BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox traded Andrew Benintendi to the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night, parting with the final member of the outfield trio that helped the team win the 2018 World Series. The Red Sox sent Benintendi along with an unspecified amount of cash to the Royals for Franchy Cordero and two players to be named. Boston also received minor league right-handed pitcher Josh Winckowski and a player to be named from the New York Mets. The Mets received outfielder Khalil Lee from the Royals. The No. 7 overall pick in the 2015 draft, Benintendi was second in AL Rookie of the Year balloting in '17. In all, he has batted .273 with 51 home runs, 260 RBIs and 53 stolen bases for Boston; his 32 outfield assists is the most in baseball over the past four years. Benintendi, 26, led all players with 15 runs during Boston's 2018 postseason run, when he joined Mookie Betts and Jackie Bradley Jr. in the Red Sox outfield. Betts was traded to the Dodgers in a salary dump last spring, and Bradley is a free agent who remains unsigned. Cordero, 26, has a .236 average and 12 homers in 95 games with the San Diego Padres and Royals. Winckowski, 22, was ranked as the No. 20 prospect in the Mets system by Baseball America. He was a 15th round pick by Toronto in 2016.

NEW YORK (AP) — In a deal between two of baseball's busiest teams this winter, the New York Mets traded left-hander Steven Matz to the Toronto Blue Jays for three young pitchers Wednesday night. New York received reliever Sean Reid-Foley and minor league right-handers Josh Winckowski and Yennsy Díaz in a move that could signal the Mets are pursuing a pricey free agent. Matz, a New York product, is set to earn $5.2 million this year and can become a free agent after the season. He is coming off a miserable 2020, when he went 0-5 with a 9.68 ERA and lost his rotation spot during the pandemic-shortened season. He made six starts and three relief appearances, spending time on the injured list with shoulder discomfort. Beset by injuries throughout his career, the 29-year-old Matz is 31-41 with a 4.35 ERA and 552 strikeouts over 579 2/3 innings in six major league seasons, all with the Mets. Toronto is hoping Matz can rediscover his early form and strengthen a suspect pitching staff as the Blue... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — In a deal between two of baseball's busiest teams this winter, the New York Mets traded left-hander Steven Matz to the Toronto Blue Jays for three young pitchers Wednesday night. New York received reliever Sean Reid-Foley and minor league right-handers Josh Winckowski and Yennsy Díaz in a move that could signal the Mets are pursuing a pricey free agent. Matz, a New York product, is set to earn $5.2 million this year and can become a free agent after the season. He is coming off a miserable 2020, when he went 0-5 with a 9.68 ERA and lost his rotation spot during the pandemic-shortened season. He spent the final month on the injured list with shoulder discomfort after making six starts and three relief appearances. Beset by injuries throughout his career, the 29-year-old Matz is 31-41 with a 4.35 ERA and 552 strikeouts over 579 2/3 innings in six major league seasons, all with the Mets. Toronto is hoping Matz can rediscover his early form and strengthen a suspect pitching... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Wanting to slash salary to avoid paying luxury tax, the New York Yankees opted to make a rare trade with the Boston Red Sox. Boston acquired struggling reliever Adam Ottavino along with minor league right-hander Frank German from the Yankees on Monday for a player to be named or cash. As part of the trade, the Yankees agreed to send Boston $850,000 on July 1 to cover part of the $8 million owed to Ottavino, a 35-year-old right-hander entering the final season of a $27 million, three-year contract. New York remains responsible for Ottavino’s $3 million signing bonus, due next Jan. 15. "I know it’s the Yankees and I understand what that means and it’s the most storied rivalry in sports,” Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said. "But if we’re not willing to do something that helps us because it also helps them, or worse, if we’re worried that it might not go as we expect and it blows up in our faces and we looked at it, well, then, we’re just playing scared, and we're... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez kept his contract that will pay $19,375,000 in each of the next two seasons rather than opt out Sunday and become a free agent. The 33-year-old hit a career-low .213 in the pandemic-shortened season with seven homers and 27 RBIs, his lowest output since 2013. His salary was cut from $23.75 million to a prorated $8,796,296. His contract also gives him the ability to opt out after the 2021 World Series. Boston declined a $6.85 million option on left-hander Martín Pérez and opted to pay a $500,000 buyout to the 29-year-old, who became a free agent. Perez was 3-5 with a 4.50 ERA in 12 starts, striking out 46 and walking 28 in 62 innings in his first season with Boston after leaving Minnesota as a free agent. He had a $6 million salary, reduced to $2,222,222 in prorated pay. Pérez joined outfielders Jackie Bradley Jr. and Rusney Castillo, and right-hander Collin McHugh as Boston players who became free agents. ___ More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

2020_Randy Arozarena, Tampa Bay 2019_Jose Altuve, Houston 2018_Jackie Bradley Jr., Boston 2017_Justin Verlander, Houston 2016_Andrew Miller, Cleveland Indians 2015_Alcides Escobar, Kansas City Royals 2014_Lorenzo Cain, Kansas City Royals 2013_Koji Uehara, Boston Red Sox 2012_Delmon Young, Detroit Tigers 2011_Nelson Cruz, Texas Rangers 2010_Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers 2009_CC Sabathia, New York Yankees 2008_Matt Garza, Tampa Bay Rays 2007_Josh Beckett, Boston Red Sox 2006_Placido Polanco, Detroit Tigers 2005_Paul Konerko, Chicago White Sox 2004_David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox 2003_Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees 2002_Adam Kennedy, Anaheim Angels 2001_Andy Pettitte, New York Yankees 2000_David Justice, New York Yankees 1999_Orlando Hernandez, New York Yankees 1998_David Wells, New York Yankees 1997_Marquis Grissom, Cleveland Indians 1996_Bernie Williams, New York Yankees 1995_Orel Hershiser, Cleveland Indians 1994_strike 1993_Dave Stewart, Toronto Blue Jays 1992_Roberto Alomar, Toronto Blue Jays 1991_Kirby Puckett, Minnesota Twins 1990_Dave Stewart, Oakland Athletics 1989_Rickey Henderson, Oakland Athletics 1988_Dennis Eckersley, Oakland Athletics 1987_Gary Gaetti, Minnesota Twins 1986_Marty Barrett, Boston Red Sox 1985_George Brett, Kansas City Royals 1984_Kirk Gibson, Detroit Tigers 1983_Mike Boddicker, Baltimore Orioles 1982_Fred Lynn, California Angels 1981_Graig Nettles, New York Yankees 1980_Frank White, Kansas City Royals

BOSTON (AP) — The manager won’t be back, and there could be more changes for the Boston Red Sox after their last-place finish in the pandemic-shortened season. J.D. Martinez is eligible to opt out of his contract, Jackie Bradley Jr. is a free agent, and the pitching rotation and bullpen were revealed by the unusual year to be in shambles. The team also needs to replace Ron Roenicke, who was told before the season finale that he's not in their plans. Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom will need to deal with these issues; he hopes to have a more normal offseason to do it (Last year, he landed in the middle of a cheating investigation that cost the team manager Alex Cora, and a mandate to cut salary that cost the Red Sox Mookie Betts and David Price -- even before the coronavirus shut down spring training). Here is a look at some of the items on Bloom’s to-do list: MANAGER With Cora tainted by the Astros cheating investigation and spring training less than a month away, Bloom’s options were... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Harrison Bader tripled and homered to help the St. Louis Cardinals clinch a postseason berth on the final day of the regular season with a 5-2 win over Milwaukee, and the Brewers also earned a playoff spot Sunday via help on the West Coast moments later. St. Louis (30-28) will be the fifth seed in the NL and open a three-game wild-card series at San Diego on Wednesday. By winning, the Cardinals avoided having to travel to Detroit for two makeup games Monday. The Brewers (29-31) locked up the eighth seed and a third consecutive postseason berth after the Padres beat San Francisco 5-4 in a game that ended about 15 minutes later. The Giants finished with an identical record as the Brewers but lost out on a tiebreaker due to an inferior intradivision record. Milwaukee will face the top-seeded Dodgers in Los Angeles in a three-game series that also starts Wednesday. The Brewers haven’t had a winning record at any point this season. Milwaukee and Houston will be the first teams... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The San Diego Padres are returning to the playoffs for the first time in 14 years after beating the Seattle Mariners 7-4 Sunday with a three-run rally in the 11th inning that included a go-ahead double by newcomer Mitch Moreland. The clincher came in the finale of a series that was moved from Seattle because of poor air quality due to wildfires, so the Mariners were considered the home team and batted last. After closer Trevor Rosenthal (1-0), another newcomer, struck out Phillip Ervin for the final out, the Padres had a brief but joyous celebration in the infield. Then they gathered near the dugouts to get playoff caps and T-shirts. Although Petco Park was devoid of spectators, a handful of fans watched from a rooftop bar just beyond left-center field and several others watched from balconies on an office building high above right field. Casey Sadler (1-1) took the loss. RED SOX 10, YANKEES 2 BOSTON (AP) — Tanner Houck took a no-hitter into the sixth inning of his second... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jake Arrieta pitched effectively into the sixth inning before leaving with an injury, Didi Gregorius hit a two-run homer and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the New York Mets 4-1 Tuesday night.The scuffling Mets played their first game since billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen agreed to buy the team from the Wilpon and Katz families. The agreement was announced Monday and the deal is subject to the approval of Major League Baseball owners. Arrieta (4-4) allowed one run on Brandon Nimmo’s homer and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings. But he walked off the mound, grabbing the back of his right leg, after hitting Andres Gimenez with a pitch to load the bases. JoJo Romero entered and retired Wilson Ramos on a double-play grounder.Romero tossed two innings, Tommy Hunter got two outs and Hector Neris finished for his fourth save in seven chances.Mets starter Rick Porcello (1-5) yielded four runs and six hits in six innings as New York (21-27) lost its third straight and fell... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jake Arrieta pitched effectively into the sixth inning before leaving with an injury, Didi Gregorius hit a two-run homer and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the New York Mets 4-1 Tuesday night.The scuffling Mets played their first game since billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen agreed to buy the team from the Wilpon and Katz families. The agreement was announced Monday and the deal is subject to the approval of Major League Baseball owners. Arrieta (4-4) allowed one run on Brandon Nimmo’s homer and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings. But he walked off the mound, grabbing the back of his right leg, after hitting Andres Gimenez with a pitch to load the bases. JoJo Romero entered and retired Wilson Ramos on a double-play grounder.Romero tossed two innings, Tommy Hunter got two outs and Hector Neris finished for his fourth save in seven chances.Mets starter Rick Porcello (1-5) yielded four runs and six hits in six innings as New York (21-27) lost its third straight and fell... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jake Arrieta pitched effectively into the sixth inning before leaving with an injury, Didi Gregorius hit a two-run homer and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the New York Mets 4-1 Tuesday night.The scuffling Mets played their first game since billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen agreed to buy the team from the Wilpon and Katz families. The agreement was announced Monday and the deal is subject to the approval of Major League Baseball owners. Arrieta (4-4) allowed one run on Brandon Nimmo’s homer and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings. But he walked off the mound, grabbing the back of his right leg, after hitting Andres Gimenez with a pitch to load the bases. JoJo Romero entered and retired Wilson Ramos on a double-play grounder.Romero tossed two innings, Tommy Hunter got two outs and Hector Neris finished for his fourth save in seven chances.Mets starter Rick Porcello (1-5) yielded four runs and six hits in six innings as New York (21-27) lost its third straight and fell... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jake Arrieta pitched effectively into the sixth inning before leaving with an injury, Didi Gregorius hit a two-run homer and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the New York Mets 4-1 Tuesday night.The scuffling Mets played their first game since billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen agreed to buy the team from the Wilpon and Katz families. The agreement was announced Monday and the deal is subject to the approval of Major League Baseball owners. Arrieta (4-4) allowed one run on Brandon Nimmo’s homer and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings. But he walked off the mound, grabbing the back of his right leg, after hitting Andres Gimenez with a pitch to load the bases. JoJo Romero entered and retired Wilson Ramos on a double-play grounder.Romero tossed two innings, Tommy Hunter got two outs and Hector Neris finished for his fourth save in seven chances.Mets starter Rick Porcello (1-5) yielded four runs and six hits in six innings as New York (21-27) lost its third straight and fell... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jake Arrieta pitched effectively into the sixth inning before leaving with an injury, Didi Gregorius hit a two-run homer and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the New York Mets 4-1 Tuesday night.The scuffling Mets played their first game since billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen agreed to buy the team from the Wilpon and Katz families. The agreement was announced Monday and the deal is subject to the approval of Major League Baseball owners. Arrieta (4-4) allowed one run on Brandon Nimmo’s homer and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings. But he walked off the mound, grabbing the back of his right leg, after hitting Andres Gimenez with a pitch to load the bases. JoJo Romero entered and retired Wilson Ramos on a double-play grounder.Romero tossed two innings, Tommy Hunter got two outs and Hector Neris finished for his fourth save in seven chances.Mets starter Rick Porcello (1-5) yielded four runs and six hits in six innings as New York (21-27) lost its third straight and fell... [More]

Red sox sixth. Rafael Devers strikes out swinging. Xander Bogaerts singles to left field. J.D. Martinez lines out to deep center field to Starling Marte. Christian Vazquez walks. Xander Bogaerts to second. Jackie Bradley Jr. doubles to deep left field. Christian Vazquez to third. Xander Bogaerts scores. Bobby Dalbec flies out to deep left field to Corey Dickerson.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Red sox 1, Marlins 0.Red sox eighth. Rafael Devers doubles to deep right field. Xander Bogaerts strikes out swinging. J.D. Martinez is intentionally walked. Christian Vazquez singles to center field. J.D. Martinez to second. Rafael Devers scores. Jackie Bradley Jr. strikes out swinging. Bobby Dalbec strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. Red sox 2, Marlins 0.

Red sox first. Yairo Munoz doubles. Christian Vazquez homers to center field. Yairo Munoz scores. Rafael Devers grounds out to second base, Willy Adames to Nate Lowe. J.D. Martinez grounds out to second base, Nate Lowe to Charlie Morton. Jackie Bradley Jr. strikes out swinging.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Red sox 2, Rays 0.Rays first. Manuel Margot reaches on error. Fielding error by Bobby Dalbec. Randy Arozarena grounds out to shortstop. Manuel Margot out at second. Joey Wendle singles to shallow infield. Mike Brosseau doubles to deep right field. Joey Wendle scores. Hunter Renfroe pops out to shallow center field to Christian Arroyo.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Red sox 2, Rays 1.Rays fourth. Willy Adames reaches on error. Throwing error by Tzu-Wei Lin. Yoshi Tsutsugo lines out to deep center field to Jackie Bradley Jr.. Kevan Smith homers to left field. Willy Adames scores. Manuel Margot pops out to shallow center field to Christian Arroyo. Randy Arozarena strikes out swinging.2... [More]

Rays first. Austin Meadows homers to right field. Brandon Lowe grounds out to first base to Michael Chavis. Randy Arozarena grounds out to shallow infield, Christian Arroyo to Michael Chavis. Ji-Man Choi doubles to deep left field. Joey Wendle hit by pitch. Willy Adames strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Rays 1, Red sox 0.Red sox third. Michael Chavis homers to center field. Christian Arroyo lines out to deep center field to Manuel Margot. Alex Verdugo grounds out to shortstop, Willy Adames to Nate Lowe. Rafael Devers grounds out to first base to Nate Lowe.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Red sox 1, Rays 1.Red sox fourth. Xander Bogaerts walks. J.D. Martinez lines out to deep left field to Austin Meadows. Kevin Plawecki singles to deep center field. Xander Bogaerts scores. Jackie Bradley Jr. reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Kevin Plawecki out at second. Yairo Munoz flies out to center field to Manuel Margot.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Red sox... [More]

Rays second. Yoshi Tsutsugo homers to center field. Nate Lowe strikes out swinging. Brett Phillips grounds out to shallow right field, Christian Arroyo to Bobby Dalbec. Michael Perez singles to shallow center field. Austin Meadows grounds out to shallow infield, Christian Arroyo to Bobby Dalbec.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Rays 1, Red sox 0.Rays third. Joey Wendle singles to left field. Brandon Lowe singles to center field. Joey Wendle to second. Ji-Man Choi lines out to deep center field to Jackie Bradley Jr.. Kevin Kiermaier grounds out to second base, Xander Bogaerts to Bobby Dalbec. Brandon Lowe to third. Joey Wendle scores. Yoshi Tsutsugo lines out to left field to Michael Chavis.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Rays 2, Red sox 0.Rays fourth. Nate Lowe singles to left field. Brett Phillips strikes out swinging. Michael Perez walks. Nate Lowe to second. Austin Meadows doubles to deep center field. Michael Perez scores. Nate Lowe scores. Joey Wendle walks. Brandon Lowe grounds... [More]

Red sox third. Bobby Dalbec strikes out swinging. Christian Arroyo flies out to deep left field to Austin Meadows. Alex Verdugo singles to left field. Rafael Devers homers to right field. Alex Verdugo scores. Xander Bogaerts walks. J.D. Martinez reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Xander Bogaerts out at second.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Red sox 2, Rays 0.Rays fourth. Hunter Renfroe homers to center field. Brandon Lowe homers to center field. Willy Adames strikes out swinging. Kevan Smith strikes out swinging. Joey Wendle grounds out to second base, Christian Arroyo to Bobby Dalbec.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Red sox 2, Rays 2.Red sox fifth. Bobby Dalbec homers to right field. Christian Arroyo singles to right field. Alex Verdugo reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Christian Arroyo out at second. Rafael Devers singles to right center field. Alex Verdugo to second. Xander Bogaerts pops out to shallow center field to Brandon Lowe. J.D. Martinez strikes out... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lance Lynn pitched seven strong innings, Elvis Andrus homered and the Texas Rangers snapped a six-game losing streak with a 7-1 win Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Angels, who had won five in a row.Lynn (5-2), the first major league pitcher to make 10 starts this season, struck out six, walked two and limited the Angels to one run on four hits. The right-hander had lost his previous two starts, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) — more than he had allowed combined his first seven starts. Andrus put the Rangers ahead to stay with a solo shot in the second. They went ahead 3-0 with two unearned runs in the fourth on second baseman Matt Thaiss’ two-out error. Andrew Heaney (3-3) allowed five runs (three earned) in five innings. He struck out four and walked one. Heaney had won his last two starts and had pitched 10 consecutive scoreless innings before Andrus went deep. The lefty also gave up five runs (over 3 2-3 innings) in his first start at the Rangers’ new ballpark... [More]