A look at what’s happening around the majors today:CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONMajor League Baseball will honor the 100th anniversary of the Negro Leagues with all players, managers, coaches and umpires wearing a commemorative patch on their uniforms. The special logo also will appear on bases and lineup cards.The celebration had been scheduled for June 27 but was postponed when the start of the season was delayed by the coronavirus.The upcoming festivities stirred a memory for Marlins manager Don Mattingly, who said he was playing in the New York Yankees’ system at Single-A Greensboro in 1980 when he happened to meet pitching great Satchel Paige.“I was in the South Atlantic League in a Shoney’s, just going in there after a game to get a burger, and Satchel was sitting there all by himself,” Mattingly said. “We ran back and got a couple of balls, and I still to this day have a Satchel Paige baseball.”SOMETHING'S BREWINGThe Milwaukee Brewers have a chance to put a little heat on the front-running... [More]

A look at what’s happening around the majors today:CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONMajor League Baseball will honor the 100th anniversary of the Negro Leagues with all players, managers, coaches and umpires wearing a commemorative patch on their uniforms. The special logo also will appear on bases and lineup cards.The celebration had been scheduled for June 27 but was postponed when the start of the season was delayed by the coronavirus.The upcoming festivities stirred a memory for Marlins manager Don Mattingly, who said he was playing in the New York Yankees’ system at Single-A Greensboro in 1980 when he happened to meet pitching great Satchel Paige.“I was in the South Atlantic League in a Shoney’s, just going in there after a game to get a burger, and Satchel was sitting there all by himself,” Mattingly said. “We ran back and got a couple of balls, and I still to this day have a Satchel Paige baseball.”SOMETHING'S BREWINGThe Milwaukee Brewers have a chance to put a little heat on the front-running... [More]

A look at what’s happening around the majors on Sunday:CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONMajor League Baseball will honor the 100th anniversary of the Negro Leagues with all players, managers, coaches and umpires wearing a commemorative patch on their uniforms. The special logo also will appear on bases and lineup cards.The celebration had been scheduled for June 27 but was postponed when the start of the season was delayed by the coronavirus.The upcoming festivities stirred a memory for Marlins manager Don Mattingly, who said he was playing in the New York Yankees’ system at Single-A Greensboro in 1980 when he happened to meet pitching great Satchel Paige.“I was in the South Atlantic League in a Shoney’s, just going in there after a game to get a burger, and Satchel was sitting there all by himself,” Mattingly said. “We ran back and got a couple of balls, and I still to this day have a Satchel Paige baseball.”SOMETHING'S BREWINGThe Milwaukee Brewers have a chance to put a little heat on the front-running... [More]

A look at what’s happening around the majors today:SOMETHING'S BREWINGThe Milwaukee Brewers have a chance to put a little heat on the front-running Chicago Cubs if they can beat them for the third straight time.After losing the series opener at Wrigley Field, the Brewers bounced back with a pair of taut one-run victories. The setbacks marked the first back-to-back losses by Chicago this season. Cubs ace Jon Lester @-0, 1.06 ERA) will try to end the short skid in the finale against Milwaukee’s Josh Lindblom (1-0, 5.68).ACHING IN ATLANTAThe Atlanta Braves are going to have to wait a little longer before star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr.'s aching left wrist is ready to go. The team opted to place the 22-year-old on the injured list retroactive to last Tuesday, meaning he won't be eligible to return before Friday. The Braves had held off putting Acuña on the list in hopes he'd be ready to go by the end of the weekend. UNEXPECTED BREAKThe Pittsburgh Pirates have been able to avoid any active... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — Five pitchers combined on a four-hitter for Don Mattingly’s undermanned, gritty and first-place Miami Marlins, who beat the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 Wednesday night for a doubleheader sweep.Brian Anderson homered in opener, and Miami won 1-0 despite getting only two hits.The sweep kept the Marlins atop the NL East and earned Mattingly his 281st win as Miami’s manager, tying Jack McKeon’s club record.The Marlins won their third straight game since emerging from a coronavirus-prompted layoff that left them with a roster filled with callups, free agents and rookies. Miami has allowed a total of one run and 10 hits in those three games at Camden Yards.In the nightcap. Jon Berti hit an RBI double off Asher Wojciechowski (0-2) in the first inning and scored on a fly ball by Jesús Aguilar. That proved to be enough. Josh A. Smith started, Brian Moran (1-0) struck out three over one inning and Stephen Tarpley got four outs for his first save.In the opener, Anderson produced the game’s... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Neither of the Los Angeles Angels' two significant free-agent signings might not be ready when their season begins on Friday in Oakland.Third baseman Anthony Rendon continues to be plagued by an oblique injury, and pitcher Julio Teheran continues to work his way back after reporting to camp late. The right-hander missed the first two weeks after testing positive for the coronavirus.Rendon, who signed a seven-year, $245-million contract after leading Washington to a World Series title, has not played since an intrasquad game last Wednesday. Manager Joe Maddon said after Tuesday's 6-4 exhibition loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers that Rendon would not play in the team's exhibition finale against San Diego on Wednesday.Maddon added that he didn't know if placing Rendon on the injured list was a possibility.“He’s still day to day, still a little sore. We’re gonna have to make a decision very soon," he said. "I just know that he’s not well yet.”Teheran, who signed a one-year, $9 million deal, played catch before Tuesday's game and is to throw a bullpen session Wednesday. Patrick Sandoval will pitch in the exhibition game and still has an outside chance of making the rotation. ___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves need new veteran leadership for a rotation that has lost Julio Teheran and Dallas Keuchel.Left-hander Cole Hamels is eager to fill the void as pitchers and catchers report to spring training on Wednesday.The 36-year-old Hamels, who signed an $18 million, one-year deal with Atlanta on Dec. 4, brings much-needed experience to a young rotation that also includes Mike Soroka, Max Fried and Mike Foltynewicz.Soroka, who could be the team's opening day pitcher, is only 22. Fried is 26. Foltynewicz is 28.Hamels wants to be a resource for the young starters. He remembers such veterans as Roy Halladay set the example for him when he broke into the major leagues with Philadelphia in 2006.“When I came up I was very fortunate to have an organization that looked into what veteran leadership is,” Hamels said last month. “They surrounded me with some of the best players and pitchers that I could ever been around. Roy Halladay, (Roy) Oswalt, Cliff Lee, Jamie Moyer, those... [More]

A team-by-team look at the American 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:___Houston Astros Manager: Dusty Baker (first season). 2019: 107-55, first place, lost to Nationals in World Series. Training Town: West Palm Beach, Florida. Park: Ballpark of Palm Beaches. First Workout: Feb. 13/17. He's Here: Manager Dusty Baker, RHP Austin Pruitt, C Dustin Garneau.He's Outta Here: Manager AJ Hinch, RHP Gerrit Cole, RHP Will Harris, C Robinson Chirinos, OF Tony Kemp. Going campin': The Astros enter the spring reeling from a sign-stealing scandal that cost manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow their jobs. They brought in Baker to steady the team, and it gives the 70-year-old another chance to chase his first World Series title as a manager. He’ll get a crash course learning his new team this spring after being hired less than three weeks before pitchers and catchers... [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]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Catcher Jason Castro has finalized a $6.85 million, one-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels.The Angels announced the agreement Tuesday after the sides reached a deal last week. Left-hander Adalberto Mejía was designated for assignment to make room.The 32-year-old Castro is a respected defensive catcher who committed just one error last season and bolstered his reputation for working well with young pitchers. He spent the last three seasons with the Minnesota Twins, and he posted a career-best .767 on-base percentage last season while contributing 13 homers and 30 RBIs.The Bay Area native is expected to join Max Stassi as the Angels' new catching duo. Both are former Houston Astros catchers.Castro would get a one-time $250,000 assignment bonus if traded, payable by the receiving team.The Angels have bolstered their roster with veteran talent in the offseason. They signed third baseman Anthony Rendon to a $245 million, seven-year contract, and added a pair of veteran starting pitchers when they acquired Dylan Bundy from Baltimore and signed free agent Julio Teheran.——— More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Catcher Jason Castro has finalized a $6.85 million, one-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels.The Angels announced the agreement Tuesday after the sides reached a deal last week. Left-hander Adalberto Mejía was designated for assignment to make room.The 32-year-old Castro is a respected defensive catcher who committed just one error last season and bolstered his reputation for working well with young pitchers. He spent the last three seasons with the Minnesota Twins, and he posted a career-best .767 on-base percentage last season while contributing 13 homers and 30 RBIs.The Bay Area native is expected to join Max Stassi as the Angels' new catching duo. Both are former Houston Astros catchers.The Angels have bolstered their roster with veteran talent in the offseason. They signed third baseman Anthony Rendon to a $245 million, seven-year contract, and added a pair of veteran starting pitchers when they acquired Dylan Bundy from Baltimore and signed free agent Julio Teheran.——— More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Catcher Jason Castro has finalized a $6.85 million, one-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels.The Angels announced the agreement Tuesday after the sides reached a deal last week. Left-hander Adalberto Mejía was designated for assignment to make room.The 32-year-old Castro is a respected defensive catcher who committed just one error last season and bolstered his reputation for working well with young pitchers. He spent the last three seasons with the Minnesota Twins, and he posted a career-best .767 on-base percentage last season while contributing 13 homers and 30 RBIs.The Bay Area native is expected to join Max Stassi as the Angels' new catching duo. Both are former Houston Astros catchers.The Angels have bolstered their roster with veteran talent in the offseason. They signed third baseman Anthony Rendon to a $245 million, seven-year contract, and added a pair of veteran starting pitchers when they acquired Dylan Bundy from Baltimore and signed free agent Julio Teheran.——— More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Billy Eppler has said throughout the offseason that the Los Angeles Angels' top priority was adding stability to the pitching staff. The general manager believes he's done that by bringing in Julio Teheran.The Angels announced Saturday they have signed the two-time All-Star to a $9 million, one-year contract. Teheran has spent the past seven seasons with the Atlanta Braves. “It was important to bring some stability and certainty to our rotation," Eppler said. “He has the ability to command all his pitches and brings some deception to his arsenal."The Angels had only 22 quality starts last season, which according to Sportradar marks only the second time a major league staff has had fewer than 30 (Colorado had 27 in 2012). LA starters also compiled a 5.64 ERA, second highest in the major leagues. Eppler said he had trade discussions with Atlanta regarding Teheran in the past. The 28-year-old right-hander hit free agency after the Braves declined his $12 million option.Teheran... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels added another arm to their rotation, agreeing to a $9 million, one-year contract with right-hander Julio Teheran, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press .The person spoke Thursday on condition of anonymity because the deal, first reported by ESPN, is subject to a successful physical. Teheran spent the past seven seasons with the Atlanta Braves, who declined his $12 million option. He was 10-11 with a 3.81 ERA last season and was left off the Division Series roster against St. Louis, then added as a replacement when Chris Martin got hurtThe 28-year old Teheran is 77-73 with a 3.67 ERA in 229 games, all but three starts.The Angels had the second-highest ERA in the major leagues last season at 5.64 ERA and have made pitching a major priority during the offseason. They tried to sign Gerrit Cole before he acceoted a $324 million, nine-year deal with the New York Yankees and have turned their attention toward Dallas Keuchel and Hyun-Jin Ryu. They also acquired Dylan Bundy in a trade with Baltimore.In addition to Teheran and Bundy, Los Angeles has Andrew Heaney, Shohei Ohtani and Griffin Canning in its projected rotation.———More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels added another arm to their rotation, agreeing to a $9 million, one-year contract with right-hander Julio Teheran, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press .The person spoke Thursday on condition of anonymity because the deal, first reported by ESPN, is subject to a successful physical. Teheran spent the past seven seasons with the Atlanta Braves, who declined his $12 million option. He was 10-11 with a 3.81 ERA last season and was left off the Division Series roster against St. Louis, then added as a replacement when Chris Martin got hurtThe 28-year old Teheran is 77-73 with a 3.67 ERA in 229 games, all but three starts.The Angels had the second-highest ERA in the major leagues last season at 5.64 ERA and have made pitching a major priority during the offseason. They tried to sign Gerrit Cole before he acceoted a $324 million, nine-year deal with the New York Yankees and have turned their attention toward Dallas Keuchel and Hyun-Jin Ryu. They also acquired Dylan Bundy in a trade with Baltimore.In addition to Teheran and Bundy, Los Angeles has Andrew Heaney, Shohei Ohtani and Griffin Canning in its projected rotation.———More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SAN DIEGO (AP) — A mostly dreary winter meetings lacking spectacular swaps will be remembered as the Scott Boras show.Baseball's most prominent agent dominated each of the three full days of meetings with a nine-figure contract, deals for Stephen Strasburg, Gerrit Cole and Anthony Rendon that totaled $814 million.Just two trades were announced: The San Francisco Giants acquired shortstop Zack Cozart and infield prospect Will Wilson from the Los Angeles Angels for a player to be named or cash, and the Chicago White Sox obtained outfielder Nomar Mazara from the Texas Rangers for outfield prospect Steele Walker."I think it's hard to say that there hasn't been a trend," new Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said. "It's important not to get too focused on artificial timetables. You want to be prepared to do something when you think it's going to help you, but you don't want to force anything."The podium and dais remained in nearly pristine condition, hosting just one player announcement:... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Alex Anthopoulos believes Cole Hamels can help the Atlanta Braves win big in next season— and help the team's young starters have more success for years to come.Hamels, who turns 36 this month. agreed Wednesday to an $18 million, one-year contract with the busy Braves, one of the more active teams this offseason.Anthopoulos said young Braves starters Max Fried and Mike Soroka will benefit from Hamels' 14 seasons in the majors.“How you quantify that is hard, but I think there is real value," Anthopoulos said. “We're signing Cole first and foremost because we think he's going to help us win a lot of games ... and hopefully get to the World Series. No doubt in my mind ... I think Max Fried will get better just be seeing him and being around him. I think Soroka will get better."The Braves have won two straight NL East division titles but failed to win a playoff series.Hamels said the Braves “were one of six teams I was really following and really rooting for" in free agency.... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Left-hander Cole Hamels agreed to an $18 million, one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves, one of the more active teams of the offseason.The 35-year-old gives the Braves a veteran to replace Julio Teheran, who became a free agent after his $12 million team option was declined.Hamels joins Mike Soroka, 22, Max Fried, 25 and Mike Foltynewicz, 28, as the Braves'probable top four starters. Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said recently that left-hander Sean Newcomb, who spent most of the 2019 season in the bullpen, will be given a chance to win a starting job in spring training.Among other contenders for the final spot in the rotation will be Kyle Wright, Bryse Wilson and Ian Anderson, one of the team's top prospects.Hamels spent the last two seasons with the Chicago Cubs, going 7-7 with a 3.81 ERA in 27 starts last season. Hamels has 163 wins and a 3.42 ERA in 14 seasons. He began his career with Philadelphia, where he was a three-time All-Star in 10 seasons.He finished... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Left-hander Cole Hamels agreed to an $18 million, one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves, one of the more active teams of the offseason.The 35-year-old gives the Braves a veteran to replace Julio Teheran, who became a free agent after his team option was decline.Hamels spent the last two seasons with the Chicago Cubs, going 7-7 with a 3.81 ERA in 27 starts last season. Hamels has 163 wins and a 3.42 ERA in 14 seasons. He began his career with Philadelphia, where he was a three-time All-Star in 10 seasons.He finished fifth in the NL Cy Young Award voting for the Phillies in 2011, when he was 14-9 with a 2.79 ERA. He was 17-6 with a 3.05 ERA in 2012.Atlanta has given left-handed reliever Will Smith, a possible closer, a $40 million,m three-year contract and added catcher Travis dÁrnaud for a $16 million, two-year deal. Atlanta also has re-signed four players: outfielder Nick Markakis, catcher Tyler Flowers and relievers Darren O'Day and Chris Martin.

NEW YORK (AP) — Madison Bumgarner was among 10 free agents who received $17.8 million qualifying offers from their former teams on Monday, a move that likely will decrease demand for the 30-year-old left-hander.Bumgarner, the 2014 World Series MVP, went 9-9 with a 3.90 ERA over 34 starts this year after two injury-shortened seasons. San Francisco also made a qualifying offer to left-handed reliever Will Smith.Six pitchers received the qualifying offers among the 168 free agents, including right-handers Gerrit Cole (Houston), Stephen Strasburg (Washington), Zack Wheeler (New York Mets) and Jake Odorizzi (Minnesota). The others given the offers were third basemen Anthony Rendon (Washington) and Josh Donaldson (Atlanta), first baseman José Abreu (Chicago White Sox) and outfielder Marcell Ozuna (St. Louis).On the day before free agents can start negotiating contracts with all teams, Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez decided to stay in Boston instead of becoming a free agent, declining... [More]