DENVER (AP) — Denver native Kyle Freeland wears the affection for his city on his right arm: Tattoos of the area code (303), the elevation (5,280) and a silhouette of the Rocky Mountains.With his left, there's the ability to carry the Colorado Rockies to even greater heights.Since it's the team he grew up rooting for, Freeland takes immense satisfaction in the Rockies' recent run of success. The homegrown hurler hopes to deliver something else this season along the way to what would be a third straight postseason appearance: Colorado's first NL West title. The left-hander will try to begin the season on the right foot as the opening day starter Thursday in Miami."I take a ton of pride of being a part of this team, that is winning and that is trending up," Freeland said . "I take pride in being from Colorado, being a product of the school system in Denver and everything that my life has been leading up to these past couple of years. It's just pure pride. I love the state, love the city,... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Denver native Kyle Freeland wears the affection for his city on his right arm: Tattoos of the area code (303), the elevation (5,280) and a silhouette of the Rocky Mountains.With his left, there's the ability to carry the Colorado Rockies to even greater heights.Since it's the team he grew up rooting for, Freeland takes immense satisfaction in the Rockies' recent run of success. The homegrown hurler hopes to deliver something else this season along the way to what would be a third straight postseason appearance: Colorado's first NL West title. The left-hander will try to begin the season on the right foot as the opening day starter Thursday in Miami."I take a ton of pride of being a part of this team, that is winning and that is trending up," Freeland said . "I take pride in being from Colorado, being a product of the school system in Denver and everything that my life has been leading up to these past couple of years. It's just pure pride. I love the state, love the city,... [More]

The Cleveland Indians already were dealing with a depleted infield when Jose Ramirez took a most damaging swing.A two-time All-Star third baseman, Ramirez bruised his left knee when he fouled a ball off his leg Sunday in a spring training game. His status for opening day was uncertain.X-rays were negative. The Indians said Ramirez will remain in Arizona, and that it will be determined later whether he can play Thursday when the AL Central champions open at Minnesota.Ramirez was carted from the field after getting hurt against the Chicago White Sox in Cleveland's final Cactus League exhibition. He wasn't able to put any pressure on his leg as manager Terry Francona and a trainer helped him onto the cart.The 26-year-old Ramirez hit 39 home runs with 105 RBIs while batting .270 and stealing 34 bases last season. He has finished third in AL MVP voting in each of the last two seasons.Star shortstop Francisco Lindor is starting the season on the injured list and second baseman Jason Kipnis is... [More]

The Cleveland Indians already were dealing with a depleted infield when Jose Ramirez took a most damaging swing.A two-time All-Star third baseman, Ramirez bruised his left knee when he fouled a ball off his leg Sunday in a spring training game. His status for opening day was uncertain.X-rays were negative. The Indians said Ramirez will remain in Arizona, and that it will be determined later whether he can play Thursday when the AL Central champions open at Minnesota.Ramirez was carted from the field after getting hurt against the Chicago White Sox in Cleveland's final Cactus League exhibition. He wasn't able to put any pressure on his leg as manager Terry Francona and a trainer helped him onto the cart.The 26-year-old Ramirez hit 39 home runs with 105 RBIs while batting .270 and stealing 34 bases last season. He has finished third in AL MVP voting in each of the last two seasons.Star shortstop Francisco Lindor is starting the season on the injured list and second baseman Jason Kipnis is... [More]

Mike Trout is about to cash in.Big time.Trout and the Los Angeles Angels are close to finalizing a $432 million, 12-year contract that would shatter the record for the largest deal in North American sports history, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The deal was disclosed Tuesday by a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been finalized. The contract was likely to be announced by the end of this week, the person said.Hours later, news broke that Alex Bregman and the Houston Astros have agreed on a $100 million, six-year deal that keeps the All-Star third baseman under contract with the team through 2024, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation.Trout would set a baseball record for career earnings at about $513 million, surpassing the roughly $448 million Alex Rodriguez took in with Seattle, Texas and the New York Yankees from 1994-2017.Trout's latest deal would... [More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Bryce Harper drew big cheers, a pair of walks and a most unusual defense in his spring training debut for the Philadelphia Phillies.Both times the slugger with the biggest contract in baseball came to the plate, the Toronto Blue Jays shifted to a four-man outfield, moved the shortstop on the other side of second base and gave the left-handed hitting Harper a wide-open left side of the infield."I've never seen that. That's intense," Harper said, adding he hopes teams don't do that to him often. "If they start playing ball like that, it's definitely different."Phillies manager Gabe Kapler didn't want to discuss shift strategy but shared his advice for Harper."Hit a lot of homers, drive the ball like you're capable of, do exactly what you always do, be Bryce Harper," Kapler said.Harper drew a loud ovation when he walked up to the plate to Will Smith's theme song from "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air."Wearing No. 3 on his uniform, eye black under his eyes and a white armband... [More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Bryce Harper drew big cheers, a pair of walks and a most unusual defense in his spring training debut for the Philadelphia Phillies.Both times the slugger with the biggest contract in baseball came to the plate, the Toronto Blue Jays shifted to a four-man outfield, moved the shortstop on the other side of second base and gave the left-handed hitting Harper a wide-open left side of the infield."I've never seen that. That's intense," Harper said, adding he hopes teams don't do that to him often. "If they start playing ball like that, it's definitely different."Phillies manager Gabe Kapler didn't want to discuss shift strategy but shared his advice for Harper."Hit a lot of homers, drive the ball like you're capable of, do exactly what you always do, be Bryce Harper," Kapler said.Harper drew a loud ovation when he walked up to the plate to Will Smith's theme song from "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air."Wearing No. 3 on his uniform, eye black under his eyes and a white armband... [More]

Clayton Kershaw might not be on the mound when the two-time NL champion Los Angeles Dodgers start the season.The lefty ace is working his way back from shoulder soreness that caused him to shut down his spring training.Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said "that's fair" when asked Monday whether Kershaw might miss the opener March 28 against Arizona at Dodger Stadium."There's just way too much importance put on the opening-day roster. The No. 1 thing is for him to be ready and to feel confident physically and mentally," Roberts said, "and when that is, it is."Kershaw has made a franchise-record eight consecutive opening day starts, and was tabbed to do so again when the Dodgers arrived in Arizona.But a couple days later, the three-time Cy Young Award winner had some shoulder soreness that caused him to halt his throwing program. He's taking anti-inflammatory medication.Kershaw began throwing against last week, slowly building up the amount of work and the distance of his throws. He threw on... [More]

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Colorado Rockies pitcher Jon Gray surprised his wife by getting his hair cut in a Mohawk style.After Friday's efficient outing, the right-hander will likely keep it trimmed.Gray retired all nine Oakland Athletics batters he faced on 30 pitches at Hohokam Stadium in his second spring start. He struck out three."It felt efficient, it felt like I was getting strike one, attacking the zone, not picking around the zone so much," Gray said. "I was just going after guys and throwing every pitch for strikes. My defense was great behind me and saved a couple hits. It made it really clean."Gray has been the Rockies' opening day starter the past two years and wouldn't mind getting the call this season when Colorado opens against the Miami Marlins on March 28. He went 12-9 with a 5.12 ERA in 31 starts last year. Rockies manager Bud Black may consider Kyle Freeland (17-7, 2.85 ERA) or German Marquez (14-11, 3.77 ERA) as well."I would love to (start opening day) but we've got a really... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Nolan Arenado likes where he's at and the direction the Colorado Rockies are headed.So he's staying put. For possibly a long, long time. And for a chance to finish what this team has been brewing.The All-Star third baseman and Rockies agreed to an eight-year contract on Tuesday, and a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press the deal is worth $260 million. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the dollar value hasn't been publicly announced.Arenado's agreement includes a provision that allows him to opt out after three years and become a free agent.Arenado's $32.5 million average annual value is the second-highest in baseball history behind the $34.42 million for pitcher Zack Greinke in a $206.5 million contract with Arizona that began in 2016. Arenado's deal replaces a $26 million, one-year contract he agreed to Jan. 31.Arenado, who turns 28 on April 16, was on track to be eligible for free agency after this season. But there's comfort... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Nolan Arenado likes where he's at and the direction the Colorado Rockies are headed.So he's staying put. For possibly a long, long time. And for a chance to finish what this team has been brewing.The All-Star third baseman agreed to a $260 million, eight-year contract on Tuesday, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been finalized.Arenado's agreement includes a provision that allows him to opt out after three years and become a free agent.If the deal is finalized, Arenado's $32.5 million average annual value would be the second-highest in baseball history behind the $34.42 million for pitcher Zack Greinke in a $206.5 million contract with Arizona that began in 2016. Arenado's deal would replace a $26 million, one-year contract he agreed to Jan. 31.Arenado, who turns 28 on April 16, was on track to be eligible for free agency after this season. But there's comfort in remaining... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Nolan Arenado likes where he's at and the direction the Colorado Rockies are headed.So he's staying put. For possibly a long, long time. And for a chance to finish what this team has been brewing.The All-Star third baseman agreed to a $260 million, eight-year contract on Tuesday, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been finalized.Arenado's agreement includes a provision that allows him to opt out after three years and become a free agent.If the deal is finalized, Arenado's $32.5 million average annual value would be the second-highest in baseball history behind the $34.42 million for pitcher Zack Greinke in a $206.5 million contract with Arizona that began in 2016. Arenado's deal would replace a $26 million, one-year contract he agreed to Jan. 31.Arenado, who turns 28 on April 16, was on track to be eligible for free agency after this season. But there's comfort in remaining... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Nolan Arenado likes where he's at and the direction the Colorado Rockies are headed.So he's staying put. For possibly a long, long time. And for a chance to finish what this team has been brewing.The All-Star third baseman agreed to a $260 million, eight-year contract on Tuesday, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been finalized.Arenado's agreement includes a provision that allows him to opt out after three years and become a free agent.If the deal is finalized, Arenado's $32.5 million average annual value would be the second-highest in baseball history behind the $34.42 million for pitcher Zack Greinke in a $206.5 million contract with Arizona that began in 2016. Arenado's deal would replace a $26 million, one-year contract he agreed to Jan. 31.Arenado, who turns 28 on April 16, was on track to be eligible for free agency after this season. But there's comfort in remaining... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Colorado Rockies will be without the reliever who boasted he could strike out Babe Ruth, but they believe the bridge between their solid starting rotation and premier closer Wade Davis remains sturdy.Colorado is counting on a veteran bullpen group that includes Scott Oberg, Seunghwan Oh, Chris Rusin and Bryan Shaw to step up the way Adam Ottavino did in 2018, when his career year with the Rockies led to a three-year, $27 million free agent deal with the New York Yankees."I think we have a lot of good arms and a lot of talented guys back there," catcher Chris Iannetta said."I think we can piece it together and be really good. Guys have good years. Guys have bad years. I don't think anyone expected Adam to have the year that he had last year after the previous year. It happens all the time."Oberg had a strong second half last season, Oh pitched well after being acquired at the trade deadline and the Rockies are counting on a return to normalcy by Shaw, Rusin,... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — How's this for a mile-high milestone: The Colorado Rockies have one of baseball's best young starting rotations.According to ace Kyle Freeland, at least."I think our rotation can stack up against anybody," Freeland said Wednesday when pitchers and catchers had their first workout.He has a strong case. The Rockies have made the postseason as a wild card each of the past two seasons — a first for the franchise — and the evolutions of young starters like Freeman, German Marquez and Tyler Anderson are a big reason why.The rotation had a 4.17 ERA last season, the second-lowest mark ever for the franchise. Of course, because of the hitter-friendly conditions at Coors Field, the Rockies are unlikely to ever challenge for a team ERA title.Other indicators show them right there with the National League's best. The group made 87 quality starts — only the Dodgers (95) and Milwaukee Brewers (91) had more — while working a league-high 932 innings. Ranked by Fangraphs' wins above... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National 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:___Los Angeles DodgersManager: Dave Roberts (fourth season).2018: 92-71, first place, lost to Boston in World Series.Training Town: Glendale, Arizona.Park: Camelback Ranch.First Workout: Feb. 13/19.He's Here: CF A.J. Pollock, RHP Joe Kelly, C Russell Martin, RHP Homer Bailey, 3B Justin Yorchak, LHP Adam McCreery, RHP Jaime Schultz.He's Outta Here: SS Manny Machado, OF Matt Kemp, OF Yasiel Puig, C Yasmani Grandal, LHP Alex Wood, 2B Brian Dozier, RHP Ryan Madson, C Kyle Farmer, 2B Chase Utley, RHP John Axford, RHP Daniel Hudson, LHP-RHP Pat Venditte.Going campin': The Dodgers arrive at camp with unfinished business yet again, having lost in the World Series for the second straight year. They won their sixth consecutive NL West title and second straight NL pennant only to fall short in seven... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National 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:___Los Angeles DodgersManager: Dave Roberts (fourth season).2018: 92-71, first place, lost to Boston in World Series.Training Town: Glendale, Arizona.Park: Camelback Ranch.First Workout: Feb. 13/19.He's Here: CF A.J. Pollock, RHP Joe Kelly, C Russell Martin, RHP Homer Bailey, 3B Justin Yorchak, LHP Adam McCreery, RHP Jaime Schultz.He's Outta Here: SS Manny Machado, OF Matt Kemp, OF Yasiel Puig, C Yasmani Grandal, LHP Alex Wood, 2B Brian Dozier, RHP Ryan Madson, C Kyle Farmer, 2B Chase Utley, RHP John Axford, RHP Daniel Hudson, LHP-RHP Pat Venditte.Going campin': The Dodgers arrive at camp with unfinished business yet again, having lost in the World Series for the second straight year. They won their sixth consecutive NL West title and second straight NL pennant only to fall short in seven... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National 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:___Los Angeles DodgersManager: Dave Roberts (fourth season).2018: 92-71, first place, lost to Boston in World Series.Training Town: Glendale, Arizona.Park: Camelback Ranch.First Workout: Feb. 13/19.He's Here: CF A.J. Pollock, RHP Joe Kelly, C Russell Martin, RHP Homer Bailey, 3B Justin Yorchak, LHP Adam McCreery, RHP Jaime Schultz.He's Outta Here: SS Manny Machado, OF Matt Kemp, OF Yasiel Puig, C Yasmani Grandal, LHP Alex Wood, 2B Brian Dozier, RHP Ryan Madson, C Kyle Farmer, 2B Chase Utley, RHP John Axford, RHP Daniel Hudson, LHP-RHP Pat Venditte.Going campin': The Dodgers arrive at camp with unfinished business yet again, having lost in the World Series for the second straight year. They won their sixth consecutive NL West title and second straight NL pennant only to fall short in seven... [More]

DENVER (AP) — The immediate picture for the Colorado Rockies looks grim: a slumping offense that couldn't support solid pitching led to a quick end of Rocktober .The larger view, now that's one third baseman Nolan Arenado prefers to take with him into the offseason.Although the season ended with a three-game sweep by Milwaukee in the NL Division Series, the Rockies took a step forward in 2018. A year ago, they were eliminated in the NL wild-card game. This season, they beat Chicago in the wild-card contest to make it to the division series, only to run into the Brewers and their dominant arms.Colorado (91-72) won the second-most games in franchise history and came one victory short of its first NL West title. The bats simply went silent at the wrong time."It's on the offense," said Arenado, whose team hit a franchise-worst .256 in the regular season. "We couldn't get anything going. But it was a solid year. We played really well."On a gloomy Sunday at Coors Field, the Rockies were eliminated... [More]

DENVER (AP) — For once, the Colorado Rockies head into the offseason searching for more pop at the plate to go with excellent pitching, not the other way around.The Rockies lacked patience at the plate in getting swept by Milwaukee in the best-of-five NL Division Series with a 6-0 loss Sunday, their second straight shutout.They were outscored 13-2 as they hit .146 with three extra-base hits and no homers . They didn't score in their last 19 innings and set an NL Division Series low for runs,So much for a return to the thin air of Coors Field to spark a dormant offense."I don't know what it is," third baseman Nolan Arenado said. "It's just a bad stretch at the wrong time."Rockies fans have a long winter to lament that and manager Bud Black's decision to start German Marquez in Game 3 rather than hometown hero Kyle Freeland, who was 17-7 and pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings in the 2-1 wild-card win at Wrigley Field last Tuesday."Everyone wants to be the guy that takes the ball or has a big... [More]