MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Free agent catcher Alex Avila and the Minnesota Twins have reached agreement on a one-year contract for $4.25 million.A person with direct knowledge of the deal, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract has not been finalized, confirmed the details on Friday.Avila hit .207 with nine home runs and 24 RBIs in 63 games for Arizona last season. He also pitched in two games.Avila turns 33 in January. He's batted .235 with 103 homers in an 11-season career with Detroit, the White Sox, the Cubs and Arizona.The AL Central champion Twins had been looking for a reliable backup this offseason. Jason Castro became a free agent, so Minnesota was in the market for a veteran complement to Mitch Garver after his breakout season. Garver hit 31 home runs in 93 games.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Mike Shildt began his life in baseball at his mom's side, tagging along with her to work at a Double-A ballpark and picking up odd jobs around the clubhouse.When Shildt was recognized Tuesday night for the career that has followed, the late Lib Shildt was the first thing on his mind."My mom was remarkable," he said.Less than a week after his mother died, Shildt was honored for piloting the St. Louis Cardinals back into the playoffs, narrowly beating Craig Counsell of the Milwaukee Brewers to win NL Manager of the Year.Shildt earned the award in his first full season on the job, even though Counsell received more first-place votes (13-10) from the Baseball Writers' Association of America.Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli won the AL prize in a tight finish over Aaron Boone of the New York Yankees. Both received 13 first-place votes, but Baldelli got more second-place nods (13-9). The 38-year-old is the youngest to win the award.Shildt teared up upon learning he'd been... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Mike Shildt began his life in baseball at his mom's side, tagging along for her shifts at a Double-A ballpark and picking up odd jobs around the clubhouse.When Shildt was recognized Tuesday night for the career that has followed, the late Lib Shildt was the first thing on his mind.Less than a week after his mother's passing, Shildt was honored for piloting the St. Louis Cardinals back into the playoffs, narrowly beating Craig Counsell of the Milwaukee Brewers to win NL Manager of the Year.Shildt earned the award in his first full season on the job, even though Counsell received more first-place votes in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli won the AL prize in a tight ballot over Aaron Boone of the New York Yankees. Both received 13 first-place votes, but Baldelli got more second-place nods. The 38-year-old is the youngest to win the award.Shildt teared up upon learning he'd been chosen. The 51-year-old is the first... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — While the New York Yankees were dousing themselves with cheap drinks down the hall in the Target Field basement, the Minnesota Twins were left to wonder how 101 wins, 307 homers and so much summer fun could lead to such an abrupt autumn exit.Minnesota's major league record streak of 16 straight postseason losses, with 13 of those defeats exacted by the seemingly indefatigable Yankees, will gnaw at the franchise and the fan base for yet another year.For the free agents to be, the 2019 regular season might well be the highlight of their time in Minnesota rather than the start of a dynastic run. The players who return in 2020, even with their experience of October disappointment administered by the nemesis Yankees limited to a mere three or four games, will face the same questions next year about slaying the pinstriped dragon that's bound to be among the AL favorites again.One bad weekend of baseball on the big stage, though, can't erase the remarkable consistency, admirable... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The night began with Torii Hunter throwing the ceremonial first pitch to Joe Mauer, energizing the over-capacity crowd gathered for the first postseason game at Target Field since 2010, the year the ballpark opened.The evening ended in familiar deflation for the Twins, with two more runners left on base to add to the pile and further frustration and bewilderment bedeviling a franchise and fan base that's been waiting 28 years and counting for another World Series.From Hunter and Mauer to Eddie Rosario and Mitch Garver, the names and styles have changed. But the results have stayed the same as long as the Twins are stuck with the nemesis New York Yankees in the playoffs."That's a good team, man," Garver said after the 5-1 defeat Monday night gave the Yankees a sweep of the AL Division Series and stretched the longest postseason losing streak in major league history to 16 games.Thirteen of those are thanks to the Yanks."They beat us, you know? They pitched better. They... [More]

Yankees second. Giancarlo Stanton strikes out swinging. Gleyber Torres homers to center field. Gary Sanchez pops out to Jorge Polanco. Didi Gregorius grounds out to shortstop, Jorge Polanco to Marwin Gonzalez.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Yankees 1, Twins 0.Yankees third. Gio Urshela doubles to left field. DJ LeMahieu grounds out to shortstop, Jorge Polanco to Marwin Gonzalez. Gio Urshela to third. Aaron Judge called out on strikes. Brett Gardner singles to left field. Gio Urshela scores. Edwin Encarnacion flies out to deep center field to Max Kepler.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Yankees 2, Twins 0.Yankees seventh. Gleyber Torres doubles to deep left field. Gary Sanchez strikes out swinging. Didi Gregorius singles to right field. Gleyber Torres scores. Gio Urshela grounds out to third base. Didi Gregorius out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Yankees 3, Twins 0.Twins eighth. Eddie Rosario homers to center field. Mitch Garver grounds out to shortstop, Didi Gregorius... [More]

Yankees first. DJ LeMahieu doubles to deep right field. Aaron Judge walks. Brett Gardner flies out to deep center field to Max Kepler. DJ LeMahieu to third. Edwin Encarnacion singles to left field. Aaron Judge to second. DJ LeMahieu scores. Giancarlo Stanton grounds out to third base. Edwin Encarnacion out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Yankees 1, Twins 0.Yankees third. Aaron Judge singles to deep right field. Brett Gardner walks. Aaron Judge to second. Edwin Encarnacion singles to left field. Brett Gardner to second. Aaron Judge to third. Giancarlo Stanton out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to Max Kepler. Brett Gardner to third. Aaron Judge scores. Gleyber Torres singles to left field. Edwin Encarnacion to second. Brett Gardner scores. Gary Sanchez hit by pitch. Gleyber Torres to second. Edwin Encarnacion to third. Didi Gregorius homers to right field. Gary Sanchez scores. Gleyber Torres scores. Edwin Encarnacion scores. Gio Urshela strikes out swinging. DJ LeMahieu... [More]

Twins first. Mitch Garver strikes out swinging. Jorge Polanco homers to left field. Nelson Cruz walks. Eddie Rosario strikes out swinging. Miguel Sano strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 1, Yankees 0.Twins third. Mitch Garver called out on strikes. Jorge Polanco flies out to right field to Aaron Judge. Nelson Cruz homers to right field. Eddie Rosario strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 2, Yankees 0.Yankees third. DJ LeMahieu singles to right center field. Aaron Judge singles to center field. DJ LeMahieu to second. Brett Gardner lines out to deep right field to Eddie Rosario. DJ LeMahieu to third. Edwin Encarnacion doubles to deep left field. Aaron Judge to third. DJ LeMahieu scores. Giancarlo Stanton walks. Gleyber Torres reaches on a fielder's choice to third base, advances to 2nd. Giancarlo Stanton out at second. Edwin Encarnacion scores. Aaron Judge scores. Fielding error by C.J. Cron. Gary Sanchez strikes out swinging.3 runs, 3 hits,... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Edwin Encarnación has been inserted into the cleanup spot as the designated hitter for the New York Yankees' AL Division Series opener against the Minnesota Twins after recovering from a strained left oblique that had sidelined him since Sept. 12.DJ LeMahieu was at first base and leading off Friday, followed by right fielder Aaron Judge, left fielder Brett Gardner, Encarnación, left fielder Giancarlo Stanton, second baseman Gleyber Torres, catcher Gary Sánchez, shortstop Didi Gregorius and third baseman Gio Urshela. Left-hander James Paxton was on the mound in his postseason debut.Catcher Mitch Garver led off for the Twins, followed by shortstop Jorge Polanco, DH Nelson Cruz, shortstop Eddie Rosario, third baseman Miguel Sanó, center fielder Max Kepler, left fielder Marwin Gonzalez and second baseman Luis Arráez, who sprained his right ankle last weekend. Right-hander José Berríos was on the mound.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at the best-of-five American League Division Series between the Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Friday, at New York, 7:07 p.m. (MLB); Game 2, Saturday, at New York, 5:07 p.m. (FS1); Game 3, Monday, Oct. 7, at Minnesota, TBA (FS1 or MLB); x-Game 4, Tuesday, Oct. 8, at Minnesota, TBA (FS1); x-Game 5, Thursday, Oct. 10, at New York, TBA (FS1).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Yankees won 4-2.___Projected Lineups:Twins: C Mitch Garver (.273, 31 HRs, 67 RBIs, .630 slugging percentage in 93 games), SS Jorge Polanco (.295, 22, 79, 40 2Bs), DH Nelson Cruz (.311, 41, 108, .639 slugging percentage in 120 games), 3B Miguel Sanó (.247, 34, 79, 159 Ks in 105 games), LF Eddie Rosario (.276, 32, 109), CF Max Kepler (.252, 36, 90), 1B C.J. Cron (.253, 25, 78), RF Marwin Gonzalez (.264, 15, 55) or Jake Cave (.258, 8, 25 in 72 games) or LaMonte Wade Jr. (.196, 2, 5, 11 walks in 69 PAs), 2B Jonathan Schoop (.256, 23, 59) or Luis Arraez (.334, 4, 28 in 92 games).Yankees:... [More]

A look at the best-of-five American League Division Series between the Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Friday, at New York, 7:07 p.m. (MLB); Game 2, Saturday, at New York, 5:07 p.m. (FS1); Game 3, Monday, Oct. 7, at Minnesota, TBA (FS1 or MLB); x-Game 4, Tuesday, Oct. 8, at Minnesota, TBA (FS1); x-Game 5, Thursday, Oct. 10, at New York, TBA (FS1).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Yankees won 4-2.___Projected Lineups:Twins: C Mitch Garver (.273, 31 HRs, 67 RBIs, .630 slugging percentage in 93 games), SS Jorge Polanco (.295, 22, 79, 40 2Bs), DH Nelson Cruz (.311, 41, 108, .639 slugging percentage in 120 games), 3B Miguel Sanó (.247, 34, 79, 159 Ks in 105 games), LF Eddie Rosario (.276, 32, 109), CF Max Kepler (.252, 36, 90), 1B C.J. Cron (.253, 25, 78), RF Marwin Gonzalez (.264, 15, 55) or Jake Cave (.258, 8, 25 in 72 games) or LaMonte Wade Jr. (.196, 2, 5, 11 walks in 69 PAs), 2B Jonathan Schoop (.256, 23, 59) or Luis Arraez (.334, 4, 28 in 92 games).Yankees:... [More]

A look at the best-of-five American League Division Series between the Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Friday, at New York, 7:07 p.m. (MLB); Game 2, Saturday, at New York, 5:07 p.m. (FS1); Game 3, Monday, Oct. 7, at Minnesota, TBA (FS1 or MLB); x-Game 4, Tuesday, Oct. 8, at Minnesota, TBA (FS1); x-Game 5, Thursday, Oct. 10, at New York, TBA (FS1).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Yankees won 4-2.___Projected Lineups:Twins: C Mitch Garver (.273, 31 HRs, 67 RBIs, .630 slugging percentage in 93 games), SS Jorge Polanco (.295, 22, 79, 40 2Bs), DH Nelson Cruz (.311, 41, 108, .639 slugging percentage in 120 games), 3B Miguel Sanó (.247, 34, 79, 159 Ks in 105 games), LF Eddie Rosario (.276, 32, 109), CF Max Kepler (.252, 36, 90), 1B C.J. Cron (.253, 25, 78), RF Marwin Gonzalez (.264, 15, 55) or Jake Cave (.258, 8, 25 in 72 games) or LaMonte Wade Jr. (.196, 2, 5, 11 walks in 69 PAs), 2B Jonathan Schoop (.256, 23, 59) or Luis Arraez (.334, 4, 28 in 92 games).Yankees:... [More]

Royals first. Whit Merrifield strikes out swinging. Jorge Soler homers to center field. Hunter Dozier pops out to shallow right field to Willians Astudillo. Alex Gordon singles to right field. Cheslor Cuthbert flies out to center field to Ian Miller.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 1, Twins 0.Twins second. Eddie Rosario strikes out swinging. Mitch Garver doubles to deep left center field. LaMonte Wade Jr flies out to center field to Erick Mejia. Willians Astudillo doubles to deep left field. Mitch Garver scores. Jonathan Schoop singles to shallow center field. Willians Astudillo to third. Ian Miller flies out to left field to Alex Gordon.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Twins 1, Royals 1.Twins fifth. Ian Miller doubles to deep left field. Luis Arraez grounds out to first base, Cheslor Cuthbert to Glenn Sparkman. Ian Miller to third. Jorge Polanco out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to Erick Mejia. Ian Miller scores. Nelson Cruz called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0... [More]

Tigers first. Victor Reyes lines out to shallow infield, Randy Dobnak to C.J. Cron. Harold Castro flies out to left field to Luis Arraez. Miguel Cabrera reaches on error. Fielding error by Jorge Polanco. Jeimer Candelario doubles to deep right center field. Miguel Cabrera scores. Christin Stewart pops out to Mitch Garver.1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 left on. Tigers 1, Twins 0.Twins seventh. Miguel Sano walks. Luis Arraez homers to center field. Miguel Sano scores. C.J. Cron grounds out to shallow infield, Drew VerHagen to Jeimer Candelario. LaMonte Wade Jr lines out to center field to Harold Castro. Jonathan Schoop pops out to shallow infield to Grayson Greiner.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 2, Tigers 1.Twins eighth. Mitch Garver strikes out swinging. Jorge Polanco triples to deep right center field. Nelson Cruz singles to left field. Jorge Polanco scores. Eddie Rosario homers to right field. Nelson Cruz scores. Miguel Sano strikes out swinging. Luis Arraez walks. C.J. Cron singles to right field. Luis Arraez to second. LaMonte Wade Jr strikes out swinging.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Twins 5, Tigers 1.

Twins first. Luis Arraez grounds out to shortstop, Adalberto Mondesi to Cheslor Cuthbert. Jorge Polanco singles to left field. Nelson Cruz singles to shortstop. Jorge Polanco to second. Eddie Rosario doubles to deep right center field. Nelson Cruz to third. Jorge Polanco scores. Mitch Garver grounds out to shallow infield, Nicky Lopez to Cheslor Cuthbert. Marwin Gonzalez singles to shallow infield. Eddie Rosario to third. Nelson Cruz scores. Miguel Sano homers to center field. Marwin Gonzalez scores. Eddie Rosario scores. Jake Cave walks. LaMonte Wade Jr singles to center field. Jake Cave to third. Luis Arraez singles to center field. LaMonte Wade Jr to second. Jake Cave scores. Jorge Polanco flies out to shallow left field to Whit Merrifield.6 runs, 7 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Twins 6, Royals 0.Royals second. Cheslor Cuthbert grounds out to first base to Marwin Gonzalez. Bubba Starling singles to right field. Humberto Arteaga flies out to right field to Jake Cave. Nick Dini homers to... [More]

Twins first. Mitch Garver walks. Jorge Polanco doubles to deep right field. Mitch Garver to third. Nelson Cruz out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to Erick Mejia. Jorge Polanco to third. Mitch Garver scores. Eddie Rosario pops out to Hunter Dozier. Miguel Sano triples to deep right center field. Jorge Polanco scores. Marwin Gonzalez flies out to right center field to Erick Mejia.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 2, Royals 0.Royals sixth. Jorge Soler singles to left center field. Hunter Dozier grounds out to shallow infield, Mitch Garver to C.J. Cron. Jorge Soler to second. Alex Gordon doubles to deep right field. Jorge Soler scores. Ryan McBroom called out on strikes. Erick Mejia strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 2, Royals 1.Twins sixth. Jorge Polanco walks. Nelson Cruz flies out to right field to Whit Merrifield. Eddie Rosario reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Jorge Polanco out at second. Miguel Sano walks. Eddie Rosario to second.... [More]

Royals second. Alex Gordon grounds out to second base, Jorge Polanco to Marwin Gonzalez. Ryan McBroom singles to third base. Erick Mejia walks. Ryan McBroom to second. Meibrys Viloria singles to shallow center field. Erick Mejia to third. Ryan McBroom out at home. Nicky Lopez singles to left field. Meibrys Viloria to second. Erick Mejia scores. Whit Merrifield walks. Nicky Lopez to second. Meibrys Viloria to third. Adalberto Mondesi walks. Whit Merrifield to second. Nicky Lopez to third. Meibrys Viloria scores. Jorge Soler walks. Adalberto Mondesi to second. Whit Merrifield to third. Nicky Lopez scores. Hunter Dozier grounds out to third base, Miguel Sano to Marwin Gonzalez.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Royals 3, Twins 0.Twins third. Ryan LaMarre flies out to deep center field to Erick Mejia. Mitch Garver singles to left field. Jorge Polanco doubles to deep right center field. Mitch Garver to third. Nelson Cruz homers to right field. Jorge Polanco scores. Mitch Garver scores. Eddie... [More]

Twins third. Ryan LaMarre homers to center field. Mitch Garver walks. Jorge Polanco out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Yoan Moncada to Jose Abreu. Mitch Garver to second. Nelson Cruz is intentionally walked. Eddie Rosario doubles to deep center field. Nelson Cruz to third. Mitch Garver scores. Miguel Sano homers to center field. Eddie Rosario scores. Nelson Cruz scores. Marwin Gonzalez strikes out on a foul tip. Luis Arraez doubles to left field. Jonathan Schoop grounds out to third base, Yoan Moncada to Jose Abreu.5 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 5, White sox 0.White sox fourth. Eloy Jimenez doubles to right center field. Yoan Moncada called out on strikes. James McCann singles to shallow center field. Eloy Jimenez scores. Yolmer Sanchez called out on strikes. Zack Collins grounds out to second base, Jonathan Schoop to Marwin Gonzalez.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 5, White sox 1.White sox fifth. Adam Engel singles to left field. Leury Garcia singles to right... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have set another major league home run record, becoming the first team in history to have five players go deep 30 or more times in one season.Miguel Sanó gave the Twins the all-time mark with his 30th homer, a three-run shot to the third deck in left field off Chicago White Sox left-hander Ross Detwiler on Tuesday night. Nelson Cruz (37), Max Kepler (36), Eddie Rosario (31) and Mitch Garver (30) all made it before Sanó.The Twins earlier broke the single-season major league home run record, set last year at 267 by the New York Yankees. The homer by Sanó gave the Twins 289 for the season.According to Twins records, the homer by Sanó was estimated at 482 feet, the second-longest in Target Field history. Jim Thome hit one for the Twins pegged at 490 feet on July 17, 2011.___More AP MLB coverage: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Marcell Ozuna drove in four runs and threw out a runner at home plate from left field, leading the St. Louis Cardinals over the Washington Nationals 4-2 on Monday night.St. Louis retained its two-game lead over the second-place Chicago Cubs in the NL Central. Washington is one-half game ahead of the Cubs for the top NL wild card.Nationals manager Dave Martinez missed the game following a heart procedure in Washington, and bench coach Chip Hale was in charge of the dugout.Dexter Fowler walked against Sean Doolittle (6-5) with one out in the seventh, Hunter Strickland walked Paul Goldschmidt with two outs and Ozuna doubled just inside the left-field line, just the second hit in 11 at-bats for the Cardinals with runners in scoring position.Dakota Hudson (16-7) won for the sixth time in seven starts. Carlos Martínez got his 20th save in 23 chances.ROCKIES 9, METS 4DENVER (AP) — Pitcher Antonio Senzatela hit a tying, two-run single that ended a year-long 0-for-44 slide at the... [More]