ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Hunter Renfroe homered twice and Tampa Bay pitchers set a team nine-inning record with 19 strikeouts in the Rays’ 14-5 romp over the Atlanta Braves on Monday night.Atlanta starter Mike Foltynewicz (0-1) gave up six runs, four hits and four walks in 3 1/3 innings. The 2018 All-Star was designated for assignment after the game.Tyler Glasnow struck out nine and allowed one hit over four innings in first start after missing part of summer camp with the Rays after testing positive for the coronavirus. Diego Castillo (1-0) struck out two in a 10-pitch fifth and Jalen Beeks fanned seven over his three innings.Dansby Swanson and Matt Adams homered for the Braves. Swanson tied a career-high with five RBIs and stopped a 41-game homerless streak in Atlanta’s 14-1 win Sunday night over the New York Mets.ATHLETICS 3, ANGELS 0OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Mark Canha homered for the first time this season, Chris Bassitt (1-0) escaped a big jam and Oakland beat Los Angeles as the teams... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Hunter Renfroe homered twice and Tampa Bay pitchers set a team nine-inning record with 19 strikeouts in the Rays’ 14-5 romp over the Atlanta Braves on Monday night.Atlanta starter Mike Foltynewicz (0-1) gave up six runs, four hits and four walks in 3 1/3 innings. The 2018 All-Star was designated for assignment after the game.Tyler Glasnow struck out nine and allowed one hit over four innings in first start after missing part of summer camp with the Rays after testing positive for the coronavirus. Diego Castillo (1-0) struck out two in a 10-pitch fifth and Jalen Beeks fanned seven over his three innings.Dansby Swanson and Matt Adams homered for the Braves. Swanson tied a career-high with five RBIs and stopped a 41-game homerless streak in Atlanta’s 14-1 win Sunday night over the New York Mets.ATHLETICS 3, ANGELS 0OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Mark Canha homered for the first time this season, Chris Bassitt (1-0) escaped a big jam and Oakland beat Los Angeles as the teams... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Kendall Graveman and Taijuan Walker were looking for an opportunity to prove similar injuries hadn’t completely derailed their careers. The Seattle Mariners were willing to take a chance on them. Signing a pair of motivated, low-cost starting pitchers fit with Seattle's rebuilding plans and the Mariners will begin to find out what the two right-handers have when they open the season in Houston. Walker is set to throw Saturday in the second game of the season, while Graveman will throw in the series finale on Monday. Over the past two seasons, the two have thrown just 48 combined innings as their careers were sidetracked by elbow injuries and Tommy John surgery. The next two months is an audition for the future. “I’m very excited. I can’t hide it. I love this game. I have a passion for this game and I’m ready to pitch,” Graveman said. “I feel like I’m a big-league pitcher. I feel like I can get guys out still. I feel like I can help a team win. And it’s been kind of driving... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — When the Seattle Mariners kicked off summer camp Friday, figuring out how to get pitchers ready in just three weeks was a primary concern. One way the Mariners hope to combat worries about putting strain on pitchers' arms is by going with a six-man rotation for the full 60-game season. That may lead to starters throwing just once a week and perhaps making around 10 starts between the start of the regular season and late September. But for a franchise that’s still building toward 2021 and beyond, avoiding arm injuries is of the utmost importance during this truncated season. “I think the six-men rotation is a great thing for where we’re at right now and something that we’ll look at going forward into the future,” manager Scott Servais said before the Mariners' first workout. “It’s really, really important to keep these guys healthy. And we do know the impact that they’ll be able to make by having an extra day off; all these guys throw better when they have an extra day. So... [More]

The games are over, at least for now.There’s only so much you can say about that when people are dying and the world is in danger. The playground has always been the place to leave your troubles behind but when no place is really safe, sports can’t be either.That includes America’s pastime, as painful as that might be.Baseball may or may not be played again this year. There are no guarantees anymore, and anyone who thinks the major leagues will soon pick back up where they suddenly left off Thursday is either guessing or has a crystal ball that the rest of us have yet to properly study.That could mean no opening day anytime in 2020, as shocking as that might be. No pennant races, and no World Series to help us get the stink of the Houston Astros off our minds.Nothing except a long, hot summer without the game that means so much to so many.The great baseball philosopher Yogi Berra famously declared that it ain’t over 'till it’s over. Well, it’s over, at least for now, after the plug was... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Baltimore slugger Chris Davis was driving down Florida's west coast on Interstate 75 from Sarasota to Fort Myers for an exhibition game against the Minnesota Twins when he got the call.No game tonight. No games for a while.“Pretty shocked,” Davis said, “just how quickly things have escalated.” Major League Baseball delayed the start of its season by at least two weeks because of the coronavirus outbreak and suspended the rest of its spring training schedule.Opening day had been scheduled for March 26. The decision announced by Commissioner Rob Manfred on Thursday left open whether each team would still play 162 games.“It’s unfortunate but I think it’s the proper measure we need to take now given the situation the country’s in and the world’s in," New York Yankees star Giancarlo Stanton said. "It’s important to know that some things are bigger than baseball, bigger than sports at the moment. Once we’re able to hopefully get a hold on some things and get some questions answered... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Baltimore slugger Chris Davis was driving down Florida's west coast on Interstate 75 from Sarasota to Fort Myers for an exhibition game against the Minnesota Twins when he got the call.No game tonight. No games for a while.“Pretty shocked,” Davis said, “just how quickly things have escalated.” Major League Baseball delayed the start of its season by at least two weeks because of the coronavirus outbreak and suspended the rest of its spring training schedule.Opening day had been scheduled for March 26. The decision announced by Commissioner Rob Manfred on Thursday left open whether each team would still play 162 games.“It’s unfortunate but I think it’s the proper measure we need to take now given the situation the country’s in and the world’s in," New York Yankees star Giancarlo Stanton said. "It’s important to know that some things are bigger than baseball, bigger than sports at the moment. Once we’re able to hopefully get a hold on some things and get some questions answered... [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]

A team-by-team look at the National League Central 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:___St. Louis CardinalsManager: Mike Shildt (third season). 2019: 91-71, first place, lost to Nationals in NLCS.Training Town: Jupiter, Florida.Park: Roger Dean Stadium.First Workout: Feb. 12/17. He's Here: LHP Matthew Liberatore, C Matt Wieters, LHP Kwang-Hyun Kim.He's Outta Here: OF Marcell Ozuna, RF Jose Martinez, LF Randy Arozarena, RHP Dominic Leone.Going campin': The Cardinals return largely intact after getting swept in the NLCS by World Series champion Washington. The biggest competition throughout the spring will be in the outfield, where only Dexter Fowler has a position locked up — mostly because of his contract. Center fielder Harrison Bader probably has another spot under control, and that leaves Tyler O'Neill, Lane Thomas and top prospect Dylan Carlson competing for the last... [More]

A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that reliever Carl Edwards Jr. and the Seattle Mariners have agreed to a $950,000, one-year contract.Edwards can earn an additional $500,000 in performance bonuses, the person said Wednesday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced.A 28-year-old right-hander, Edwards slumped this year. He had an 8.47 ERA in 22 appearances for the Chicago Cubs and San Diego, which acquired him at the July 31 trade deadline. Edwards gave up six runs over 1 2/3 innings in two games for the Padres. Edwards was bothered this year by a thoracic strain that caused him to spend time on the injured list and was demoted twice to Triple-A Iowa.Edwards made his big league debut with Chicago in 2015 and the following year helped the Cubs win their first World Series title since 1908. He had a 2.60 ERA with 67 strikeouts in 52 innings for the Cubs in 2018.Seattle announced a one-year contract with infielder Patrick Wisdom, who hit 31 homers this year for Triple-A Nashville and batted .154 in nine games with Texas. Earlier this week, the Mariners agreed to a $2 million, one-year deal with right-hander Kendall Graveman, who is returning from Tommy John surgery.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SEATTLE (AP) — Kendall Graveman wants to be part of the most memorable team in Seattle Mariners history.Seattle is the only one of the current 30 franchises that has never played in the World Series. The Mariners have not even reached the postseason since consecutive AL Championship Series losses to the New York Yankees in 2000 and 2001.“There's no secret Seattle hasn't been to the playoffs in 20 years,” Graveman said Monday after agreeing to a one-year contract that guarantees $2 million. “I mean, why not? So everyone knows. Everyone talks about it. I want to come into this organization and help this organization win, get to the playoffs. A franchise that hasn't won a World Series could do that. And I don't think speaking about these things should be stuff that is not spoken about. I believe that there's power in that. I believe there's power in words and things that we do.”Graveman, who turns 29 next month, would earn $8 million if Seattle exercises a 2021 option and he pitches at least... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — The Mariners have added another option for their rotation by agreeing to a one-year contract with Kendall Graveman that guarantees the right-hander $2 million as he returns from Tommy John surgery.Graveman, who turns 29 next month, would earn $8 million if Seattle exercises a 2021 option and he pitches at least 150 innings in each season.He has not pitched in the major leagues since May 11, 2018, for Oakland and had surgery that July 24. Cut by the Athletics after the season, he signed a $575,000, one-year deal with the Chicago Cubs and made a pair of three-inning minor league injury rehabilitation outings on Aug. 22 and Sept. 1.Graveman will have a chance to earn a spot in Seattle’s starting rotation that has a couple of openings. Marco Gonzales, Yusei Kikuchi and prospect Justus Sheffield are likely the only set starters for Seattle heading into the season.Graveman is 23-29 with a 4.38 ERA in five major league season.He gets a $1.5 million salary next year, and Seattle has a $3.5 million option for 2021 with a $500,000 buyout.Graveman could earn $1.5 million in performance bonuses in each season year based on innings: $100,000 each for 15, 25, 40, 50, 65, 75 and 90, and $200,000 apiece for 100, 115, 140 and 150.He would become a free agent if the option is declined.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — The Cubs have exercised a $16.5 million option for next season on first baseman Anthony Rizzo and declined options on right-handers Brandon Morrow, Tony Barnette and Kendall Graveman.Rizzo, who won his third Gold Glove on Sunday, agreed in 2013 to a $41 million, seven-year contract that included two club options. He would have received a $2 million buyout if the option had been declined.Chicago's option for 2021 also is for $16.5 million with a $2 million buyout. If that is exercised, the deal would be worth $72 million over nine seasons.Morrow's option was for $12 million, and he will receive a $3 million buyout. Barnett and Graveman both had options for $3 million.Rizzo hit .293 with 27 homers and 94 RBIs this year, ending a streak of four 100-RBI seasons. He finished among the top four in NL MVP voting in 2015 and 2016.On Saturday, the Cubs exercised their $11.5 million option for 2020 on left-hander José Quintana and declined their $6.5 million option on lefty Derek Holland,... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Cubs have exercised a $16.5 million option for next season on first baseman Anthony Rizzo and declined options on right-handers Brandon Morrow, Tony Barnette and Kendall Graveman.Rizzo, who won his third Gold Glove on Sunday, agreed in 2013 to a $41 million, seven-year contract that included two club options. He would have received a $2 million buyout if the option had been declined.Chicago's option for 2021 also is for $16.5 million with a $2 million buyout. If that is exercised, the deal would be worth $72 million over nine seasons.Morrow's option was for $12 million, and he will receive a $3 million buyout. Barnett and Graveman both had options for $3 million.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Kendall Graveman is surrounded by new faces while he travels a tedious road back to the majors.Graveman signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs in December after his 2018 season with Oakland was cut short by reconstructive elbow surgery. It's a chance to use major league facilities to rehab a major injury under the care of a top-notch medical staff, but it's also potentially awkward trying to get to know a new group of teammates without taking the field with them right away.The 28-year-old Graveman is attacking the problem with an entrepreneurial spirit, enriching himself while he bonds with the rest of Chicago's pitching staff."I've sat down and had a couple of conversations with Kyle Hendricks about the way he pitches," Graveman said. "Been able to watch some bullpens of Cole Hamels and (Yu) Darvish and some of these guys. So I'm really in a learning process. ... I'm trying to just be a sponge and soak up everything."To get close to these guys by talking pitching... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Free agent right-hander Mike Fiers agreed to a two-year contract worth more than $14 million to stay with the Oakland Athletics, who were determined to find an experienced starter this offseason to help lead a young rotation.They brought him back less than a month after not tendering him a contract. Fiers will earn $6 million in 2019 and $8.1 million in 2020.Oakland would like to add another starter, too, realizing it must provide depth given all the injuries last season. Ace Sean Manaea is recovering from shoulder surgery and not expected back until at least the All-Star break."We were pretty clear, and it's pretty obvious, starting rotation was an area we absolutely had to address," Billy Beane, A's executive vice president of baseball operations, said on a conference call Monday after the team announced Fiers' deal. "... It's all about the starters right now. We have to be opportunistic and patient."The A's acquired Fiers in August from Detroit, and he helped the... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Free agent right-hander Mike Fiers agreed to a two-year contract to stay with the Oakland Athletics, who were determined to find an experienced starter this offseason to help lead a young rotation.And Oakland would like to add another starter, too, realizing it must provide depth given all the injuries last season. Ace Sean Manaea is recovering from shoulder surgery and not expected back until at least the All-Star break."We were pretty clear, and it's pretty obvious, starting rotation was an area we absolutely had to address," Billy Beane, A's executive vice president of baseball operations, said on a conference call Monday after the team announced Fiers' deal. "... It's all about the starters right now. We have to be opportunistic and patient."The A's acquired Fiers in August from Detroit, and he helped the club reach the playoffs for the first time since 2014. He went 5-2 with a 3.74 ERA in 10 outings with nine starts after joining Oakland, which lost the AL wild-card... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs have signed injured right-hander Kendall Graveman to a one-year contract with an option for the 2020 season.The Cubs announced the deal Sunday, taking a chance on the starting pitcher after his 2018 season was cut short by Tommy John surgery. Graveman was Oakland's opening day starter for the second consecutive season, but he was shut down in late May and had surgery July 30. Terms of the deal weren't announced.Graveman is unlikely to make much impact in 2019, but he could boost Chicago's rotation in 2020. Similar deals have become more common for pitchers recovering from major surgery.The 28-year-old was 1-5 with a 7.60 ERA in seven starts in 2018 after going 6-4 with a 4.19 ERA in 19 starts with Oakland a season earlier.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Speedy outfielder Billy Hamilton and 2017 All-Stars Avisail Garcia and Jonathan Schoop became free agents Friday when they were among 43 players cut loose by teams that failed to offer 2019 contracts, but the Chicago Cubs hung onto shortstop Addison Russell despite his 40-game domestic violence suspension that extends until May.Cubs president of president of baseball operations Theo Epstein called the decision a procedural step and said it "does not represent the finish line nor rubber-stamp his future" with them."It does however reflect our support for him as long as he continues to make progress and demonstrates his commitment to these important issues," Epstein added.Russell accepted the suspension following allegations made by his ex-wife Melisa Reidy. Though Russell has denied the allegations, he apologized to Reidy and his family for "my past behavior.""Since accepting my suspension, I've had time to reflect on my past behavior and think about the next steps I need... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Liam Hendriks agreed to a $2.15 million, one-year contract with the Oakland Athletics and fellow right-hander Ryan Dull settled on an $860,000, one-year deal.Oakland failed to offer contracts to right-handers Mike Fiers, Cory Gearrin and Kendall Graveman, allowing the trio to become free agents.Dull had six stints with the A's last season, going 0-0 with a 4.26 ERA in 28 relief appearances.Hendriks started the season with the A's but was sent outright to the minors in July with a 7.36 ERA. He returned in September and was primarily used as the team's "opener." He finished 0-1 with a 4.13 ERA. He also took the loss in the wild-card playoff against the Yankees, allowing two runs in the first inning.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports