BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Danny Farquhar took the mound in a game again. That was more than enough on Saturday.Farquhar's spring training appearance for the New York Yankees was his first game since the 32-year-old reliever collapsed in the Chicago White Sox dugout on April 20 because of a ruptured aneurysm and brain hemorrhage. The right-hander got one out and was charged with five runs in an 8-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates."I felt great out there," Farquhar said. "I was happy to be back on the mound. Obviously, the results weren't great but I call it a good day. I felt like a baseball player, again."Farquhar allowed three hits and walked two while throwing 19 pitches in the fourth inning. He is in camp with the Yankees on a minor league deal."The fact that he's on the mound and gotten to this point is pretty awesome," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "I found myself a little more emotional than I even thought. Even though it didn't go great, I think he really appreciated how special... [More]

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Erik Gonzalez and Kevin Newman are competing to start at shortstop for Pittsburgh, the one open position in the Pirates' everyday lineup.The job opened when Jordy Mercer left after seven seasons and signed with the Detroit Tigers.Gonzalez was acquired from Cleveland on Nov. 14. Newman made his major league debut with the Pirates last August and retains his rookie status.Gonzalez spent the last three years as a utility infielder, stuck behind such stalwarts as shortstop Francisco Lindor, third baseman Jose Ramirez and second baseman Jason Kipnis."I was starting to lose my passion for baseball," Gonzalez said. "I was talking to my agent to try to move to another team. I just want the chance to play."He will have a chance to prove himself during the exhibition season, which begins Saturday. The Pirates feel they may have unearthed a potential impact player in Gonzalez."We've had people that've seen this man play defense and said, 'This guy can be dynamic,'" manager Clint... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National 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:___Milwaukee BrewersManager: Craig Counsell (fifth season).2018: 96-67, first place, lost to Dodgers in NLCS.Training Town: Phoenix.Park: Maryvale Baseball Park.First Workout: Feb. 14/19.He's Here: C Yasmani Grandal, OF Ben Gamel, 2B-3B Cory Spangenberg, LHP Alex Claudio, RHP Deolis Guerra, RHP Bobby Wahl, RHP Josh Tomlin.He's Outta Here: 3B Mike Moustakas, LHP Gio Gonzalez, LHP Wade Miley, OF Keon Broxton, OF Domingo Santana, 2B Jonathan Schoop, RHP Joakim Soria, LHP Dan Jennings, OF Curtis Granderson, LHP Xavier Cedeno.Going campin': The Brewers return mostly intact after making it to the NL Championship Series last year in the franchise's first playoff appearance since they also lost the NLCS in 2011. Grandal is a major upgrade behind the plate after he hit 24 homers last year with... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National 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:___Milwaukee BrewersManager: Craig Counsell (fifth season).2018: 96-67, first place, lost to Dodgers in NLCS.Training Town: Phoenix.Park: Maryvale Baseball Park.First Workout: Feb. 14/19.He's Here: C Yasmani Grandal, OF Ben Gamel, 2B-3B Cory Spangenberg, LHP Alex Claudio, RHP Deolis Guerra, RHP Bobby Wahl.He's Outta Here: 3B Mike Moustakas, LHP Gio Gonzalez, LHP Wade Miley, OF Keon Broxton, OF Domingo Santana, 2B Jonathan Schoop, RHP Joakim Soria, LHP Dan Jennings, OF Curtis Granderson, LHP Xavier Cedeno.Going campin': The Brewers return mostly intact after making it to the NL Championship Series last year in the franchise's first playoff appearance since they also lost the NLCS in 2011. Grandal is a major upgrade behind the plate after he hit 24 homers last year with the Dodgers. There... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians traded one of their extra pieces. They're keeping their bigger ones — for now.Cleveland began what could be a busy offseason on Wednesday by dealing versatile infielder Erik Gonzalez to the Pittsburgh Pirates as part of a five-player swap.The AL Central champions sent the 27-year-old Gonzalez, who appeared in 81 games for the Indians last season, along with minor league right-handers Tahnaj Thomas and Dante Mendoza to the Pirates for outfielder Jordan Luplow and infielder Max Moroff.Gonzalez batted .265 with one homer and 16 RBIs last season for Cleveland, which signed the Dominican native in 2009. And while he filled a valuable utility role, he was not going to crack the starting lineup behind All-Stars Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez."That was a tough thing for us," Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said. "We've had multiple conversations with Erik about it. He's done so many things to impact the organization in his time with us, from... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians traded versatile infielder Erik Gonzalez to the Pittsburgh Pirates as part of a five-player swap.Cleveland sent Gonzalez, who appeared in 81 games for the AL Central champions last season, and right-handers Tahnaj Thomas and Dante Mendoza to the Pirates for outfielder Jordan Luplow and infielder Max Moroff.Gonzalez batted .265 with one homer and 16 RBIs last season for Cleveland, which signed the Dominican native in 2009. Gonzalez filled a utility role for the Indians, but was not going to be able to get into the starting lineup behind All-Stars Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez.The 25-year-old Luplow brings needed depth to Cleveland's outfield, which was decimated by injuries last season. He appeared in 64 games over the past two seasons with the Pirates, who named him their top minor league player in 2017.Moroff has split the last three seasons between Triple-A Indianapolis and Pittsburgh, appearing in 26 games for the Pirates in 2018.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

HOUSTON (AP) — This postseason may be best remembered for its bullpen openers. Just not in the AL Division Series between the Houston Astros and Cleveland Indians.Relief pitchers are covering entire games for other championship contenders this October, but the Astros and Indians are ready to roll old school, starting with Cy Young Award winners Justin Verlander and Corey Kluber facing off in Game 1 on Friday."I love starters," Astros manager AJ Hinch said Thursday. "Why? Because I've got good ones. I think that's the easiest way to fall in love with a rotation and have that mindset, do I want my starters to go deep in the game? Yeah, they're good."Cleveland knows the feeling. This series will feature some of the best pitchers in the American League, with Cleveland's Carlos Carrasco opposing two-time All-Star right-hander Gerrit Cole in the second game Saturday, and Mike Clevinger of the Indians and 2015 Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel pitching in Monday's Game 3.Verlander, a 14-year veteran,... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Rajai Davis is getting the chance to further his October legacy.Indians manager Terry Francona said Thursday the speedy outfielder will get his team's final spot on the 25-man roster for the AL Division Series against the Houston Astros.Davis was given the nod over backup infielder Erik Gonzalez. Davis cemented his place in October baseball lore with a tying home run in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series before Cleveland lost to the Chicago Cubs in 10 innings.Houston manager A.J. Hinch chose to carry just two catchers, leaving off Max Stassi for rookie Myles Straw, another speedy outfielder who has been mostly used as a pinch-runner. The Astros bullpen will consist of closer Roberto Osuna, Lance McCullers Jr., Ryan Pressly, left-hander Tony Sipp, Collin McHugh, Will Harris and hard-throwing rookie Josh James.Hinch chose to go with James over Hector Rondon, who has struggled over the last month, for his ability to pitch multiple innings. Also left off the roster were right-hander Brad Peacock, who appeared in seven games with one start last postseason, and 2017 All-Star Chris Devenski.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

HOUSTON (AP) — Rajai Davis is getting the chance to further his October legacy.Indians manager Terry Francona said Thursday the speedy outfielder will get his team's final spot on the 25-man roster for the AL Division Series against the Houston Astros.Davis was given the nod over backup infielder Erik Gonzalez. Davis cemented his place in October baseball lore with a tying home run in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series before Cleveland lost to the Chicago Cubs in 10 innings.Houston manager A.J. Hinch chose to carry just two catchers, leaving off Max Stassi for rookie Myles Straw, another speedy outfielder who has been mostly used as a pinch-runner. The Astros bullpen will consist of closer Roberto Osuna, Lance McCullers Jr., Ryan Pressly, left-hander Tony Sipp, Collin McHugh, Will Harris and hard-throwing rookie Josh James.Hinch chose to go with James over Hector Rondon, who has struggled over the last month, for his ability to pitch multiple innings. Also left off the roster was right-hander Brad Peacock, who appeared in seven games with one start last postseason.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today:OPENER FOR THE OPENERThe Brewers will begin their NL Division Series against the Rockies with a bullpen game at Miller Park. Manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday he had not decided on the order of his relievers. The group will almost certainly include All-Star left-hander Josh Hader, though Colorado will have a tough test start to finish — Milwaukee led the majors with a 1.98 bullpen ERA in September.Colorado counters with Antonio Senzatela, a right-hander who is 6-6 with a 4.38 ERA in 23 games, including 13 starts. It will be the postseason debut for the 23-year-old.THE ACE AWAITSThe Braves and Dodgers open their NLDS in Los Angeles, and Atlanta has a chance to jump ahead before facing Clayton Kershaw in Game 2. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts decided to hold back his ace left-hander and will instead start Hyun-Jin Ryu in Game 1. The left-handed Ryu was 7-3 with a 1.97 ERA in 15 starts this season.Mike Foltynewicz is up for the Braves. The... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Thursday:OPENER FOR THE OPENERThe Brewers will begin their NL Division Series against the Rockies with a bullpen game at Miller Park. Manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday he had not decided on the order of his relievers. The group will almost certainly include All-Star left-hander Josh Hader, though Colorado will have a tough test start to finish — Milwaukee led the majors with a 1.98 bullpen ERA in September.Colorado counters with Antonio Senzatela, a right-hander who is 6-6 with a 4.38 ERA in 23 games, including 13 starts. It will be the postseason debut for the 23-year-old.THE ACE AWAITSThe Braves and Dodgers open their NLDS in Los Angeles, and Atlanta has a chance to jump ahead before facing Clayton Kershaw in Game 2. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts decided to hold back his ace left-hander and will instead start Hyun-Jin Ryu in Game 1. The left-handed Ryu was 7-3 with a 1.97 ERA in 15 starts this season.Mike Foltynewicz is up for the Braves.... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Rajai Davis has his name cemented in October baseball lore.But it might not be on Cleveland's playoff roster this year.Indians manager Terry Francona has one spot left on his 25-man roster for the AL Division Series against the Houston Astros and it will go to either Davis or utility infielder Erik Gonzalez."We're debating the last spot," Francona said Wednesday. "We're going back and forth."The Indians will open the ALDS in Houston on Friday and Francona must submit his roster to Major League Baseball by 10 a.m. that morning for the best-of-five series.Many of the other tough decisions were made days ago, and now Francona and his coaching staff have to decide whether to keep Davis as the club's sixth outfielder or go with Gonzalez, who can play anywhere in the infield."Gonzie gives you a little bit of a safety net if something happens to somebody," Francona said. "Raj gives you the ability to maybe influence the game with his legs, as we've seen. So, we're all just trying... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians manager Terry Francona has finalized his 25-man roster for the AL Division Series against Houston except for one spot.Francona said Wednesday that either outfielder Raja Davis or utility infielder Erik Gonzalez will be the last addition to the roster. The Indians open the series on Friday in Houston against the defending World Series champions.Francona, who will carry 11 pitchers — three left-handers — for the ALDS, said the decision between Davis and Gonzalez is a tough one. Davis hit a memorable home run in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series and can affect games with his speed. Gonzalez is a "safety net" in case All-Star infielders Francisco Lindor or Jose Ramirez get hurt.Francona said one of the toughest decisions was to leave off veteran right-hander Josh Tomlin, the club's longest-tenured player. Francona called Tomlin "one of the best teammates I've ever seen in my whole career and that doesn't change."___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius has torn cartilage in his right wrist and is unsure whether he will be able to play in the AL wild-card game on Oct. 3.Gregorius, who has 27 homers and 86 RBIs, got injured Saturday when he slid headfirst on Aaron Hicks' 11th-inning double to score the run that clinched a postseason berth for New York, which disclosed the injury after a 6-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday.New York remained 1½ games ahead of Oakland for the top AL wild card. Baltimore (45-110) is one loss shy of matching the franchise record for defeats set by the 1939 St. Louis Browns, who went 43-111.Tim Beckham homered twice for the lowly Orioles, who trailed 3-0 early. Ryan Meisinger (2-0) pitched two perfect innings and Mychal Givens worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his ninth save. A.J. Cole (3-1) was the loser.INDIANS 4, RED SOX 3, 11 INNINGSCLEVELAND (AP) — Greg Allen singled with one out and the bases loaded in the 11th inning and Cleveland denied Boston's bid for... [More]

The Cleveland Indians placed All-Star left fielder Michael Brantley on the 10-day disabled list, the team announced Wednesday.Brantley suffered a sprained right ankle in the fifth inning of Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Colorado Rockies. He also went on the DL in June after hurting the same ankle.The injury occurred on a fly ball by Colorado's Mark Reynolds. On the play, Brantley took a couple steps toward center, then stopped and sat down on the outfield grass. After being examined by the Indians' trainer, Brantley walked slowly off the field.Brantley, who was replaced by Abraham Almonte, is hitting .299 with nine home runs and 52 RBIs.The Indians filled Brantley's roster slot by recalling infielder Erik Gonzalez from Triple-A Columbus. Gonzalez appeared in 39 games with Cleveland this season, batting .263 with two home runs and six RBIs.

The Cleveland Indians placed outfielder Brandon Guyer on the 10-day disabled list Sunday with a left wrist injury.The move is retroactive to Saturday. Guyer underwent an MRI on Sunday.Indians manager Terry Francona said Guyer aggravated his wrist while taking a swing Friday.Guyer is hitting .182 with one home run and five RBIs in 21 games this season.The Indians also designated utility player Michael Martinez for assignment. He is batting .364 (4-for-11) in 15 games and pitched a scoreless inning against the Chicago White Sox on April 13.In addition, the Indians recalled infielder Erik Gonzalez from Triple-A Columbus and purchased the contract of outfielder Daniel Robertson from Columbus.

Gonzalez was optioned to Double-A Akron on Friday.

With a mere 129 at-bats above High-A under his belt, Gonzalez needs a lot more seasoning in the minors before he gets a call up to the major league team. His experience in 12 games with the big club this spring should serve him well as he looks to prove his numbers in 31 games with Akron last year (.357/.390/.473) were not as fluky as they seem.