LOS ANGELES (AP) — Chase Utley will retire from baseball at the end of this season, capping a 16-year career that included a World Series championship with Philadelphia and an elder-statesman role with the Los Angeles Dodgers.The six-time All-Star said he's leaving to spend more time with his wife and two young sons.Utley announced his decision at a jammed news conference in the bowels of Dodger Stadium on Friday, with several of his teammates surprising him by crowding into the small, steamy room."I just want you guys to know that I've signed a five-year extension," Utley deadpanned, drawing laughter from manager Dave Roberts, Kenley Jansen, Justin Turner, Alex Wood, Andrew Toles, Joc Pederson, Logan Forsythe and Ross Stripling.Three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw sat on the floor in a corner, with Matt Kemp, Rich Hill, Corey Seager, Austin Barnes and Kenta Maeda joining him.Pitching coach Rick Honeycutt looked on, while hitting coach Turner Ward used his phone to capture video.... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Chase Utley will retire from baseball at the end of this season, capping a 16-year career that included a World Series championship with Philadelphia and an elder statesman role with the Los Angeles Dodgers.The six-time All-Star said he's leaving to spend more time with his wife and two young sons."I'm ready to be a full-time dad," he said.Utley announced his decision at a jammed news conference in the bowels of Dodger Stadium on Friday, with several of his teammates surprising him by crowding into the small, steamy room."I just want you guys to know that I've signed a five-year extension," Utley deadpanned, drawing laughter from manager Dave Roberts, Kenley Jansen, Justin Turner, Alex Wood, Andrew Toles, Joc Pederson, Logan Forsythe and Ross Stripling.Three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw sat on the floor in a corner, with Matt Kemp, Rich Hill, Corey Seager, Austin Barnes, and Kenta Maeda joining him.Pitching coach Rick Honeycutt looked on, while hitting coach... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Chase Utley's 16-year baseball career is nearing an end.A person with knowledge of the situation said Friday the six-time All-Star will retire from the Los Angeles Dodgers at the end of this season. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because Utley's decision had not been formally announced.Utley was to speak at a news conference later Friday at Dodger Stadium. The topic was not disclosed.The 2019 season would have been the final year of a $2 million, two-year contract.The 39-year-old second baseman made his name with the Philadelphia Phillies, earning five All-Star berths and winning four Silver Slugger awards. He helped the team to a World Series title in 2008, combining with shortstop Jimmy Rollins as a standout double-play duo.Utley has a .276 career average with 259 home runs. He is renowned for his base-stealing ability, with 153 steals in 175 attempts.The Phillies traded Utley to the Dodgers in August 2015.That fall, Utley broke the... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Chase Utley's 16-year baseball career is nearing an end.A person with knowledge of the situation said Friday the six-time All-Star will retire from the Los Angeles Dodgers at the end of this season. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because Utley's decision had not been formally announced.Utley was to speak at a news conference later Friday at Dodger Stadium. The topic was not disclosed.The 2019 season would have been the final year of a $2 million, two-year contract.The 39-year-old second baseman made his name with the Philadelphia Phillies, earning five All-Star berths and winning four Silver Slugger awards. He helped the team to a World Series title in 2008, combining with shortstop Jimmy Rollins as a standout double-play duo.Utley has a .276 career average with 259 home runs. He is renowned for his base-stealing ability, with 153 steals in 175 attempts.The Phillies traded Utley to the Dodgers in August 2015.That fall, Utley broke the... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Chase Utley's baseball career is nearing an end.A person with knowledge of the situation said Friday the six-time All-Star will retire from the Los Angeles Dodgers at the end of this season. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because Utley's decision had not been formally announced.Utley was to speak at a news conference later Friday at Dodger Stadium. The topic was not disclosed.The 2019 season would have been the final year of a $2 million, two-year contract.The 39-year-old second baseman made his name with the Philadelphia Phillies, earning five All-Star berths and winning four Silver Slugger awards. He helped the team to a World Series title in 2008. Utley has a .276 career average with 259 home runs.The Phillies traded Utley to the Dodgers in August 2015.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

A look at what's happening around the majors today:PHILLY SPECIALOdubel Herrera has homered in five straight games, tying a Philadelphia record. Chase Utley (twice in 2008), Bobby Abreu (2005), Mike Schmidt (1979) and Dick Allen (1969) also connected five in row for the Phillies. Ken Griffey, Jr. (1993), Don Mattingly (1987) and Dale Long (1956) share the major league record with homers in eight consecutive games.Herrera now takes aim against rookie right-hander Erick Fedde (0-2, 5.63 ERA) at Nationals Park.CITI SURPRISEClayton Kershaw is set to make an unexpected return from the disabled list, starting for the Dodgers in a marquee matchup against Mets ace Jacob deGrom. Kershaw has been sidelined since June 1 with a lower back strain. The three-time Cy Young Award winner and 2014 NL MVP originally was scheduled to make a rehab start Saturday with Triple-A Oklahoma City at Omaha, but heavy rain in the forecast caused the Dodgers to change plans. There's rain forecast at Citi Field, too,... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:PHILLY SPECIALOdubel Herrera has homered in five straight games, tying a Philadelphia record. Chase Utley (twice in 2008), Bobby Abreu (2005), Mike Schmidt (1979) and Dick Allen (1969) also connected five in row for the Phillies. Ken Griffey, Jr. (1993), Don Mattingly (1987) and Dale Long (1956) share the major league record with homers in eight consecutive games.Herrera now takes aim against rookie right-hander Erick Fedde (0-2, 5.63 ERA) at Nationals Park.CITI SURPRISEClayton Kershaw is set to make an unexpected return from the disabled list, starting for the Dodgers in a marquee matchup against Mets ace Jacob deGrom. Kershaw has been sidelined since June 1 with a lower back strain. The three-time Cy Young Award winner and 2014 NL MVP originally was scheduled to make a rehab start Saturday with Triple-A Oklahoma City at Omaha, but heavy rain in the forecast caused the Dodgers to change plans. There's rain forecast at Citi Field, too,... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:VERLANDER DAYHouston tries for its 13th straight win with AL ERA leader Justin Verlander on the mound against Tampa Bay. The Astros' ace is 9-2 with a 1.61 ERA, though he's posted a 3.79 ERA over his past three starts and matched a season high with two homers allowed last time out in a 7-3 win over Oakland. Rays lefty Blake Snell (8-4, 2.58) will try to slow down Houston after the Astros beat Tampa Bay 5-4 on Alex Bregman's game-ending two-run double Monday.ON THE MENDThe defending NL champions are beginning to get healthier. Rich Hill comes off the DL to start for the Dodgers in the nightcap of a doubleheader against the Cubs in a rematch of last year's NL Championship Series. Hill (1-2, 6.20 ERA) went on the disabled list May 20 with a blister on his left middle finger, a recurring problem for the veteran left-hander. He will be opposed by fellow lefty Mike Montgomery (2-2, 3.31), who is 2-1 with a 1.14 ERA in four starts since moving... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The last time Clayton Kershaw pitched at Wrigley Field, the ace left-hander helped lead the Los Angeles Dodgers into the World Series.It was a much different situation Monday. But still important for the Dodgers.Kershaw threw a three-inning simulated game before Los Angeles' series opener against the Chicago Cubs was postponed, taking another step forward in his recovery from a strained lower back. The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner said he felt really good and plans to pitch somewhere in four or five days, either in a minor league rehab start or for the Dodgers."It was good, very encouraged," manager Dave Roberts said. "Just the way that the ball was coming out today, the command of the fastball as good as it's been for me — and obviously this setting is not a major league game — but for me the best it's been in a month, for sure."The 30-year-old Kershaw was sidelined for nearly a month with left biceps tendinitis before returning May 31 against Philadelphia. He tossed... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday:VERLANDER DAYHouston tries for its 13th straight win with AL ERA leader Justin Verlander on the mound against Tampa Bay. The Astros' ace is 9-2 with a 1.61 ERA, though he's posted a 3.79 ERA over his past three starts and matched a season high with two homers allowed last time out in a 7-3 win over Oakland. Rays lefty Blake Snell (8-4, 2.58) will try to slow down Houston after the Astros beat Tampa Bay 5-4 on Alex Bregman's game-ending two-run double Monday.ON THE MENDThe defending NL champions are beginning to get healthier. Rich Hill comes off the DL to start for the Dodgers in the nightcap of a doubleheader against the Cubs in a rematch of last year's NL Championship Series. Hill (1-2, 6.20 ERA) went on the disabled list May 20 with a blister on his left middle finger, a recurring problem for the veteran left-hander. He will be opposed by fellow lefty Mike Montgomery (2-2, 3.31), who is 2-1 with a 1.14 ERA in four starts since moving... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday:VERLANDER DAYHouston tries for its 13th straight win with AL ERA leader Justin Verlander on the mound against Tampa Bay. The Astros' ace is 9-2 with a 1.61 ERA, though he's posted a 3.79 ERA over his past three starts and matched a season high with two homers allowed last time out in a 7-3 win over Oakland. Rays lefty Blake Snell (8-4, 2.58) will try to slow down Houston after the Astros beat Tampa Bay 5-4 on Alex Bregman's game-ending two-run double Monday.ON THE MENDThe defending NL champions are beginning to get healthier. Rich Hill comes off the DL to start for the Dodgers against the Cubs in a rematch of last year's NL Championship Series. Hill (1-2, 6.20 ERA) went on the disabled list May 20 with a blister on his left middle finger, a recurring problem for the veteran left-hander. He will be opposed by fellow lefty Mike Montgomery (2-2, 3.31), who is 2-1 with a 1.14 ERA in four starts since moving into the rotation after Yu Darvish... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday:VERLANDER DAYAmerican League ERA leader Justin Verlander takes the mound against Tampa Bay. Houston's ace is 9-2 with a 1.61 ERA, though he's posted a 3.79 ERA over his past three starts and matched a season high with two homers allowed last time out in a 7-3 win over Oakland. Rays lefty Blake Snell (8-4, 2.58) will try to slow down the rolling Astros, who entered Monday night with 12 consecutive wins.ON THE MENDThe defending NL champions are beginning to get healthier. Rich Hill comes off the DL to start for the Dodgers against the Cubs in a rematch of last year's NL Championship Series. Hill (1-2, 6.20 ERA) went on the disabled list May 20 with a blister on his left middle finger, a recurring problem for the veteran left-hander. He will be opposed by fellow lefty Mike Montgomery (2-2, 3.31), who is 2-1 with a 1.14 ERA in four starts since moving into the rotation after Yu Darvish was sidelined by right triceps tendinitis.Hill's return... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The last time Clayton Kershaw pitched at Wrigley Field, the ace left-hander helped lead the Los Angeles Dodgers into the World Series.It was a much different situation Monday. But still important for the Dodgers.Kershaw threw a three-inning simulated game before Los Angeles' series opener against the Chicago Cubs, taking another step forward in his recovery from a strained lower back. The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner said he felt really good and plans to pitch somewhere in four or five days, either in a minor league rehab start or for the Dodgers."It was good, very encouraged," manager Dave Roberts said. "Just the way that the ball was coming out today, the command of the fastball as good as it's been for me — and obviously this setting is not a major league game — but for me the best it's been in a month, for sure."The 30-year-old Kershaw was sidelined for nearly a month with left biceps tendinitis before returning May 31 against Philadelphia. He tossed five effective... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The last time Clayton Kershaw pitched at Wrigley Field, the ace left-hander helped lead the Los Angeles Dodgers into the World Series.It was a much different situation Monday. But still important for the Dodgers.Kershaw threw a three-inning simulated game before Los Angeles' series opener against the Chicago Cubs, taking another step forward in his recovery from a strained lower back. The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner said he felt really good and plans to pitch somewhere in four or five days, either in a minor league rehab start or for the Dodgers."It was good, very encouraged," manager Dave Roberts said. "Just the way that the ball was coming out today, the command of the fastball as good as it's been for me — and obviously this setting is not a major league game — but for me the best it's been in a month, for sure."The 30-year-old Kershaw was sidelined for nearly a month with left biceps tendinitis before returning May 31 against Philadelphia. He tossed five effective... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Commissioner Rob Manfred says Major League Baseball is trying to remove from the internet the leaked video of former Mets manager Terry Collins ranting at umpires.The profanity-laced video surfaced this week from a Dodgers-Mets game in May 2016 that Fox televised. Collins fumes after ace Noah Syndergaard is ejected in the third inning for throwing a fastball behind Chase Utley. In the 2015 playoffs, Utley broke the leg of Mets infielder Ruben Tejada with a late, hard slide.Umpire crew chief Tom Hallion is heard explaining the ejection to Syndergaard, Neil Walker and other Mets, then he breaks away to head off Collins. For many fans, the loud exchange between Collins and Hallion illuminated what actually gets said during heated disputes."We made a commitment to the umpires that if they would wear microphones, certain types of interactions that we all know go on the field would not be aired publicly," Manfred said Thursday after the owners meetings ended."We promised them... [More]

Yes, the baseball draft can feel like a bit of a crapshoot, but it does help to be picking near the top.This year's draft took place Monday night, with the Detroit Tigers selecting Auburn right-hander Casey Mize with the top pick . San Francisco followed by picking Georgia Tech catcher Joey Bart. It could be a while before either of those players makes an impact in the majors, but if the past two decades are any indication, the top two picks are as likely as anybody to provide major value.From 1998-2017, the 20 players picked No. 1 overall have been worth a total of 313.5 wins above replacement, according to Baseball-Reference.com. That's more value than any other slot in the first round. The 20 players drafted at No. 2 have been worth 261.3 WAR, which is the second-most value.After the top two picks, the draft has been more hit-or-miss. For example, the No. 7 pick (222.4 WAR) has yielded significantly more value than the No. 4 pick (82.1). That's not to say that a team should rather pick... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers placed right-hander Kenta Maeda and infielder Chase Utley on the 10-day disabled list on Wednesday.Maeda was diagnosed with a mild left hip strain while Utley has a sprained left thumb. Right-hander Carlos Santana and ambidextrous pitcher Pat Venditte were recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.With Maeda headed to the disabled list, that makes four of the Dodgers' five starters from their opening-day roster are sidelined with an injury. Also on the DL are Clayton Kershaw (left biceps strain), Rich Hill (left middle finger blister) and Hyun-Jin Ryu (left groin strain). Kershaw is expected to return from the DL on Thursday and start against the Philadelphia Phillies.Utley has just one start since May 22 and is in an 0-for-14 slump. Since getting two hits against Cincinnati on May 10, Utley is 2 for 29 over a 12-game stretch. He is batting just .137 over 51 at-bats in May.Maeda was removed from his start Tuesday against the Phillies in... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Clayton Kershaw is one step closer to a return with the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kershaw pitched a four-inning simulated game Saturday, raising the possibility that he could be back in their rotation next week.The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner has been on the disabled list nearly a month with left biceps tendinitis.Asked if he should be able to go in five days, Kershaw said: "Yeah, I should be."Kershaw got up and down, mirroring game conditions, and pitched to Cody Bellinger, Chase Utley, Austin Barnes and Enrique Hernandez.Kershaw is 1-4 with a 2.86 ERA this season.It's not certain he'll pitch in five days, when the Dodgers play Philadelphia in the finale of a 10-game homestand.Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who watched the workout with Andrew Friedman, the team's president of baseball operations, wants to see how Kershaw feels before determining when and where he will pitch next.Roberts had not yet talked to Kershaw before speaking with reporters."That's really encouraging,"... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Clayton Kershaw has pitched a simulated game for the Los Angeles Dodgers, raising the possibility that he could return to their rotation next week.The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner has been on the disabled list nearly a month with left biceps tendinitis.Kershaw faced Cody Bellinger, Chase Utley and other hitters during a four-inning workout Saturday. Asked if he'd be ready to pitch in five days, Kershaw said he thought so.Dodgers manager Dave Roberts watched the simulated game and says he wants to see how Kershaw feels before determining when and where he'll pitch next.Kershaw is 1-4 with a 2.86 ERA this season.

NEW YORK (AP) — Brett Gardner capped a slump-busting performance with a go-ahead, two-run triple off Craig Kimbrel in the eighth inning, Aaron Judge followed with a homer and the New York Yankees rallied to beat the Boston Red Sox 9-6 Wednesday night for their 17th victory in 18 games.Kimbrel entered with two on and one out to face Gardner seeking the first five-out save of his career. Gardner drilled a full-count pitch into left-center field, well over the head of center fielder Mookie Betts, who was playing shallow. Neil Walker scored easily from third and rookie Gleyber Torres raced from first and slid past a lunging tag attempted by catcher Christian Vazquez.Judge followed with a line drive to center measured at 117 mph off the bat, his ninth homer of the season. He had three hits and three RBIs as New York won its eighth straight overall and 11th in a row at home.Kimbrel replaced Matt Barnes (0-1) after a double by Walker and a one-out walk to Torres.Yankees reliever Jonathan Holder... [More]