NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball’s number of drug tests dropped sharply during the novel coronavirus pandemic. There were 3,733 urine samples and 412 blood samples for human growth hormone testing collected during the year ending with the World Series, independent program administrator Thomas M. Martin said in his annual report Tuesday. That was down from 9,332 urine samples and 2,287 blood samples in the year ending with the 2019 World Series. “The lower testing numbers were a result of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the extended closure of the WADA-accredited anti-doping laboratory in Montreal,” Martin wrote. Spring training was interrupted in mid-March and the start of the regular season was delayed from late March until late July. Each team’s schedule was cut from 162 games to 60. There were 10 positive tests for performance-enhancing substances: two for Stanozolol (New York Mets second baseman Robinson Canó and free agent pitcher Victor Alcántara), five for Boldenone (Houston... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Jon Lester, Corey Kluber and Brad Hand were among 15 more major leaguers who became free agents Friday when teams declined their 2021 options, many the victims of budget cuts following a regular season without fans due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Also cut loose were Milwaukee infielders Jedd Gyorko and Eric Sogard, Chicago White Sox designated hitter Edwin Encarnación and left-hander Gio González, and Philadelphia relievers David Robertson, Héctor Neris and David Phelps. AL champion Tampa Bay declined 2021 options on right-hander Charlie Morton and catcher Mike Zunino but say it remains hopeful of re-signing them. There are 175 players who became free agents following the World Series and about 15 more can go free this weekend. Among the remaining decisions are on player options by Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton, Boston designated hitter JD Martinez, Cincinnati outfielder Nick Castellanos and Mets reliever Dellin Betances. Teams must decide by 5 p.m. Sunday whether... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Jon Lester, Corey Kluber and Brad Hand were among 15 more major leaguers who became free agents Friday when teams declined their 2021 options, many the victims of budget cuts following a regular season without fans due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Also cut loose were Milwaukee infielders Jedd Gyorko and Eric Sogard, Chicago White Sox designated hitter Edwin Encarnación and left-hander Gio González, and Philadelphia relievers David Robertson, Héctor Neris and David Phelps. AL champion Tampa Bay declined 2021 options on right-hander Charlie Morton and catcher Mike Zunino but say it remains hopeful of re-signing them. There are 175 players who became free agents following the World Series and about 15 more can go free this weekend. Among the remaining decisions are on player options by Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton, Boston designated hitter JD Martinez, Cincinnati outfielder Nick Castellanos and Mets reliever Dellin Betances. Teams must decide by 5 p.m. Sunday whether... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers on Friday declined the $18 million contract option on right-hander Corey Kluber, who lasted just one inning in his only start before a shoulder injury ended his season. Kluber gets a $1 million buyout, and the club has said it is interested in re-signing Kluber to a less expensive deal. The Rangers acquired the two-time Cy Young Award winner from Cleveland last offseason in a trade that sent hard-throwing reliever Emmanuel Clase to the Indians. Clase was suspended 80 games after testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance. Kluber threw 18 pitches in his only inning for the Rangers, leaving with shoulder tightness in a 5-2 loss to Colorado in the third game of the season. The 34-year-old was diagnosed with a small tear in his shoulder muscle the next day. It was Kluber's first appearance with a team other than Cleveland, and his first start in almost 15 months after his right forearm was broken by a line drive in what ended up being... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Whenever the Cleveland Indians finally get to start their season they won't have reliever Emmanuel Clase.The hard-throwing right-hander was suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball on Friday for testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing drug.Clase was the biggest acquisition by Cleveland in the big offseason trade that sent two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber to the Texas Rangers. The commissioner's office said the 22-year-old Clase tested positive for Boldenone, an anabolic steroid.Clase was expected to have a major role at the back end of the Indians' bullpen this season.His suspension will not begin until the start of the 2020 regular season, which has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If the season doesn't cover 80 games, MLB and the players' association are still working out if any carry over will apply for 2021.The regular season was scheduled to open March 26.The Indians said they were “disappointed” by Clase's suspension.“We fully support... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Whenever the Cleveland Indians finally get to start their season they won't have reliever Emmanuel Clase.The hard-throwing right-hander was suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball on Friday for testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing drug.Clase was the biggest acquisition by Cleveland in the big offseason trade that sent two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber to the Texas Rangers. The commissioner's office said the 22-year-old Clase tested positive for Boldenone, an anabolic steroid.Clase was expected to have a major role at the back end of the Indians' bullpen this season.His suspension will not begin until the start of the 2020 regular season, which has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If the season doesn't cover 80 games, MLB and the players' association are still working out if any carry over will apply for 2021.The regular season was scheduled to open March 26.The Indians said they were “disappointed” by Clase's suspension.“We fully support... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians reliever Emmanuel Clase has been suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball for testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing drug.Clase was acquired from the Texas Rangers this winter in Cleveland's trade of two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber. The commissioner's office said the 22-year-old Clase tested positive for Boldenone, an anabolic steroid.The hard-throwing right-hander was expected to have a major role at the back end of the Indians' bullpen this season.Clase's suspension will not begin until the start of the 2020 regular season, which has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If the season doesn't cover 80 games, MLB and the players' association are still working out if any carry over will apply for 2021.The Indians said they were “disappointed” by Clase's suspension.“We fully support Major League Baseball’s policy and its efforts to eliminate performance-enhancing drugs from our game,” the team said in a statement. “We have been in contact with Emmanuel, and we will welcome him back after the discipline has been served. ”Clase made his debut with the Rangers in August. He appeared in 21 games, going 2-3 with a 2.31 ERA. He struck out 21 in 23 1-3 innings.Clase is scheduled to make $564,800 this season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Dad, the elder Delino DeShields, is working less than 100 yards away, behind a fence dividing Cleveland's training complex from the Cincinnati Reds facility. Sister Diamond DeShields is just a phone call away.Together, they help Delino DeShields strive to meet his latest challenge: making an impact in his first season with the Indians.He talks baseball and life with Dad and mental outlook with his sister, a rising WNBA star."Baseball is a big part of our lives, so it is something we both bond over,'' DeShields said of his father, a 13-year MLB veteran who is in his second year as the first base coach of the Reds.DeShields relishes discussions with his sister as well. The former Tennessee standout earned all-WNBA honors last season for the Chicago Sky and was an All-Rookie selection in 2018."She has a killer mindset,'' Delino proudly said. "I thought she could have been a professional in high school, just the way she carried herself and the way she led her team. She... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Dad, the elder Delino DeShields, is working less than 100 yards away, behind a fence dividing Cleveland's training complex from the Cincinnati Reds facility. Sister Diamond DeShields is just a phone call away.Together, they help Delino DeShields strive to meet his latest challenge: making an impact in his first season with the Indians.He talks baseball and life with Dad and mental outlook with his sister, a rising WNBA star."Baseball is a big part of our lives, so it is something we both bond over,'' DeShields said of his father, a 13-year MLB veteran who is in his second year as the first base coach of the Reds.DeShields relishes discussions with his sister as well. The former Tennessee standout earned all-WNBA honors last season for the Chicago Sky and was an All-Rookie selection in 2018."She has a killer mindset,'' Delino proudly said. "I thought she could have been a professional in high school, just the way she carried herself and the way she led her team. She... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Cleveland Indians outfielder Oscar Mercado will undergo an MRI on his left wrist, which he injured while making a diving catch in an exhibition game.Manager Terry Francona said Mercado, who had a solid rookie season in 2019, will have the imaging tests on Friday. The team will provide an update on his status once the tests are completed and evaluated.Mercado got hurt when he caught a ball hit by San Francisco’s Alex Dickerson in the fourth inning of Thursday's game in Scottsdale. The 25-year-old did not return, and the Indians said the initial diagnosis was that Mercado sustained a sprain.Before getting hurt, Mercado hit a two-run homer in the top of the inning.Cleveland's outfield situation remains fluid, and Mercado's injury is the latest to hit the team at spring training.Mercado batted .269 with 15 homers and 59 RBIs in 118 games last season and was penciled in for a starting spot this year.His versatility will allow Francona to play him in any of the three outfield... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Cleveland Indians outfielder Oscar Mercado will undergo an MRI on his left wrist, which he injured while making a diving catch in an exhibition game.Manager Terry Francona said Mercado, who had a solid rookie season in 2019, will have the imaging tests on Friday. The team will provide an update on his status once the tests are completed and evaluated.Mercado got hurt when he caught a ball hit by San Francisco’s Alex Dickerson in the fourth inning of Thursday's game in Scottsdale. The 25-year-old did not return, and the Indians said the initial diagnosis was that Mercado sustained a sprain.Before getting hurt, Mercado hit a two-run homer in the top of the inning.Cleveland's outfield situation remains fluid, and Mercado's injury is the latest to hit the team at spring training.Mercado batted .269 with 15 homers and 59 RBIs in 118 games last season and was penciled in for a starting spot this year.His versatility will allow Francona to play him in any of the three outfield... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Cleveland Indians outfielder Oscar Mercado will undergo an MRI on his left wrist, which he injured while making a diving catch in an exhibition game.Manager Terry Francona said Mercado, who had a solid rookie season in 2019, will have the imaging tests on Friday. The team will provide an update on his status once the tests are completed and evaluated.Mercado got hurt when he caught a ball hit by San Francisco’s Alex Dickerson in the fourth inning of Thursday's game in Scottsdale. The 25-year-old did not return, and the Indians said the initial diagnosis was that Mercado sustained a sprain.Before getting hurt, Mercado hit a two-run homer in the top of the inning.Cleveland's outfield situation remains fluid, and Mercado's injury is the latest to hit the team at spring training.Mercado batted .269 with 15 homers and 59 RBIs in 118 games last season and was penciled in for a starting spot this year.His versatility will allow Francona to play him in any of the three outfield... [More]

Anthony Rendon won a World Series in Washington and then left the Nationals to join Mike Trout and Albert Pujols with the Los Angeles Angels. Gerrit Cole went to the New York Yankees to try to put them over the top.Mookie Betts, the 2018 AL MVP, and two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber were shipped out by cash-cutting teams.It's been an active offseason for some of baseball's biggest names. There were a few, like World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg and Red Sox slugger J.D. Martinez, who decided to stick with the same teams. But for those who didn't, here's a scorecard to help you keep track of the offseason comings and goings:—Cole, from Astros to Yankees: The 29-year-old right-hander took a record $36 million per year over nine years to move from Houston to the Bronx. At his introductory news conference, he pulled out a pinstriped poster he waved when he attended the 2001 World Series as an 11-year-old reading: “Yankee Fan Today Tomorrow Forever." Cole was 20-5 with an AL-leading... [More]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Corey Kluber faced major league hitters for the first time in 10 months — in a new uniform, no less — and said he didn't feel any different. "Maybe a little bit beforehand," the Texas Rangers right-hander said Sunday after throwing three innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers. "But once you get out there and start stretching, playing catch, getting loose in the bullpen, all that stuff kinda goes away. "It just turns into another start, whether it's the regular season or spring training. That's kind of how everything usually goes for me."It was Kluber's first time facing a major league lineup since May 1 with Cleveland, when Miami's Brian Anderson hit a line drive off his pitching arm and broke it. Kluber then injured an oblique during a rehab assignment, which ended his season — and it turned out, his time with Cleveland. The Indians traded him to Texas this offseason. The cool-headed Kluber allowed two runs and two hits Sunday, including a home run to Enrique Hernandez.... [More]

GOODYEAR, Arizona (AP) — Indians reliever Emmanuel Clase could be sidelined three months with a strained back muscle, another blow to Cleveland's pitching staff.The hard-throwing Clase, the centerpiece of an offseason trade that sent two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber to Texas, experienced upper arm discomfort following a bullpen session last week. He continued to have issues this week and the Indians had him undergo imaging tests Wednesday.An MRI confirmed a moderate strain of the teres major muscle in his upper back. The team said he will be re-evaluated weekly, but the 21-year-old is expected to miss 8-to-12 weeks of game activity.Clase was expected to have a role in the back end of Cleveland's bullpen.It's been a tough start to camp for Indians pitchers as starters Mike Clevinger (knee surgery), Carlos Carrasco (hip flexor) and Aaron Civale (sore groin) are all sidelined. Clevinger is making progress but is not expected to be ready for major league games until at least mid-April.Clase's fastball has been clocked over 100 mph. He made 21 appearances for the Rangers last season and recorded 21 strikeouts in 23 1/3 innings.Before being hurt, he had been impressive this spring. Manager Terry Francona noted after a session earlier in camp that Clase was "throwing 100 mph bowling balls. It was heavy. It looked really heavy.”___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sport s

GOODYEAR, Ariz (AP) — Nolan Jones hopes his older brother will now finally stop bugging him.The Indians' top infield prospect received a big surprise when he was invited to training camp on Monday after making a quick recovery following thumb surgery in October. Jones, a left-handed slugging third baseman who has moved quickly through Cleveland's minor league system, doesn't have to hear any more taunts and teasing from his brother, Peyton, a Penn State goaltender likely headed to play in the NHL.“My brother kept telling me I'm soft,” Jones said with a grin shortly after he was called into Indians manager Terry Francona's office and welcomed. “I'm super excited. It is a huge opportunity to learn from the best players in the game. I get to be around a lot of these guys and get to know them.”The thumb injury sustained in the Arizona Fall League marred a season in which Jones, the Indians' second overall draft pick in 2016, was making more progress. The 21-year-old was promoted to Double-A... [More]

GOODYEAR, Arizona (AP) — For now, Francisco Lindor isn't going anywhere. And, if he had his way, he'd never leave Cleveland.“My approach this year is winning here,’’ the four-time All-Star shortstop said Monday following the Indians' first full-squad workout of training camp. “I want to win here. I want to stay here in Cleveland; this is home. I’m not playing to get traded to put myself in a good spot to get traded … I am playing to win. I want to win here.”There's no way of knowing Lindor's future. He's under contract for two more seasons, but the Indians may not be able to afford to keep him and it's possible they'll have to trade him at some point rather than risk him walking away as a free agent in 2021.Lindor can't worry about what might happen, so he's concentrating on the here and now.“I am focusing on what I have in front of my toes,” he said. "We have a great group of guys in the clubhouse, a great coaching staff. I want to spend the whole year with them and win.’’The Indians'... [More]

A team-by-team look at the American League Central 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:___Minnesota TwinsManager: Rocco Baldelli (second season). 2019: 101-61, first place, lost to Yankees in Division Series.Training Town: Fort Myers, Florida.Park: Hammond Stadium at CenturyLink Sports Complex. First Workout: Feb. 12/17.He's Here: 3B Josh Donaldson, RHP Kenta Maeda, RHP Homer Bailey, RHP Tyler Clippard, C Alex Avila, LHP Rich Hill, RHP Matt Wisler, RHP Jhoulys Chacin, LHP Blaine Hardy.He's Outta Here: RHP Brusdar Graterol, RHP Kyle Gibson, 1B C.J. Cron, 2B Jonathan Schoop, C Jason Castro, LHP Mart�n P�rez, RHP Ryne Harper, RHP Trevor Hildenberger, RHP Sam Dyson.Going campin': The high-priced addition of the big-swinging, slick-fielding Donaldson boosted an already deep lineup that produced a major league record 307 home runs last season. Then came the agreement this week... [More]

DALLAS (AP) — Corey Kluber is returning to Texas to pitch for the Rangers.The two-time Cy Young Award winner will leave it to others to say whether his hometown team has its next ace.“I think having a starting pitcher you can rely on every fifth day to give your team a chance to win, keep you in the ballgame, I think that stuff carries just as much weight,” Kluber said Tuesday, two days after the Rangers acquired him in a trade with Cleveland that sent outfielder Delino DeShields and reliever Emmanuel Clase to the Indians.“As far as expecting myself to be a No. 1 starter, I feel like if you do that stuff in between starts and you prepare yourself and you do the things I talked about, I think that stuff just kind of falls in line. But that’s not what I set out to do.”Kluber missed most of last season after breaking his right forearm when he was struck by a line drive during a start at Miami. The 33-year-old came close to returning to the Indians' rotation but injured an oblique during a... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Corey Kluber led by example and excellence in Cleveland. The Texas Rangers are hoping he can do the same for them.The Indians traded the two-time Cy Young Award winner — and their unquestioned ace — over the past six seasons to the Rangers on Sunday, a blockbuster deal that could dramatically change both teams.In exchange for the 33-year-old Kluber, Cleveland received outfielder Delino DeShields and pitching prospect Emmanuel Clase, a hard-throwing 21-year-old reliever with “electric stuff.”Indians president Chris Antonetti said he received calls from numerous teams with interest in Kluber. But the offer from Texas made the most sense for Cleveland because it included players who can have an immediate impact and “help us be a better team in 2020.”But dealing the stoic and steady Kluber wasn't easy.Since the Indians acquired him in a 2010 trade with San Diego, he has blossomed into one of baseball's most dominant pitchers. Kluber won his first Cy Young in 2014, when he went... [More]