GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Walker Buehler had good command of his pitches and plenty of life on his fastball in his long-awaited Cactus League debut Tuesday night.Ever the critic, though, the Los Angeles Dodgers' right-hander still found a few flaws."A little erratic, a little all over the place, but that's what these games are for," said Buehler, who consistently reached 97-98 mph against the Cleveland Indians."Spring training is to get my work in. Obviously, pitching against those guys is a good litmus test for where I'm at."He was asked if his velocity is where he wants it at this point."Close," said the 24-year-old Buehler, who finished third in 2018 NL Rookie of the Year voting. "Obviously, 45,000 in the stands helps a little bit, but we're fine."Buehler's 46-pitch appearance covered 2 2/3 innings. He allowed three hits and an earned run, striking out two without a walk."I thought Walker was where we hoped he'd be tonight," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "I thought he was amped up,... [More]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw threw his first bullpen since Feb. 20, an all-fastball session of 20 pitches.The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner has been slowed by left shoulder discomfort."Good day, good step forward, for sure, and just kind of keep going forward from here," Kershaw said after throwing to catcher Russell Martin. "Felt great. It was another good day. I'll take that right now, just keep moving forward from here and start building up."Los Angeles is not sure whether Kershaw will be available for its March 28 opener against Arizona. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Kershaw showed command and "the feel for what he was doing with the ball was very Kershaw-esque.""It looked really good, he felt really good," Friedman said. "He executed extremely well. For this step in the progression, it was everything we could have hoped for. "Kershaw will throw another bullpen and start throwing off-speed pitches soon. He has made... [More]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw threw his first bullpen since Feb. 20, an all-fastball session of 20 pitches.The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner has been slowed by left shoulder discomfort."Good day, good step forward, for sure, and just kind of keep going forward from here," Kershaw said after throwing to catcher Russell Martin. "Felt great. It was another good day. I'll take that right now, just keep moving forward from here and start building up."Los Angeles is not sure whether Kershaw will be available for its March 28 opener against Arizona. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Kershaw showed command and "the feel for what he was doing with the ball was very Kershaw-esque.""It looked really good, he felt really good," Friedman said. "He executed extremely well. For this step in the progression, it was everything we could have hoped for. "Kershaw will throw another bullpen and start throwing off-speed pitches soon. He has made... [More]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Clayton Kershaw has not yet been ruled out for opening day by the Los Angeles Dodgers despite all the time he's missed at spring training with a sore left shoulder.Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that, for now at least, Kershaw remains scheduled to start March 28 for the two-time defending NL champions even though it seems unlikely based on the progress the three-time Cy Young Award winner would need to make in the next few weeks."I don't think we've made that decision yet and I know that Honey (pitching coach Rick Honeycutt) has mapped out where we need to be, so right now we're not ready to make that decision," Roberts said. "We're just right now in a day-to-day with Clayton and trying to keep him in a positive state of mind."Kershaw played catch with teammate Rich Hill on Tuesday's off day and lined up down the right-field line with fellow pitchers Wednesday as several played catch. Kershaw's partner was bullpen catcher Steve Cilladi.Although Cilladi... [More]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Clayton Kershaw has not yet been ruled out for opening day by the Los Angeles Dodgers despite all the time he's missed at spring training with a sore left shoulder.Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that, for now at least, Kershaw remains scheduled to start March 28 for the two-time defending NL champions even though it seems unlikely based on the progress the three-time Cy Young Award winner would need to make in the next few weeks."I don't think we've made that decision yet and I know that Honey (pitching coach Rick Honeycutt) has mapped out where we need to be, so right now we're not ready to make that decision," Roberts said. "We're just right now in a day-to-day with Clayton and trying to keep him in a positive state of mind."Kershaw played catch with teammate Rich Hill on Tuesday's off day and lined up down the right-field line with fellow pitchers Wednesday as several played catch. Kershaw's partner was bullpen catcher Steve Cilladi.Although Cilladi... [More]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Clayton Kershaw has not yet been ruled out for opening day by the Los Angeles Dodgers despite all the time he's missed at spring training with a sore left shoulder.Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that, for now at least, Kershaw remains scheduled to start March 28 for the two-time defending NL champions even though it seems unlikely based on the progress the three-time Cy Young Award winner would need to make in the next few weeks."I don't think we've made that decision yet and I know that Honey (pitching coach Rick Honeycutt) has mapped out where we need to be, so right now we're not ready to make that decision," Roberts said. "We're just right now in a day-to-day with Clayton and trying to keep him in a positive state of mind."Kershaw played catch with teammate Rich Hill on Tuesday's off day and lined up down the right-field line with fellow pitchers Wednesday as several played catch. Kershaw's partner was bullpen catcher Steve Cilladi.Although Cilladi... [More]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Before the Los Angeles Dodgers pulled the trigger on their January trade to bring back catcher Russell Martin, they watched enough video to convince themselves he would bounce back from career lows in batting average and slugging percentage.On the first official day of pitcher and catcher workouts Wednesday, they couldn't be more pleased with the four-time All-Star."Bringing Martin back, just him getting up to speed with our guys, the early returns have been unbelievable," said Andrew Friedman, Dodgers president of baseball operations. "Not surprising just how much he's already invested into our guys, the questions he's asking. All he wants to do is win and you can see it in everything he does."As a replacement for Yasmani Grandal, who signed as a free agent with Milwaukee, Martin is connecting with returning catcher Austin Barnes and eliminating concerns about the possibility of splitting time."As far as Barnes, he looks like he's a tremendous athlete, a good catcher,... [More]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — With Corey Seager's expected return by opening day and the acquisition of right-handed hitting center fielder A.J. Pollock, the Los Angeles Dodgers are not expected to be platooning.Seager was limited to 26 games last season and did not play after April 29. He had Tommy John surgery on May 4 to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament and had arthroscopic surgery on his left hip on Aug. 7."There is a certain narrative on us platooning last year, and I think that was kind of for survival," manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday during his first spring training availability.The two-time NL champions traded Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp to the Cincinnati Reds and allowed Manny Machado and Yasmani Grandal to leave as free agents. The Dodgers' major addition was to sign Pollock as a free agent."I think that we're not as susceptible against left-handed pitching," Roberts said. "Offensively, we're much more balanced, one through eight. Whoever those eight might be on a particular... [More]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Cory Seager is running at nearly 100 percent and Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts hopes his recovering shortstop can get 50 to 60 at-bats during spring training.Roberts held his first spring training press briefing Tuesday ahead of the start of workouts for the two-time NL champions. Seager was limited to 26 games last season and did not play after April 29. He had Tommy John surgery on May 4 to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament and had arthroscopic surgery on his left hip on Aug. 7.Roberts said Seager is throwing at 90 feet.Beginning his fourth season as manager, Roberts said left-hander Clayton Kershaw is healthy and his ace would like to regain some velocity. Kershaw's average fastball velocity dropped from 93 mph in 2017 to 91 mph last season, when he dealt with a back injury.Closer Kenley Jansen is expected to have a more aggressive spring training routine following surgery Nov. 26 to correct an irregular heartbeat.Roberts also says he expects reacquired catcher Russell Martin and Austin Barnes will compete for time behind the plate.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A team-by-team look at the National League West 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:___Los Angeles DodgersManager: Dave Roberts (fourth season).2018: 92-71, first place, lost to Boston in World Series.Training Town: Glendale, Arizona.Park: Camelback Ranch.First Workout: Feb. 13/19.He's Here: CF A.J. Pollock, RHP Joe Kelly, C Russell Martin, RHP Homer Bailey, 3B Justin Yorchak, LHP Adam McCreery, RHP Jaime Schultz.He's Outta Here: SS Manny Machado, OF Matt Kemp, OF Yasiel Puig, C Yasmani Grandal, LHP Alex Wood, 2B Brian Dozier, RHP Ryan Madson, C Kyle Farmer, 2B Chase Utley, RHP John Axford, RHP Daniel Hudson, LHP-RHP Pat Venditte.Going campin': The Dodgers arrive at camp with unfinished business yet again, having lost in the World Series for the second straight year. They won their sixth consecutive NL West title and second straight NL pennant only to fall short in seven... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League West 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:___Los Angeles DodgersManager: Dave Roberts (fourth season).2018: 92-71, first place, lost to Boston in World Series.Training Town: Glendale, Arizona.Park: Camelback Ranch.First Workout: Feb. 13/19.He's Here: CF A.J. Pollock, RHP Joe Kelly, C Russell Martin, RHP Homer Bailey, 3B Justin Yorchak, LHP Adam McCreery, RHP Jaime Schultz.He's Outta Here: SS Manny Machado, OF Matt Kemp, OF Yasiel Puig, C Yasmani Grandal, LHP Alex Wood, 2B Brian Dozier, RHP Ryan Madson, C Kyle Farmer, 2B Chase Utley, RHP John Axford, RHP Daniel Hudson, LHP-RHP Pat Venditte.Going campin': The Dodgers arrive at camp with unfinished business yet again, having lost in the World Series for the second straight year. They won their sixth consecutive NL West title and second straight NL pennant only to fall short in seven... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League West 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:___Los Angeles DodgersManager: Dave Roberts (fourth season).2018: 92-71, first place, lost to Boston in World Series.Training Town: Glendale, Arizona.Park: Camelback Ranch.First Workout: Feb. 13/19.He's Here: CF A.J. Pollock, RHP Joe Kelly, C Russell Martin, RHP Homer Bailey, 3B Justin Yorchak, LHP Adam McCreery, RHP Jaime Schultz.He's Outta Here: SS Manny Machado, OF Matt Kemp, OF Yasiel Puig, C Yasmani Grandal, LHP Alex Wood, 2B Brian Dozier, RHP Ryan Madson, C Kyle Farmer, 2B Chase Utley, RHP John Axford, RHP Daniel Hudson, LHP-RHP Pat Venditte.Going campin': The Dodgers arrive at camp with unfinished business yet again, having lost in the World Series for the second straight year. They won their sixth consecutive NL West title and second straight NL pennant only to fall short in seven... [More]

A team-by-team look at the American 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:___Boston Red SoxManager: Alex Cora (second season).2018: 108-54, first place, World Series champions.Training Town: Fort Myers, Florida.Park: JetBlue Park at Fenway South.First Workout: Feb. 13/18.He's Here: OF Gorkys Hernandez, RHP Jenrry Mejia.He's Outta Here: RHP Craig Kimbrel, RHP Joe Kelly, 2B Ian Kinsler.Going campin': The Red Sox are largely standing pat as they attempt to win back-to-back World Series for the first time in more than a century. The team that won a franchise-record 108 games in the regular season last year is largely intact, with All-Star closer Kimbrel the biggest loss. Second baseman Dustin Pedroia is hoping to return from a knee injury that limited him to three games last season. Christian Vazquez, Blake Swihart and Sandy Leon will compete for two spots at catcher.... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — It's fitting that Russell Martin is returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers.He's pining for a World Series title, too.The Dodgers reacquired Martin in a trade with Toronto on Friday, receiving the veteran catcher in exchange for a couple minor leaguers. Los Angeles has won two straight National League pennants but lost each time in the World Series. Martin has never even played in a World Series in 13 seasons with the Dodgers, Yankees, Pirates and Blue Jays."I'm looking for a championship," Martin said. "I've never won a championship, and I'm still hungry for that."The Dodgers also reached one-year deals with their seven remaining arbitration-eligible players. The NL champions agreed with Corey Seager ($4 million), Joc Pederson ($5 million), Chris Taylor ($3.5 million), Enrique Hernandez ($3,725,000), Pedro Baez ($2.1 million), Josh Fields ($2.85 million) and Yimi Garcia ($710,000) on 2019 contracts.With catcher Yasmani Grandal leaving for a deal with Milwaukee earlier in... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — It's fitting that Russell Martin is returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers.He's pining for a World Series title too.The Dodgers reacquired Martin in a trade with Toronto on Friday, receiving the veteran catcher in exchange for a couple minor leaguers. Los Angeles has won two straight National League pennants but lost each time in the World Series. Martin has never even played in a World Series in 13 seasons with the Dodgers, Yankees, Pirates and Blue Jays."I'm looking for a championship," Martin said. "I've never won a championship, and I'm still hungry for that."The Dodgers also reached one-year deals with their seven remaining arbitration-eligible players. The NL champions agreed with Corey Seager ($4 million), Joc Pederson ($5 million), Chris Taylor ($3.5 million), Enrique Hernandez ($3,725,000), Pedro Baez ($2.1 million), Josh Fields ($2.85 million) and Yimi Garcia ($710,000) on 2019 contracts.Toronto reached deals with outfielder Randal Grichuk at $5 million, outfielder... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers reacquired catcher Russell Martin in a trade with Toronto on Friday, and also reached one-year deals with their seven remaining arbitration-eligible players.The NL champions agreed with Corey Seager ($4 million), Joc Pederson ($5 million), Chris Taylor ($3.5 million), Enrique Hernandez ($3,725,000), Pedro Baez ($2.1 million), Josh Fields ($2.85 million) and Yimi Garcia ($710,000) on 2019 contracts.With catcher Yasmani Grandal leaving for a deal with Milwaukee earlier in the week, the Dodgers had room to bring back Martin.Whether they're done looking at catchers, including a trade for Miami's J.T. Realmuto, team executive Andrew Friedman wouldn't commit."Our focus is still and will always be on how we can continue to improve and make ourselves better," the club's president of baseball operations said. "That remains our mindset in every respect."In exchange for Martin, the Dodgers sent minor leaguers Andrew Sopko, a right-hander, and Ronny Brito,... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers reacquired catcher Russell Martin in a trade with Toronto on Friday, and also reached one-year deals with their seven remaining arbitration-eligible players.The NL champions agreed with Corey Seager, Joc Pederson, Chris Taylor, Enrique Hernandez, Pedro Baez, Josh Fields and Yimi Garcia on 2019 contracts.With catcher Yasmani Grandal leaving for a deal with Milwaukee earlier in the week, the Dodgers had room to bring back Martin.Whether they're done looking at catchers, including a trade for Miami's J.T. Realmuto, team executive Andrew Friedman wouldn't commit."Our focus is still and will always be on how we can continue to improve and make ourselves better," the club's president of baseball operations said. "That remains our mindset in every respect."In exchange for Martin, the Dodgers sent minor leaguers Andrew Sopko, a right-hander, and Ronny Brito, an infielder, to the Blue Jays. Toronto is sending $16.4 million to offset some of the $20 million... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers reacquired catcher Russell Martin in a trade with Toronto on Friday, and also reached one-year deals with their seven remaining arbitration-eligible players.The NL champions agreed with Corey Seager, Joc Pederson, Chris Taylor, Enrique Hernandez, Pedro Baez, Josh Fields and Yimi Garcia on 2019 contracts.With catcher Yasmani Grandal leaving for a deal with Milwaukee earlier in the week, the Dodgers had room to bring back Martin.In exchange, the Dodgers sent minor leaguers Andrew Sopko, a right-hander, and Ronny Brito, an infielder, to the Blue Jays. Toronto is sending $16.4 million to offset some of the $20 million Martin is owed in the final season of his contract.A four-time All-Star, Martin was with the Dodgers from 2006-10 and helped lead Los Angeles to three playoff appearances. The 35-year-old Canadian signed with the New York Yankees as a free agent after the 2010 season and spent two seasons in the Bronx before playing two seasons with Pittsburgh... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers reacquired catcher Russell Martin on Friday in a trade with Toronto, days after Yasmani Grandal left for a deal with Milwaukee.Los Angeles obtained the 35-year-old Canadian from the Blue Jays for minor leaguers Andrew Sopko, a right-hander, and Ronny Brito, an infielder. Toronto is sending cash to offset some of the $20 million Martin is owed in the final season of his contract.A four-time All-Star, Martin was with the Dodgers from 2006-10 and helped lead Los Angeles to three playoff appearances. He signed with the New York Yankees as a free agent after the 2010 season and spent two seasons in the Bronx before playing two seasons with Pittsburgh and four with Toronto.He started 71 games at catcher and 21 at third base last year, hitting .194 with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs.Martin was a 17th-round pick by the Dodgers in the 2002 amateur draft.Overall, Martin's teams have made the postseason nine times in 13 years. He has caught 1,519 games, including 1,455 starts, which ranks third among active players behind Yadier Molina (1,836) and Brian McCann (1,529).Sopko, 24, is 27-17 with a 3.61 ERA in four seasons. Brito, 19, signed with the Dodgers as an international free agent from the Dominican Republic on July 2, 2015. In three seasons, he has hit .259 with 15 homers and 104 RBIs.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers have reacquired catcher Russell Martin in a trade with Toronto, a day after losing free agent Yasmani Grandal to Milwaukee.Los Angeles obtained the 35-year-old Canadian from the Blue Jays for minor leaguers Andrew Sopko, a right-hander, and Ronny Brito, an infielder. Toronto is sending cash to offset some of the $20 million Martin is owed in the final season of his contract.A four-time All-Star, Martin was with the Dodgers from 2006-10 and helped lead Los Angeles to three playoff appearances. He signed with the New York Yankees as a free agent after the 2010 season and spent two seasons in the Bronx before playing two seasons with Pittsburgh and four with Toronto.He started 71 games at catcher and 21 at third base last year, hitting .194 with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports