ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have signed Chris Martin to a two-year, $14 million deal, bringing the right-hander back after he closed out 2019 with the club.The 33-year-old Martin was acquired by Atlanta from the Texas Rangers for left-hander Kolby Allard at the July 31 trade deadline.Martin was 1-1 with a 4.08 ERA in 20 games with the Braves. He had 22 strikeouts and one walk in 17 2/3 innings.Martin will earn $7 million in each year of the deal. His signing comes on the same day the Braves introduced left-hander Will Smith, who signed a three-year, $40 million deal.The 6-foot-8 Martin has a 4.51 ERA for his career in 144 games, all in relief, with Colorado, the Yankees, Texas and Atlanta.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers wrapped up their second straight postseason appearance Wednesday night, with Ryan Braun's grand slam sparking a 9-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds that also tightened the NL Central race.The Brewers have won six in a row and 17 of 19 despite losing MVP Christian Yelich to a broken kneecap, vaulting from also-ran to at least a wild card. There's more at their fingertips — the division-leading Cardinals lost again, slicing their lead over the Brewers to 1 1/2 games.Milwaukee trails Washington by one game for the wild card lead.The Brewers jogged onto the field and formed a scrum by second base after when Junior Guerra got Christian Colon on a grounder for the final out.Braun had a solo shot in a 4-2 win in the series opener, and got the celebration started early Wednesday with his eighth career grand slam in the first inning. Teammates were on their feet, leaning against the dugout railing in anticipation of a big night, when he connected off Tyler... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers wrapped up their second straight postseason appearance Wednesday night, with Ryan Braun's grand slam sparking a 9-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds that also tightened the NL Central race.The Brewers have won six in a row and 17 of 19 despite losing MVP Christian Yelich to a broken kneecap, vaulting from also-ran to at least a wild card. There's more at their fingertips — the division-leading Cardinals lost again, slicing their lead over the Brewers to 1 1/2 games.Milwaukee trails Washington by one game for the wild card lead.The Brewers jogged onto the field and formed a scrum by second base after when Junior Guerra got Christian Colon on a grounder for the final out.Braun had a solo shot in a 4-2 win in the series opener, and got the celebration started early Wednesday with his eighth career grand slam in the first inning. Teammates were on their feet, leaning against the dugout railing in anticipation of a big night, when he connected off Tyler... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers wrapped up their second straight postseason appearance Wednesday night, with Ryan Braun's grand slam sparking a 9-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds that also tightened the NL Central race.The Brewers have won six in a row and 17 of 19 despite losing MVP Christian Yelich to a broken kneecap, vaulting from also-ran to at least a wild card. There's more at their fingertips — the division-leading Cardinals lost again, slicing their lead over the Brewers to 1 1/2 games.Milwaukee trails Washington by one game for the wild card lead.The Brewers jogged onto the field and formed a scrum by second base after when Junior Guerra got Christian Colon on a grounder for the final out.Braun had a solo shot in a 4-2 win in the series opener, and got the celebration started early Wednesday with his eighth career grand slam in the first inning. Teammates were on their feet, leaning against the dugout railing in anticipation of a big night, when he connected off Tyler... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Brian Moran became the first player in major league history to make his debut while on the mound facing his brother, striking out younger sibling Colin in the Miami Marlins' 10-7 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night.Brian (1-0) entered in the fourth inning with the Marlins trailing 5-2. After Bryan Reynolds led off with a groundout, Colin stepped to the plate having doubled in each of his first two at-bats.The 30-year-old Brian fell behind 3-1 before throwing back-to-back sliders to strike out Colin looking. The 26-year-old Colin shouted toward the mound on his way back to the dugout. Moran hit Josh Bell with a pitch and then got Melky Cabrera to fly out in his only inning of work.The Marlins rallied for four runs in the fifth, allowing Brian to get the win. Colin finished 2 for 4.They became the first siblings to face each other in a pitcher-batter scenario with one of the brothers making his major league debut, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.Dario... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Brian Moran became the first player in major league history to make his debut while on the mound facing his brother, striking out younger sibling Colin in the Miami Marlins' 10-7 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night.Brian (1-0) entered in the fourth inning with the Marlins trailing 5-2. After Bryan Reynolds led off with a groundout, Colin stepped to the plate having doubled in each of his first two at-bats.The 30-year-old Brian fell behind 3-1 before throwing back-to-back sliders to strike out Colin looking. The 26-year-old Colin shouted toward the mound on his way back to the dugout. Moran hit Josh Bell with a pitch and then got Melky Cabrera to fly out in his only inning of work.The Marlins rallied for four runs in the fifth, allowing Brian to get the win. Colin finished 2 for 4.They became the first siblings to face each other in a pitcher-batter scenario with one of the brothers making his major league debut, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.Dario... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Brian Moran became the first player in major league history to make his debut while on the mound facing his brother, striking out younger sibling Colin in the Miami Marlins' 10-7 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night.Brian (1-0) entered in the fourth inning with the Marlins trailing 5-2. After Bryan Reynolds led off with a groundout, Colin stepped to the plate having doubled in each of his first two at-bats.The 30-year-old Brian fell behind 3-1 before throwing back-to-back sliders to strike out Colin looking. The 26-year-old Colin shouted toward the mound on his way back to the dugout. Moran hit Josh Bell with a pitch and then got Melky Cabrera to fly out in his only inning of work.The Marlins rallied for four runs in the fifth, allowing Brian to get the win. Colin finished 2 for 4.They became the first siblings to face each other in a pitcher-batter scenario with one of the brothers making his major league debut, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.Dario... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — J.T. Realmuto hit a grand slam, Bryce Harper went deep twice and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Chicago Cubs 11-1 in Charlie Manuel's first game as hitting coach, ruining Cole Hamels' return home Wednesday night.Manuel was back in red pinstripes in his old dugout exactly six years to the day the franchise icon managed his last game for the Phillies. He heard "Charlie! Charlie! Charlie!" chants after Realmuto connected to make it 10-0 in the third.Hamels, the 2008 NLCS and World Series MVP with Manuel's Phillies, was roughed up in his first game in Philadelphia since he was traded to Texas in July 2015. Hamels (6-4) gave up eight runs and nine hits in two-plus innings.Aaron Nola (11-3) benefited from the offense's rare outburst. He allowed three hits, including Kris Bryant's homer, and struck out seven in seven innings.Hamels received the loudest applause during pregame introductions and got a standing ovation when he came to the plate already trailing 4-0 in the... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — J.T. Realmuto hit a grand slam, Bryce Harper went deep twice and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Chicago Cubs 11-1 in Charlie Manuel's first game as hitting coach, ruining Cole Hamels' return home Wednesday night.Manuel was back in red pinstripes in his old dugout exactly six years to the day the franchise icon managed his last game for the Phillies. He heard "Charlie! Charlie! Charlie!" chants after Realmuto connected to make it 10-0 in the third.Hamels, the 2008 NLCS and World Series MVP with Manuel's Phillies, was roughed up in his first game in Philadelphia since he was traded to Texas in July 2015. Hamels (6-4) gave up eight runs and nine hits in two-plus innings.Aaron Nola (11-3) benefited from the offense's rare outburst. He allowed three hits, including Kris Bryant's homer, and struck out seven in seven innings.Hamels received the loudest applause during pregame introductions and got a standing ovation when he came to the plate already trailing 4-0 in the... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The NL East-leading Atlanta Braves have gotten some bullpen help, acquiring hard-throwing reliever Chris Martin from the Texas Rangers for former first-round draft pick Kolby Allard.Martin, whose fastball has averaged 96 mph this season, has 24 strikeouts and only one walk over his last 19 appearances since May 24 for his hometown Rangers. The 6-foot-8 Martin has four saves and a 3.08 ERA in 38 games this year, with 43 strikeouts and four walks in 38 innings."We felt he had as much upside as anybody on the trade market," Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Tuesday night after the deal was announced.Allard, a 21-year-old lefty, was the 14th overall pick by the Braves in the 2015 amateur draft and signed for a $3,042,400 bonus. That was the same year that Dansby Swanson, now Atlanta's shortstop, was the first overall pick by Arizona before Houston used the second pick to get Alex Bregman, the All-Star third baseman for the Astros.The Rangers were playing a... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The NL East-leading Atlanta Braves have acquired reliever Chris Martin from the Texas Rangers for minor league pitcher Kolby Allard.Texas announced the deal during its game Tuesday night, just moments after Martin was seen high-fiving teammates in the bullpen before leaving down the tunnel.Martin was 0-2 with four saves and a 3.08 ERA in 38 appearances. The 33-year-old right-hander has allowed only three earned runs over his last 19 games since May 24. The 6-foot-8 Martin has 24 strikeouts and only one walk in 18 2/3 innings over that span for his hometown Rangers.Atlanta assumes the remaining $737,903 of Martin's $2.25 million salary. He has earned $100,000 in bonuses for 15 games finished, would get another $50,000 for 20, and $100,000 each for 25 and each addition five through 40.Allard, a 21-year-old lefty, was the 14th overall pick by the Braves in the 2015 amateur draft. He was 7-5 with a 4.17 ERA in 20 starts this season for Triple-A Gwinnett. The Rangers assigned him to Triple-A Nashville.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — The Atlanta Braves sent eight players to the minors on Tuesday, including left-hander Kolby Allard, who was competing for a spot in the rotation.Allard, the 14th overall pick in the 2015 amateur draft, was 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in four games, including three starts.Among other contenders for the No. 5 spot in the rotation are right-handers Kyle Wright, Touki Toussaint, Mike Soroka and Bryse Wilson and left-hander Max Fried.Allard, left-hander Grant Dayton, catcher Alex Jackson and right-hander Jacob Webb were optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett before Tuesday's game against St. Louis. Three left-handers, Thomas Burrows, Corbin Clouse and Tucker Davidson, were assigned to the minor league camp.Following the game, infielder Luis Marte also was assigned to the minor league camp.___For more AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/apf-Baseball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have sent seven players to the minors, including left-hander Kolby Allard, who was competing for a spot in the rotation.Allard, the 14th overall pick in the 2015 amateur draft, was 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in four games, including three starts.Among other contenders for the No. 5 spot in the rotation are right-handers Kyle Wright, Touki Toussaint, Mike Soroka and Bryse Wilson and left-hander Max Fried.Allard, left-hander Grant Dayton, catcher Alex Jackson and right-hander Jacob Webb were optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett. Three left-handers, Thomas Burrows, Corbin Clouse and Tucker Davidson, were assigned to the minor league camp Tuesday.___For more AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/apf-Baseball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Braves closer Arodys Vizcaino has help for anyone confused by the team's long list of young starting pitchers, including several who had Atlanta auditions in 2018.As Atlanta's pitchers and catchers prepare to report to spring training this week, there are many highly regarded candidates for at least one open spot in the rotation. The list includes Mike Soroka, Touki Toussaint, Kyle Wright, Kolby Allard, Max Fried, Bryse Wilson and Luiz Gohara.Vizcaino sees one starter emerging from the crowd."Touki. Touki," Vizcaino said last month. "He's very good. He impressed me a lot."Vizcaino wouldn't be swayed. Nor would he seek a diplomatic way out when asked about Soroka."I like Touki more," Vizcaino said.And that was that.Vizcaino isn't the only Braves player with high expectations for Toussaint, 22, who was acquired from Arizona in 2015. The Braves agreed to take on Bronson Arroyo's $10 million contract with Toussaint for third baseman Phil Gosselin.Toussaint could make that $10... [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 BravesManager: Brian Snitker (fourth season).2018: 90-72, first place, lost to Dodgers in Division Series.Training Town: Kissimmee, Florida.Park: Champion Stadium.First Workout: Feb. 16/21.He's Here: 3B Josh Donaldson, C Brian McCann, C Raffy Lopez, pitching coach Rick Kranitz.He's Outta Here: C Kurt Suzuki, RHP Anibal Sanchez, RHP Brandon McCarthy, RHP Brad Brach, 3B Ryan Flaherty, RHP Peter Moylan, 1B Lucas Duda, C Rene Rivera, OF Lane Adams, pitching coach Chuck Hernandez.Going campin': The 2018 Baby Braves were a surprise breakthrough team, winning the club's first NL East championship since 2013. A repeat title in a tougher NL East might be a bigger challenge. A key to the start of spring will be the health of Donaldson, who signed a one-year, $23 million deal after a left... [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 BravesManager: Brian Snitker (fourth season).2018: 90-72, first place, lost to Dodgers in Division Series.Training Town: Kissimmee, Florida.Park: Champion Stadium.First Workout: Feb. 16/21.He's Here: 3B Josh Donaldson, C Brian McCann, C Raffy Lopez, pitching coach Rick Kranitz.He's Outta Here: C Kurt Suzuki, RHP Anibal Sanchez, RHP Brandon McCarthy, RHP Brad Brach, 3B Ryan Flaherty, RHP Peter Moylan, 1B Lucas Duda, C Rene Rivera, OF Lane Adams, pitching coach Chuck Hernandez.Going campin': The 2018 Baby Braves were a surprise breakthrough team, winning the club's first NL East championship since 2013. A repeat title in a tougher NL East might be a bigger challenge. A key to the start of spring will be the health of Donaldson, who signed a one-year, $23 million deal after a left... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Brian Snitker endured a restless night after the final game of the season.He was poring over what went wrong for the Atlanta Braves in the playoffs.He might've been thinking about his own future, as well."I laid awake all night staring at the ceiling," the Braves manager said. "I couldn't sleep."After assembling some of baseball's finest young talent and making a surprising return to the playoffs for the first time since 2013, Atlanta went down quietly in the postseason. The Baby Braves were shut out twice in Los Angeles before the high-powered Dodgers finished off the best-of-five series with a 6-2 victory in Game 4 on Monday.The brief playoff appearance exposed a team that still has some glaring weaknesses . The pitching lacks a dominant starter, the lineup needs more power, and the bench wasn't much help at all.When Snitker looked over at the Dodgers, a star-filled team that earned its third straight trip to the NL Championship Series, he saw what the Braves must strive... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Braves manager Brian Snitker says right-hander Mike Soroka, sidelined for 82 games with shoulder strain and inflammation, will not return this season.Soroka has been on the disabled list twice and last pitched June 19 at Toronto. He went 2-1 with a 3.51 ERA in five starts."We're not going to see him this year," Snitker said Wednesday. "Hopefully, he'll get it going. I think the best scenario for him is the instructional league and be pitching and competing and go into the offseason normal. Then we'll get him back in the spring and go from there."Soroka was the youngest pitcher in the majors at 20 when he debuted at the New York Mets with a victory on May 1. The Braves initially hoped he could return in September, but the organization decided about three weeks ago that it was unlikely.Soroka has been throwing at the team's spring training in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, but has yet to face hitters. If he gets cleared, Soroka will get back on the mound next month.The Braves have used three other young top prospects in their early 20s — Kolby Allard, Touki Toussaint and Bryse Wilson — as starters this season.Allard was recalled Wednesday for the fourth time and has struggled with a 1-1 record and a 12.82 ERA in one start and two relief appearances.Toussaint, with a 1.50 ERA, and Wilson, with no runs allowed in five innings, are each 1-0 in one start.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Touki Toussaint has been called up by the Atlanta Braves to make his major league debut in Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Miami Marlins.The 22-year-old right-hander is the latest top pitching prospect to debut for the Braves this season. Toussaint follows Mike Soroka and Kolby Allard, who were both 20 when promoted to Atlanta.Toussaint is 2-0 with a 2.01 ERA in five starts for Triple-A Gwinnett. He began the season at Double-A Mississippi, posting a record of 4-6 with a 2.93 ERA in 16 starts.Toussaint was designated at Atlanta's 26th player for the doubleheader. He becomes the 12th player to start for the Braves this season, tied for the most in the National League with San Diego and New York.A first-round pick by Arizona, Toussaint was acquired in 2015 in one of several deals the Braves used to rebuild their farm system.___For more AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

ATLANTA (AP) — Touki Toussaint has been called up by the Atlanta Braves to make his major league debut in Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Miami Marlins.The 22-year-old right-hander is the latest top pitching prospect to debut for the Braves this season. Toussaint follows Mike Soroka and Kolby Allard, who were both 20 when promoted to Atlanta.Toussaint is 2-0 with a 2.01 ERA in five starts for Triple-A Gwinnett. He began the season at Double-A Mississippi, posting a record of 4-6 with a 2.93 ERA in 16 starts.Toussaint was designated at Atlanta's 26th player for the doubleheader. He becomes the 12th player to start for the Braves this season, tied for the most in the National League with San Diego and New York.A first-round pick by Arizona, Toussaint was acquired in 2015 in one of several deals the Braves used to rebuild their farm system.___For more AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball