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]

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, 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 an option that would have... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Braves are bringing back outfielder Nick Markakis in what will likely be a reduced role next season, but Julio Teheran's long tenure with the team could be over.Atlanta announced Monday it had re-signed Markakis and catcher Tyler Flowers to $4 million, one-year contracts for 2020 after declining their team options.Teheran, the first pitcher to make six straight opening-day starts for Atlanta, also had a club option for 2020. The team turned that down, making the 28-year-old right-hander a free agent after completing a $32.4 million, six-year contract."He's been here a long time," general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. "He's been a big part of the organization."Atlanta opted against a $12 million option for Teheran in 2020, instead paying a $1 million buyout. The move was not unexpected on the heels of Teheran being left off the postseason roster after going 10-11 with a 3.81 ERA, though he was added back to the squad as an injury replacement when Chris Martin went down... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Braves have re-signed outfielder Nick Markakis and catcher Tyler Flowers to $4 million, one-year contracts for 2020 after declining their team options.The team also declined a club option for longtime starting pitcher Julio Teheran, likely signaling the end of his tenure with the Braves, and made a $17.8 million qualifying offer to free agent third baseman Josh Donaldson.The deals for Markakis and Flowers were essentially a financial wash. Both players made $4 million last season and had club options of $6 million for 2020. The team will pay $2 million buyouts to each and their new deal ensures both will take home a total of $6 million to remain in Atlanta another season.Teheran became the first pitcher to make six straight opening-day starts for Atlanta, but the team opted against exercising a $12 million option for 2020, instead paying a $1 million buyout. The move was not unexpected after Teheran was left off the postseason roster after going 10-11 with a 3.81 ERA, though he was added back to the squad after Chris Martin was injured.Teheran completed a $32.4 million, six-year contract and becomes a free agent.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — One day later, Brian Snitker had shed his uniform but was still wearing the pain of yet another one-and-done postseason exit for the Atlanta Braves."It's going to take me a while to kind of get over this whole thing," the manager said Thursday.Snitker and general manager Alex Anthopoulos had no quick explanations for the Braves' record-tying 10th straight loss in a postseason round. After splitting the first four games of the NL Division Series, the Braves were bowled over and embarrassed in a 13-1 loss to St. Louis in Wednesday's Game 5."You throw that one away," Anthopoulos said, while adding the loss was "a tough pill to swallow. ... From my standpoint in the front office, we need to turn the page quick."The Cardinals' knockout blow was quick and decisive — 10 runs in the first inning."It happened so quick, I don't think there was anything we could do," Snitker said.The Braves have won two straight NL East titles but haven't won a postseason series since 2001. Atlanta... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Brian McCann's Atlanta homecoming didn't end the way he hoped.McCann is retiring after a 15-year career that included two stints with his Atlanta hometown Braves, making the announcement Wednesday after the 13-1 loss to St. Louis in the decisive Game 5 of the NL Division Series."It's sad but it's time," the 35-year-old said softly in the somber Atlanta clubhouse as he made his announcement. "I had a long career. Fifteen years is a long time, catching every day. I got to play in my hometown."McCann, from Duluth High School in the Atlanta area, played his first nine seasons with the Braves. Following three seasons with the New York Yankees and two with Houston, McCann returned to Atlanta to renew a friendship with Braves manager Brian Snitker that began in the minors."I've known Snit for a long time, since he was a Double-A manager," the seven-time All-Star said. "I enjoyed the chance to do this with him."McCann won a World Series title with Houston in 2017 but couldn't realize... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — St. Louis manager Mike Shildt says he considered more than offense when choosing rookie third baseman Tommy Edman over veteran Matt Carpenter in Game 1 of the NL Division Series against Atlanta on Thursday.Kolten Wong returns for the Cardinals at second base after missing two weeks with a hamstring injury. Wong’s return pushed Edman from second base to third base.Carpenter hit only .226 this season but his .267 average in September was his best of any month. Shildt said defensive considerations were factors in his decisions to start both Edman and center fielder Harrison Bader.There are no surprises in the Braves’ lineup. Brian McCann is manager Brian Snitker’s choice to catch for left-hander Dallas Keuchel, who has worked well with Tyler Flowers. Snitker said he consulted with Keuchel, who is comfortable with either catcher.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at the best-of-five National League Division Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Thursday, at Atlanta, 5:02 p.m. (TBS); Game 2, Friday, at Atlanta, 4:37 p.m. (TBS); Game 3, Sunday, at St. Louis, TBA (TBS); x-Game 4, Monday, at St. Louis, TBA (TBS); x-Game 5, Wednesday, Oct. 9, at Atlanta, TBA (TBS).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Braves won 4-2.___Projected Lineups:Cardinals: RF Dexter Fowler (.236, 18 HRs, 65 RBIs), 2B Tommy Edman (.307, 11, 36) or Kolten Wong (.285, 11, 59), 1B Paul Goldschmidt (.256, 33, 95), LF Marcell Ozuna (.242, 29, 88), C Yadier Molina (.271, 10, 57), 3B Matt Carpenter (.226, 14, 43), SS Paul DeJong (.234, 30, 78), CF Harrison Bader (.207, 12, 39).Braves: CF Ronald Acuña Jr (.280, 41, 101, 37/46 SBs), 2B Ozzie Albies (.295, 24, 86, 15/19 SBs), 1B Freddie Freeman (.295, 38, 121, .389 OBP), 3B Josh Donaldson (.259, 37, 94, .379 OBP), LF Nick Markakis (.285, 9, 62), RF Matt Joyce (.295, 7, 23) or Adam... [More]

Braves first. Dansby Swanson singles to center field. Ozzie Albies singles to left field. Dansby Swanson to second. Freddie Freeman reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Ozzie Albies out at second. Dansby Swanson to third. Josh Donaldson singles to right field. Freddie Freeman to second. Dansby Swanson scores. Nick Markakis singles to left field. Josh Donaldson to second. Freddie Freeman scores. Matt Joyce pops out to Todd Frazier. Tyler Flowers strikes out swinging.2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Braves 2, Mets 0.Mets first. Brandon Nimmo strikes out swinging. Pete Alonso homers to left field. J.D. Davis doubles to deep left field. Todd Frazier hit by pitch. Amed Rosario strikes out swinging. Joe Panik walks. Todd Frazier to second. J.D. Davis to third. Juan Lagares grounds out to shortstop, Dansby Swanson to Freddie Freeman.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Braves 2, Mets 1.Mets third. Pete Alonso walks. J.D. Davis lines out to deep right field to Matt Joyce. Todd Frazier... [More]

Royals second. Ryan O'Hearn flies out to center field to Billy Hamilton. Bubba Starling strikes out swinging. Nicky Lopez triples to deep right center field. Meibrys Viloria doubles to deep right field. Nicky Lopez scores. Whit Merrifield pops out to Francisco Cervelli.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 1, Braves 0.Royals fourth. Ryan McBroom singles to second base. Ryan O'Hearn singles to right field. Ryan McBroom to third. Bubba Starling reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Ryan O'Hearn out at second. Nicky Lopez singles to shallow infield. Bubba Starling to second. Ryan McBroom scores. Meibrys Viloria strikes out swinging. Whit Merrifield called out on strikes.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Royals 2, Braves 0.Braves fifth. Billy Hamilton pops out to shallow right field to Whit Merrifield. Dansby Swanson lines out to deep center field to Bubba Starling. Ozzie Albies walks. Josh Donaldson doubles to deep center field. Ozzie Albies scores. Nick Markakis singles... [More]

Braves third. Tyler Flowers singles to third base. Mike Soroka out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Scott Kingery to Cesar Hernandez. Tyler Flowers to second. Ronald Acuna Jr. homers to left field. Tyler Flowers scores. Ozzie Albies singles to right field. Freddie Freeman flies out to left field to Brad Miller. Adam Duvall singles to third base. Ozzie Albies to second. Adeiny Hechavarria strikes out swinging.2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Braves 2, Phillies 0.Phillies fifth. Jean Segura grounds out to first base to Freddie Freeman. Scott Kingery triples to deep center field. Adam Haseley doubles to deep right field. Scott Kingery scores. Aaron Nola singles to left center field. Adam Haseley to third. Cesar Hernandez reaches on a fielder's choice to first base. Aaron Nola out at second. Adam Haseley scores. J.T. Realmuto grounds out to shortstop, Adeiny Hechavarria to Freddie Freeman.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Phillies 2, Braves 2.Braves fifth. Matt Joyce pinch-hitting... [More]

Braves first. Ronald Acuna Jr. called out on strikes. Ozzie Albies triples to deep right field. Freddie Freeman walks. Josh Donaldson out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Jose Pirela. Ozzie Albies scores. Nick Markakis singles to left field. Freddie Freeman to third. Matt Joyce singles to left field. Nick Markakis to second. Freddie Freeman scores. Tyler Flowers strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Braves 2, Phillies 0.Phillies fourth. J.T. Realmuto grounds out to third base, Josh Donaldson to Freddie Freeman. Bryce Harper singles to shortstop. Rhys Hoskins homers to right field. Bryce Harper scores. Scott Kingery singles to shortstop. Sean Rodriguez singles to right field. Scott Kingery to third. Cesar Hernandez grounds out to shortstop, Dansby Swanson to Freddie Freeman. Sean Rodriguez to second. Scott Kingery scores. Jose Pirela homers to left field. Sean Rodriguez scores. Vince Velasquez grounds out to second base, Ozzie Albies to Freddie Freeman.5 runs,... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have recalled catcher John Ryan Murphy from Triple-A Gwinnett and placed infielder Charlie Culberson on the 60-day injured list.Murphy will provide depth behind Brian McCann and Tyler Flowers in the final two weeks of the regular season. The move was made before Tuesday night's game against Philadelphia.The Braves acquired Murphy from Arizona on July 31 and then hit .170 in 14 games with Gwinnett. He has hit .219 in seven major league seasons with the Yankees, Minnesota and the Diamondbacks.Culberson suffered multiple broken facial bones when he was hit in the face by a pitch from Washington's Fernando Rodney on Saturday. Culberson already had been declared as out for the season but will not require surgery.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Braves fourth. Josh Donaldson lines out to shortstop to Trea Turner. Nick Markakis doubles to deep center field. Matt Joyce singles to right center field. Nick Markakis scores. Tyler Flowers flies out to deep right center field to Victor Robles. Dansby Swanson doubles to deep right center field. Matt Joyce scores. Mike Soroka grounds out to first base to Ryan Zimmerman.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Braves 2, Nationals 0.Braves fifth. Ronald Acuna Jr. singles to left field. Ozzie Albies singles to left field. Ronald Acuna Jr. to second. Charlie Culberson reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Ozzie Albies out at second. Ronald Acuna Jr. to third. Josh Donaldson walks. Charlie Culberson to second. Nick Markakis out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to Victor Robles. Charlie Culberson to third. Ronald Acuna Jr. scores. Matt Joyce called out on strikes.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Braves 3, Nationals 0.Braves seventh. Ozzie Albies homers to center field. Charlie... [More]

Braves fourth. Freddie Freeman grounds out to shortstop, Jean Segura to Rhys Hoskins. Josh Donaldson reaches on error. Throwing error by Jean Segura. Matt Joyce singles to left field. Josh Donaldson to second. Rafael Ortega strikes out swinging. Tyler Flowers homers to center field. Matt Joyce scores. Josh Donaldson scores. Dansby Swanson walks. Dallas Keuchel singles to center field. Dansby Swanson to third. Ronald Acuna Jr. flies out to deep center field to Scott Kingery.3 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. Braves 3, Phillies 0.Phillies fourth. Bryce Harper singles to right center field. Rhys Hoskins singles to center field. Bryce Harper to third. Scott Kingery reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Rhys Hoskins out at second. Bryce Harper scores. Corey Dickerson strikes out swinging. Cesar Hernandez called out on strikes.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Braves 3, Phillies 1.

Nationals first. Trea Turner singles to left field. Adam Eaton homers to center field. Trea Turner scores. Anthony Rendon doubles to deep right field. Juan Soto strikes out swinging. Asdrubal Cabrera flies out to left field to Rafael Ortega. Matt Adams flies out to left field to Rafael Ortega.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 2, Braves 0.Nationals second. Victor Robles strikes out swinging. Yan Gomes homers to center field. Max Scherzer grounds out to second base, Ozzie Albies to Freddie Freeman. Trea Turner called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 3, Braves 0.Braves second. Josh Donaldson called out on strikes. Matt Joyce homers to right field. Dansby Swanson lines out to left center field to Juan Soto. Tyler Flowers strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 3, Braves 1.Nationals third. Adam Eaton called out on strikes. Anthony Rendon grounds out to shallow infield to Freddie Freeman. Juan Soto homers to left field. Asdrubal... [More]

Braves third. Ronald Acuna Jr. strikes out swinging. Ozzie Albies homers to center field. Freddie Freeman strikes out swinging. Josh Donaldson called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Braves 1, Nationals 0.Braves fourth. Adam Duvall doubles to deep right field. Dansby Swanson reaches on error. Adam Duvall to third. Fielding error by Anthony Rendon. Austin Riley pops out to first base to Ryan Zimmerman. Tyler Flowers out on a sacrifice fly to right field to Michael A. Taylor. Adam Duvall scores. Dallas Keuchel called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 left on. Braves 2, Nationals 0.Braves seventh. Ozzie Albies grounds out to second base, Howie Kendrick to Ryan Zimmerman. Freddie Freeman singles to center field. Josh Donaldson homers to left field. Freddie Freeman scores. Adam Duvall called out on strikes. Dansby Swanson pops out to shallow left field to Trea Turner.2 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 0 left on. Braves 4, Nationals 0.Nationals eighth. Howie Kendrick singles to left field. Anthony Rendon singles to left center field. Howie Kendrick to second. Juan Soto strikes out swinging. Ryan Zimmerman homers to left field. Anthony Rendon scores. Howie Kendrick scores. Victor Robles strikes out swinging. Yan Gomes grounds out to shortstop, Dansby Swanson to Freddie Freeman.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Braves 4, Nationals 3.

Braves first. Ronald Acuna Jr. triples to deep right field. Ozzie Albies singles to shallow left field. Ronald Acuna Jr. scores. Freddie Freeman doubles to left field. Ozzie Albies to third. Josh Donaldson singles to left field. Freddie Freeman to third. Ozzie Albies scores. Matt Joyce lines out to first base to Rowdy Tellez. Josh Donaldson doubled off first. Dansby Swanson strikes out swinging.2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Braves 2, Blue jays 0.Braves fifth. Charlie Culberson pinch-hitting for Mike Foltynewicz. Charlie Culberson grounds out to third base, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to Rowdy Tellez. Ronald Acuna Jr. walks. Ozzie Albies flies out to deep right field to Randal Grichuk. Freddie Freeman walks. Ronald Acuna Jr. to second. Josh Donaldson doubles to deep left field. Freddie Freeman scores. Ronald Acuna Jr. scores. Matt Joyce called out on strikes.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Braves 4, Blue jays 0.Blue jays seventh. Rowdy Tellez homers to center field. Randal Grichuk grounds... [More]

White sox first. Leury Garcia singles to left field. Tim Anderson grounds out to second base, Ozzie Albies to Freddie Freeman. Leury Garcia to second. Jose Abreu lines out to second base to Ozzie Albies. Yoan Moncada singles to left field, advances to 2nd. Leury Garcia scores. Eloy Jimenez singles to shortstop. Yoan Moncada to third. Welington Castillo reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Eloy Jimenez out at second.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. White sox 1, Braves 0.Braves first. Ozzie Albies singles to center field. Dansby Swanson doubles to deep left field. Ozzie Albies scores. Freddie Freeman flies out to center field to Adam Engel. Josh Donaldson lines out to shortstop to Tim Anderson. Matt Joyce walks. Tyler Flowers singles to third base. Matt Joyce to second. Dansby Swanson scores. Rafael Ortega singles to right center field. Tyler Flowers to third. Matt Joyce scores. Billy Hamilton doubles to deep right center field. Rafael Ortega to third. Tyler Flowers scores. Dallas... [More]

Braves second. Josh Donaldson walks. Matt Joyce singles to shallow infield. Josh Donaldson to second. Dansby Swanson singles to center field. Matt Joyce to second. Josh Donaldson scores. Rafael Ortega flies out to deep right center field to Adam Engel. Tyler Flowers homers to center field. Dansby Swanson scores. Matt Joyce scores. Max Fried singles to shortstop. Ronald Acuna Jr. lines out to right field to Leury Garcia. Ozzie Albies singles to center field. Max Fried to second. Freddie Freeman lines out to center field to Adam Engel.4 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Braves 4, White sox 0.Braves fourth. Max Fried grounds out to second base, Yolmer Sanchez to Jose Abreu. Ronald Acuna Jr. grounds out to shortstop, Tim Anderson to Jose Abreu. Ozzie Albies doubles to deep right field. Freddie Freeman doubles to right center field. Ozzie Albies scores. Josh Donaldson grounds out to shortstop, Tim Anderson to Jose Abreu.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Braves 5, White sox 0.White sox fifth.... [More]