The Baltimore Orioles figured Alex Cobb would be a fine fit.Cobb stayed in the division he knew best, finalizing a $57 million, four-year contract on Wednesday."They used the AL East and the success I've had in it to their advantage," the 30-year-old right-hander said. "They kept challenging me with it and I love the challenge of pitching in this division and they know that over the times we talked. They did a really good job of making me feel like this is where I need to be."Cobb had spent his entire six-season big league career with Tampa Bay and was the last top starting pitcher available in a slow-moving free agent market.Cobb joined Andrew Cashner and Chris Tillman, who were signed last month, in a revamped rotation that includes holdovers Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman.The Orioles are coming off a last-place finish and 75-87 record.Cobb was 12-10 with a 3.66 ERA in 29 starts last season. He pitched 179 1/3 innings in his first full year back after missing nearly two seasons because... [More]

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Julio Teheran is lined up to make his fifth straight opening-day start for the Atlanta Braves."I've been there the last four years, and that's a spot I want to be my whole career," the 27-year-old right-hander said Wednesday after pitching five innings in a 5-3 exhibition win over Philadelphia. "To be there, you've got to gain that spot. I'm working to show them I can be that guy and that I can represent."Teheran is 3-0 with a 1.29 ERA in 14 innings during spring training. He was 11-13 with a 4.49 ERA last season, almost a run above his 3.59 career ERA.Mike Foltynewicz, Brandon McCarthy and left-hander Sean Newcomb are the other pitchers projected to be in the rotation.Teheran is 1-1 with two no-decisions on opening day. He pitched six shutout innings last year in a 6-0 loss to the New York Mets."I don't know if I'm going to be that guy again, but it would be a great honor again," he said after giving up his first two runs of the exhibition season. "I'll just concentrate... [More]

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Scott Kazmir hopes that if his second major league comeback is slowed by an injury, it would be an arm ailment."It's not good to go through pains in other parts of your body," Kazmir said Thursday after his third spring training start for the Atlanta Braves. "You tend to compensate and you get into bad habits."The 34-year-old Atlanta left-hander reached 89 mph Thursday, when he allowed two runs and four hits in three innings of a 6-4 loss to Houston."It's crazy to even say it, but from experience it seems like you'd almost want it to be your arm that goes down," Kazmir said. "You're probably going to shut it down when there's something wrong with your arm, as opposed to some little thing you've got going on somewhere else. You figure 'I'll compensate, I'll figure something out.' But it doesn't always work out that way."Kazmir is in the final season of a $48 million, three-year contract he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. His left hip started to bother him in September... [More]

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Dansby Swanson and Sean Newcomb are hoping to rebound from rocky seasons with the Atlanta Braves."It's almost silly to think about it like this, but this is a game of failure," said Swanson, who had a 144-game audition as the Braves shortstop in 2017."What happened last year, we're going to build off of it and be better now. I've already reflected and I'm ready to move on."Newcomb, a left-handed pitcher, came up in June and showed he could strike out major league hitters (108 in 100 innings) without giving up too many home runs (10). However, his 57 walks were a contributing factor to his 4-9 record and 4.32 ERA.In the major league camp for the first time as a member of Atlanta's rotation, Newcomb's spring plan is "just getting more comfortable, being able to trust my stuff in the zone and let it rip, not try to strike everyone out." He said cutting down on the walks is "an over-time kind of thing in my development."Swanson and Newcomb are at the developmental core... [More]

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Dansby Swanson and Sean Newcomb of the Atlanta Braves are hoping to rebound from rocky seasons."It's almost silly to think about it like this, but this is a game of failure," said Swanson, who had a 144-game audition as the Braves shortstop in 2017."What happened last year, we're going to build off of it and be better now. I've already reflected and I'm ready to move on."Newcomb, a left-handed pitcher, came up in June and showed he could strike out major league hitters (108 in 100 innings) without giving up too many home runs (10). However his 57 walks were a contributing factor to his 4-9 record and 4.32 ERA.In the major league camp for the first time as a member of Atlanta's rotation, Newcomb's spring plan is "just getting more comfortable, being able to trust my stuff in the zone and let it rip, not try to strike everyone out." He said cutting down on the walks is "an over-time kind of thing in my development."Swanson and Newcomb are at the developmental core of... [More]

Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel will have to wait even longer before playing this season.Gurriel had surgery on his left hand Wednesday and the normal recovery time is six weeks.Opening day for the World Series champions is March 29, when the Astros visit Texas. When Gurriel returns, he will serve a five-game suspension imposed by Major League Baseball for making an inappropriate gesture toward Dodgers pitcher Yu Darvish during the World Series.Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said Gurriel's hand was broken before he came to camp. Luhnow said he did not know the original cause of the fracture."It was non-symptomatic until recently and he started to feel something," Luhnow said. "Once you start feeling something, the right course of action is to just remove it because it's a pretty reliable surgery, and we know what the outcome is going to be."The 33-year-old Gurriel hit .299 with 18 homers and 75 RBIs last year in his first full season in the majors. He played in one exhibition... [More]

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Chipper Jones says this spring will be wide open for the Atlanta Braves."Guys need to know that this team and this organization are tired of the last few years," the former Braves star after Monday's first full-squad workout. "We're a very proud organization. We went through a rough offseason with the changing of the (front office), but ... there's definitely a change in attitude. You see it in the way the coaching staff is putting together spring training."The 45-year-old Jones was elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility this winter. His 19-year career, all with Atlanta, ended in 2012 and nearly coincided with the Braves' run of 14 straight division titles. They come into 2018 on a streak of four straight losing seasons, including last year's 72-90 mark.In his role as a special assistant, the star third baseman is hoping that competition for positions might spark a revival."It's a free-for-all," Jones said. "There are a few people who had big... [More]

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Brandon McCarthy figures his slider needs some work this spring. The last one he threw didn't end up where he expected."I gave up a game-winning home run in the World Series on it," McCarthy said Wednesday before his first organized spring workout with the Atlanta Braves. "So I really want to get back to work on it. I need the time and the reps to really get it under control and be effective with it."George Springer hit a two-run homer off McCarthy's slider in the 11th inning of Game 2 of the World Series, a game the Houston Astros won 7-6 at Dodger Stadium. It was the last game the 34-year-old right-hander pitched for Los Angeles Dodgers, who threw him into a five-player trade with the Braves for Matt Kemp."The way things ended last year is really a letdown, but it was still great to go through the whole experience. It's something you'd like to get past as the season goes along," said McCarthy, who will be pitching for his seventh major league team."There's a little... [More]

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Brandon McCarthy figures his slider needs some work this spring. The last one he threw didn't end up where he expected."I gave up a game-winning home run in the World Series on it," McCarthy said Wednesday before his first organized spring workout with the Atlanta Braves. "So I really want to get back to work on it. I need the time and the reps to really get it under control and be effective with it."George Springer hit a two-run homer off McCarthy's slider in the 11th inning of Game 2 of the World Series, a game the Houston Astros won 7-6 at Dodger Stadium. It was the last game the 34-year-old right-hander pitched for Los Angeles Dodgers, who threw him into a five-player trade with the Braves for Matt Kemp."The way things ended last year is really a letdown, but it was still great to go through the whole experience. It's something you'd like to get past as the season goes along," said McCarthy, who will be pitching for his seventh major league team."There's a little... [More]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Matt Kemp arrived early Tuesday to a Dodgers clubhouse he already knows and to a team he believes he can help win the World Series — if he gets the chance to stick around.Kemp, back in the Dodgers spring-training complex at Camelback Ranch for the first time since 2014, looked comfortable and confident in his return to his original major-league team."I got a lot left in me," said Kemp, a former All-Star outfielder who was in camp six days before the reporting date for position players.Maybe there's enough left, Kemp said, for the Dodgers to win the title that eluded them last fall against Houston in Game 7."I can help this team win," he said. "I feel strong, ready to go. I'm older, but I've got a lot to offer, a lot of knowledge. Nobody really knows what their role is, but I'm here to win. I know I can be in this lineup, can help us win, prove to everybody I can still play defense. We all got something to prove every year. It's a fresh start. Why not do it back where... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National 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:___Washington NationalsManager: Dave Martinez (first season).2017: 97-65, first place, lost to Chicago Cubs in NLDS.Training Town: West Palm Beach, Florida.Park: The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.First Workout: Feb. 16/21.He's Here: 1B-OF Matt Adams, C Miguel Montero.He's Outta Here: Manager Dusty Baker, LF Jayson Werth, C Jose Lobaton, 1B-LF Adam Lind, RHP Matt Albers.Going campin': It's become an all-too-familiar story for the Nationals and their fans: terrific regular season, followed by quick playoff exit, followed by a managerial change. Martinez will be the latest skipper to try to lead the club to postseason success — and GM Mike Rizzo has made it clear that ownership expects nothing less than a World Series championship. Martinez has been Joe Maddon's right-hand man with the Chicago... [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]

ATLANTA (AP) — Brian Snitker is hoping to face some tough decisions at the end of March.That would mean such top prospects as Ronald Acuna and Austin Riley have made such good impressions in Florida that it would be difficult to leave them off the Braves' opening day roster.For Snitker, the third-year manager, that'd be great news for Atlanta's future.Acuna, 20, an outfielder with power, speed and strong defense, is Atlanta's player to watch. He was the most valuable player of the Arizona Fall League, the youngest ever to earn that honor, and Baseball America's No. 1 prospect.The young native of Venezuela impressed the Braves last spring on his visits from the minor league camp. Even at 19, he looked ready for the major leagues."If you want to get right down to it, he probably made our club as a fence-jumper last year, really," Snitker said. "... It's going to be even more fun this year to have him in camp every day and see what the kid brings."The Braves would gain a seventh year of contractual... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Dodgers' bid to win their first World Series in 29 years came up short in a Game 7 loss to Houston. They seek to take the final step to an elusive championship this season with the roster mostly intact and an eye on the future.Certainly, Los Angeles has to be considered the favorite to win a sixth consecutive NL West title.The Dodgers' farm system remains deep and the team has the talent and depth to withstand injuries during a 162-game season. Their $243 million payroll was baseball's biggest last year and they made a move this winter to dump salary in preparation for 2019, when the free agent market will be loaded.___Some things to watch for as the Dodgers open spring training in Glendale, Arizona:NEW LOOKThe Dodgers sent 1B Adrian Gonzalez, pitchers Scott Kazmir and Brandon McCarthy, and utility man Charlie Culberson, along with $4.5 million, to Atlanta for OF Matt Kemp, a former Dodger who could be traded or released. The move freed up a huge amount of salary,... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves haven't closed the door on adding a free agent, preferably on a short-term deal.General manager Alex Anthopoulos said Saturday he's still considering free-agent options at third base, the outfield and in the bullpen. He said he's not looking to add a long-term contract that would block the path of outfielder Ronald Acuna or third baseman Austin Riley."I would say our focus, unless it's somebody we really believe in, would be on a shorter term deal because we don't want to block a Riley, we don't want to block an Acuna," Anthopoulos said.Acuna and Riley will be closely watched in spring training as non-roster invitees.Anthopoulos helped to clear Acuna's path to the major leagues by trading outfielder Matt Kemp to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Dec. 16.Acuna, 20, is the star of a rebuilding process otherwise built around pitching. He was the most valuable player of the Arizona Fall League and Baseball America's minor league player of the year.The Braves had interest... [More]

The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired outfielder Matt Kemp from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for four players and cash considerations, the Dodgers announced Saturday.Heading east to Atlanta are first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, pitchers Scott Kazmir and Brandon McCarthy and infielder Charlie Culberson.MLB.com reported the Braves have already designated Gonzalez for assignment.Kemp, 33, is reunited with the Dodgers. He played for them from 2006-14, hitting 182 home runs, which is fourth in Dodgers' history. Last season, he hit .276 with 19 homers, 64 RBIs and 23 doubles in 115 games for the Braves.Gonzalez, 35, was acquired by the Dodgers from the Boston Red Sox in August 2012 and was instrumental in helping Los Angeles win five straight National League West Division titles. In 14 big league seasons, the five-time All-Star has hit .288 with 2,010 hits, 311 homers and 1,176 RBI while playing in 1,875 games.Kazmir, 33, was signed to a three-year contract with Los Angeles before the 2016 season and... [More]

The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired OF Matt Kemp from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for four players and cash considerations, according to a release from the Dodgers. Heading east to Atlanta are 1B Adrian Gonzalez, LHP Scott Kazmir, RHP Brandon McCarthy and IF Charlie Culberson. MLB.com reported the Braves have already designated Gonzalez for assignment. McCarthy, 34, signed a four-year deal with the Dodgers in December 2014 and in his three seasons with Los Angeles, went 11-7 with a 4.51 ERA in 29 starts. The right-hander missed most of 2015 and 2016 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in April 2015.

RHP Brandon McCarthy was added to the World Series roster. McCarthy was 6-4 with a 3.98 ERA in 19 games (16 starts) during the regular season. He only pitched six innings since July 20 due to a knee injury.

RHP Brandon McCarthy was reinstated from the 60-day disabled list after overcoming a blister issue on the fingers of his right hand. It was McCarthy's third stint on the DL this year after also dealing with knee and shoulder soreness. McCarthy has posted a 3.84 ERA in 16 starts for the Dodgers this season, but would remain a long shot to make the postseason roster.

RHP Brandon McCarthy should join the Dodgers the weekend of Sept. 22-24, manager Dave Roberts said Saturday. McCarthy pitched Friday night for Double-A Tulsa in the playoffs and gave up five hits and two runs in six innings. "He went (six) innings -- blister fine, knee fine, gave up a few runs but pitched well," Roberts said.