NEW YORK (AP) — Former All-Stars Blake Treinen, Aaron Sanchez and Addison Russell were among 56 players who became free agents along with current Gold Glove second baseman Yolmer Sánchez when their teams declined to offer 2020 contracts Monday rather than make them eligible for salary arbitration.Baltimore, faced with a similar decision, traded second baseman Jonathan Villar to Miami, which claimed first baseman Jesús Aguilar off waivers from Tampa Bay.One big-name free agent found a home: All-Star infielder Mike Moustakas and the Cincinnati Reds agreed to a $64 million, four-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced.For the second straight offseason, the Reds are making a splash as they try to shake themselves out of a rut of six straight losing seasons. Their first move involves getting a player from NL Central rival Milwaukee. The 31-year-old Moustakas could... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Former All-Stars Blake Treinen, Aaron Sanchez and Addison Russell were among 56 players who became free agents along with current Gold Glove second baseman Yolmer Sánchez when their teams declined to offer 2020 contracts Monday rather than make them eligible for salary arbitration.Baltimore, faced with a similar decision, traded second baseman Jonathan Villar to Miami, which claimed first baseman Jesús Aguilar off waivers from Tampa Bay.One big-name free agent found a home: All-Star infielder Mike Moustakas and the Cincinnati Reds agreed to a $64 million, four-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced.For the second straight offseason, the Reds are making a splurge as they try to shake themselves out of a rut of six straight losing seasons. Their first move involves getting a player from the NL Central-rival Milwaukee Brewers. The 31-year-old could... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Former All-Stars Blake Treinen, Aaron Sanchez and Addison Russell were among 56 players who became free agents along with current Gold Glove second baseman Yolmer Sánchez when their teams declined to offer 2020 contracts Monday rather than make them eligible for salary arbitration.Baltimore, faced with a similar decision, traded second baseman Jonathan Villar to Miami, which claimed first baseman Jesús Aguilar off waivers from Tampa Bay.One big-name free agent found a home: All-Star infielder Mike Moustakas and the Cincinnati Reds agreed to a $64 million, four-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced.For the second straight offseason, the Reds are making a splurge as they try to shake themselves out of a rut of six straight losing seasons. Their first move involves getting a player from the NL Central-rival Milwaukee Brewers. The 31-year-old could... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Christian Yelich watched helplessly from the dugout as Milwaukee’s season ended.The Brewers controlled the first 7 1/3 innings of Tuesday’s NL wild-card game in Washington before a stunning collapse. All-Star closer Josh Hader was wild, and Milwaukee got stung by a disputed hit-by-pitch, a broken-bat base hit and an error by overaggressive rookie right fielder Trent Grisham. Minutes later, the Nationals wildly celebrated their 4-3 victory on the infield while the Brewers _ pummeled by injuries, especially down the stretch _ limped into the offseason.“I think when all the dust settles and you really evaluate the year, we can be proud of a lot of things,” Yelich said. “I really think we'll be better off for a lot of those experiences.”Yelich overcame lingering back issues to put himself in contention for a second straight NL MVP before a foul ball broke his right kneecap Sept. 10. Fellow outfielders Lorenzo Cain and Ryan Braun battled through leg injuries in the last week,... [More]

It was late in the 2015 season when Baltimore's Manny Machado smoked a pitch from Tampa Bay's Chris Archer into center field at Camden Yards.Kevin Kiermaier sprinted to the wall, turned and leaped high above it before reaching back and snatching the ball . He banged off the wall and landed on his feet with the ball firmly planted in his glove for the out.The play sent a dejected Machado back to the dugout and left a stunned Archer simply mouthing, "Wow."Archer, now with Pittsburgh, was so grateful for Kiermaier's extraordinary effort that he searched for a fitting way to thank his center fielder for keeping that run off the board.He found it by commissioning a painting of the catch, which he presented to Kiermaier at spring training the next year."It happens so rarely you're in awe," Archer said. "It's an awesome feeling. They have the defensive runs saved calculation, but when you actually see a run taken away it feels so good."Kiermaier recalled the team meeting where he received the... [More]

It was late in the 2015 season when Baltimore's Manny Machado smoked a pitch from Tampa Bay's Chris Archer into center field at Camden Yards.Kevin Kiermaier sprinted to the wall, turned and leaped high above it before reaching back and snatching the ball . He banged off the wall and landed on his feet with the ball firmly planted in his glove for the out.The play sent a dejected Machado back to the dugout and left a stunned Archer simply mouthing, "Wow."Archer, now with Pittsburgh, was so grateful for Kiermaier's extraordinary effort that he searched for a fitting way to thank his center fielder for keeping that run off the board.He found it by commissioning a painting of the catch, which he presented to Kiermaier at spring training the next year."It happens so rarely you're in awe," Archer said. "It's an awesome feeling. They have the defensive runs saved calculation but when you actually see a run taken away it feels so good."Kiermaier recalled the team meeting where he received the painting... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Brewers reliever Corey Knebel says he will have Tommy John surgery and miss the season, a major setback for the NL Central champions.Knebel revealed his decision Friday before Milwaukee played St. Louis.The 27-year-old right-hander had been pitching with a damaged ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow since 2014, when he was pitching for the Texas Rangers. He has been sidelined since March 17, when he experienced discomfort in his elbow while pitching in a spring training game.Knebel was 4-3 with 16 saves and a 3.58 ERA in 57 games last season. He was outstanding in the playoffs, pitching nine games with a 0.90 ERA in 10 innings as the Brewers relied on a dominant bullpen to come within one win of the World Series.Knebel had 39 saves and was a 2017 NL All-Star."It happened five years ago and now it's just gotten a little worse," Knebel said. "I don't want it to really hurt me in the long run. Right now, I'm 27. I think it's better to do it now than wait until later."The... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:DAY OF DECISIONCorey Knebel plans to choose a course of action on his ailing right elbow, potentially sidelining a key part of Milwaukee's vaunted bullpen for the season.The 27-year-old has a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament. He could have Tommy John surgery and return at some point next year, or try to rehab the injury."I've got all the cards on the table, and it's just, 'Which one?'" Knebel said Thursday.Knebel had 16 saves and a 3.58 ERA last season, plus a sparkling 0.90 ERA in nine playoff appearances. He was an All-Star in 2017 with 39 saves and a 1.78 ERA.REMEMBER ME?Charlie Morton, who won Game 7 of the 2017 World Series for Houston shortly after winning Game 7 of the AL Championship Series, faces his former team. Morton went 15-3 with a 3.13 ERA for the Astros last season, then became a free agent and signed a two-year deal with Tampa Bay. He will oppose Gerrit Cole (15-5, 2.88 ERA last year) at Tropicana Field."There's... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:DAY OF DECISIONCorey Knebel plans to choose a course of action on his ailing right elbow, potentially sidelining a key part of Milwaukee's vaunted bullpen for the season.The 27-year-old has a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament. He could have Tommy John surgery and return at some point next year, or try to rehab the injury."I've got all the cards on the table, and it's just, 'Which one?'" Knebel said Thursday.Knebel had 16 saves and a 3.58 ERA last season, plus a sparkling 0.90 ERA in nine playoff appearances. He was an All-Star in 2017 with 39 saves and a 1.78 ERA.REMEMBER ME?Charlie Morton, who won Game 7 of the 2017 World Series for Houston shortly after winning Game 7 of the AL Championship Series, faces his former team. Morton went 15-3 with a 3.13 ERA for the Astros last season, then became a free agent and signed a two-year deal with Tampa Bay. He will oppose Gerrit Cole (15-5, 2.88 ERA last year) at Tropicana Field."There's... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Corey Knebel will decide on Friday what to do about his ailing right elbow, potentially sidelining a key part of Milwaukee's vaunted bullpen for the season.The 27-year-old has a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament. He could have Tommy John surgery and then return at some point next year, or try to rehab the injury."I've got all the cards on the table, and it's just, 'Which one?'" Knebel said before Milwaukee beat St. Louis 5-4 in its opener on Thursday. "It's not really anybody's decision but mine. But of course I'm going to talk to some of the doctors before I make a decision."Losing Knebel for the year could be a big blow for Milwaukee, which leaned on its bullpen in its run to the NL Championship Series last October.Jeremy Jeffress, another hard-throwing reliever who made the All-Star team last year, also began the season on the injured list after he was slowed by a sore right shoulder during spring training. Bobby Wahl, acquired in a January trade with the New... [More]

The Latest on opening day (all times EDT):5:45 p.m.The Dodgers have chased Arizona's Zack Greinke with three homers in the fourth inning on opening day.After Enrique Hernandez and Austin Barnes hit back-to-back homers, Corey Seager celebrated his return from Tommy John surgery with a solo shot that sent Greinke to the showers. The $206.5 million right-hander gave up seven hits and seven runs, including Joc Pederson's two-run homer in the second for the two-time defending NL champions.Meanwhile, Hyun-Jin Ryu was stellar in the first four innings of his first opening day start, striking out six Diamondbacks and allowing one infield single. Arizona got only one ball out of the infield in the first four innings while falling behind 7-0.—Greg Beacham reporting from Los Angeles.___5:40 p.m.Chris Sale will join rare company when he throws the first pitch of the season for the Boston Red Sox.Sale recorded the final out of last season when he helped Boston clinch its World Series championship. By... [More]

The Latest on opening day (all times EDT):5:35 p.m.Javier Baez is already slugging and driving in runs again for the Chicago Cubs, with two homers in the season opener.Baez greeted Texas Rangers reliever Jesse Chavez with a three-run homer in the fifth inning to give the Cubs a 7-2 lead.The Cubs shortstop, who last season hit 34 homers and led the NL with 111 RBIs, hit a solo homer in the fourth off starter Mike Minor.—Stephen Hawkins reporting from Arlington, Texas___5:05 p.m.The pitching matchup in Minnesota between Cleveland's Corey Kluber and the home team's Jose Berrios has been all aces to start, with the Twins and Indians scoreless through four innings.Kluber, the two-time Cy Young Award winner, is perfect, actually, with 12 batters up and 12 batters down.Berrios, the youngest opening day starter for the Twins since Brad Radke in 1996, didn't give up a hit until a leadoff double to Leonys Martin in the fourth inning. But the 24-year-old right-hander finished the frame without any... [More]

The Latest on opening day (all times EDT):5:05 p.m.The pitching matchup in Minnesota between Cleveland's Corey Kluber and the home team's Jose Berrios has been all aces to start, with the Twins and Indians scoreless through four innings.Kluber, the two-time Cy Young Award winner, is perfect, actually, with 12 batters up and 12 batters down.Berrios, the youngest opening day starter for the Twins since Brad Radke in 1996, didn't give up a hit until a leadoff double to Leonys Martin in the fourth inning. But the 24-year-old right-hander finished the frame without any damage, striking out Hanley Ramirez to strand runners at first and second.— Dave Campbell reporting from Minneapolis___4:52 p.m.Corey Seager is back and Dodger Stadium is happy about it.The two-time All-Star shortstop got a loud pregame ovation when he was introduced in the Dodgers' starting lineup. He was sidelined for nearly all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, missing the Dodgers' run to their second straight... [More]

The Latest on opening day (all times EDT):4:52 p.m.Corey Seager is back and Dodger Stadium is happy about it.The two-time All-Star shortstop got a loud pregame ovation when he was introduced in the Dodgers' starting lineup. He was sidelined for nearly all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, missing the Dodgers' run to their second straight World Series.Seager drew a walk in his first plate appearance while the Dodgers took a 1-0 lead on the Diamondbacks. Seager then showed his arm is fine when he made all three putouts in the Diamondbacks' second inning.A.J. Pollock also drew a walk in his first plate appearance for the Dodgers, who signed him as a free agent after seven seasons in Arizona.Adam Jones struck out while batting leadoff in his debut for the Diamondbacks after 11 years in Baltimore.— Greg Beacham reporting from Los Angeles.___4:50 p.m.Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres singled to left in his first big league at-bat, against San Francisco Giants ace Madison... [More]

The Latest on opening day (all times EDT):4:15 p.m.Dee Gordon wanted to express his appreciation for Ichiro Suzuki, who announced his retirement following the Seattle Mariners' two games in Japan. But he wanted to do more than a social media post.So Gordon took out a full-page ad in The Seattle Times on Thursday ahead of the Mariners' home opener against the Boston Red Sox."Honestly, I didn't think that writing up an Instagram post or something would be meaningful enough," Gordon said. "And he probably wouldn't be able to see it. I thought this was over the top, too."In the ad, Gordon wrote, "Thank you for being a great friend to me and being my favorite player to this day."___3:25 p.m.Score it 3U on No. 3.Bryce Harper grounded out to first base in his first at-bat in a Phillies uniform.Harper was already a smash hit before he walked to the plate to a standing ovation. Phillies fans were wild all day in anticipation of Harper's debut.Harper, who wore green Phanatic cleats, bowed to the... [More]

The Latest on opening day (all times EDT):___3:25 p.m.Score it 3U on No. 3.Bryce Harper grounded out to first base in his first at-bat in a Phillies uniform.Harper was already a smash hit before he walked to the plate to a standing ovation. Phillies fans were wild all day in anticipation of Harper's debut.Harper, who wore green Phanatic cleats, bowed to the fans when he took his spot in right field in the first inning and chucked a ball into the third deck.Harper had owned Braves starter Julio Teheran, hitting eight career home runs off the righty. Harper also is tied among active players with five career homers on opening day.Oh yeah, Harper wasn't the only MVP added to the lineup. Andrew McCutchen, the 2013 NL MVP with the Pirates, led off the game with a homer that sent an already pumped crowd into a tizzy. McCutchen signed a $50 million, three-year deal in the offseason.___3:15 p.m.At 20 years, 85 days, Fernando Tatis Jr. is the youngest San Diego Padres player to play on opening day... [More]

The Latest on opening day (all times EDT):3:10 p.m.Bryce Harper wore green Phanatic cleats as he jogged out of the dugout to a standing ovation when he was introduced for the first time as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies.Harper signed a $330 million, 13-year contract with the Phillies and hit third and played right field in the opener against the Atlanta Braves.Harper walked into the ballpark wearing a black T-shirt that read "Phan Fiction" made by South Fellini that featured Philly mascots the Phanatic and Gritty in a "Pulp Fiction" homage. Fans slammed the website and caused it to temporarily crash, and by the time it was up, the shirt was sold out.Harper fist-bumped fans as the Phillies walked through the outfield stands and onto the red carpet on the field for opening day festivities.Fans brought signs that read "The Year of Bryce" and thousands more wore his No. 3 jersey.___3:07 p.m.Look who's back.Christian Yelich hit a three-run homer to center off Miles Mikolas in the third... [More]

The Latest on opening day (all times EDT):2:47 p.m.Astros shortstop Carlos Correa is not in the lineup for Houston against the Tampa Bay Rays because of neck stiffness.Correa said before the game that the injury is "nothing major" and that he hopes to be ready to play sometime before the end of the four-game, season-opening series that runs through Sunday at Tropicana Field.Correa hit .239 with 15 homers and 65 RBIs in 110 games last season.Aledmys Diaz is replacing him at shortstop and batting eighth in the opener.— Fred Goodall reporting from St. Petersburg___1:20 p.m.Welcome to the Mets, Robinson Cano.Making quite an introduction to his new team, Cano homered in his debut at-bat, taking Washington Nationals starter Max Scherzer deep to center field on a 1-1 changeup in the first inning.The two-out shot made it 1-0 for the visiting Mets.Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, struck out the other three batters he faced in the opening inning of 2019 — including Pete Alonso, the first... [More]

The Latest on opening day (all times EDT):1:20 p.m.Welcome to the Mets, Robinson Cano.Making quite an introduction to his new team, Cano homered in his debut at-bat, taking Washington Nationals starter Max Scherzer deep to center field on a 1-1 changeup in the first inning.The two-out shot made it 1-0 for the visiting Mets.Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, struck out the other three batters he faced in the opening inning of 2019 — including Pete Alonso, the first baseman making his major league debut.Cano joined the Mets in a blockbuster trade with the Seattle Mariners that also brought closer Edwin Diaz to New York.— Howard Fendrich reporting in Washington.___1:15 p.m.On a day when baseball teams look with hope toward the future, the Yankees and Orioles are putting some focus on the past.The Yankees announced Thursday that they will wear a black armband on the left sleeve of their jerseys this season to honor former pitching coach and left-hander Mel Stottlemyre, who died in... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Corey Knebel will decide on Friday what to do about his ailing right elbow, potentially sidelining a key part of Milwaukee's vaunted bullpen for the season.The 27-year-old has a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament. He could have Tommy John surgery and then return at some point next year, or try to rehab the injury."I've got all the cards on the table, and it's just, 'Which one?'" Knebel said before Milwaukee's opener against St. Louis on Thursday. "It's not really anybody's decision but mine. But of course I'm going to talk to some of the doctors before I make a decision."Losing Knebel for the year could be a big blow for Milwaukee, which leaned on its bullpen in its run to the NL Championship Series last October.Jeremy Jeffress, another hard-throwing reliever who made the All-Star team last year, also began the season on the injured list after he was slowed by a sore right shoulder during spring training. Bobby Wahl, acquired in a January trade with the New York Mets,... [More]