TORONTO (AP) — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was determined not to show up to another spring training carrying more weight than he wanted. Embarrassed and apologetic after arriving out of shape at summer camp in 2020, the Blue Jays slugger worked aggressively on his conditioning this offseason, and said he has lost 42 pounds since last July. “I came to spring training out of shape for a couple of years,” Guerrero said through a translator Wednesday from Blue Jays camp in Dunedin, Florida. “One day at my house in the Dominican I just sat down and thought about all this. I decided right then that I was going to get ready, I was going to prepare myself, I was going to work very hard for this year. I did, because my main focus is just to be ready and help the team win.” A slimmer-looking Guerrero said he now feels stronger, quicker, and more resilient. “I worked very hard on my legs because I really wanted to trust my legs,” he said. “Before, I wasn’t getting to ground balls. Sometimes at the plate... [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: ___ Tampa Bay Rays Manager: Kevin Cash (seventh season). 2020: 40-20, first place, AL champions, lost to Dodgers in World Series. Training Town: Port Charlotte, Florida. Park: Charlotte Sports Park. First Workout: Feb. 18/23. He’s Here: RHP Michael Wacha, RHP Chris Archer, C Francisco Mejia, RHP Luis Patiño. He’s Outta Here: LHP Blake Snell, RHP Charlie Morton, OF Hunter Renfroe, RHP Aaron Slegers, 1B Nate Lowe, LHP Aaron Loup, LHP Jose Alvarado, 1B Brian O’Grady, RHP Chaz Roe, RHP Oliver Drake, LHP Sean Gilmartin. Going campin’: The AL champions are coming off their first division title in a decade and first World Series appearance in 12 years, but they have to replace their top two starting pitchers after declining a $15 million option on Morton and trading Snell to San Diego. The Rays... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — Outfielder Teoscar Hernandez agreed to a $4,325,000, one-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, who reached a $3 million, one-year deal with right-hander Ross Stripling. The pair were the only Blue Jays remaining eligible for arbitration going into Friday's scheduled exchange of proposed figures. Hernandez, 28, hit .230 with 16 homers and 34 RBIs in the shortened 2020 season, tied for fifth in the AL in home runs. His seven assists tied for the big league lead among outfielders. He earned $223,037 in prorated pay from a salary of $602,200 and was eligible for arbitration for the first time. Stripling, 31, went 3-3 with a 5.84 ERA over nine starts and three relief appearances with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Blue Jays, who acquired him in a trade on Aug. 31. Striping earned $1,722,222 in prorated pay from a $2.1 million contract, part of his money protected by its inclusion as a signing bonus. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — First baseman Rowdy Tellez is on the Toronto Blue Jays' roster for their first round playoff series against Tampa Bay after recovering from a strained right knee that had sidelined him since Sept. 8. Tellez could be a designated hitter option for the top-seeded Rays in the best-of-three series against the No. 8 Blue Jays. Right-hander Jordan Romano was not included on the 28-man roster Tuesday. He has not pitched in a game since Aug 28 because of a finger injury but threw batting practice Sunday in hopes of earning a spot. Toronto also left off right-hander Tanner Roark, who had a 6.80 ERA in 11 starts. Toronto’s roster features 13 pitchers, three catchers, eight infielders and four outfielders. The pitchers are Chase Anderson, Anthony Bass, Ryan Borucki, A.J. Cole, Rafael Dolis, Thomas Hatch, Anthony Kay, Nate Pearson, Robbie Ray, Hyun Jin Ryu, Matt Shoemaker, Ross Stripling and Taijuan Walker. Position players include catchers Danny Jansen, Alejandro Kirk and Reese McGuire, infielders Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio, Santiago Espinal, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Joe Panik, Travis Shaw, Rowdy Tellez and Jonathan Villar, and outfielders Jonathan Davis, Randal Grichuk, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., and Teoscar Hernandez. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A capsule look at the best-of-three playoff series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Florida, beginning Tuesday. ___ TORONTO BLUE JAYS Record: 32-28. Playoff Entry: AL wild card. Playoff Seed: No. 8. Manager: Charlie Montoyo (second season). Projected Rotation: RHP Matt Shoemaker (0-1, 4.71 ERA), LHP Hyun Jin Ryu (5-2, 2.69), RHP Taijuan Walker (4-3, 2.70 with Seattle and Toronto). Top Hitters: OF Teoscar Hernandez (.289, 16 HRs, 34 RBIs), OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (.308, 11, 33), OF Randal Grichuk (.273, 12, 35). Top Relievers: RHP Anthony Bass (2-3, 3.51 ERA, 7 saves), RHP Rafael Dolis (2-2, 1.50, 5 saves). Series Summary: The Blue Jays make their eighth trip to the postseason and first since 2016, when they lost in the ALCS for the second straight year. Barred from playing home games north of the border because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Blue Jays began the season with an extended road trip before moving into Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York, home of... [More]

Blue jays second. Teoscar Hernandez homers to center field. Travis Shaw called out on strikes. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. strikes out swinging. Joe Panik grounds out to second base, Michael Chavis to Bobby Dalbec.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Blue jays 1, Red sox 0.Red sox second. J.D. Martinez homers to center field. Christian Vazquez singles to deep right field. Yairo Munoz strikes out swinging. Jackie Bradley Jr. homers to right field. Christian Vazquez scores. Michael Chavis grounds out to shortstop, Jonathan Villar to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.. Bobby Dalbec homers to left field. Alex Verdugo flies out to deep right field to Teoscar Hernandez.4 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Red sox 4, Blue jays 1.Blue jays fourth. Rowdy Tellez singles to shallow left field. Teoscar Hernandez flies out to deep right field to Alex Verdugo. Travis Shaw doubles to deep right field. Rowdy Tellez scores. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. reaches on error. Travis Shaw to third. Fielding error by Xander Bogaerts. Joe... [More]

Red sox second. Christian Vazquez singles to center field. Michael Chavis lines out to center field to Randal Grichuk. Jackie Bradley Jr. singles to shallow infield. Christian Vazquez to second. Bobby Dalbec strikes out swinging. Tzu-Wei Lin doubles to deep center field. Jackie Bradley Jr. to third. Christian Vazquez scores. Jonathan Arauz grounds out to second base, Cavan Biggio to Rowdy Tellez.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Red sox 1, Blue jays 0.Red sox third. Alex Verdugo pops out to shallow center field to Jonathan Villar. Yairo Munoz singles to shallow right field. Rafael Devers reaches on a fielder's choice to first base. Yairo Munoz out at second. Christian Vazquez walks. Rafael Devers to second. Michael Chavis singles to center field. Christian Vazquez to second. Rafael Devers scores. Jackie Bradley Jr. strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Red sox 2, Blue jays 0.Blue jays fourth. Rowdy Tellez homers to left field. Teoscar Hernandez strikes out swinging.... [More]

Blue jays second. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. called out on strikes. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. called out on strikes. Travis Shaw homers to center field. Joe Panik walks. Danny Jansen homers to center field. Joe Panik scores. Cavan Biggio lines out to second base to Xander Bogaerts.3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Blue jays 3, Red sox 0.Red sox second. J.D. Martinez strikes out swinging. Kevin Plawecki doubles to deep center field. Jackie Bradley Jr. grounds out to shallow center field, Joe Panik to Rowdy Tellez. Kevin Plawecki to third. Yairo Munoz homers to center field. Kevin Plawecki scores. Michael Chavis doubles to deep center field. Jose Peraza lines out to left center field to Lourdes Gurriel Jr..2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Blue jays 3, Red sox 2.Blue jays third. Randal Grichuk doubles to left center field. Rowdy Tellez singles to left center field. Randal Grichuk to third. Teoscar Hernandez grounds out to third base. Rowdy Tellez out at second. Randal Grichuk scores. Vladimir... [More]

Red sox second. J.D. Martinez grounds out to shortstop, Santiago Espinal to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.. Christian Vazquez called out on strikes. Jackie Bradley Jr. homers to center field. Michael Chavis singles to center field. Bobby Dalbec strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Red sox 1, Blue jays 0.Red sox sixth. Alex Verdugo singles to shallow center field. Rafael Devers reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Alex Verdugo out at second. Xander Bogaerts strikes out swinging. J.D. Martinez singles to left field. Rafael Devers to third. Christian Vazquez walks. J.D. Martinez to second. Jackie Bradley Jr. walks. Christian Vazquez to second. J.D. Martinez to third. Rafael Devers scores. Michael Chavis strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Red sox 2, Blue jays 0.Blue jays seventh. Teoscar Hernandez singles to deep left field. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. flies out to right field to Alex Verdugo. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. singles to right field. Teoscar Hernandez... [More]

Orioles first. Hanser Alberto strikes out swinging. Anthony Santander doubles to deep right field. Jose Iglesias singles to shallow right field. Anthony Santander scores. Renato Nunez strikes out swinging. Pedro Severino called out on strikes.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Orioles 1, Blue jays 0.Blue jays fifth. Daniel Vogelbach grounds out to shallow right field, Hanser Alberto to Renato Nunez. Danny Jansen walks. Joe Panik doubles to shallow right field. Danny Jansen to third. Santiago Espinal strikes out on a foul tip. Cavan Biggio reaches on error. Joe Panik scores. Danny Jansen scores. Throwing error by Hanser Alberto. Randal Grichuk walks. Cavan Biggio to second. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. called out on strikes.2 runs, 1 hit, 1 error, 2 left on. Blue jays 2, Orioles 1.Orioles sixth. Hanser Alberto singles to center field. Anthony Santander doubles to deep left center field. Hanser Alberto scores. Jose Iglesias strikes out swinging. Renato Nunez lines out to deep center field to Randal... [More]

Orioles second. Ryan Mountcastle homers to deep left field. Mason Williams grounds out to shallow infield, Tanner Roark to Rowdy Tellez. Rio Ruiz walks. Andrew Velazquez called out on strikes. Hanser Alberto singles to right field. Rio Ruiz to second. Anthony Santander flies out to right field to Teoscar Hernandez.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Orioles 1, Blue jays 0.Blue jays fourth. Cavan Biggio grounds out to shallow infield, Pedro Severino to Renato Nunez. Randal Grichuk doubles to left field. Travis Shaw walks. Teoscar Hernandez flies out to deep right field to Anthony Santander. Randal Grichuk to third. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singles to center field. Travis Shaw to third. Randal Grichuk scores. Rowdy Tellez pops out to shallow left field to Rio Ruiz.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Orioles 1, Blue jays 1.Blue jays fifth. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. walks. Joe Panik walks. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to second. Reese McGuire out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Rio Ruiz to Renato Nunez.... [More]

Blue jays first. Cavan Biggio grounds out to first base, Hanser Alberto to Renato Nunez. Randal Grichuk strikes out swinging. Rowdy Tellez walks. Teoscar Hernandez singles to right field, advances to 2nd. Rowdy Tellez to third. Fielding error by Anthony Santander. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singles to deep left field. Teoscar Hernandez scores. Rowdy Tellez scores. Travis Shaw grounds out to shallow infield to Renato Nunez.2 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Blue jays 2, Orioles 0.Blue jays fourth. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singles to center field. Travis Shaw singles to shallow right field. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to third. Derek Fisher reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Travis Shaw out at second. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. scores. Danny Jansen flies out to left field to Ryan Mountcastle. Joe Panik doubles to deep right field. Derek Fisher to third. Cavan Biggio singles to left field. Joe Panik scores. Derek Fisher scores. Randal Grichuk pops out to shallow infield to Hanser Alberto.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Blue jays 5, Orioles 0.

Blue jays fourth. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. homers to right field. Teoscar Hernandez homers to center field. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. pops out to Renato Nunez. Rowdy Tellez grounds out to shallow infield, Hanser Alberto to Renato Nunez. Travis Shaw singles to right center field. Danny Jansen flies out to shallow center field to Anthony Santander.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Blue jays 2, Orioles 0.Orioles sixth. Hanser Alberto singles to center field. Anthony Santander lines out to deep left field to Lourdes Gurriel Jr.. Jose Iglesias singles to shallow left field, advances to 2nd. Hanser Alberto to third. Renato Nunez walks. Pedro Severino strikes out swinging. Ryan Mountcastle singles to shortstop. Renato Nunez to third. Jose Iglesias scores. Hanser Alberto scores. Pat Valaika strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. Orioles 2, Blue jays 2.Blue jays sixth. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubles to deep left field. Teoscar Hernandez walks. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. grounds out to shallow... [More]

Blue jays first. Cavan Biggio grounds out to shallow infield to Mitch Moreland. Randal Grichuk homers to center field. Travis Shaw strikes out swinging. Teoscar Hernandez singles to center field. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. called out on strikes.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Blue jays 1, Red sox 0.Blue jays second. Rowdy Tellez homers to center field. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. walks. Reese McGuire grounds out to shallow infield, Xander Bogaerts to Mitch Moreland. Santiago Espinal lines out to deep center field to Jackie Bradley Jr.. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to third. Cavan Biggio called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Blue jays 2, Red sox 0.Red sox fourth. J.D. Martinez lines out to deep center field to Randal Grichuk. Xander Bogaerts flies out to Teoscar Hernandez. Mitch Moreland homers to left field. Christian Vazquez grounds out to shortstop, Travis Shaw to Rowdy Tellez.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Blue jays 2, Red sox 1.Blue jays fourth. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubles to... [More]

Blue jays first. Cavan Biggio singles to shallow center field. Randal Grichuk singles to left field. Cavan Biggio to second. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. lines out to center field to Jackie Bradley Jr.. Teoscar Hernandez walks. Randal Grichuk to second. Cavan Biggio to third. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. doubles to deep right field. Teoscar Hernandez to third. Randal Grichuk scores. Cavan Biggio scores. Travis Shaw pops out to shallow infield to Rafael Devers. Danny Jansen singles to shallow left field, tagged out at second, Alex Verdugo to Christian Vazquez to Jose Peraza. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. scores. Teoscar Hernandez scores.4 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Blue jays 4, Red sox 0.Red sox second. Xander Bogaerts doubles to deep left center field. Mitch Moreland singles to shallow center field. Xander Bogaerts scores. Christian Vazquez lines out to center field to Teoscar Hernandez. Kevin Pillar strikes out swinging. Jackie Bradley Jr. grounds out to second base, Brandon Drury to Vladimir Guerrero Jr..1... [More]

Rays second. Ji-Man Choi flies out to deep center field to Randal Grichuk. Yoshi Tsutsugo homers. Joey Wendle singles to deep right center field. Willy Adames doubles to deep left field, advances to 3rd. Joey Wendle out at home. Kevin Kiermaier grounds out to second base, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to Tanner Roark.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Rays 1, Blue jays 0.Blue jays third. Santiago Espinal lines out to deep left field to Austin Meadows. Cavan Biggio singles to shallow infield. Randal Grichuk strikes out swinging. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubles to deep left field. Cavan Biggio scores. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Blue jays 1, Rays 1.Rays fourth. Ji-Man Choi grounds out to shallow infield to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.. Yoshi Tsutsugo walks. Joey Wendle grounds out to second base, Cavan Biggio to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.. Yoshi Tsutsugo to second. Willy Adames homers to right field. Yoshi Tsutsugo scores. Kevin Kiermaier grounds out to first base... [More]

Blue jays second. Teoscar Hernandez homers to left field. Travis Shaw grounds out to first base to Ji-Man Choi. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. strikes out swinging. Danny Jansen flies out to right field to Brandon Lowe.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Blue jays 1, Rays 0.Blue jays fourth. Randal Grichuk lines out to shortstop to Joey Wendle. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. triples. Teoscar Hernandez walks. Travis Shaw singles to deep left field. Teoscar Hernandez to second. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. scores. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. walks. Travis Shaw to second. Teoscar Hernandez to third. Danny Jansen flies out to right center field to Brandon Lowe. Brandon Drury grounds out to shallow infield, Josh Fleming to Ji-Man Choi.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Blue jays 2, Rays 0.Rays fifth. Joey Wendle singles to center field. Willy Adames walks. Joey Wendle to second. Kevin Kiermaier lines out to center field to Randal Grichuk. Jose Martinez pinch-hitting for Michael Perez. Jose Martinez singles to right field. Willy... [More]

Rays first. Austin Meadows strikes out swinging. Brandon Lowe homers to center field. Yandy Diaz singles to shallow infield. Ji-Man Choi doubles to left field. Yandy Diaz out at home. Joey Wendle walks. Yoshi Tsutsugo strikes out swinging.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Rays 1, Blue jays 0.Blue jays second. Teoscar Hernandez homers to center field. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. homers to left field. Travis Shaw grounds out to shortstop, Joey Wendle to Ji-Man Choi. Brandon Drury singles to deep right field. Cavan Biggio walks. Santiago Espinal pops out to Ji-Man Choi. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. doubles to deep left field. Cavan Biggio to third. Brandon Drury scores. Randal Grichuk singles to second base. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. out at home. Cavan Biggio scores.4 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Blue jays 4, Rays 1.Rays third. Austin Meadows grounds out to first base to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.. Brandon Lowe strikes out swinging. Yandy Diaz homers to center field. Ji-Man Choi grounds out to first base to... [More]

Phillies first. Andrew McCutchen strikes out on a foul tip. Rhys Hoskins strikes out swinging. Bryce Harper homers to left field. J.T. Realmuto grounds out to third base, Travis Shaw to Vladimir Guerrero Jr..1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Phillies 1, Blue jays 0.Phillies third. Roman Quinn singles to shallow infield. Andrew McCutchen singles to shallow center field. Roman Quinn scores. Rhys Hoskins walks. Andrew McCutchen to second. Bryce Harper pops out to right field to Joe Panik. J.T. Realmuto grounds out to shortstop. Rhys Hoskins out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Phillies 2, Blue jays 0.Blue jays fourth. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singles to deep left field. Joe Panik singles to shallow right field. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to second. Billy McKinney flies out to center field to Roman Quinn. Reese McGuire singles to shallow center field. Joe Panik to second. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to third. Santiago Espinal out on a sacrifice fly to deep right field to Bryce Harper. Joe Panik... [More]

Blue jays second. Randal Grichuk homers to center field. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. strikes out swinging. Brandon Drury flies out to deep left center field to Dwight Smith Jr.. Santiago Espinal doubles. Anthony Alford grounds out to shortstop, Pat Valaika to Chris Davis.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Blue jays 1, Orioles 0.Orioles fourth. Hanser Alberto doubles to deep center field. Dwight Smith Jr. singles to deep right field, advances to 3rd. Hanser Alberto scores. Fielding error by Teoscar Hernandez. Pat Valaika singles to center field. Dwight Smith Jr. scores. Chris Davis strikes out swinging. Cedric Mullins singles to shallow left field, advances to 2nd. Pat Valaika to third. Chance Sisco flies out to right center field to Teoscar Hernandez. Pat Valaika out at home.2 runs, 4 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Orioles 2, Blue jays 1.Blue jays sixth. Teoscar Hernandez grounds out to shortstop, Pat Valaika to Chris Davis. Travis Shaw singles to deep right field. Randal Grichuk homers to center... [More]