Chicago Cubs manager David Ross selected Kyle Hendricks to start on opening day last year, and it worked out quite well. He sees no reason to make a change this year. Ross announced Tuesday that Hendricks will get the ball when the Cubs begin the season against Pittsburgh on April 1 at Wrigley Field. The right-hander tossed a three-hitter in a 3-0 victory over Milwaukee on opening day last summer. “I feel like we've got a lot of talent,” Ross said. “I feel like Kyle, his resume, his leadership, his poise, all that goes into being the opening-day starter, just the extra, kind of, pomp and circumstance that goes with opening day, especially this coming year as well, every arrow points to Kyle.” Ross said he wasn't ready to announce the order for the rest of his starting pitchers. Chicago also has Jake Arrieta and Zach Davies, and Trevor Williams, Alec Mills, Adbert Alzolay and Shelby Miller are in the mix for the last two spots. But there is no question about the leader of the rotation, especially... [More]

Shohei Ohtani figured he’d be careful in his return to the mound after two injury-spoiled seasons. A few batters in, the Los Angeles Angels’ two-way sensation reached back for a little extra — and brought back some of the buzz that surrounded his major league debut three years ago. Ohtani reached 100 mph with his fastball and showed off his signature splitter while striking out five over 1 2/3 innings in the Angels’ 7-3 win over the Oakland Athletics on Friday. The right-hander allowed a run, three hits and two walks, struggling to command his slider but showcasing the arm strength and stuff that allowed him to dominate in the majors before Tommy John surgery in 2018. “Since this was my first game, I wasn’t planning on letting it go in the beginning, especially early in counts,” Ohtani said via translator. “As the game went on, I felt better and I started throwing harder, but I think that led to me cutting the ball a couple times, so it’s something I have to work on.” The 26-year-old Japanese... [More]

Shohei Ohtani figured he’d be careful in his return to the mound after two injury-spoiled seasons. A few batters in, the Los Angeles Angels’ two-way sensation reached back for a little extra -- and brought back some of the buzz that surrounded his major league debut three years ago. Ohtani reached 100 mph with his fastball and showed off his signature splitter while striking out five over 1 2/3 innings in the Angels’ 7-3 win over the Oakland Athletics on Friday. The right-hander allowed a run, three hits and two walks, struggling to command his slider but showcasing the arm strength and stuff that allowed him to dominate in the majors before Tommy John surgery in 2018. “Since this was my first game, I wasn’t planning on letting it go in the beginning, especially early in counts,” Ohtani said via translator. “As the game went on, I felt better and I started throwing harder, but I think that led to me cutting the ball a couple times, so it’s something I have to work on.” The 26-year-old Japanese... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Jake Arrieta won a Cy Young Award, threw two no-hitters and helped end a championship drought in his first go-around with the Chicago Cubs. If his second tenure goes anything like that, they sure would take it. Arrieta returned to the Chicago Cubs, finalizing a $6 million, one-year contract on Wednesday. He can earn $1 million in performance bonuses for innings under the deal: $250,000 each for 150, 160, 170 and 180. "This guy's been battle tested,” manager David Ross said. “He's got the mentality. He's got the poise. And that example, just how he goes about his preparation, how he goes about his performance and that presence that he has, I think ... just kind of bleeds out to the other guys.” To open a roster spot, Chicago placed left-hander Kyle Ryan on the COVID-19 related injured list. Chicago also agreed to to contracts with veteran relievers Brandon Workman and Pedro Strop, people familiar with the deals said. The 34-year-old Arrieta won the NL Cy Young Award with Chicago... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Jake Arrieta won a Cy Young Award, threw two no-hitters and helped end a championship drought in his first go-around with the Chicago Cubs. If his second tenure goes anything like that, they sure would take it. Arrieta returned to the Chicago Cubs, finalizing a $6 million, one-year contract on Wednesday. He can earn $1 million in performance bonuses under the deal. “This guy's been battle tested,” manager David Ross said. “He's got the mentality. He's got the poise. And that example, just how he goes about his preparation, how he goes about his performance and that presence that he has, I think ... just kind of bleeds out to the other guys.” To open a roster spot, Chicago placed left-hander Kyle Ryan on the COVID-19 related injured list. Chicago also agreed to to contracts with veteran relievers Brandon Workman and Pedro Strop, people familiar with the deals said. The 34-year-old Arrieta won the NL Cy Young Award with Chicago in 2015 and helped the Cubs win the 2016 World... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Jake Arrieta returned to the Chicago Cubs, finalizing a $6 million, one-year contract on Wednesday. Arrieta can earn $1 million in performance bonuses under the deal. To open a roster spot, the Cubs placed left-hander Kyle Ryan on the COVID-19 related injured list. The 34-year-old Arrieta won the NL Cy Young Award with Chicago in 2015 and helped the Cubs win the 2016 World Series for their first championship since 1908. He went 68-31 with a 2.73 ERA in 128 starts over five years in his first stint with the team. While the reunion is a feel-good story for the reigning NL Central champions after a tough winter, Arrieta hasn’t experienced the same level of success since he left Chicago after the 2017 season. The 6-foot-4 right-hander signed a $75 million, three-year contract with Philadelphia in free agency and went 22-23 with a 4.36 ERA in 64 starts with the Phillies. He had a 4-4 record and a 5.08 ERA in nine starts last year during the pandemic-shortened season. Arrieta rejoined... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Jake Arrieta is returning to the Chicago Cubs, agreeing to a $6 million, one-year contract on Friday. Arrieta can earn $1 million in performance bonuses, according to a person familiar with the situation who confirmed the deal on condition of anonymity because it is pending a physical. The 34-year-old Arrieta won the NL Cy Young Award with Chicago in 2015 and helped the Cubs win the 2016 World Series for their first championship since 1908. He went 68-31 with a 2.73 ERA in 128 starts over five years in his first stint with the team. While the reunion is a feel-good story for the reigning NL Central champions after a tough winter, Arrieta hasn't experienced the same level of success since he left Chicago after the 2017 season. The 6-foot-4 right-hander signed a $75 million, three-year contract with Philadelphia in free agency and went 22-23 with a 4.36 ERA in 64 starts with the Phillies. He had a 4-4 record and a 5.08 ERA in nine starts last year during the pandemic-shortened... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Joc Pederson joined the Chicago Cubs, finalizing a $7 million, one-year contract with the NL Central champions. The Cubs also completed a $2.75 million, one-year deal for pitcher Andrew Chafin and a $2.5 million, one-year agreement for pitcher Trevor Williams on Friday. The contracts for Pederson and Chafin include a mutual option for 2022. Pederson gets a $4.5 million salary this year, and the deal includes a $10 million mutual option with a $2.5 million buyout. He can earn $500,000 annually in performance bonuses for plate appearances: $125,000 each for 500, 525, 550 and 575. Pederson also gets a hotel suite on road trips. Chicago had just three outfielders on its 40-man roster before the addition of Pederson, who hit .190 with seven homers and 16 RBIs last season for the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. The Cubs let Kyle Schwarber go in December, and he signed a $10 million, one-year contract with Washington on Jan. 9. Pederson, another lefty bat with lots of... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Joc Pederson joined the Chicago Cubs, finalizing a $7 million, one-year contract with the NL Central champions. The Cubs also completed a $2.75 million, one-year deal for pitcher Andrew Chafin and a $2.5 million, one-year agreement for pitcher Trevor Williams on Friday. The contracts for Pederson and Chafin include a mutual option for 2022. Pederson gets a $4.5 million salary this year, and the deal includes a $10 million mutual option with a $2.5 million buyout. He can earn $500,000 annually in performance bonuses for plate appearances: $125,000 each for 500, 525, 550 and 575. Pederson also gets a hotel suite on road trips. Chicago had just three outfielders on its 40-man roster before the addition of Pederson, who hit .190 with seven homers and 16 RBIs last season for the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. The Cubs let Kyle Schwarber go in December, and he signed a $10 million, one-year contract with Washington on Jan. 9. Pederson, another lefty bat with lots of... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Joc Pederson joined the Chicago Cubs on Friday, finalizing a one-year contract with the NL Central champions. The Cubs also announced one-year deals for pitchers Trevor Williams and Andrew Chafin. The contracts for Pederson and Chafin include a mutual option for 2022. Chicago had just three outfielders on its 40-man roster before the addition of Pederson, who hit .190 with seven homers and 16 RBIs last season for the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. The Cubs let Kyle Schwarber go in December, and he signed a $10 million, one-year contract with Washington on Jan. 9. Pederson, another lefty bat with lots of power and some limitations at the plate, likely steps in for Schwarber in left. For Pederson, who turns 29 in April, it's a chance for regular playing time before possibly trying free agency again next year. Pederson was selected by Los Angeles in the 11th round of the 2010 amateur draft and spent his first seven seasons with the Dodgers. He is a .230 hitter with... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Right-hander Trevor Williams agreed to a one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, giving the NL Central champions another option for the back end of their rotation. A person familiar with the situation confirmed the deal to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract is pending a physical. The 28-year-old Williams was designated for assignment by Pittsburgh after he went 2-8 with a 6.18 ERA in 11 starts during the pandemic-shortened season. Williams, a second-round pick by Miami in the 2013 draft, broke into the majors in 2016 and spent his first five seasons with the Pirates. He had his best year in 2018, going 14-10 with a 3.11 ERA in 31 starts. He has a 31-37 record with a 4.43 ERA in 106 career games, including 94 starts. Chicago's rotation will have a different look next season after it traded Yu Darvish to San Diego in December and Jon Lester departed in free agency. Williams could compete for one of the last two spots behind Kyle Hendricks, Zach Davies and Alec Mills. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

American LeagueP Kenta Maeda Minnesota Twins; Griffin Canning Los Angeles Angels; Zach Plesac Cleveland Indians. C Yasmani Grandal Chicago White Sox; James McCann Chicago White Sox; Roberto Perez Cleveland Indians. 1B Matt Olson Oakland Athletics; Evan White Seattle Mariners; Yuli Gurriel Houston Astros. 2B Cesar Hernandez Cleveland Indians; Danny Mendick Chicago White Sox; Jonathan Schoop Detroit Tigers; Nicky Lopez Kansas City Royals. 3B Yoan Moncada Chicago White Sox; Gio Urshela New York Yankees; Isiah Kiner-Falefa Texas Rangers. SS Niko Goodrum Detroit Tigers; J.P. Crawford Seattle Mariners; Carlos Correa Houston Astros. LF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Toronto Blue Jays; Alex Gordon Kansas City Royals; Kyle Tucker Houston Astros. CF Ramon Laureano Oakland Athletics; Byron Buxton Minnesota Twins; Luis Robert Chicago White Sox. RF Clint Frazier New York Yankees; Joey Gallo Texas Rangers; Anthony Santander Baltimore Orioles. National LeagueP Max Fried Atlanta Braves; Alec Mills Chicago Cubs; Kyle... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Cardinals right-hander Daniel Ponce de Leon has pitched five hitless innings in the seven-inning nightcap of a doubleheader against the Milwaukee Brewers. Ponce de Leon has thrown 74 pitches, and his only blemish Friday night is a walk to No. 9 hitter Jacob Nottingham in the third. He's struck out five. The Brewers haven’t threatened much. They sent three balls to the outfield in the first inning, and Ryan Braun’s liner in the fourth was the closest they have come so far. White Sox ace Lucas Giolito and Cubs journeyman Alec Mills have thrown baseball's only no-hitters during this pandemic-shortened season. Ponce de Leon's bid won't count if the game only goes seven innings after a 1991 committee led by then-Commissioner Fay Vincent ruled that only nine-inning games could be classified as no-hitters. Mills' no-hitter came against Milwaukee. Ponce de Leon is looking for his first win of the season. He hasn’t figured in a decision since Aug. 28 when he took the loss against Cleveland. In September, he’s started three games and only gave up a total of six runs, Ponce de Leon has been appeared in eight games, starting seven. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Raimel Tapia hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the 11th inning, and the Colorado Rockies rallied to keep contending San Francisco from gaining ground in the NL wild-card race by beating the Giants 5-4 on Thursday. Jairo Díaz earned his fourth save by getting Austin Slater to ground into a game-ending double play. Several cheering Rockies jumped over the dugout rail celebrating. The Giants (28-28), winners of three of their last five, dropped behind idle Cincinnati for the first NL wild card. The Reds (29-28) visit Minnesota over the final weekend as the playoff-bound Padres come to San Francisco. Trevor Cahill (1-2) took the loss after San Francisco had a chance in the 10th. Brandon Belt — who homered in the eighth inning to tie the game on his 1,000th career hit — and Brandon Crawford were intentionally walked by Daniel Bard (4-2). Shortstop Trevor Story fielded Evan Longoria’s grounder and threw Alex Dickerson out at home as San Francisco couldn’t capitalize. PIRATES... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Powered by the steady presence of José Abreu, the White Sox revival is roaring on the South Side. On the North Side, Yu Darvish is pitching like an ace again, and the Cubs are eyeing another October run. Chicago's major league teams are linked by more than just geography these days. They also share a most enviable position this time of year — first place. "I think that every time we take the field, we feel invincible,” White Sox rookie Luis Robert said through a translator. Sure looks that way. The playoff-bound White Sox have won 24 of 31 to rise to the top of the AL Central. Heading into Sunday's game at Cincinnati, they had a magic number of four for clinching their first division title since their last postseason appearance in 2008. Under first-year manager David Ross, the Cubs jumped out to a 13-3 start and then faltered before picking up their play as the pandemic-shortened season barreled toward the finish. They are closing in on their first NL Central championship... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates rookie Mitch Keller has a no-hitter through six innings against the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday night. Keller is making his second start since missing six weeks with a strained left oblique. He walked Tommy Edman and hit Brad Miller with a pitch in the first inning, and Tyler O’Neill drew a walk in the second. Keller set down the next 14 batters. He’s thrown 84 pitches and struck out six. The 24-year-old entered the game with a 1-1 record and 5.06 ERA in three games. He was activated from the injured list Monday after being sidelined since Aug. 2. The Pirates led 2-0 as Ke’Bryan Hayes and Jose Osuna hit solo home runs off Kwang Hyun Kim. White Sox ace Lucas Giolito and Cubs journeyman Alec Mills have thrown no-hitters during this pandemic-shortened season. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today: ___ BACK AT IT Cubs journeyman Alec Mills (5-3, 3.93) is set to pitch for the first time since his unexpected no-hitter a week ago against Milwaukee. The 28-year-old will face the Twins in just the 16th start of his big league career. Johnny Vander Meer in 1938 is the only pitcher to throw consecutive no-hitters. Mills will face Minnesota right-hander Michael Pineda (1-0, 3.57). MINUS MEADOWS The playoff-bound Rays will be missing outfielder Austin Meadows into the postseason because of a strained oblique. Meadows was hurt while taking a swing this week for the AL East leaders during a game in Baltimore Meadows is batting just .205 with four homers and 13 RBIs. Last year, he hit .291 with 33 home runs and 89 RBIs. “I don’t need to talk about how important Austin is,” Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said. ACE CARD Cardinals left-hander Kwang Hyun Kim starts at Milwaukee, trying to keep up his remarkable run. The 32-year-old Kim, who starred... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Mike Minor tossed a two-hitter, Jake Lamb doubled and homered in his first game after signing with Oakland, and the Athletics beat the Seattle Mariners 9-0 for a doubleheader split on Monday. Seattle won the opener 6-5, rallying from a 5-0 deficit and scoring twice in the sixth inning with two outs to stay on the heels of Houston in the AL West. Seattle is 1½ games behind the Astros for second. The games were played with a haze of smoke hovering above the field at T-Mobile Park, even with the retractable roof of the stadium closed. Wildfires on the West Coast have suffocated much of the Pacific Northwest with unhealthy air conditions that brought into question whether the games would even be played. Minor (1-5) picked up his first victory of the season in his third start since being acquired by the A’s from Texas. Jimmy Yacabonis (0-1) was charged with the loss.Kyle Lewis had a big day for Seattle. The rookie outfielder hit a two-run homer and reached on a bases-loaded walk... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Kyle Lewis sparked Seattle’s rally with a two-run homer and walked with the bases loaded in the sixth inning, helping the Mariners top the Oakland Athletics 6-5 on Monday in the opener of a doubleheader. The game was played with a haze of smoke hovering above the field at T-Mobile Park, even with the retractable roof of the stadium closed. Wildfires on the West Coast have suffocated much of the Pacific Northwest with unhealthy air conditions that brought into question whether the games would even be played. Seattle trailed 5-0 after home runs by Sean Murphy and Marcus Semien off Marco Gonzales (6-2). But Seattle chipped away and scored twice in the sixth against Oakland’s bullpen to move in front for good.Yoshihisa Hirano pitched the seventh inning for his second save. The win pulled Seattle within one game of idle Houston for second in the AL West.Semien had four RBIs for division-leading Oakland. Joakim Soria (2-2) got the loss.MARLINS 6. PHILLIES 2MIAMI (AP) — Pablo Lopez... [More]

Kansas City's Brady Singer took a no-hitter into the eighth inning Thursday. Then, a night later, Casey Mize began a game with five hitless frames for Detroit.For fans of the Royals and Tigers, it was a welcome glimpse of what the future could hold.Singer and Mize were both drafted in the first round in 2018 — Mize was the top pick overall — and each has had a chance to pitch during this pandemic-shortened season. Neither has particularly good numbers overall, but this past week was a step in the right direction.Singer is 2-4 with a 4.66 ERA in nine starts. His eight-inning effort Thursday was the first time he'd lasted at least six. Mize hasn't gone six innings yet, but he went 5 1/3 on Friday for his longest start. He is 0-1 with a 5.85 ERA.These two aren't alone with their growing pains. Plenty of other young pitchers have had similar struggles this year. Toronto's Nate Pearson (0-0, 6.61 ERA) made four starts but has had elbow issues recently, San Diego's Luis Patino (0-0, 5.52) has... [More]