CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians entered camp in Arizona with questions at positions all over the diamond. On Friday, most of them got answered. And, one of them was pretty puzzling. With opening day less than a week away, manager Terry Francona got some needed clarity on his roster by announcing that Jake Bauers will open the season at first base despite being outperformed at the plate this spring by Bobby Bradley. Francona also said outfielder Ben Gamel, who came to camp on a minor league deal, had also made the club's opening-day roster along with veteran left-hander Oliver Pérez and utility infielder Yu Chang. Bradley was optioned to Triple-A Columbus along outfielder Bradley Zimmer and reliever Kyle Nelson. Relievers Anthony Gose and Blake Parker were informed they would not be with the club when it breaks camp next week. Francona said the Indians had a “lot of conversations” about their choice at first base, which basically came down to the 25-year-old Bauers, who spent last season at... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Daniel Johnson had a better spring training than any of Cleveland's outfielders, and all it did was get him sent to to the minor leagues. Johnson was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Friday as the Indians moved closer to finalizing their opening-day roster with a move that was tough on several fronts. With the Indians looking to fill spots in right and center field, the 25-year-old Johnson performed as well as any of the outfielders competing by batting .368 (7 for 19) with two homers and four RBIs in nine Cactus League games. Unlike some of the other outfielders in camp, however, Johnson still has options and because he didn't have a full minor league season in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indians want him to get some extra work at all three outfield spots. “He had a really good camp,” manager Terry Francona said. "And he was very disappointed and we knew that was going to be the case. With the way spring training is right now and has been, and the amount of... [More]

Michael Kopech is getting used to his new relief role with the Chicago White Sox. Judging by his first Cactus League appearance, it looks like he's going to be just fine. The talented right-hander worked a perfect fourth inning Tuesday against San Diego. It was his first game since he opted out of the pandemic-shortened season for a variety of reasons, including concerns about his mental health. “It’s been a while, obviously,” Kopech said. “But it just felt good to kind of knock some rust off and get back out there and compete.” The 24-year-old Kopech, one of baseball’s top pitching prospects, was a starter coming up through the minors and likely will return to Chicago’s rotation at some point. But he is expected to begin the year in the White Sox bullpen. Part of his spring training work involves getting up to speed when it comes to life as a reliever. He worked out of the stretch against the Padres. “If I am going to be throwing out of the bullpen for part of this year at least and maybe... [More]

Michael Kopech is getting used to his new relief role with the Chicago White Sox. Judging by his first Cactus League appearance, it looks like he's going to be just fine. The talented right-hander worked a perfect fourth inning Tuesday against San Diego. It was his first game since he opted out of the pandemic-shortened season for a variety of reasons, including concerns about his mental health. “It’s been a while, obviously,” Kopech said. “But it just felt good to kind of knock some rust off and get back out there and compete.” The 24-year-old Kopech, one of baseball’s top pitching prospects, was a starter coming up through the minors and likely will return to Chicago’s rotation at some point. But he is expected to begin the year in the White Sox bullpen. Part of his spring training work involves getting up to speed when it comes to life as a reliever. He worked out of the stretch against the Padres. “If I am going to be throwing out of the bullpen for part of this year at least and maybe... [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]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lance Lynn matched the major league lead with his 11th win and the Texas Rangers avoided a series sweep with a 9-3 victory over the grieving Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night, the Fourth of July game that the late Tyler Skaggs had been scheduled to start.The Angels won the first two games of the series after the 27-year-old Skaggs was found dead in his hotel room in Texas on Monday, and that night's scheduled game was postponed until August.Mike Trout hit another impressive homer for Los Angeles in the first inning, his AL best-tying 25th. But Lynn (11-4) limited Los Angeles to only one more run over his seven innings and Rougned Odor homered twice to drive in five runs for the Rangers, who snapped a four-game losing streak.An emotional trip for the Angels that began with them traveling to Texas in cowboy hats and Western attire — a theme initiated by Skaggs — now takes them to Houston for three games this weekend against the Astros before the All-Star break.... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lance Lynn matched the major league lead with his 11th win and the Texas Rangers avoided a series sweep with a 9-3 victory over the grieving Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night, the Fourth of July game that the late Tyler Skaggs had been scheduled to start.The Angels won the first two games of the series after the 27-year-old Skaggs was found dead in his hotel room in Texas on Monday, and that night's scheduled game was postponed until August.Mike Trout hit another impressive homer for Los Angeles in the first inning, his AL best-tying 25th. But Lynn (11-4) limited Los Angeles to only one more run over his seven innings and Rougned Odor homered twice to drive in five runs for the Rangers, who snapped a four-game losing streak.An emotional trip for the Angels that began with them traveling to Texas in cowboy hats and Western attire — a theme initiated by Skaggs — now takes them to Houston for three games this weekend against the Astros before the All-Star break.... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Anthony Rendon hit his 20th homer and knocked in the go-ahead run to help the Washington Nationals finish a three-game sweep of the last-place Miami Marlins with a 5-2 victory Thursday.Washington has won eight of nine and 13 of 16 to climb to a season-best four games over .500.Kurt Suzuki homered in the second inning to extend the Montreal Expos/Nationals franchise record for consecutive games with a home run to 18. Rendon hit a solo shot in the fourth off Elieser Hernández (1-3) and drove in Gerardo Parra with a single in the fifth.Washington right-hander Aníbal Sánchez (5-6) allowed one earned run and five hits in six innings. Fernando Rodney got three outs for his second save of the season.Miguel Rojas homered for Miami, and Starlin Castro had three hits.YANKEES 8, RAYS 4, 10 INNINGSST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — DJ LeMahieu hit a tiebreaking two-run single and Gary Sanchez had a long three-run homer in the 10th inning, and AL East-leading New York overcome a ninth-inning... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Anthony Rendon hit his 20th homer and knocked in the go-ahead run to help the Washington Nationals finish a three-game sweep of the last-place Miami Marlins with a 5-2 victory Thursday.Washington has won eight of nine and 13 of 16 to climb to a season-best four games over .500.Kurt Suzuki homered in the second inning to extend the Montreal Expos/Nationals franchise record for consecutive games with a home run to 18. Rendon hit a solo shot in the fourth off Elieser Hernández (1-3) and drove in Gerardo Parra with a single in the fifth.Washington right-hander Aníbal Sánchez (5-6) allowed one earned run and five hits in six innings. Fernando Rodney got three outs for his second save of the season.Miguel Rojas homered for Miami, and Starlin Castro had three hits.YANKEES 8, RAYS 4, 10 INNINGSST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — DJ LeMahieu hit a tiebreaking two-run single and Gary Sanchez had a long three-run homer in the 10th inning, and AL East-leading New York overcome a ninth-inning... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Johan Camargo had a two-run, pinch-hit homer in the 10th inning, and the Atlanta Braves beat the Washington Nationals 4-3 Sunday to win their fifth straight series.Overcoming an injury to standout rookie starting pitcher Mike Soroka, the Braves used the long ball and their bullpen to win the deciding matchup of a three-game set between NL East rivals.Camargo connected off Tanner Rainey (1-2) after Ozzie Albies drew a one-out walk, and Atlanta held on for its seventh victory in 10 extra-inning games this season.Josh Donaldson and Ronald Acuña Jr. also went deep for the first-place Braves.Juan Soto homered for the Nationals, who have lost two in a row following a five-game win streak.A.J. Minter (2-4) worked the ninth and Luke Jackson earned his 11th save despite giving up a run, two hits and a walk.ASTROS 9, YANKEES 4NEW YORK (AP) — Jose Altuve hit a leadoff homer, rookie Yordan Alvarez connected again and Houston ended its first seven-game skid in four years.New York had... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Johan Camargo had a two-run, pinch-hit homer in the 10th inning, and the Atlanta Braves beat the Washington Nationals 4-3 Sunday to win their fifth straight series.Overcoming an injury to standout rookie starting pitcher Mike Soroka, the Braves used the long ball and their bullpen to win the deciding matchup of a three-game set between NL East rivals.Camargo connected off Tanner Rainey (1-2) after Ozzie Albies drew a one-out walk, and Atlanta held on for its seventh victory in 10 extra-inning games this season.Josh Donaldson and Ronald Acuña Jr. also went deep for the first-place Braves.Juan Soto homered for the Nationals, who have lost two in a row following a five-game win streak.A.J. Minter (2-4) worked the ninth and Luke Jackson earned his 11th save despite giving up a run, two hits and a walk.ASTROS 9, YANKEES 4NEW YORK (AP) — Jose Altuve hit a leadoff homer, rookie Yordan Alvarez connected again and Houston ended its first seven-game skid in four years.New York had... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Bobby Bradley has brought his big bat to the majors.The Indians recalled Bradley on Sunday from Triple-A Columbus, where he was leading the International League in home runs and causing Cleveland fans to question why he wasn't in a lineup needing power.The Indians, who are chasing AL Central-leading Minnesota, have been contemplating the move with Bradley for some time. He's in the lineup Sunday batting seventh and playing first as the Indians go for a three-game sweep over the Detroit Tigers.Bradley said he was so excited about his promotion to the majors that he put his car on cruise control during the two-hour drive from Columbus to Cleveland on Saturday."I couldn't keep my foot off the gas," Bradley said. "I just wanted to get up here so fast."Bradley was taking ground balls before Columbus' game against Lehigh Valley on Saturday when Clippers manager Tony Mansolino approached him."He informed me that I made the Futures Game, but the Indians didn't want me to play for... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Bobby Bradley has brought his big bat to the majors.The Indians recalled Bradley on Sunday from Triple-A Columbus, where he was leading the International League in home runs and causing Cleveland fans to question why he wasn't in a lineup needing power.The Indians, who are chasing the AL Central-leading Minnesota Twins, have been contemplating the move with Bradley for some time. He's in the lineup for Sunday's game batting seventh and playing first as the Indians go for a three-game sweep over the Detroit Tigers.A left-handed hitter, Bradley batted .292 with 24 homers and 55 RBIs for the Clippers. He has hit for power at every level in the minors — he had 27 homers last season between Double- and Triple-A — since being drafted by the Indians in 2014.To make room for Bradley, the Indians sent reliever Josh Smith back to Columbus.The Indians don't want to put too much pressure on Bradley, but hope his presence can fill a power void created by the offseason trades of Edwin Encarnacion, Yonder Alonso and Yan Gomes, as well as the decision not to re-sign Michael Brantley.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians have recalled slugger Bobby Bradley from Triple-A Columbus, where he was leading the International League in home runs.Cleveland had been contemplating the move for some time to add some pop to its lineup, and the club brought up Bradley on Sunday before going for a three-game sweep over the Detroit Tigers.A left-handed hitter, Bradley batted .292 with 24 homers and 55 RBIs for the Clippers. He has hit with power at every level in the minors — he had 27 last season between Double- and Triple-A — since being drafted by the Indians in 2014.To make room for Bradley, the Indians sent reliever Josh Smith back to Columbus.The Indians don't want to put too much pressure on Bradley, but hope his presence can fill a power void created by the offseason trades of Edwin Encarnacion, Yonder Alonso and Yan Gomes, as well as the decision not to re-sign Michael Brantley.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Leonys Martin's struggles at the plate forced the Indians to make a tough decision with the outfielder.Martín, who overcame a life-threatening bacterial infection last summer after arriving in a trade, was designated for assignment on Saturday. He was batting .199 with nine home runs and 19 RBIs in 65 games.Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said the decision to part ways with the 31-year-old Martín was difficult."Obviously, with all the things we've been through with Leonys and his family to this point, it wasn't easy," Antonetti said before the Indians hosted the Detroit Tigers. "But we also have an obligation to do what we think is the right thing for the rest of the team."Cleveland acquired Martín from the Tigers at the trade deadline last season, but he played only six games before becoming ill and being hospitalized.Antonetti said the move had nothing to do with the argument Martín had with star shortstop Francisco Lindor in the dugout on Wednesday... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — The Cleveland Indians will start the season missing Michael Brantley.Still recovering from offseason surgery on his right ankle, Brantley is being placed on the disabled list as the team continues to take a cautious and deliberate approach with the two-time All-Star outfielder.Brantley, who has been limited to 101 games over the past two seasons because of injuries, only began playing in exhibition games a few days ago. While he has made steady improvement, Brantley, who homered in his first at-bat of the spring, is not quite ready to play in a major league game."He's doing great. I just think, after we put our heads together, it would be good for him," manager Terry Francona said Sunday. "He's just not quite ready maybe to carry enough of the load. There's no setback or anything like that."If anyone understands the road to recovery can be arduous, it's Brantley, who has battled injuries the last two years.He bounced back last season after playing in just 11 games... [More]