NEW YORK (AP) — If Major League Baseball can't play in front of fans at a team's home ballpark because of the virus outbreak, the sport's first preference likely would be to switch games to the visiting team's stadium if possible, a person familiar with the deliberations told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because no decisions have been made.MLB starts its season on March 26. Among the games on opening day is Texas at Seattle — the Seattle area has been hit hard by the virus, with 24 deaths.MLB anticipates government officials will decide whether it is safe to play in front of fans in each city. If changes to the schedule are necessary, MLB would make determinations at the point when a ballpark has been ruled out.Washington Gov. Jay Inslee plans to ban gatherings and events of more than 250 people in virtually the entire Seattle area, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Tuesday night. The person was not authorized to... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — If Major League Baseball can't play in front of fans at a team's home ballpark because of the virus outbreak, the sport's first preference likely would be to switch games to the visiting team's stadium if possible, a person familiar with the deliberations told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because no decisions have been made.MLB starts its season on March 26. Among the games on opening day is Texas at Seattle — the Seattle area has been hit hard by the virus.MLB anticipates government officials will decide whether it is safe to play in front of fans in each city. If changes to the schedule are necessary, MLB would make determinations at the point when a ballpark has been ruled out."I hope it doesn't turn into us missing games or pushing scheduled games back," Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis said.Baseball's preference is to play in front of fans and not in empty stadiums, the person said familiar with the deliberations... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Elvis Andrus has a few aging distinctions going into his 12th major league season. The only player left in the Texas Rangers clubhouse to wear that uniform in a World Series, the 31-year-old shortstop is the club's longest-tenured player by five years and expected to be the oldest regular starting shortstop in the majors.“I still believe I'm a rookie," Andrus said Monday, when the Rangers had their first full-squad workout. “I never want to feel comfortable. I always want to feel that somebody is going to take my job, and that's the mentality and that's the reality of the game." Andrus hit .275 last season — matching his career average through 1,623 regular-season games. He was hitting .361 through the season's first month and was at .309 by the end of June, then batted .240 over the final 74 games of the season while Texas skidded to its third straight losing season since AL West titles in 2015 and 2016. Second-year manager Chris Woodward said the Rangers “were pretty... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Elvis Andrus has a few aging distinctions going into his 12th major league season. The only player left in the Texas Rangers clubhouse to wear that uniform in a World Series, the 31-year-old shortstop is the club's longest-tenured player by five years and expected to be the oldest regular starting shortstop in the majors.“I still believe I'm a rookie," Andrus said Monday, when the Rangers had their first full-squad workout. “I never want to feel comfortable. I always want to feel that somebody is going to take my job, and that's the mentality and that's the reality of the game." Andrus hit .275 last season — matching his career average through 1,623 regular-season games. He was hitting .361 through the season's first month and was at .309 by the end of June, then batted .240 over the final 74 games of the season while Texas skidded to its third straight losing season since AL West titles in 2015 and 2016. Second-year manager Chris Woodward said the Rangers “were pretty... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Elvis Andrus has a few aging distinctions going into his 12th major league season. The only player left in the Texas Rangers clubhouse to wear that uniform in a World Series, the 31-year-old shortstop is the club's longest-tenured player by five years and expected to be the oldest regular starting shortstop in the majors.“I still believe I'm a rookie," Andrus said Monday, when the Rangers had their first full-squad workout. “I never want to feel comfortable. I always want to feel that somebody is going to take my job, and that's the mentality and that's the reality of the game." Andrus hit .275 last season — matching his career average through 1,623 regular-season games. He was hitting .361 through the season's first month and was at .309 by the end of June, then batted .240 over the final 74 games of the season while Texas skidded to its third straight losing season since AL West titles in 2015 and 2016. Second-year manager Chris Woodward said the Rangers “were pretty... [More]

A team-by-team look at the American League West 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:___Houston Astros Manager: Dusty Baker (first season). 2019: 107-55, first place, lost to Nationals in World Series. Training Town: West Palm Beach, Florida. Park: Ballpark of Palm Beaches. First Workout: Feb. 13/17. He's Here: Manager Dusty Baker, RHP Austin Pruitt, C Dustin Garneau.He's Outta Here: Manager AJ Hinch, RHP Gerrit Cole, RHP Will Harris, C Robinson Chirinos, OF Tony Kemp. Going campin': The Astros enter the spring reeling from a sign-stealing scandal that cost manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow their jobs. They brought in Baker to steady the team, and it gives the 70-year-old another chance to chase his first World Series title as a manager. He’ll get a crash course learning his new team this spring after being hired less than three weeks before pitchers and catchers... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers acquired first baseman/outfielder Sam Travis from Boston on Wednesday in a trade that sent left-hander Jeffrey Springs to the Red Sox.The addition of Travis came on the same day the Rangers announced the signing of Todd Frazier, another right-handed hitter who can play first base. Texas plans to use Frazier primarily at third.The 26-year-old Travis has spent all six years of his professional career with the Boston organization. He was a second-round pick in the 2014 amateur draft.Travis made the opening day roster for the first time last year and appeared in a career-high 59 games over four stints with the Red Sox, hitting .215 with six home runs and 16 RBIs. He made 20 starts at first base and 11 in left field.The 27-year-old Springs was designated for assignment when the Rangers signed Frazier and catcher Robinson Chirinos. He made his major league debut in 2018 before appearing in 25 games over three stints last season. Springs has a 4.90 ERA in 43 career outings.To make room for Springs, the Red Sox designated left-hander Bobby Poyner for assignment. The 27-year-old made 13 relief appearances over three stints with Boston in 2019. Like Springs, Poyner made his big league debut in 2018.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers have formally reunited with catcher Robinson Chirinos and added third baseman Todd Frazier after completing one-year deals with the free agents.Chirinos and Frazier both got contracts that included club options for 2021. The deals were announced by the team Wednesday. Left-handed pitchers Kyle Bird and Jeffrey Springs were designated for assignment to clear spots on the 40-man roster. The Rangers have seven days to trade, release, or outright the players to the minor leagues. The 35-year-old Chirinos gets a $5.5 million salary this season, and his deal includes a $6.5 million club option for 2021 that includes a $1 million buyout. Frazier will make $3.5 million, and the Rangers have a $5.75 million option on the two-time All-Star for 2021 with a $1.5 million buyout. After Chirinos played 442 games with the Rangers from 2013-18, the team declined a $4.5 million option and he became a free agent. He spent last season on a $5.75 million deal with AL... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers have formally reunited with catcher Robinson Chirinos and added third baseman Todd Frazier after completing one-year deals with the free agents.Chirinos and Frazier both got contracts that included club options for 2021. The deals were announced by the team Wednesday. Left-handed pitchers Kyle Bird and Jeffrey Springs were designated for assignment to clear spots on the 40-man roster. The Rangers have seven days to trade, release, or outright the players to the minor leagues. The 35-year-old Chirinos gets a $5.5 million salary this season, with a $6.5 million club option for 2021 that includes a $1 million buyout. Frazier will make $3.5 million, and the two-time All-Star's 2021 club option has a $1.5 million buyout. After Chirinos played 442 games with the Rangers from 2013-18, the team declined a $4.5 million option and he became a free agent. He spent last season on a $5.75 million deal with AL West rival Houston, where he caught AL Cy Young winner... [More]

Robinson Chirinos and the Texas Rangers were close Wednesdayto a $6.5 million, one-year contract to reunite after the veteran catcher spent a season with the AL West rival Houston Astros.A person familiar with the deal said the agreement was contingent on a successful physical. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because there had been no official announcement.Chirinos would have a $5.5 million salary this season. The deal includes a $6.5 million option for 2021 with a $1 million buyout. After six seasons with the Rangers, Chirinos became a free agent when Texas declined a $4.5 million option after the 2019 season and he signed a $5.75 million deal with Houston. He hit .238 with 17 homers and 58 RBIs in 114 games for the American League champions, while catching for AL Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander and runner-up Gerrit Cole. He homered in Games 3 and 4 of the World Series, including a pair in Game 4.The 35-year-old likely will become the Rangers starting... [More]

Robinson Chirinos and the Texas Rangers were close Wednesdayto a $6.5 million, one-year contract to reunite after the veteran catcher spent a season with the AL West rival Houston Astros.A person familiar with the deal said the agreement was contingent on a successful physical. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because there had been no official announcement.Chirinos would have a $5.5 million salary this season. The deal includes a $6.5 million option for 2021 with a $1 million buyout. After six seasons with the Rangers, Chirinos became a free agent when Texas declined a $4.5 million option after the 2019 season and he signed a $5.75 million deal with Houston. He hit .238 with 17 homers and 58 RBIs in 114 games for the American League champions, while catching for AL Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander and runner-up Gerrit Cole. He homered in Games 3 and 4 of the World Series, including a pair in Game 4.The 35-year-old likely will become the Rangers starting... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Catcher Dustin Garneau is guaranteed just $100,000 as part of his one-year contract with the Houston Astros.Garneau, who figures to compete for a backup role, would get a $650,000 salary in the major leagues and $300,000 in the minors as part of the agreement announced Tuesday.He could earn an additional $75,000 in performance bonuses based on plate appearances and innings on defense: $25,000 each for 75 plate appearances or 200 innings and for 150 or 300 and 225 or 400.The 32-year-old Garneau hit .244 with three homers and 14 RBIs in 35 games this year for the Los Angeles Angels and Oakland, which claimed him off waivers on Aug. 3.A five-year major league veteran, he also has played for Colorado and the Chicago White Sox.Houston catchers Robinson Chirinos and Martín Maldonado became free agents.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

HOUSTON (AP) — Catcher Dustin Garneau has agreed to a one-year contract with the Houston Astros, where he figures to compete for a backup role.Robinson Chirinos and Martín Maldonado became free agents, and Tuesday's agreement likely will not be the final catching move for the AL champions.The 32-year-old Garneau hit .244 with three homers and 14 RBIs in 35 games this year for the Los Angeles Angels and Oakland, which claimed him off waivers on Aug. 3.A five-year major league veteran, he also has played for Colorado and the Chicago White Sox.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Patrick Corbin was an exception last offseason.Amid a slow free agent market — some stars didn’t sign until after the start of spring training — Corbin’s search for a new home was over in December when he received a $140 million, six-year contract from Washington.That worked out pretty well for both team and player. Corbin was a key part of the Nationals’ starting rotation this year, and he threw three scoreless innings in relief in Game 7 of the World Series, helping the team win its first World Series title.Now, another offseason is in full swing. It’s hard to say whether teams will be more aggressive in pursuing free agents, hoping to land the next Corbin, but the Atlanta Braves already made a significant move, signing reliever Will Smith away from San Francisco.Here’s a look at the top free agents still available, broken down by position. Players are listed with their most recent teams, with their ages in parentheses:LEFT-HANDED STARTERHyun-Jin Ryu, Dodgers (32)The runner-up for the... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Max Scherzer never had a clean inning in Game 7 of the World Series for the Washington Nationals. He finished with more walks than strikeouts and walked off the mound trailing.Yet, Mad Max delivered in the clutch for the Nationals even without getting the win.Boosted by a cortisone injection and the adrenaline of trying to get his first World Series ring, Scherzer labored through five innings while throwing 103 pitches. The three-time Cy Young winner gave up seven hits and four walks, yet allowed only two runs.Three days after being unable to make his scheduled start at home in Game 5, when he could barely move his right arm because of an irritated nerve near his neck, Scherzer is finally a World Series champion."Just a moment you never forget. Everything you worked for in your life. I mean ever since I've been a kid, I dreamed to be a baseball player," the 35-year-old Scherzer said. "I knew I wanted to be a baseball player, I wanted to be a World Series champion. What a... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Max Scherzer never had a clean inning in Game 7 of the World Series for the Washington Nationals. He finished with more walks than strikeouts and walked off the mound trailing.Yet, Mad Max delivered in the clutch for the Nationals even without getting the win.Boosted by a cortisone injection and the adrenaline of trying to get his first World Series ring, Scherzer labored through five innings while throwing 103 pitches. Even though the 35-year-old three-time Cy Young winner allowed seven hits and walked four, he gave up only two runs in a championship-worthy effort.Three days after being unable to make his scheduled start at home in Game 5 when he could barely move his right arm because of an irritated nerve near his neck, Scherzer is a World Series champion."For him to grind out those five innings, absolutely kept us in the ballgame, gave us a chance to win. It was gutsy," reliever Sean Doolittle said. "It wasn't his most probably overpowering performance, but it was one... [More]

Astros second. Yuli Gurriel homers to left field. Yordan Alvarez singles to right field. Carlos Correa singles to right field. Yordan Alvarez to second. Robinson Chirinos pops out to Yan Gomes. Josh Reddick grounds out to first base to Ryan Zimmerman. Carlos Correa to second. Yordan Alvarez to third. George Springer lines out to left field to Juan Soto.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Astros 1, Nationals 0.Astros fifth. Michael Brantley singles to right field. Alex Bregman strikes out swinging. Yuli Gurriel reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Michael Brantley out at second. Yordan Alvarez walks. Yuli Gurriel to second. Carlos Correa singles. Yordan Alvarez to third. Yuli Gurriel scores. Robinson Chirinos strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Astros 2, Nationals 0.Nationals seventh. Adam Eaton grounds out to shortstop, Carlos Correa to Yuli Gurriel. Anthony Rendon homers to left field. Juan Soto walks. Howie Kendrick homers to right field. Juan Soto scores.... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Max Scherzer never had a clean inning in Game 7 of the World Series for the Washington Nationals. He finished with more walks than strikeouts and walked off the mound trailing.Yet, Mad Max delivered in the clutch for the Nationals even without getting the win.Boosted by a cortisone injection and the adrenaline of trying to get his first World Series ring, Scherzer labored through five innings while throwing 103 pitches. Even though the 35-year-old three-time Cy Young winner allowed seven hits and walked four, he gave up only two runs in a championship-worthy effort.Three days after being unable to make his scheduled start at home in Game 5 when he could barely move his right arm because of an irritated nerve near his neck, Scherzer is a World Series champion."If you would have saw him Sunday, it wasn't good. He didn't look good," manager Dave Martinez said before Game 7. "He couldn't move."The Nationals rallied late — their record fifth comeback win in a potential elimination... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Latest on Game 7 of the World Series (all times local):10:50 p.m.Howie Kendrick and Anthony Rendon homered in the seventh inning as the Washington Nationals overcame a two-run deficit and rocked the Houston Astros 6-2 Wednesday night in Game 7 to claim the first World Series title in franchise history.With all eyes on Max Scherzer and his remarkable recovery following an injection, the Nationals embraced their shot in a Series where the road team won every game. Even more against the odds: Juan Soto and Washington rallied from behind to win five elimination games this postseason.Stephen Strasburg, Patrick Corbin and the Nats brought the first World Series championship to the nation's capital since Walter Johnson delivered the crown for the Senators in 1924.___10:22 p.m.The Washington Nationals added to their lead going into the ninth inning of Game 7 after another hit by their young slugger.Juan Soto's RBI single in the eighth inning extended Washington's lead over the... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Latest on Game 7 of the World Series (all times local):10:22 p.m.The Washington Nationals added to their lead going into the ninth inning of Game 7 after another hit by their young slugger.Juan Soto's RBI single in the eighth inning extended Washington's lead over the Houston Astros to 4-2.Houston will have the top of its order coming up in the bottom of the ninth, needing at least two runs as they try to win their second World Series title in three years.Washington, with the Nationals in their 15th season, will try to take a World Series title with the visiting team winning every game.Soto, who turned 21 last Friday, has two hits in the Series finale and 18 this postseason, with only one player younger than him matching that. Miguel Cabrera had 18 hits as a 20-year-old rookie for the World Series champion Marlins in 2003.___9:53 p.m.Anthony Rendon homered off Zack Greinke and Howie Kendrick followed with a go-ahead, two-run drive against Will Harris in the seventh inning,... [More]