TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels rookie Shohei Ohtani allowed six runs while pitching three innings in an exhibition game against the Mexican League's Tijuana Toros on Friday.The 23-year-old Ohtani struck out six and walked one.Ohtani spent five seasons with the Nippon Ham Fighters before signing with the Angels as an international free agent on Dec. 10. He is trying to become the first player in nearly 100 years to play regularly as a pitcher and hitter, but he has had mixed results so far this spring.AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND CACTUS LEAGUESDODGERS 6, ROYALS (SS) 4Los Angeles closer Kenley Jansen was held out of what was supposed to be his first big league spring training game this year due to an injured upper right hamstring."When he was getting ready today, his pregame stuff and kind of getting his legs loose, it tightened up on him," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "We had the trainers look at him and it just made sense to just not throw him out there."Roberts said he expects... [More]

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) — Denard Span concedes he's hesitant to get comfortable with the idea of playing for his hometown team.The Tampa Bay Rays acquired the veteran outfielder this winter, but are trimming payroll and building for the future.That leaves the 33-year-old Span, who's due to make $11 million this summer, uncertain what uniform he'll be wearing on opening day."I'm excited for the opportunity. I'm not sure what's going to happen, but I can't control that," said Span, acquired along with infielder Christian Arroyo and two minor leaguers in a trade that sent Evan Longoria to the San Francisco Giants.A native of Washington, D.C., Span moved to Tampa when he was 3 years old. He's maintained his offseason home in Florida throughout a 10-year major league career that includes stints with the Minnesota Twins and Washington Nationals."It's really surreal to be able to put this uniform on and live in my own house and stay in my own bed. I drive familiar streets that I've driven on... [More]

A team-by-team look at the American League East 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:___Boston Red SoxManager: Alex Cora (first season).2017: 93-69, first place, lost to Houston in ALDS.Training Town: Fort Myers, Florida.Park: JetBlue Park.First Workout: Feb. 14/19.He's Here: Manager Alex Cora.He's Outta Here: Manager John Farrell, RHP Doug Fister, INF Eduardo Nunez, OF Chris Young, RHP Addison Reed, OF Rajai Davis, LHP Henry Owens, LHP Fernando Abad, RHP Blaine Boyer.Going campin': The Red Sox won 93 games for the second straight season and claimed the franchise's first back-to-back AL East titles. But Farrell was fired after they failed to advance in the playoffs for the fourth year in a row. They are virtually the same team as last year; boss Dave Dombrowski said he was looking for a bat with power and still might add one of the free agents remaining on the market, including... [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 (third season).2017: 104-58, first place, lost to Houston in World Series.Training Town: Glendale, Arizona.Park: Camelback Ranch.First Workout: Feb. 14/19.He's Here: OF Matt Kemp, RHP Tom Koehler.He's Outta Here: 1B Adrian Gonzalez, RHP Yu Darvish, LHP Scott Kazmir, RHP Brandon McCarthy, INF Charlie Culberson, OF Curtis Granderson, 2B Chase Utley, OF Andre Ethier.Going campin': The Dodgers returned to the World Series for the first time since winning it in 1988, only to lose to Houston in seven games. They topped 100 wins while earning a fifth straight NL West title. Clayton Kershaw is one of the elite pitchers in the game, a seven-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young Award winner. He begins the season with 144 career victories, 21 shy of Sandy... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays will have a new look in 2018.A lingering question entering spring training is to what extent.Evan Longoria is gone. So are Alex Cobb, Logan Morrison and Lucas Duda.Jake Odorizzi, and maybe even two-time All-Star Chris Archer or closer Alex Colome, could be on the way out, too, with the budget-minded team committed to trimming payroll while also trying to remain competitive in the tough AL East.Closing the gap on defending division champion Boston and the big-spending New York Yankees, who've added Giancarlo Stanton after coming within one victory of reaching the World Series, won't be easy.The Rays finished 80-82 in 2017, their fourth consecutive losing record on the heels of a stretch in which they made the playoffs four times in six seasons."It's a challenge. You can't sugarcoat it," manager Kevin Cash, entering his fourth season, said of the Yankees adding Stanton, baseball's home run leader, to an already potent batting order."I've already... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Center fielder Austin Jackson agreed to a $6 million, two-year contract with the San Francisco Giants on Monday, filling the club's top remaining void just a few weeks before pitchers and catchers report to spring training.San Francisco announced the acquisition Monday, a week after the Giants traded for right fielder Andrew McCutchen.Jackson will earn $3 million per season, and has $1 million in escalators in 2019 plus $1.5 million in performance bonuses for the second year. The deal increased the Giants' projected 2018 luxury tax payroll to about $195 million — just $2 million below the threshold — and the bonus structure pushed additional money into the deal's second year.His 2019 salary would increase by $250,000 each for 300, 325, 350 and 375 plate appearances this year, and he could earn $250,000 apiece in 2020 for 300, 325, 350, 375, 450 and 475.San Francisco finished a surprising last in the NL West in 2017 and was seeking an offense-producing center fielder... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Center fielder Austin Jackson agreed to a $6 million, two-year contract with the San Francisco Giants on Monday, filling the club's top remaining void just a few weeks before pitchers and catchers report to spring training.San Francisco announced the acquisition Monday, a week after the Giants traded for right fielder Andrew McCutchen.Jackson will earn $3 million per season, and has $1 million in escalators in 2019 plus $1.5 million in performance bonuses for the second year. The deal increased the Giants' projected 2018 luxury tax payroll to about $195 million — just $2 million below the threshold — and the bonus structure pushed additional money into the deal's second year.His 2019 salary would increase by $250,000 each for 300, 325, 350 and 375 plate appearances this year, and he could earn $250,000 apiece in 2019 for 300, 325, 350, 375, 450 and 475.San Francisco finished a surprising last in the NL West in 2017 and was seeking an offense-producing center fielder... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Center fielder Austin Jackson agreed to terms on a $6 million, two-year contract with the San Francisco Giants on Monday, filling the club's top remaining void just a few weeks before pitchers and catchers report to spring training.San Francisco announced the acquisition Monday, a week after the Giants traded for right fielder Andrew McCutchen.Jackson will earn $3 million per season, two people with knowledge of the contract told the Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity because no terms were announced. Jackson could also earn up to $2.5 million in bonuses.San Francisco finished a surprising last in the NL West in 2017 and was seeking an offense-producing center fielder who also plays stellar defense. That was on display when Jackson robbed Boston's Hanley Ramirez of a sure home run in August at Fenway Park, where he"He is a talented and versatile player who will strengthen our roster and provide additional depth at all three outfield positions," general... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Center fielder Austin Jackson agreed to terms on a $6 million, two-year contract with the San Francisco Giants on Monday, filling the club's top remaining void just a few weeks before pitchers and catchers report to spring training.San Francisco announced the acquisition Monday, just a week after the Giants traded for right fielder Andrew McCutchen.Jackson will earn $3 million per season, two people with knowledge of the contract told the Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity because no terms were announced. Jackson could also earn up to $2.5 million in bonuses.San Francisco finished a surprising last in the NL West in 2017 and was seeking an offense-producing center fielder who also plays stellar defense."He is a talented and versatile player who will strengthen our roster and provide additional depth at all three outfield positions," general manager Bobby Evans said.Jackson, who turns 31 on Feb. 1, batted .318 with seven homers and 35 RBIs in 85 games... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Andrew McCutchen didn't run from the challenge in Pittsburgh, he embraced it. A rising star on a franchise mired in two decades of losing, McCutchen bet on the Pirates in the spring of 2012 by signing a six-year contract, gambling that he could become one of the game's best while helping the city reconnect with a team it had long since abandoned.It paid off for all involved.The dynamic, charismatic outfielder became an MVP while ushering in a renaissance. Five All-Star games. Three playoff appearances. A ballpark packed with fans wearing his No. 22. Everything McCutchen and owner Bob Nutting talked about on that sun-dappled Florida day six years ago came to fruition.And on Monday, it all came to an end.Facing the certainty that they couldn't re-sign McCutchen when he hit free agency next winter, the Pirates traded him to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for right-hander Kyle Crick, minor league outfielder Bryan Reynolds and $500,000 in international signing bonus allocation.... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Giants found the outfielder they were looking for this winter, acquiring Andrew McCutchen from Pittsburgh on Monday to fill a key void.San Francisco parted with right-hander Kyle Crick, minor league outfielder Bryan Reynolds and $500,000 in international signing bonus allocation. The Pirates also sent $2.5 million to the Giants to cover part of McCutchen's $14.75 million salary."It's no secret that we were looking to further add run production to our lineup," said Brian Sabean, Giants executive vice president of baseball operations. "Anytime you have the opportunity to bring aboard someone with such a track record, you have to jump on it."The 31-year-old McCutchen, a former NL MVP and long the face of the Pirates' franchise, became the second star jettisoned by Pittsburgh in three days. Ace Gerrit Cole was traded to Houston on Saturday."Pittsburgh.My Home.My Fans.My City," McCutchen tweeted . "You will 4ever be in my heart."McCutchen added: "Now...I'm a Giant! Ive... [More]

OF Denard Span, INF Christian Arroyo, LHP Matt Krook and RHP Stephen Woods were acquired by the Rays from the Giants on Wednesday in exchange for 3B Evan Longoria. Tampa Bay must take on the last year of Span's contract, which is for $9 million. Span, who will turn 34 in spring training, batted .272 with 12 homers and 43 RBIs last season.

CF Denard Span went 3-for-4 with an RBI in a 2-1 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night. Span was 6-for-32 (.188) in his previous 11 games.

CF Denard Span blasted his third "Splash Hit" of the season into the San Francisco Bay in the first inning of the Giants' Monday win over the Dodgers. Span has recorded the past three "Splash Hits" by a Giant this season, following his July 7 homer against Miami and July 19 blast against Cleveland. The "Splash Hit" was the 116th in the history of AT&T Park, the 76th by a member of the Giants. Span's homer was his 12th of the season, a career best.

CF Denard Span was 3-for-5 in Tuesday's loss to the Padres with a double and a RBI. It was his 27th multi-hit game of the season and his 10th three-hit game. He is tied with Posey for the team lead in three-hit games.

CF Denard Span led off the bottom of the first inning with an inside-the-park home run in Saturday's loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. The inside-the-park homer was just the 11th in the 18-year history of AT&T Park, but was the second in two weeks. Chicago Cubs INF Javier Baez had one against the Giants on Aug. 7. The last Giant to lead off the first inning with an inside-the-park homer was CF Johnny Rucker on June 20, 1945 at the Polo Grounds in New York against the Boston Braves.

CF Denard Span had a big game against the Marlins on Tuesday. He finished 3-for-4 with three runs, two RBIs and one homer, his eighth of the season.

CF Denard Span was in center as usual Thursday, but before the game he got the word from manager Bruce Bochy that he should be prepared for a move to left field as the club prepares to look at other options, including the just-activated Jarrett Parker. "It's hard to do during the season," Bochy said. "More than likely, it happens next year. I can't tell you what will happen in the offseason. But we have talked about it."

CF Denard Span recorded his second "Splash Hit" at AT&T Park this season in Wednesday's victory over the Cleveland Indians. The solo shot over the right field wall and into the San Francisco Bay was the fourth of his career. The "Splash Hit" was the 115th in the 18-year history of the ballpark, the 75th hit by a Giant.

Denard Span started at second base and hit lead-off for San Francisco. OF Gorkys Hernandez started in his place Wednesday. Span, who was 4-for-5, led off the first inning with a home run to right field on a 0-1 pitch. It was his second homer since May 24 with the first coming on June 16, in a 10-8 loss to the Colorado Rockies.