”Smith, a left-hander, said he wore No. 47 as a kid because that was Braves left-hander Tom Glavine’s number.Smith, 30, signed a three-year, $40 million contract with the Braves Thursday, following an All-Star season with San Francisco. The free-agent deal includes a $13 million option for the 2023 season, with a $1 million buyout.Smith’s former clubhouse neighbor with the Giants, Mark Melancon, was 11 for 11 in saves opportunities with the Braves in 2019 following a midseason trade from San Francisco.Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Melancon is expected to enter spring training as the closer. The GM noted the decision will be made... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Milwaukee closer Josh Hader just made the cutoff for salary arbitration eligibility with 2 years, 115 days of major league service.Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Julio Urías also is on the list of 23 so-called Super 2s with 2 years, 117 days. The cutoff was down significantly from 2 years, 134 days last offseason.Miami left-hander Jarlin García just missed with 2 years, 114 days, and Arizona right-hander Luke Weaver had 2 years, 112 days.The top 22% of players by service time with at least two years but less than three are eligible for arbitration as long as they had at least 86 days of service this year. They join the older group of 3- to 6-year players.Players and teams are scheduled to exchange proposed salaries on Jan. 10, and hearings for those lacking agreements will be scheduled for Feb. 3 to 21 in Phoenix.The New York Yankees have four Super 2s: right-handers Luis Cessa and Jonathan Holder, left-hander Jordan Montgomery and third baseman Gio Urshela.Urías is joined... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — One day later, Brian Snitker had shed his uniform but was still wearing the pain of yet another one-and-done postseason exit for the Atlanta Braves."It's going to take me a while to kind of get over this whole thing," the manager said Thursday.Snitker and general manager Alex Anthopoulos had no quick explanations for the Braves' record-tying 10th straight loss in a postseason round. After splitting the first four games of the NL Division Series, the Braves were bowled over and embarrassed in a 13-1 loss to St. Louis in Wednesday's Game 5."You throw that one away," Anthopoulos said, while adding the loss was "a tough pill to swallow. ... From my standpoint in the front office, we need to turn the page quick."The Cardinals' knockout blow was quick and decisive — 10 runs in the first inning."It happened so quick, I don't think there was anything we could do," Snitker said.The Braves have won two straight NL East titles but haven't won a postseason series since 2001. Atlanta... [More]

A look at the best-of-five National League Division Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Thursday, at Atlanta, 5:02 p.m. (TBS); Game 2, Friday, at Atlanta, 4:37 p.m. (TBS); Game 3, Sunday, at St. Louis, TBA (TBS); x-Game 4, Monday, at St. Louis, TBA (TBS); x-Game 5, Wednesday, Oct. 9, at Atlanta, TBA (TBS).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Braves won 4-2.___Projected Lineups:Cardinals: RF Dexter Fowler (.236, 18 HRs, 65 RBIs), 2B Tommy Edman (.307, 11, 36) or Kolten Wong (.285, 11, 59), 1B Paul Goldschmidt (.256, 33, 95), LF Marcell Ozuna (.242, 29, 88), C Yadier Molina (.271, 10, 57), 3B Matt Carpenter (.226, 14, 43), SS Paul DeJong (.234, 30, 78), CF Harrison Bader (.207, 12, 39).Braves: CF Ronald Acu�a Jr (.280, 41, 101, 37/46 SBs), 2B Ozzie Albies (.295, 24, 86, 15/19 SBs), 1B Freddie Freeman (.295, 38, 121, .389 OBP), 3B Josh Donaldson (.259, 37, 94, .379 OBP), LF Nick Markakis (.285, 9, 62), RF Matt Joyce (.295, 7, 23) or Adam... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Braves shut down Ronald Acuña Jr. for the remainder of the regular season Wednesday after the All-Star outfielder left their series opener against the Royals with tightness in his left hip.Braves manager Brian Snitker said Acuña was examined by the Royals' team physician, who recommended he sit until the playoffs. Snitker said the decision is largely precautionary, and Acuña can continue to throw and hit while sitting out the final four games.Acuña, who left Tuesday night's game after the second inning, is hitting .280 with 41 homers, 101 RBIs and 37 stolen bases. He's also scored a National League-leading 127 runs."It's just biting him a little bit," Snitker said, likening the injury to a mild strain. "It's just one of those things that if he goes (hard), it could end up being something really bad if we're not careful. So, we just felt like it was better off just to shut him down for the remainder of the weekend."The Braves already have clinched the NL East.... [More]

Phillies first. Jean Segura pops out to first base to Freddie Freeman. J.T. Realmuto homers to left field. Bryce Harper homers to center field. Rhys Hoskins doubles to deep center field. Scott Kingery pops out to second base to Freddie Freeman. Corey Dickerson homers to right field. Rhys Hoskins scores. Cesar Hernandez walks. Sean Rodriguez reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Cesar Hernandez out at second.4 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Phillies 4, Braves 0.Braves third. Ronald Acuna Jr. singles to left field. Ozzie Albies singles to right center field. Ronald Acuna Jr. to third. Freddie Freeman singles to right field. Ozzie Albies out at third. Ronald Acuna Jr. scores. Josh Donaldson walks. Freddie Freeman to second. Johan Camargo walks. Josh Donaldson to second. Freddie Freeman to third. Dansby Swanson singles to right center field. Johan Camargo to second. Josh Donaldson to third. Freddie Freeman scores. Francisco Cervelli reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield.... [More]

Nationals first. Trea Turner singles to left field. Adam Eaton homers to center field. Trea Turner scores. Anthony Rendon doubles to deep right field. Juan Soto strikes out swinging. Asdrubal Cabrera flies out to left field to Rafael Ortega. Matt Adams flies out to left field to Rafael Ortega.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 2, Braves 0.Nationals second. Victor Robles strikes out swinging. Yan Gomes homers to center field. Max Scherzer grounds out to second base, Ozzie Albies to Freddie Freeman. Trea Turner called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 3, Braves 0.Braves second. Josh Donaldson called out on strikes. Matt Joyce homers to right field. Dansby Swanson lines out to left center field to Juan Soto. Tyler Flowers strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 3, Braves 1.Nationals third. Adam Eaton called out on strikes. Anthony Rendon grounds out to shallow infield to Freddie Freeman. Juan Soto homers to left field. Asdrubal... [More]

Braves first. Ronald Acuna Jr. triples to deep right field. Ozzie Albies singles to shallow left field. Ronald Acuna Jr. scores. Freddie Freeman doubles to left field. Ozzie Albies to third. Josh Donaldson singles to left field. Freddie Freeman to third. Ozzie Albies scores. Matt Joyce lines out to first base to Rowdy Tellez. Josh Donaldson doubled off first. Dansby Swanson strikes out swinging.2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Braves 2, Blue jays 0.Braves fifth. Charlie Culberson pinch-hitting for Mike Foltynewicz. Charlie Culberson grounds out to third base, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to Rowdy Tellez. Ronald Acuna Jr. walks. Ozzie Albies flies out to deep right field to Randal Grichuk. Freddie Freeman walks. Ronald Acuna Jr. to second. Josh Donaldson doubles to deep left field. Freddie Freeman scores. Ronald Acuna Jr. scores. Matt Joyce called out on strikes.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Braves 4, Blue jays 0.Blue jays seventh. Rowdy Tellez homers to center field. Randal Grichuk grounds... [More]

Braves first. Ronald Acuna Jr. walks. Ozzie Albies lines out to first base to Jose Abreu. Freddie Freeman homers to right field. Ronald Acuna Jr. scores. Josh Donaldson strikes out swinging. Brian McCann lines out to right field to Leury Garcia.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Braves 2, White sox 0.White sox second. James McCann pops out to Freddie Freeman. Eloy Jimenez lines out to center field to Billy Hamilton. Yolmer Sanchez walks. Adam Engel walks. Yolmer Sanchez to second. Lucas Giolito singles to deep right center field. Adam Engel scores. Yolmer Sanchez scores. Leury Garcia lines out to right field to Ronald Acuna Jr..2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. White sox 2, Braves 2.Braves sixth. Johan Camargo pinch-hitting for Julio Teheran. Johan Camargo doubles to deep right field. Ronald Acuna Jr. strikes out swinging. Ozzie Albies lines out to center field to Adam Engel. Freddie Freeman homers to center field. Johan Camargo scores. Josh Donaldson singles to right field. Brian McCann... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have signed Adeiny Hechavarría to fill a void at shortstop with Dansby Swanson still injured and Johan Camargo heading to Triple-A Gwinnett.Hechavarría, a 30-year-old with his sixth team in three years, agreed to a one-year, prorated contract. He was in the lineup Friday and batting seventh against the Los Angeles Dodgers.Camargo is hitting .222, a 50-point drop from last year when he finished with 19 homers with 76 RBIs. He lost his job as the everyday third baseman during the offseason when Josh Donaldson signed as a free agent, and the Braves grew tired of waiting for him to adjust to a utility role.Swanson, the everyday shortstop, has missed 22 games with a right foot contusion and still has no immediate timetable for a rehab assignment, so Atlanta general manager Alex Anthopoulos had to move quickly with Camargo out of the picture.The Braves did not get an offensive upgrade in Hechavarría, who was released this week by the New York Mets after hitting... [More]

Mets first. Amed Rosario doubles to deep right field. Joe Panik singles to center field. Amed Rosario to third. Pete Alonso homers to center field. Joe Panik scores. Amed Rosario scores. Michael Conforto singles to center field. Wilson Ramos strikes out swinging. J.D. Davis singles to right field. Michael Conforto to second. Todd Frazier lines out to shortstop to Johan Camargo. Michael Conforto doubled off second.3 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Mets 3, Braves 0.Mets second. Juan Lagares strikes out swinging. Marcus Stroman singles to shortstop. Amed Rosario triples to deep left field. Marcus Stroman scores. Joe Panik walks. Pete Alonso walks. Joe Panik to second. Michael Conforto walks. Pete Alonso to second. Joe Panik to third. Amed Rosario scores. Wilson Ramos singles to right field. Michael Conforto to second. Pete Alonso to third. Joe Panik scores. J.D. Davis grounds out to shortstop. Wilson Ramos out at second.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Mets 6, Braves 0.Mets third. Todd... [More]