Chris Sale and his fellow aces are having all sorts of trouble with these tuneup starts.Sale was knocked off the mound by a line drive Saturday and exited with a bruised left hip. He said the injury wasn't serious and wouldn't jeopardize his opening day start for the AL East champions Thursday at Tampa Bay."I don't see anything lingering from this," Sale said. "Looked a lot worse than it really is."Sale was hit by a liner off the bat of Houston's J.D. Davis in the first inning. He crumpled to the ground, then walked off the field under his own power.On Friday, San Francisco ace Madison Bumgarner sustained a broken finger on his pitching hand when he was struck by a line drive. He will miss at least a month.The same day, Tampa Bay star Chris Archer — set to pitch against Sale — was hit by a grounder in the forearm of his pitching arm and had to leave a minor league game.Hours after Sale was hurt, Kansas City lefty Danny Duffy exited in the third inning because of shoulder tightness. He said... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Yankees outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury will start the regular season on the disabled list because of an oblique injury that sidelined him three weeks.Ellsbury, who resumed playing Thursday, will remain at the Yankees' spring training complex when the team leaves Florida on Sunday for its final spring training game Monday at Atlanta."Get him 40, 50 at-bats," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Saturday.The Yankees open the regular season Thursday at Toronto.Ellsbury is projected as a backup outfielder after losing the starting center field job to Aaron Hicks last season.Ellsbury, 34, is guaranteed $21,142,857 in each of the next three seasons as part of a $153 million, seven-year contract that includes a $21 million team option for 2021 with a $5 million buyout.Brett Gardner is the starting left fielder, and Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge will rotate between right field and designated hitter. Stanton also could get time in left when Gardner is rested, especially... [More]

Capsules of American League East teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Boston Red Sox2017: 93-69, first place, lost to Houston in ALDS.Manager: Alex Cora (first season).He's Here: DH J.D. Martinez.He's Outta Here: Manager John Farrell, RHP Doug Fister, OF Chris Young, RHP Addison Reed, OF Rajai Davis, LHP Henry Owens, LHP Fernando Abad.Projected Lineup: RF Mookie Betts (.264, 24 HRs, 102 RBIs), LF Andrew Benintendi (.271, 20, 90), 1B Hanley Ramirez (.242, 23, 62) or Mitch Moreland (.246, 22, 79), DH J.D. Martinez (.303, 45, 104 with Tigers and Diamondbacks), 3B Rafael Devers (.284, 10, 30 in 58 games), SS Xander Bogaerts (.273, 10, 62), CF Jackie Bradley Jr. (.245, 17, 63), C Christian Vazquez (.290, 5, 32) or Sandy Leon (.225, 7, 39), 2B Eduardo Nunez (.313, 12, 58, 24 SBs with Giants and Red Sox) or Dustin Pedroia (.293, 7, 62, .369 OBP in 105 games, expected to be out until late May following knee surgery).Rotation: LH Chris Sale (17-8, 2.90 ERA, MLB-best 308 Ks, MLB-high 214... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton says he is prepared for the scrutiny he will attract during his first season with the New York Yankees."The good times will be magnified and so will the bad," the slugger said Wednesday. "The fans expect a lot. I expect a lot, too."Stanton won the NL MVP last year after leading the major leaguers with 59 homers and 132 RBIs for the Miami Marlins. He was traded to the Yankees in December by Miami's new ownership group and joined a team that lost to Houston in Game 7 of the AL Championship Series.New York opens at Toronto on March 29, then hosts Tampa Bay starting April 2."''It's going to be an exciting new year for me," Stanton said. "It's going to be exciting opening up both places, New York and Toronto."Stanton enjoyed playing in New York while with the Marlins."Baseball is No. 1," Stanton said. "New York is some thing special when you go there. Being in that city is a different feeling — greatest city in the world."Stanton said he understands the Yankees'... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Yankees outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury is expected to start the regular season on the disabled list because of an oblique injury that has kept him out of exhibition games since March 1.Ellsbury had been scheduled to play Tuesday against Detroit, but his return was pushed back because he has flu-like symptoms. Ellsbury is projected as a backup outfielder after losing the starting center-field job to Aaron Hicks last season."Just a bummer," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Monday, calling the DL stint "very likely.""Just too hard to get him into enough games," Boone said. "The good thing, at least, we feel like he's totally healed up from his injury."Ellsbury 34-year-old is guaranteed $21,142,857 in each of the next three seasons as part of a $153 million, seven-year contract that includes a $21 million team option for 2021 with a $5 million buyout.Brett Gardner is the starting left fielder, and Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge will rotate between right field and designated... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees rookie Miguel Andujar will start the season in the minors, rather than at third base in the majors.The Yankees optioned Andujar to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday, clearing the way for Brandon Drury to claim the spot.The move allows the 23-year-old Andujar, who hit .262 with four homers and 10 RBIs in 14 spring training games, to work on his defense in the minors."I think everybody got a peek at the kind of hitter we think he's going to be," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "Had a long talk with him (and told him), just go down there and continue to polish, continue to get better, continue to work, and it won't be too long before he's up here for good."Drury, obtained from Arizona last month, was the front-runner for the position. He hit .267 with 13 homers and 63 RBIs for Arizona last season.Another rookie, Gleyber Torres, was in the mix to start at second base but was optioned March 13 to Triple-A. Boone said Torres will split time between... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson is back at the New York Yankees' spring training camp, three days after having knee surgery.The 71-year-old Jackson had surgery Tuesday, a day after slipping and falling during a walk.A Yankees special adviser, Jackson said Friday at Steinbrenner Field that he is "getting better" and will use a walker for four to six weeks..Jackson hit 563 home runs, including 144 with the Yankees from 1977-81.Notes: Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is to play left field for the first time in a minor league game Saturday. Giancarlo Stanton started in left in Friday night's game against Houston as New York searches for options when starting left fielder Brett Gardner gets a day off. ... It appears likely that backup OF Jacoby Ellsbury (oblique) will not be ready for opening day. "We're, probably, from the time standpoint up against it," manager Aaron Boone said. ... Boone said he is close to announcing his opening day starter. Luis Severino and Masahiro Tanaka are the top candidates.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Neil Walker doubled twice in four at-bats in his first game action since signing Monday with the New York Yankees.The switch-hitting second baseman hit twice from each side and doubled both right-handed and left-handed in a minor league camp game Wednesday."It was a quality day," Walker said. "I hit a couple balls hard. That's as much as you can ask for given where we're starting from. Hopefully that's a sign of my timing coming together pretty quickly."Walker is to take part in a simulated game Thursday and appear in his first big league spring training game Friday against Houston.Walker played four innings at third and two more at first."It's something that's more natural to me," Walker said of playing second base.The free-agent infielder agreed to a $4 million, one-year contract, a 77 percent pay cut. Walker earned $17.2 million last season, when he accepted a qualifying offer from the New York Mets.Walker can make $500,000 in performance bonuses: $125,000 each for... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Joining the New York Yankees caused Neil Walker to smile, despite a hefty drop in salary.The free agent infielder agreed Monday to a $4 million, one-year contract, a 77 percent pay cut in a deal that allows New York prospects Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar more time to mature in the minor leagues.Walker earned $17.2 million last season, when he accepted a qualifying offer from the New York Mets."It's certainly a crazy offseason, but more than anything my hope was that I'd land somewhere that's going to be competitive and have a chance to win," Walker said. "I'm happy to be here, happy to be on a contending team."Walker, a switch-hitter, likely will start at second base and Brandon Drury, acquired from Arizona last month, will play third. Walker can make $500,000 in performance bonuses: $125,000 each for 425, 450, 475 and 500 plate appearances."It's just another choice for the manager," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "If he takes something from somebody... [More]

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton defied the laws of baseball.Starting in the unfamiliar position of left field for just the second time, Stanton didn't have a single fly ball hit to him Thursday in the New York Yankees' 7-2 win over Detroit. He played five innings and cleanly fielded a single and a double off the wall.After acquiring the major league home run leader from Miami in December, the Yankees have two players whose most comfortable position is right. New manager Aaron Boone wants to try out both Stanton and AL Rookie of the Year Aaron Judge in left.Balls usually find their way to players in unfamiliar positions. Stanton lost two fly balls in the sun on a windy Sunday, and both fell for hits.He was not disappointed about not getting a fly ball Tuesday."I got a little bit of action, that's what we need," he said. "Keep working at it."Brett Gardner figures to be the Yankees' starting left fielder, but Judge or Stanton could displace him at times when opponents start left-handed... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — This wasn't the kind of sun-day Giancarlo Stanton hoped for.Making his first start in left field for the New York Yankees, the slugger lost two flyballs in the sun and both fell for hits Sunday in a 9-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays."They were in the sun but doesn't matter, it's still part of the game," Stanton said.Stanton never played left field in his eight seasons with the Marlins. The reigning NL MVP always started in right, the spot where Yankees star Aaron Judge plays. With Brett Gardner getting a day off, Stanton took over in left.In the second inning, Stanton was moving toward the warning track when Jake Bauers' drive went off his glove for a double.Asked how someone should work on catching balls in the sun, a smiling Stanton said: "Get sun vision gloves, see right through the sun."Stanton went 0 for 3 at the plate."I felt worse in the box my first ABs than I did my first time in left," he said. "It's a process."Stanton, acquired in December from Miami, and Judge... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Adam Lind agreed Friday to a minor league contract with the Yankees, giving New York another backup option to Greg Bird at first base.The 34-year-old Lind had been at the training camp for free agents organized by the players' association in Bradenton. If added to New York's 40-man roster, he would get a one-year contract with a $2 million salary while in the major leagues."The way the winter worked out, I'm just happy to have a job," Lind said.He batted .303 with 14 homers and 59 RBIs in 116 games and 301 plate appearances for Washington last season, including four home runs in 48 plate appearances as a pinch hitter.Lind has a .272 average with 200 homers and 723 RBIs in 12 big league seasons with Toronto (2006-14), Milwaukee (2015), Seattle (2016) and Washington (2017).His deal allows him to opt out later in spring training.Notes: Yankees backup OF Jacoby Ellsbury was a late scratch from Friday's lineup against Atlanta with right side tightness.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Adam Lind agreed Friday to a minor league contract with the Yankees, giving New York another backup option to Greg Bird at first base.The 34-year-old Lind had been at the training camp for free agents organized by the players' association in Bradenton."The way the winter worked out, I'm just happy to have a job," Lind said.He batted .303 with 14 homers and 59 RBIs in 116 games and 301 plate appearances for Washington last season, including four home runs in 48 plate appearances as a pinch hitter.Lind has a .272 average with 200 homers and 723 RBIs in 12 big league seasons with Toronto (2006-14), Milwaukee (2015), Seattle (2016) and Washington (2017).His deal allows him to opt out later in spring training.Notes: Yankees backup OF Jacoby Ellsbury was a late scratch from Friday's lineup against Atlanta with right side tightness.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton will be getting a chance to play left field as the New York Yankees search for options when starter Brett Gardner gets the day off.Stanton worked out extensively in left Thursday before batting practice for players that didn't make the road trip to play Philadelphia.Stanton, acquired in December from Miami, and Aaron Judge are right fielders. Both will get time at designated hitter as the Yankees look for ways to keep all their big bats in the lineup."Stanton is going to get a day out there pretty soon," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.Jacoby Ellsbury, who lost his center field job to Aaron Hicks last season, will also get a look as a backup in left.Judge, coming back from offseason left shoulder surgery, could make his first start in right field in Friday's game against Atlanta. He has been working out in left.Boone said that he likes the idea of Judge hitting second in the lineup although he didn't completely rule out Stanton or Gary Sanchez in the role"Just the ability to get on, power," Boone said. "I do like having one of our premium hitters in that slot. I do like Aaron there."Despite striking out 208 times last year, Judge hit .284, drew 127 walks and had a .422 on-base percentage in addition to 52 homer and 114 RBIs. He was a unanimous pick for AL Rookie of the Year.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Yankees outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury says the team has not approached him about waiving his no-trade clause.There has been speculation that the Yankees would like to move some of the money due Ellsbury, who has three years remaining on a $153 million, seven-year contract.Ellsbury, 34, enters spring training as the odd man out in the outfield after losing his center field job last year to Aaron Hicks. Brett Gardner is locked in as the left fielder. Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge will rotate between right field and designated hitter, and could also get time in left when Gardner is rested."There's not a lineup made up yet, that's how I look at it," Ellsbury said Sunday on reporting day for position players. "Every year you come in and compete. One game, one pitch, your role could totally change."Yankees manager Aaron Boone hasn't officially named Hicks as the starter but pointed out the success the 28-year-old had in 2017. Hicks had a .266 average, along with 15 homers... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — On the day pitchers and catchers reported for his first spring training as New York Yankees manager, Aaron Boone acknowledged the pressure."Embrace that expectation," Boone said Tuesday. "Expect to go out there and be great. It beats the alternative, right. It really does. We're not going to run from that."Boone was hired to replace Joe Girardi, who was fired after a decade — even though the Yankees made an unexpected run to Game 7 of the AL Championship Series before losing to Houston.Led by Baby Bombers Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez, the Yankees face increased demands from their fans — especially after acquiring major league home run leader Giancarlo Stanton from Miami. Fans are likely to be satisfied only with the team's first World Series title since 2009."We understand the expectations and I think one of those things that's exciting for me is to hear some of those comments," Boone said."Last year was great. A lot of these guys came of age and viewed it as a very successful... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — There's a new manager in the dugout and a new slugger in the lineup.After reaching Game 7 of the AL Championship Series, the Yankees are back in the familiar position of a favorite. Aaron Boone, a rookie manager who succeeded Joe Girardi, has no grace period heading into his first spring training."Hopefully, I think in short order I'll be able to earn that respect, that they'll be able to look at me, trust in me, know that I have their interest at heart, but know that hopefully I know what the heck I'm talking about," Boone said.In baseball's biggest offseason move, the Yankees acquired major league home run leader Giancarlo Stanton from the payroll-paring Miami Marlins for All-Star second baseman Starlin Castro and a pair of prospects. Stanton, who hit 59 home runs, joins Aaron Judge, voted AL Rookie of the Year after hitting 52."We're excited to get better together and use our talents together because we're very similar," Stanton said. "And we're going to learn from each... [More]

OF Jacoby Ellsbury, who did not play in Game 1, started Game 2 as the designated hitter in place of INF Chase Headley. "Jacoby has had as much success off (RHP Corey) Kluber as much as anyone we've got in our lineup," said manager Joe Girardi prior to the game. "That's probably why he's back in there tonight." Coming into the game Ellsbury had a career .263 average (5-for-19), against Kluber, with two doubles and two strikeouts. Headley is 1-for-14 (.071), with the one hit being a home run. In his one at-bat against Kluber Friday Ellsbury struck out.

CF Jacoby Ellsbury was 0-for-4 Friday in the 8-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays and saw his hitting streak end at five games. He is batting .400 (24-for-60) in 20 games in September and has nine hits in his past 20 at-bats (.450).

CF Jacoby Ellsbury finished Wednesday a home run shy of the cycle when he went 3-for-4 and reached base four times. He doubled in the second inning, tripled to left field in the fourth and singled in the sixth. He missed his chance at getting New York's first cycle since Melky Cabrera in 2009 when he flied out to center field in the eighth. He reached base in 16 of 28 plate appearances during the seven-game homestand. He also is batting .429 (24-for-56) in 19 games this month.